Hanna let her thoughts flow through her mind silently as Ethan cuddled her on the large bed. Eventually, she gave into her curiosity and wiggled out of his grasp. She didn't miss the barely audible huff he made as she sat up and she resisted the urge to laugh.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhP30kXaVe
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Hanna moved so she was lying partway on top of him, her breasts on his stomach, her head resting on her arms on top of his chest. Her brown eyes were alight with curiosity. Almost if she saw him as a puzzle that needed solving.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH8lnwVWeD
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Ethan twisted a lock of her hair in his fingers, trying to avoid meeting her piercing gaze. "What?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvVqBVBf0c
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"Can I ask you some questions?" Hanna asked gently.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFaiDbOwvI
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"What kind of questions?" Ethan asked back tentatively.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw5BVUVUxx
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Hanna bit her bottom lip, as if she anticipated refusal. "Questions about you, about being Charax, about the heat."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ImnrYhP0N
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Ethan bit back a sigh. That was a list of most of the things he preferred not to talk about. On the other hand, there were probably things she ought to know. "Go ahead. I'll try my best."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SmoWoIL9n
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Hanna smiled back at him eagerly. "What was in the pill bottle, the ones you took on the way here?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUImlixNqNg
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Ethan relaxed a bit. This was a more straightforward question than he had been expecting. "Sleeping pills," he answered honestly.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaDxjIYgFS
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"Special Charax sleeping pills?" Hanna asked.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzUe0rL5Iw
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Ethan smiled at that, slightly amused. "No, normal ones. Terran drugs work the same on us. I haven't been sleeping well this week."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYMop89FNK
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"Ever since the heat started?" Hanna suggested.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MsyOyFY2j
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Ethan's smile vanished. "Yeah, it's one of the symptoms."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH9F7WXhcy
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"So does that mean there are other symptoms besides...?" Hanna gestured downwards vaguely.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRyWwClmCF
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"Besides the arousal?" Ethan sighed at the reminder. "Yes, and they get worse the longer it goes on."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu1dD9DMGX
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Hanna glanced down over his still nude body, brief but critically. "But it seems like you're doing better now than you were a couple days ago?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wfTkGeDde
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"I was talking about longer without sex," Ethan clarified.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4BDMmdiJ3
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Hanna nodded back. "Right, what are the other symptoms then?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwaIbejdQ2
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The faint nagging sensation at the back of his mind returned. He'd known that the heat was supposed to push his sex drive to the maximum but that's all he'd been expecting. He didn't realize that it would make him sweat buckets or keep him from getting more than a couple hours of a sleep a night. The changes had caught him off guard and left him scrambling to get everything under control for the first few days.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmRj0qSqfO
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By now, he was well aware of the physical symptoms. The ones he'd experienced so far, that is. He didn't know if his body would keep changing, or it this was what he was going to have to deal with for the rest of his life. It was difficult to believe all the other Charax managed like this. Or maybe there was something wrong with him.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKsMtIJfmr
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2Y80tflQb
He still had no clue if this was normal, other than that the kidnappers seemed to think it was normal. Not that they were a good source of information. He couldn’t believe anything they said, just because they'd said he'd lose himself didn't mean it would happen. There was no point in even mentioning anything about that, no need to frighten her with what was likely just another lie.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpFFnddWeI
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"Insomnia, fever, mild tremors, restlessness." Ethan gave her the short list, the certain list.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oKwIfU67F
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"That doesn't sound fun," Hanna replied sympathetically.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTlv1QinjJ
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"It isn't," Ethan mumbled in agreement, before realizing he'd spoken aloud. "But it's not that bad," he added quickly.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdKlbwlRur
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Hanna nodded slowly. "So how do you usually deal with it?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8PDvbL2wW
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Ethan paused hesitantly. "I haven't had to before."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf8LtBSJWq
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"It's your first heat?" Hanna asked, surprised.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5Puzi5s2M
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"Yeah, it usually starts about my age," Ethan answered.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKWbWPAkhH
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Hanna took a second to process that, she hadn't expected him to be so inexperienced but that fact also answered a lot of other questions. "Okay, then how do other Charax usually deal with it?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFHXZRNz8w
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtywAWmOwAY
