Ethan woke up first from to the early morning light flooding the room, the openness of the curtains very apparent. He instantly tensed up, as if from a bad dream that he couldn't remember, then relaxed as he took in his surroundings.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKEpM5oe9A
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFo8aOPi6A
He was at the safe house. They'd made it out. Hanna was here, he felt her next to him. Her arm was draped across his chest and she was using his shoulder like a pillow. He could feel her breath gently rustling his chest hairs. She looked so peaceful and surreal. He'd half expected she would have been gone by the time he awoke.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKadkG2Blj
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITrr8sWHGa
The hazy morning daze cracked away when he started to recall the events of the previous day. Ethan let out a soft sigh. There was so much he needed to sort out. His eyes drifted to the glass of water on the nightstand and wondered when she'd put it there. Then he remembered how thirsty he was and, after carefully extracting himself without waking her, downed the whole thing.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Abt2OLbJu
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNLFD2aHO5
For the first time in a couple days, he felt like he had actual energy, not just heat energy, and he wasn't going to waste it on worrying. First order of business, he had wiped a lot of the blood and dirt off, but it was still obvious that he needed a shower. After that, he changed the bandage around his ankle, which had finally stopped bleeding.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP2gIL5T7t
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkfoqK9JUu
Afterwards, he silently got some of the clean clothes out of the dresser, to avoid waking Hanna. He couldn't help looking at her with a touch of disbelief, still have a hard time believing she was here. It was no surprise that she was still asleep, no doubt that whole ordeal had been traumatic and exhausting for her. He resisted the urge to run his hand through her hair to wake her gently. He wanted to talk to her while his mind was clear, before the pressure of the heat returned.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpePCPMv8MI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFRpFAaUBg
Deciding her rest was more important, he took the time to call Steve and sort out some items concerning Midas Financial. Given he was going to disappear anyways, there was technically no need to quit his job. However, Hanna was not in the same position and he wanted to do what he could to smooth over her unexpected leave. His life was already screwed up, at least he could try not to take her down with him.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNELVKV9Jl
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafthyo22cX
Ethan felt slightly relieved as Steve reassured him that Hanna likely wouldn't be fired, although Sarah wouldn't be happy with her. Steve was surprisingly understanding of the whole situation, and glad that were both safe, as Ethan explained what would happen next. Now that two people he trusted knew his secret, he wasn't looking forward to a new life without them.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYloTOcIhiC
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnNHW2Qx19
That sorted for the moment, he figured he should at least get somethings done before she got up, like breakfast. It had been so long since he'd been here, he'd forgotten what he'd stocked.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3janqO1k3N
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QOQqEXJMy
He walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge first, out of habit and forgetting it had been unplugged, and thus completely empty. The pantry had lots of canned soups and other dry foods. He was satisfied there would be more than enough for food both of them for at least a week, even though he'd never planned on stocking this place for two. At the end of his search, he found he wasn't actually hungry and didn't end up eating anything.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXKEeSo9Dl
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvHJuWtr5A
He ended up on the sofa, waiting. The undeniable arousal sensation of the heat wasn't back yet but he had no clue how long that would last. He very much wished he had asked his father a lot more questions about this, like how long it would last or if there was a way to get rid of it. It was just another thing to add to the list of regrets he had about his teens.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCeL36ouYL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczVekQ7eCQ
His gaze drifted to the number on the back on his left hand. The number eighteen in clear black ink. The sight of it made his stomach turn. He wanted to get rid of it desperately, erase anything he could about that day. He went to the kitchen sink and he scrubbed the area until his skin was pink but the number was still there, hardly even faded.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqJUQP6Wfo
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTkoZOZjRZ
Anger and frustration flared up within him as he scrubbed harder. Before long, without realizing, he'd left his hand painfully raw with the ink still shining boldly. He leaned against the sink, trying to calm himself down, this wasn't working. In the end, he threw a bandage over it to cover it up, resolving to figure out how to get rid of it later.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTVJMsxsPx
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS4I6J7312
Ethan checked in on Hanna again, this time, he noticed the mound on the bed moving and flicked on the lights. Irritated muttering emanated from the mound. He resisted the temptation to laugh at her childish behaviour as he sat down on the bed next to her.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUgPNIiNxM
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oPInhHcI4
Ethan stroked her hair until she cracked opened her deep brown eyes. "Thank you."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O3qg1qhR0
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bEbLnXR9w
Hanna peeked her head out, still blinking sleep out of her eyes. "What?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBXyFbJyHl
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHYWTL6oNU
