Work Text:
In a cozy coffee shop on a snowy December morning, Joey Wheeler wiped a spot on the counter for what felt like the hundredth time that day. The frosted windows framed a picture-perfect winter scene outside: thick, soft snowflakes drifting lazily down, dusting the streets and quieting the morning hustle of Domino City. Inside, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint sweetness of cinnamon and nutmeg, adding warmth to the small space.
Joey pulled his sleeves down a bit more, fighting off the lingering chill. Despite the smell of warmth and comfort, there was an undeniable draft that managed to sneak through every time the door swung open. Business was booming, as it always was in the winter months. Snowy mornings like this brought an endless stream of customers seeking a warm refuge and something to sip while they waited out the weather. For Joey, that meant juggling orders, brewing drinks, and finding time to catch his breath between the non-stop clinking of mugs and steaming espresso shots.
The morning rush had just begun to wind down, leaving a handful of customers tucked into corners, savoring their lattes or typing away on laptops. Joey leaned against the counter for a fleeting moment of rest, scanning the room. The shop was alive with the buzz of conversation and the occasional laugh, the kind of warmth that made the hustle worth it, even on the busiest days.
Then, the familiar chime of the doorbell cut through the cozy ambiance, letting in a burst of cold air along with the sharp silhouette of a man Joey knew all too well. Seto Kaiba.
The "VIP" customer.
As always, Kaiba entered with an air of detached confidence, the door’s chime a mere formality in his presence. Snowflakes clung to his coat and the edge of his sleek, navy-blue scarf, melting into tiny droplets that sparkled in the dim lighting. Joey didn’t need to guess at the price of Kaiba’s outfit—just one button on that coat probably cost more than he made in a week.
Joey braced himself, plastering on a practiced smile that he hoped wasn’t too forced. Kaiba didn’t notice—or maybe he did and just didn’t care. His piercing blue eyes swept over the café with a hint of disinterest before landing on Joey at the counter.
“Medium Americano,” Kaiba said, his voice cool and detached as ever. No greeting, no “please,” just the order, like he was in a boardroom, commanding his barista the same way he would an employee. Joey bit back a sigh and set to work, trying to ignore the tension that came with serving Domino’s wealthiest—and arguably crankiest—CEO.
But something was different today. Kaiba’s usual routine was to order, wait impatiently by the counter, then leave as soon as his coffee hit his hand. Today, though, he lingered, his eyes scanning the room before finally settling on a corner table by the window. He folded his coat over the back of the chair, sat down, and watched the snow outside in contemplative silence.
Joey watched out of the corner of his eye as he made the coffee, curiosity sneaking into his thoughts. Why was Kaiba sitting down? Did he have some sort of urgent business call or big meeting he was planning out? It wasn’t any of Joey’s business, of course, but after weeks of clockwork predictability, the break in routine felt significant. He placed Kaiba’s Americano on the counter, and Kaiba rose from his seat, crossing the café with long, purposeful strides to retrieve his coffee, nodding curtly at Joey before heading back to his table.
As the minutes ticked by, Joey found himself glancing over more than once, wondering if Kaiba was waiting for someone. But no one joined him. The normally irritable CEO sat quietly by himself, sipping his coffee as if he actually wanted to enjoy it this time.
Joey didn’t think much of it, dismissing Kaiba’s odd behavior as a fluke—everyone had their off days, even billionaires, he figured. But when Kaiba came in the next day at the exact same time, sitting down with that same lingering gaze, Joey’s curiosity only deepened. In the days that followed, Kaiba’s timing had just happened to line up with the last leg of Joey’s shift. He didn’t even order anything new, just the same Medium Americano, always showing up when Joey was counting down the minutes until he could clock out and close up.
The days grew shorter and colder as Christmas approached, and with every snow-dusted morning, the little coffee shop grew warmer, bustling with holiday spirit. Joey had started to see familiar faces every day, especially in those last hours before he closed up, when the regulars dropped by for their evening pick-me-ups. But the most surprising regular of all was, unmistakably, Seto Kaiba.
By now, it had gone from strange to downright confusing. Kaiba had long since dropped his simple Americano order. Instead, he had started requesting the seasonal special: a Nordic Dark Roast with “notes of chocolate and cedar,” as the sign read, paired with a plain bagel, topped with smoked salmon. It was a choice Joey wouldn’t have pinned on him—too complex for someone as matter-of-fact as Kaiba. And yet, every day for a week now, there he was, right before closing, ordering his Nordic Dark Roast, bagel, and salmon, and then… lingering.
