Missing Piece

Chapter 25

Flipping the page, Charlotte's platinum eyes grazed over the edge of the book, peaking at the dark doctor still hunched over the Devil Fruit with spots. Same spot, same position as he had been in the last few days since they retrieved the fruit. At the rate it was going, Charlotte wouldn't be surprised if the fruit spoiled before Law was ready to leave it. How he managed to stay focused was beyond her, but she could tell he was getting tired too. The dark bags under his eyes were darker than normal. Then again, this had been their third all-nighter.

Stretching her eyes, she let them roll across to the other side, glancing at the brightening water through the porthole. Scratch that, fourth all-nighter. Groaning, Charlotte peeled herself from the couch. It had practically molded into her shape ever since she had claimed the chairs hers. Law was annoyed with her at first when she refused to sit in it properly; legs thrown over the armrest and back pressed against the seat while her head used the other armrest as a pillow. But that was his problem, if he had an issue with it, then he shouldn't have invited her to join him in his study. She was used to keeping tags on him from outside his study, not inside with the comfort of furniture.

Though that still begged the bigger question of why he invited her. What was he plotting? She questioned, suspicious, remembering the odd conversation that first night. He had opened the door to his quarters and asked her, "Isn't it more comfortable to sit inside versus in the hall? It's not like your keeping tabs on me is a secret." It was more comfortable. The plush loveseat or his large bed that she often claimed was far comfier than the metal floors of Polar Tang. It couldn't just be for comfort, could it? The reasoning ridiculous to her, yet for some reason, she didn't exactly hate it either.

Letting the blood reflow throughout her body, Charlotte exited the room and returned a few minutes later with a tray of giant onigiris and a mug of freshly brewed coffee. Truly amazing... She thought groggily with a yawn as Law grabbed the cup of coffee from the tray and brought it to his lips for a long sip, all without ever glancing up from his work. He returned the cup of coffee to the desk and moments later his hand was patting around blindly for the rice ball. ...not even a 'thank you'. He does know that the food and coffee doesn't just magically appear right? Ever since the crew found out that Charlotte could get the dark doctor to eat on a regular schedule, she became the designated person to ensure their Captain gets substance. A task that technically already fell within the hunting rules she made for herself.

She took a seat on the edge of the table whilst silently pushing the tray over so that one of the balls sat underneath his wandering hands. He picked it up silently and brought it to his mouth, completely obvious to the movement.

You're lucky I take care of my preys. Charlotte rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. Instead, she let him work, studying the mysterious male she found herself more perplexed at as time went by. He wasn't like the rumors made him out to be. He wasn't brutal, spoiled maybe, but respected by his crew. She could see why. He put in extra care and details for each of his crew, her included. Since he found out about the drawback of her abilities, he made sure to never 'burn' her by accident, ensuring fabric stood between them. Not only that, he made sure any and all wounds were treated. No matter how small or insignificant. You should replace rumors with actual facts. Charlotte pushed away the proposition Law had offered up last time. She still wasn't sure if he was being serious or not. Could she truly just ask? She hadn't so far, choosing to make mental notes of his behaviours instead. Action speaks louder than words. So, there was no need to ask, right?

She rubbed her arm, gaze fluttering down when she felt soft skin instead of tough leather and she couldn't help the smile that spread on her face. She stopped wearing the gloves from time to time, allowing her arms to breathe in the heated metal hunker ever since Law had mentioned it. He was the only fruit user on board, and he'd be cautious. This is nice. She thought, wiggling her naked fingers. He is ni—Charlotte caught herself. What was she almost about to say? She shook her head. No, he is the target.