"Just thanks for coming to get me." Ethan cleared his throat. "And everything else."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTscAuDPGRl
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES2bouJoF4
Fleeting emotions ran through Hanna's foggy brain until her anger jerked her awake, the memories still fresh in her mind from the previous day. "I was never going to let them use you like that." Her temper flared up just thinking about it. The idea they'd wanted to use him like an animal disgusted her immeasurably. She shuddered at the memory of the corpse on the metal table and she silently wished that he never asked about what their plans for him had been.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBKHnZQBNf
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk9Oy6UQFH
Now we can make our own plans, Hanna thought victoriously. She subtly observed how much better he looked today. He wasn't sweaty, he looked like he'd actually slept and there wasn't a hint of any tremors. It was like he wasn't even in heat.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrmpeC4MLm
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlCOCeeAdF
"Is the heat over?" Hanna asked bluntly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1vd0m7oI9
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgb3XogMo1
"Um, no," Ethan answered, confused.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj3HNxtzK8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJLpsDAg8Q
Hanna looked him over again. "But you seem- The symptoms went away?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGrsHSOplC
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIxV8HLuqM
"Um, they're only gone temporarily because..." Ethan left his explanation unfinished, beginning to dread where this conversation was going.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuU9Si5IqP
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLee4x7hqV
"Because of us?" Hanna suggested helpfully.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa30Ch9OzU7
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLN3ELZ61l
"Yeah. They'll come back," Ethan answered dejectedly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeK1BMtaMM
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CPKRPQb33
"Do you know when the next time will be?" Hanna asked.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYza9bmFQJP
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXWP0zvAOr
She assumes there will be a next time, Ethan realized, tensing up. He had to ask the question he'd been avoiding. "Uh, no, but does that mean you're alright with staying here?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq4WqUc8lV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8r5v29q3v
"Yeah, it's fine. You can't go back to the city right now anyways, it wouldn't be safe," Hanna answered nonchalantly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXXyZ0Z6bP
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp1AvquQEx
"I mean, you're okay with staying with me?" Ethan clarified hesitantly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFchOAAGrPn
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eOjL8Ztk4
Hanna looked at him curiously. "You're asking if I'm going to leave you here? On your own?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YD80n5U79
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIajZcjPaN1
Ethan nodded, his bright blue eyes searching her face for her reaction.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q15sYQ9s6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYr5yN5R9I
"I'm not going to do that to you." Hanna took his hand comfortingly. "I'm staying. Unless you want me to go."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV0ujH8vkg
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd5FW48alJ
Ethan gripped her hand tighter. "You know what you're agreeing to?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQQKBd6c63
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLdQD3u8AU
Hanna smirked playfully. "I think I got a proper introduction last night." She winked. "Just let me know if you're planning anything really out of the ordinary."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITqlUXDxP8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z9KrOM86Z
"Um... that's not... it's just..." Ethan stumbled over his words.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK25RnU2Lo5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VH25oZzKe
"Breathe," Hanna told him softly. "Think about what you're going to say."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLPJx8xLFK
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgm3lw0PAxC
Ethan took a deep breath. "With heat sex... I'm not all there sometimes. I might end up hurting you. And it might not always be... enjoyable."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVs39aY5Gf
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DbCWQl5VR
Hanna shrugged. "I've had rougher and I've had worse. You're not going to scare me off."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMlrfCTEiJ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPlKc76LL4
For the first time, Ethan eyed her with suspicion. She was being a lot more eager and accepting than he'd expected, this was not how he'd thought this conversation was going to go. Maybe it was just recent events making him distrustful, but this whole thing seemed way too coincidental.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgiABjKtc2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YavvmtNi6
Her appearance, her willingness, her acceptance. This seemed too good to be true. His gut was telling him something was off, but it could very well be his own nerves, he still felt very on edge. He wasn't sure he'd ever be able to shed the low level anxiety that had taken up residence at the back of his mind after this ordeal.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvnSU4t6QE
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYFQZJtRJE
On the other hand, this week had been so hellish that maybe his luck had finally turned around. Maybe Hanna just had that attitude towards the Charax. It had been made clear to him yesterday that he didn't know his coworker that well.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqkUj9EVdR
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPomPbrvsLQ
Ethan stared at her uncertainly. "You're sure?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLsLUbWLJu
