The Barefoot Violinist

Compromise

Since they'd been together, Cory seemed to be in much better spirits. Bennett quietly observed him as they went through the school day together. Whatever had brought on the change in Cory, it was unmistakable. He had more confidence, seemed more at ease with being himself and  seemed to be in a lighter mood.

He thought that being with Cory in school was going to be a nightmare of whispers and pointing, but he seemed to have been afraid of nothing. Although, between Blue and the football team, he felt like he was being watched the whole time when Cory wasn't around. Top bitch, indeed, he thought with a smile, waiving to one of the players as they called his name.

"Hey friend." Cory whispered in Bennett's ear, taking a seat next to him at the lunch table.

"Hey Blue." Cory greeted. Their truce was an uncomfortable one, but at least the insults were becoming less, which was a welcome break. Blue seemed to be sticking to her promise of not interfering with their relationship.

"Cory." she said curtly. "I see you're having sex again..." she mused looking between Cory and Bennett.

Bennett flushed red, while Cory grinned and said: "Not yet Blue, not yet! But I'll let you know the minute-"

Cory couldn't finish his sentence, Bennett had completely shut him up with a kiss. "Hmmm, should I reveal some more secrets?" he asked slowly opening his eyes.

"Guys, you realise this is a school and porn is generally not allowed?" Victor asked looking at Bennett in disgust. "Not even a word of warning. What sort of friend are you? I tell you everything!" Victor pointed to Bennett in mock suffering.

"No, you overshare Victor. I just know when to keep my mouth shut." Bennett pointed out.

"Don't worry, I'll share with you. There are a few things I can tell you..." He wiggled his eyebrows, laughing at the horrified look on Bennett's face.

Bennett felt exited, overjoyed and nervous all the time he spent with Cory. It was different to before. He wasn't as hesitant, he believed Cory when he said he was working on his issues. Bennett realised that it was healthier that way than saying 'I promise' and that's what important to him. He needed to trust Cory, every part of him, not only the nice and happy sides, he would also have to deal with the other sides of Cory. His jealousy, the fact that he could be so overprotective and that rage that seemed to have followed him all his life. He knew that to look for perfection was out of reach, but the Cory he saw now, was as close to perfect as he could want.

Bennett walked to the football field after school. Normally he would bike straight home, but he spent some time playing while waiting for Cory's practice to finish. When he stopped on the side of the field, he waved shyly at Cory, who was doing some drills.

"Hey!" Cory ran over smiling as he got to Bennett. "Can't stay away from me, huh?

"Hey yourself." Bennett couldn't stop grinning, watching Cory stand in his kit. looking breathtakingly handsome.

"I thought maybe you'd want to spend some time together this evening?" he looked at Cory hopefully. It seemed as if a struggle going on inside Cory.

"uh - baby, there is a big game tonight and I wanted to watch. I know sport isn't your thing so..." he trailed off looking uncomfortable.

"Missus!" Mason called, bounding over, loosely draping his arm around Cory, giving Bennett a lopsided grin. "Come to watch the man earn his bacon, huh?" he laughed. Bennett had become so used to Mason and his almost naive outlook on life that he found it actually quite endearing.

"Piss off Mason." Cory snapped, shrugging his arm off.

"Anyway, I just wanted to say hi to the missus." He grinned ignoring Cory. "We're playing poker next week, what do you say, partner?" He whooped when Bennet nodded in agreement. "We're going to rake in the cash!" jumping forward, he lifted Bennett off the ground to spin him around, before slapping Cory on the shoulder, running onto the field laughing.

"I don't think you should be playing with him." He frowned, glancing back toward Mason who was joking around on the field. "He's getting a big head from winning."

"What were you saying before? Are you going to the bar again?"

"Eh, I planned on watching the game tonight. But don't worry, I'll just be home." He quickly added just in case Bennett thought he was going to a wild party.

"Would you mind if I watched with you?" he asked shyly. "You can come and watch the game with me, or I can go over to yours?" Bennett smiled.

Cory's eyes opened wide with surprise. This is the first time that Bennett volunteered to do anything with sports, let alone sit and watch a whole game. Cory knew he only came to the last game because he was personally invited and not because he particularly enjoyed it.

"You'd do that?" he asked still not believing his ears.

"Sure, it will be fun. Mum cooked a ton before so there's more than enough to eat." looking up at Cory, Bennett leaned in to kiss him on the cheek, "Let me know what you decide." He turned around and walked away smiling as he heard the ooohs from the other players on the field.

"I'll come over!" Cory called after him, watching as he walked on.

--

They were sitting together watching the game. Bennett had tried really hard for the first half hour, listening to Cory's excited breakdown of the plays and watching as grown men chased a ball around a rectangle for no good reason. He was fascinated by Cory's myriad of reactions throughout the game play.

But thirty minutes was enough for him to get up to find a book. He'd made himself comfortable in Cory's arms and they'd sat like that for the remainder of the game.

Cory looked down at Bennett, who had fallen asleep in his arms, the book resting on his stomach. He brushed the hair out of his face, thinking how much he loved this man who would try and sit through a football game with him. He gently put Bennett's book away and carried him upstairs. Cory held on to Bennett as they lay in the room together, listening to deep even breaths.

"I love you Cory..." Bennett sighed quietly in his sleep. Cory raised himself to look down at Bennett.

"Bennett?" he asked quietly, holding his breath, but Bennett was fast asleep. Cory wanted to jump out of bed and do a victory dance after hearing Bennett's whisper. He almost couldn't stop himself from laughing out loud.

"I love you too, my only angel baby Bennett," he whispered, pulling Bennett closer.