Prompt: What if Izuku met the squad before UA?First off, Happy Thanksgiving.Second, you may be wondering why I am doing a Thanksgiving chapter when I already have a Thanksgiving chapter.1. That chapter is littered with grammar errors. I'm considering going back and fixing it for how bad it is, and I never do that with one shots.2. I thought it meshed well with another idea.Originally, I was going to do a Thanksgiving chapter like before with Eri, but I decided that, while I love Eri, I don't want to do the same thing again.Therefore, this idea.I also want to mention that I am aware that Japan does not celebrate Thanksgiving. We're going to pretend it does, though, for this one shot.Without further ado, let's go!

For quick background, Izuku is 14 in this, so Shouta and Izuku have known eachother for a couple of years now.

- - -

Thanksgiving is supposed to be a day of thanks.

Thank you for being there.

Thank you for helping me clean the car out the other day.

Thank you for existing.

Thank you for because I am required to say thank you.

You get my point.

However, around this time of the year, I can't help but be spiteful at my family. Though, I think that's pretty normal. There's one person in your family that you hate AT LEAST.

Let's put my entire family on my list. Only Mom gets to stay off it.

Why?

Well, because I am quirkless, they are afraid that I am going to spread it around like a virus, so they don't let me come to any family gatherings to prevent such spread.

Quite frankly, I don't care about that. They are probably the same people who think that the Earth is flat with that same thought process.

The family I DO care about is my mom, and she likes to spend time with them despite their quirkist attitudes. They are her family after all.

While I would love for my mom to just block them and never speak to them again, that would be selfish on my part. Mom wants to be around them, and it is not my job to stop her.

Therefore, Mom made a compromise when I was five: she would go back and forth between the two families each year when it comes to Thanksgiving and Christmas. She would spend Thanksgiving with one family and Christmas with the other. That switches every year.

This year, Mom is spending Thanksgiving with them and Christmas with me.

How does that work when a child is involved?

Simple, you hire a babysitter desperate for money! To make things better for me, whenever Mom leaves, I would tell the babysitter that I am quirkless, and they would leave and return before Mom gets back for the money. It works out well for both parts because I don't want to deal with a bitch.

That's what happened this time too (though, why do I need a babysitter at 14), and you know what that means?

At home drinking and skipping school for a week!

Or, at least, that's what would happen if I didn't tell Shouta I was going sober. Sure, I can lie about it, but I lie about enough things. I'm still skipping school. Just not drinking.

And that gets boring quick, so I hide during the day and come out at night.

Thus, where I am now.

Currently, I am at the beach cleaning at midnight. Despite it being way too cold for even Jesus, let alone me, I rather be cold than considering drinking, even if I am still considering it.

It's rather quiet considering everything besides the waves. Everyone is home enjoying their families while I am here with my metaphorical family of trash. I'm not worried about anyone jumping me or anything.

Not that I ever was. If it happens, it happens sort of deal for me. After all, if I can escape a police station drunk, I can escape anything sober.

Out of impulsive thought, I decide that I want fire. I see plenty of boards, and I have a lighter on me. A fire sounds nice.

It doesn't take long for me to have a fire, and I can't help but want to touch it. It's pretty and shit.

Can't you tell that I need therapy?

Since I have been moving shit for the past hour, I decide to take a break and sit. Damn, I wish I had marshmallows. S'mores sound fucking amazing right now. Maybe I can head to the nearby market and pick some up? Do they have graham crackers and chocolate too? I have no fucking clue, but it sounds like fun to go find some before the fire burns out.

Or before the fire burns the entire beach. Certainly would make the trash pickup easier at least. I would just have to pick up the little pieces, and I can build a machine for that.

Why didn't I think of that sooner?! Sure, the ozone layer would hate me, but the beach would love me so-!

"Izuku? Kid, what the hell are you doing here?"

I instantly spin around to see Shouta standing there with his hands in his pockets. Unlike usual, he isn't in his hero costume but rather sweatpants and a hoodie. The only thing that remains of his costume is the scarf.

His fashion sense is concerning.

I stand up and face him, "The better question is what are YOU doing here? You're off fucking work! What's the point in being out when you don't have work?!"