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL74ZP40Y1
Hanna smiled as she ran a hand down the side of his face. "I am. I meant what I said and I'm not going anywhere."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTDZIjTqSR
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhLuKPzm5M
He looked at her intently, suspicion hiding behind his eyes.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsXVvpsfQg
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjz7k98FM1
"You're wondering why," Hanna suspected.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjheddFUMyV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSr4YXuj7R
"Yeah. I am," Ethan admitted. "Why would you do any of this?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITGlaSlvpC
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7zca2NkY3
"You're so blind. Because I like you, even when you're an idiot and refuse to listen to me," Hanna said as the corner of her lip twitched upwards, betraying the smile she was trying to hide.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrBw1BXQbw
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOIPw1BhH6
Ethan hadn't been expecting that answer. He recalled the warning she'd given him days ago. Pieces fell into place. She'd known what he was, what had been happening to him and tried to tell him that others were figuring it out too. All without him realizing it. Clearly, he hadn't been doing as good job of hiding the symptoms as he thought he had.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEuYxsma8S
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurnVKfx7Vq
"You knew." Ethan rubbed his hands over his face.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqqKbFDQ5k
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlfft1ONMf
Hanna laughed at his reaction. "Obviously." Then, her face fell. "I'm sorry."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyoIAF0ciG
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTBngsI7n4
What does she have to apologize for? Ethan wondered, feeling his stomach twist at her reaction. "Why?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86K210xTrK
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGzGK0ha6T
Hanna's gaze fell to her hands as she twisted the sheets in her hands. "I should have told you. Then you could have left before things got out of hand. None of this would have happened to you." She looked at him sadly. "I'm sorry."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxjeKmCBDo
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjZdqNlrXm
Ethan felt the knot inside him untangle. "You don't need to apologize. This is my problem. I should have listened to your warning."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfKIpuZQEe
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb1RgQgCOm
Hanna hugged him, burying her face in his shirt. "None of them. You are such an idiot! You can't just walk right into traps."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAapqTI59f
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqH5br27AMX
Ethan wasn't sure how to react to that. He patted her shoulder cautiously. "Normally I do, I was just distracted this week."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKpFLm9RFF
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCouVhKzr9E
Hanna let go of him. "I got that, but it was still way too obvious. You never should have been working."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRLL9Jp3Lu
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyGupKAz91
"Who else knows?" Ethan asked seriously. "Did you tell anyone?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDFu0jCAEY
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuIq8CFG5B
"I didn't tell anyone. I know how to keep a secret," Hanna answered confidently, almost proudly. "The dealers wouldn't have shared that information either but Steve seemed suspicious," she added on. The Crimson Keys would have tried to avoid alerting their competition, wanting to get their prize as cleanly and quickly as possible, she thought.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIAUylFtPq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM7I74XJkT
"Steve already knows," Ethan revealed casually.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzwEUHavDP
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv01fa9IE3d
Hanna was astonished he'd told anyone. He was going to get caught sooner or later with those kind of slip ups, she thought. "Oh, okay then," she said quietly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKMWmkpKJk
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreF1FgwSso
Ethan nodded automatically. He was staring out the bedroom window, almost as if he was looking at the brightly lit pines, but his eyes were unfocused. His expression only got more troubled as the seconds ticked by.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zt4wBanVb
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFwJ0Sp8nM
"What are you thinking about?" Hanna asked curiously.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMasAiCLHkC
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1vIYYhDPY
Ethan sighed heavily. "Just trying to figure out how my life got so messed up."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXEPJZhGU9
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOC2wFLQUd
"It's not messed up," Hanna protested quickly. He shot her a look. "Okay, it's not that messed up." The only loose end is whoever tipped off the dealers and I can take can of that, she thought, nothing a well aimed bullet can't fix. "We'll be able to deal with it."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtgXvjgdGo
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbhedOm7ac
Ethan recalled how she had set the place on fire, destroying any record they were there. "How can you be so certain?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf1k8ijskQ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZxkahZtSe
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Hanna reassured him vaguely. "Don't worry about it."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdrN7Ci9ux
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejFFgpzHPU
Ethan was strongly tempted by the opportunity to procrastinate. After all, they weren't in danger right now. He didn't need a new identity this instant. He could wait out the heat here, with her, and deal with that all later. Things could be easy for once in his life.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK93upWi7Jm
