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The words “will you marry me?” come out of Niall’s mouth quite easily, all things considered.  He’d always envisioned being super nervous and jumpy when it came time to pop the question, and yet, as he holds his left hand out to Liam, he’s never felt so calm in his life.  Which is probably because it’s only for an Economics project, but he likes to take his victories where he can get them.

Niall barely listens as their teacher explains their assignment – something about seeing how well they could run a household and keep a budget and pay bills – because he’s too busy watching Liam.  His friend is blushing, his entire face turning light pink, and he keeps glancing around as if he’s worried about getting in trouble.  Then, when Niall is just about to repeat the question, he leans in and whispers, barely a breath, “Of course!”

Niall breaks into a smile, grabbing for Liam’s hand and giving it a little squeeze under the desk.  He feels like the luckiest boy in the class – Liam is the definition of husband-material.

Before he can tell Liam that, Louis raises his hand from across the classroom, shouting out, “But what if we don’t believe in marriage?”

Their teacher is so used to Louis’ outbursts, he hardly even reacts, just answers calmly, “Well then, Mr. Tomlinson, I guess you’ll have to settle for a civil union.  Either way, you’re not getting out of this project.”

Louis sighs so hard Niall’s afraid he’ll pull a lung or something, muttering out an annoyed fine that makes Niall roll his eyes.  He scoots closer to Liam, waiting impatiently for the teacher to turn them loose.  They’re married and he hasn’t even gotten to hug his husband yet!

With one final instruction to “make magic happen” – whatever that means – their teacher finally waves them away and the classroom is in instant chaos.  Students scramble from one end to the other, trying to snag their friends and/or crushes before anyone else can.  It’s all a little loud and overwhelming, but Niall and Liam’s table is a small oasis of calm as they pull their chairs so close their shoulders knock together.  If Liam’s face is anything to go by, they’re both grinning like idiots.

Zayn and Louis plop down across from them, squabbling amongst themselves.  “Just marry me, asshole,” Louis orders impatiently, glowering and giving Zayn a little shove.  “It’s not like you’d be with anyone else!”

“See, that’s just it!” Zayn cries, affronted.  He whips his head around, turning to Niall with his eyes ablaze.  “Don’t you think it’s a little presumptuous to assume that I’m just going to say yes?”

Niall wants to ask what presumptuous means, but Zayn is already back at it full-force, talking over Louis’ loud protests.  “Just because we’ve been friends for years, it doesn’t mean I’m a sure thing!  He should still have to ask, don’t you think?”

Niall just laughs, giving a lighthearted shrug.  “Don’t tell me you’ve gone full sap, Malik!  What…you want a proposal?  Down on one knee and everything?”

“It’d be better than writing my name down without even asking me,” Zayn mutters, crossing his arms but clearly resigned to his fate.  When Louis Tomlinson gets it in his mind to marry someone, there’s no stopping him. 

At long last, Harry comes to join them, a beaming Aiden Grimshaw in tow.  “Look!” Harry cries happily, holding out his left hand.  “Aiden proposed and even gave me his class ring!  I said yes, of course.”

This sets Zayn off again – why can’t you be more like Aiden? – but before things can get violent, Niall slams his hand down on the table, palm flat.  At the loud sound, the boys jump in their seats, turning to stare at Niall.  He just grins.  “Gentlemen,” he says seriously.  “I just want you to know that Liam and I are going to win.”

Liam lets out a snort of laughter, confused.  “This is a project, Niall…not a competition.”

Louis waves him off.  “Everything’s a competition, Payno.  You should know that about us.”  He turns back to Niall, interest written across his face.  “What exactly do you have in mind?”

Lacing his fingers with Liam’s, Niall leans across his chair to give his husband a peck on the cheek, making Liam turn the most beautiful shade of red.  “Twenty pounds to the couple that’s the most married by the end of the project.”

At the prospect of making money, his friends instantly light up.  “Yeah!” Harry cries, throwing his arm around Aiden’s shoulders.  “We could so win that!”

“You’ve never won a bet in your life,” Zayn reminds him, but he’s smiling, too.  “I’m down with it, if you guys are.”

“You’re on,” Aiden agrees, thrusting his fist into the middle for the rest of them to bump.  They all do, sealing the deal once and for all.