.

.

Watching you walk

I followed you there

Standing too close

It's hurting.

I pictured the words

The warmth of your breath.

I started the fire

It's burning.

- Will Young, "Jealousy"

(:)(A)(:)

Ignite

Chapter #7: Flare

(:)(A)(:)

It was weird.

Overall Lucy had a pretty small appetite. She would kinda just snack on food throughout the day and eat light meals, but she would get the weirdest food cravings that, frankly, put his to shame.

Only a few months after they met, he remembered that she used to always have a pile of golden skinned apples sitting on her counter. They were always fresh, always sweet, and seemed to magically restock in sets of six. When he and Happy were bored (usually waiting for her to get out of the shower) they used to stack them into a pyramid. There would always be an extra that didn't quite fit with their architectural plans, and Natsu would take great pleasure in devouring the spare stem and all. Lucy used to eat them almost religiously every morning, and she'd send him an annoyed glare whenever she caught one (or three) missing. Then one day they just stopped being there. When he asked (because damn it, he had come to look forward to those apples) she merely shrugged and said she didn't feel like them anymore.

He still remembered when, sometime last year, she had blown a ridiculous amount of jewel for some out of season mangos. She had grumbled loudly about the prices even as she dug into her wallet, handing the grinning grocer her money. A week later found him and Happy snickering as she tried to use her charms on the grocer a few streets down to get a cheaper price. It didn't work, and Natsu didn't tell her that she had picked the stingiest merchant in Magnolia to try and haggle with (her ego could use occasional blow). By the time they were back in season, she had grown tired of them and moved onto something else.

Only a few months ago, she had drug him all across Magnolia in search of a peanut butter and toffee treat that she had randomly remembered from childhood. No matter how many stores they checked they couldn't find it, and he swore Lucy sulked about it for a good couple weeks afterwards because of it. In the end, Erza was the one who ended up coming through for the blonde. She had looked for (and found) the desired candy when she was out on a mission at a neighboring city.

It was all just ... bizarre. He understood cravings (Mavis knows he always wanted some good fire food) but he didn't get how she could obsess over a food for weeks and then (just as suddenly as it came) decide she was tired of it. When he had commented it offhandedly to Gray, the ice mage just shrugged and said it probably had something to do with her childhood. She had been a heiress after all – she could probably have whatever she felt like delivered to her at the snap of her little fingers. Overhearing their conversation, Mira had immediately jumped to the conclusion that he had somehow gotten her pregnant. Natsu promptly crushed her hopes when he reminded her that would require them to have sex (seriously, did she really manage to forget Master's sex talk?). Mira's deduction was obviously crazy, but Gray's had some merit. Still, it didn't seem to quite fit Natsu just couldn't understand it. So he just, kinda stopped trying to. In the end he just chalked it up to Lucy being weird and left it at that.

Didn't mean he completely forgot about it though.

Being that he was walking up front with Erza (because he had quickly learned that walking behind Lucy did terrible things to both his sanity and his self control) he had just barely made out the words she mumbled under her breath. In fact, he had to pause in his conversation with Happy in order to string the vowels together into something that made sense. When he did, his feet stopped and he gave the blonde a questioning look. "Tapioca?"

Immediately, both Gray and Erza were also shooting the celestial mage confused looks, and she blushed prettily in her embarrassment. Even Plue, sitting comfortably in her arms, looked up at his master. "Wow, you heard that?" She smiled weakly, tucking a blonde lock behind her ear. "Remind me not to tell any secrets around you, sheesh."

Gray crossed his arms over his chest. Natsu noticed that he had lost his shirt somewhere and bit back the urge to call him out on it. Sometimes seeing how long it took the ice mage to notice was more amusing anyway. "Why do I feel like I missed something?"

Happy hopped off the dragon slayer's shoulder and flew over to the blonde. "Shouldn't you be watching your figure?" he tittered, and (while he knew it was all in jest) Natsu couldn't help the twinge of annoyance he felt at the comment. Apparently Lucy didn't appreciate it either because she promptly swiped at, and missed, the blue haired Exceed.