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡves0N7Y9T0
"You look much better than yesterday," Hanna remarked, breaking his train of thought.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EX7yAF8kL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92AGU0cDxx
"Water and sleep helped a lot." Ethan smiled down at her. "You too." She flashed a smile back.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2WB92UBmj
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaqtd12pGq
"Does the Trazinol help?" Hanna asked curiously.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOnTYYxm2X
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NrveD1vm6
Ethan frowned slightly. "It does but I don't have it. It wasn't in my bag."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxDOqPLtsm
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwg2d3uqYU
Hanna looked troubled. "It's going to be impossible to get without making people suspicious. Are you going to be okay without it?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ628ll0cwFG
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVJzJKgg2Z
"I think so. You work a lot better," Ethan answered confidently. As long as you decide to stay, he added on mentally.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP4nT3yIwt
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7GOX1QoOF
Hanna blushed at the compliment. She sat up, her neck achingly from her previous position and she rubbed it lightly, recalling her missing injuries. "What do you think happened to the burns?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH31TNAgWd
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxb4GGJxqw
Ethan pushed her hair aside, as if to confirm the injuries were still gone. Her skin was as smooth and unblemished as it was yesterday.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3LfGOoGzq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLELIYHkaJ
"None of my injuries are healed, so my thinking is you're the one with special healing powers," Ethan reasoned.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8xVbkgnLS
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA8064QQjb
Hanna looked him over, noticing he still had his assortment of bruises, some starting to turn an ugly colour. She didn't really buy his explanation. "I'm Terran, we don't get healing powers."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoblyeWAo4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C2AlCWztl
Ethan fell silent at that comment.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW9Fe95BNv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxNjgo4AKB
"Charax, on the other hand..." Hanna trailed off after noticing how he had stiffened.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvgbw1xk5O
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0mfflTtNc
"Those are just rumours," Ethan tried to reply dismissively, attempting to cover up his underlying agitation.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjqvwhnrcC
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sBl14wy01
"There's lots of rumours," Hanna argued.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPJ8bVNvsq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYI8c668Pj
There were lots of myths that Charax body parts had mysterious healing capabilities, which fuelled the black market. Hanna felt her stomach start to twist at the thought. It was disturbing how many people were willing to commit cannibalism. Even more disturbing was how people tried to rationalize the Charax as non-human to argue it wasn't actually cannibalism.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWnaTPnixz
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgfQ58yrUo
"There are lots of rumours. Rumours that have nearly gotten me killed," Ethan stated dryly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmyF8xztUu
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9LbFe4FhP
Or kidnapped, Hanna mentally added as she shivered at the memory. "Obviously, we can't tell a single person or let anyone figure it out. If it is true... I don't want to think of the consequences." That thought scared her more than anything, he was in enough danger already.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhJzxahToe
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzQu2hrGcB
Ethan nodded in grim agreement.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjtYUp3fRc
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBNz8nNvKP
"We should know at least. We could test it with something small," Hanna suggested.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP4Ymm5G2s
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdRV3Osezk
"No," Ethan answered, extremely serious. "I'm not going to let you hurt yourself for an experiment on me."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrhfKTfDmA
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYGksNANZd
Hanna couldn't think of a good rebuke for that. "I was thinking more along the lines of just waiting until I get a bruise or something."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPq0SkZzxt
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRxB96G2rY
Ethan eyed her suspiciously. "No, I don't..." He sighed, taking hold of her hand. "Just promise me you won't do this."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7d7t7TKRM
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHSya2hASy
Hanna couldn't refuse a request like that. She was fairly certain she was right, but if he wanted to ignore it then there wasn't much she could do without pushing him away. Besides, pretending it didn't exist could be the safest course of action, for both of them.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wBWAZzNZC
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgnvVeCgbN
"I promise," Hanna agreed softly. "But if I get a black eye and it mysteriously disappears, people are going to ask questions," she joked, trying to lighten the mood.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dLfhSByGI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPRJ4Ltks2
Ethan let his shoulders drop in relief. "You don't need to worry, that won't happen."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRoPQm6D5v
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fzmPntnal
"Okay," Hanna yielded. She pointed at his new bandage. "Speaking of injuries, what happened to your hand?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eowD9IDOq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTESNZx3wFT
