#fancy-fitz

As Ezra continued to watch the film, Aria sighed and pulled away from him. He glanced over at her and could tell she was upset with something. Confused, Ezra paused the movie and turned to her. “Everything okay?”

She huffed again. That was the problem - everything was just okay. They had been fine since they had gotten back together. They had had a few trust issues here and there, but that was to be expected. But, overall, they were okay. They rarely fought, they were completely legal since he had left Rosewood High once again, and numerous people were supporting them. But, they were boring. At least, they were to Aria. The two of them went on no dates, even though they could and, besides sex, the most fun they had was

“Yeah, everything’s fine,” Aria muttered, curling up on the couch.

Ezra ran his hand over her arm and quirked an eyebrow. “Aria…”

She smacked her lips before smiling sadly. “It’s nothing, just…”

“Just what?” Ezra prompted. He thought that everything was going fine, but the way she was acting, it was clear that he was wrong.

“Look, I love being with you,” Aria started. “I mean, I love being with you here, in this apartment, but… never mind, it doesn’t matter.”

Ezra scooted closer to her and pestered, “It does matter. Whatever it is, it does.”

“It’s just that, finally, we can be in public again and I feel like you don’t want to be seen with me,” Aria mumbled, her eyes glazing over with tears.

“Aria,” Ezra began, causing her to look up at him. “That’s not true and you know it.”

She huffed and got up. “Then why don’t we ever go out?” she yelled, pacing towards the kitchen. “You haven’t been at Rosewood for a few weeks and I think it would be okay if we went out to dinner!” Ezra stared at her and she continued ranting. “I mean, Hanna and Spencer are out right now with their boyfriends just like everybody else – “

“We are not everybody else!” Ezra shot back, getting up and walking to where she was in the kitchen.

Aria crossed her arms angrily and protested, “Yeah, we weren’t like everybody else a few months ago, but now… Now we can leave this apartment. We can go get dinner at the Grille, we can go see a movie, we can finally do those things! We have nothing holding us back now, so yes; we can be like everyone else.”

“So everybody else’s girlfriend used to be a student?” Ezra retorted, voice getting louder with every word.

“Do you still picture me as a student?” Aria yelled back. Ezra didn’t, he viewed her as much more, but no words came out of his mouth. Aria scoffed and grabbed her purse from the table. “Fine, don’t say anything. Just stay silent, like you always do,” she scolded, stepping towards the door.

Ezra followed her and mumbled, “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Well, since you used to be my teacher, just like I used to be your student,” Aria patronized, “you’re pretty damn smart. Figure it out yourself, Ezra.”

And with that, she walked out of the apartment, slamming it behind her. Ezra stood at the door, a shocked look on his face, before kicking the table leg, letting out his frustrations.

He had no idea Aria hated just being in the apartment with him so much. He hadn’t had a single clue that she wanted to go out. In the past, she seemed so unbothered by the thought of staying in on weekends, but after that outburst, Ezra could clearly tell she wasn’t.

Ezra sighed to himself. That was the first fight they had had in a while and he’d be damned if he lost her again to some petty disagreement. Ezra walked back into the living room and grabbed his phone. He typed in a few things before sighing once more and hitting call on a certain number. “Hello, um, can I make a reservation for two?”

XXXX

Shortly after the phone call, Ezra had gotten dressed in a nice button up and slacks before heading to Aria’s house. He knocked on the door, nervous to be face to face with Byron or another family member of Aria’s. Luckily, though, Aria answered the door. Yet when she swung it open to face him, her face fell and she scowled at him.

“What are you doing here?” Aria questioned tiredly. After a second, she looked at his outfit and raised an eyebrow. “And why are you all dressed up.”

Ezra remained collected and smirked, “We have somewhere to be.”

“And where is that?” Aria asked, completely done with the conversation.

He glanced inside before asking, “Can I come inside?”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” Aria shot back, even though Byron was gone and it was just Mike with her at the house.

“Please?” Ezra begged pitifully.

Aria sighed before stepping aside. “Come in.”

He smiled before reaching for Aria’s hand. “Where’s your room?”

“What? Why?” Aria asked, confused by the whole situation. “Ezra, what’s going on?”

“Just… where’s your room?”

She dropped his hand and led him upstairs and to her bedroom. Once they stepped inside the cozy space, Ezra went straight for her closet and pulled out a dress that she had worn a few times. He always thought of how amazing she looked in it and it was definitely one of his favorite Aria looks. “Put this on.”

“Tell me why,” Aria bargained, taking the hanger and dress from his hand.

Ezra sighed and explained, “We have a reservation for nine thirty at a restaurant.”

“What restaurant?”

“Rive Gauche,” Ezra said with nonchalance. It was one of the fancier, more expensive Rosewood restaurants, and it was also one of the most popular. Aria saw someone she knew every time she went.

Aria smiled sadly before shaking her head. “Ezra, you don’t have to do that.”

‘”I do,” he argued. “Aria, I love you, and I want to take you out. I didn’t know you wanted that. But, if you do, then I’ll do it. I’ll do anything to make you happy.”

Her eyes blurred with tears at his sweetness and she grinned. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me,” Ezra dismissed. “And I’m sorry about the whole student thing, I didn’t mean it. I was just upset and I said it before I could – “