Chapter Text
Luigi had imagined opening day a hundred different ways. In most of them, the shop was quiet. A soft morning. Gentle music. Maybe one or two customers trickled in while he carefully crafted the first drinks of the day.
What he hadn't imagined…
“Can I get two caramel lattes?”
“Coming right up!” Luigi said to his customer.
…was a line.
Not a huge one, but still a line. Three people waited near the register while the tiny café buzzed with low conversation and the steady hiss of the espresso machine.
Luigi moved quickly behind the counter, making his green apron tighter before he worked. Steam rose from the milk pitcher in his hand. He poured it carefully into a cup, swirling foam into a neat little leaf.
“Caramel latte for Daisy!” he said, sliding the cup across the counter.
His best friend, in the bright orange shirt and cut-off shorts, grinned. “Ooooh, fancy stuff, mister barista.” She said with a short laugh.
Luigi rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Still practicing.”
“Still adorable,” she said, grabbing the drink before heading back to her table.
At the window, his sister Maria, in her signature red cap, raised her mug. “Hey, Lu!” She called. “This cappuccino’s great!”
Luigi brightened immediately. “Really?!”
“Yes, really, bro,” the woman said with a laugh. “Way better than that chain place down the street. I told you it would be great!”
Luigi puffed up with quiet pride and turned back to the machine.
Opening his café had been terrifying. But moments like this, with people laughing, talking, and enjoying something he made, made it all worth it.
The bell above the door jingled as another customer left. The morning rush was slowing a little now. Luigi wiped down the counter, breathing out slowly as the pressure eased from his shoulders.
Maybe today was going to be okay.
Then the bell rang again. The sound was different this time. Not louder. Just… heavier.
Luigi glanced toward the door automatically. And froze. Someone had stepped into the doorway. For a split second, Luigi genuinely thought the man might not fit inside.
He was enormous.
Broad shoulders nearly filled the doorframe, and the sunlight behind him cast a huge shadow across the café floor. Curved horns rose from thick red hair, and a spiked shell backpack rested against his back.
Luigi blinked. The man ducked slightly to get through the doorway.
And then…
Children poured in behind him. So many children. Eight if Luigi could count right. They crowded around his legs, chattering excitedly as they spilled into the café.
“Whoa!”
“It smells like chocolate!”
“Dad, look at the cakes!”
Luigi was still holding the rag he’d been using to wipe the counter. He had completely stopped moving.
Because up close? The guy was even bigger.
Tall. Muscular. Covered in leather and spikes as if he’d just walked out of some heavy metal album cover. The man scanned the café slowly, his golden eyes landing on Luigi. And suddenly Luigi became very aware that he was staring.
Very obviously staring. Very rudely staring.
“Oh!” Luigi said, snapping upright so fast he almost knocked over the tip jar.
“H-hi! Welcome!” His voice cracked.
Great.
Fantastic first impression.
Behind the giant man, one of the kids, the shortest of the bunch with bright red hair, tugged on his jacket. “Dad! Can we get chocolate?”
The man looked down at the kid, then back at Luigi.
“…You got hot chocolate?” he asked, voice deep enough to vibrate the espresso cups.
Luigi swallowed. “Yes.”
“Yes, we do.” He said after a beat.
Then the man stepped fully up to the counter.
And Luigi’s brain helpfully supplied a single thought:
Oh no, he’s hot.
Up close, he was even more intimidating. His horns curved back like a bull’s, and faint scars crossed his arms like old battle marks. Yet despite the terrifying appearance, he didn’t seem… mean.
Just large. Very, very large.
He glanced at the menu taped to the counter. Then at Luigi. Then back at the menu again. “…You got hot chocolate?”
Luigi blinked. “Yes! Yes, of course.”
The giant nodded. “Good.” He turned toward the children. “Alright, brats. Line up.”
Chaos erupted.
“I want chocolate!” Said the redhead from earlier.
“I want the swirly drink!” A kid with multicolored streaks said.
