Yes, fellow authors and readers, I am back. For how long is unknown...all I know is that I miss writing and wanted to put something new out. Enjoy~

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“Will you marry me?”

Mike Shinoda looked up with watery eyes at his - potential - fiancée. Surrounding the duo was a breathtaking landscape of the still ocean; its wavelets creating soft background noise for the answer that was awaiting. The sand was still warm from the heat of the day, and ticked Mike’s one knee, of which he was leaning on. In his hands was a small ring, one that was subtle yet beautiful, with small gems lining it. Some were a light, pale blue while the others were a soft purple. They both cherished birthstones.

Chester Bennington couldn’t believe his eyes. Or his ears. Or his beloved. With the wind circling him as he stood on the beach, he couldn’t comprehend too much. Between their already perfect evening and now a proposal, it was a surprise he was even standing on the relaxing sand.

“Mikey...” he breathed, taking in the beautiful colors on the ring. Sure, it was nighttime, yet the streetlamps made perfect mood lighting for the couple. His head was slightly spinning. Was this reality?

“You’re my soulmate, Chester,” Mike spoke. Chester’s smile and his flushed face made Mike’s heart sing, yet he was still anxious of a negative answer.

Chester had to keep himself from crying. He stumbled over into Mike’s arms, hugging the emcee close to his heart.

“Of course I’ll marry you, Mikey!” he finally answered, pulling back to lock lips with his partner. Mike was beyond overjoyed. He put all of his love and soul into this one kiss - the kiss of a lifetime.

They pulled apart eventually, both faces soaked with happy tears. They wiped them away for each other while Mike slipped the ring onto Chester’s left hand.

“Is this why Brad was asking me for my ring size?” Chester sputtered, grinning like a maniac.

“Yeah,” Mike replied, happy the answer Brad gave him was correct. The gems glimmered in the light from the street, bouncing their reflections with style. “I didn’t even give him a reason why, I was just like ‘BRADFORD WHAT’S CHAZ’S RING SIZE?!’ and he went off to get the information from me.” Chester couldn’t help but giggle with his friend’s actions.

They both calmed down and sighed, sitting on the sand, enjoying the silence. Chester took his hand and lifted Mike’s chin, so he could look into his eyes.

“Never in a million years would I have guessed to fall in love with my bandmate,” Chester confessed, looking at his glistening ring. “Never ever.”

“I feel the same exact way, Chaz,” spoke Mike, “Never have I thought that you would just stumble into my life they way you did. It's all so surreal."

Chester pulled Mike into a kiss, having them both smile in it. Mike cupped his hand around Chester's face, feeling the warm from his blush.

"You're blushing," Mike giggled.

"You are too, silly," Chester answered. "Should we be heading home?"

"Yeah, probably, lets head out."

They packed up their picnic basket and blanket and walked back to their car, hand in hand. They had come to the beach that bright, sunny day as Linkin Park's adorable boyfriend couple.

They left as Linkin Park's adorable engaged couple.

~~~

"Band meeting. Meet at my place @ 2:30"

Mike sent the tweet to his four best friends the next morning. He was curled up in bed with Chester after a delicious night of being engaged. Chester was still sleeping, so Mike spread the memo. They were going to tell their band the exciting news.

"Mikeyy?" a sleepy voice asked. Mike turned to see his sweetheart covered up in their fluffy comforter and oversized pillow. Mike smiled and layed back down.

"Hi sleeping beauty," Mike cooed, running his hand over Chester's shaved head. Chester grinned and closed his eyes as he enjoyed the touch. "Are the guys coming over today?" mumbled Chester.

"I told them 2:30, is that okay with you?"

"Perfect."

Chester pulled Mike down for a kiss and excused himself to shower. Mike rolled over and glanced at the clock. 10:33 AM. After the door was closed for the bathroom, Mike scurried downstairs to make some breakfast for the two of them. He decided on their favorite dish: strawberry and cream cheese stuffed French toast. They discovered the recipe when travelling down South and they instantly fell in love with it. Almost like how they fell in love with each other.

Chester came bouncing down the steps right when Mike was plating. Chester was wearing a solid black tee shirt with his famous magic pants and black socks. He squealed with delight as he saw the pink, white and brown on his plate. It could only mean one thing.

"Paula Deen Toast!" he cheered, giving a robed Mike a huge hug. Yes, it was true. Their favorite dish was a Paula Deen special.

"I thought you'd love it," gasped a squished Mike.

"When don't I love it?" Chester questioned.

They both sat down to dine on their scrumptious breakfast, loving the fresh berries with the soft cheese. With a tall glass of milk, they washed every last bite down with pleasure. They decided just to straighten up and rest before their friends came over. They were getting butterflies in their stomachs.

2:30 rolled around, and the band all arrived at the same time. They all car pooled, with Rob being the driver. They arrived with chips and sodas: their typical band meeting foods.

"What're we working ontoday, my gents?" Dave asked, cracking open a Dr. Pepper. They all sat around in their living room, with Chester and Mike cuddle on one end of the couch, Rob on the other end, Dave and Brad lying out on the floor, and Joe on a recliner.

"Welllllll," Chester began, "We wanna say something first."

"Oh, mah, God Mikey's pregnant congratulations!" Joe burst out, waving his hands with a sassy tone. Mike looked at him with a strange face while everyone else erupted with laughter.

"Well, no, but great guess, Joe," Mike answered. "Chester and I are getting married."

They all started cheering and aww-ing, since they knew how much they loved each other. Chester's face was blushing from happiness as they asked to see the ring. Chester's hand stuck out like a planet next to a star, and they all admired the silver band.

"So that's why you asked me for the ring size!" Brad exclaimed, feeling relieved he finally figured out the puzzle.

"Indeed so, Brad," Mike giggled.

"When's the big day?" Rob asked for the rest of the crowd.

"We dunno yet, we haven't worked on many details yet," Chester admitted.

"Are you guys having seperate bachelor parties?" Dave questioned, begging for the answer to be "yes".

"Yeah, on different dates, too," Mike replied, "We haven't decided what to do yet, though."

"Oh but still aww!"

They kept cooing and freaking over the joyous news while the excitement was fresh. Over time, they died down and did band things, like planning ahead for their next release. Time escaped them eventually, and the band had to start heading home. As they left, they each spread more congratulations. Once they had left, the couple made a quick little dinner and went off to bed, exhausted from all this sudden attention.

Of course, neither of them minded spreading the best news each of them received in their entire lives.