Joey knew how he must look, ducking glances in Kaiba’s direction every few minutes, but he couldn’t help it. It was just so odd. Normally, Kaiba was the type to get his order, toss a few spare dollars into the tip jar without a second look, and leave. The man barely even said “thank you.” And yet here he was, seated in the same spot by the window, as if waiting for something.
Joey set a coffee mug down with a soft clink and stole another glance over at Kaiba. The man sat with his arms crossed, staring out the window, eyes distant as if somewhere between contemplation and anxiety. Joey supposed it wasn’t unusual for someone to want a quiet space, but why his shop? Why, right before closing every night?
Joey turned back to the espresso machine, adjusting the grind settings while trying to untangle his thoughts. Kaiba had changed his order, was showing up daily, and now looked like he was waiting for something—or someone. The idea that this could be for his benefit had crossed Joey’s mind, but he’d dismissed it. Seto Kaiba? Interested in chatting up some blonde barista like him? Fat chance.
And yet… After a few more days Kaiba had started talking to him. Or trying to.
“Busy day?” Kaiba asked, his tone almost stiff as he picked up his coffee.
“Not too bad,” Joey had replied, giving a casual shrug as he slid the bagel and smoked salmon across the counter. Kaiba had nodded, taken his seat, and resumed his silent watch of the café, looking up now and then as though trying to gather the nerve to say something else.
Then, the next evening, Kaiba tried again.
“You... don’t seem to mind the cold months much,” he said abruptly when Joey placed down his coffee and bagel. Joey blinked, mildly thrown off by random question. Not only was it out of nowhere, but there was an awkward edge to it, a hesitation that he didn’t expect from someone as self-assured as Kaiba.
“Uh, yeah. Kinda used to it,” Joey replied, trying not to sound as bewildered as he felt. “And, good month to earn money, y’know?”
Kaiba nodded slowly, his mouth set in a line, as if scolding himself for the question. “Right,” he muttered. “Winter business is... intense.”
For some reason, Joey had to bite back a grin. A CEO fumbling his way through small talk about weather? What next? But he kept it polite, nodding as he wiped down the counter, wondering if Kaiba had lost a bet and was doing this against his will.
The thought gnawed at him even after Kaiba left for the night. By the next evening, Joey felt sure there was something else going on. Every conversation was like a puzzle—like Kaiba had planned out each comment in his head, only for it to come out clumsy and uncertain. Joey was still bewildered but starting to feel something else. It dawned on him, somewhere between pouring Kaiba’s coffee and toasting his bagel, that he might be the cause of it after all. Kaiba’s lingering gazes, the awkward attempts at conversation, even the fact that he was coming in every night right before Joey closed up.
It was... a crush.
Joey tried to hold in his laughter as he realized the ridiculousness of the situation. The CEO of KaibaCorp, one of the sharpest businessmen in Domino City, was apparently trying to make small talk with a barista he had a crush on and was failing, hard. Joey, still reeling from his realization, could hardly look Kaiba in the eye that night. If he had thought about it, Kaiba’s demeanor made perfect sense. The man knew how to command a room, run a business, crush competitors in every deal he made—but flirting? Connecting with someone personally? That was apparently foreign territory.
When Kaiba ordered his Nordic Dark Roast that next night, Joey felt a tiny bit of amusement mixed with genuine sympathy. He handed over the coffee with a slightly warmer smile than usual, deciding to let the guy off the hook.
“You know,” Joey said, leaning his elbows on the counter with a casual grin, “you don’t have to make small talk with me if you’re just here to enjoy your coffee. But, uh, if you’re lookin’ to talk, I don’t mind.”
Kaiba froze, blinking once, and his eyes flickered with a mix of embarrassment and surprise. For the first time since he’d started showing up, Joey saw a flicker of something almost like relief in Kaiba’s expression.
“Thank you,” Kaiba replied, his voice softer than usual. “I... might take you up on that.”
Joey felt a pang of pity mixed with an unexpected thrill at the realization. Not because of his name or wealth—though, yeah, that didn’t hurt—but because it was Kaiba. The Kaiba, who was somehow both sharp and reserved, self-assured, was also totally clueless when it came to talking with a person he liked. Joey had to admit, it was kind of adorable.
As Kaiba settled into his usual spot by the window, Joey prepared his coffee and bagel, catching himself glancing over every few seconds. He still couldn’t quite believe it. Seto Kaiba, the wealthiest man of Domino, the youngest self-made billionaire and prodigy in cutting edge technology looked kind of… lost.
And, Joey thought with a smirk, it wouldn’t kill him to help the guy out. Carrying the Nordic Dark Roast and bagel over to Kaiba’s table, Joey placed them down with a casual ease, leaning his arm on the back of the chair across from Kaiba.
