Work Text:
Vash had only been working at the cafe for a few months when he started noticing the guy come in. The others said he was a regular, but maybe Vash had been on different shifts before, because he thought he would definitely remember someone like this, and he was pretty damn sure he'd never seen him before.
The vibe of their shop didn't suit him, at least as far as Vash thought, based on first impressions, but he must have liked their coffee enough to come here instead of the more convenient drive-through chain places. He obviously went out of his way to get coffee here, which is something he didn't look like he'd otherwise do without good reason.
He was tall and lean, seemed pretty well built, a little scruffy, with dark hair, and his eyes always hidden behind a pair of sunglasses. He smelled like cigarette smoke, but it wasn't offensive in the way Vash usually found that scent to be, and it probably had everything to do with how ruggedly hot this guy looked.
"H-hi," Vash squeaked when he approached the counter, clearing his throat and trying again. "Wh-what can I get for you?" He blinked his eyes rapidly, internally screaming at himself to relax and not make a fool of himself. He could feel himself blushing with embarrassment.
"Uh," the guy raised an eyebrow and just stared at Vash, his eyes, barely visible behind his shades, quickly scanning over Vash before he tilted his head slightly. "You're new, huh?” His lips quirked up in a smirk and Vash’s eyes widened. Quit staring at him you fool! Vash just nodded, not a single thought was coming to his brain aside from how good looking the guy was.
“Thought so. Haven’t seen you around here yet. ‘S’ok, you’ll learn soon enough. Just a large black coffee.” Another half smirk as he watched Vash scramble to punch it in. “Please.”
“Uh, sure! Coming right up!” Vash finally found his voice and took the guy’s payment, turning to get the coffee ready and almost chuckling to himself. Of course this guy drinks his coffee black. He poured a nice fresh one, sealing the lid on and turning back around to hand it over. The guy took the cup and smiled, a crooked, half smile that seemed so laid back and casual that Vash just wanted to follow him out of the shop and follow him around for the rest of the day. He seemed cool, and Vash didn’t want their interaction to end yet.
“Enjoy!” he squeaked, feeling himself blush again. It was all he could think of to say that wasn't going to sound stupid.
“Thanks,” the guy said, lifting the cup to take a sip (wasn't it still really hot though?), and Vash swore he gave him another once over before leaving the shop. Vash’s coworker definitely caught him staring, because she started giggling from the doorway to the back of the shop.
“Wh-who… who was that?” he asked, gazing dreamily off towards the door.
“Wolfwood,” Meryl answered, still chuckling. “He’s a regular. Charming, in his own way, huh?” Vash found himself nodding, staring a moment longer before finally pulling himself out of it and trying to get back to work.
He could hardly focus on anything else that day.
Wolfwood came in the next day, and the day after that, and finally by the fourth day, Vash was able to calm his nerves a little, only a little, to be able to say more than a few squeaky words to the man.
“S-so, they say you’re a regular here?” Stupid-ass thing to say, but Vash wasn’t known to be smooth… Wolfwood just gave him that relaxed smile again that made Vash’s stomach flutter.
“Mhm. It’s really the best coffee in town. I’m only picky about a few things. Coffee,” he started counting on his fingers. “Whiskey… and, well, a few other things, but that’s not really coffee shop talk.” He pulled his sunglasses down slightly so he could look out over top of them, and winked, and Vash felt his face heat up again as he handed Wolfwood his coffee. That wink nearly made his knees buckle, and he grabbed the counter, trying to lean against it casually instead of looking like a love struck fool about to fall over from a mere wink.
“O-oh yeah…?” He bit his lip and saw Wolfwood’s eyes flick down to watch, before the other pushed his shades back up and simply grinned.
“Yup. Thanks Spikey, see ya later.”
This time Vash was stuck staring after him so badly that Meryl had to come help the next customer in line on the till beside him.
Vash was off for a few days after that, and he couldn’t stop thinking about Wolfwood. What was he like? Really like? What was he interested in, what kind of job did he have, what were the other things he was picky about? Vash had already fantasized about the man, about touching him, kissing him, and what it would feel like if he’d pin Vash to the wall and -
He had to shake his head to stop that stream of thoughts. Fantasizing about a customer? Ridiculous. Get a hold of yourself. Still, the man was unbelievably sexy, and he was just existing, coming in to get a coffee, giving Vash that crooked, sexy smile, and leaving. He probably had no idea that some coffee shop barista was simping over him so hard, Vash probably wasn’t even the guy’s type. He leaned back on his couch with a sigh, staring up at the ceiling and trying to clear his mind of the mystery man that was Wolfwood the Regular.
