I do not own Star Wars: Rebels in any capacity.

Final chapter prompt: Whumptober, 30. Recovery

I hate writing endings, they never feel quite right to me. None the less, I hope this is a satisfactory conclusion :)

Six Months Later

When Ezra woke up, he was first aware of warmth and soft hum in the Force cradling him. Even after all this time, it was still a shock to wake up to.

He blinked sluggishly and turned over to look up at Caleb, who was still asleep. With only the slightest hesitation, Ezra pressed his face to Caleb's chest and sighed as he curled against him.

This had been unthinkable only a short while ago. Sometimes Ezra still didn't quite believe this was all real. That Caleb really didn't mind Ezra leeching off of him like this. Ezra had no idea how he could possibly survive without Caleb's near constant support. The mere concept of a person who would care for him, comfort him, wouldn't hurt him for the slightest wrong… it was so hard for Ezra to wrap his head around.

And Ezra was still careful. He kept quiet. When Caleb was awake, he would refrain from being plastered to Caleb's side at all times. He would wait and see if Caleb was open to it. Ezra only had to prod…

Which in of itself was stressful. While Caleb had never rejected him, Ezra still didn't know. Not really. There were times where Maul was kind and caring. But it never lasted. Muln only did what was in his best interest. So how long would it take for Caleb to realize Ezra did not deserve this?

A deeper exhale signaled Caleb's awakening. He blinked slowly, gripping Ezra more tightly on impulse. Ezra just passively awaited for Caleb to become fully awake. His grip loosened as he yawned, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. Then he looked down at Ezra. "Sleep well?"

Ezra nodded automatically with a small smile. He knew it made Caleb happy when he smiled.

Caleb grabbed a balled up sock off the ground and tossed it across the room where it hit Styles' chest. "Oi, wake up."

Styles groaned and turned over in his bed, his back facing them. "Kriff off…"

Caleb rolled his eyes as he sat up and stretched, a couple places along his spine cracking. Then he tapped Ezra's shoulder as he got out of bed. "C'mon. Let's meditate before work."

Ezra nodded and got up to follow him. As they walked out, Caleb whacked Styles' shoulder, earning a hard glare from the aging clone before he curled back up in his bed with a grunt. It always forever to get Styles out of his bed.

Caleb prepared some caf while Ezra sat in his normal corner and closed his eyes. This was part of their regular routine. Caleb would start the caf machine to entice Styles, then he would help Ezra with his meditation. It was… hard for Ezra. He had been taught to focus on his pain when meditating, to take his fear and turn it into anger. Under Master Muln, meditation was turned into affirmation exercises. He was worthless Sith scum who was nothing without his master.

Well, now Caleb was his master, and Ezra definitely felt like he was worth something when he was with him. Although Caleb got a weird look in his eye any time Ezra mentioned it. It was similar to the look he gave whenever Ezra brought up his previous training. It was usually accompanied with a spike of anger, which Caleb always had to assure wasn't aimed at him.

Ezra was kneeling on the ground, letting out a sigh as Caleb walked over and knelt in front of him. He didn't really want to do this right now but he had no idea how Caleb would react if he said so.

"Alright, start by focusing on your breathing. Then we can work on your shields, okay?"

Ezra nodded and closed his eyes, doing as Caleb said. He took long deep breaths, focusing on the whooshing sound as the air moved through his lungs. The Force around him became sharper. He could feel Caleb's bright Force signature intertwined with his own, Styles' quieter but disgruntled presence rumbling in agitation just like every morning…

Then he felt Caleb just gently push against his shields. Ezra couldn't help but flinch back, a fine shiver running through his body as he imagined Caleb taking his delicate shields and ripping through them like flimsi.

"Shh…" he heard Caleb hush. "I'm not gonna hurt you…"

Ezra could feel Caleb at the core of his shields, very slowly making them warmer from the base up. Ezra tried to keep his breathing even, telling himself over and over that Caleb wasn't going to just suddenly tear down all their progress.

Then he felt Caleb pulling on him a little, like taking his hand and leading the way. His shields would only remained steady if he put in the work to help reinforce them. Ezra swallowed. He hated this part. He hated putting himself into these shield, injecting his slimey himself along Caleb's beautiful work…

"Stop that," Caleb chided softly.

"S-Sorry," Ezra whispered.

"It's alright, just focus on your shields."

Ezra's body was tense as he carefully started to put bits of himself into the shields, reinforcing what Caleb was doing. He hated doing this. He knew it was necessary, especially before they went out for Caleb and Styles to work. When he was in the Temple, everyone's minds were distant and actively avoided Ezra's signature. But non-Force sensitives didn't have that kind of control, so crowds have been a nightmare for Ezra as their emotions and thoughts constantly poured into his mind. It had been getting better in recent months, but only with daily sessions like this with Caleb's help.

Still, reinforcing his shields required him to really look at himself, and it always made Ezra feel like garbage. He didn't want to look inward. He wanted to stay outward, buried in Caleb's protective presence.

Ezra sniffled and he wiped the wetness off his cheeks. "I-I hate this…"

"I know," Caleb said sympathetically. "But you're doing great."

Ezra could feel his sincerity, and it made Ezra's chest flutter with warmth.

When they finished reinforcing his shields, Caleb swept Ezra up in a tight hug. "I know it's hard," Caleb muttered into Ezra's hair. "But you're doing well, and I'm proud of you."

Ezra let out a soft sigh as Caleb's arms completely encompassed him, nuzzling his face against Caleb's chest and breathing in his scent.

"You boys done with your Force stuff?"

Ezra pulled back and peeked out to see Styles sitting at their little dining table, sipping a large cup of caf. "W-Were done," Ezra mumbled.

Styles smiled at them. "Your session was shorter than usual. I hope that's a good sign…"

"Yup!" Caleb said with a big smile. "Ezra has gotten damn efficient at reinforcing his shields~"

Ezra couldn't help but smile back widely, his cheeks hurting a little.

"Well, I feel a bit more alive now," Styles said, downing the rest of his caf. "We should try and head out early. Maybe earn a few extra creds by taking a couple additional runs."

"Yeah sounds good." Caleb patted Ezra's back. "You ready to head out?"

Ezra nodded and got up, running back to their bedroom to put on proper clothes. Their life was a bit of a cobbled up mess, a constant struggle to earn enough money and stay underneath the Republic radar. But Ezra was happier than he has ever been, and he wouldn't trade this life for anything in the entire galaxy.

Aaaand it's over! Hope ya'll enjoyed it!

Stay tuned, an update for The Undeserving should be coming up this weekend^^

Please leave a review to let me know what you thought!