diff --git a/static/css/components/timeline.css b/static/css/components/timeline.css
index 7ac54e8..bb54239 100644
--- a/static/css/components/timeline.css
+++ b/static/css/components/timeline.css
@@ -39,6 +39,17 @@ li.tw-relative {
   background: #6b7280;
 }
 
+/* hover only when expanded */
+.timeline-button:hover:not(.collapsed) {
+  background: #6b7280;
+}
+
+/* collapsed state */
+.timeline-button.collapsed {
+  background: transparent !important;
+  color: #6b7280;
+}
+
 /* 4. TYPOGRAPHY - BOLD & BLOG-SIZED */
 /* Heading - Match "Project Timeline" style but smaller */
 .tw-text-lg,