The late morning light filtered through the uncovered front window, almost blinding Hanna as she searched for Steve's car. She took another sip of her lukewarm black tea. It was only their second day here and she was already sick of the stuff. If there was anything to look forward to today, it would be a fresh cup of coffee. Plus the fresh clothes, she thought optimistically as she looked down at her dirty, ripe blouse and pants.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cwe6LHFu7
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As much as Hanna was looking forward to what he was bringing, she couldn't shake that nagging feeling that Steve might have told the dealers about Ethan originally. Ethan trusted him, but that didn’t mean much to her, so she decided to stay vigilante. If Steve was a greedy backstabber, then she knew how to deal with him, as she'd handled those kind of people her whole life. Keep your enemies close, Hanna thought coldly, and, preferably, within stabbing range.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSoxvQgoBa
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Hanna looked at her phone again, based on his last text, Steve should be arriving now. She checked the window for the umpteenth time but there was no sign of his car before she glanced back at Ethan, lying on the sofa, evidently still tired. Despite his closed eyes, she knew he was awake, the way his hands kept fidgeting was an obvious tell.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3YDPjR0V3
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"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrAg07sXkE
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Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG5Mkv4FR4
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Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKTidO6sKc
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"He doesn't have to come in, I can meet him outside," Hanna suggested quickly. "You won't have to see him."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXP5c38CEY
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"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIQlALpSjm
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"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA29Fr4Emmf
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Ethan shrugged noncommittally.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXge8kzlz4h
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"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lo5dVZzJh
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"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8ZaratSbq
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"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1JXJ1J5Oo
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Ethan was very familiar with the Terran stereotypes about Charax heats. "No. That's not a symptom," he stated dryly. Maybe I'd feel more aggressive if every inch of me wasn't sore, he thought grumpily.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSqMnW5Dbu
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Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a car outside. Hanna went to the front window to see Steve's silver car driving up in from of the building.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBOuHsqntI
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"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZBUtfY5uG
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Ethan got up off the sofa, stretching his stiff muscles, preparing himself. His body only wanted to do two things right now. Pretending to act like a Terran was not one of those things, but he’d been doing that his whole life, a few minutes was nothing in comparison.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtF5rcj1XCs
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Hanna opened the door for Steve, who had way too many grocery bags in his hands, as Ethan walked into the kitchen. "Let me take those," Hanna offered, taking the bags from him and carrying them over to the kitchen easily.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAQzJP0sMv
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"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIBfjyb5xj
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"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeDPj65JRk
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Steve joined the two of them in the kitchen. "You're welcome, it's good to see you're both alive."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR7Kdp1jMb
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"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRGmxLee3X
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"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJVS1NAIZu
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"That's what it seemed like, looks like they knew what they were doing," Hanna answered vaguely, adding false uncertainty in an attempt to cover up her own knowledge. She’d avoided giving Steve too many details, out of concern that he might not accept her lies as easily as Ethan did.
"That's crazy. Hard to believe the rumours are true, that people really do hunt Charax for a living," Steve commented grimly, then he turned to Ethan. "But, hey, you got out alright. Looks like they messed with the wrong Charax this time."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoUU4SRfeY
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Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF72Z451bbb
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Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnrOexI8VX
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"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzghBD2zI5M
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Hanna eyed him curiously. She'd seen every inch of him and knew he didn't have any bruises on the back of his shoulder. He’s probably just tired and irritable, she thought.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyA5BX152x
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"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms3vGKsuVn
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"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTqWMWt9IA
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"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m1gnQ6MxI
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Ethan nodded hesitantly, so Hanna went to join Steve. He used the opportunity to take a deep breath, trying to steady the slight tremor in his hand. He resolved to try to focus his complete attention on the task in front of him and try to forget about the returning heat symptoms.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf82sWSEoXq
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Steve and Hanna brought the rest of the bags in, and by the time they were done, Ethan had already unpacked half the groceries.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemiupmkUz4
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"What about the bag I asked you to pick up?" Hanna asked as she looked over the chaotic pile of bags spanning the kitchen and living room.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlkNO7ho1T
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"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ilzQBXkWO
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Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoVtVc7Wjq
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"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLn9oU4tVf
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"I packed it weeks ago for a trip that ended up cancelled and I never got around to unpacking it. Good thing I procrastinated," Hanna lied smoothly as she opened it up, checking the contents. She'd always had an emergency bag packed but she'd never needed to use it before, nor had she ever expected to use it for something like this.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvbHiZPKEp
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"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2JzzxqNag
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"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLkuLQrpTg
