[the bruise on tim's neck isn't fading yet per se, it's still an ugly reminder of everything that's happened. but there's a part of him that's relieved - feeling like they're hurtling towards some sort of conclusion. two out of three correct last round on his part means pretty solid intuition, even if louis' came as something of a small shock. but it's the same as alia - there's no real feeling of malice or disgust at it having happened. they weren't themselves. hawk trusts them. and as for the rest of the battles he'd picked? it was the principle of the thing - justifiable in the moment because it reflected poorly on tim and the evidence he stuck his neck out on the line for. if anything had happened to him, there wouldn't be anywhere safe enough for luffy or his damn crew in all of the estate.

but for now he's lying side by side, one arm around tim as his lover is curled up half asleep and dozing for the night. the doors are bolted, the dresser is shoved up against the main entrance for a racket in case someones does come for them. at this point he's not sure what he'd do if he came face-to-face with one of the wolves - nothing really surprises him anymore. especially considering his babysitting of an actual werewolf, the vampire feast, a talking fucking chicken, resurrection, the library...

hang on.

talking chicken.

his shoulder jostles tim off as he reaches over to shake him, up ramrod straight like he's been jolted by a lightning bolt.]

Tim, hey, honey - wake up. Wake up! I just thought of something - don't laugh.

Who the hell talked back to that chicken?