[Katsuki hates seeing Izuku cry. He's seen it countless times. Over, and over, and over again. And so many times it's been his fault that those tears fall, with this being no exception. It makes his heart hurt so painfully in his chest, and he finds himself wishing he had lied. Told Izuku that it was just completely, 100% Katsuki's own stupid fault that he lost his arm. That it had nothing to do with home, and everything to do with this new place that the two are stuck in.

But it's too late. And it'd only hurt more when he finally learned the truth...]

Shut up.

[Katsuki barks that out at Izuku, as an order. His tone serious and demanding, though his brows were furrowed with sympathy for the other boy. With guilt.]

The Villains planned this, Deku. They strategized just as hard as we had, and there really wasn't anything any of us could do about it.

[...hesitantly. Katsuki reaches up to wipe some of those tears off of Izuku's cheek. Bothered that he can't just make them go away.]

But... you know what? I still won, Deku. I defeated All For One even with my fucked up arm.

[And last he remembered, Izuku was off kicking Shigaraki's ass. He doesn't know the outcome of that fight, but he still knew that Izuku was going to win. He just did.

And it gets a wide, proud grin from the blonde.]

And he was so scared.