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Ethan was almost done with the bag in front of him, the last item was a bag of potatoes. As he went to put them away, he accidentally dropped them. The heavy bag hit the kitchen floor with a loud thud, drawing everyone's attention, and Steve went to pick it up.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOtthglKqf
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Ethan snatched the vegetables up before Steve could reach them. "I have it," he mumbled, sticking them in a cabinet. He noticed the tremor in his hand worsening.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AjS8W2Usg
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Hanna shot a puzzled glance over at the two men in the kitchen. She couldn't put her finger on what was wrong with Ethan. She'd have guessed that he was frightened, except that he had no reason to be scared of Steve... unless he had the same gut feeling she did.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1grbZSLWX7
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Ethan thought he was doing a better job of handling the tremors until he grabbed the jug of milk and it slipped out of his grasp onto the floor. "Damn," he swore at a low volume, reaching downwards towards the undamaged plastic container.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyIFqc3DDG
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"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70t7uobqH5
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Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKtSFkhTQQ
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The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9qQQWIbfQ
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Ethan realized everyone was looking at him. "There are more bags to unpack," he stated awkwardly, trying to shift their attention away.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI7YGnalEV
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Steve didn't move other than frowning slightly, as if he didn't know what to make of the situation. Hanna stood on the other side of the room awkwardly, her forehead creasing. Despite his previous comment, Ethan didn't move from his position on the other side of the kitchen, rubbing his hand nervously.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADMgBwnMXG
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"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKqKUBCR45
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Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9nPEMKutI
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Hanna stopped to the side of the door, taking a deep breath of the crisp spring air. Sunlight was filtering through the evergreens, bathing their surroundings in a relaxing glow, in a way she would have usually enjoyed, but she was too preoccupied to appreciate. She heard the door shut and the crunch of footsteps behind her.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GEZZzUfIM
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"So what's—" Steve was abruptly cut off by Hanna spinning around to push him harshly against the wooden wall of the cabin and putting a knife to his throat. His expression reflected his state of pure shock.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm4eTs2Nc9
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"I'm going to make myself very clear. I won't turn you in. You can keep whatever fee you got.” Hanna pressed the blade into his skin without drawing blood. “But if you even think of selling Ethan out again, then there won't be anywhere on this planet where you'll be able to hide," she threatened lowly. "Don't get greedy or I will skin you alive, do you understand?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SxOAvkmXG
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"Whoa, hold on now," Steve replied, very still, very conscious of the knife pressed to his throat. "I did not tell anyone Ethan was Charax."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez9anNkRRB
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"Me and you are the only people who know Ethan is Charax. I know I didn't tell anyone," Hanna accused angrily.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaUwqPrzw4
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"Then we aren't the only people who know," Steve reasoned in a rush. "But you figured it out without anyone telling you, someone else could too."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBc1TWPq7w
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Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIHWBvzRRZ
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"I tried to tell him that he wasn't doing a good job of keeping the symptoms hidden but he didn't listen to me," Steve argued further, fear bleeding into his voice.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uErrrUxvl
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Hanna pressed her lips together. She had to admit he had a point. Someone else must have given Ethan the Trazinol, she reasoned, and Steve looks like he’s telling the truth.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tysR4Ewwu
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"I've known him for years, don't you think I would have cashed in earlier if that's what I wanted?" Steve argued fearfully.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXWmyB70Lc
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Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03oc3Olecg
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Steve rapidly backed away from her, along the wall and away from the door. "You really think I would have come up here on my own if I'd sold him out?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwmlghIW6H
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"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8fISZBZbS
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"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5PrPYUYqZ
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Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiBfiBgrva
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"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSIgPmk7O4
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Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5JG8QOBX1
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Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbCh2OcGWi
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"Yeah, we're both a little on edge. Whoever kidnapped him is still out there." Some of them, that is, Hanna thought smugly, keeping those details to herself.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3ZSRCPpn6
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Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEgXVzrEtw
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Hanna glanced back at the door, thinking about Ethan's earlier reaction. "That's probably for the best. Thanks again for helping us."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc84noUzZJ
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Hanna went back inside as Steve got back in his car. She entered the main room to find that Ethan had vanished, the remaining bags left unopened on the table. That might have sent off alarms in her mind, but there was only one door to the place and she'd been next to it the whole time. He must still be here and, thankfully, there wasn't much cabin to search.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiAd5DRwT7
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Hanna hadn't expected to find Ethan sitting on the floor in the corner of the bedroom, of all places. In the bedroom itself, not strange. Sitting on the floor, a bit odd when there was a perfectly fine bed to sit on right next to him. In the corner, that just seemed uncomfortable.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASkmY2jb9L
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As Hanna entered, Ethan didn't move from his position, his right leg stretched out in front of him with his forehead resting against the wall. He'd wrapped his left arm around him, between him and the wall, keeping it out of sight. It might have been an effective strategy if Hanna hadn't already noticed that the tremors were back.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpghaW5y7k
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"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPC2ZDfxq7
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"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorCMF3Gk6g
