The Barefoot Violinist

Fan Encounter

As they made their way through the airport, they were stopped by two young girls rushing over, giggling.

"You're Bennett Cane, aren't you?" One asked in awe.

"Eh...yes?" Bennett looked taken aback, looking from her to Cory.

"Oh, we are big fans of yours! It's just amazing to finally meet you. We've been trying to get tickets to your recitals, but they were all sold out." she rushed on, looking at him in amazement, her friend furiously nodding along.

Bennett looked very confused and as he opened his mouth, Cory suddenly spoke up. "That's great, thank you ladies. We really appreciate your support. What do you say to a selfie with Bennett? You'll be the first to have one." he winked over at Bennett who was still frowning between Cory and the girls, perplexed.

They squealed in delight and rushed to stand next to him. He tensed as they each grabbed hold of his arms, leaning in close to him, while they giggled in delight. He posed with them for a few photos. Then they insisted on taking one of him and Cory. Just as they were taking the picture, Cory turned his head and kissed Bennett on the cheek.

"Can you believe we met the Barefoot Violinist?" one squealed excitedly, looking through the pictures on their phones. "And we're the first ones to get a photo! I'm posting this, everybody is going to be so jealous!!"

"The good ones are always taken though." her friend sighed philosophically, "but he's still very dreamy..." Bennett and Cory could clearly hear their conversation as they moved off.

"What was that about? And how do they know me? Kids at school don't even know I play?" he looked questioningly at Cory who refused to meet his gaze. "What did you do?" Bennett asked with narrowed eyes.

"Now Bennett, let's just get out of here and then I'll explain everything, okay?" he leaned in for another kiss. "Am I going to get a reward for picking you up?" he whispered in Bennett's ear, who only smirked at him.

"You're lucky if you even see the inside of my room, let alone a reward!" Bennett winked at him.

They chatted to Chrissie for a while before making their way upstairs. Bennett had just set his suitcase and violin down, then swiftly turned to Cory, thrusting him against the wall. His mouth came down hard on Cory's making him gasp for breath. Reaching his arms around Bennett, Cory pulled him in closer, while Bennett ravished his mouth. Coming up for air, Cory looked down at Bennett's lips, then looked deeply into his eyes, as if looking for an answer.

"Who's Josh. Your mum said you had a crush on him?" he blurted out the first thing that popped into his head.

"Josh?" Bennett frowned at him. "Josh is an old tutor of mine. I had a crush on him. Past tense, and I only stay over at his place whenever I'm playing on that side." he said nonchalantly.

"So you-you're not... not you know?" he tried to get a clear answer from Bennett.

"Last time I checked, we weren't in a relationship." Bennett shrugged his shoulders.

Cory sighed in frustration. "Look I know we're not in a relationship, but I don't want to be strung along while you have boys in every city in the country."

"Don't forget that I travel international sometimes..." he joked.

"Bennett! You're not helping here!" he groaned in exasperation.

"What I meant was, that Josh and I are not in a relationship, okay? I'm not seeing anyone except you at the moment."

"At the moment?" Cory looked disgusted at the word.

Bennett sighed, "Come on Cory. Do you really want to spend the rest of the evening fighting over something that didn't happen?" he pulled a stray lock of hair out of Cory's eyes. "Now, tell me why people are coming up to me in the airport taking selfies?"

He pulled Cory with him to the bed, leaning on his chest while looking down at him. "Spill the beans my pushy bull."

"Now look Bennett, you should know that I only did this because I love you. So don't go freaking out or anything." Cory pleaded, while his hands were stroking Bennett's back.

"Why does everybody think that I will freak out all the time?!" he asked playfully slapping Cory's chest.

"Okay, I'll tell you everything, but you need to promise me something first. One," he held up a finger for Bennett to see, "you will wait until I'm done talking, and two, you will kiss me when I'm done." he tapped Bennett's forehead with his finger. "If you don't promise, then I won't tell."

"Fine!" Bennett gave in.

Bennett didn't know whether he should thank Cory or kill him. Creating an online channel, he had uploaded some of the videos and photos that he could find of Bennett playing different pieces. It had been a lot of work, but he really enjoyed it. He wasn't sure whether it was because he was doing it for Bennett, or whether he was doing it for himself, but that didn't matter at the moment.

To his surprise, it had immediately taken off and as interest grew, he decided to capitalise on the momentum by having branded t-shirts made, with ideas on other merchandise that could be sold. He also planned on collaborating with others and had already started putting feelers out, with ideas on creating content and interviews. He had so many ideas that Bennett's head was whirling trying to keep up.

"You can kiss me now." Cory puckered his lips at Bennett. Leaning in, Bennett gave him a slow kiss, nipping his bottom lip in the end.

"So where does the Barefoot Violinist come in." he asked, tracing circles on Cory's chest.

"Well, you always play barefoot anywhere you can. I think the only reason you don't play barefoot at your recitals is that you're too afraid to be the real Bennett." he finished confidently.

"And when did you come to that conclusion?" Bennett frowned at him, leaning in for another kiss.

"I know you, my forever angel baby Bennett!" Something tugged at the back of his mind when he heard Cory say that, but it was gone as soon as he focused on the thought.