“So,” Joey started, trying to keep his tone light and friendly, “how’s your day been? Got any big KaibaCorp deals that you had to close out before stopping by?”
Kaiba looked up, visibly caught off guard, and blinked. “Uh—yes. Some... work.” His eyes darted to the coffee, as if hoping for some inspiration in the steam rising from it. “Mostly routine. Just… progress reports.”
Joey chuckled at the stiff response. It was like Kaiba was reading from a script. “Progress reports, huh? Sounds exciting.” He let the sarcasm linger, waiting for Kaiba’s reaction.
Kaiba’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly, like he was trying not to smile. “Exciting wouldn’t be the word I’d use,” he admitted, sounding slightly more comfortable.
It was progress. Joey grinned.“Well, at least you get a decent break in between all that ‘progress.’ Can’t imagine anyone bein’ productive without a good coffee every now and then, right?” Joey said, nodding toward the Nordic Dark Roast. “You’ve got good taste, by the way. Not everyone goes for the cedar-chocolate mix.”
For a moment, Kaiba looked at him as though Joey had just handed him the key to a locked door. A small, genuine smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I thought… a change might be worth trying.”
Joey’s grin widened. “Yeah? I’d say it suits you. Bold but a little unexpected, if you know what I mean.”
Kaiba looked like he wasn’t entirely sure whether Joey was joking or not, but his face softened as he nodded slowly. “Thank you. I… suppose it does.” Kaiba shifted his weight slightly, his fingers brushing the edge of the mug as he tried to keep the conversation going without fumbling it. “Do you… have a favorite drink out of everything you serve here?” he asked, his tone carefully casual but with a hint of genuine curiosity.
Joey raised an eyebrow, tilting his head as if considering Kaiba’s question more seriously than one might expect. “Favorite, huh? That’s a tough one. I mean, I’ve tried just about every combo you can think of—you kinda gotta when you work a joint like this—but if I had to pick...” He paused, a lopsided grin breaking across his face. “The Maple Cinnamon Latte’s probably my go-to. Got that warm, cozy feel to it, y’know? Like a hug in a mug. Plus, it’s great on a cold day like this.”
Kaiba blinked, processing the phrase "hug in a mug" like it was a piece of alien technology. “I… see. That does sound… comforting.” His voice softened slightly, and he found himself holding onto the thread of the conversation like it was a lifeline. “Do you think it’s… a reflection of your personality? The drink you prefer?”
Joey let out a short laugh, leaning his weight on the chair. “What, like some kinda coffee horoscope? Never thought about it like that, but I guess it could be. If that’s the case, I’m just sayin’ your Nordic Dark Roast makes you a pretty deep guy, huh? Complex, bold, with a hint of bittersweet. Fits you to a T.”
Kaiba’s ears turned faintly red, though his expression didn’t betray much else. He glanced out the window, snow falling slowly and covering the streets with a white blanket, then back at Joey. “And what does your choice say about you?” he asked, his voice quieter, almost hesitant.
Joey chuckled again, his grin softening into something more genuine. “Guess it says I’m all about the simple stuff. Nothin’ too fancy, just somethin’ that feels right and warm. That’s kinda me in a nutshell.”
Kaiba nodded thoughtfully, then opened his mouth, hesitated, and closed it again. He looked like he was weighing his next words as if they were the stock prices of a company he’d just acquired.
There was something endearing about how seriously Kaiba took even the simplest exchanges. Joey wanted to laugh but also didn’t want to scare him off, so he leaned in a little, taking it upon himself to keep the conversation rolling. He could only imagine what it was like for Kaiba to come out of his comfort zone like this, and if Joey could help him feel a little less awkward, then he’d do it.
“So, you come here every day just for the coffee, huh?” Joey asked, a teasing glint in his eye.
Kaiba shifted his weight again, feeling that Joey’s teasing tone had a way of making him both uneasy and oddly comfortable at the same time. He raised an eyebrow, deflecting slightly. “The coffee is… certainly a factor,” he replied, his tone measured but tinged with something softer. “But… not the only one.”
“Oh, yeah?” Joey said, his grin widening. “So what else brings ya in here every day? Don’t tell me it’s the pastries—we both know they’re not winning any awards.”
Kaiba almost smiled at that, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. “No, not the pastries,” he admitted. His blue eyes flickered to Joey’s for a brief second before he quickly looked away, like he wasn’t ready for the connection. “I suppose… it’s the atmosphere. It’s different from what I’m used to.”
Joey leaned on the counter, crossing his arms. “Different how? Can’t imagine there’s nothin’ cozy about those big ol’ fancy offices of yours.”