Shouta raises an eyebrow, "The same could be said for you. Shouldn't you be spending time with your mom?"

"She's out of town with relatives, so that option is sort of not there. Also, I know you are diverting, so speak up!" Shouta sighs.

"I was checking to see if you would be here, which you are." Now I am confused.

"Wait, what? Why the fuck would you come out just to see if I am here or not?"

"Because you are a kid, and I care about you. Therefore, I consider you partially my responsibility at this point."

"I don't think that's how that works."

Shouta shrugs, "Why aren't you with your relatives?"

"Uh, I'm quirkless, remember?"

"And?"

"They're quirkist??? Shouta, I shouldn't have to spell this out for you."

"So your mom left you to visit family that is against her own stone?"

"I mean, she left me a babysitter if that makes you feel any better."

"And let me guess: you paid off the babysitter to make them leave."

"Noooo. I just told them I was quirkless, and they left. They plan on coming back right before she comes to get the money. Besides, you're putting this out of perspective: they're her family too. It's unfair to keep her from them just because of who I am."

Shouta's frown deepens (didn't think that was possible), "You're her child, Izuku. She can visit them any other time. These are special dates."

"Homie, we've been doing this since I first learned I was quirkless. I spend either Thanksgiving or Christmas with her, they get the other holiday, and we go back and forth every year."

"...I hope you realize that's wrong. You should not have to be away from the only family that accepts you on any holiday just because they want to spend it with others who don't want to be around you."

"It's wrong?"

Shouta sighs louder, pinching the bridge of his nose, "How long has she been gone?"

"Since last Monday? Shouta, I can take care of myself."

"And does the babysitter usually leave you?"

"Uh, yeah-"

"Since you were five?" Oh boy, that is not a can of worms I would like to open up!

I click my tongue, "On second thought, I would like a new conversation, please and thank you." Shouta puts his hands back in his pocket as he considers something for a moment.

Shouta approaches me, "Come on, let's put the fire out."

"Huh? Excuse me, what the fuck are you playing at? Fire is warm! Fire is toasty! I was just about to go get supplies to make s'mores too!"

"And you were going to leave a fire behind?"

"No, I was going to bring the fire with me into the store while I shopped- Yes, I was going to leave the fire behind!" Though, now I am curious if that is possible without being kicked out.

"For how smart you are, you really are dumb sometimes, brat."

"You're expecting me to put out my only heat source!"

"Because you're coming with me."

"Uh, if you plan on taking me to the police station, game over, Hobo."

"No. We're going to a friend's house."

"...why?"

"Some close friends are having a Thanksgiving feast."

"And you want to bring me to that why? Also, why at this time?"

"Because we're heroes," Shouta, done with me questioning him, proceeds to stomp out the fire, "and you deserve to be around people to enjoy the day, kid."

"That sounds like interference that I want nothing to do with."

Shouta approaches me again, notices the shiver, and takes over his scarf to shove me one. While it's disgusting, it's also warm. I'll keep it this once.

Shouta signals for me to follow him, "If anything, they'll be happy to see you."

I consider running, but decide to just follow him since my curiosity is too strong, "Did you invite my bullies?"

"No."

"Then why would they be happy to see me? I'm literally a walking disaster waiting to happen."

"I've talked about you with them before. They've been wanting to meet you for a while, but I've been trying to avoid the interaction as long as possible."

"Is it the cops?"

"Izuku, no. Just trust me, alright?"

"I think I drank before this meeting because I simply don't believe it."

"I can tell by your expression you haven't, so come on. I don't need you getting hypothermia out here."

"Hypodeeznuts!" I say with a smile, but Shouta ignores that in favor of leading the way.

Quite frankly, I still think he is taking me to a police station. That's not exactly good considering I won't know when we are at the police station until we are at the police station since directions be damned.

We end up walking for ten minutes until we arrive in front of a normal apartment building.

"Stick close," Shouta mumbles as he enters. What the fuck, is he leading me to a drug bust or something? Shouta must have noticed, "No. Whatever you are thinking, no. The person at front knows me."

"Would have thought I said that out loud," I huff as I follow.

"I can tell by your expression."

