"Caleb, run. I'll be right behind you. I promise." The woman's voice drifted from the dark up ahead. He tried to peer through the shadows, the urge to see her face more important than heeding the warning in her words. It had been so long.

"Run!"

An unseen force slammed into him, throwing him backwards. He scrambled to his feet and ran.

With each stride, the shadows grew until he could see nothing in front of him. Still he kept running. Even when he heard the screams from behind, he kept going. Where, he didn't know.

The ground beneath him was dissolving with each step. He sped up, unsure if it would do any good.

How could he have left her? After everything she had done for him. He needed to go back.

His foot hit nothing.

He was falling

Falling.

Ezra groaned, opening his eyes. He needed to get on his feet, to go back and save the woman.

No. That wasn't right. Awareness flooded back to him. He was lying in bed, not at the bottom of some dark pit. The woman's last word rang in his ears, but most of the other details were beginning to fade. Something about Caleb? Whoever that was. He gingerly sat up, his heart still rapidly pounding against his chest.

Stumbling to the bathroom, he allowed the shower to wash away the remnants of the dream. He stayed long after the water turned lukewarm, his heart returning to its normal rhythm. Chopper was waiting for him outside the door when he had finished. He was surprised that for once it wasn't the cat who had woken him. For some reason, he had decided that Ezra was the one who fed him. It didn't matter that Ezra made sure his door was closed every night, somehow the furry little bastard got inside.

When Ezra entered the kitchen, Kanan was cooking at the stove, whistling. Both him and Hera were big fans of eating meals together and any time both of them were home they took the opportunity to do so. It was drastically different from what Ezra was used to, even before he had been on his own. His parents had often been too busy, leaving Ezra to fend for himself. He winced, pushing down the memory. The few times he allowed himself to think about his parents, he liked to focus on when things had been good. Before any of their Wielder activism had intervened in their lives.

"Where's Hera?" he asked, sitting down at the table. There was the distinct scent of burned bacon in the air. Kanan swore he did it on purpose because he liked the taste, but Ezra didn't quite believe him. He much preferred when Hera did the cooking.

"She went to go meet Sabine at the bus station."

Ezra scoffed. "I'll believe it when I see it. I'm starting to think this girl doesn't actually exist."

The first night he was supposed to meet Sabine, something had happened with her parents and she'd had to cancel. Then a week later when she planned to go see a movie with the three of them, a school thing had prevented her from coming. No one had seemed more disappointed than Hera. It was obvious she was determined to introduce Ezra to someone his own age.

"She'll be here, I promise." Kanan grinned at him. "Excited?"

"You guys realize I do have friends, right?" It was somewhat true. He was friendly with a few kids he'd encountered on the streets. But it was more out of necessity than anything else. They shared food, helped each other avoid the police. That only went so far, they didn't exactly hang out together. If he was being honest with himself, he was nervous about meeting Sabine.

"Never hurts to have more."

The sound of the door opening and closing came from the hallway. A moment later Ezra heard an exasperated voice say, "you'd think I was a telling her I wanted to become a drug dealer."

Ezra causally glanced over his shoulder before spinning around in his chair to looked at the newcomer. The first thing he noticed was her hair. It was short with about five different shades of purple and blue. She wore an equally bright orange and yellow sweater. On anyone else the clash of so many colors would have been ridiculous. Not only did it work on her, but she also held herself in way that suggested that she could not care less if others didn't agree. She eyed him, a playful smile on her lips. Ezra heard Kanan clear his throat and he knew he'd been staring a little too long.

Sabine dropped her paint splattered backpack on the floor and flung her arms around Kanan's neck.

"Been too long, kid," he said, returning the hug. "What was that about dealing drugs?"

"My mom is mad I'm taking art classes," Sabine answered, taking a seat next to Ezra. "Says she doesn't want to waste money on a hobby."

