- Set after 5x08 - *This story has no relevance to the TV storyline* Aria and Ezra aren't "technically" together, but they act as though they are.
※※ I Don't Miss Twice ※※
Aria walked down the familiar hallway, stopping outside a familiar door before knocking softly. Before, she would have simply used her key, but things were still a bit… uncertain… and she didn't want to cross too many boundaries yet. A light padding could be heard on the other side of the door before it swung open to reveal a pair of striking blue eyes, accompanied by a warm smile.
"Come on in," Ezra greeted happily, stepping aside to allow Aria to walk in, before shutting the door behind them. "Dinner's almost ready, I made enhanced macaroni and cheese," Ezra informed her, a hint of humor to his voice. Smirking slightly, Aria laid her bag and jacket on the table near the door before walking over to sit on the couch.
"Do you want to listen to the radio?" she asked, leaning over to turn on the radio sitting near the couch.
"Sure."
Aria settled back into the couch, content to enjoy the music as she lost herself in her thoughts. A few minutes later, Ezra walked over to her carrying two plates, returning to bring two glasses of water before sitting next to her, careful not to sit too close, leaving a small distance between them.
"Mmm, this is really good!" Aria commented as she tasted the meal, earning a grin from Ezra. The two made small talk through their meal, their conversations continuing after they had both finished eating. Suddenly, their conversation halted as a certain song began playing on the radio, 'Just A Kiss'.
Smiling, Ezra stood up and offered his hand to Aria, formally asking, "May I have this dance?"
"Of course," Aria smiled, accepting his hand and standing up to meet him. The two began to slowly sway to the music, much like they had their first dance. Pulling away slightly, Aria stared up into his bright blue eyes, captivated by their depth. Shaking herself from his spell, she shyly smiled before looking down at her feet, he cheeks turning a light shade of red.
"Hey," Ezra said softly, tilting her chin up so she looked him in the eyes. "This is our second dance, I want to see you." A smile slowly spread across Aria's lips, mirrored on Ezra's as they slowly leaned forward, their lips meeting in a slow kiss. Still swaying to the music, the two continued to steal gentle kisses, frozen in time as they enjoyed the precious moment. As the song came to an end, Aria rested her head on his shoulder, his lips resting in her hair, their eyes closed as they listened to the music, their swaying coming to a stop as the music ended. They slowly pulled away, staring at each other lovingly before their lips met in a passionate kiss, their hands pulling each other closer.
"Remember what you said after our first dance?" Aria asked softly, bringing her gaze up to meet his.
"I do, we talked about moving away, getting far away from all of Rosewood's madness, you going to college, us starting a family…"
"And I promised I'd grow old with you," Aria finished. After a comfortable silence, Aria tilted her chin up to recapture his lips with hers.
"I've missed you," Aria mumbled as they pulled away for air, their noses resting together.
"So have I," Ezra whispered back, his breath tickling her neck. "I love you, Aria, more than anything in the world."
"I love you too Ezra, I do," she replied before leaning up to kiss him gently. The couple was suddenly interrupted as Aria's phone chimed, signaling a new text message. Turning around, she picked it up from the couch, opening her messages to read the new one. Gasping, her face turned into one of sheer panic.
"What is it?" Ezra questioned worriedly, gently taking the phone from her grasp. Sucking in a short breath, he softly ready it aloud. "I don't miss twice bitch, you'd better say your goodbyes. –A" Aria let out a quiet sob, her whole body shaking as Ezra pulled her into a tight hug, rubbing her back comfortingly as he kissed her forehead. "Shh, shh, it's all gonna be okay," he mumbled against her skin as he pulled her closer.
Pulling away gently, she whispered, "I don't want anyone else to get hurt, I can't handle you getting hurt agai-" She was cut off as a loud bang came from the window, causing Ezra to look behind them, a panicked look overcoming his face as he saw a hole in his window. A strangled gasp from Aria brought his gaze back to her, his eyes turning to saucers and a tortured gasp emitting from him as he saw the blood coming from her chest, already soaking through her shirt.
"Aria!" he yelled, tears beginning to stream down his face. In a daze, he dialed 911 from her cellphone, his fingers flying over the keys. "Hello, yes, my girlfriend has just been shot…" he gave the receptor the details of their location before hanging up, lowering them down as Aria collapsed into his arms as he laid her down over his lap. "Aria, Aria you have to stay with me," he begged, his voice shaking so badly you could barely distinguish his words. "You-you're going to be okay," he sobbed, brushing her hair from her face, her eyes connected to his.
"Ez-Ezra…" she choked out, a trace of blood on her lips.
"Shh, don't talk, the ambulance is going to be here any second," he whimpered, lifting his thumb, allowing the pad to brush across her cheek.
"Ezra… I love you," she managed to get out, her eyes beginning to grow cloudy.
"I love you too Aria," he said between sobs, his breathing coming in short gasps. Smiling slightly, Aria reached up to brush away a tear from his face, before her eyes slowly shut. "No, Aria please, don't you dare close your eyes!" Ezra exclaimed, sobs choking his voice. Loud footsteps could be hear from outside, the doctors making their way quickly down the hallway. Her hand fell from his cheek, falling to lay on her stomach, her fingers relaxed as her head tilted back in his hand, her body going limp. "Aria no!" he yelled, his vision going dark, his head spinning. The door to his apartment flung open, the doctors rushed over, gently prying Aria from a half-conscious Ezra, placing her on a gurney as two doctors rushed her out into the hallway. "But it was too late," Ezra thought as they helped him down to the ambulance. "Too late," he repeated to himself as they lifted him into the ambulance next to her.
He reached over to gently grasp her hand, still warm to the touch, her eyes closed as the doctors assembled themselves around her, the ambulance speeding towards the hospital. "Sir I need you to let go of her hand," a doctor stated, gently moving Ezra over before grasping two strange looking objects… he suddenly pressed them down onto Aria's chest, her body jolting violently, the little machine she had been hooked to beeping quickly before dying again. "Again!" the doctor yelled, before repeating the process. Ezra felt his head hit the back of the ambulance, his vision going completely black, his last thought before fully losing consciousness, "You said you'd grow old with me…"
What did you guys think? Hope you liked it, if you did, reviews are always appreciated (: Also, if you guys really enjoyed this story, I may continue it into a two-shot, or maybe a multi-chapter story. Just let me know!