I don't know why Shouta makes me stay close to him because the guy said shit. In fact, they didn't even look up when we hopped on the elevator.

We go to the third floor, and I feel like I really shouldn't be following someone to their apartment. However, he didn't lead me to the police station either, so I have to give him credit for that.

When we get to the floor, it's nice. It's not luxurious, but it's nice. A nice place to be jumped.

Shouta and I walk to the end of the hallway in front of the door.

Shouta looks over his shoulder, "Let me go in first."

"I was going to let you, but if I get jumped, it's your fault."

Shouta rolls his eyes, "You're not going to get jumped. I wasn't planning on leaving you out here anyway." With that, Shouta knocks on the door.

The door immediately opens, but as I am standing behind Shouta, who needs to lose a few inches in height, I can't see shit. However, I do hear a familiar feminine voice, though I guess that shouldn't be surprising if they are all heroes.

"Shouta, you finally came! We were about to eat without you!"

Shouta sighs, "I told you I was going to check something. Speaking of, I brought a guest."

Instantly, she gets louder, "You finally got a boyfriend?!" I knew he wasn't straight!

"WAIT, WHAT?!" Another man screams from inside, and I instantly recognize his voice. It takes everything not to jump out the nearest window because my fucking queen is in there, and I don't feel deserving of it even hearing it, let alone sharing the same room as him.

"No."

The woman calls back, "Tensei, get him to shut up! He's still single! Alright, where are they then?"

"Behind me." Without so much as a warning, Shouta walks inside and leaves me outside! However, now that I can actually see, I recognize Midnight outside of costume at the door. As soon as her eyes land on me, they light up like I was the turkey dinner.

"Hold up, is that Izuku?!" Midnight freaks out, and I am now internally freaking out because she knows who I am.

"WAIT, IZUKU IS HERE?! SHOUTA, WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU WERE GOING TO INVITE HIM?! I WOULD HAVE DRESSED BETTER!" Present Mic out of costume jumps over a fucking couch followed after an Ingenium out of costume.

Ingenium out of costume has the nerve to fucking giggle, "He's so small!"

Midnight laughs, "But adorable-! Uh, kid, where are you going?"

During their laugher, I went to the window at the end of the hall and start unlocking it, "I'm not tolerating this disrespect! I'm leaving!"

The laughter gets louder, and I start to open the window. That seems to settle them down slightly.

"Uh, Sho? Izuku is not going to jump out the window is he?" Ingenium asks with concern.

I can hear Shouta sighing from here, "Izuku, you want a plate?!"

I stop my leg that's halfway out the window, "Are you serious?"

Shouta peeks his head out of the doorframe, "Yeah, but-"

"And I am back in," With no hesitation, I get back in the building, close the window, and go into the apartment next to Shouta, "Wait, it's toasty in here."

Midnight gets everyone inside, seeming to be trying yet failing at calming down. "That is cute yet concerning at the same time!"

I huff, crossing my arms, "I am not cute!"

Present Mic and Ingenium look at eachother and then say, "Yes, you are."

Present Mic eyes widen when he sees Shouta's scarf around my neck, "Wait, is that Shouta's?"

"Um, yes?"

"He never lets me wear his scarf!"

"Within reason. It's yucky and filled with germs."

"But it's Sho's!"

"Um, uh, do you like him or-?" Before I can finish my question, Midnight slams a hand over my mouth to make me shut up, and that is probably one nasty hand.

Midnight leans down and whispers, "I'll update you on that situation," She then straightens up with a smile, "I think we've gotten plenty off track! We haven't even introduced ourselves yet!"

"I mean, I know your hero names so you kind of introduced yourselves to me a long time ago???"

All three of them look at me.

Ingenium asks, "I get I am recognizable, but you recognize those two?" He is signaling to Midnight and Present Mic.

"Uh, yeah? Midnight doesn't look much different, and I can recognize Present Mic's voice even if I went deaf," Since it is getting hot, I remove Shouta's scarf and offer it back to him. Shouta doesn't say anything as he takes it back and puts it on. While I have the chance, I pull out my bleach wipes and wipe down my face and neck.

"True true."

Present Mic looks at me with excitement, "Do you happen to be a fan?"

