Disclaimer: I do not own Pretty Little Liars or these characters. Not written for money, only enjoyment.

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Aria, Hanna and Emily walked into the church. They were there to support Spencer and her family, but also because the town believed they had finally found out what happened to Alison DiLaurentis. Emily wouldn't drop the fact that note didn't sound like Ian and Spencer looked as though she could kill Emily and not feel bad for doing so. Eventually Emily just gave up and went to sit down. Aria was looking around the church and her eyes finally landed on Ezra. He had come.

Standing near the front of the church Aria waited for him to come to her. She met him at the end of the aisle and then her Mom came up. Ezra gave her some bullshit line about being there to support his former students through this hard time. Aria figuratively threw her hands up in the air and walked away. That was his chance to tell her Mom about their relationship, she was ready to take the next step, but Ezra kept backing into the darkness. She wanted to go on real dates, be seen in public, hold his hand and not have him pull away, but most of all she wanted him to acknowledge that they were together. Walking away she went to sit by the girls.

After the ceremony at the church almost everyone went to the cemetery. It was a larger turnout than anyone expected for Ian Thomas, but most of the people weren't there for him. They were there for the girls and the Hasting family.

Looking around Aria's eyes landed on Jason. He was sitting away from the group staring at his shoes. This must be hard for him, Ian was one of his best friends, Aria thought to herself. Staring at him Aria almost willed him to look up at her and then he did. They held each other's gaze for a few moments until Hanna nudged her arm, they were going to throw dirt on Ian's grave. Aria had never gotten how this was supposed to make anyone feel better; it just made your hands dirty.

Jason had no idea what had drove him to go to the cemetery. He and Ian had parted ways a long time ago and it hadn't been pleasant. Jason had gone away to rehab and Ian continued to abuse his good looks to get his way. While sitting there watching the processional he did feel bad for Melissa. She and Ian had been hot and heavy in high school until Alison had gotten in the middle of it. The longer he sat there the more evident it was that someone was watching him. Looking up he met beautiful hazel eyes that belonged to Aria. He couldn't help but meet her gaze, she looked wonderful for being at a funeral. While he would never admit it to anyone Jason had butterflies in his stomach for what felt like the millionth time thanks to Aria. She had that effect on him.

After the burial Aria headed towards Jason only to be stopped by Emily and then Ezra. "Don't tell me you are going to go talk to him?" Emily asked looking at her friend.
"He's misunderstood Emily." Aria responded not realizing she was letting her feelings for Jason show.
"Oh my goodness. You like him." Emily said surprised, "And I mean as more than a friend."
"Stop. I love Ezra. Jason needs a friend and I don't think we should shun him for his past mistakes. We all have them too." Aria told her friend frustrated.
"Whatever you need to tell yourself. Here comes Fitz." Emily said before walking away.

"Aria can we talk?" Ezra asked looking around nervously.
"Sure. Let me just go and get everyone else." She answered sarcastically.
"Please. Today is not the day to tell your Mom about us." He said stepping towards her.
"When will it be the right day Ezra?" Aria asked upset.
"Soon. I promise. Today you buried the guy who killed your friend, you need to deal with that for now."
"No I don't. What I need to deal with is my boyfriend who won't acknowledge that we are couple in public." Aria shot at him
"I promise we will tell her soon."
"Whatever Ezra. I'm going to talk to a friend."
"We'll talk later."
"Maybe." Aria told him walking away and towards Jason.

Watching Aria talk to the guy Jason figured that must be her boyfriend. As much as it pained him to see her with him he was kind of happy to see that Aria didn't look all together happy with him. He knew it was childish but he wanted nothing more than a chance to show Aria how much he cared about her. Soon she was heading his way and he tried to look as though he hadn't been watching her.