Ethan pulled his hand in towards him, rubbing the white tape unconsciously. "Nothing... I was covering it up."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FXaBp0luB
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vr2UGidrG
"Covering up what?" Hanna asked, confused. She couldn't remember him hurting his hand yesterday.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJJzyfe2Wv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmQ2zhEMBy
Ethan pulled off the bandage and showed her the number underneath. If Hanna was surprised or alarmed by the raw skin, then she didn't show it. Her face only hardened.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHenD7WRbt
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm12k00Bf6w
Hanna felt a surge of anger at the sight of the leftover marking. "One second," she said, getting up and throwing on her clothes from yesterday. "Let's get rid of that," she stated flatly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDg5gguq5J
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaqubAMWFT
Ethan stuck the bandage back on, feeling newly dispirited. "I tried that already."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1pdq6NG2j
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1sAZYnoDF
"It won't wash off." Hanna pulled out a small bottle from the medical kit. "It'll come off with alcohol, come on."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiKDWm34N3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbBbH4xynj
Ethan followed her into the washroom halfheartedly, watching as she drenched a washcloth with the pungent liquid. He pulled the bandage off his hand, holding it palm up over the sink as he reached for the cloth in her hands.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJbOGhz9H8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXgiBb8OsW
"It's alright. I'll do it," Hanna soothed, stepping forward to take his marked hand delicately.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HAXQN2FDM
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MmeVr4rLA
Ethan watched Hanna rub the raw, inked area gently with slow motions, until the dark numbers started to fade. The tinted liquid began to run off his hand, forming small droplets at the tips of his fingers. He watched the drops slowly fall and splatter on the white porcelain, leaving grey dots all over the surface. For some inexplicable reason, it mesmerized him.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwUQ6o8Vjy
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxDa8pWG5C
Ethan's mind drifted away, the stinging sensation on his skin barely registering and irritating smell a distant memory. Eighteen. Seventeen before. That's almost more Charax than I've met, Ethan thought sadly, and how many were in heat? Probably most, if that's how they find us.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlhmjOaTTV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsoxgGhpCq
He couldn't stop thinking about what the dealers had been talking about. It was like they'd known more about heat than he did, an idea that unsettled him to no end. He actively tried to ignore what they'd said, but he couldn't forget it. Nor could he forget what he'd done.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU248oXHF36
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gCp9Wbkmd
Hanna squeezed his hand, causing Ethan to jerk and look at her, before letting go. "Are you listening to me?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkF8vJ8dOp
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvN3yO0LPK
Ethan blinked at her. "What?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVqGqUVnen
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDcTyzhTAC
Hanna wore an expression of mild concern. "I said it's gone, you can wash your hands now."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7aYXaulTg
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe1B7KOd2T
Ethan looked down at his hand, free of black ink. "Oh, thanks." He turned on the tap and began to rinse his hands rapidly. Hanna suddenly hugged him. She wrapped her arms around his waist carefully, mindful of his injuries, as she let her cheek rest lightly on his shoulder.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKwJwuoi54
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInOQC7oYfb
To his surprise, Ethan relaxed at her unexpected soft touch. It was warm, genuine human contact and it put him at ease. The effect her simple action had on him was impressive.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5wIrQgAAT
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IhLvJUMDM
To his annoyance, her closeness was arousing him again, mixing with his lingering dread. He shifted more of his weight to his injured ankle, causing the pain there to build. He used it to push back against the pressure, unwilling to combine the two emotions, unwilling to taint the mood.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zDkqSC76n
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmXqGUEVs8
It was only lasted a few seconds before Hanna unwrapped her arms. She glanced at his reflection in the mirror. "I know that look," she teased.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRJr1VNAxA
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxXrYDkcZh
"What?" Ethan asked innocently.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1rdirBGcK
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01X1Rl3Iby
Hanna winked at him. "That's your holding back face. You can be honest with me."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXPRzqAbxQ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxobrgTvhHE
"Okay, I'm not there just yet but... soon. Don't go far," Ethan admitted, reluctantly giving her the half-truth.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozFdRBCNge
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciawZdpHHM
Hanna chuckled and gestured out the window to the trees outside. "Not much place to go, out here." She paused, studying him. "And you don't have to wait until you feel like you're going to explode. Next time, we can be... preemptive."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg8ptoWRyy
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWMycrv2gY
"I'll keep that in mind," Ethan replied noncommittally.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdnCrm7mdy
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
