It was one of those days in early October, where the leaves were just beginning to turn and the wind was only chilly enough that a sweater was optional for the brave. Joey was glad to be inside; he was never one for the cold. As soon as shorts-wearing weather was over, it was winter as far as he was concerned. This post-summer, pre-Halloween atmosphere not only gave him the willies (he would not freely admit it, but Halloween scared the shit out of him) but also made him woefully count down the days 'til next April and the blissful melting of the snow.

This time of year was damn good for business though he had to admit. Patrons flocked in after the first frost, looking for Joey's famous, deliciously brewed coffee and his exclusive, homemade pastries.

Five years out of High School, and Joey had finally made a name for himself. He had always had a knack for the arts (he was still quite convinced that math was invented as a method of torture and had absolutely no practical use whatsoever), and after a few years of bumming around, working odd jobs, he finally discovered that his artistic skills were best used when mixed with Joey's other favourite pastime; food. A few culinary classes and a visit from his old friend, Lady Luck, and here he was, running his own small, quaint, coffee shop.

Joey looked out the large front window of his shop, watching the street expectantly. The pink window marker that had today's special in Joey's own backward handwriting partially blocked his view, as well as the large white sticker that proudly had the shop's name ("Cup 'o Joe") in curly writing with the image of a coffee mug, to the street beyond. Mondays were always quiet at this time, but Joey knew his customers well.

"Good morning, Fai!" Joey chirped as the bell above the door chimed and a young man walked in.

"Hi Joey! How are you today?" an airy voice replied. Fai was a tall, thin man, with white blonde hair and large blue eyes, though the left one had a strange golden tint about it. Today he was sporting a fashionable black pea coat, brown corduroys and a blue knitted hat, a true high class business man.

Joey didn't have to ask what Fai needed. He came in every weekday at 10am for one large black coffee and a fresh croissant with butter. He had been coming to Cup 'o Joe everyday for the last six months. It almost made Joey sad knowing that the delicious pick-me-up wasn't for Fai himself, but for his boss. Some big hotshot by the way the fair blonde described him, probably some architect or a graphic designer. Sometimes Joey would slip an extra croissant or a honey glazed donut into the paper bag for Fai to enjoy on his walk back to the office.

Joey handed the man his coffee and pastry, already made and waiting.

"Thank you," Fai replied politely, handing Joey the appropriate amount of change, "how was your weekend, Joe? Did you get your sister moved in?"

Joey flashed his trademark grin, leaning forward on the counter, "Yes, sir! She's starting her program next month! She's even going to start helping me out here on weekends."

"Ah, yes, I remember you saying. That's good, Joe, you need a day off once in a while you know," Fai smiled kindly.

"Nah," Joey knew the bags under his eyes betrayed his enthusiasm, "Kurogane and I have things under control. An extra set of hands never hurts though."

"Kurogane…is ah…he working today?" Fai tried to act nonchalant, but Joey saw the blush creeping up on his face. He knew his regular had a crush on the surly, dark haired man. Joey had only hired Kurogane a few months ago, when he could no longer deny the fact that he didn't have eight arms and couldn't make enough deli sandwiches to satisfy the lunchtime rush alone.

"He'll be in at noon," Joey said casually, not wanting to embarrass his friend.

"Well, maybe I'll be back for lunch," Fai smiled brightly as he backed out of the shop, nodding his farewell to Joey.

"Have a good one, Fai! Don't work too hard," he called after the blonde.

Three hours later and Joey was buried up to his elbows in dishes while Kurogane served the last of the lunch rush. Joey wiped the sweat that was accumulated on the bridge of his nose, effectively covering his face with soap bubbles. He blew them off unceremoniously, too involved in his task to notice how ridiculous he looked.

"Hey, boss," Kurogane rumbled in his deep voice, "I need a fresh mug over here!" The man was a giant, with black spikey hair and eyes as red as rubies. He was quite an intimidating sight at first, but he was a hard worker, and though he wasn't very gentle with the customers, he was a damn good cook.

Joey slid a mug across the counter and began to pile the other dishes neatly beside the sink to dry. He turned to survey his small shop proudly. It only had four small tables with wooden chairs, and a few cushy lounge chairs scattered around the small space, but it was cozy. Joey kept a bookshelf with some of his favourite classics (yes, Joey did enjoy a book from time to time) and a stack of today's paper near the far wall so his guests could relax with their warm beverages. There was even a crappy old TV in one corner that always had the news or sports (hockey was a personal favourite of Joey's) for those less interested in literary entertainment. There was a small kitchen in the back where all the soups and baked goods were prepared, with a large sink and a couple big ovens. The counter where the cash register sat separated the seating area from the kitchen, but no walls blocked the visitors' view of where their food was prepared. Joey found that being able to watch your fresh croissant rising in the oven made it feel more like mom's cooking. It made it feel like home. In summation, the shop was comfortable. It was a horrible mismatch of furniture and colours, but it somehow made perfect sense. This shop was Joey's pride and joy.

