Kanan pulled his coat tighter around himself as he walked home, watching the wisps of condensation form with each breath.

Work had been absolute hell. People always romanticized the idea of working in used bookstores. They often failed to acknowledge at the end of the day it was just like every other customer service job and people were crazy.

If only he had been able to go to college, like he had planned so many years ago. He'd gotten into some pretty decent schools, but then the government had started cracking down on finding people like him. School became nothing more than a distant dream. Now, staying hidden to survive was his only goal in life. And perhaps convincing Hera to finally agree to marry him.

He was replaying their last conversation on the topic when he felt it. A slight hum accompanied with a pull.

He stopped walking, realizing that he had turned down an unfamiliar street. He had been too lost in thought to notice his surroundings.

"Karabast," Kanan mumbled. He knew better. Knew he needed to be diligent and not allow this stupid ability of his to get himself involved in other people's problems. His other power was so much easier to control, but this one continued to cause him trouble.

No one else was around, or at least that he could see. He'd heard rumors about people with invisibility, a lucky power in these times to have.

The smart thing for him to do was just turn around and return to his normal route. It wasn't his responsibility to find others like him. If anything, it was irresponsible. He had his own family to protect.

A sharp yelp came from an alley up ahead, followed by unintelligible yelling. Was he sensing the attacker or the victim?

He should just stay out of it, but the pulling sensation was stronger now. This would certainly not be the first time he had ignored it. So why was he still standing here?

Another yell, this time sounding much too young.

Before he could convince himself otherwise, he ran toward the noise, the pulling growing even greater.

There were three of them total. A stocky kid had another boy pinned against the wall, while a gaunt faced one held a knife to his throat.

"Give us the jacket and we won't end you."

"Like it'll even fit you," the kid replied, his voice strangled.

Kriff, all three of them looked so young.

"Hey!" Kanan shouted.

He knew he could look intimidating, with his rather tall height and decent build. And while his anger had never been directed at Hera, she on more than one occasion had commented how it made his face look. It was not a red-hot anger, but rather one full of ice and steel.

The two boys dropped the kid immediately and ran off down the alley.

"You okay?" Kanan went over to the boy to help him up, but he stood up quickly before Kanan could reach him.

On closer inspection, Kanan saw that the kid looked a lot older than he first thought. Maybe mid-teens? He was tall, but incredibly skinny. Two prominent vicious looking scars adorned his cheek. His long black hair hung in his eyes and despite the decreasing light it was apparent it had been awhile since he last washed it. That along with the slight smell of someone who hadn't been able to clean their clothes for a long time led Kanan to the conclusion that this was a kid who was not being taken care of.

"Thanks," the kid mumbled. He shivered and zipped up the thin jacket. It was patched in several places. "Wouldn't want to lose my favorite jacket." He said it with a laugh, but there was a hollowness to it.

Kanan wasn't dumb. He knew it was probably the only warm piece of clothing the kid owned. And by the looks of the kid's flushed cheeks and red nose, it probably wasn't that warm to begin with.

"Here," he heard himself say. Almost without realizing he was doing it, he slipped off his own coat and gestured for the kid to take it. The kid took a significant step back and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"I'm good, thanks."

Kanan continued to hold the coat out but put it back on after the kid rejected it a third time. He took a deep breath, the condensation more noticeable now. He sincerely doubted the kid had anywhere to go to and it was only growing colder as the sun went down.

Besides there was that pesky pulling sensation, still there. He could tell himself he tried his best and go home. The kid would be none the wiser about meeting someone of his kind. But Kanan knew he'd hate himself forever if he chose that path.

"At least let me get you a meal. It'll get you out of the cold for a bit."

Ezra very much wanted to decline the man's offer, but his stomach betrayed him by growling. Karabast, he knew the guy could hear it too. He nodded, and the man grinned.

"I'm Kanan." The guy stuck out his hand, but Ezra didn't take it.

"Ezra," he mumbled.

If Kanan was offended, he didn't show it. "There's a diner right around the corner."

The first few minutes they walked in silence. Ezra debated whether a meal and some escape from the biting wind was even worth the risk following this stranger. Maybe he had saved him just so he could do something even worse. But then the two turned down a crowded street, and the idea became less likely.

"How old are you?"

Ezra started, having not expected the man to speak.

"Twenty-one," he lied.

Kanan snorted. "Yeah and I'm sixteen."

