John's been working on his shift for a few hours, tending to the patrons as needed. He pops up when at nine, the usual busyness begins to pick up. However, he doesn't mind because he knows that that's the time you usually show up to play.

And just as he expects, there you are, strolling in through the door and up to the bar. He's already making your regular, a soft smile on his lips as he nods his head towards you. When you sit down, he's leaning on the bar, sliding over your drink. "The usual as always."

You smile at him and he can feel something inside of him warm. You lift the drink to your lips, allowing the alcohol to slip down your throat. You've never paid for a single drink as long as you've been coming to the bar, though you're not sure if he's paying for them himself or if they're free altogether.

After you finish your drink, John nods to the piano. "Will you play something for us, Mister Piano Man? You know the one I like," he hums, taking your glass and replacing it with the glass jar he let you keep tips in.

John's eyes never leave yours as you take the jar and head over the the piano. The tension on his shoulders seems to lift as you allow your fingers to glide over the keys. Your voice fills the air and he feels at peace with the world as the sweetly sad melody falls over him.

When he's not tending, he's leaning on the bar watching you. To say he loves your music is a huge understatement. It seems he can never get enough of your talent, always asking for vague songs that he can hardly remember the names of anymore... Yet you always seem to be able to play what he's asking for.

John's always said that he could get out of bartending if he could, but over the years he realized that he would hate it.. Because then he wouldn't be able to see you or hear you play regularly. He realizes that his once platonic feelings have blossomed into something more for you. John recognizes warm feelings when he listens to you.

So for now, he quietly pines over you as you finish the song you always play.