Ohgods, i just realized i havent updated this collection in ages! Have this quick little warmup drabble I wrote today! Obviously quite D. Adams inspired, this one. ;)

written for a Bartender AU prompt

The bartender's horns gleamed in the light of the bar.

His hands firmly held onto the silver shaker in his hands as he mixed drink after drink with practiced ease.

It was when he whirled one shaker through the air that he saw the person heading for him, his interest immediately piqued. A cloak was concealing their face, but they moved with an elegance and determination that left no doubt they were seeking him out directly.

Natsu caught the shaker without looking, his eyes trained on the person as they took a seat on the barstool in front of him.

"Nice day, huh?" he greeted ironically, and saw the person's lips quirk. They were full and soft, glistening with lipgloss. A woman.

"Nice day indeed," she answered, taking off her hood. Blonde hair, albeit bound in a high ponytail, spilled over her left shoulder. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she smiled at him. "As nice as a day can get at the end of the universe, where neither day nor night exist."

Natsu smirked. "That's the joke."

"Oh, I got it. Very funny." Her smile was mild, but he saw the amusement on her face nonetheless. "I'll take a Throat Burner."

His brows quirked curiously. "You sure?"

"Would I order one if I wasn't?" she retorted without missing a beat, eyes calm yet resolute. "You're the one they call Salamander, aren't you?"

Natsu faltered. Then, he nodded, his brows pulling together as he did so. What was she up to?

"You didn't come all the way to the end of the universe just for a Throat Burner, did you?"

"Well," she said with a smile, "I heard you make the best."

He huffed out a laugh. "That's certainly true."

"I also heard you're one of the last people from Draconis VII."

Natsu set the glass he'd held down onto the counter forcefully. His eyes darted up to meet hers, a clear warning in them. But just as ever, her face remained unimpressed. This was a weird one. He kind of liked it.

Quite impressive, to know who he was and not bat an eyelash.

"What if I am?" he grunted, shoving the drink in her direction.

She held it up carefully, inspecting it in the light. Smoke rose from it. Then her eyes dropped to the scales on his forearms. "Well if you are, I have an offer to make you."

"An offer?" His voice remained sceptical.

"I heard there's treasure there." She held the glass to her lips carefully.

"I'm not going back there," his voice cut into the silence that had followed her statement. "And damn sure not for some treasure."

"Oh, I don't want you to go back for the treasure. I'll keep that one for myself. I want you to go back for the dragon guarding it."

Their eyes locked in a silent battle, and Natsu licked his lips.

"I heard you have a bone to pick with him," she continued, eyeing him up curiously.

Natsu leaned over the counter, taking the glass from her and taking a sip. She kept looking at him in amusement. He exhaled a small flame.

"Are you trying to get yourself fired so you can come with me?" she asked.

"It's a suicide mission," he told her calmly.

"I know," she answered, and finally took a sip of her drink. She spluttered, her eyes growing wide as she tried to keep a cool. Her cheeks turned red, and she took a wheezing breath as tears welled up in her eyes.

He really couldn't let her go her alone, could he?

A weirdo like her wouldn't last a minute on his home planet.

She was clasping at the counter now, begging him for a glass of water. Natsu grinned.

"When are we leaving?"