Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in a little while, I've been at the beach! But here you go! I came up with something to do with my plot, that I'm going to introduce in the next chapter or two, so don't think it's all perfect from here! Thanks for all your suggestions anyways! This chapter is just mostly the building of their relationship, a little fluff here and there, but don't worry, big stuff coming!

Once again, thanks for all the wonderful reviews! I love you for reading and I just love reading what you think! It makes me feel great so keep it up!

-P

Disclaimer- I don't own Aria, Ezra or anything Pretty Little Liars related. I only own Sophie, Louisa, and Nadia.

Ezra's POV

Ezra slumped at the cluttered wooden desk that sat in his dimly lit apartment, drumming his fingers along the edge of the recently purchased book lying in front of him. After reading the title, sudden realization fell upon him as his mind traveled back to teaching at Rosewood High School seven years ago, and then to a small book of poetry sitting on the bookshelf beside him, that had been untouched for years.

Grabbing the worn binding, Ezra flipped to the bookmarked page and quickly scanned the poem he had written for Aria, what seemed like forever ago. A certain line seemed to glow brightly on the yellowing pages, and his mind confirmed the match.

Finally the two pieces of the puzzle in his mind fit together with a click, as he glanced over to the title of the book once again.

"Something Say it Smells Bad" Ezra smirked at the gold lettering stamped into he simple cover; a jukebox. Enjoying the fact that he was the only person who would ever understand the true meaning, Ezra gracefully peeled open the cover pages. The fresh papers crinkled at a touch, and popped when he began to fold them over; a sound he never got tired of.

And he began reading the story of how he fell in love with Aria Montgomery.

Aria's POV

Aria stared at her Blackberry sitting alone on the shiny table in front of her, the tiny flashing green light mocking her.

She had been contemplating whether to call Ezra for well over an hour. Every time she picked up her phone, something in her head would tell her not to. Was it too soon? Should she wait for him to call? Should she leave a message? Should she just text him? Deciding to go through with her last thought, Aria slid her phone towards her, and wrapped her thumb around the back, lifting it up.

The tiny keys clacked under her nails as she attempted to decide what to say, the delete key being stressed profusely.

After finally agreeing with one, Aria hit send. Her phone buzzed in conformation. Her head buzzed with thoughts. Her heart thumped.

Aria wondered why this was so hard for her. Her and Ezra were- well she didn't quite know what they were, but she just wanted to smooth out all of the bumps.

Ezra's POV

Ezra was snapped out of his reading trance when he heard the slight buzzing of his phone in his jacket pocket, hanging on the rack across the room. Retrieving the device, he flipped it open to a message.

Aria Montgomery- 3:56 PM: Hey Ezra, would you like to grab dinner tonight and maybe catch up a little more?

Ezra was slightly surprised by her polite, to the point words, wondering if she still felt tension between the two. They were a couple, right? Were they? Did taking it slow mean just friends? Ezra failed to form an answer, and gave up with the question he had asked himself.

Quickly answering, Ezra texted back in agreement, offering a time and place.

Aria's POV

Aria continued her intense staring battle with her phone, until a light 'ding' finally chimed, along with a smile.

Reading the reply, the smile grew wider upon her face, as the pixilated words on the tiny screen came together.

She would be meeting him at Le Bernardin at seven thirty. Her nerves radiated the air.

She had never been nervous around Ezra before, so she continued to ask herself why her stomach dropped every time she came in contact with him. But she knew this is what she needed, a nice dinner, to flee the nerves.

After replying in agreement to Ezra's plans, Aria staggered over to her disheveled wardrobe, wrestling clothes from the drawers in a tug-o-war fashion.

An hour had passed, and clothes of many varieties lay strewn around Aria's apartment, masking the floor from existence. These were the times she wished Hanna hadn't moved to Paris, although she couldn't blame her friend for following her designer dreams.

Aria wasn't overly outgoing, and didn't gain masses of friends in an instant like some others. She was a bit shy, and a bit different. Working as a secret author didn't exactly open a lot of windows of opportunity for possible acquaintances, and she mostly relied on Louisa and her publisher Nadia, or phone calls to Hanna, Emily and Spencer, to get her by. Hopefully Ezra would be in her future.

Ezra's POV

Ezra sat at the extravagantly decorated table for two on the balcony of the fancy seafood restaurant, as he awaited Aria's arrival, trying hard not to think about the last time he was in this position, although, he wasn't really one for forgetting the past.

Ezra had never been one to try to impress -the best he could do with Aria seven years ago was order some quality Chinese food and set his coffee table nicely- but he couldn't make up an excuse if you asked him why he had booked reservations at a five star restaurant for his first official date with Aria. He knew Aria wasn't really interested in price or the material world, but Ezra was a little too love struck.

