The Long Con [[ Nami x Law ]]

Ch 15 - Time

A light, inconsistent tapping at the window lulled Law out of the most restful sleep he had in ages, and it took his semi-lucid mind a few minutes to realize what he was hearing was rain.

The calmness he felt as he woke didn't last though, as he reached across the bed to find it was empty. He shot up and squinted across the darkness around him. There was no way it was still before dawn, but the storm brewing outside was blocking out the natural light that would normally be shining through the thin curtains. Was it even still morning? He frowned into the empty room.

A small paper folded and propped up on Nami's desk caught his attention. He allowed the ends of his lips to curl upwards as he read the words she left for him.

'Same time tonight?'

He must have needed last night more than he thought if he was sleeping deeply enough to not wake whenever Nami left. Then again, he knew just how stealthy she could be when she wanted to, and she probably wanted to give him a chance to rest. He would have to make sure to ask her not to be so considerate of him next time.

He pocketed the note and listened for movement outside before venturing into the hallway. He started making his way toward his office. The way his stomach was growling made him certain it was at least past noon. Monet was undoubtedly annoyed by his late start, and he wasn't looking forward to however she planned to annoy him about it.

Law opened the door to his office. His frown deepened. Monet wasn't there.

Although a big part of him was relieved that she wasn't there to annoy the ever loving shit out of him, a bigger part was wary of her absence. He would need to look for her, but maybe he could take advantage of navigating the castle without her calculating eyes following his every movement.

Stepping into the hall again, he started making his way towards the the elevator. He would head down to collect another sample for testing. He was close to finishing what he needed with the research, so this might just be the last time he had to interact with the prisoner. He might even take his time walking the halls to get an idea of what else may be kept in Doflamingo's dungeons. If anyone asked, he would have the excuse of looking for Monet.

He put his hand in his pocket and let his fingers idly trace the folds in the paper of Nami's note.

He was more relaxed than usual, and he was finally feeling more in control. He was confident that it was going to be alright.

He still had time.

"Sanji?" Nami asked hesitantly.

He was sitting close to the bars between them, but he was struggling to look at her. It was dark in her bedroom when she readied herself for the day, too dark to properly see herself in the mirror. She didn't know how bad it actually looked, but she was sure the unworldly bright lights in their prison weren't helping to minimize them.

She watched him fidget a few more minutes before she couldn't take it anymore. She thought any marks Law left on her would help sell her as a believable prisoner, but she didn't think of how distressed it would make her cellmate. An unpleasant pain of guilt hung over her heart, and she cursed at herself for feeling bad at all. This was part of the job. She had done much more reprehensible things to others in the past. She had a job to do. She had to think of Nojiko. She couldn't let herself get attached.

Still... The pain on his face was killing her. She needed a distraction for both of them, and luckily, she already had the perfect thing in mind.

"I brought you a gift," she whispered sweetly, watching him finally turn toward her in confusion.