Jess, Niall and Will had all convened at a local bar to talk things over. The Horse and Groom was a quiet place at this time of day, which was a little passed noon. The patronage rarely exceeding middle-aged, or older, men wetting whistles like they had stepped into ten years ago. There was a general musk of stale beer, spilled too many times into the carpet, to ever totally be free from the smell. The tables were a dark brown, smooth, often wiped down and cleaned but somehow still held the illusion of being sticky. It felt like it should be dimly lit, but sight was just fine. The lights didn't really offer much more than a non-flickering candle light, that reflected slightly off the various brass furnishings, and whatever windows there were, were closer to the front of the building and clouded. It was an old place. Most likely the oldest place in the city for blocks. Wooden braces, and faded paintings of farm life hung on the wall, occasionally accompanied with old iron horseshoes.

"Nope." Jess said defiantly, sipping from the pint of bitter that was pleasingly crisp by the touch of the glass. "Honestly? I don't care. She can rot." That had been her stance for the entire conversation. Only once had she considered going to visit the incarcerated Emma, but that was only because it meant the opportunity to throttle her once again.

"Are you not at least curious about why she did it, or even what she has to say? She asked specifically..." Will pondered, fiddling with the card beer mat, and turning it in his fingers.

"Why would I care what she has to say? She shot me. Killed Jason. Almost killed Jennifer. Almost killed Niall. All because she wanted some dick? Do I even have to explain how fucked up that is? I've been thirsty before, but that's taking things a little out of proportion. Therefore, we can conclude that whatever she has to say, would be as equally fucked up."

"I don't know... It's just obscure? There's got to be more to it than that."

"Not always. Look. I loathe to say it, but there is some part of me that feels sorry for her. Somewhere beneath the crippling anger that her betrayal had caused. From what we know about the case and the findings and the hearings and all that nonsense. She was lonely, and heartbroken. It happens. It's a shame, but it happens. Just seems to happen most disproportionately to spoiled heiresses that can't get the one thing that their money can't buy. It's totally fucked. Doesn't excuse what she did." Jess said with a sigh, slumping her shoulders somewhat. She did feel sorry for Emma. But only slightly. The last fuck she gave almost flew right out the window when she heard that Emma tried the insanity plea.

"What about you, Niall?" Will asked, interrupting the newly descending pause as he turned to his lover.

Up until now, Niall had been quiet aside from cheerful greetings earlier. He hated how it sounded but he much preferred to "let the grown ups" talk it out, and was happy to sit in his corner, nursing his drink and speaking when spoken to. Because as awful as it sounded to him: he didn't have an opinion on the matter. He was equally intrigued by what Emma had to say, as he was happy to never see her again. Ultimately he just wanted Will to be happy. He wanted to be happy with Will, and if going to see Emma would bring Will that closure, then Niall would buckle up and get it done.

"If you want this." Niall cleared his throat "If you want this, then I will go with you."

"Well shit, I'll go too! I'm not letting you go alone. I just don't want to go and think it's a pointless endeavour." Jess interjected

"But...?" Will urged Niall to go on.

"But, truthfully? I'm happy to leave it be. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about what she had to say. But it'd also be a lie if I said I wasn't happy to deny her this last thing she wants. Emma has always gotten what she wants. Except you."

"That's not an answer"

"Well it kind of is? If you want to go, then I—We, will go with you. We'll see this through. If that's what you want."

"So it's all on me then?" Will grumbled, leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed and letting out an exasperated sigh.

Niall reached for Wills hand, placing a kiss on the palm and nuzzling the side of his face into it, before hooking his free hand behind Wills neck and drawing his focus.

"I love you, Will." Niall said, his chest fluttering, almost painfully so, as the words left his unsteady lips. He didn't want the first time he said it, out of being hunted down anyway, to be talking about the same situation. He almost regretted it. But as he looked at Will, gazing deep into the bottomless pupils, the finer myriad of colours in his iris, all seemed to almost glisten, overfill, with a happiness Niall had yet to see, he knew that it was the right thing to say in this situation. Because the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry, and sometimes things just happen.

Will seemed taken aback. He didn't know how to react. Part of him was defeated that he hadn't said it first after all this time. He certainly felt like he had the most license to. Like he lost a bet he had made with himself a long time ago. But mostly he was over joyed. Practically swimming on the inside with a warmth he didn't know was possible. All doubts he had about Niall clinging onto the nearest strength in a stressful situation seemed to melt away in that moment. He loved Niall, and he knew Niall loved him. Perhaps that was enough. Perhaps that's all there needed to be.

"You can say it back if you want." Niall asked, shaking Will from his trance to look upon the slightly nervous expression of Niall. As if he was on the verge of shattering.

Will laughed, loud and hearty, throwing his head back and causing both Niall and Jess to flinch as they looked at each other in a shared confusion and slight worry.

"I love you too" He kissed, deep and wanting "I love you so much."

"This is arguably the most love-sick I've ever seen, it's infecting me. Gross. I feel gross." Jess shivered, taking her eyes from the couple who were now profusely making out, and taking a big gulp of her drink, before wiping her mouth with the back of her hand and burping gratuitously.

The pair parted, smiling and giggling as they did so, Niall flashing Jess an apologetic look as she rolled her eyes. She raised one eyebrow in question as a certain, mischievous spark sparkled within Nialls eyes, a very unusual sight, as he cupped his hand around Wills left ear and whispered something.

Will let gave Niall a questioning look, as if to ask "are you sure?" and Niall simply nodded in response. He chewed on his bottom lip apprehensively, as if nervous, while he refused to meet the gaze of Jess who was beginning to feel more and more like an animal backed into a corner. Unsure of the threat or what was going on or if it even was a threat. It unsettled her slightly. Even going so far as to flicker with phantom pain over the bullet wound in her side as a reminder of what could happen.

She damn near sprung from the table in defence when Will and Niall stood abruptly.

"What're you guys doing?" She questioned, unable to keep her eyes on both of them as they rounded separate sides of the table.

Niall was the first to offer his hand, nodding with his head to the door. This confused Jess more, and she would have questioned further if it was not for Will interrupting her thoughts.

"Just get up will you?" He laughed, all but pulling the seat out from under her and ushering them all towards the door.

A/N: Ooo updates so close together. Is this story coming to a close? maybe. Maybe not. What's gonna happen? Or can you already tell?
Thanks for reading!