When Niall finally returned he was welcomed with the intoxicating smell of bacon, toast, and eggs. Causing his stomach to lurch hungrily upon entering through the door, as the group let out a chorus of various greetings at his arrival.

Almost everyone was present, aside from Emma. Will was happily cooking breakfast for apparently everyone, unnecessarily chucking food around the pan in an attempt to show some professional panache, as he let off a charming wink in the direction of Niall only to be interrupted by Jess who swiped the back of his head with a wooden spoon, before turning back to continue making coffee and tea.

He hissed in response, putting down the spatula to give a few pathetic rubs to the sore spot, while Jen immediately scolded him for his lack of care.

"If that grease so much as looks in my direction, it'll be your face on the burner instead of the pan!" She scowled, taking a few cursory shuffles down the breakfast bar, and continuing to scroll away at her phone.

Jacob had been quietly squinting away as he stared out the porch doors, daring the bright morning light to do battle against his hangover. He was, however, dressed now though. A simple shirt and sweatpants that did nothing to hide what lay underneath as they were pulled tight against his taut body.

Niall settled next to Jennifer, who put her phone face down as he did so. He couldn't help but notice and wondered if he had interrupted something private. He was aware that it wasn't any of his business, but still couldn't help but be curious.

She smiled sweetly at him, pushing the dark brown frames of her glasses up her slender nose. They each only exchanged a quiet "hey", before it would seem that they would continue to sit in silence, again Niall becoming incredibly self conscious about his lacking ability in small talk, although took solace in that it appeared that Jen also held that detriment.

"So, how's the job hunt going?" She eventually broke the silence, allowing Niall to have some release from whatever had him so highly strung.

"Uh.. Not good, but I'm still hoping." He responded, he didn't want to take note of how uncomfortable he felt at Jen knowing that he was unemployed, considering he hadn't told anyone of his job status. Yet it was something that chewed at the back of his mind with suspicion.

"Something will come up, I'm sure of it." Jen reassured with a smile, just as a plate of food was pushed in front of her.

The group ate breakfast together around the bar. Emma eventually gracing them all with her freshly showered presence. A waft of cut flowers and raspberry following her confident strides like an aromatic cloud. Thankfully the atmosphere returned to the more jovial and relaxed one of the night before, as the shadow of feeling sorry for themselves began to shrink away with the collective hangover.

Niall couldn't remember the last time he'd been this happy. Conversation came much easier when he wasn't the one who had to helm it and with four out of five of his friends being the more out going type, he was glad not to have that responsibility. So much so, as his own silent way of saying thanks he began washing the dishes before anyone could protest.

His cheeks ran curiously hot however, when Will joined him at his side. Picking up a towel and beginning to dry the dishes Niall had already put away. He couldn't be sure, but he felt somewhat embarrassed by the interruption. He had gotten lost in his own version of autopilot as he was doing the dishes and couldn't help but think that Wills presence was an intrusion of some kind. Not that he was thinking about anything to be embarrassed about, he wasn't thinking about anything in particular.

Niall took note of how particularly silent everything had become, as he tried to focus his attention on finishing the dishes. The silence ended when Will turned to give an indeterminate look at the group behind them that were all staring with hushed whispers at the pair.

What's going on? I'm missing something.

"You were humming." Will noted, causing Niall to immediately look at him with an expression of horror as his ears and cheeks began to burn bright red.

"Oh, sorry" He stammered, dunking his hands beneath the soapy water in a ditch effort to distract himself further by pawing at any remaining dishes. There were none, and he somehow turned even redder at the warm laugh Will gave in response.

Niall didn't know what came over him in that moment, but in a second of retaliation he flicked his soaked hands in the direction of Will immediately soaking him through the shirt. That second seemed to stretch impossibly long, as it felt nothing happened. A brief spike of panic erupted in Niall as he was sure he had just offended Will and almost went into full grovelling mode when everyone let out a burst of laughter. Will included. Crisis averted.

"You fucker!" He chuckled, twisting the towel taut in his hands. Niall reared up in delight as he darted around Will before he whipped the towel in his direction. It gave a loud Snap! As it effortlessly bit through the denim of Niall's jeans, causing him to yelp in pain with a hop. Gripping his hand to his rear to soothe the stinging pain.

And so began the tyrannical rampage of Will as he unleashed his wrath on everybody. The group squealed and yelled. Ducking around the breakfast table, scrambling for couch cushions as shields, and throwing them in retaliation.

It seemed that he could not be stopped until one lone challenger stepped into the fray. Jess.

"Ah! A challenger approaches! You dare stand before your all powerful lord!" Will postured proudly. Jess had grabbed another towel from the kitchen. Twisting it taught, she gave a small flurry of snaps around her shoulders and under her arms. Giving a display of nun-chuck like imitation, before beckoning with an open palm and a battle cry.

The helpless onlookers could only watch in awe as they peeked glittering eyes over the cover of the breakfast bar. Watching as these two warriors circled each other like lions pacing in a cage, sizing each other up.

It was over in a split second. Will lunging high, flicking his wrist outwards to go for the sensitive chest shot. Jess stepped to the left, the offending towel nicking right passed her ear with a snap, before flinging her own weapon out. The brutal sound it gave, like the jaws of a hungry carnivore champing down on it's prey, was met with utter silence as Will dropped to the ground.

His face was a scowl of pain, features turning a strained red, as his hands immediately went to apply pressure to his now damaged goods. He looked like he was going to be sick, he felt like it was going to be sick, as the dull yet somehow still sharp pain cracked like lightning from his nether-regions and infected his stomach.