"I swear that woman is worse than my dad." Hera kissed Kanan on the cheek and leaned over, examining the food on the stove. "At least the pancakes look good, love. I'm impressed."

"Didn't you somehow manage to set breakfast on fire last time I was here?" Sabine smirked.

Kanan waved the spatula in her direction. "Hey, respect your elders."

Sabine rolled her eyes at him. "You're like thirty-four."

"Thirty-two. And I said elders, not elderly."

Sabine laughed. It was a genuine and uninhibited sound. Ezra found himself wishing he'd been the one to inspire it. His ears grew warm with the thought. He hoped no one else had noticed.

She turned her attention to him. "So, kid, how you liking it here?"

"Sure beats what I'm use to. Warm bed, good food. Or at least when it's Hera cooking."

"You know kid," Kanan replied, his focus still on the stove. "Feel free to chip in any day now." He looked over his shoulder, the corners of his mouth curved upwards.

"Don't know how much help I'd be. Most of my meals came from the trash." He had meant it to be funny, but the uncomfortable silence that followed let him know the joke had fallen flat.

Kriff, he didn't know why he was trying to impress a girl he had just met. It wasn't as if she were the first girl his age he'd known.

Kanan clapped him on the shoulder and put the plate of pancakes down on the table. "Cal's going to be here around one, so no running off to wherever you go."

While Ezra was grateful for the place to sleep and shower, he still wasn't completely comfortable hanging around the apartment. They had given him an apartment key and found an old cell of Kanan's. As long as he checked in occasionally and was home before dark, he was allowed to come and go as he pleased. He resented the curfew and it wasn't uncommon for him to push the definition of dark, often coming home right as the last rays of light had disappeared.

"Even if I'm back in time?" He winced, hearing the whine in his voice.

"You got a hot date?" Sabine asked with a teasing smile.

"Um," he stammered. "Actually, I was going to go to the library." It was the truthful answer, but Ezra still liked how it seemed to surprise Sabine, almost as if she were impressed.

"The library? Didn't picture you as a reader." Kanan laughed. Hera shot him a reproachful look and he faltered. "Sorry, I just meant you hadn't mentioned it or anything."

Ezra shrugged. "I've spent a lot of time there. It's not like the fire escapes I slept on had cable. Lot of homeless people hang in libraries. They're warm, dry. No one cares how long you sit there." He glanced sideways at Sabine, self-conscious. "I mostly read comics. My dad-" he broke off, shaking his head slightly. He stared at the table, ignoring the eyes he knew were on him. "Growing up, that's what we did. Every week he'd take me to get a new comic and we'd read it together."

It might have been his imagination, but Ezra could have sworn the entire apartment fell silent. Even the hum of the refrigerator was dim in his ears.

"You don't really talk about your parents," Kanan said.

"What's there to say? They died." He felt his face burn, wishing he hadn't brought up the subject. Looking up he grinned without really feeling it. "I'm just glad I have gloves again, though they make turning pages a pain in the ass."

"Ezra-," Hera began, her voice soft as snow.

"Um, so who exactly is this Cal person?" Ezra interrupted.

Kanan and Hera exchanged a look that Ezra couldn't discern. "We grew up together," Kanan answered. "In the foster care system. Ended up in a lot of the same houses. He's a couple years younger than me, but we were really close."

"Wait. You grew up in foster care?" Ezra asked.

"Yeah," Kanan replied tentatively. He ran his fingers through his hair, his eyes distant for a moment. "Anyways, when were really young he just always seem to know things he shouldn't. Wielders weren't common knowledge back then. I was fourteen when my own abilities started, and Cal finally told me about his."

"How'd he learn to control it?"

"Focus and discipline, which is what you're going to need to do the same. You up to it, kid?"

Ezra forced himself to smile in response. Kriff, he hoped he could do this.

As it got closer to one, Ezra couldn't shake the anxiety that had settled in his stomach. All morning he had been fine, but the thought of what he was about to do was becoming real to him. With the exception of the incident a two weeks ago, he'd barely touched anything without gloves since his ability manifested.