But he just couldn’t.
The next shift he had at the shop, he was barely in the door before Meryl was there, grinning at him as if she had a juicy secret to share.
“...What?” Vash asked suspiciously, pausing and raising an eyebrow at her.
“Wolfwood was asking about you,” she said, almost bouncing on her feet as if she couldn’t contain herself. Vash’s eyes widened despite his efforts to play it cool.
“Really? I mean, uh, oh yeah, ok…”
“Come on Vash, I see the way you stare as he leaves, standing there stuck in lala land. Someone’s got a crush.” She smirked, teasing him in a sing-song voice, and Vash groaned, knowing he was turning bright red again.
“Ugh… he’s just. I can’t stop thinking about him Meryl. It’s so dumb.” He hung up his jacket and grabbed an apron, putting it on and checking his hair in the mirror before walking out behind the counter. Meryl followed him out, and Vash was glad that the shop was currently empty and quiet.
“Nah, it’s not dumb. I think it’s kinda cute actually. Meeting someone at work.”
“A customer though?” Meryl shrugged, and the two of them worked to clean and restock some things behind the counter to prepare for the afternoon rush.
“It’s not the weirdest thing that’s ever happened, I promise. He’s been coming in here for a while, but he’s never seemed particularly chatty or caring about anyone in particular. Him asking about you…” She shrugged again. “Maybe he’s interested too.” She smiled, and Vash looked downward to hide his own little smile. He couldn't lie, knowing that little tidbit made him happy, maybe Wolfwood really was interested as well.
A few more weeks passed, with Vash and Wolfwood both getting more and more chatty, and Vash was convinced that the grins and the winks Wolfwood was giving him were something special, something meant just for him. He found himself wanting more time with Wolfwood, to be able to get to know him outside of just being one of the shop's regulars, and to have more than just a few minutes to talk to him whenever he did see him.
Vash kept an eye on the time that day, eventually starting a new pot of coffee so it would be perfectly fresh when Wolfwood came in. Sure enough, ten minutes later the man walked through the door. Vash smiled at him, meeting his gaze and once again feeling the butterflies in his stomach at the grin he got in return.
"Heya Spikey," Wolfwood drawled, reaching into his pocket for his coffee money. It felt comfortable between them, Vash no longer too nervous around him (at least not as far as small talk went), but today he was nervous for another reason.
He slid a marker out of his pocket as he reached for the coffee cup, turning around to write his name and number on it. Now or never, he thought, pouring the coffee and popping the lid on. One deep breath later and he was setting the cup on the counter and ringing it through.
"Enjoy," Vash said with a surprisingly level voice and comfortable smile, only holding his breath a little. Wolfwood smiled in return and started to turn away.
"Thanks-" he started, before stopping in his tracks and lifting his sunglasses up onto his head as he read the writing on the cup. Vash’s eyes widened a little, his heart suddenly hammering in his chest. He'd never seen Wolfwood take his sunglasses off before. He stood frozen in place, his palms starting to sweat as a warm smile grew on Wolfwood's face. When he looked back up he wore the softest smile Vash had ever seen from him.
"Thanks Vash."
They held each other's gaze for a beat longer, and Vash knew he was blushing, but he couldn't bring himself to form any words in that moment. He was totally captured by Wolfwood's eyes, deep brown and absolutely gorgeous, and he simply nodded, giving the man a warm smile in return. Then Wolfwood turned and pulled his sunglasses back on before leaving the shop.
Vash sighed heavily, he felt like he needed to sit down, and he ran to the back to gulp down some water. Meryl looked up from where she was stacking take out packages on a shelf, startled by Vash’s sudden entrance and burst of urgency.
"What's wrong?" She looked worried so Vash waved a hand reassuringly, quickly emptying his glass of water and loudly sucking in a deep breath after he finished it. He took a moment to catch his breath before looking back at her with a shy smile.
"I just gave Wolfwood my number…"
Meryl's expression changed from concern to excitement in an instant, a huge smile growing on her face as she started squealing in delight.
"Vash!"
Not long after Vash got home that night, his phone went off. He didn't want to get too excited, but he couldn't keep himself from hoping that Wolfwood would text him. He took a deep breath and unlocked his phone, grinning and fist pumping the air as he saw the message from an unknown number.
~ Hey Spikey, it's Wolfwood 😎