Work Text:
“Get. Up.”
Ezra doesn’t obey, remaining still on his knees as his hands tremble.
“I said get up!”
A boot digs into his side and he yelps, crumpling and curling up to shield himself from further attacks. His father lands another kick on him, and he only whimpers again.
A firm hand drags him to his feet without warning, shoving him against the wall. “Why are you crying?”
The answer spills from his mouth in a rush. “I’m sorry I’m sorry I just– I’m– I– I didn’t want to kill him I’m—“
“I’m sure you didn’t. But you had to. And do you know why?”
His pleas fall silent in the face of his father’s muted wrath; Ezra shakes his head no.
“Because I ordered you to, skaa. And that’s all you’ll ever be. Just a skaa boy.
“Living in a noble’s world.”
His father lets him fall to the floor and, mercifully, leaves him to himself.