Kaiba’s gaze dropped to the cup of Nordic Dark Roast in his hand. He studied it for a moment as though searching for the right words. “Cozy isn’t exactly a priority in my line of work,” he said quietly. “This place… it’s unassuming. People come here to… take a break, not to strategize or compete. It’s… refreshing.”
Joey tilted his head, his grin softening into something more thoughtful. “Guess that makes sense,” he said after a moment. “You’re always on, huh? Always got somethin’ to prove, some big deal to close.”
Kaiba didn’t reply right away. Instead, he glanced back up at Joey, his expression unreadable but no longer distant. “Something like that,” he murmured. “It doesn’t leave much room for anything else.”
Joey had to admit, watching Domino’s coolest CEO lose his cool over a bit of light teasing was… fun. There was something oddly satisfying about seeing cracks in Kaiba’s polished exterior, something that made him seem more real. Joey leaned casually on the chair, deciding to switch gears. “So, when you do make room for something more fun—besides your daily coffee runs here—what do you get up to? Got any hobbies, or is work your whole life?”
Kaiba blinked, as though the question caught him off guard. He straightened a little, almost defensive at first, before he answered. “Chess.”
“Chess?” Joey repeated, raising an eyebrow. “Okay, I’ll give you that. Strategic, kinda intense… yeah, I can see it. But just chess? C’mon, there’s gotta be more.”
Kaiba shifted, his fingers brushing the edge of his cup. “Well… Duel Monsters, of course.”
At that, Joey let out a hearty laugh. He waved a hand apologetically at Kaiba, who looked slightly startled by the reaction. “Sorry, sorry,” Joey said, still chuckling. “It’s just… man, you’re really on brand, huh? Makes sense, though. You’re kinda the king of that, right? I saw you duel on TV back in high school a couple times. Big, flashy tournaments and all. Looked like a whole other world.”
Kaiba tilted his head, studying Joey carefully, as though trying to gauge if he was being mocked. But Joey’s grin was easygoing, genuine, no trace of sarcasm. “You didn’t play?” Kaiba asked, his tone somewhere between curious and surprised. “It was everywhere back then and still is.”
Joey shrugged, leaning his weight on one elbow. “Oh, I dabbled. Played a little, but nothin’ serious. Money was tight, y’know? Kinda hard to build a decent deck when you’re workin’ with loose change and luck.” He smirked, his voice turning light. “Guess I left the big leagues to guys like you.”
For a moment, Kaiba’s expression softened, almost imperceptibly, at Joey’s honesty. “It’s not always about the cards,” he said quietly, almost like he was speaking more to himself than to Joey. “It’s about how you play them. It’s a test of skill, strategy, and discipline. Something that’s earned.”
The next few nights followed a similar rhythm: Kaiba would come in, Joey would gently nudge him into conversation, and the awkward silences slowly became fewer and farther between. Each night, Joey found himself looking forward to those last moments before close. And somewhere between the small talk and the lingering glances, Joey’s pity for Kaiba’s awkwardness turned into something else entirely.
Joey wasn’t blind—Kaiba was handsome in that sharp, intimidating way, and the longer they talked, the more Joey found himself intrigued, wondering what lay behind the stiff posture and the tight-lipped professionalism. And with every hesitant, almost clumsy attempt Kaiba made at conversation, Joey’s heart softened just a bit more.
By the end of one particularly snowy night, as Joey locked up the shop, Kaiba lingered, shuffling a little in the slush by the door.
“Tomorrow,” Kaiba said, his tone carefully casual, “if you’re working, I’ll see you again.”
Joey grinned, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the holiday lights or the coffee shop heater. “Yeah, Kaiba. I’ll be here.”
A week before Christmas, Joey found himself practically counting down the hours to closing every night. He knew he should feel ridiculous for getting so worked up over one customer, but he couldn’t help it. Seto Kaiba, the mysterious and stone-faced CEO who seemed out of place in a cozy coffee shop, was quickly becoming the highlight of his day.
It wasn’t just that Kaiba was ridiculously good-looking—which he was. But now that Joey had seen that tiny, awkward side of him—the guy who struggled to make small talk and who looked utterly helpless trying to flirt—Kaiba wasn’t just handsome. He was, somehow, cute. It was a fact that Joey couldn’t wrap his head around, but there it was.
The first few times Kaiba had come in, Joey had been mostly confused, maybe a little irritated by the dry orders. Now, every time that bell chimed right before closing, he felt a little jolt of excitement, catching himself grinning before he even saw Kaiba walk in. And it was funny, in a way. Joey Wheeler, just some random barista and small shop owner, was falling for one of the most unreachable guys in the city. But Kaiba was there, every night without fail, and something about it was becoming the best part of his routine.
