Fragments of Love: A ZaintSee Collection

Fire a Rose, Scent a Gun

It was dark. Well, maybe not dark, just dim. The whole room though was white – the table, the couches, the bookshelf. Everything was just plain white. That didn't mean it was bright, in fact, somehow it made it even more gloomy, Saint thought. The other person shifted on the couch beside him and he rolled his eyes. Looking in front of him again, he leaned back into the seat, raising a brow.

"Well, Doc? Get on with it." Saint said, voice dripping with uncontained distaste. He wasn't even sure why they had to be here.

The doctor, a psychologist called Dr. Aof, cleared their throat and placed his hands on the table, interlacing his fingers.

"Don't be rude." The voice beside him uttered, and Saint whipped his head to the side at his partner. "Really Saint, he's just trying to help."

"I'm the rude one?! You're the reason we're here and you have yet to talk, P'Zee!"

Zee sat up and met his eye, glaring with heat. "Excuse me if I don't want to spill my guts to a total stranger!"

Saint opened his mouth to reply but Dr. Aof cleared his throat again. "Gentlemen, stand down." Both Saint and Zee huffed and crossed their arms. "Let me remind you, this is mandatory for all spies."

"Why must we do it together then?" Saint complained, rolling his eyes again. He really could not fathom as to why he had to be here with Zee. Sure, they were partners on the job, but surely a visit to the head whisperer was supposed to be private.

"Because you're partners." Saint raised a brow, and he could sweat he just heard Zee's eyes roll. You and me too, buddy. "Romantic partners too. The recent assignment has left quite...an impression."

Saint thought of their last assignment that almost had them in ashes and he scowled. "What's there to talk about? We came back alive and stayed as the top two spies WRU has. We've had worst missions than–"

"Excuse me? Worst missions?" Zee interrupted and he turned his head again, meeting Zee's unimpressed and angry scowl. "You almost died!"

"That's part of the job P'Zee!" Saint barked and they went on the same debate that landed them in this situation in the first place.

"SILENCE!" Dr. Aof shouted and both quieted down but not before giving each other one last glare. "The reason you're both here is to discuss what happened, as per protocol. You both know this. It's not something random. All spies must have psychological testing before going back out on their next assignment. Since you two are partners, both on and off the job, it's easier to determine together, since you two refused to speak to each other after the last stint." Dr. Aof sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. The rim of his glasses pushed up and Saint can't help but find the black glasses ugly. "And why don't you explain why you choose to separate this time."

"I hate him." Saint uttered, looking down at his nails.

"Ditto." Zee said, bored.

Dr. Aof seemed done with them and it hasn't even been fifteen minutes, Saint checked his watch. "You've been together for how long?"

"Seven years."

"Eight years."

Saint turned his head, dumbfounded. "Eight!"

Zee frowned. "No, seven!"

"How can you not know?"

"I know!" Zee hissed. "It's seven!"

"Okay, enough." Dr. Aof sighed. "Let's talk about how you guys got together instead."

Saint breathed deeply and sat back. "We worked together a few times, until we became permanent partners. End."