Piano Man [Austria x Reader]

It was around nine o'clock on a Saturday. You were busy preparing for the regular crowd that would shuffle into the small bar. You've been working here since you were nineteen, nothing about the place has changed.  The owner had died a couple years ago and handed it over to his oldest son, Allistor.

You have grown close to the Scotsman and the two of you became good friends. Said man was currently leaning against one of the walls of the tavern, puffing away on a smoke. You glanced towards the small old piano that was in the corner of the bar, the chair empty. You eagerly awaited for the man that was widely known as the Piano Man to come and play a tune.

"Oi! Lass ye alright?" Allistor asked as he took a sip of his drink.

"Just fine," you sighed as you continued to wipe down the counters.

"Did ye get accepted into that school?" he questioned hopefully.

"No," you sadly stated as you looked down at the floor. "I am going to be stuck here for awhile."

"Don't say that lass," Allistor begged.

A small bell rang signalling a costumer, Allistor nodded for you to begin work. Smiling you got a couple glasses ready as the costumer came up. A pink scarf was wrapped a tightly around his neck, covering his milky white skin. He looked at you with a pair of violet eyes before speaking.

"Gin and tonic please," he voiced, his demand coated in a thick Russian accent.

"Coming right up," you sighed as you began to get his drink ready. "Here," you replied sliding the drink down the counter for him.

The man gave you a nod as he walked away from the bar counter and over by the small piano. More ringing of the bell sounded through the tavern, as more lonely, sad men came through the bar's doors. You sighed knowing they were all like you, stuck in this tiny town. None of you were going anywhere, like the last generation you'd be stuck here, while your dreams withered away.

Another bell rang after awhile catching your attention. You cast a gaze towards the rotten door and became entranced by the man at the doorframe. His violet eyes glanced over the semi-busy tavern, as if he was looking specifically for someone or something. He brushed back a piece of dark brown hair with his black gloved hand. He gracefully walked over to the counter you were situated at and cleared his throat. Snapping out of your trance you readied yourself for the man's demands.

"Miss," he casually said. "Could you show me towards the piano?"

"It's over there by the man in the scarf," you stated pointing towards the towering figure.

"Thank you," he smiled as he walked over to the instrument.

You caught yourself starring as the man sat on the stool and placed his hands over the keys. He gracefully swiped his hands over the keys, causing a angelic tune to fill the old lonely tavern. The man's music put a smile on even the grumpiest of faces. You glanced down at the man who sat atop of the bar stool by your station.

His glasses slipped down the bridge of his nose, as he starred down at his empty glass. His short blonde hair fell forward with his gaze, his tiny cowlick defying gravity as he starred. His bomber jacket was zipped tightly up to shield himself from the chilly air that hung in the tavern.

"Hey," the man smiled towards you.

"Hey," you laughed returning the smile.

"What did the tree say to the wind?" he asked you.

"I don't know, what did it say?" you questioned leaning closer to hear his answer.

"Leaf me alone," he slightly smirked, his gaze returning to the empty glass. "I'm sure I could be a hero, if I could only get out of this place."

"You'll always be my hero Alfred," you promised him.

"Thanks ____," he smiled as he stood up from his spot causing the stool to squeak. You watched as the American walked over to take a seat by the man who was still playing the angelic instrument.

You walked from behind the bar wiping your hands on your dusty black apron. You passed by two gentlemen who were chatting away with each other in the dimly lit corner by your station. Francis gave you a small smile, while Arthur gave you a stern nod.

Francis was a real estate agent, he usually traveled outside the town. He never had time for a wife, so he sadly became a player of sorts. He'd have hook ups that would mean nothing to him. There was no love involved, but that's all he has ever wanted. Love. Sadly it comes scarce in this small town.

Arthur, has been apart of the  British Navy for almost his entire life. He came to this small town on a small leave of absence to escape the hectic lifestyle. He sadly will most likely will be in the Navy for the rest of his life.

You walked over to where a crowd of men sat intently and listened to the beautiful tune of the piano and the man who played along. Allistor leaned against the wall smiling at you as he took another puff of his smoke. You returned his gesture, with a sad smile of your own.

You laughed as the other two waitresses Bella and Elizaveta discussed politics, and the upcoming election. Glancing to your left you noticed Antonio and Lovino, two business men, laughing at each other's jokes.

You pulled a wicker chair and sat directly beside the so called Piano Man. You watched as he gracefully and delicately pressed each key, as the tune continued to play. You knew the song he was playing, your father used to play it for you all the time. You began to hum along to his playing. He heard the sound of your hums and gave a soft smile as he continued to play.

"Sing us a song you're the piano man, sing us a song tonight," you sang softly as the man began to join your solo making it into a beautiful duet.

"Well we're all in the mood for a melody, and you got us feeling alright," he continued. His voice was just as majestically angelic as his piano playing.

"Oh, la la la, di da da. La la, di da da da dum," you sang louder earning a few more smiles from the small crowd.

The Piano Man stopped his playing, and grinned at the applause he received. He gave a small bow before walking over to an empty table and resting his elbows on the mahogany wood. You dragged your hand over the ivory keys, enjoying the smooth feel of the object.
___________________________________________________________________________

Allistor had just finished saying good bye to the last costumer as they left the bar. The room immediately fell back into a mode of loneliness. The piano haunted it's position in the room, giving an eerie feeling as you walked by it. You felt as though a part of you was missing when no one played the elegant instrument.

"I'm glad the Piano Man played us a visit," Allistor commented as he put his hat atop of his fiery locks.

"He comes here often, I've heard him play before. Peculiar though, that he asked me where the piano was earlier," you stated as you pulled off your apron and hung it on a nearby screw.

"Maybe, the small town has gotten to him," Allistor sighed. "It's not like we'll ever leave. I'll see ye tomorrow lass," he stated as the two of you exited the tavern. Allistor turned around and locked the tavern's rotten doors.

"See you," you smiled as you walked off in the opposite direction.

"Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness. But it's better than drinkin' alone," you sadly sang as you walked along the cold, lonely streets of the town.

"Hello," someone greeted.

You snapped your head up in the voice's direction. Your gaze settled upon a brown haired, violet eyed man who was sharply dressed.

"Roderich," you replied with a small smile.

"How are you?" he asked.

"I am well, yourself?" you retorted.

"Just looking for someone to share a drink called loneliness. Mind joining me?" he smiled offering you his gloved hand.

"I'd be honoured, Mr. Piano Man," you laughed softly as he enclosed his hand around yours and walked beside you.

He says, "Son, can you play me a memory I'm not really sure how it goes. But it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete, when I wore a younger man's clothes."