~~Anonymously Requested, different version but with two survivors more.~~

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

The pine trees thinned as Strawberry came into view, lanterns flickering awake against the coming dusk.

Katsuki rode at the front like he always did — spine straight, chin tipped slightly up, like he was daring the town to try something.

Behind him, Izuku adjusted his reins gently, Sherry’s pace calm and controlled.

“You’re ridin’ too fast,” Izuku called, voice even.

Katsuki didn’t look back. “No, I ain’t.”

“You are. You always do this before we enter a town.” Izuku continued.

A scoff from Katsuki, "It’s called presence, dingleberry."

“It’s called lookin’ like you’re about to start a shootout..” Izuku bickered back.

Katsuki finally half-turned in his saddle, red eyes sharp. “If a shootout starts, it ain’t gonna be because of my horse’s speed.”

Izuku sighed through his nose. “We’re supposed to keep a low profile.”

“We are keepin’ a low profile.” Katsuki growls.

“You’re glarin’ at a church bell.” Izuku said back.

“It looked at me wrong.” Katsuki glared at him.

Ochaco, riding between and slightly behind them, pressed her lips together to stop a smile. There it was. The same argument. Different town.

She nudged her horse forward a little. “Boys.”

Neither responded.

Izuku tried again. "We don’t know who’s here. The law could’ve spread word—..”

“And what? You want me to trot in smilin’?” Katsuki snapped. “They hung the others, Izuku.”

The air shifted.

That did it.

Izuku’s jaw tightened, but his voice stayed steady. “I remember.”

Silence fell between them — heavy, canyon-deep.

Ochaco’s fingers curled slightly around her reins. For a split second, she could see it again: smoke in the pass, shouting, the crack of rifles.

She inhaled..

“Hey,” she said gently, nudging her horse ahead so she was level with Katsuki now. “We’re here. Together. That’s what matters.”

Katsuki’s jaw ticked.

Izuku’s grip loosened just slightly.

“You two can measure pride later,” she added lightly. “Preferably somewhere that doesn’t serve whiskey.”

Katsuki huffed. “I ain’t measurin’ nothin’.”

Izuku muttered, “You absolutely are.”

“Say that again.”

Ochaco laughed under her breath as the saloon came into full view.

Strawberry’s lantern light flickered against wooden walls. A few townsfolk paused mid-step as the three riders slowed in unison.