The crisp autumn air swirled with the scent of roasted turkey and the warmth of family gatherings as Y/N and Shinsou approached the Yamada residence. Leaves crunched beneath their feet, the golden and red foliage painted a picturesque scene of a holiday that was meant for reflection and gratitude.
"This is it," Shinsou said, a hint of apprehension threading through his voice. He reached out, fingers entwining with Y/N's, as if drawing strength from her presence. "Are you ready?"
"More than ever," Y/N replied, her heartbeat quickening with both excitement and anxiety. This Thanksgiving was monumental—not just for the food or the holiday spirit, but as their first holiday together, one that would mark the official introduction to his family.
Shinsou had chosen to bring Y/N home without prior warning to his parents. It was a gamble, one he felt necessary but dubious about. He had been dreading the moment they would realize he had kept this new chapter of his life a secret. As they approached the door, Y/N felt the tension radiate off him.
The door swung open to reveal Hizashi Yamada, his trademark smile lighting up the atmosphere. "Shinsou! You made it! And you brought a guest!" His enthusiasm was contagious, yet Y/N noticed Shinsou's expression falter slightly.
"Hey, Dad," Shinsou replied, his lips twitching into a small smile. Then he broke into a grin as he continued, "This is Y/N. My… uhh…"
"Girlfriend," Y/N interjected, feeling emboldened by her own courage. "It's really nice to meet you."
Hizashi's eyes widened, his exuberance seemingly doubling. "Girlfriend?" he exclaimed, practically bouncing on his feet. "I love it! Come in, come in! Shota! Get out here!"
Y/N beamed, despite the slight panic in Shinsou's posture. As they stepped inside, the warmth engulfed them, the aroma of baked goods and savory dishes swirling generously in the air.
In the corner, Aizawa Shota, Shinsou's father, was sprawled on a couch, purposefully bleary-eyed as if sleep were a delicate art form he perfected. His gaze sharpened as he took in the scene before him. "What's all this?"
Hizashi poked his head towards the kitchen and exclaimed, "Shinsou brought his girlfriend home!" The man was a whirlwind of energy; Shota's matter-of-fact demeanor contrasted sharply to Hizashi's exuberance.
"Nice to meet you, Y/N," Shota said curtly, examining her with a hawkish gaze, as if evaluating a new student.
"Nice to meet you too, sir," Y/N swallowed, feeling the weight of his scrutiny. She could sense Shinsou tense beside her.
Eri swooped in with hardly a warning, her small frame radiating pure joy. "Big brother! You've got to tell me everything about Y/N!"
"Eri…" Shinsou began, his cheeks tinged red.
"I'm just excited!" she declared, pulling Y/N down by her sleeve. "Will you help me with the decorations? I want to make the table pretty!"
Y/N shot Shinsou a glance, unsure if this was an escape or a detour, but Shinsou relaxed a little. "Yeah, sure," she smiled, and squeezed his hand reassuringly before letting go.
As they decorated the dining table with assorted leaves and homemade crafts, a comforting rhythm formed in their laughter and light-hearted teasing. Y/N felt a sense of ease enveloping her. Eri was easy to talk to, as they swapped stories and learned more about their respective families and quirks.
However, as lunch approached, Y/N sensed the tension creeping back into the air around Shinsou. She glanced over to find him talking in hushed tones with Aizawa. His expression was serious, and curiosity clawed at her. What were they discussing?
Before she could contemplate this further, Hizashi's voice rang out, calling everyone to the table. Her heart fluttered as they all took their places, drawing closer to the rich aromas of the feast prepared.
As they served their plates, Shinsou's hand brushed against Y/N's beneath the table, a silent reassurance as they navigated this new stage in their relationship together.
"Y/N, tell us a bit about yourself," Hizashi invited, a warm smile still plastered on his face.
Y/N took a deep breath, eyes flicking to Shinsou, who gave her an encouraging nod. "I'm in the same class as Shinsou. I love to read and am trying to improve my quirk," she shared, feeling the warmth of acceptance enveloping her.
"That's wonderful!" Hizashi exclaimed. "Maintaining a balance between your passion and work is key."
Meanwhile, Aizawa's demeanor was still stoic but softening, intrigued by Y/N's confident nature. "What does your quirk do?" he probed.
Finally sensing the supportive atmosphere, Shinsou interjected, "Y/N's quirk is pretty cool. She can manipulate shadows, which is a great match for my brainwashing."
Conversation flowed, but the tension between Shinsou and his parents still lingered. After the meal, when everyone was getting comfortable, Y/N felt the time had come. She reached for Shinsou's hand, squeezing it gently and looking at him with a reassuring smile.
"Actually, I wanted to add that Shinsou and I have been dating for a few months now," Y/N announced, her voice steady even as she felt the dining room go still.
Hizashi's eyes lit up, his enthusiasm bubbling quickly to the surface. "I knew it!" he crowed, "You two are perfect for each other!"
Aizawa's expression remained impassive, yet a glimmer of interest sparked within his gaze. "You could have told us earlier."
Shinsou sighed, visibly relieved but also slightly embarrassed. "I didn't know how you'd react."
The atmosphere shifted entirely; the weight of the unspoken tension lifted, and laughter filled the room like the aroma of cooked turkey. As Y/N and Shinsou shared stories and playful banter with Eri's enthusiastic interjections, she felt warmth bloom in her chest.
Thanksgiving became a tapestry of genuine connection and laughter, a memorable first of many more to come, not just as friends but as a couple entwined within a loving family. And as they gathered to share what they were thankful for, Y/N realized how grateful she was for Shinsou, for his family, and for the moments that brought them all together.
In the heart of the season, amidst laughter and shared stories, they found a home in each other.