Hera smiled as she peeked at the bags on the back seat. Ezra has been borrowing Kanan's clothes for the past week until Hera decided that enough is enough and went through a few stores today. It would be a nice surprise and hopefully would encourage Ezra to come out of his shell more.

The boy certainly trusted them more than he had the first two days. That was a small accomplishment. He now tried to believe that they wouldn't hurt him. And yet, he was still jumpy and tense when it came to physical contact.

And there was another issue. Ezra was constantly terrified of a variety of things. He always assumed that the food, the clothes, the room, everything they gave him would come with a price. Which led to him refusing to accept any help from her and Kanan, barely use anything on the guest room (that now turned into Ezra's room) and return the clothes Kanan was borrowing him without so much as a stain.

Another issue was Ezra's constant attempts to repay them. When they weren't looking or were asleep the boy would clean, cook and do the chores and do it perfectly. In a bad kind of way. It was as if he felt that even the smallest mistake would get him into trouble.

So today morning Hera spoke to Kanan about it and the man agreed that something needed to be done. He insisted he talked to the boy though. Hera decided that it was a good idea so she thought she'd do something else for Ezra instead. Buy him clothes. They couldn't keep Ezra's previous set of clothes, even if he kept saying that it was fine, they were so ripped and dirty Hera didn't even bother to wash them. She was certain the would fall apart anyway.

She parked the car, grabbed the bags and got out. She hummed as she made her way in. She really wanted Ezra to stay. She knew it didn't depend on her. If Ezra wanted to leave he was free to do so but still, she really, really wanted him to stay. Maybe it was because she lost her own baby boy not too long ago. The thought made her stop on her tracks just as she was about to put her keys in the lock. She dropped the bags as the hand that was holding them flew in her mouth just in time to muffle a sob that escaped.

She shook her head. This was on the past. This is the present. And after everything the boy went through he deserved some stability on his life and she was not going to disturb it with her sob-story. That much she could do.

She picked up the bags, turned her keys and walked inside. Kanan was sitting on the couch with Ezra beside him. They were both watching TV. The boy would usually sit on the floor to avoid being too close to them and he never really watched TV. He always bolted to his room every time the TV was on.

But now he was curiously pressing the remote and watched with awe as the channels changed. It was almost comical how wide his eyes were and how much wonder they kept in them.

"Hey" Hera said taking her shoes off.

"Hey" Kanan said turning to look at her.

"Hi Hera" Ezra said taking her by surprise. The few days the boy had stayed with them he usually avoided talking unless he was asked to.

"Hi Ezra" Hera replied smiling warmly at him. The boy smiled too and then immediately looked at Kanan expectantly.

Kanan chuckled and pat him in the back. Hera raised an eyebrow as she sat on the couch.

"Okay, what's going on with you two?"

Fear crossed Ezra's face as he ducked his head.

"Hey it's okay. You're not in trouble" Kanan reassured placing his hand on Ezra's shoulder.

Hera put her hand on his back as well.

"You're okay sweetie. I'm not angry. I'm just happy you're talking to us more and a little surprised. That's all"

Ezra clenched and relaxed his fists a few times before raising his glare.

"Me and-and Kanan talked. He said I-that I should get to know you and that...and that I wouldn't be able to if I am always avoiding you and if I never talk to you. I....no one has cared for me since..."

Ezra's face twisted as if he were in pain. Kanan and Hera exchanged a look.

"Hey, take it easy bud. It's okay" Kanan said. Hera nodded.

"You don't have to tell us anything you don't want to"

Ezra was silent, his eyes closed, his chest rose and fall as he desperately tried to breathe steadily. Slowly he nodded. Hera smiled and saw Kanan smiled as well.

"I got you some clothes" she said picking up the bags from the floor. "How about you try them on. They might be a little big on you but you'll grow into them" she said handing one of the bags to Ezra. Kanan got up and headed to the kitchen. Ezra pulled a shirt out of the bag and looked at it. His hand shook just a little.

"Can I g-go to the restroom. I don't feel comfortable changing in..." he motioned to the room around him. Hera heard Kanan chuckle from the kitchen.

"Yeah sure" She handed Ezra the bag and the boy bolted upstairs. She walked to the kitchen and stood beside Kanan who was washing the dishes. They sat there in comfortable silence.

"I convinced him to eat a little extra  today" he said breaking the silence. "He still doesn't eat as much as I would like him but we'll get there. Eventually" the last part was muttered and sounded more like a thought than a statement.

Hera nodded.

"So what did you guys talk about"

"He already told you"

She raised an eyebrow. "Kanan" she said warningly.

The man gave a small laugh and put the last plate away.

"You told him about your past didn't you"

Kanan turned and leaned on the kitchen wall.

"No, at least not the part you are referring to. I told him I never met my parents and that I grew up in an orphanage and that I know how difficult it is to trust people after-" Kanan paused choosing his words wisely.

"After having been let down so many times before" Hera frowned and put a hand on Kanan's shoulder.

"Well, he has us now" Kanan smiled. He knew that Hera didn't only talk about the kid. Speaking of which, his light steps were heard as he walked down the stairs. Hera and Kanan smiled as they went to greet him.

Ezra walked down the stairs with his hands tightly wrapped around himself and a look of mixed shame, embarrassment and fear. Hera felt a cold sensation in her chest. Did he not like the clothes?

"Sweety" she started, placing a hand on Ezra's shoulder noticing the slight tremor that ran through his body.

"Hey, its okay if you don't like them we can just go back to the store and-"

Ezra shook his head.

"Its not that" he slurred in the verge of tears. "Its just...You can see them. I can see them" Hera frowned with confusion.

