azure. mk

02.

Azure inhaled sharply, dragging the cold night air into her lungs, forcing her breath to slow. The chill pressed against her skin, sinking into her bones, yet instead of discomfort, it brought a strange kind of exhilaration. The cold wind caressed against her, trailing over her exposed arms and the delicate curve of her neck, leaving behind trails of shivers that sent a small, breathless exhales tumbling from her lips.

It had been so long since she had felt this, the crisp bite of winter, and the sting of cold air on her skin.

She tilted her head back, eyes wide with wonder, taking in the sprawling night sky above. She had missed this.

A voice shattered the moment.

"Azure. I told you not to leave the house."

His tone was even, smooth but edged with something heavy, something weary.

She turned at the sound of his voice, her gaze drifting toward the tall figure that had appeared behind her. He was dressed perfectly, as always. A black suit, pristine and unwrinkled, clung to his lean frame, his pale skin almost luminescent in the moonlight. Muzan Kibutsuji stood rigid, a single hand pressing against his temple as if willing away an oncoming headache.

His crimson eyes, sharp and calculating, swept over her shivering form with a mixture of exasperation and scrutiny.

"If you catch ill, it will be your own doing," he murmured, rubbing slow circles against his temple.

Azure only tilted her head, her silver hair shifting with the motion. She studied him as if he were the curious one in this situation, her star lit eyes reflecting his cold expression.

"I just wanted to see the stars." Her voice was barely above a whisper, a gentle breath carried away by the wind.

She looked away from him then, back to the sky, her fingers absently toying with the sleeve of her garment. The fabric was thin, hardly enough to keep the cold at bay, but she hadn't cared when she slipped outside.

"You never let me out anyway," she muttered under her breath, but Muzan's sharp ears caught it.

His gaze flickered.

"It isn't safe."

His words were quiet, but final.

Azure felt the gentle brush of his fingertips against her cheek before she could respond. His touch was barely there, feather light, his hand was cold but felt impossibly warm against her chilled skin. Without thinking, she leaned into it, her lashes fluttering closed for a moment as warmth pooled in her chest.

"You worry too much," she murmured, her voice tinged with amusement.

A small huff of air left Muzan's nose, but he said nothing.

Azure slowly pulled away, her hands lifting to grasp the curved horns atop her head. The edges were sharp, unyielding, pressing into the soft skin of her palms.

"Douma said something weird today."

Muzan's fingers twitched.

Azure continued, unaware of the subtle shift in his expression. "He said I was 'minus one point' because of these. What does that even mean?"

Silence.

Muzan's jaw tightened ever so slightly, his crimson gaze darkening at the mention of the other Upper Moon.

Azure sighed, her breath visible in the frigid air. Letting go of her horns, she turned to face him fully. The cold was beginning to creep deeper now, sinking past skin and muscle, coiling tight in her core.

A violent shiver wracked her frame.

"Muzan..." Her voice wavered, barely audible over the wind. "I'm cold."

He exhaled through his nose, his features impassive. "I know you are."

Her limbs felt heavy, her eyelids growing sluggish. She swayed slightly, balance slipping away like sand through her fingers.

The cold was winning.

Before she could crumple into the snow, strong arms caught her with ease. Muzan moved faster than she could comprehend, one hand firm around her waist, the other pressing gently against the back of her head, guiding her against his chest.

His eyes, usually devoid of warmth, softened by the smallest fraction.

"You shouldn't test your limits."

Azure barely heard him. She let herself relax into the embrace, her exhaustion outweighing any thoughts of arguing.

The stars blurred above her as her lashes fluttered closed.

Muzan held her a moment longer before turning on his heel, carrying her back inside without another word.

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