As Aria walked towards Jason she tried to cover up her frustration. "How are you?" She asked when she got close to him.
"I've been better." Jason responded.
"Mike and I talked the other night." Aria told him as she sat down.
"How did that go?"
"Pretty good. We understand where each other is coming from."
"I wish Ali and I had been able to do that. Maybe she would still be here if we had."
"What happened to Ali is not your fault Jason."
"May not be, but you have no idea how many times I wished I had been an only child." Jason said honestly looking towards the recently dug grave.
"Don't say that."
"It's true." He said, "I was jealous of Ali and a lot of times I wanted her dead even though she was my little sister."
"Jason being jealous is normal."
"Yeah but when I got loaded I got angry."
"Drugs can do that."
"It wasn't just the drugs Aria. I wish I could blame it on that but I can't."
Aria just stood up and wrapped her arms around Jason's shoulders and pulled him close in a hug. Jason was a little surprised but then he remembered her kissing him and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her between his legs.

The two stayed in their hug for several moments having no idea of the world around them or that they had an audience. Ezra had stayed rooted to his spot when Aria had walked away from him. He had no idea who this other guy was but he didn't like him or the fact that Aria was so affectionate towards him. Ella noticed her daughter talking to her former colleague and looking frustrated with him. She would ask her about it later, but when she saw her go to Jason, Ella's heart warmed. It was nice that Aria wasn't letting her friends attitudes about Jason keep her from being his friend. Spencer saw Aria arguing with Ezra and wondered how much longer they would be together if Ezra didn't step up and be a man about their relationship. Then she saw Aria go to Jason, part of her wanted to ring her friend's neck but then she remembered how she had always been the go against the norm one out of them. While she would never admit it Aria talking to Jason seemed to bring out a different side in him, a gentle side that Aria had always been the only one to see.

Gently pulling away Aria looked down into Jason's eyes and had to fight the urge to kiss him, "Want to get out of here?" she asked quietly.
Jason just nodded and let go of her waist and led her to his car.

The twosome had no idea where they were going, but they ended up at Jason's house with food. They ate in silence but Aria could tell that Jason wanted to ask her something. Once they were done they moved into the remolded living room. Aria had to admit it looked amazing, nothing like it had when Ali had been alive. Now it was open and welcoming, not closed off and cold.

"Jason what's wrong?" she asked as she sat on the couch.
"Who was that guy you were talking to at the cemetery?" he asked as he joined her on the couch.
"My boyfriend." Aria answered nervously.
"Oh."
"Jason."
"It's okay Aria. You and I aren't dating."
"I… We…" Aria stuttered.
"How long have you been dating?"
"Since the last year. It started right after I got back from Iceland. I met him at a bar. I didn't know he was my teacher until the next week."
"And you kept dating him?" Jason asking accusingly.
"I know it's wrong, but I love spending time with him." Aria defended.
"You didn't look happy at the cemetery." Jason commented.
"Well things have been strained lately. Ezra won't take our relationship public while I desperately want to."
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault. I just thought since he is teaching at Hollis that we could be in public but he keeps dragging his feet."
"I hope he gets his act together. You don't deserve to be hidden away like a mistress."
"Thanks. I think." Aria said with a laugh.

The rest of the early evening was spent with Jason and Aria watching stupid TV shows and not talking. They just enjoyed each other's company. The longer Aria stayed at his house the more she began to wonder what it would be like to date Jason. Would they have many dates like this, where they just hung out and didn't have to talk, would he be proud and take her out in public, would he be okay telling her Mom about their relationship? As she looked at him from the side she realized that the answer to all of her questions was yes. Ezra had never made her feel so completely at home or comfortable in his apartment. It was comforting. Shifting Aria snuggled against Jason's side and laid her head on his shoulder.

Jason didn't ask questions when he noticed Aria watching him. He could tell she was having some sort of argument with herself. When she snuggled into him he put his arm around her and pulled her close. It was like just a few years ago except this time he was conscious for it. Jason felt at home in his house for the first time as he held Aria on the couch. It was a feeling he didn't want to go away, but he knew she was unavailable. That fact broke his heart but he knew that if he truly cared about her he should want her to be happy with whoever. Leaning down Jason placed a soft kiss on Aria's head and tightened his arm around her pulling her closer if it was possible without her being on his lap.