The crisp autumn air was filled with the scent of roasted turkey and freshly baked pies as Y/N and Tenya Lida stepped out of the train station. The leaves crunched underfoot, blazing red and gold, almost as brilliant as Lida's blue hair. Y/N glanced at him, nervous excitement dancing in her chest. This was their first Thanksgiving together, but more importantly, it was a meeting with Lida's family, and he hadn't mentioned to them that they were dating.
"You alright?" Lida's voice, steady and reassuring, pulled her from her thoughts. His round glasses glinted in the sun, framing his serious yet warm expression.
"I'm good! Just… a little nervous," Y/N admitted, biting her lip.
"Understandable. My mom can be somewhat… enthusiastic about guests," Lida said, adjusting his glasses with a slight smile, hinting at his own apprehensions. He didn't mention that he hadn't told her about their relationship yet; he figured it would be best to see how things went.
As they approached Lida's home, Y/N took in the charming, traditional house with its brick façade and the happy whiff of holiday meals wafting through the air. Lida knocked on the door, and it swung open almost immediately.
"Tenya! Thank goodness you're here!" His mother, a petite woman with bright eyes and cheerful curls, embraced him tightly. "And you must be Y/N! Come in, come in!"
Y/N stepped over the threshold, greeted by the warmth of the house and the hustle of Lida's father in the kitchen.
"Welcome! Welcome!" he called, bustling about with a turkey baster in hand. "You two must be starving! How was your journey? Did you have any trouble?"
"No, sir! All went smoothly," Lida replied, his demeanor professional and composed. Y/N smiled nervously, shooting him a look that said, You're not going to mention the dating thing, are you?
"Excellent! Let me take care of dinner while you catch up!" He gestured to Lida and Y/N, and soon they found themselves sitting at the small dining table adorned with a feast that looked straight out of a magazine.
As they ate, Lida's mother peppered Y/N with questions about school, her hobbies, and what she wanted to do after U.A. High. Lida remained quiet, focused on his meal, an unease creeping into his expression as he tried to gauge when it would be the right moment to reveal their relationship.
Just as Y/N mentioned her passion for hero work and potential internships, Lida's father interjected, "And what might you and my son be doing together in the future? You know Tenya has always been dedicated to his studies…"
Y/N felt the heat creeping to her cheeks. "Well, I—"
Before she could finish, Lida cut in, his heart racing. "Dad, Y/N and I—"
"Tenya!" His mother's voice chimed in, loud enough to halt whatever revelation was brewing. "Don't interrupt! Y/N, I've been wanting to ask you—do you believe in the importance of family traditions?"
"Definitely!" she replied, grateful for the reprieve. "Thanksgiving is all about coming together and celebrating—"
"And what about love? Is love part of family traditions?" Lida's father quirked an eyebrow, his gaze shifting meaningfully between the pair as an amusing glint lit his eyes.
"Uh, of course!" Y/N stumbled over her words, her heart pounding as she realized the direction this was heading. "Love is… essential to family."
"Is that so?" Lida's father prompted, a knowing smile spreading across his face.
Lida glanced at Y/N, his voice suddenly quite serious. "Dad, Y/N and I are... dating." His admission hung in the air, punctuated by Y/N's gasp and the awkward clatter of silverware.
The room went silent for a moment, and Y/N almost wished she could vanish into thin air. But Lida's mother broke the tension with a soft laugh. "Oh, Tenya! I was half-expecting this. You two are adorable together!"
Lida blinked, clearly surprised. "You knew?"
"I had my suspicions," she said with a knowing smile. "You both have that spark. Makes me happy to see you both so close."
Y/N's heart soared, her nerves finally settling down. "Thank you, Mrs. Lida."
"So, tell me all about how you met!" Lida's father beamed, thrilled by the unexpected revelation and ready to celebrate their young romance.
As they settled back into conversation, Y/N felt a sense of belonging wash over her. Lida shot her a tentative smile, relief radiating from his expression. This Thanksgiving wasn't just about meeting the parents; it was about sharing who they were together.
By the end of the evening, amidst laughter, stories, and a few playful teasing remarks from Lida's parents about "young love," Y/N realized something profound — she wanted to be a part of this family, more than just as Lida's girlfriend, but as someone who cherished their values and traditions.
As they left for the night, Lida slipped his hand into hers, his grip warm and confident. "Thank you for being so amazing back there."
Y/N smiled brightly. "Thanks for including me in your world."
And together, they stepped out into the cool night, hearts full and ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, one Thanksgiving memory at a time.