I'd love to know that too, Ethan thought wistfully. Except there's nobody I can ask. He only had one older brother, who'd never even had a heat before they all split up, and no way to contact him, or any of his family on Earth. Plus, it took months to get messages back from Manina so he hadn't bothered trying anyone over there.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA6q58Evfl
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He'd never seen his father during one of his heats either. His parents had always been away... and it was suddenly apparent to him why he had so many siblings.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyZpzjPVz3
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"My parents always went on vacations together to isolated places," Ethan offered finally.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYDYDSr966
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Hanna glanced around the room, noticing how old the place looked. She suddenly had the disturbing idea that they might be lying in the room he was conceived in. "So, um, is this— Did they...?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JKcxCTQdG
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"No, not here, I set this place up a few years for an emergency," Ethan explained quickly. "But places like this, yes."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmONWGwf0q
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil2LJQkOIJ
"We've got that part sorted at least," Hanna said optimistically. "So how long have you been in heat and how long does it usually last?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhwzWhLoQ0
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Ethan's breath caught in his throat, he wasn't entirely sure how long it would take to end on it's own, or what would happen to him in the meantime. "About nine days and I don't know."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJKmqfFhCK
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Hanna looked at him curiously, wondering if he wasn't being honest with her, this seemed like very basic information. He didn't seem to know much about Charax biology at all. On the other hand, it wasn't uncommon for Terrans to get a poor sexual education either. "What about an estimate then? Two weeks? Three weeks?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghHe0P3pex
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9qDUKrpqk
"I really don't know. My parents' vacations always varied." Ethan's mouth felt dry. "If you need to go... I'll understand." He gripped her arm tight in contrast to his words.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfaUIFlfBP
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Hanna glanced at his hand. "Let's not jump to any conclusions just yet. How long did your parents' trips last?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGtbNEOG2D
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Ethan consciously released her arm, slightly embarrassed. "The memories aren't very clear. Maybe a week, maybe a month, but..."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGnnTI2EZ2
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"But what?" Hanna prompted.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn6KreUUfT
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Ethan shifted uncomfortably. "Those trips they went on. My mom always came back pregnant."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhlmuerx5x
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"Always?" Hanna raised a skeptical eyebrow.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJDKd7U363
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"Always," Ethan confirmed.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8iJpOYTtR
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Hanna tilted her head slightly. "That seems odd."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKp02OpYzf
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"Not for us. The more a Charax woman is... stimulated, the more likely it is, and the men are more virile in heat," Ethan explained.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHKGxjh7Zr
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Hanna wondered what he meant by 'stimulated' exactly, but she wasn't sure she wanted to know. "The time varied but there was always... so do you think that triggers the end of the cycle?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UnNfx2WYF
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Ethan looked at her skeptically. "What trigger?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOd8qEOLf7
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"Do you think pregnancy triggers the end to the heat?" Hanna clarified.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZyHYiLkqL
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The pregnancy pheromones causing the heat to end early... Ethan didn't know if that was true, he didn't want to think about it. He'd realized it was likely inevitable considering what they'd been doing with zero protection. Or had already started.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCndBWiB1N
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He mentally kicked himself for not thinking about it sooner. It wasn't only that he didn't feel like himself, he was missing things that should have been obvious. Not considering pregnancy when he didn't want a child, that was a significant lapse. Part of him wanted it, a very primal part, but he knew he shouldn't, for so many reasons. Even though he wanted the heat to end, he didn't want it to end that way.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7op59fO8N
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Which meant he needed to stop this, stop fucking her, but he wasn’t even sure that was possible. Even if he knew that was what he wanted now... in the moment he might completely change his mind. Her being here, so close to him, it was risky.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagewPMUjsW
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That meant he'd have to ask her to leave. His stomach twisted at the idea. He'd tried isolating himself here at the start and it had been torturous, worse than struggling to hide the symptoms all day. Just a bit of human contact had been worth all the risk of going back to the city at the time. Now he regretted the decision, but he still didn’t want to do that ever again.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMV4DIaBmj
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He didn't know what staying here on his own for a prolonged period would do to him. Except that the dealers thought he'd go insane.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVlTrM19Vq
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He couldn't help thinking of the possibility. Without a partner, would he start to lose his mind? Was waiting it out on his own not an option? That didn't seem right... yet it was starting to make a twisted kind of sense.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68d6a2Lzgd
