Fifteen: Free Fallin'

Chapter 6: Die A Happy Man

Stefan smiled at the blindfolded Aria sitting in his passenger seat. They were headed to their first official date and he could hardly wait. A week of school had gone by and it seemed to be going well for everyone. Well, almost everyone. Brooke was still having trouble in some of her classes thanks to idiot bullies, but other than that it was good.

Stefan had promised Aria that their first date would be mind-blowing and he meant it. The one-hour-long car ride passed quickly. Aria was animated and chatty despite the blindfold, and it meant Stefan didn't have to do much work holding up his end of the conversation. He spent all summer trying to score tickets to the Austin City Limits Music Festival, but wasn't able to get any. Then last minute while at Fish Fest, Victor surprised him with tickets that he got from a customer. He was so shocked but thankful.

"Can I take this off already?" Aria whined as the car pulled to a stop. "In a minute!" Stefan chuckled as he got himself and her out. He positioned her to stand in front of the festival banner before removing the blindfold. The shock on her face was priceless. "ACL! We're going to ACL?" She shrieked. "We're at ACL!" Stefan corrected. Aria jumped in his arms and wrapped her legs around him from excitement and planted kisses on his cheek. He laughed in response as he held her and enjoyed every moment of it.

While in line for their wristbands they chatted amiably. Aria stayed close to his side and Stefan reveled in every minute. The guys were so jealous that he had scored tickets. He wished they could all come with, but he was also glad to have the moment alone with Aria. Once they had their wristbands and food, Stefan led the way through the crowd to the VIP section.

They were given lanyards after flashing their wristbands and Aria looked confused. "We're not staying at the main stage?" Stefan smiled as he put her lanyard over her head and lift her hair out of the way. When he pulled back, he didn't even think before he leaned down and gave her a quick peck on the lips.

"Better. We're in the VIP area with backstage access." Her eyes bulged and Stefan couldn't help but chuckle. "You've got to be shitting me! How in the heck did you get these tickets?" Stefan smiled. "A magician never reveals his secrets." Aria sighed. "Stefan, this is way too much." He brushed a thumb over her lips. "Are you having fun?" She smiled. "Well, yes, but –" He tsked. "No but. I just want you to have a good time. Can you do that for me?"

She relaxed into him. "Yeah, I can manage that." The first act on stage was Billie Eilish. As they stood in the backstage area, Stefan stood behind Aria, his arms wound around her. In that moment she felt like she was all his and he loved it. Things felt right.

Half of the couples around them started to make out at some point during the Silk Sonic set. It didn't help that the couple right next to them started kissing too. With his arms around Aria's waist and her moving to the music, her ass moving against him, the temptation was too great.

Leaning down, he placed a kiss on the hollow between her ear and her shoulder. Aria froze for a second, and then angled her head away, giving him better access. Heat flooded his veins and he wished they weren't in such a public place surrounded by thousands of people.

Soon enough, they would be alone, and he still couldn't have her. Stefan knew Aria needed and deserved someone who was patient and caring and he was determined to be that person. For however long he would be allowed.

As act after act performed, Aria visibly relaxed. "I'm so glad Olivia kept this a secret." Stefan informed as they went to get more food. "Wait," Aria gasped. "She knew about this and didn't tell me? Did Sophia Kate?" Stefan failed to inform her best friend of his plans because he needed a visible ally.

"I honestly didn't tell SK, because I don't think she likes me." He could always be honest with Aria and he appreciated that. "That's not true." Aria informed, but it seemed she was trying to convince both he and herself.

She stopped momentarily. "At the risk of ruining this, I sort of need to ask a question, otherwise, I'm going to be nervous the whole day." Stefan squeezed her hand. "Go ahead, ask me anything."

Aria licked her lips and Stefan did his best to not think about how she tasted. He really did. He forbade his brain to think about her lip gloss, but no matter what he did, there was the memory smack dab in the middle of his frontal lobe.

"I swear, I'm not freaked out or anything, but I just want to know, you know, uhm, where are we sleeping tonight?" He blinked confused. Sleeping? He laughed heartily. "We're at a hotel." She visibly relaxed once more. "That's why I told Olivia, so she could help me pack a bag for you."

"Oh, thank God, because the whole camping out in a tent thing was freaking me out." Stefan chuckled. "Is that what was bugging you? Or the being alone with me thing? I know after the whole Caleb situation at the party..." The moment the words were out of his mouth, he regretted them. He did not need to remind her about Caleb.

"I'm not nervous about being with you," her voice was soft. "I'm also not thinking or worried about Caleb." She said huskily and he tried to think about innocuous things. It didn't work. "You just continue to be a complete gentleman. I'm focusing on us." She squeezed his hand and gave him passionate kiss. "You're safe with me, pretty girl." Stefan whispered against her lips. Aria smiled widely. "I know."