"What hotel are you staying at?"

Mason glanced at Ana, swinging their hands between them as he laughed. "No fucking clue."

He felt his girlfriend abruptly stop and looked back curiously, his face falling when he noticed her glare. "Mason," she began with a sigh and he cleared his throat awkwardly as she released his hand. "You at least know where it is, right?"

"Ish?" He shrugged sheepishly.

"Mason."

He gave her a sweet smile, "Yes, pretty girl?" He watched as she crossed her arms over her chest, her eyebrows raising as she stared him down. "What?"

"We are literally walking to the car to go into town right now. Because you wanted to go to your hotel room instead of just washing your jeans." She walked past him a few steps, pausing to focus on him, "So figure it out. Okay, my love?"

How could he say no to that? Besides, he was pretty sure that if he did he would be bitch-slapped.

"Okay, baby," he whispered in return as he caught up to her.

It wasn't like he was purposefully trying to forget where it was (he wasn't particularly fond of the feeling of dried cum in his underwear) but he'd been so focused on seeing her that he hadn't really been paying attention when he booked the room.

He was kind of regretting that now.

~~~

Luckily Mason was able to give the driver directions to where he walked from to get to the castle; it was a little fuzzy and they took four wrong turns, but they finally made it.

Ana was the first to get out of the car and Mason felt like pouting when he realized that the driver opened the car door for her. He realized that it was probably a part of his job, but he was her boyfriend now so technically it should've been his.

"Oh wait- I know this place," Ana stated as she noticed the hotel building.

Mason threaded his fingers through her own, lifting her hand to kiss the back of it. "Really?"

She nodded, "Yeah. I think I've met the owner a couple of times." She tilted her head, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Let's go," she nodded towards the door.

When they both walked through the front entrance, Mason heard an audible gasp come from the front desk. "Your Highness," his eyebrows furrowed as the receptionist bowed. "It's wonderful to see you."

"I really should get fucking used to that," he murmured into Ana's ear and she giggled. He found himself smiling at the noise and he nuzzled into her skin with a small sigh.

"Probably," she agreed with another small laugh. "It kind of happens a lot when you're royalty."

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Mason had to remind himself that they were in public and adjusted so that he was a more respectable distance from Ana. "Would you like me to call the owner for you?"

Ana shook her head, "That won't be necessary today. I'm actually here because of him," she pointed at Mason. "Thank you for the concern though." She smiled politely, inconspicuously tilting her head up as she mumbled, "Please tell me you know what room is yours."

Mason couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped his lips. "I do actually remember that," he responded, turning his head to caress her nose with his.

She pressed her lips against his then, so soft and sweet that it made him feel a little lightheaded. "Look at you," she kissed him again, "Remembering things." And once more.

"Oh ha ha ha," he teasingly rolled his eyes, "You're so funny."

"I know right? One of my many talents," Ana suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck, staring up at him with gentle eyes.

Mason quirked an eyebrow, "Many huh? I didn't even know there was one."

"Oh yeah?" She bit her lip and Mason's breathing hitched when he felt her nails dig into the skin of his shoulders. "Because I think I certainly have a talent for something," and she glanced down deliberately.

"That's not fucking fair," he laughed breathlessly.

She shrugged coyly, "Oh I don't know." She blinked up at him. "All's fair in love and war right?"

Mason's jaw dropped (it seemed to do that a lot when she was around). "You-," he was interrupted by the sound of a throat clearing.

Shit.

He immediately stepped back and away from Ana; respectable distance.

Ana giggled, "Come on, my love. Let's get you cleaned up." She grabbed ahold of his hand, walking them in the direction of the rooms. "But I do kind of need to know your room number."

"Oh right," Mason swallowed, "It's three-twelve."

His girlfriend turned briefly to give him a gentle grin, "Thanks, love."

Fuck's sake she was perfect.

Just as they entered the elevator, Mason felt his phone vibrate in his front pocket. He swiftly pulled it out at the sensation, eyes widening when he saw the contact name.

"Who is it?" Ana peered down at his phone curiously and he turned the screen towards her.

"My attorney."

Her eyes widened and she placed her free hand on his bicep, giving a comforting squeeze as he answered the call.

"Hello." Fuck. It felt like there was lead in his stomach.

He heard a sigh on the other end before Zach greeted, "Mason. I heard you were on vacation, so I didn't want to bother you with this but-."

Silence.

He wasn't sure when or how his family's attorney had heard that he left the country, but he didn't care enough to ask. "I guess it's important then?" The elevator door opened then and Mason had to force himself to step out.

"The verdict's out." Mason only had to attend the first two days of the trial to give his statement, everything else would be between Zach and Charleigh's lawyer.

It had been absolute hell to sit there and rehash everything he'd been through, but he'd gotten on the plane to see Ana that same day so he'd pretty much forgotten about it. He'd assumed that it would be at least another couple of days until the jury had decided but - apparently - he was wrong.

Ana had seemingly heard what was said as her grip tightened on his arm.

Mason clenched his jaw, "Well what the hell is it?"

"She refused to plead guilty. Four years in prison." Zach said it calmly but Mason's heart about stopped.

"What?" He hadn't wanted to get his hopes up, it was very unlikely that she would actually get sentenced to prison, but the fact that she was going to be in there for four whole fucking years- he could hardly fathom it. "How the hell did that happen?"

There was the sound of shuffling papers, "Well due to the extent of the stalking and the recordings she had - plus her previous charges - they decided to offer a plea deal of one year and two parole. She didn't take it."

Mason scoffed, "Of course she didn't." Actually admit that what she did was wrong? Charleigh would sooner die than do that.

"Yeah," Zach's voice trailed off. "Well that's all I wanted to say so I hope you have nice trip."

"Okay and-," Mason paused, "Thank you. You said I could trust you and you were right." He'd been hesitant to ask Zach for representation at first; he'd known the man for years now and he wasn't sure how he'd react to it. But he'd been more help than Mason could've ever asked for.

The attorney chuckled, "Of course. It's my job, kid."

There was the faint sound of a click, and then the line went dead.

Mason felt like he was dreaming, drifting somewhere between reality and fantasy as he mulled over what just happened. He couldn't even begin to describe the immense amount of relief he was feeling.

"I think I got most of it but-," he was pulled back into reality by the sound of Ana's voice. He focused on her face, her tender features, and felt himself completely melt. "What did he say?"

"Charleigh got four years in prison," he explained simply and watched as her gaze brightened.

She suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist, her cheek pressing into his chest as she hugged him with enthusiasm. "I'm so happy for you, my love!" Mason finally let himself smile, returning the embrace with fervor. "You did it!"

Mason released a low breath, "You helped me do it, baby."

He hated to admit it, but he wasn't sure if he would have ever been able to confront Charleigh, to call the police, to tell Josh, to do anything if not for Ana.

"I love you," she told him.

And it was perfect.

