Some good news

It's some time later when you finally break apart, a pleasant ache permeating your entire body as she holds you just far enough away to see your face clearly. Then a smile comes over her face that's neither affection nor lust.

"I have something to tell you."

You manage to arch an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Yeah. I didn't want to say anything until after I'd broken your fast, though." She gives you a teasing smirk that slowly fades. "It has to do with your case."

Immediately, all mirth leaves your features and you're completely alert. "I'm all ears."

"Don't worry," she's quick to say, "it's not bad news. Not exactly great either but it could help you in the long run. Apparently, the girl you're accused of...you know, well apparently, she was caught and tried for something a while back that her parents managed to get scaled back to a misdemeanor."

Your brows furrow. "Wait, scaled back? As in--"

"As in it could've been much, much worse."

"What did she do?"

Her lips purse as her fingers gently stroke your hair. "That's the difficult bit. Her records were sealed per her parents' wishes. Apparently the judge saw fit to give their opinions a bit more credence than yours."

You snort. "Rich entitled bastards. They're probably buying their way to a conviction right now."

"My thoughts exactly," she replies. "If I can get those records unsealed and find out exactly what they swept under the rug, I can give that to your defense. That evidence should at the least call into question the validity of her testimony, which is the main thing they're trying to pin you with."

You don't say anything for a while, mainly because you're staring at Alessa with a blank gaze and a feeling in your chest that for all your intellect, you can't possibly name.

"You okay?"

You blink once, twice, then break out into a grin as your arms tighten around her. "You're amazing, you know that?"

"Yes," she drawls jokingly, pecking your lips. "But it's nice to hear you say it."

That feeling flares up and you immediately pull her into your arms, burying your face and nose in her neck. The aching exhaustion from the night's release and the incredible news you just received combine in a balmy wave that puts you to sleep in seconds.