Ezra The Stray

Caution, Will Bite

The next morning Ezra looked terrible, no sleep and the ringing in his ears that was rattling around in his head from Zeb's snoring felt like it was vibrating his skull. His face hurt because he could not stop yawning and grinding his jaw with frustration. When Zeb finally woke up and saw Ezra looking hunched and disheveled on the top bunk, hair a mess and dark circles under his eyes, all he did was laugh.

"You sure look like a ghost kid, you'll fit right in with the name of the ship." He mocked as he headed out into the hall for breakfast.

Ezra sighed and let out a groan as he stretched out his stiff aching body. He rubbed his face and shook his head, running his hand quickly thru his hair to look half way presentable. Zeb stole his sleep, he couldn't let him steal his food. He lazily hopped down from the top bunk and shuffled to join the rest of the crew. He slumped down hard and let out another yawn. This time it was Sabine who caught a glimpse of his teeth.

"Whoa." She whispered, her eyes going wide as she glanced at Hera and Kanan. They gave her an acknowledged grimace back. "Someone's got a big mouth." She chuckled as she put her spoon back in her cereal.

"Excuse me?" Ezra grumbled with a tired glare.

"What? No, it's nothing." Sabine looked away, eating her bite of cereal.

Ezra gave a small growl of annoyance and quickly grabbed a jogan when nobody was looking, still a little unsure about these strange folks and if he could trust them or not. He shrank down and took a bite, trying to hide and make himself look small. It was a force of habit that he probably did subconsciously without realizing it. The others notice it tho, and they felt a little bad. They knew that like a wild animal they would have to slowly earn his trust after half a lifetime he spent alone and struggling and being abused by others on the street. Ezra took a bite of the jogan, it was very sweet and the perfect texture, he couldn't help but close his eyes and smile. Hera and Kanan smiled at his innocent reaction.

"You like jogans huh?" Kanan tried to break the awkward silence.

"So?" Ezra looked up suspiciously.

"Are they your favorite?" Hera chimed in.

"Yeah?" Ezra leaned back slowly, almost as if he was trying to protect his food.

"My favorite is meiloorun. Have you had that one before?"

"No....?" Ezra raised an eyebrow cautiously.

"Kinda quiet this morning." Zeb snickered. "Where's all that boisterous talk from last night?" Ezra gave him a dark angry glare. "Heh, what's wrong brat?" Ezra just snorted loudly in response and went to take the last big bite of his fruit. When Ezra opened his mouth Zeb saw an opportunity. "Cat got your tongue?" He went to quickly grab Ezra by the tongue but his reflexes were too quick.

"Ahh hey!" Ezra hissed as he jumped up and stood on the seat, causing Zeb to start laughing. "Don't put your grubby hands on my face! Are you trying to steal my food?"

"Don't like that huh?" Zeb continued to laugh and poked Ezra on the cheek. "Didn't mind my hand in your mouth before when you bit me."

"Careful Zeb." Kanan's cautious warning fell on deaf ears, but he could sense the anger building up in Ezra and it was about to over flow.

"Just let it happen." Hera sighed quietly. "He's bringing this onto himself, this may be the only way for Zeb to learn."

"Ok, I'll bite. I'll show you what my mouth can do." Ezra bit down on his finger.

"Hey, let go you rabid little beast." Zeb tugged and pulled but Ezra would not let go, he smirked up playfully thru his teeth. Zeb grinned coyly, "Oh you think you're so smart huh?" Zeb changed his tactic and instead of pulling he shoved his finger forward and into Ezra's mouth, stabbing him in the back of his throat.