Post Time-skip Scene set just after they leave Punk Hazard. Word Count of 943

This is an edited version of a slightly longer scene that was beyond word count

s/14215946/10/Sample-Pieces is the original piece.

Trafalgar Law sat down on the patch of grassy deck of the Thousand Sunny. He'd never seen such a thing on a pirate ship before, but there was plenty of greenery to be had here. There were tangerine trees, as well as some exotic and bizarre plants, all of which mixed with the salty breeze of the ocean. He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. It was finally quiet, free from the howling wintry wind from Punk Hazard. His isolation there hadn't been so terrible, it was all for a purpose. He never imagined that he'd leave with the Straw Hats, but it was an opportunity he didn't dare pass up. He stubbornly refused to regret his decision to form an alliance. It was for the safety of his crew as well, he reminded himself. The Polar Tang had slipped through most territorial battles in the New World, but they hadn't escaped all notice. It was only a matter of time before they found themselves challenged to a fight they couldn't hope to win.

An alliance was a gamble though, to them both. While he didn't believe Luffy was capable of treachery, he wasn't so sure about the rest of his crew. They moved independently from their Captain, certainly less obedient than he'd originally thought. Then again, if his Captain were that idiotic, he'd be less inclined to be obedient too.

He gazed up at the starry sky. That wasn't the only thing that troubled him either. Could he count on the support of the Straw Hats should his crew need strength? Perhaps desperation to protect his crew was beginning to cloud his judgement. An alliance was a risky proposition with more variables that required-

"Hey there!" Luffy hailed him from above. His gaze shifted to see Luffy drop down from the upper decks. A couple of snack bags fell out of his pockets, and he knelt down to pick them up. "You hungry too?"

Law shook his head. He couldn't believe that he was still hungry after the portions served at dinner. If he'd eaten that much on the Polar Tang, the cupboards would be empty within three days. He bristled as Luffy plopped down beside him and flinched as he loudly popped the bag open. "Do you have to eat that here?" He grumbled before realizing that it wasn't really his place to question Luffy on his own ship.

"I bet that you're excited to see your friends again." Luffy rambled on with a mouthful.

Law frowned for a moment before realizing that he was referring to his crew. "Yeah I…I guess so," he mumbled a bit awkwardly. Small talk was never his style, he just felt so out of place with it.

Luffy crumpled up the bag and tossed it aside. He positioned the second bag between his knees, ready to pop, but Law snatched it away. He opened it and handed it over. "Keep the noise down," he scolded. Luffy continued to munch with a pleased smile on his face. Law wasn't used to being ignored and scowled at the obvious disrespect.

"So why are you sitting out here? Something wrong with your room?"

He shook his head. "No, it's fine. I just…wanted to sit under the stars for a change." He admitted.

Luffy looked a bit skeptical. "You don't do that on your own ship?"

"My ship is a submarine, remember?" He asked pointedly. Then again, the last time Luffy had been aboard, he'd suffered severe injuries from Marineford. So, there was a very good chance that he recalled very little from his time there. Still, his pride hurt a little that his prized Polar Tang was so forgettable. "It's easier to navigate along the direct current."

Luffy seemed a bit subdued for a moment and stared up at the sky. "Huh. So, you miss seeing the stars?"

"No, I wouldn't say that-" Law refuted but Luffy carried on.

"I've never thought much about it, but I think I'd miss them lots if I never got to see them." He made eye contact with a seriousness that surprised him. "What do you think they are? I mean, there's so many stories behind stars so which do you believe in?"

Law looked a bit exasperated. "Aren't you a bit old for fairy tales?"

"But the best stories started out as fairy tales!" Luffy grinned. "Haven't you figured that out yet? Hell, lots of people don't even believe in the Grand Line, let alone the One Piece, and yet here we are in it while searching for it."

Law blinked slowly as that logic began to sink in. "I…suppose you have a point," he reluctantly agreed. He looked back up at the night sky again with a little more respect. "So, what do you believe they are?"

"Shining lights from a big party in the Heavens!" Law was a bit impressed that he had an answer so ready to share, even if it was a ridiculous one. "What about you?" He pressed him, scooting in a bit closer.

Law was at a loss as he racked his brain for an answer. Luffy stared with such expectant curiosity that it made him nervous. "Party lights, for sure," he blurted out, desperate to be done with this conversation already.

Luffy seemed pleased with his answer. "I knew that I was right! Zoro doesn't know what he's talking about." He tore into the third bag with his teeth and went back to his snacking.

Law was briefly curious what Zoro had said but knew better than to ask. The last thing he wanted was an even longer conversation.