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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LCH0aiu9y
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7vGbpLHKh
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NyveYNhZ6
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"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkMouNZzj1
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Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ssSLs5lfu
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Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVVVdZKmCK
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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."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtoAQNOrsY
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"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXuTriExqb
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"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlwwl9mXNv
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Ethan shrugged noncommittally.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fCIyEdjKS
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"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYV8Kj9kqS
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"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJDhHxAH2m
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"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3Ika3oI4e
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKbs7h71uF
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSapH2TeQzv
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"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb2YJ6kg4y
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqMiaeTFh0
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjZ4ADyFd4
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"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS0mgFXvuJ
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"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOr4csoBqE
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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."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCjAeyiZMp
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"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4peSrbBEG3
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"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio8Og8Lcgj
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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."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMqgXRmOgQ
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Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqVBcD8YJv
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Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoxYI4HMLH
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"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD85q4mMws
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAVhP1spoN
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"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTx2rvSwh9
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"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HXSRLKjWF
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"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbJC0GFsJ0
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXKLqQUtzc
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1hydzAWvb
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk5BV66Af6
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"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4nMDwhWZz
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Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsloI9pYHom
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"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7Ll2yWG72
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW8XZ9npUG
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"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldgNDPev8H
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"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIafggjMHvA
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpU0jkcaPS
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNhY19qNpS
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p70e0v3Lx
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbQM4PLWPU
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"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QxmFlNcbc
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Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCee4zCwklA
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The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Baomo20R4
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2L3XmB84x
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIjZkjIBs5
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"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3ZQKhsHv2
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Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDcNUFOfGY
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo9x7MSkCS
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA9NWvbcgd
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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?"140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCkS7QbWyR
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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."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroIPmj6rX0
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAfJQxnozN
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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."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MNXaETHfP
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Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdBgaBBA3j
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrNMSFF7Pl
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAnsklVwh1
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQwINcXk1k
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Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8653SDuINm
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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?"140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aaT2sC3Sy
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"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLQxOPrqXu
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"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpOTis7kbP
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Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmb7GXyE93
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"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNOhIlBIhf
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Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUPXPjG41r
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Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYknKpf6pzE
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkjtitGnjU
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Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3U8EI4sa4
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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."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjaglnZVdQ
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYts0DzgNc
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5ac3Y4CwA
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxj1Lqbdkye
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"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwoifjqGE0
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"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDvsAp8jgZ
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Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNODTmcGnm6
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Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoO0C1dpLV
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Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdpqogc7IU
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"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRsNKu5qoY
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"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WuUtwCh8D
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Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK7k7GjmoU
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"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNdTURrXps
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Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX959FAnjSI
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveQnBpvUFQ
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"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD3zfZIuSB
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"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR88MFWZLKw
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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."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGnrC1yCCs
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"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vwmH2fXsI
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"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKHMIR5EVA
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"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7UyWEkAfu
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"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyNgdIbc3F
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"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxbLT8wwNU
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcRPtMWxAL
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKKbAhE2Ga
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLanrVD1TiV
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Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4gLPxmKNE
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"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpJPiyheD2
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIDOtHrHaH
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Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSCw61VZSe
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuacsLondow
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Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfc0p8vw7R
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Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJaZ5u0DXc
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"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpNwGHGOKz
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"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnE73IKWmQ
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Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX692ZOUTbd
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCoUOgQvJI
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"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4i09lquzP
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"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXInOtN11hz
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Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmmDgI9A14
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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."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoIWuUVqA3
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Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwvmNPy59I
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"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyp8HkerkT
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"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplKvmMB8tI
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Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpwwg7aSaj
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"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN0afACtnH
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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."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvE76YUOLa
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"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpahvQeGGY5
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"You're good at this," Hanna commented.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEuoBTcQSp
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Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bPNsw0qjW
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Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEtSBS8Dij
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"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl9cRGdoho
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0gTgCHLOv
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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.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgjClZJv3L