"Kid, you okay?" Kanan asked.

Ezra's tongue felt thick in his mouth. He nodded, his eyes downcast. When Kanan had first suggested practicing with Cal, he'd been so eager. But now the thought of actually using his ability was making his skin itch.

Hera gently touched his arm. "Everything is going to be fine."

There was a soft knock on the door and Kanan got up to answer it. Ezra swallowed hard, mentally willing his heart to calm down. He was glad Sabine was in the other room. One less person here to witness his inevitable breakdown.

"Ezra, this is Cal," Kanan said as the two men entered the kitchen.

For some reason he had pictured Cal similar to Kanan. However, the two were almost complete opposites. While Kanan was scruffy with his long hair and beard, Cal on the other hand was clean cut, his hair slicked back neatly. He stood straight and alert, the stance of that of a soldier. If Ezra hadn't known better, he would have assumed Cal was the older of the two.

Though his face was relatively relaxed, there was a quiet intensity in his eyes. It gave Ezra the strong impression that Cal had experienced more than most people did in their entire lifetimes. He supposed he had. Ezra knew firsthand what it felt like to have someone else's mind shoved into his own. Not only was Cal older, but according to Kanan his ability had developed as a child. Who knew how many other people's thoughts he had sensed in that period of time.

Kriff, was this how Ezra would look in ten years? Haunted by the minds of others? Only it would be so much worse unless he learned to control his power.

Cal held out his hand, no glove, Ezra noted. "Great to meet you."

Ezra took his hand and shook it. Hera and Cal exchanged hellos and hugs and then the four of them sat down at the kitchen table. The adults continued to catch up for a bit, but Ezra barely heard them. He sat fiddling with his gloves, the knot in his stomach expanding with every second.

Eventually the conversation circled back to Ezra.

"Ready?" Kanan asked.

"Yeah." Ezra slipped off his gloves. He had grown accustomed to wearing them nonstop again the past two weeks, only removing them in the shower. It was a strange sensation, almost like leaving the house without shoes on.

"When did this all start for you?" Cal asked, his tone gentle.

Ezra stared at his hands, feeling naked. "When I was thirteen. Right before-um before my parents died."

"Did you ever tell anyone else?"

Ezra hesitated and then shook his head. "Just Kanan." The lie slipped out easily enough. There was no reason for them to know the truth.

"That's good, it makes it harder for Inquisitors to find you." Cal's voice grew even softer. "I'm not going to lie, learning to control this is going to take time. Kanan says your ability works on people?"

Ezra nodded.

"Okay, mine only works on things, but I think the principle will be the same. Today, though I want to practice just on objects. Before we focus on blocking it all together, I want you try to pinpoint a specific emotion or thought."

"What good will that do? I don't want to feel anything." Ezra tried to hide his annoyance, but it crept into his tone nonetheless.

"Because it's going to take some time for you to be able to grasp turning it off and on." Cal's tone was patient, making Ezra feel even more like a petulant teen. "By practicing this you can at least protect yourself from more harmful impressions. Most objects have a long history and have touched by multiple people. You need to learn to focus on the things you want and block out the rest. We're going to start off small." Turning to Kanan he asked, "Do you have something that only you or Hera uses? Something that wouldn't have strong emotions attached to it."

Kanan nodded and left the kitchen.

"If I had his power, I'd be so lazy, I wouldn't bother getting up for things," Ezra said.

"Kanan doesn't really like to use his ability," Hera replied.

Now that he thought about it, Ezra realized with the exception of when they first met, he hadn't seen Kanan use his telekinesis. "Why?"

She shrugged. "Just different reasons."

Something in her tone suggested there was more to it, but before he could press the issue Kanan had returned, holding out a green toothbrush to Ezra.

"Really?" he asked.

"Cal said start small."

