I've been wanting to write this fic for a while, but I wasn't sure if people would be interested. Thanks to HarrryPotterRulz for giving me confidence to write this 😊

This story takes place just after episode seven of the first season. Ezra still doesn't know the fate of his parents, and he's just learned about connection though the force. I hope you enjoy!

The crew of the ghost was back on Lothal after an intense battle with The inquisitors. Ezra had made great strides in his training and now had a better connection to some living things through the force, but now Kanan wanted to take it further. They were in their usual training spot outside of the ghost.

"You've progressed a lot in the past few days Ezra, and I'm very proud of you," said Kanan. "But I want to start working on connections to things other than animals."

Ezra was sitting down in front of his master. He was looking down at the ground and fiddling with his thumbs.

"Ezra," Kanan said. "I know that it was hard enough to open up enough to connect to animals, but it's time for you to start making those connections with people.

Ezra lifted up his head to look at his master.

"I know Kanan." He said. "It's just been rough for me. Before all this, the ghost and the rebellion, I didn't trust anyone but my parents. And then..." his voice trailed off as he looked down again.

"I know it's been rough," said Kanan as he leaned down to look Ezra in the eyes. "That's why I'm going to help you open up more."

Ezra looked back up, skepticism showing on his face.

"Alright." Said the padawan. "How are you planing on doing that?"

Kanan got up again, ready to teach.

"People have said that the gateway to the soul is though the eyes." He looked back to Ezra. "It's what I've always been told, but I don't believe that's true. I believe the real key to the soul is though laughter."

Ezra looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Just let me explain a little. A lot of people also say that you're most vulnerable when crying, but you can also be vulnerable while expressing true joy. In a moment of true laughter, there's nothing separating you from the world. The world sees you at you're most happiest moment, with no guard up or barriers surrounding you. There's nothing but you that they see."

Ezra had to take some time to process this. The more he thought about it, the more he thought Kanan was right. Crying has always been seen as vulnerability, but you were vulnerable while truly laughing too.

"You're right Kanan," he said. "But what exactly are you planning on doing with me?"

Why, I'm going to make you laugh of course!" Said the master.

Ezra couldn't help but give a smirk.

"What?" Said Kanan, "do you think you're too cool for your master to make you laugh?"

"No," Ezra said. "It's just that I have to really be laughing. Not, well, a pity laugh."

"What? You don't think I can make you really laugh?"

Ezra only gave a shrug as his smirk appeared back on his face.

"Alright Ezra," said Kanan. "Get ready, because comedian Kanan is about to make you eat your words." Kanan took a moment to clear his voice, then turned to his padawan.

"There's a lot of skywalkers, but there's only one kanobi."

Ezra just stared up at him with a confused look on his face.

"Get it? Only one kanobi, Obi Wan Kanobi? Never mind! Here's another one. What do you call five siths on a light saber?" This time he decided to wait for a response.

"Um, what?"

"A sith-kabob!"

This time Ezra got it right away. He had to stifle a laugh quickly to avoid breaking.

"So, you do think your too cool for me to make you laugh," said the master.

Ezra was still trying to not laugh at him. "N-no. It's just- just not that funny." It obviously was to Ezra.

"Well, you leave me no choice Ezra. If you won't laugh at jokes, I'll make you laugh another way."

"Phff, ok. How are you going to do that?"

An evil smirk suddenly grew on Kanans face. "If I can't get you to laugh, I know someone who can."

Another confused look was on Ezra's face. "Um, who?"

Kanan's evil smirk grew as he dramatically stepped closer to Ezra. "I'm going to have to call on my friend, the tickle monster!"

At this he pounced onto Ezra, wiggling his fingers on his sides. The reaction was instant, and Ezra was trying to hold back his giggles against the ticklish sensations.

"Come on Ezra," teased his master. "You know you want to break. Just laugh for me. Break that barrier around you."

At this point, the occasional laugh was escaping him, but it wasn't quite enough for Kanan. He decided to up the ante. He reached under Ezra's shirt and began tickling his belly.

The dam finally broke, and full blown laughter was escaping Ezra.

"Kanahahan, WAIT! Nohohoho!" But Kanan continued. His hands shot up to under his arms, and Ezra's laughter amplified.

"AH! NOT THERE! IT'S TOOHOHO TICKLISH!"

"So," said the ruthless Kanan. "This is a weak spot of yours. I'll have to remember that."

"I HAHAHAH, doHOHONT!" It was impossible for Ezra to finish his statement. The giggles were over powering him. Kanan started losing it too when Ezra started snorting. He stopped his tickling and was laughing along with Ezra

In this moment, when they were both feeling true joy, memories and emotions started flowing though them. The force had connected them and their minds.

They both stopped momentarily, to take it all in.

"Kanan?" Asked Ezra, still panting from being tickled. "Did- did you feel that just then?"

Kanan gave him a triumphant smile. "You did it Ezra. We did it. We both broke our barriers and opened up to the world."

They both were just grinning, looking up at the sky.

"Did you have memories coming back too?" Asked the padawan.

Kanan looked back at him grinning. "Yeah, I had some. And I know you had some too."

Ezra paused for a moment to compose his thoughts. "I couldn't really see your memories, but I could feel them. Does that make any sense?"

"Yeah," said Kanan. "It makes perfect sense to me, because I just went through the same thing."

"Oh," Ezra responded. "What were yours about?"

Kanan smiled again, and said, "back at the academy, me and my friends used to get into tickle fights all the time. I was a skilled tickler, I'll tell you that."

Ezra laughed again, picturing those tickle fights. "Were you ever on the receiving end?"

"Yeah," laughed Kanan. "There were a few times I felt their retaliation."

He paused for a moment, and then added, "what about you? What were your memories?"

Ezra's face flushed a little. "Well, back in the day, whenever we weren't having to be quiet to hide from officers, my parents used to tickle me when I was feeling lonely or sad." He smiled back at the memories.

Kanan smiled to. "I know you miss them. I'm vary proud of you Ezra." He offered his tired apprentice a hand and helped pulled him up.

"I think I that's enough practice for one day." He said.

Ezra laughed again. "You call that practice?"

Kanan evilly grinned at him again. "Be careful Ezra, or I'll call on the tickle monster to show up again." He poked Ezra's sides, and Ezra gave a small yelp.

"T-that won't be necessary Kanan."

The master laughed as he and his padawan started walking back towards the ghost.

"Hey Kanan?" Asked Ezra. "You won't tell the others about this, will you?"

"Nah," laughed Kanan. "As long as you don't tell them I used to get into tickle fights back in the day."

"It's a deal!"

The two laughed as they entered the ghost, a secret now between them and the rest of the crew.