"Shut up! My figure is just fine, you stupid cat!" she shrieked, face darkening in irritation. Natsu's silently agreed, eyes glancing over her. She was wearing her usual blue and white Heartz Cruz outfit with her dark thigh high socks that did dangerous things to his imagination. The fact that her shirt showed a generous amount of midriff and soft cleavage didn't exactly help. Crap, how had he never noticed exactly how revealing that outfit was until now?

Erza only chuckled, casually flicking some of her scarlet hair over her shoulder, and Natsu realized that if anyone could appreciate a craving for food it was probably the armored red head. Mavis knows she'd all but murder anyone that so much as thought about getting between her and her strawberry cake. "There is a town just up ahead. Perhaps one of the restaurants will have some tapioca pudding?"

Lucy bit her lip, and Natsu found himself staring at her mouth while she was occupied with her thoughts. "I don't want to hold us up ... didn't you say this job was urgent?" In her arms, Plue seemed to lose interest in the conversation and began idly kicking his feet.

For a moment Natsu forgot exactly what their mission was, it hadn't sounded all that exciting when Erza had debriefed them. Something about a dream mage? Boring. From what was reported, they weren't even of the nightmare variety. What the hell was challenging about that?

The requip mage nodded, the warm smile that she seemed to reserve especially for Lucy softening her mouth. "It is, but we will have to stop in town for more information and lodging regardless. While Gray and I get the rooms booked, you three can grab some food for all of us."

The blonde seemed hesitant but eventually agreed like Natsu knew she would. If she was going to spend her precious jewel on over priced fruit, then the dragon slayer had no doubt that she would eventually cave to Erza's offer. "Alright. We'll share rooms like last time?"

Again, Erza nodded. "Yes. We will get one for the boys and one for us girls, as is proper."

Months ago Natsu probably would have complained about the arrangement (he'd room with Lucy before the ice princess any day) but for once he stayed quiet. As much as he enjoyed Lucy's company, with the way she had been causing his blood to simmer lately it was probably a better idea to keep his distance. Especially since she liked to sleep in those tiny shorts and tank tops during the summer. Without a bra. He hadn't crashed her apartment since before their trip to the beach a few weeks ago because of it. He just couldn't muster up the courage. Since Cana's "advice", even looking at Lucy fully clothed had the tendency to put imagination into overdrive, he didn't want to test his self control against her when she was less than decent. Even with Happy there to act as a buffer.

Lucy turned to him and he quickly adjusted his gaze back to her eyes. If she noticed that he had been sneaking glances at places other than her face she remained blissfully silent about it. "You." She adjusted Plue so that he rested on her hip, not unlike a mother would an infant, and pointed her finger at him warningly. "Don't you dare destroy your room! I don't care what Gray does to egg you on!" Her head quickly whipped to face the ice mage, who looked ready to make some smart retort. "Same goes for you! I really need the jewel this month. So please, please, please don't destroy anything!"

Both men shared an uncomfortable look. The last thing either of them wanted was to be the reason behind the busty blonde not making her rent. The steady glare Erza sent them (like she could talk – she was just as prone to destruction as they were) only solidified their resolve and they nodded hastily.

Above them, Happy cheered. At some point during the conversation he had flown higher and now hovered a good hundred or so feet from the ground. "Hey! I can see the town! It's just over this next hill!" He looked down at them, eyes bright. "What kind of fish do you think they have? I want salmon!"

Natsu laughed, his usual carefree grin spreading across his face at the thought of food. Lucy might just want pudding, but he was starving. "Lets go find out!" Happy (needing no further encouragement) zoomed off with a joyful squeel towards the town. Natsu turned to the blonde, grabbing her hand and dragging her ahead of the rest of their little group. "Come on Luce!"

"W-wait!" She stumbled, barely catching herself before tripping. Plue (sensing his mistresses need for both hands) disappeared back into the celestial realm with a golden, glittering glow and a startled 'pluuue!' Natsu eyed her feet warily, ready to catch her should she fall even as he continued to pull her along. Behind them he could hear the ice mage yelling profanities at his back, and smirked. "Natsu," she gasped, "slow down!"

"I thought you wanted tapioca?!" he shouted back at her, flashing a wide grin over his shoulder. "We got to hurry up and find a place that has it!" If that's what she was craving then he'd do everything he could to get it for her, because it would make her happy.