Ezra rolled his eyes and took the toothbrush. There wasn't much of an impression on it, just twinges of early mornings before one was completely awake. He could taste mint in his mouth, see a vague reflection in a foggy mirror.

"It's Hera's," he said eventually.

"Anything else?" Cal asked.

Ezra closed his eyes to focus. He found himself wanting another cup of earl grey. The thought was unexpected as he'd never drank tea in his life. There was something else there. It was faint, almost like there was an attempt to smother it. An undercurrent of fear. Would this be the day they took Kanan away from her?

Ezra dropped the toothbrush, his glance going to Hera. She was smiling, but her expression faltered as his eyes met hers. Ezra felt his face grow warm. Maybe this was a terrible idea. He felt like he was invading something private.

"No, nothing," he lied.

"Let's try something else," Cal said. "Maybe with a little more significance?"

Hera held out a paperback that had been sitting on the table.

"No, not that." Kanan made a move to grab it, but Ezra beat him to it.

"Didn't picture you as a reader," Ezra said sardonically. It wasn't one he had ever heard of. The spine was cracked and faded; the cover torn slightly.

"Very funny, kid."

"It's your favorite," Ezra began, flipping through the pages. "You've read it like five times?"

Kanan nodded, frowning.

"It's been a really long time since you've read it last, but something recently made you want to pick it up again…" Ezra trailed off, concentrating. There was intrigue and excitement, as he read the book for the first time. As well as a sense of comfort that came from each subsequent reread, the familiar words and plot a means of escaping reality, even for just a little while.

But these were old emotions. Because something was stronger, making everything else pale in comparison. Grief, horrible and unbearable, began to eat away through him. He felt it deep in his chest, a gnawing ache that devoured everything it touched. Where a piece of him had once occupied, only a hollowness remained. His favorite character reminded him too much of her. Rereading the death scene brought up too many memories of when she…

He flung the book away from him, gasping heavily.

Ezra's jaw was clenched, his eyes dark. "You could have warned me," he snapped.

Hera and Cal stared at Kanan, bewildered.

"Ezra, I'm sorry." Kanan said. "I should have stopped you."

It had been over ten years since he had read the book. He didn't think the emotions would remain that strong after so much time.

"Whatever, I need a soda or something." Ezra stood up, swaying uneasily on his feet.

Kanan jumped up from his chair to steady him. "You okay?"

"Sorry," he mumbled. "I didn't mean to yell. It was just a lot, Kanan."

"Kid, don't apologize, it was my fault."

"Maybe we should take a break," Hera said. "Why don't you go lie down, hun."

Ezra nodded, hugging himself. "Um, thanks for the help, Cal."

"Don't worry, kid. It'll get easier. It just takes practice." Cal's waited for Ezra to leave the kitchen, his brow furrowed. He reached over and picked up the book.

"Kanan?" Hera was watching him, her eyes wide.

"The last time I read it was right after Billaba-." He broke off, unable to say the words.

"Oh, love." She stood up, wrapping her arms around him. Kanan held her tightly before pulling away.

He noticed Cal's grim expression. "What's wrong?"

"I think Ezra's ability is significantly more sensitive than mine," he answered spinning the book between his palms. "I can feel what I'm guessing he did, but it's really faded. More of an echo than a strong emotion."

"What does that mean?" Hera asked.

"It's going to be harder for him to learn to control this," Cal replied. "Kanan, I think you're going to need to practice with him. At least once a day."

"What can I do? Our abilities are drastically different."

"Exactly what we did today, although stick to the small stuff for a while. Maybe even meditate with him? It helped you learn focus." Cal stood up from the table. "I should be able to come back in a few weeks, maybe a month. Merrin's gotten intel that E.M.P.I.R.E. is developing some kind of algorithm to track down Wielders. I'm sorry, but it's got to take priority. I just wanted to help get him started before I left."

