[Koby doesn't begrudge it -- Tim's fury, his hurt, his rage have been a welcome distraction from the ache of grief that's nestled itself beneath his ribs since he felt Luffy go. He turns into the embrace, instinctively seeking it out, setting his cheek against Tim's shoulder and exhaling slowly, shakily.]

It's not your fault. It's not -- anyone's fault. It just happens, here. [The words sound hollow, even to his ears, for how often he's repeated them to himself, again and again.] There's nothing we can do to stop it. [When it's Tim, or Hawk, or Nami or Shanks or Quentin, next time. When it's Koby.

The question gets a nod, a bit of a watery laugh before the next sip of wine.] They will. They'll be -- happy and annoying and causing trouble all over the sea. They're on a ship together, all of the crew. They'll see each other again. [A pause, a hard swallow, and Koby closes his eyes again.] And -- I won't. I hope I won't. Because if we meet again, we'll be enemies.