Plus, not having it would have the undesirable effect of making her miserable (which in turn had the habit of making him miserable). So, there was that.

Her cheeks flushed adorably, though Natsu couldn't be sure if it was from embarrassment or from being forced to keep up his relentless run up the hill. "We didn't ask what Gray and Erza wanted!"

He snorted, feet hardly slowing as the crested over the hill. By now the other two mages were beginning to resemble dolls more than full sized people. A few more yards down the path and they would be out of sight completely. "Who cares what snow for brains wants? We'll buy him a block of ice or something."

Lucy raised an eyebrow, seeming skeptical. "And Erza?"

Natsu sent her a disbelieving look. "She likes anything that's sweet and has strawberries."

She giggled and in his grasp her hand squeezed his lightly. "Well, at least you know that much. I think I'll be the one to pick something for Gray though."

Scoffing, he sent her an amused grin. "Anyone who knows Erza, knows her weakness is strawberry cake! We'd all be dead by now if we didn't."

Lucy laughed, her lips spread wide and her eyes crinkling in the corners, and for a moment Natsu forgot himself. She was just so damn beautiful when she smiled like that. It was that fire again – like back at that volcanic island when she was dancing around the bonfire. Her eyes were so bright, so warm. How could there have ever been a time when that smile didn't captivate him?

He was torn from his thoughts when his foot caught on a rock and he found himself falling forward. Panicking, he quickly released her wrist so that he wouldn't bring her down with him. Unfortunately, he didn't have enough time (or forethought) to save his pride. Turning, he managed to save himself from a face full of dirt, but his backside wasn't so lucky, and Natsu found himself blinking up at the clear blue sky.

Beside him, Lucy was laughing hysterically and Natsu cringed, sitting up with a huff. The blonde had both arms wrapped around her middle, tears leaking out the corners of her eyes. Despite his bruised ego, the dragon slayer couldn't help the smile that twitched at the corners of his mouth. It was kind of hard to be angry when she was so amused, even if it was at his expense. "Oi! It's not that funny!

She nodded vigorously, gasping for breath. "Oh, it is. Trust me! After all those times you and Happy laughed at me, this is freaking hilarious!"

He rolled his eyes, but his lips were already widening into a lopsided grin. When her laughter only escalated he found himself joining in (albeit not nearly as enthusiastically). After a moment she seemed to calm down, though random little bouts of murmured laughter still escaped her, and she offered him a hand. Answering her smile with a wide grin, he clasped it and let himself up. Only, as he stood his sharp eyes were drawn to a glint of gold on her wrist, just above her pink guild mark.

Curiosity nagged him, and instead of letting go he found himself bringing her hand up to his face for closer evaluation. A delicate gold chain decorated her wrist - barely noticeable if it weren't for the heart shaped charm decorating it. It looked expensive.

Lucy frowned, eyes blinking in confusion. "What are you-"

"This is new," he said, effectively cutting her off. He knew he wasn't the most observant with these kinds of things, but with the way he'd been ogling - er, watching her the past couple months, he somehow felt like it was something he would have noticed before. He looked up at her, head tilted curiously. "When did you get it?" She hadn't gone shopping in the past few weeks – he knows because he had overheard her only a few days ago complaining to Levy about how she didn't have any Jewel to spare on new clothes. Never mind jewelry.

Lucy blushed, mouth gaping like one of Happy's fish. "I, uh, that is –" She shook her head, as if trying to compose herself, and slid her hand out of his grasp. "It was a gift," she muttered, rubbing her wrist self consciously.

"A gift?" he repeated, eyes blinking. Suddenly panic took him. "Wait! It's not your birthday, is it!?" No that can't be right – her birthday was in July. Wait. "Shit, what month is it?"

Crap, the last time he forgot her birthday she'd been been so disappointed. She'd never admit it, but he could tell. After he had (stupidly) asked her what all the decorations in the guild were for her smile had waned just the tiniest bit at the corners and her shoulders had sagged. The rest of the day all Natsu could feel was guilt when he noticed that she didn't seem to be nearly as cheery as when he had come in.