The sky began to break up above him, as colors dripped from the sun. It reminded him of Aria. How beautifully the unique shades of the horizon connected to make an exquisite quilt in the sky.

A slight tapping on the wooden floor became louder, as a figure appeared before Ezra, removing him from his thoughts.

The girl was beautiful, and matched the sky. Her dark hair was curled around her face. A small black dress with lace embroidery clung to her body. Her eyes glowed. His eyes glowed as well.

"Aria" Ezra greeted her enthusiastically, as though he almost thought she wouldn't come. Rising from his chair, Ezra confidently took a step towards her and wrapped her into a light hug. He felt better being the one who pursued the hug this time. If there was any tension that lingered from yesterday, he felt sure it was gone. It just felt so right, holding her in his arms. It felt like nothing had ever changed, but he knew it had

Aria's POV

Aria stood enveloped in Ezra's arms. She thought to herself, if there was any place she could be in the world, this would be it. His cologne waded into her nose, as she breathed it in happily.

Dinner went smoothly, as the two shared amused looks when served the strange dishes of the high clas restaraunt. Something Aria didn't fully expect. But she was happy. She felt as though her goal to smooth the bumps in their road was progressing rather quickly, and feelings were slowly finding their place.

Walking out the door, Aria slid her arm around Ezra's, and curled close to him, attempting to muffle some of the cool breezes night held.

The pair walked arm in arm until they came to the street corner, where plans awaited to be made. It was only 8:30.

"Would you like to come back to my apartment?" Ezra spurted out with confidence, too lost in Aria's eyes to be aware of what he was saying.

She tripped over her feet, to be caught by a smirking Ezra. Aria was unprepared for what she heard, getting ready to maybe go to a movie or anything else she could imagine. But she liked his idea. Friends went to friend's apartments, right? Of course they did, Aria shook her head slightly.

"Sure" Aria's voice, lumpy with embarrassment, chimed sweetly.

Ezra slowly turned the brass handle, opening the door of his 15th story apartment. He held the heavy wooden door as Aria stepped in and smiled with enjoyment. Standing in the center of the room, the girl turned in circles on the heels of her shoes, studying the space. She felt comfortable.

The familiarity of the whole situation amazed her. Ezra had the same taste as he did seven years ago. Books piled around the room, old furniture sat upon the dark-washed floors, 90's band posters hung on the walls. It was, though, much larger.

Ezra noticed her confused expression as she looked at the new, spotless, white leather couch that lay distinctively in the center of the room. Sophie's first redecorating step. "I know, I know, it's a long story. I'm returning it." Ezra replied to her silent question with a chuckle, failing to mention Sophie at all. "So, what do you think?"

Aria looked at him, the corners of her lips turning up. "It's nice, I really like it. Thanks for asking me." Memories of the past hung over Aria, as she tried to separate what was happening now from what happened seven years ago. She remembered when Ezra first invited her to his old studio apartment, and how they uttered almost the exact conversation. This time, Aria didn't let the past haunt her though. She took it as a sign. That she was meant to be back with him. It was helping her grow.

She noticed the same rusting typewriter sitting on his desk, and smiled at the memories.

"Still have that paperweight, huh?" Aria laughed, a sound that radiated pure bliss.

Ezra rubbed the back of his neck and nodded, while flashing her a brief smile.

Ezra's POV

Forty-five minutes and two empty bowls of ice cream later, Ezra found himself on the couch, with a tired Aria lightly leaning against him, as the two lazily watched "The Philadelphia Story" on low volume. They continued to talk sparingly through the movie, about various topics introduced in the time, Aria's voice weighed down with the burden of sleep.

Ezra felt like he was spending time with his best friend. He couldn't imagine he had found Aria just yesterday, because to him it felt like they had never been separated.

Ezra found he began to watch Aria more than the movie playing on the screen before him. He felt her head drop to his shoulder as her eyes fluttered closed with sleep. Her lips quivered occasionally, but she was perfectly still. Afraid to wake her, he pulled a blanket from the couch and laid it around her, and then continued to let sleep capture his own eyes. To Ezra Fitz, everything was perfect.

General POV

But, unlike Ezra Fitz's thoughts, everything wasn't perfect. Is love ever anyways? No, there was one very large bump left in their road together. One bump that may be too high to climb. One bump that refuses to be torn down.

Sophie.

Dun dun dun! Don't think I forgot about her! I know you don't like her, but I gotta make this interesting ;) Anyways, thanks so much for reading, it means the world to me! Please review, it makes me want to write faster, and I love hearing your opinions! -P

p.s. I know this is kind of a stupid question, but I'm new to fanfic! :) So, when I click my doc manager thing, it says my chapters have a certain amount of days left. Like, this chapter will have 60, but the first one has 27. Does this mean they disappear? Does anyone know! I'll love you forever! :D