The bell above the door jangled brightly.

"Welcome to Cup 'o Joe, what can we do for-"

Joey stopped mid sentence as he looked up from his dishes.

"Kaiba?"

The man stared back at him. Joey could see his own surprise reflected in those deep blue eyes. Eyes he hadn't seen in nearly five years.

"What are you doing here?" Joey demanded, some of the old hostility he held for the other man creeping into his voice.

"I was under the impression that I could get coffee here," Kaiba replied coolly. "When Fai described the place though, I didn't think it would be so…" he glanced around at the small misfit land of furniture, "chic", the last word slipped out, slathered in sarcasm.

Joey was about to defend his shop when he realized what the CEO had just said, "Fai is your assistant? I've been making you coffee everyday?!" Joey's heart skipped a beat. His precious, delicious pieces of art were being consumed by this asshole?! (No, he is not being over dramatic, thank you very much).

Joey stemmed his anger. He was a grown man now, not an unruly teenager. He would not allow himself to become so overwhelmed with old emotions. It was not professional after all. Maybe Kaiba had grown up too.

"It would appear that way," Kaiba replied dryly.

Krogane cleared his throat awkwardly in an attempt to break the tension. "Can I get you anything, bud?" he asked Kaiba, who was still staring icily at his old rival.

Kaiba tore his eyes from Joey for a moment, not reacting to being called 'bud' (to Joey's surprise), and politely ordered a large black coffee to go.

"How long have you been working here, Wheeler? Long enough to become acquaintances with my assistant apparently," Kaiba's voice filled the silence, only disturbed by the sound of Kurogane preparing his coffee.

Joey laughed rudely, "Work here? I own here," he gloated, happy to have, for once, exceeded the brunet's pitiful expectations of him. He prepared himself for the snide retort, a string of insults ready and waiting on his tongue.

Kaiba raised an eyebrow in surprise, "I'm impressed," he stated simply. Maybe he had changed.

Kurogane stepped in, handing Kaiba his coffee and taking the man's money.

"Well," Kaiba began as he headed towards the door, "now that I know where my coffee comes from, perhaps I'll send Fai to get it for me less often."

The statement confused Joey as he tried to figure out whether it was a compliment or an insult. Just as he decided it was most likely the latter and he should probably respond with something scathing, a loud noise caught him off guard.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming," Kaiba muttered.

Joey became even more confused. He knew that he, nor Kurogane, nor Kaiba had made the noise. And there was no one else inside the store. The noise had come loudly and sharply from just beyond the front door of the coffee shop. In fact, it didn't sound like any kind of noise that a human would make at all…it sounded more like…

"Whoa, Kaiba! Do you have a dog?" Joey gaped. He rushed around the counter to join the other man at the door. He had to see this.

"Unfortunately," Kaiba sighed.

Sitting obediently just outside the front of the coffee shop, sat the most beautiful golden retriever Joey had ever seen. This animal was obviously well bred and well mannered, just like his owner. He wore a red, studded collar with his golden rabies tag dangling proudly over his glossy golden fur. The dog opened his mouth, his tongue lolling out in a dopey, loving expression.

"It's okay, Joey, we're leaving now," Kaiba spoke gently.

Joey paused, puzzled as to why Kaiba's tone towards him had changed so suddenly. He narrowed his eyes, looking from the dog to Kaiba, realization pushing its way through his cloud of confusion.

"Uhhmm, I don't mean to be rude or anything, but…did you name your fucking dog after me!?" Joey's voice became louder as he spoke what he feared to be the truth, pointing an accusing finger at Kaiba.

The brunette looked at Joey, his eyes slightly wider than normal, and his expression similar to that of a child with his hand caught in a cookie jar. He obviously had forgotten who was within earshot when he spoke to his canine companion.

Kaiba regained his composure nearly as quickly as he had lost it, straightening his posture and snapping his fingers at his side until the retriever stood and heeled. Kaiba cleared his throat and put on his famous "I'm a prick" smirk.

"Well, you can't deny the similarities, can you? The vacant expression, the unyielding loyalty to his master, the drool…"

Joey clenched his teeth. He would not stoop to Kaiba's level. He would not succumb to his old street rat ways and punch Kaiba right in the teeth. He had a reputation to uphold, and being plastered on the front page of the newspaper for knocking out the CEO of Kaiba Corp was probably not good for business. So instead, Joey looked Kaiba right in the eyes, brown honey burning into cold sapphire, turned on his heel, and slammed the door of his coffee shop in the asshole's face.

Joey resolved to visit the hardware store that evening to get a "No Dogs Allowed" sign and post it outside his shop the next morning.

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AN

I am willing to make this a multi-chapter fic if anyone is interested Please leave me a review! Thanks for reading!