~~~

Mason sighed with contentment as he pulled on a new pair of pants, sweats this time (jeans were a terrible idea in the first place). "Fucking finally," he groaned as he collapsed onto the bed beside Ana.

He shook his head, spraying droplets of water onto her skin and making her squeal. "Mason-," she laughed, "Stop it!"

She was still giggling when Mason pulled her into his arms and rolled on top of her. "Hey baby."

"Get off-," and yet she was still practically hysterical with laughter. "You're all wet!" That made sense since he had just barely gotten out of the shower. "And heavy," she whined.

Mason gasped dramatically as he lifted himself off of her, "Are you calling me fat?"

More giggles, "Yes!" She pushed at his shoulders, shoving him further away and making him fall onto his back on the opposite end of the bed.

He heard her gasp for air, presumably trying to catch her breath before she was suddenly straddling his waist. His gaze found hers and he couldn't help but think that she looked so pretty. Her hair was a mess, stray curls stuck to the gloss on her lips, and her skin was all flushed and covered in sweat.

But she'd never looked so peaceful before, and it was beautiful.

"I want to go back to UPenn," she abruptly stated.

"Oh," Mason balked, "Well- shit."

"What?"

He forced his eyes away from her face, he'd say yes to anything with the smile she was currently donning. "I'm just not sure if that's the best idea, my girl."

She huffed and he glanced back just as a piece of her hair lifted from the sudden rush of air. "And why is that?"

"Because the last time you were there you got trapped in a closet." He wasn't exactly keen on the idea of seeing her like that again.

"But that was because of Charleigh, and she won't be there this time right?"

He hesitated.

"Plus, this time I'd go as myself. No secrets, no hidden identity, no lies; just me. And you. And hopefully Josh and Carly too." He didn't entirely hate the sound of that, but still. "Mother and father would probably throw a fit of course, but with a few body guards I'm sure they'll let me go."

He placed his hands on her thighs, absentmindedly massaging her skin as he thought over the idea. "I still don't know baby. Charleigh's only one person, who knows what other people would want to do once they know who you are."

"Hence why we'd have the guards." She gave him a look then, and Mason wasn't sure how to describe it, but holy shit did it make him feel. "I want to graduate, Mason. And I want to be with you; no pretenses. Just me, the princess, and you, the weird frat-boy."

He looked at her incredulously, "I'm not even in a frat!"

She raised an eyebrow with a smirk. "But you could be. If we go back."

Mason's resolve was wavering, hell it had almost completely broken when she'd mentioned their roommates.

So, "Where do we start?" And he couldn't regret it for even a second, because her happiness seemed to eclipse the brightness of the sun that day.

And that's all that ever mattered.

~~~