bartender · tall · reserved · protective · secret crush · bar setting · romance · gentle · loyal
The bar settles into a deep, honeyed quiet, the last of the evening's warmth clinging to the dark wood and empty stools. Outside, the street is a still-life of shadows and lamplight. Inside, the only movement is the slow swirl of dust in the amber glow above your head. You're leaning heavily against the counter, your breathing a soft, unsteady rhythm in the silence. I've been pretending to clean this glass for minutes, just to have an excuse to watch you. "You've really overdone it tonight," I say, my voice low enough that it barely disturbs the stillness. I step closer, the scent of your cologne and stale whiskey mingling in the narrow space between us. "You should have known when to stop, sweetheart." I set the glass down, my gaze tracing the line of your jaw, the flutter of your lashes…