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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWbBcDicg0
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm0ohBHi3J
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o2fKDr1SX
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB0Jx4tvlU
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYJexZUsmm
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZnKZmPpny
"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ktt8yIRpt
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLJ4954np4
Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz2M2woUuO
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Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2gIxFzzVM
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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."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa8o9y2m9J
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypymPy6wbO
"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ooo99utaH
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypsFTSB6uy
"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DKCNcG1ot
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Ethan shrugged noncommittally.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16tY4qIwfP
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITY1nmfyKe
"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqodRMQRjJ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYGuAv4M6z
"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy8dxynDVp
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1Rw2lVV3M
"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaulU0xIfu
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1JNqRA24b
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMRTmKICNJ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQGAlfaDcT
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlVXuVip40
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyeRvBrudj
"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdenAlpKSi
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle2eN5UVbw
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6Z4w3L54M
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC0TQM0f0D
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9MED6pn8G
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqSWDuXGKn
"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG65pZ73TaB
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLQ5G25Gda
"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKajq3dswT
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7uFXIoUnR
Steve joined the two of them in the kitchen. "You're welcome, it's good to see you're both alive."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52OfizIaPh
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7HqQdQgFk
"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnSJ0Z0zNz
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMtQOe2Ht5
"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEVvMyh5BQ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPBZpSpNha
"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."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKh5HiIHhL
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wUVDw61wY
Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6aAC00uF0
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIclpEhrm2
Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE4IiWgHv4
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS99Z1Ls6hw
"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtTyF9QBhj
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAwPfGToMd
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeRRiae8zs
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3CZjgUBT4
"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsjoPokt5H
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHDxYUrVzN
"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnO99yoCFV
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyPlR7U7VL
"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw11CXLYKef
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXalZ3A8fT3
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBDuuWyFSn
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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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexMxNHNDHT
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWElQXXe3ov
"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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoegKU7E4s
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQpKfT4xfI
"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyFra3z03z
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MSXVHseGs
Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgQaTe5Khl
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEppOXzdgv
"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnEyXES58l
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4P0Q5rmv0
"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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT7K9D5EIj
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyxsvHCTRo
"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JQYBPoTxb
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsHaDIk0N3
"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4xbm4MiAO
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdcSuVttp6
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJNSBAFCyx
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNtP8OhIDB
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Qiz98XPwU
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV1eYyUFiK
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p4IFzfR0y
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVNR4a4erB
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBwSc3CvKl
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLrg42aG9X
"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZbnkw3u3K
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKtY7HEnRA
Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOb5FxUv3p
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The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXustQvbOBK
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoXtkh4XSw
Ethan realized everyone was looking at him. "There are more bags to unpack," he stated awkwardly, trying to shift their attention away.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpSLNxblTj
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtURQJQHgP
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46aLqReWsV
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD83xtiqJmE
"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoXJvW7aQs
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Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkGu6DrLFC
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNH2QuVGq3
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYj0IIsv0G
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0VGfl3tAo
"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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw327Vr4AAd
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWNRJ6im4l
"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?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE1mlbvvQu
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tmc3lBTIi
"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."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrbduKsu9F
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdP6BUdEZ4
"Me and you are the only people who know Ethan is Charax. I know I didn't tell anyone," Hanna accused angrily.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3gx9nP07S
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyScIMPMT4Z
"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."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXHIGZzG2u
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL3AfRRH69
Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtCZRsx8om
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeOUnA2Qzy
"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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0E75BPSng
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPSJavVDvu
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZtbtURWdY
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bNr1AvnC8
"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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zAVS6uf2X
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Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAl6oDAUqC
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8LasPjSI0
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?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi7Eg3losR
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"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5FsspBOsI
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnDmrHqTBg
"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueJaJPWvua
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1WsSPMXIm
Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtgkr6zjKQ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lBSUeZEGW
"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXmdZWR7EB
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9oOYJu3PZ
Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XqlC0VKXw
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tNcYl59Hu
Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqDRim2ruM
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiW1lzV3Pv
"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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUCVoPNSgw
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75D9Sywn9y
Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjRiKCyyWE
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7MmIkD4lq
Hanna glanced back at the door, thinking about Ethan's earlier reaction. "That's probably for the best. Thanks again for helping us."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR97XMbmaf
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj2IXssbge
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5rc0ISy4e
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4clUgmMo9
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1XbsAD9Ip
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUbVnflTXD
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSyq4GJRGw
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"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UrGoSuFTs
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"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JKueBCeC3
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu9aEr5hiQ
Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0WPL4Nuvf
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMlDtPnqrg
Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmpcO7Ue4w
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6qhBiDW6O
Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSqVmKQyDB
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1gjnNFuGU
"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbdzzjyCFE
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK38edwubk
"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM2cqBFgsa
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PR3yBwkbQ
Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB3gGNi0xz
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aii0t34T1
"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNdR5EdxYC
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Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbP9R6ugsn
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wuwuCw83w
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9ANaBOYgZ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHr9mpwtmE
"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexVpiXqQcz
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3Ouvmtz9y
"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRefyWxvFWu
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wcV7GA0nz
Ethan nodded, adjusting his arm to press into his side. "I really don't want to be around people right now."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCwaVanrfd
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWCjfojqYr
"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaYpUEsDPN
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ405aTbkYqE
"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWewDtO9Ec
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pJBTjcFGS
"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5jdV4HXwH
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfrNolZRxK
"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIA494jSAn
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZhBxEkStf
"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaqyXe4P3C
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA4nHtNB7k
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDYFtC9ZPM
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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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9sJ9F0JII
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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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20356xBeO9
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPzjZWiZfR
Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRlN4rW5yp
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMQcCCnzJ6
"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhKgIdGU4I
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2t8Twcej8h
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v8v08AncP
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Izrk0hbvK
Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SSvw0tF0S
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3sHx18M0i
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBCpli7d5x
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHA5bwA3JC
Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5QG9J1itR
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEspuf5j6aO
Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziyHA9SBfS
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHJDiJ0y7T
"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EO02rEFPI
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H4aTPVixW
"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMMpQON2J3
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Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq9ZoqSqQj
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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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4wzMJXUMg
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnZOLKpib3
"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD7xBvw3y7
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOclMFvApsB
"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFvkwcEggK
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Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhTaSAUhPW
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBkAE7PMpo
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."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPu97TN0FJ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3CeeeDMNb
Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHzWsc02fQ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42NMSLeHka
"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhThTtfWHie
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtZUuImPty
"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtGKgEZaOt
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm5wdFWY8G
Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Nnmq61Ugy
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4mkl30owa
"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHZVjjJjun
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRNedW96sq
"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."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV8GWCMUMT
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpREeKcSXz
"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2iVvhNrdg
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"You're good at this," Hanna commented.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFjbaWRc4C
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Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYwI6BugLD
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbI4Hmcymp
Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1ijpcLwRY
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72KRtRPnHn
"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjf31g7U7N
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFBC6xEKvb
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfHDd1XTsS
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCYXTmW0Bn
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.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2IF9gPEJR