Ezra chose not to reply to the sarcastic remark. He was way too preoccupied anyways. There were several people on the sidewalk, many brushing past in some hurry. His hands were buried securely in his jacket pockets, not wanting to accidentally touch anyone. More than anything he wished he still had his gloves. Someone had stolen them off him a few weeks ago and he didn't have the money to replace them. He had considered going into a store and trying to pocket a pair, but it was too risky. If he were caught, if they tested him and found out, who knows where he would end up. People like him went missing and never came back.

"We're here." Kanan inclined his head to the next building.

There was a brief moment of panic, when Ezra realized he would have to touch the door handle, but it quickly dissipated when Kanan opened it and gestured for him to go in first.

Ezra started to move toward the first booth to be as close to the exit as possible, but Kanan continued past him, heading all the way to the furthest booth. The diner was far from crowded, still Kanan had walked back to a section that had absolutely no one in it.

There was still the opportunity for Ezra to leave and run. He was sure he could just find some shelter still serving food. But he was limited with what he could eat, and he was tired of cold turkey sandwiches. A waiter walked by carrying a plate of fries, the smell making up his mind for him. Ezra followed Kanan and sat down.

Luckily Kanan had already grabbed the menus and placed one across from him. Ezra searched it for something that didn't require using silverware. It didn't matter that they were cleaned after every use, they still held remnants. With so many people using them, the imprints they left were overwhelming. The first (and last) time he had ever picked up a spoon it had been too much for him and he had almost fainted.

Kanan sat across from him making a looking at them menu, while at the same time trying to not so subtlety observe him.

A waitress came over and took their order. Kanan ordered breakfast and coffee, while Ezra opted for a hamburger, no drink. Force, he wished he could get coffee. Mugs were dangerous too.

"So" Kanan began minutes later, causing Ezra to flinch. Ezra tore his gaze from the window and met Kanan's eyes.

Kanan opened his mouth a few times, only to close it.

"Uh, yeah?"

"Sorry," Kanan replied. He paused, inhaling deeply. "I'm trying to do this right. Can you promise not to run out?"

"What?" Ezra sputtered.

Oh kriff, had this been a mistake? All he wanted was some warm food and then never see this guy again. He should have trusted his instincts earlier.

Kanan ran his fingers through his hair while shifting in the seat. "Kid, I promise I'm not going to hurt you, can you trust me for just a second?"

"What are you talk-?"

"I know what you are," Kanan interrupted, his voice quiet.

Ezra's blood turned to ice. How had he known? He needed to get out of here. Needed to get away.

"Alright darlings, enjoy." The waitress was back with their food.

He should bolt now, while Kanan was distracted. But the smell of the burger being placed in front of him kept him rooted to the seat. He couldn't even remember the last time he had an actual decent meal, let alone a hot one.

Just when he considered grabbing the burger and sprinting, Kanan spoke again.

"I'm one too."

Watching Ezra shift from open suspicion to a deer stuck in headlights was almost comical. Kanan did his best to suppress his urge to laugh.

The kid immediately dropped his burger and tensed. "Why should I believe you?"

Force, he was doing this all wrong. Kanan had hoped by saving him, the kid would trust him at least a little.

Ezra crossed his arms and continued to glare. Maybe the fact that he hadn't run yet, meant there was some small spec of trust.

Kanan looked around to make sure no one else was watching. He reached out toward his mug of coffee and concentrated. It rose shakily about an inch off of the table for a few seconds before he willed it back down.

Kanan lifted his eyes toward Ezra, expecting a smile, or at the very least a less hostile stance. But the kid sat more rigid than before. He was still staring at the mug, his eyes hard.

After a few moments of silence, Ezra finally spoke. "What do you want from me?" His tone was far icier than it had been before.

"Kid, I just want to help."

"Stop calling me that," Ezra snapped. "Look, I've been on my own since I was thirteen. I don't need anyone's help." He picked up the burger and stood up. "Thanks for the food."

Kanan watched as Ezra left the diner. He knew he should go after him, but what good would it do? If the kid preferred being on his own, nothing Kanan could say would convince him otherwise. Ezra had been smart enough to not get caught so far. Hopefully, he stayed that way.

"Karabast," he muttered.

He had spent so much of the last decade hiding, trusting very few with his secret. This was the first time in years he acted on his ability to sense others with powers. The first time in a while that he had cared enough about someone other than himself and tried to help.

And he had royally kriffed it up.