"Of course," Hera replied. "We really appreciate you coming here." She hugged him. "Great seeing you, Cal."

Kanan walked Cal to the door. A nervous silence surrounded the two of them.

"What are you thinking?"

"Kanan." Cal paused, his lips curved downward. "You need to be careful. If his ability is like mine, then it's more than sensing. Some things linger. Skills, traits, that kind of thing. It can be really subtle. He may not even notice it's happened."

"Really?"

"Yeah it's how I learned how to play the guitar so fast." Cal chuckled briefly before his smile slipped, his face growing serious again. "But most of it isn't so fun. I've gained an annoying fear of heights I can't shake. And that's just from an object. The kid has some serious power if he can sense from people directly. I can't imagine there's much of a filter either."

"No, he says when he touches people, he feels everything."

Cal nodded a few times. "He seems pretty diligent already about wearing gloves, but make sure he does. Until he can control it better, he needs to avoid touching people. And no offense, make sure he doesn't touch you. Your life hasn't exactly been full of sunshine."

Kanan grimaced, but not at Cal's last remark. "He already has. During the incident, but he says he doesn't remember anything about that night."

"Doesn't mean something didn't stick." Cal leaned against the wall, reaching back to rub at his neck. "I don't mean to lecture you, but it sounds like the kid's already been through hell. I'm just saying he doesn't need more scars to bear. It's a strange feeling knowing parts of your personality aren't really your own." He opened his mouth as if to say something else, but chose not to.

"What is it?"

Cal exhaled deeply. "I know you don't want to get involved with what we're doing, but we could really use you Kanan. It's great that people like Hera and Zeb want to help, but they can't take down the Inquisitors. You have your abilities for a reason. Maybe you should actually use them."

Anger raced through him and then quickly evaporated. Cal's intentions were in the right place. "Right now, I just want to keep them safe. I can't do that if I'm running off on missions with you."

Cal smiled faintly, though there was disappointment in his eyes. "I understand. Just do me a favor, okay?"

"Yeah?"

"While you're helping the kid practice, work on your telekinesis. I know you don't like to use it, but the way things are going, simply staying hidden might not be an option much longer. You need to be prepared to fight."

Kanan nodded. "When did you get smarter than me?" he asked with a grin.

"Oh, I've always been the smart one." Cal laughed. "Keep in contact. I'll try to be back soon to teach the kid. Until then, just help him focus." He gave Kanan a quick hug and left.

Kanan went to his room to get ready for his shift. Hera was sitting on the bed, Sabine next to her. She was enthusiastically showing Hera a drawing in her sketchbook.

Cal wanted him running off to be some superhero, but Kanan couldn't leave this. Nothing was more important to him than his family.

"Fantastic as always, Sabine." he said.

"Thanks. I just wish my mother thought so too," she replied, her tone dry.

He squeezed her shoulder and started digging in the dresser for a black shirt.

"Ezra did pretty good today," Hera said.

He didn't respond. Cal's warning about Ezra was bothering him. The kid needed to practice to learn control. But by doing so he was endangering himself. What if something stuck that fundamentally changed him as a person?

"Kanan?"

"Sorry. Yeah, Ezra did great," he said, changing his shirt. "I think Cal was right about mediation. I'll show him tomorrow." He kissed Hera on the forehead. "Try not to have too much fun without me."

Outside the wind bit at his face. Times like these he wished they had a car, but it just wasn't practical in the city. At least the bar wasn't too far. He was almost at work when he stopped short, a store sign catching his attention. There was something he needed to do first…

It was a rather slow night at the bar, which was rather strange for a weekend. Maybe it was the news' promise of snow that had kept people at home. Regardless of the reason, the stools at the bar were practically empty. Kanan had been bored all night. He was pretending to clean something when he felt the familiar pull.

A girl walked in and made a beeline for the stool in front of him, the pulling sensation growing stronger. There was a determined glint in the girl's eyes as she sat down, a look Kanan had come to associate with bold teens attempting to drink underage. A dusting of freckles lay across her youthful face. She couldn't have been more than eighteen.

