(Y/n) observed Paul.

One glance was enough for her to understand that that day wasn't one of kisses and caresses, but one of those days where his gaze was cold and detached.

Icy.

Like the first time it fell on her.

The girl wasn't surprised at all.

She had learned how to deal with Verlaine's mood swings.

Other words, she'd learned to endure them.

She doubted someone could deal with him.

Maybe there was someone once who could do it, but considering what Paul told her about the incident with Rimbaud, she doubted the now dead spy could really control the irascible Paul Verlaine.

(Y/n) knew their bond was fragile. It was too fragile.

She lived hoping not to see it suddenly break, but she knew little was needed to break their relationship.

Whenever Verlaine acted cold his hideout seemed gloomier.

The lair of a real assassin.

The perfect place for Verlaine.

In those moments (Y/n) felt all the anxiety and the tension her relationship with Verlaine caused her.

She almost couldn't breathe and she asked herself if the game was worth the candle.

She plucked up her courage.

"Paul..." She called his attention.

Her aim was to understand how much intractable he was that day.

"You're already here." Commented Verlaine apathetic.

"Our training session should start in ten minutes..."

Verlaine mumbled a 'yes'.

The girl hesitated.

Was it safe to ask him to reschedule it?

Or was just she going to upset him?

"If you want, we can postpone, it's not a problem."

The man laughed.

"And you'll be the one explaining to your father that we delayed it because someone wasn't in the right mood?"

There was a brief pause before Verlaine's lips turned into a sadistic laugh.

"You weren't even able to object when he forced you to train with me, much less saying something to him now."

He answered bitterly.

The girl froze.

That was a low blow.

"And if it wasn't for the amazing ability you have, I wouldn't have wasted my time with you. You can't learn anything. You're a pain in the neck."

(Y/n) widened her eyes.

She held her breath.

What was going on?

Verlaine had never been so harsh on her.

Even when they weren't together.

Because they were together, right?

She hadn't dream it, right?

"Paul..."

"Go get ready. The first we start, the sooner you'll be free from this torture."

The training was really a torture that day.

It was worse than the first ones they had.

Then it finally ended.

(Y/n) was still shaken. For that reason, she needed Verlaine to speak with her.

To tell her anything, to make her witness what was happening.

She took a deep breath.

"Is everything alright, Paul?"

He glanced her with cold eyes, but then he gifted her a half-smile.

"I just had some disagreements with Mori, you know how much your father can be annoying."

(Y/n) 's stomach twisted.

At that moment Verlaine leaned down to kiss her.

His hand slid on her neck alongside his gaze when their lips parted.

"I think the marks I left on your neck are more visible than I thought..." He whispered absently.

"What do you mean..." The sentence died in her throat. "Don't tell me..."

Verlaine chuckled. "He did it. The idea of embarking on a story with you wasn't one of my best." He finished.

From his tone it was clear to (Y/n) that he wasn't joking.

He was serious.

She held her breath.

"Paul... don't..."

"It was nice until it lasted."

He meant it.

Deadly serious.

"And that kiss? What was it...?"

"A last taste?" He passed his thumb on her lips while he was holding her chin. "I must admit, I'll miss them."

"Wait if it's because of what he told you..."

"Do you really think he came to me just because we slept together? Grow up, (Y/n)."

"What does it mean?"

"Isn't it clear?"

It was crystal clear. Hence (Y/n) was desperately trying to hold back her tears.

"Mori offered me to take part in an important mission to use the connections I built during my years as assassin. I've accepted."

"This doesn't change anything. We can still-"

"Stop it, (Y/n). We can't. I've told you. You made the last months nice, but nothing more. What were you expecting? To be my wife and to live in a fairy tale?"

"No, I-"

"And so?"

"I thought... you felt something for me..."

Verlaine laughed. "An artificial creature like me hasn't feelings, I hate to disappoint you, my dear."

"What are you saying? You don't have to sell yourself short, you-"

"Come on, (Y/n), don't act like a child. Mori is right. You're just a spoiled little girl."

"And the training?" She asked trying to ignore what he just told her.

"It ends here."

"But..."

"After all this time if you haven't improved there's nothing more to do. You're a goner."

"Are you leaving me?"

The tears she had desperately tried to hold wet her face.

"What about everything we have?"

"Oh, please."

"You were the one who kissed me for the first time..."

"And you didn't refuse me. You didn't refuse anything. Don't come here saying I've forced you doing things."

"I've done it because I love you? Why else should I have?"

Verlaine sighed and caressed her face with his hand.

"You're so naive. Now make me a favour and go away, we've wasted enough time with this."

"Paul, please... let's speak about it..."

"Go away."

His tone was sharp like a knife and the girl had to go away.

She kept hoping.

That it was just a phase.

That Verlaine had gone away for her well-being.

That he acted like this just because he didn't think he could love or be loved.

She thought about everything.

She thought he was coming back.

He was coming back and saying he was a fool.

That he left her to make her happy.

She kept hoping for a long time, but she had to face reality.

Paul Verlaine wasn't coming back to her.

22/09/2023

My favourite Bungou Stray Dogs' character with my favourite song of Taylor, obv <3

This one can be considered connected to the first one [Mine], where (Y/n) was Mori's daughter. You can consider it as an alternative ending, as the real ending or as another story, it's up to you! But then when I'll write a fanfiction with these characters you won't know how it's going to end eheheh

See you next week with Last Kiss, I can't wait to share it!!!