Tonight, Kaiba walked in a bit later than usual, dusting off the snow that clung to his coat, his breath fogging up the air as he opened the door. Joey didn’t even try to hide the grin that spread across his face as he reached for the Nordic Dark Roast beans, already moving to make Kaiba’s drink.
“Thought maybe you weren’t comin’ in tonight,” Joey said, filling the espresso machine.
Kaiba seemed to hesitate, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered his words. “I—was delayed,” he said, his voice stiff as he ran a hand through his hair. His gaze darted from Joey to the counter, then to the window, where the snow fell thick and fast against the glass.
“Hey, long as you’re here now, right?” Joey replied with a chuckle, watching Kaiba’s face carefully as he pulled the shot. It was so obvious now, the way Kaiba tried to mask his discomfort, his eyes flicking away every time Joey met his gaze. Joey knew that look. He’d felt it himself a few times with people he liked, that urge to keep looking but the fear of being caught.
Kaiba’s hand tightened slightly on the edge of the counter as he waited for his drink. Joey thought he might be working up to something, maybe finally going for whatever was on his mind.
“Do you… I mean, do you often… stay here late?” Kaiba asked, his tone hesitant and getting lower with every word.
Joey almost laughed at how out of his element Kaiba looked right now. He leaned on the counter, casually letting his hand rest on his chin. “Well as you would be able to tell, most of the times yes. But only when I’ve got a reason to.” His tone was teasing, the grin widening on his face when he saw the faintest flicker of surprise cross Kaiba’s expression.
Kaiba swallowed, his face heating up slightly. “I… see,” he managed, looking down at his coffee as though it held some answer he’d been searching for. He took a deep breath, then glanced back up at Joey with a serious expression, like he’d finally decided on what he wanted to say.
“Joey, I… wanted to—”
Joey raised an eyebrow, leaning forward just slightly to encourage him. “Wanted to what?”
Kaiba took another breath, the furrow between his brows deepening as he struggled with his next words. “If you’re… available… perhaps… you might want to… that is…”
Joey’s heart skipped, not entirely sure where this was going but feeling like he had a pretty good guess. The hesitation, the way Kaiba’s hand kept clenching and unclenching as if he didn’t know what to do with it—Joey realized that Kaiba was trying, in his own painfully awkward way, to ask him out. And the thought made Joey’s stomach flip in the best possible way.
But when he saw Kaiba red-faced and floundering like a fish out of water, Joey felt a sudden urge to save him the trouble. He let out an amused huff, bracing himself and gathering the nerve.
“Hey, Kaiba,” Joey interrupted, his voice a little softer now, feeling the weight of the moment as he locked eyes with the brunette. “I get off my shift in a few minutes. How about… we go get a bite together? Somewhere that isn’t here?” He raised his eyebrows in a hopeful but confident invitation, waiting to see how Kaiba would respond.
Kaiba blinked, his eyes widening just slightly, and for a brief second, Joey thought he might say no. But then Kaiba’s expression softened, and he gave a tiny, almost tentative nod. “Yes. I… I would like that,” he replied, the hint of a smile breaking through his usual reserved expression that filled tabloids.
Joey felt a warmth spread through his chest, relief and excitement mingling as he grinned back. “Great. Just gimme a few minutes to close up, and we can head out.”
He turned to finish up his tasks, his mind racing with disbelief that he’d actually done it—that they were really going out. And as he swept up, he kept glancing over at Kaiba, who, despite his composed exterior, looked almost… relieved. Like he’d finally found his answer.
Ten minutes later, Joey pulled on his coat, feeling the cold bite of winter against his cheeks as he held the door open for Kaiba. They stepped out into the snowy evening, their breath visible in the chilled air, and for a few moments they just walked side by side, the silence between them easy and warm.
“So, any preferences for dinner, Mr. CEO?” Joey teased, nudging Kaiba lightly.
Kaiba raised an eyebrow but didn’t hide the faint smile on his lips. “I’ll leave that to you… Joey.” The way he said his name, carefully and almost like it was something he’d been holding onto, made Joey’s stomach do a flip.
“Alright, then. There’s a great little place not too far from here. You like Italian food?” Joey grinned, watching Kaiba’s face with interest.
Kaiba looked almost thoughtful, as if considering it with utmost care. “I… sure,” he said, that hint of softness in his voice that made Joey’s heart beat just a little faster.
They walked on through the snow, shoulders almost brushing, and Joey realized that whatever tonight had in store, he couldn’t wait to find out.