"Old fashion, extra cherries."

Kanan snorted. "Not a chance, kid."

She held up an ID between two fingers. "I'm older than I look."

He took it from her, examining it with eyebrows raised. As he handed it back, her fingers brushed his, static electricity jumping between the two. He winced. The girl's lips curved into an apologetic smile.

He could feel her eyes on him as he made the drink. There was something about her that made him uneasy. Not just because she was Wielder, though that was certainly a large part of it. It was the way she looked at him. Like a kid looking at a wrapped present, eager to tear open the paper and see what was inside. He placed her drink on the bar.

She picked up one of the cherries and bit it off the stem slow and deliberately, her eyes locked on Kanan. "So, what's your story?"

As Hera had pointed out numerous times, Kanan could be pretty oblivious when it came to the many facets of women. However, one thing he could pick up on with ease was when someone was flirting with him. Especially when it was used as a guise to manipulate him. After all it was a tactic, he himself had utilized many times. Well, at least it had been before Hera had come along. Warning bells in the back of his mind were at full force now.

"Not much of a talker?" she asked when he didn't respond. Her voice was silky, yet somehow still sharp. He was strongly reminded of a lioness lying in the grass waiting to pounce.

"Kid, I know what the movies show, but bartenders don't really have conversations with patrons," he answered gruffly.

"Well, at least you sure make a fine drink, Jarrus." She tilted her head, a coy smile on her face.

Kanan's mouth went dry. He studied the girl, trying to place her. "Have we met?"

Her smile widened. "No, but we have a mutual friend. Sweet face, pretty blue eyes." There was something in her voice that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied, keeping his tone steady. Cold dread spread throughout his body, settling in his stomach.

"Really? I could have sworn I'd seen you with the lost little lamb."

Kanan crossed his arms, his face stony. "Like I said, don't know who you're talking about."

"No?" Her amber eyes studied his face. "My mistake." Throwing a few crumpled bills on the bar, she flashed him another smile, this time showing her teeth. "See you around."

He watched as she left, the humming in his mind fading as she did so. "Jho, taking my break," he yelled to the other man behind the bar, as he headed to the backroom. He took out his cellphone, his fingers trembling as he dialed. "Come on," he muttered.

Ezra picked up on the fourth ring. "Uh, yeah?"

"Kid, where are you?" He tried to keep his voice even, but his anxiety bled though.

"At the apartment hanging out with Sabine. You okay?"

Kanan exhaled with relief. "Where's Hera?"

"She's sleeping. It's midnight. Kanan, what's going on?" Ezra's voice had begun to mirror his own panic. Kanan heard Sabine say something in the background but couldn't make out the words.

"Nothing." He swallowed hard, his thoughts racing. "Just do me a favor, make sure the door's locked. I'll be home soon."

"Okay?"

Kanan ended the call, leaning against the wall for support. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears, his breath coming out ragged. This was the second Wielder who had shown interest in Ezra. It was too big of a coincidence. How could the Inquisitors possibly know about him already? Unless they'd been watching Kanan all this time. Had he led them straight to the kid?

The sound of tinkling glass brought him out of his thoughts. A nearby shelf full of tumblers was rattling, it's contents threatening to spill over. Kanan squeezed his eyes shut and concentrated on getting his breathing under control. He pictured Hera in his mind. The way the corners of her mouth twitched when he told a lame joke. The smell of motor oil on her clothes after she came home from a long day of work. The feel of her hand in his, like two puzzle pieces fitting together.

The rattling stopped. Kanan opened his eyes. He hadn't lost control like that since he had been a teenager. He needed to be careful. Old Jho might be a Wielder sympathizer, but any of the other employees could have walked in and caught Kanan.