"The left... You got the left..." He managed to choke out, as Jess circled her defeated opponent. Placing one foot on her fallen foe, she stood victorious, chest puffed out and chin held high.

Once everyone had let out a collective hiss of shared pain, they did let out a laugh, granting the new champion the sufficient cheers as tribute, before going over to the fallen Will and helping him to the nearest couch.

He was still tending to himself as he sat on the couch to regain his composure. Slipping a hand beneath the waist band of his sweat pants just to double check that there was no external damage.

"Want me to kiss it better?" Emma cooed coyly with a smirk, crawling over the arm of the chair in his direction, and pawing at Will's legs and arms.

"Tempting, but I think I'm alright" Will gave a slight chuckle, readjusting himself once more before slowly getting up from the couch. Leaving Emma wanting, yet again.

"We're going for a dip in the lake!" Jess announced, clearly lording her newly gained title as champion, and is therefore in charge.

"In this weather? It's going to be freezing!" Niall protested, rubbing his jaw. He hadn't smiled so much in so long, it was beginning to leave a happy ache on his face.

The sun hadn't so much as peeked through the blanket of pale grey clouds all morning. It certainly didn't bode well for their plans for a summery weekend. The wind had begun to pick up too, granting a chill to the air that was particularly biting, and causing the porch doors to rattle slightly with each gust that passed by.

"Trust me. It'll be worth it. Nothing like an ice bath to get the healing goin'. Plus its an excuse to have some strong alcohol and snuggle under blankets to keep warm."

"Actually, alcohol doesn't do much to keep you warm. In fact it lowers your core temperature" Jennifer interjected.

"Still gets ya drunk though, lets go!" Jess ordered, striding towards the door and jumping out into the cold with a spring. The group each gave one another very reluctant looks before giving one large collective sigh of defeat and following after their chosen leader.

Niall remembered to pick up plenty of towels before they left.

They were right. The water was indeed freezing. Especially as they were all naked, the cold cut straight to the bone. Niall was hesitant to disrobe in front of everybody. Swimming trunks he could do. Underwear, he could probably do. But to reveal himself, completely naked and vulnerable? That was a monumental task in itself.

Which only became more so when he was the last one who hadn't gotten into the lake yet, meaning that all the attention was suddenly on him. He became too cold to take his clothes off he thought. His teeth already chattering away, deafening his ears to the shrieks and hollering of the group as they dunked their respective bodies in the frigid lake.

You can do this.

No I can't.

Nobody cares, just do it. You only live once!

He spent what felt like hours arguing with himself, trying to psyche himself up. On the one hand, he most undoubtedly would regret not joining in on the experience if he didn't do it. That would haunt him forever as a "if only" in the back of his mind. On the other hand, they would see him naked. And that was a horror that was almost paralysing and just as daunting.

Niall began by awkwardly pulling off his shirt, tossing it to the side, and making sure to give occasional glances to see if anyone was paying any particular attention. They weren't, the group was far too busy splashing each other with icy water and shrieking at the sensation.

Next came his shoes and socks. The wind immediately pushed at his back, slicing through his skin with a frozen chill that caused him to tense involuntarily, pulling his arms closer to his chest. Yet he couldn't help but feel it was pushing him towards the water. The bracing cold gave him the confidence then to remove his jeans. Stepping out of them as he did his best to keep his legs under control and stopping them from shaking together.

With one deep breath, and in one swift movement, he stripped off his underwear and jumped into the water as fast as he could before anyone could see.

He was immediately swallowed by the murky blue, the cold was almost enough for him to let go of the breath he held as his chest tightened a little painfully against the temperature. Nialls' eyes opened, only stinging slightly from the water as he watched the bodies of his friends swim, and kick through the platinum beams of sunlight that filtered through the surface of the lake.

They seemed nothing more than silhouettes. Dancing focal points of joy that Niall had the good fortune of being friends with. Their muted laughs vibrated through the water like the brilliant calls of ancient Muses. It was like a song that he could never tire of.

It was then that Niall spotted Will. He had at some point come underwater too, no doubt looking for Niall who was quite happy to float listless beneath the surface, believing it to be warmer down here than up there. Their eyes connected, and what was originally a look of concern turned to one of happiness as Will paddled closer to Niall.

Niall's breath hitched in his throat, immediately causing a strain on whatever air he had left as he watched the approach unable to move. A thought was spared to hide his modesty, but Will had already swam too fast and now floated just mere inches from Niall. Wills eyes never wandered from Niall's. Not even once.

The two looked at each other, timelessly taking in the features of each others face. Niall's limbs were getting numb, his air running out, but in this moment he didn't seem to mind. Enamoured, held in a trance like state as if Will was a snake charmer and Niall the snake.

Thunder ripped. Vibrating through the water with a god-like drum roll, from the skies above, and before Niall could make for the surface to replenish air, Will clutched at the sides of his face and pressed his lips to Nialls. Niall didn't move, just allowing his arms to float gently. All he knew, all he could understand at that moment was that oxygen seemed secondary. The ribbons of light filtering through the surface illuminating the pair in a star fall of aqua-tinted silver.

Nialls chest exploded with flutters, his heart throbbed almost painfully beneath his skin, and he was unsure whether it was the kiss or the lack of air. What was this? What was happening?

Oh.

The pair breached the surface, taking in heavy gulps of air as they appeared amongst their group, just as a bout of rain began to fall. Smiling, breathless, and charged with some strange energy that Niall couldn't quite identify: neither of them were cold in the water.

A/N: Send help. Please. These boys have got me dead, and I can't stop writing, it's affecting my life. Please. u.u