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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLLGA4HDhM
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4APQT0cBVN
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKK5tGrdGc
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"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsITf6Vz6E
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Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgneS8K4BMm
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Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn63j9SCVG
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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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJuIDvfW6l
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"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qa4xMMvSD
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"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiXLcfQ3bQ
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Ethan shrugged noncommittally.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4B0gqoYsM
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"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOfbij2jRg
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"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOVV5Yg3XW
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"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4twB7LN9B
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3WTE0sbi5
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa7OWPGwMF
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"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oiaZlwc7J
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbBQHIwbNT
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Pp6j4fufO
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"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTtiX8HjpA
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"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCYVgsUh5q
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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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNRHgb8hO5
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"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl9PFDAcF6
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"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZrVu0nSDh
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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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KiLHyZluY
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Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8RxudsWhe
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Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDjl0eS2Ja
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"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNqDm5i4GJ
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ycLqwoRhV
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"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn32xXBFuKG
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"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNx6kylh1Q
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"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoGVIRQJI5
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRYmgv4HZu
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUl8UYmvJr
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UN1WPqntQ
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"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2g8V1U171e
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Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5o5TUTcJF
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"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ccvZpK5Wt
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfiuOs8k2F
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"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDKJbxyrXq
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"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziYob35Ugf
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakHhMAs8vI
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAd9sH4wu7
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcifITjXSH
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvELBWZg8C
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"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjLc5swyz1
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Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkC9zZWHgn
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The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkOW664KFr
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JdIznwM9o
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrm5IQ67WA
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"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFwEcG53EZ
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Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1Q7WntdrL
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoS7nXexGwQ
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXck6sZ0ScG
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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?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSsJ9bZwYH
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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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH094WC44yx
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZCymR2sVl
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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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTvQ8Qncxr
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Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalS65Xm1g6
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UYQQ1fNnh
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvxLa6umfa
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybBTxpDUB5
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Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe0TcRBwjM
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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?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXM9vLT2Fa
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"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHU8PYEANo
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"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHeH9mssdI
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Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1cJnRFfj1
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"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx8fBUNjmf
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Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AIufQMNZJ
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Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqZJZl7Aa2
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LAz1ySBTi
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Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F2ygs6iYv
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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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aLrBPZncZ
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPblW8aJOO
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQkXW23eif
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0skjfIF7xo
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"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLl1IJQ5bI
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"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbgOE0gFyq
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Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R7ck5WPJZ
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Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvouOE7kRZO
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Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgeVb9XgaS
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"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrURvJMAVvK
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"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIdA0VUBwJ
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Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KPNPNsSJQ
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"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFfoQLOCTp
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Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uhgqYJ7lw
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GmViDE1Q1
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"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJksIa8K6G
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"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqRW4Zhuxr
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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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AbcwGudZt
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"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYQcqZUWL2
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"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcNGRC2Rwk
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"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgMhJzY8JY
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"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqH3gkBMofr
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"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZHUPxEpyL
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qe2ui8897
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7m2bVVbkC
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWvBgAEsh4
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Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxgeM9QRJW
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"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMlOyOqajH
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbi265BsD7
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Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5PBTIGwMf
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ0AZ7oip5
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Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AUIk3FTWb
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Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDuJIj6fRI
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"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjGd7JiSHc
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"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6o29cGg6f
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Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9aV9vecAc
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1G934XBBg
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"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry6mrOQDcD
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"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKLNkVUSyA
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Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwkVgnaPO6
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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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE0aRSBVRl
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Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlM5dMUdWh
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"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2d7iClLCA
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"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eWD0turnr
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Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7OxVtYyme
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"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICsJuGCRQj
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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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKIxBeTYmB
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"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlEyhyowCI
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"You're good at this," Hanna commented.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fk5dDakLf
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Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGQ6tkY2Lu
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Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXUjpyJbuI
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"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHdaAL6yfs
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsZIpWrcLA
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWpTlyje85
