Luffy sat by the hill for a moment, a breather he needed for himself. Chasing dreams had always been important to him, and he knew it sometimes took up most of his energy.

The scent of lavender was intense that night. A scent he only began to associate with someone after he met the infamous witch. It was comforting, like returning home, somehow. It even reminded him of Ace sometimes.

His eyes stayed fixed on the sky, counting stars like his life depended on it. He liked that. The calm, the solitude.

His concentration only faltered when he heard the footsteps, and then saw a familiar face sitting beside him.

"Hey." He said, the lavender scent now more prominent.