The Barefoot Violinist

The Missing Piece

Bennett was in his room, practicing for his next recital. He was excited, because he'd gotten first chair and three solos. This was a big break for him, so everything needed to be perfect. But he felt that something was missing when he played. He couldn't figure out what it was. Frustrated, he lay down his violin and ran down to the kitchen to get some water. As he was leaning against the counter, he thought of Cory. Picking up his phone, he started texting.

Bennett: Cory?

Cory: I'll be there in 10 minutes!

Cory rushed. Ten minutes later he was running up Bennett's steps and opened the door.

"Bennett?" he called out and saw him coming from the kitchen.

"How did you know I wanted you to come over?" he kissed Cory, taking his hand and leading up to his room. "I need to practice, but something was missing, so I thought..." he trailed off.

"I'll shut up and listen," was all Cory said, sitting on the floor in front of Bennett, legs crossed, waiting for him to start. He watched as both Bennett and the violin came to life. Bennett's enigmatic smile while he played. He would sometimes open his eyes to look down at Cory, his smile growing wider. It felt to Cory as if Bennett was checking to make sure he was still there. There was no way that he was going to leave Bennett anytime, so he sat there happily listening to the music, watching him play in admiration.

Cory closed his eyes halfway through the piece, listening to the music swell around them. When the music stopped, happy to sit and let it all wash over him, he kept them closed. Happy that Bennett had called him. Happy that Bennett seemed to need him. He really wanted to be more than just friends who chastely slept together with clothes on and go on dates, with nothing more than passionate kisses that took his breath away, but always left him wanting for more.

"Thank you." Bennett said quietly. When Cory opened his eyes, Bennett sat cross legged in front of him. His thoughts unreadable as he traced every feature with his eyes, that have turned a deeper shade of blue.

"What for?" Cory whispered a frown forming on his brow.

"For being with me when I need you. For not pushing me. For everything that you have worked so hard for, to- to make sure that I feel safe with you. Thank you for doing everything for me, even when I don't know that I need it. And thank you, for the Barefoot Violinist." Bennett quietly stated, having taken Cory's hands in his own.

"And that's all I want Bennett. Is to be there for you, no matter what the situation. I just want to love my Bennett for the rest of his life." Cory's eyes never faltered from Bennett's. "You gave me a reason to be better than I was, better than I am. You also opened my eyes to what I want to do." he finished, raising Bennett's hand to his lips.

"What is that?"

"You'll think I'm crazy," he said shaking his head. "But since we've created the Barefoot Violinist, I really started enjoying what I did. There are so many things that we could do, so many possibilities. So I asked my parents to help, and I'll be studying online, with an internship at their company." he looked excited at the prospect.

"That way I can manage your career and still make sure that you're okay... and be happy at the same time." Cory smiled hesitantly at Bennett, before looking down again, suddenly unsure. When Bennett didn't say anything, he looked up again. "That's if you want me to?"

Bennett looked at the man sitting in front of him. How could you not love someone who was willing to share so much with you. "But are you doing it for the right reasons Cory? I don't want you to find out a few years down the line that it was all for nothing. I don't want to see you unhappy." He cupped Cory's cheek, his thumb stroking the side of his face. "That would hurt more than anything I could bear." Bennett whispered, tilting his head to the side to capture Cory's eyes.