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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQhfIyMhyt
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0vs1oG8mK
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Ethan twisted a lock of her hair in his fingers, trying to avoid meeting her piercing gaze. "What?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9AMli53BB
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"Can I ask you some questions?" Hanna asked gently.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKkRKL15UL
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"What kind of questions?" Ethan asked back tentatively.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyasO2aE0C5
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Hanna bit her bottom lip, as if she anticipated refusal. "Questions about you, about being Charax, about the heat."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZ4Gy9KMbg
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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."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0a8Rfbndp
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Hanna smiled back at him eagerly. "What was in the pill bottle, the ones you took on the way here?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNjCdTAhkt
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Ethan relaxed a bit. This was a more straightforward question than he had been expecting. "Sleeping pills," he answered honestly.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSikoUhKkaI
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"Special Charax sleeping pills?" Hanna asked.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd8NLLFHuN
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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."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvimS9nUa3o
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"Ever since the heat started?" Hanna suggested.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUWae6wkSZ
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Ethan's smile vanished. "Yeah, it's one of the symptoms."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KmKQNT7HY
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"So does that mean there are other symptoms besides...?" Hanna gestured downwards vaguely.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWk88ySynP
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"Besides the arousal?" Ethan sighed at the reminder. "Yes, and they get worse the longer it goes on."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh6fqhS0ho
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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?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8qv9Cqhpw
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"I was talking about longer without sex," Ethan clarified.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1IVNYxVYo
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Hanna nodded back. "Right, what are the other symptoms then?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqeCXRxEIa
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynoekq7hmt
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKjK4adVma
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fLmUx1evN
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"Insomnia, fever, mild tremors, restlessness." Ethan gave her the short list, the certain list.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPieHPxal1
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"That doesn't sound fun," Hanna replied sympathetically.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkuEL8Nq20
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnGD9JF56o
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Hanna nodded slowly. "So how do you usually deal with it?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcWlYOo9Ry
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Ethan paused hesitantly. "I haven't had to before."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW98SaSkl2
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"It's your first heat?" Hanna asked, surprised.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO1EkzZXjw
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"Yeah, it usually starts about my age," Ethan answered.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoIbQ3RjdD
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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?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0pD7mjNce
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPsaIbvZbp
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r1cQSAWES
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"My parents always went on vacations together to isolated places," Ethan offered finally.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ktO71OFS6
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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...?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiRjRVIU2c
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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."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Mq8bEHc0Q
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"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?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0ZmBOFWEL
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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."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghC7t29BES
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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?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhQRa6HiPm
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"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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHKwaJKTbO
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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?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UAMDJSLSR
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Ethan consciously released her arm, slightly embarrassed. "The memories aren't very clear. Maybe a week, maybe a month, but..."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j6rSHWj0D
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"But what?" Hanna prompted.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNreSTaqo3
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Ethan shifted uncomfortably. "Those trips they went on. My mom always came back pregnant."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoailiQC4m7
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"Always?" Hanna raised a skeptical eyebrow.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4isLOmCYMR
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"Always," Ethan confirmed.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5ZmiogRkN
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Hanna tilted her head slightly. "That seems odd."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0gRAKWbJu
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V0Embrni9
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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?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte4OoF3oeF
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Ethan looked at her skeptically. "What trigger?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEF8OGX3Mi
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"Do you think pregnancy triggers the end to the heat?" Hanna clarified.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhC5RpuFFLe
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0WVVnqtrD
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYGFWYQkcw
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgr57tXBHZ
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeV4t3J9O6
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmZRZaLUPb
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDtKiRMy4p
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuczieyVpR6
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"So?" Hanna prompted abruptly. "Could it stop the heat?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSDPiYQzOa
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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."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JE3lObgnm
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Hanna shrugged slightly. "I guess it doesn't matter, that isn't going to happen anyways."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNe3tEEB7w
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"What?" Ethan lifted his head up to get a better look at her.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl7JAj9JV4
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8TnUQYrFY
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"Oh," Ethan uttered in a small voice, her answer driving home how idiotic he'd been.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGJQW5WsyD
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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?135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIkURK3iww
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Hanna noticed his troubled expression. "Ethan? Is that a problem?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwb4nGHxvb
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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."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9s6fHPjsG
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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."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6RBHdBJsf
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Ethan still looked troubled. "You're sure?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosrwqmdXrO
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"I'm certain," Hanna reassured him confidently.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5PVdSREvN
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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?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbzL2V4NjG
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Hanna smiled suggestively. "I don't mind."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwIwVV43Iv
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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?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG3FAgfWVC
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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?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ543PuUfPOB
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"Twenty to twenty three months usually," Ethan corrected her.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53RXFkckUE
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"And aren't the heat cycles a lot shorter?" Hanna asked.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVfV3svcbQ
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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?"135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmILRjmo3GK
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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."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnxLmuzTEv
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"Okay?" Ethan replied uncertainly.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPYmTRldtA
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Hanna sat up and stretched out her arms. "I'm going to go clean up."135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANtFCy3JVi
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"Okay," Ethan mumbled, pulling to blanket over himself.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHRR2SKbT4
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZSRcBMncG
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJtbkwxYqY
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He doesn't enjoy it, even now, she thought sadly. How's he going to be in a week?135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVzeHJd1fz
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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.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4Cp4e50hs
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