A/N - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKNonkJIr10 <- This song is important to the chapter ^_^

(Hope you like)

-

Chen had always found the idea of surprises pretty interesting and romantic, being treated to something out of the blue for no particular reason seemed like a really fun, nice thing to do, but being lead through a foreign country blindfolded after a 15 minute taxi ride wasn’t the most comforting thing the boy had ever experienced. Gripping Xiumin’s hand in his own tightly Chen held fast to the older boy as he clambered off balanced out of the car.

“Relax, we’re almost there.” Once he was stood and balanced Chen loosened his hold on Xiumin and nodded anxiously in the general direction his voice had come from,

“Sorry. But come on, isn’t the blindfold a bit much?”Ignoring the teen’s complaint Xiumin started carefully guiding him towards the entrance of ‘L’Orto Botanico Do Roma’, the people he’d organised everything with smiled warmly as they saw him approaching and he quickly put his finger to his lips, silently asking them to keep quiet.

“Ok, stand here.” Sensing that the older boy was going to leave him Chen panicked slightly and blindly reached out to grab his shoulders.

“You’re kidding right?” Covering the teen’s hands with his own Xiumin spoke calmly, a mix of excitement and nerves touching his words.

“Trust me, just um... count to... 15 then take off the blindfold. Not a second before though ok?” gnawing his bottom lip anxiously Chen took a deep breath and swallowed back his unease.

“Fine.” Leaning forwards to dot a small kiss on Chen’s cheek Xiumin jogged towards the group of people that had agreed to help him and clambered onto the small stage that had been set up for him to use. A short woman with mousy brown hair introduced herself to him in Korean, smiling happily.

“Are you ready?” Glancing around at the growing crowd of people curious about what was going on Xiumin nodded to the woman and walked to stand in front of the microphone stand, adjusting the height quickly as the band jogged onto the stage with him. He signalled them to start playing so the introduction of the song he’d chosen was playing as Chen removed his blindfold.

Jaw dropping as soon as he looked up to see Xiumin stood awkwardly centre stage Chen couldn’t stop himself giggling a little at the cheesiness of it all. He could see the beautiful gardens all around them and hear the running water of the rivers and waterfalls that ran through the Orto Botanico. Chen recognised the song immediately, instantly remembering all the times he and Xiumin had sang it together at the norebang or just joking around in their rooms while they bobbed playfully to the music and tripping over the raps. As the piano introduction played for the third time Xiumin cleared his throat and sang out the first line of Stereo Hearts, hitting each not perfectly, if a little quiet. After the first line a singer stood at the corner of the stage took over so Xiumin could speak into the microphone.

His expression turned excited as the beat picked up and a wide grin spread across his face as a circle of people surrounded Chen, bringing the growing crowds attention to the blushing teen. The song continued to the second chorus and covering his face with both hands Chen peeked through his fingers to see Xiumin pop the microphone out of its stand so he could stroll across the stage while he spoke.

“I really hope this isn't too cheesy for you, but I really wanted to do something.. big” Turing his attention to another man on stage Xiumin smiled as he translated the speech into Italian for the crowd observing as the chorus rang out again and the crowd started clapping in time with the performance. By the next chorus Chen had given up trying to hide, knowing everyone around had already gathered what was going on and simply stood in the centre of the circle the crowd had formed around him, arms crossed over his chest as he tried to stop himself grinning like an idiot.

As the melody slowed Xiumin spoke softly while hopping off the stage and, with the help of some of the crows parting quickly, he walked to Chen and despite the teen’s efforts to escape before being embarrassed more he took Chen’s hand in his own and spun the teen playfully. "I love you and I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life as yours and only yours" .

Letting the translator speak again Xiumin then pulled Chen to him and excitedly kissed him before stepping back and popping down onto one knee.

Shocked by the action Chen clasped his hands to his mouth and started shaking his head looking around at the large crowd that had now gathered. The song came to an end and the crowds full attention was on the couple stood in the middle of them.

“Chen, I love you but I guess you already knew that,” Breathing heavily from the excitement bubbling through him Xiumin produced a small blue box from his pocket and opened it for Chen to see. A thick silver engagement ring sat in the centre surrounded by white silk, a set of small emeralds were embedded in the centre of the ring, reflecting green onto the white around it. “Wanna get married?” Chen couldn’t stop himself laughing and as the translator spoke to the crowd the echoed his laughter at the older boy’s phrasing. Waiting, a little impatiently, for the teen’s response Xiumin started questioning his decisions, getting more and more nervous as he waited for Chen’s answer.

((A/N - rewrote this chapter because.. reasons.. ))