Hey everyone! I wasn't initially going to continue this story because I like it as a one shot, and I usually get lazy and forget to update (⊙﹏⊙) buuuuut I thought I'd give it shot.

As always, if there are any errors, let me know and I shall fix them.

Enjoy!

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"Yo, Cosplayer." She turned at the familiar name, her fair hair flying around her like the rays of the sun.

"Bickslow? What is it?" Her melodic voice sounding concerned, her head tilted sideways, eyes shimmering in confusion.

"Ah… Never mind." How could I tell her? How could I say she was brilliant and bright? That I didn't want her soul to be tarnished anymore, that I wanted her to remember why love was so important, so necessary, without sounding outlandish? Manoeuvring away from her, I shuddered, the further away I was the further her soul's warmth receded, chilling my bones.

"Just tell her." Laxus muttered bluntly as he raised his mug of beer to his lips. 'Just tell her'? How was one meant to invade another's privacy on such an emotional concern? Shaking my head, and shrivelling backwards into the booth, I closed my eyes. The only reprieve I had left. She was too bright, and yet, she was fading. My heart pounded painfully at the thought. The guild without her laugh, without her smile, my world would crumble.

"Umm, Bickslow?" Opening a lone eye behind my helmet, I was met with an iridescent smile. "You wanted to tell me something?" Drawing a sudden, shaking breath, I allowed my eyes to change to the colour that instilled fear in my enemies. With emerald green eyes, I looked through her until I found the only thing I'd been thinking off since the day I met her upon the rooftop. Shimmering like a dying star, her soul fought, clinging to the hopes and the dreams and the love she allowed herself. But it wasn't enough.

"Your soul is dimming." For a moment, she was silent. My mind faltered, 'why did I say that?' the question screaming in my mind. Her smile faded, a thing I'd rarely seen yet instantly decided didn't suit her. She looked thoughtful… Sad. Her fierce determination was decaying, breaking down.

"Dimming…" She remained silent once more, her eyes quizzical, wondering. I held my breath, waiting for her to react. To yell and scream at me for invading her privacy. But this wonderful, beautiful, dazzling woman surprised me once more.

"Can you help me fix it?"

Me, help her fix her soul when I was one of those who made irreparable scars upon it? How could she be so trusting? Her soul flared for a brief moment, love and affability emanating a dazzling light, empowering her. I receded further.

"No, I can't." Her face faltered once more, a look of fierce shame donning her pale cheeks as her eyes shifted downwards a moment. Shaking off her temporary change of demeanour, she smiled again, though this time, it was painful to see. A guard had gone up in her eyes, shielding her soul. My heart broke.

"I see. Never mind then." With one final upturn of her lips, she turned, beginning her trek back to her table before she stopped, half turning towards Laxus and I again.
"You know, Bickslow... They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, but I think they also tell a lot about a person's spirit. It breaks my heart that you hide who you are." With a flounce and a wave, she continued her retreat, her words echoing in her wake. 'Hide who I am?' My heart shuddered. Could she see into another too? Could she see their light and their love, what drove them onwards? It was hard suppressing the smile that forced its way to my face. Never had the shape of my lips felt so genuine, so real, and natural. I felt no need to tease, to extend my tongue, I was irrevocably touched by this wonderful woman and I had barely spoken to her. Rarely had I felt so whole, so bright and buoyant.
"Cosplayer!" She turned, a smug smirk painting her ruby lips, she knew she'd won the round, "Tomorrow, ten o'clock?" Her smirk widened, her eyes shimmering with glee. I saw her soul light up once more, brighter than it had been all those years ago when we had first met. I felt drawn to her light, smiling more so at her affirmative response.

"Ten o'clock." Giving a wink, she flounced back to her table, sitting beside Natsu as his flames lit up the room. I couldn't help but notice that compared to Lucy's soul; Natsu's flames were dim. I just had to make sure it stayed that way.

...

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."

~Albert Einstein

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So, if you liked it or hated it, let me know. I'll only continue this if people enjoy it, if not, I'll scrap this minuscule chapter and keep it as a oneshot :)