He checked his watch. There was still two hours left of his shift, but he knew he would be distracted. Texting Jho something about getting sick, Kanan grabbed his bag and left out the back door.

He chose to splurge on a cab, anxious to get get home quickly. His nervous energy must have been contagious because the driver kept glancing at him through the rearview mirror. He was being ridiculous. There was no way the Inquisitors knew where they lived. Still, he had the cab driver drop him off a few blocks away. He made sure no one was around before unlocking the door and bursting into the apartment. Voices drifted from the kitchen and he followed them.

The two teenagers lifted their heads from the chess game they'd been playing, bemused smiles on their faces.

"You okay?" Sabine asked.

"Yeah, everything's fine. You guys good?" There was a hint of worry in his voice, but for the most part he managed to sound casual.

"We're great, Kanan." Ezra shot Sabine a perplexed look before moving one of his chess pieces.

"No gloves?" Kanan asked, gesturing to Ezra's bare hands.

"There's not much of a strong impression on the pieces. I'm guessing you guys don't play often."

"Just Hera and her dad when he comes to visit," Kanan replied.

"Is he like super intense? There's a very strong urge to win."

"Yeah, that's one way to describe him." Kanan joined them at the table. "Can you sense anything else?"

Ezra shook his head. "I knew how to play without Sabine explaining the rules, but that's kind of it."

"They haven't played for a few years. He's not around much." He inhaled deeply, tugging slightly on his ponytail. "Hey Sabine, do you mind giving us a minute?"

"Sure. I'm actually going to go to bed." She stood up from her chair. Smiling at Ezra she said, "Kid, thanks for letting sleep in your bed." She waved and headed off.

Kanan smirked, raising his eyebrows at Ezra

The kid's face turned bright red. "I'm sleeping on the couch," he explained.

Kanan chuckled. "I figured. Seems like you two are getting along."

"Uh, yeah. She's cool." Ezra hesitated a few seconds before speaking again. "Are you sure everything's okay? You sounded weird on the phone."

Kanan considered telling him. Ezra could be sarcastic and brash at times. He very clearly didn't enjoy having to abide by house rules, constantly failing to let one of them know when he was going to be late coming home or even letting them know he had left in the first place. But right now, he was looking at Kanan, unsure and vulnerable, a reminder of just how young he really was. Kanan knew he needed to tell Ezra the truth about the Inquisitors, and he would eventually. But it didn't have to be tonight. He could just let him be a kid a little longer.

"Everything's good." He watched as relief flooded back into Ezra's features. "About what happened earlier today, kid, I'm sorry."

"Kanan, it's fine. It's like Cal said, I need to be able to block out the bad. I can't do that without practice. Just maybe a warning next time?."

Kanan smiled faintly, unzipping his backpack. "I stopped off at the store before work. I didn't know what you liked, but the guy said these were amazing." He took out a large clear bag and held it out to Ezra.

The kid didn't take it. He stared at Kanan, an unreadable expression on his face.

"It's okay. They're all new."

"You bought me comics?" Ezra's voice cracked on the last word.

"This way you can read them without having to wear gloves." He paused. "Hey you okay?"

Ezra nodded wordlessly, taking the bag from Kanan. He pulled out the stack of comics, looking through the titles. "This is my favorite," he said quietly, his hands firmly clasped on one of the books. "Kanan, you didn't have to do this." He lifted his head back to Kanan, his eyes glistening.

"I know how hard it is to lose someone. I thought these would help you feel close to your Dad. If you want more, I thought we could make it a weekly trip thing. Uh, or I can give you some money if you'd rather go alone."

"Going together would be fun. And I can show you the good ones." He held up a comic, laughing. "Can't believe you picked this one. Everyone knows Abrams can't write for shit. Too many stupid plot twists."

"Sounds like a plan."

Ezra beamed at him and started eagerly explaining his favorite comic. It was the happiest Kanan had seen him.

He promised himself he'd tell Ezra everything soon.