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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphRaS79v0A
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IT3Ww04oW
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DjuKvDtNZ
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"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjQDX2mHPD
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Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU3lt0p549
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Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjP6ZI4ywB
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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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhcLHuREZ0
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"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1bO1zf0mv
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"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL5XGIvEDg
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Ethan shrugged noncommittally.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTA7WyyjVg
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"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt9nYAHbwj
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"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHrfD51Xo8
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"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncKwSUVT5n
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHLqiKmuPw
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4aGg0jjdt
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"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1X36KnSh4
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq2SofK8aP
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzHS9H1Ctu
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"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3hCnxbkp6
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"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtKNjBKk0E
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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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMaZWdMWZd
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"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBThdx5epnP
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"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfftpFH8Y1O
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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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneUxBmepio
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Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTRXo5mM1v
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Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhyfoWAF6S
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"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykz3XNU9Ek
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsH8mvqP1B
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"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6e0m3pECy
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"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1m5GNY4z5
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"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU3PqZDsHD
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsCRmmBEIJ
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3oUxgWihV
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLcjtiRQLE
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"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aywZiJDbf
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Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l7Ph0IxWC
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"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGxDhbI6eS
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa89FyGOYDw
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"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBDmFLWxdt
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"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiCGeqZD2C
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTdEeHjYx4
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65lysSpWMz
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBEnfQOn8n
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKd64BhK2d
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"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNIqyl5Jhd
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Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGWZovwE1y
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The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAV5ISj1WL
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hMhojLSan
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK6A3dakKn
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"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBPmsiX5vw
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Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU5Lfw5m1E
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiww1qbOzw
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5y9JJa41X
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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?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWplxtiaUE
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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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGJBMHkT05
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi5bBl4hN7
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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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6GBZXAOMP
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Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm7URnPzeu
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORI2JBUAO2
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8Q3tAOnXM
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeBBg0p4au
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Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVNxTI6WPB
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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?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKeK2iRp66
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"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzZ9RUxpRb
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"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryDtgnKIgX
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Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWjOfMwrNc
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"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8jED4vkwb
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Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpbePlvt00
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Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6mQdOfjU9
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLUTEXKLhR
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Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRKhd1NmbM
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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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRMAMC4n4K
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5OlA219O6
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uyLYXVoob
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi4wT0htMT
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"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9YOw4HbRb
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"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgCkW4Q0fA
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Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntV95ziWAy
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Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5F3YUhiWs
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Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28WrFf69N1
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"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfCZdWmozM
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"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfeJomCR3E
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Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T38eSXuBl
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"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEuynfSfg2
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Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI1QPGOuUN
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMP7QXjeYB
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"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHIZyGNUFt
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"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGas2oNAKU
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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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWeRBqrnrq
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"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalZLHPatMp
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"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKqKrB2OVO
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"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VaWGW3sue
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"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdMxOPa2Nw
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"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xHxQKpAPM
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCQSteqDVA
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0ZorFBVgx
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKnHn9X1iO
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Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK6cmSvSRS
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"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXRRewdlDP
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNbkuDqsiI
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Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlIlvr8wPf
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQofeGgvZJs
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Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNji6LZBYp
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Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuDdHXevb9
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"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiWdnfR7ze
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"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFpbCSfuMK
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Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfUGWrww0b
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMF4vUfOaK
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"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbOQQ5QzhW
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"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZpmOMpBPK
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Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHraefyPZfr
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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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisy1mQfz7e
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Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuakQlpRhy
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"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y9FEEqjL8
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"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd0HXzROd1
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Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKjjBQWGuM
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"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyAzqY30iF
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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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA8JBnOR84
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"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGFQoFjGW9
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"You're good at this," Hanna commented.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOvQckPFhk
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Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao74iWbDH2
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Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJByKSS9PKp
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"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kl5bj0qiV
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwxzZURlDA
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH8xeEk8AO
