~ AU, and Shanks has both arms. Might make a second part for this but idk I think it's fine as is ~

Shanks played the piano at Shakky's Rip-Off Bar every Wednesday and Friday. Every night there was always a gentleman who sat in one of the back corner tables. He was tall and handsome. He would come in, stay for a few songs, a glass of wine or two, and then leave. And there was always a 500 Beri note in his tip jar at the counter.

One night, Shanks managed to convince Makino to tell him who was leaving him such generosity. "He goes by 'Hawk Eyes' Mihawk. He's an old business partner of Rayleigh." She smiled at him. "He only ever comes in when you're playing." She added mischievously.

The next week on Wednesday, Shanks asked Makino to do him a favor. "You want to buy him a drink?" She asked getting down a vintage of wine she knew Mihawk favored.

"As a thank you." Shanks explained. "I've been putting all the tips from him in a savings account for Luffy and Ace. That way when they get older, I can help Rouge send them to school."

Makino giggled. "Ok."

That night, when Shanks went over to get his tips before heading out he noticed a slip of paper in the jar. He often got hand written notes from patrons, asking if he knew a certain song or letting him know that they enjoyed his playing. This piece of paper was folded around a 500 Beri.

"What is it?" Makino looked over his shoulder. She had watched Mihawk put the note in the jar and her curiosity had been eating away at her all night.

"It's a line from a musical score..."

"Do you know what from?"

"Yeah, but I haven't played it since I graduated. It's the first part of one of Edward Newgate's symphonies." Shanks went home and found his old book of scores. The notes came back to him easily enough. By Friday, he had it memorized again but brought the sheets with him just in case.

"Let me know when Mihawk comes in." He gave Makino a wink. An hour later she came by the stage with some water and to let him know where Mihawk was sitting. Shanks thanked her and headed back for the piano.

Playing any of Newgate's pieces always gave him a headache. His attention normally transitioned between the piano and his audience, judging his playing on their mood. But for this he blocked out everything else in the bar and focused only on the keys beneath his fingers. He blinked barely realizing he had played through to the end when the soft rounds of applause met him. He scratched the back of his head and laughed.

"Was that the symphony from the other day?" Makino asked once the bar had closed for the night.

"It was. I spent yesterday going over it and practicing."

"Well, I think it worked. He left you another note."

Shanks went over to his tip jar and pulled out the slip of paper. 'Thank you' and a phone number was all that was written. He smiled and pocketed the paper.