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Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33kVRFqsLL
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Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlepfMn4Ie
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Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBYcrwMIqG
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"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IT0SwkZhD
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"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cDJYcZBwz
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Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzosTBKRLB5
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"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgxc6jDK7B
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Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4naKdfrac
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Hanna didn't know what to make of that. He'd been going to work the whole week... she'd never imagined the extroverted salesman would prefer to be alone. Maybe this is a heat symptom, she wondered. "Um... hey, at least you didn't try to attack him or do something crazy," Hanna tried to reassure him jokingly.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasbq6Y6Buf
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"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIixK8lNQCe
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"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YiesYuxqr
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Ethan nodded, adjusting his arm to press into his side. "I really don't want to be around people right now."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tEiwWtqyo
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"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZWLvNHQXs
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"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR60Eso7Ib
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"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTICSMVnlZ7
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"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIgTAwZyg3
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"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0EwbKXjOI
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Ethan watched her go regretfully. Having her walk away from him... hit something inside him. It left him feeling empty, with undertones of a different kind of pain. He was struck by the realization that he wanted her to stay with him. He decided to ask her to stay, before noticing she had already gone and he had been staring at an empty doorway.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4Xd7O8NoG
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Part of him was slightly unnerved by how dependent he'd become on her, and how rapidly. The heat was bad enough without his body punishing him for every moment they were apart. Irritation chased the thought, making him change his decision. He relaxed into the wall as he pressed his fingers into his injured ankle, letting one kind of pain wash away another. The emptiness inside him persisted, settling deeper as he continued to watch the open doorway.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMI88T14qE
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Ethan was surprised to see Hanna come back into the bedroom a few minutes later. She'd changed into a t-shirt and skirt, a more casual outfit than he'd ever seen her in. The light mix of pink and orange suited her well, and matched her new upbeat mood. Without saying a word, she sat down next to him on the floor and opened the book she'd brought in.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPOW2H1zY3
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Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VWlmVQs5o
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"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtsH80bQtw
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Ethan leaned his head on her shoulder, deciding to watch her solve it. He didn't want to admit to himself how much her simply being there made him feel better. The way she gnawed on the end of her pencil as she stared at the page intensely made him want to smile. He caught himself relaxing into her, pressing his body into hers, and consciously readjusted to not put too much weight on her. He hoped it hadn't been a noticeable mistake, given how Hanna was still engrossed in her puzzle.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3fCHXlHmr
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Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71rBx5v2WP
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Ethan sat upright, stretching out his neck. He'd already solved most of the puzzle in his mind and didn't actually need to look at it anymore to solve the rest.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknXCFIsEWQ
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Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopJUzEajQk
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Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWhM5SjoAP
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"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIHQ7HFGDq
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"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlegGuybJBw
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Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29q6D5312f
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Ethan silently watched her continue to struggle with the puzzle. Occasionally, she would glance up at him before returning her eyes to the page, the pencil still in her mouth. Minutes later, she still hadn't put a single word in.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uLHDYtesx
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"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJXkkzf8C9
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"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AYeMacRjm
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Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhKpENJk0C
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Hanna struggled for a few more minutes. Nose still in the book, she suddenly spoke quietly. "Six letters. One of the five senses. Ends with N."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhY04pgCiQ
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Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcqKoyoZL1
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"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKsCdyRXDn
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"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUyVdbGGYV
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Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpPpdKSLq8
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"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG5KgonoTp
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"I'm just checking." Hanna said with a huff. She paused, staring at the page. "Seven letters. A piece of furniture like a foot stool."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70ZUvtTv77
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"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN73nyN0nJ3
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"You're good at this," Hanna commented.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzQF1u6yXS
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Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cArguwQ2l
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Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8pt24RQu1
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"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwcWxOEXFw
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Hanna laughed lightly. "You already solved half of it, I don't think it's mine anymore." She noticed the look on his face as she got up. "I'm not leaving the cabin, I just need a shower," she reassured him.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBYs0kncAx
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Ethan quickly hid his expression and nodded slightly in response before turning his attention to the half-finished puzzle, aiming to complete it in the next couple minutes.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZji9nyhkws
