Natsu slumped at the guild’s bar, the weight of sudden loneliness settling in. Ugh, Lucy. Ugh, Happy. Why hadn’t anyone asked him to join them? Now he was stuck here, doomed to a life of solitude - forever alone, forever-

-A mug slammed down in front of him, fiery contents spilling over the rim and tickling his skin. Natsu fought to keep the pout on his face, but it was futile. With a gleeful shout, he grabbed the mug and began chugging, as if his very life depended on it.

The familiar warmth surged down his throat, washing away his earlier feelings. To anyone watching, Natsu probably looked like a maniac, gulping flames as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And don’t even question how a wooden mug could hold fire without burning up - magic, of course.

You might think fire would go down quickly, and usually it would, but Natsu’s unique way of drinking flames was a different experience altogether. He was convinced that Mirajane drew the fire from the guild's cooking flames, letting it absorb her delicious meals.

Ah, this was exactly what he needed. The familiar burn around his lips, the intensity of the flames licking the insides of his cheeks, the bliss of it rolling down his gullet. He tried to stifle a groan as he pried the empty mug from his lips, but the concerned glances from nearby guildmates made it clear he hadn’t succeeded.

Natsu shot Mirajane a grateful grin. He shouldn’t be so worked up about Lucy and Happy leaving for a small job that would only take a few days. He was just about to ask Mirajane if he could take on a mission himself when he noticed she seemed preoccupied, deep in conversation with someone he didn’t recognize.

Curiosity piqued, he leaned in a bit closer, hoping to catch snippets of their serious discussion.

“-But I can’t let you go on this job alone. It’s far too dangerous for one person,” Mirajane said, clearly intent on discouraging the stranger from going solo. Hmm.

A grin began to spread across Natsu’s face as an idea sparked in his mind. If Lucy and Happy could go off on their own without telling him, then he’d just have to do the same. All for food money, of course.

“ME! Me! I’ll go!” He sprang from his stool, hand raised high, brimming with confidence. Natsu turned to the stranger. “I’ll go on this job with you! Name’s Natsu!”