Lucy laughed, tucking a lock of stray hair behind her ear. She was wearing it down today, the golden strands swaying lightly in the summer breeze. "You're fine Natsu. It's only the end of May." Her eyes twinkled in amusement.

His shoulders sagged, relief washing over him. "Oh." Thank Mavis. If he had forgotten he'd felt terrible. Especially since she hadn't forgotten to celebrate his birthday (well, the one the guild made for him anyway) even once since they became partners. His brows furrowed, eyeing her wrist speculatively. "Well, what was it for then?"

Again, embarrassment flushed her face and she looked away from him. She laughed lightly, but it sounded strained and not nearly as genuine as only a few moments before. "Ah, you know. It was kinda a 'just because' sort of thing."

He frowned, confused by her response and her reaction. Just because? That was a pretty expensive looking gift for there not to be a reason behind it. "Who -"

"Natsu! Lushi~!" Happy called, flying towards them before perching himself on the dragon slayer's shoulder. His whiskers tickled Natsu's cheek as the Exceed peered up at him with large, curious eyes. "What's taking you guys so long?" His blinking gaze moved to the blonde. "I thought you wanted that pudding stuff?"

Lucy snickered at the Exceed's question, her eyes glinting mischievously at the dragon slayer. "Oh, Natsu here took a little tumble."

Happy gave her an incredulous look – they all knew that it was usually Lucy who fell all over herself – and looked at Natsu for confirmation.

He scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin curling his mouth. "Mighta tripped."

Happy's nose crinkled in confusion, his whiskers twitching as he looked between the two of them. "Really?" When they both nodded the feline blinked, as if processing the information, before smiling behind his paw. "Maybe Lucy's clumsiness is infectious!"

"Hey!" the blonde barked, "I'm not diseased!"

"I don't know~!"

They bickered back and forth until Lucy lunged at the grinning Exceed who (as usual) dodged her grasp, flying ahead of her and out of reach. Natsu watched as she jogged after him, shouting threats in response to the cat's taunting laughter. The dragon slayer grinned, following behind them, until his eyes were again drawn to the flash of gold on Lucy's wrist she took a swipe at Happy. His smile waned. Something sour churned in his chest as a thought slowly formed the longer he stared at the little gold chain pressed so intimately against her skin.

Could it be ... from an admirer?

Part of him wanted to reject the thought immediately, but who else would spend that kind of jewel on a gift 'just because'? He remembered the day before they left for that volcano mission, when she had come to the guild wearing that little strapless dress with her silver jewelry glinting off her wrist and ears, and a brighter than normal smile painting her lips. Her face had been so red when she insisted they shouldn't leave until the following morning. Mira's words echoed in his ears - "I bet she has a date tonight".

Was she right? He hadn't smelled another man on her, but unless they had more than a little physical contact he wouldn't have even noticed. So, maybe she had gone on one of those date things. If she did, they must not have done anything more than talk (he tried to repress the irrational amount of relief that came with that particular thought). Still…

His eyes went back to the gold chain at her wrist. She was wearing it, that had to mean something right? Plus, with the way her face flushed when he had asked about it…

The thought made his stomach sink even as he tried to convince himself that he was happy for her.

AN: Wow, it's been almost a month! Thanks to everyone who reviewed! It looks like we've gotten more than a handful of new followers since the last chapter! Hopefully the NaLu Love Fest submissions kept you entertained while this was in the works?

I'm on the fence with this chapter … I feel like it starts of strong stylistically but kinda falls apart at the end. Meh. Maybe I'll go back and play with it some more later.

For those of you who havn't already noticed, I caved and got a tumblr account (still not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing considering how damn distracting it is). So feel free to come visit if you feel the need to see what I'm up to or want to drop me a line. I'm playing with the idea about releasing a sneak preview for the next chapter on there … because I'm kinda super excited for it and omgijustcan'twait. For now I'll just say that we will be reaching a dramatic turning point.

Also, thanks to Red the Revolutionary for giving me the most awesome knock knock joke ever. ;)

As always, if you like it enough to fav/follow then please take the extra minute or two to leave a review (or a PM, or whatever) on your thoughts! I'm curious to see what everyone thinks about the bracelet … hehe.