Blushing heavily Chen tried to calm himself down wiping his tears onto the back of his sleeve he managed to breath out a simple question.

“Why are you doing all this?”

Smiling easily Xiumin answered like the question was something he was asked every day, his words flowing so smoothly Chen felt himself tearing up again.

“Because silly, I want this to be the most memorable thing in your life. So that when you’re 83 and wrinkly and balding and you forgot what you had for breakfast or when we met, you’ll look at this ring on your finger and remember. You’ll remember every second of this moment. Every note I sang, every pair of eyes watching us as it happened, how embarrassing it was for you.” Pausing to smile and chuckle lightly Xiumin shook his head at himself and continued, looking so sure of everything he was saying it was impossible not to believe. “You’ll remember it all, and then you’ll smile, then you’ll cringe at how cheesy it all was, and then. Then you’ll look over to me, sat next to you in one of those old timey, creaky rocking chairs and think ‘damn, that was the best day of my life’ and nothing else will matter.” So love struck by the answer Chen couldn’t speak, he couldn’t breathe. All the boy could manage was a small nod and holding a shaky hand out for Xiumin to slip the ring onto his engagement finger grinning like the Cheshire cat the older boy jumped up and opened his arms out to Chen who easily slipped into them, hiding his face in the crook of Xiumin’s neck as more joyful tears streamed down his face.

Playing with the younger boy’s hair Xiumin closed his eyes smiling happily as he head the applause of the crowd that had gathered while he sang, all of whom now knew, thanks to the help of the translator he’d hired, exactly how cheesy romantic he was.

Finally pulling himself together Chen wiped his eyes again, still shaking from the shock of everything his voice was barely above a whisper as he spoke, an air of laughter in his tone.

“Why’s you have to be so sweet, now I’m all blotchy and tear stained.”

Slowly the small crowd filtered away, leaving the newly engaged couple to talk. Pulling a compact mirror out of his bag Chen looked himself over, shaking his head at his reflection he linked away the last of his tears and tucked it away again. Taking the younger boy’s hand in his own Xiumin gave it a light squeeze and pulled Chen closer to him.

“You still look perfect to me~”

Lightly hitting the boy’s shoulder Chen rolled his eyes and chuckled lightly.

“Shut up, you’ll make me cry again.”

Smiling Xiumin mocked zipping his lips shut and locking them, giving his imaginary key to Chen he pulled the boy towards the garden, one of the actual reasons they’d decided to go to Italy and lead him through the entrance of the Orto Botanico. Strolling hand in hand the boys made their way through the beautiful gardens, not saying anything to the other as they walked, just occasionally glancing down at their intertwined hands, the emeralds of Chen’s engagement ring catching the sun as Xiumin swung their hands back and forth happily.

-

“Hey Xiu”

Turning to face his fiancé Xiumin hummed in response still keeping his lips sealed, giggling a little at the childishness Chen reached over to Xiumin, mocking unlocking his lips.

“Yes Jongie”

Scrunching his face at the abbreviation of his real name Chen stopped walking to raise a brow at the older boy, giving him the chance to take it back. Noticing the look Xiumin thought for a second and, smiling the same cheesy smile he always wore around Chen he answered again.

“Yes yeobo~”

Rolling his eyes again Chen looked at his ring, smiling lightly at the sight of it, not nearly used to the way it felt on his finger.

“How are we going to tell the others?”

Shaking his head Xiumin pulled Chen closer to him again, cupping the younger boy’s face in his hands he smiled reassuringly and spoke, again with such certainty that Chen couldn’t argue.

“We’re not thinking about that now. We’re going to enjoy the rest of this holiday, we’re going to fall asleep on the plain back not thinking about it and then we’ll be back in Korea and then, and only then, we’ll think about that. Ok?”

Nodding a little Chen lightly kissed Xiumin, the older boy’s optimism always managing to get the better of him.

“Hey Xiu... guess what?”

“What?”

“We’re engaged.”