“Can I get the one with the sprinkles?!” Yelled one with a big pink bow.
Luigi clutched the counter like a lifeline, hoping his mild fear of the rowdy children wasn’t noticeable.
Breathe.
This was fine. Totally normal. Definitely what he imagined when he started his peaceful artisan café.
The giant leaned his elbows on the counter. “They need a minute,” he said.
Luigi nodded weakly. “That’s okay.”
The man studied him. Up close, his eyes were a strange golden color, sharp, but not unfriendly. “…You new here?” he asked.
Luigi laughed nervously. “Well, uh, this is actually my shop.”
The man’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “You own this place?”
“Yes!” Luigi said, straightening a little, pride slipping into his voice. “I actually just opened today.”
The giant looked around again, this time with a more thoughtful expression. “Hm.”
One of the kids, with a bright blue mohawk, tugged on his arm.
“Dad! I want the marshmallow one!”
The man waved a hand at him. “Hold on.”
Then he looked back at Luigi. “You got names for these drinks or what?”
Luigi brightened instantly. “Oh! Yes! I actually, uh, I name them after desserts.” He said, tapping the menu.
“Like the Strawberry Shortcake Latte, the Cinnamon Roll Cappuccino, and the Banana Cream Cold Brew.”
The giant squinted at the menu. “…You serious?”
Luigi nodded. “It’s fun!”
After a brief pause, the man mutters, “…Hm.”
The giant leaned back slightly. “Alright.” He pointed toward the kids. “Eight hot chocolates.”
Then he paused. “…And one of those cinnamon roll things for me.”
Luigi grinned. “Great choice!”
He turned toward the espresso machine, heart finally settling into a calmer rhythm. Coffee, he understood. Coffee made sense. Behind him, milk steamed with a gentle hiss. The kids gathered around the counter, watching with fascination.
“Whoa!”
“How’s he doing that?!”
“Is that foam?!”
Luigi felt a smile tug at his lips. He liked this part. Making people happy.
He poured the espresso, added cinnamon syrup, steamed milk just right, then carefully finished the drink with a swirl of foam. When he set the mug on the counter, the giant stared at it as if it might explode.
“…That’s fancy.” The large man said.
Luigi laughed softly. “Try it!”
The man lifted the mug cautiously. Took a sip. And froze with his eyes wide open.
Luigi panicked immediately. “Oh no, was something wrong? I can remake—”
“…Damn.”
Luigi blinked. “…What?”
The man took another drink. Then another. “…That’s good.”
Luigi’s entire face lit up. “Really?!”
“Yeah,” the man said promptly. The giant set the mug down and nodded approvingly. “Real good.”
Behind him, the kids were already attacking their hot chocolates with marshmallow-covered enthusiasm.
Luigi leaned against the counter, relief washing through him. Another opening day customer was satisfied. Maybe this whole café dream wasn’t doomed after all.
The giant finished half the drink in one go. Wiping his mouth, he stuck out a large hand. “Name’s Bowser.”
“…Luigi,” Luigi said, shaking hesitantly. He couldn't help but notice how, despite how rough they look, the man's hands were very soft.
Bowser glanced around the shop again. “…Nice place.”
Luigi’s heart fluttered a little. In the back of his head, he wondered why. “Thank you.”
One of the kids, one with bright blue eyes, tugged Bowser’s jacket again.
“Dad! Can we come back tomorrow?!”
Bowser snorted. “Let’s not scare the guy off yet.”
Luigi laughed. “No, it’s okay!” He paused, thinking.
“You’re welcome anytime,” Luigi said shyly.
Bowser looked at him for a moment. “…Careful there, Green.” He said, smirking.
Luigi blinked, startled by the nickname. “Why?”
Bowser jerked a thumb toward the swarm of children demolishing the café seating. “You might regret saying that.”
Luigi looked at the chaos, thankful that the rush died down, and then back at Bowser. And smiled. “…I think I’ll be okay.”
Bowser chuckled.
And just like that, Luigi’s little coffee shop didn’t feel quite so little anymore.