Requested by MalakHarabi (welcome to Wattpad! ♡)

ESTP (male) x ISFJ (female)

Summum bonum, Latin for the ultimate good is not simply a phrase that would encapsulate the philosophical way of principle as introduced by the Roman philosopher Cicero.

It is one that would introduce a special set of people to a clandestine kind of work that would place their lives at risk all the time for the sake of humanity.

The Summum Bonum is another name for a secret agency that specializes in covert operations to take down organizations that exploit other humans for their own selfish gain.

Secret agents of The Summum Bonum are given the best kind of treatment when they are not called to do an operation, but when they have to be in one…they know that they are definitely risking their lives.

Just like in this one situation now.

“I told you that I can still run.”

“Shut up,” the woman hissed out.

The man, Santiago, lies on the dirty ground surrounded by construction debris and unused rusty scaffolding. Sofia, his partner, is doing her best to stop the blood gushing out furiously from his right thigh that was shot just a few moments ago by this gang of men who run this underground business of selling organs from unwilling victims.

Santiago and Sofia were asked to scout the place where the men do their dealings. Unfortunately, one thing led to the other and they were spotted despite being stealthy for the past hours of witnessing the exchange.

Despite being spotted, Sofia still thinks that the men don’t know their faces. What they could only assume was that there were people watching them and that the bullet that got fired from the gun was lucky on the men's side. It hit her partner – the one who wouldn’t shut up even if they were hiding from those men who are now trying to find them.

“It is dangerous to be staying here, Sofia. It’s a better idea to use this time to run away–”

“Didn’t I tell you to shut up?!” She yelled in a whisper. Anger punctuated her voice and she was not having it with him running his mouth as always.

It was dark in this abandoned building they were hiding at. They were able to run away from the men, but they can’t tell if they are near where they are or not. Sofia has pressed the signal for backup to arrive, but this might take some time for their arrival. It might even take an hour.

“Sofia, do you understand the gravity of this situation?! We can catch the men if we continue. We will be doing our job and saving–” He is instantly stopped from talking as he feels a pair of lips on his. His eyes go big in astonishment and it was as if the kiss took away not only his ability to breathe but to talk.

Sofia pulled back, still fuming. She felt her face flushing – a mixture of anger and embarrassment at the sudden action she chose to do. Introduce something unexpected. That is one thing she was always told that would disorient a person. Apparently, kissing him was the best that she could come up with.

It did work, though. Santiago’s finally quiet. And she can go back to tending to his wound with peace as they continue to hide.

“If you like me you could have always told me.”

Not.

“I kissed you so that you’ll shut up,” she spat. “Apparently, you’re still talking. Do you want me to do it again?”

“You sound as if I don’t like you kissing me.”

“Now is not the time to talk about whether I liked kissing you or not.” Sofia found it a waste of time to continue arguing with him. Instead, she focuses all her attention on the wound – using whatever materials she has on hand to stop it from bleeding for the time being.

Santiago watches her look and tend to his wound with a keen eye. As much as he wants to continue the fight, knowing that the men they could catch are so near and at arm’s length, he begins to feel a wave of exhaustion. He doesn’t want to admit that though.

“I’m still holding my ground,” Santiago says. “We are wasting our time here–God!” He hissed under his breath when Sofia tightens a makeshift bandage around his injured leg. “Dammit, there was no need to inflict more pain on me. It’s painful on its own already.”

“So do you want to go running again?”

Santiago scowled. He finally admitted that he is unfit to continue this mission.

“I have been following you ever since and it was your plan that brought us to this mess,” Sofia berates him in a whisper, “This time, you are the one who should be following me.”

Santiago was stunned to hear her talk that way to him. It was his first time hearing her express herself and stand her ground. Sure, they’ve been work partners for the past months but it’s always been him who has led the missions. She followed him dutifully and professionally – like any good agent would do.

But now…it was clear that Sofia is absolutely fed up.

“Do you really think that I don’t want to catch those men as much as you?” Sofia asks. “How lowly do you think of me? Of course, I want to bring them behind bars. We both have a duty and I intend to accomplish it for the sake of humanity and all those victims.”

Damn, Santiago thought, who knew she had a lot to unpack? “I thought you never had anything to say.”

“I always have something to say,” she replies. Then her voice goes soft, “You just never give me the time to talk.”

Now that things have somewhat mellowed down between them, no air of hostility surrounded them any longer. Santiago’s preconceived notions of his partner suddenly vanish into thin air. It’s like looking at someone under a newfound light. There is a deeper respect in him for his partner now and it only took her getting mad at him to see it. 

Maybe it is good to shut up at times.

“...I never knew you felt this way,” he said at length.

Sofia stops to face him. “I’m your partner, Tiago, not a follower.”

—---------

It took another two days for The Summum Bonum to hash out a fixed plan and eventually find the headquarters of the trafficking organization.

Santiago and Sofia led the formulation of the plans but they were unable to execute them themselves due to Santiago’s wound that was still healing and Sofia’s unwavering dedication to staying by her partner’s side. She will never execute a mission without him.

And Santiago knows that he would do the same for her too.

“You look dashing,” Sofia comments from the side. Santiago, in a tuxedo, looks up to see her donned an elegant black dress that matches his suit.

“And you look like you’re about to take over this whole organization. Please let me continue to work for you if ever you do start to run this organization.”

Sofia chuckles and walks to him. She takes the liberty to fix and adjust his necktie since he was holding on to the metal crutches that helped him walk and stand to not place any weight on his injured leg. “First of all, you won’t be working for me, but we’ll be working together.”

Santiago’s expression softened as Sofia flashed a gentle smile at him. “I didn’t know you were so cool.”

“You’re one to judge so easily.” She lightly patted his cheek. “...But things have changed a bit, haven’t they?”

“The organization is holding a small gala to celebrate the success of our plans and we both might be promoted, I guess you are right to say that things have changed. Maybe more than a bit.”

“The only thing that stayed the same is your leg.”

Santiago frowned. “I can’t wait to finally stop bringing these things with me everywhere I go,” he murmured, referring to the crutches. “I’ll be hobbling to get up on stage when they call us.”

“Don’t forget that I’ll be there to help you as always.”

He then asks out of the blue, “I have a question for you. May I ask what your duty was that night?”

“Night?”

His eyes flew to his injured leg. “That night.”

“Oh,” Sofia drawled in realization. “My duty was simple. From making sure that we would bring down those men, it turned into making sure to protect you.”

“And it should have been my duty to protect you as well,” he replied.

“Tiago, you did that.”

“I meant that I should have kept quiet the whole time.”

“Is this your way of apologizing?”

“...Maybe,” he admits in a small voice.

This causes Sofia to grin at him. “Maybe this is a good time to tell you that I’ve forgiven you for a long time already.”

Santiago became puzzled. “You have? Since when?”

She places a finger against her lips. “That’s a secret. Let’s go on another mission and maybe I’ll tell you.” Then she throws him a wink.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you liked this one!

I haven't been writing for the past days because I went back to reading books. I missed holding a physical book and just reading it for hours.

This marks the beginning of The Summum Bonum. I have more imagines that will introduce more characters as TSB agents. :)

Some positive traits of ESTP: realistic, sensible, bold

Some positive traits of ISFJ: steadfast, watchful, passionate