Kanan walked closer. He seemed to understand. At least more than her.

"Your scars" he said.

The boy nodded and slowly lowered his hands. Scars were littered all over Ezra's hands along with some bruises and scratches. It didn't surprise her nor repulsed her. After everything Ezra went through, at least judging from what Kanan had told her, she was expecting that. Was Ezra ashamed of them?

"Honey, it's okay"

"No, it's not. It's not normal. Its ugly and wrong and-" Ezra covered his mouth For a moment Hera thought he would throw up. But then she realised that he was desperately trying to silence a sob that almost escaped his mouth.

Hera was at a lost of what to do. She felt a hand with on her shoulder. It was Kanan.

"I got this. Go make sure Choper hasn't broken anything, and by anything I mean my computer" he said. Hera took a last look at the teen. Eyes shut close to hold back the tears, hands in his mouth to muffle the sobs that made his body shake. She really didn't want to leave but she also didn't want to make things worse. She looked at Kanan and nodded.

Hera walked upstairs and the sound of a door closing echoed through the house.
Kanan then turned his attention to the teen.

The boy had his arms wrapped around him once again looking at the ground. Kanan sighed. He approached slowly as to not scare the boy.

"Ezra-"

"M'sorry"

"About?"

"This!" He said motioning to himself as if it were obvious. What had Kanan worry was the look of utter disgust on Ezra's face while talking about himself.

"Ezra, it's ok" he said calmly still approaching with slow, cautious steps.

"No, it's not okay! Nothing about this is okay!" Another sob escaped Ezra's mouth. Kanan was standing right behind him now, he put a hand on the boy's shoulder in hopes to ease his trembling.

"I'm sorry. I know you want me to be normal but I-"

"What are you talking about?"

"You said I should talk more and be more open and I want to! But I-I can't.." Ezra paused. He seemed to be trying to find the right words to say. A way to transfer his emotions into words.

But Kanan already knew how and he smiled.

"You had a rough past. A few days ago you were locked in the basement of an abusive maniac. Its hard to move on after something like that. Its hard to trust people and let your guard down around them. You have a long way to go and we don't expect you to change over night. We'll just take it easy and go one step at a time"

Ezra looked at Kanan through the locks of hair that fell over the upper half of his face almost hiding it. The boy gave the man a trembling smile that looked almost forced and he nodded. Kanan smiled.

"Now, how about we take another step"

Ezra tilted his head to the side in confusion. Kanan chuckled and looked at the he stairs. Ezra followed his gaze and realised what Kanan wanted him to do. The boy nodded and slowly made his way upstairs.

To say he was nervous would be an understatement. But he was more afraid of what Kanan or even Hera for that matter would do to him if he didn't apologize. He knew he was lucky he had made it that far without at least one of them getting angry enough to beat him.

He stopped just in front of Hera and Kanan's bedroom. He raised his hand to knock on the door but he hesitated, his fist inches away from the wooden surface. He took a big breath. If he didn't do that now, his punishment would be even worse later. He knocked and heard a muffled ' come in ' from the other side of the door.

Ezra walked into the bright room. Hera was sitting in the bed with Choper curled on a small ball in her legs. The orange cat was purring as Hera softly caressed his head.

"Hey sweetie, you and Kanan talked it out?"

Ezra nodded and Hera patted the spot next to her. Ezra was afraid to get that close. He still wasn't sure about those people's intentions but he had no choice. He had to be good, he had to be obedient. So, against his better judgement and voices inside his head screaming at him to stop, he walked up to her and sat next to her. Choper hissed a little at Ezra for interrupting his cuddle time. The boy shoot a glare at the cat and took a deep breath, turning his attention to Hera.

"Um, I'm sorry. For before. I really like the clothes you bought for me. And I promise I'll find a way to pay you back-"

"No"

"What?"

"You're not paying me back"

"But-"

"No"

Ezra stopped. He couldn't wrap his head around how someone could sound so stern and yet so kind.

"Before" he said trying to change the subject and get to the point "the reason I freaked out... It's my scars"  Hera nodded.

"Hmmm" Hera hummed in agreement.

"Look Ezra, its okay. You had a small panic attack. Its nothing to be ashamed of. Neither are your scars"

Ezra's eyes widened.

"I...you...what?"

Hera smiled, amused by Ezra's confusion.

"Your scars, they are signs, they show that you survived something most people can't even imagine. They show how strong you are"

Ezra bowed his head.

"M'not strong" he muttered.

"Yes, you are. One of the strongest people I've ever known"

Ezra wanted to believe her so bad. But it was so hard. It went against everything he knew, everything he was taught since he was seven years old. He was a pain, a burden, an ugly being that didn't deserve to be seen by other people, a weakling that made the life of others miserable. Still, it was nice Hera didn't think so.

"Hera?"

"Hmm"

"Thanks...for the clothes and... everything"

She smiled and wrapped her arm around his shoulders. Choper hissed at Ezra again for getting Hera's attention instead of him.

"I'm glad you'll be staying with us"

Ezra smiled. Of course a part of him knew they were going to keep him around for the foreseeable future but still, it felt nice to actually hear it.

He leaned into Hera ignoring the voice in his head that was telling him not to get too attached.

"I'm glad I'll be staying here too"

Soooo, long story short. I dropped my phone and the screen was a little (a lot) shattered to the point where I couldn't write. I got it fixed now and I just got my phone back yesterday because at first we couldn't find a new screen and then when we did find one we had to wait for it to arrive and blah blah blah. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. More will be coming soon. May the force be with you. Always.