Author's note: Hello readers! Sorry that this hasn't been updated in a little while, I've been writing some new material for these one shots as well as doing my other story! Anyway thanks for the reviews and enjoy.

Five times Ezra helped the crew and one time they helped him.

Zeb

Ezra wasn't stupid; he knew a nightmare when he saw one. They were all Zeb had been having for the past two weeks now. Sharing a room with the lasat wasn't actually half as bad as he liked to pretend; he was actually a pretty considerate roommate- yeah, sometimes there was the snoring, but it was nothing like the streets and, for that, Ezra was grateful.

When Zeb had violently awoken much, much earlier than normal because of something that haunted his subconscious, Ezra had been worried. After two weeks of the same routine, Ezra was far beyond worried. Something had to be done. Seeing how Zeb was keen to make as little fuss as possible, Ezra decided it would be up to him to try and help his friend however he could.

On the fifteenth day since it had started, Ezra woke to an empty bunk below him. Evidently the nightmares had attacked again last night. This was getting out of hand.

Ezra was almost certain that Zeb wouldn't have told anyone else about it, although everyone seemed to have picked up on something different about him. Ezra had seen Kanan trying to have a quiet word with the Lasat earlier that week, but it didn't look like his master had made any progress.

Ezra wasn't stupid- he knew the pain of losing people close to you. Zeb had lost almost everyone. Ezra could perhaps understand, on a small scale, what that must feel like, but really he knew that he couldn't begin to comprehend the anguish of so many losses. To wipe out an entire race… The sense of such a devastating bloodshed must have been painful- scarring, even. Ezra knew that was what Zeb dreamed about; he probably found himself back to that day, going over every single loss.

No wonder the Lasat wasn't getting any sleep.

He spent some time- in the end, much longer than he would have liked- thinking over what to do to help, but eventually Ezra came up with an idea that he was satisfied with. Time to put it in motion.

"Zeb?" Ezra's cautious voice called out to the Lasat, who was currently sat on the ramp, deep in thought.

There was no reply.

"Um… Zeb?"

Zeb sighed. He really- really- was not in the mood for this right now. He'd been avoiding sleeping as best he could, and it was making him grumpy and restless. He didn't know what he could do. He'd had nights like this before, but never so regularly. It felt like he hadn't rested properly in years. Sleep was calling to him and yet he just couldn't get there. He knew Ezra thought something was up- he knew all of the crew did, but it wasn't like they could do anything. No. Zeb would just have to get over this himself. So when Ezra came calling, Zeb was content to just ignore him.

"Zeb." His name came again.

"What, kid? What could you possibly want?" Zeb snapped, verbally and mentally.

"Um… I just wanted- well, wondered if you would, um-"

"What, kid?" Zeb said, softer this time.

"Could you come with me?"

"Look, Ezra, I'm really not up for anything-"

"Please, you don't have to stay, just come look…" Ezra begged.

Blast it- the kid said please, Zeb's thoughts grumbled. His resolve crumbled and gave Ezra a small nod.

The boy lit up, trying to keep his smile hidden before hauling Zeb up onto his feet. He then kept hold of the Lasat's arm as he pulled Zeb round to the back off the ship and then out into the horizon. Zeb didn't have the energy to question where they were going, merely kept his eyes on the land around them.

Soon enough, some silhouettes could be seen in the distance. Zeb was immediately on guard. Who else could be out here with them? They didn't slow down though- if anything, Ezra seemed to pick up their pace. They drew closer and closer until Zeb could see that the silhouettes weren't really people at all, but actually makeshift training dummies. The figures were made from the world around him; a tree log became a torso, whilst another was filled with straw. Grass and leaves poked out from the bag that tied around the other few figurines. But what really made them was Ezra's finishing touch; each model had a helmet on, storm trooper helmets from Ezra's own collection.
Zeb gave them a good look over before staring blankly at Ezra.

"I- um, well I know that you haven't had the best of times lately, and I know that smashing in a few bucket heads always seems to make you feel better. So I thought you could deal out some stress and make yourself more tired if you had some proper dummies to let it out on. I thought the helmets would make it feel more real." Ezra half smiled, although it was clear the kid was nervous. Ezra really wanted to help Zeb, but he was concerned that maybe he'd crossed a line.

Zeb didn't speak. He couldn't find the right words.

The kit had spent his day making all of these just to make him… feel better? He'd even willingly used helmets from the collection he loved so much, despite the fact that Zeb could cause them a bit of damage. His face lit up into one of the truest smiles he'd felt in a long time.

"Well- what are we waiting for?… Let's smash some bucket heads!" Zeb cried. Ezra laughed with glee. He quickly ran over to one of the dummies and pulled out Zeb's bow-rifle, handing it to the Lasat.

"I was hoping you'd say that!" Ezra smiled, equally pulling out his lightsabre as both faced the army of figures before them.

Strike. Stab. Punch.

Zeb was alive! He hadn't let himself feel this free in a long time; stretching out every muscle, feeling every breath tear through his body…and it was magnificent. There were plenty of models to smash, and he could tackle them however he wanted with no real danger. It made him feel in control, and really did help to work out the tension and stress he had worked up during the past two weeks. He practised manoeuvres he had completely forgotten about and tapped into his old warrior traditions as though he never stopped them. It was in its own way a good way to honour his people, but also a good way to embrace the new life he had, with his new family. Something which Zeb realised he still hadn't fully done yet. Ezra smirked playfully at him from across the field. Feeling a challenge coming on, Zeb prepared himself for whatever Ezra would propose.

Later on, both would arrive back at the Ghost, utterly exhausted, dripping with sweat and covered in dirt, but both with grins on their faces that shone bright. Zeb would playfully nudge Ezra down the corridor and the noises of their bantering could be heard echoing throughout the Ghost. No one minded. They were happy to once again hear tones of laughter.

Later on, Zeb and Ezra would be in their bunks, sleep seconds away from catching them.

A quiet "Thanks, kid" makes its way out into the open. Ezra won't be sure if he dreamt it the next day, for his eyes were already shut at the time. But the night is peaceful. No one wakes haunted by the past and Zeb sleeps heavily like he hasn't in a long time.

He can't help but see Ezra in a different light from then on. He feels closer to the kit- more like a brother to him. It makes him feel almost whole again.