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He couldn't forget how the dealers had been completely right that he'd had sex with the first woman he could. She had appeared and... he'd done exactly what they said he would. All his earlier intentions had been utterly discarded, and he was still doing it.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXK7jxvZXx
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"So?" Hanna prompted abruptly. "Could it stop the heat?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXH36s9Crn
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Ethan saw her, lying on his chest, waiting patiently for his answer. "...it could," he answered reluctantly. "Charax release and react to pheromones. It's possible."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ561AEgoAzA
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Hanna shrugged slightly. "I guess it doesn't matter, that isn't going to happen anyways."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8CfJffsV5
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"What?" Ethan lifted his head up to get a better look at her.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WoOYrrif7
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"Let's just say it'll be a while before my birth control wears off," Hanna answered dismissively, distracted by her own thoughts.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBduDiRibH
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"Oh," Ethan uttered in a small voice, her answer driving home how idiotic he'd been.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcVOyvjjGT
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Ethan realized just then that he'd never actually asked her about birth control. Another thing he missed. He threw his head back against the pillow. He should have asked. He looked up at the blank ceiling. How had this not been on his list of priorities?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBDThnlUUg
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Hanna noticed his troubled expression. "Ethan? Is that a problem?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL1JuqB4K4
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"No. No, it's not. Sorry." Ethan tried to focus on the present. That was one thing he didn't have to worry about, he should be happy about that. "I should have asked about that sooner. Sorry."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjWdZKS5TK
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Hanna shook her head, concern on her face. "No need to apologize. I know the heat is messing with your head." She saw he was about to protest. "Listen, I knew this would likely happen. It's taken care of." She tried to give him a reassuring smile. "Believe me, I know how it easy it can be to forget things in the moment."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k6j0yHPDC
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Ethan still looked troubled. "You're sure?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQnLGSUDTd
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"I'm certain," Hanna reassured him confidently.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUGhAXdZtV
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"Okay," Ethan said quietly, his frown not leaving entirely. "It'll got away on it's own. We can wait it out." He paused, watching her uncertainly. "Is that alright?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzU3ZEdvID
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Hanna smiled suggestively. "I don't mind."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrD68h4gdj
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At least one of us is enjoying this, Ethan thought tiredly, smiling inwardly. He was starting to feel the strain of everything their activity on his body, the soreness bleeding through his turbulent emotions. "Any more questions?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2lMBCJDLd
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxa21bdUaZE
Hanna thought for a moment. "Wait, what happened when your father went into heat and your mother was pregnant? Because don't Charax pregnancies last a long time? Years or something?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOVB0WrBvz
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"Twenty to twenty three months usually," Ethan corrected her.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqPiRaIjQg
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"And aren't the heat cycles a lot shorter?" Hanna asked.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPqzUgwPx2
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"Four to six months," Ethan added. He frowned as he understood Hanna's point. "I don't know. The timing of it doesn't make sense." He yawned. "Got your next question yet?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVSsnHI8oL
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Hanna wanted to ask him more but she was getting the feeling that she was pushing her luck. She needed to think about this for a while. "Just thinking. I'll let you know if I have any ideas."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvktjqOpgS
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"Okay?" Ethan replied uncertainly.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8fH2vWmJ8
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Hanna sat up and stretched out her arms. "I'm going to go clean up."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuDEoiRZOH
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"Okay," Ethan mumbled, pulling to blanket over himself.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigB8VdtvCl
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Hanna went to get her clothes from the bathroom. He'd given her a lot to think about, as even the basic information she had known about Charax heats was so wrong. That itself wasn't much of a revelation, he had been acting nothing like the sex monster she'd been prepared for.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1h97XGP4w
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwiM21TrPu
The whole conversation had left her feeling more worried than before. She thought the heats usually didn't last more than a week, but Ethan's had already been nine days and didn't show any sign of letting up. He already seemed drained, another two weeks in heat sounded incredibly taxing.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnpmgLvQ0T
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He doesn't enjoy it, even now, she thought sadly. How's he going to be in a week?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ3KpDXHZq
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She'd never heard the heats could be dangerous, for the Charax at least. She hoped she wasn't wrong about that.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLelH1Sqil
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