I click my tongue, looking away, "I admit to not such thing, sir." Especially when I have every piece of Present Mic merch and have listened to every single one of shows at least three times.

"Ew, sir. Call me Hizashi, kid!" I choke on air for a hot second, "Uh, you okay?"

"I'm good, homie. It's just a sin that your name is way to close to my father's, though I guess the z gives it more pizzazz."

"What's wrong with your father?"

"The 'gone fishing' sign is still on the door."

"Oh...oof."

"I know right? Just adds to my tragic backstory. The Got Talent shows will love me."

Hizashi bursts out laughing, "Kid, you're going to make us bust a lung!"

"Oof."

Ingenium leans over to Shouta, "I see what you mean by easily distracted."

"Sir, I can hear you!"

"Yeah? And what are you going to do about it?"

"I'll kidnap your brother."

"...I'm going to take that threat seriously and end my accusations there."

"As you should."

Midnight interrupts, "Without the threats, I'm Nemuri!"

"Glad to know that I am finally being taken seriously."

Ingenium smiles, "And I'm Tensei."

"I see, I see. Well, I know you guys know me, but I am going to say this anyway. I'm Izuku. Kind of a pleasure to meet everyone."

Shouta sighs from behind me, "Took you guys long enough."

Nemuri huffs, "Don't be such a whiner, Shouta! Anywhos, let's eat! I've had the table set for at least ten minutes!"

"Uh, will the food still be warm?" Tensei asks.

"We'll see!"

"I'm eating it no matter what," I huff as I follow after everyone.

Now that I have an actual change to to look at the apartment, it's clean, nice, and well-decorated. When you enter, you enter a mixture of living room/dining room/kitchen layout. This allows me a direct view of the dining table, and man, it is beautiful the amount of food on there. There's all sorts of stuff that I have never tried since Mom and I tend to be cheap (and broke) during Thanksgiving. I guess my reaction says a lot since Nemuri giggles, snapping me out of my intense stare of the food.

"When was the last time you ate? You look staving!" Nemuri asks.

"Um, what time is it?"

"Past one?"

"I ate dinner at eight, so yes I am starving."

Tensei takes a seat at the table, looking at me with concern, "And what did you eat?"

"Katsudon!" I say excited. While everyone sits, I am unsure where I go. Nemuri quickly sets me up between her and Shouta.

"That's it? You didn't have anything special for Thanksgiving?" Shouta, knowing I am going to be too distracted to seat myself, guides me to my seat to sit down.

"Katsudon is special! It's my favorite food!"

"That you can have any day of the week."

"I mean, that's the same with every other food here."

"No because it's expensive."

"What point are you trying to get at here?"

Shouta interrupts, "Tensei, drop it. I know you're concerned, but I can promise you that Izuku is in a safe environment. He's just being a dumbass by being out at this time."

"Wait, do I give homeless vibes or something?"

"Yes. Why do you think I expected text messages from you constantly when we first met with that burner phone?"

"Because you liked me?" I know that's wrong, but I didn't realize I gave that kind of vibe.

Shouta sighs, "Just eat, brat."

Everyone else has already started eating while I haven't even filled my plate yet! Maybe easily distracted should be added to my list of traits.

Since I am unsure of who prepared it, their hygiene, and all that junk, I can't help but be hesitant. I also have never been to a legit dinner. It's usually just my mom and I. Therefore, and I can't believe I am saying this, but I am taking Shouta's lead. I look at his plate, see how he sets it up, and follow that with slightly less.

Then, after encouraging myself, I take my first bite, and I feel like my heart is going to explode with happiness! It tastes amazing! It takes everything not to shovel it down and to eat like a normal person.

"This is amazing! Thank you!" I exclaim between bites, way too excited over the food.

Nemuri grins, "Thanks, Izuku! Glad I got your stamp of approval!"

Despite barely knowing these people, I can't help but feel like I fit in. It's easy to talk to them. In fact, they seem to just get me for how I act. They don't judge my particular habits, even if some are concerning. They seem to actually enjoy me!

And when I go home, I go home with three new numbers and a new squad.

- - -

Author's Notes

I wanted to do more, but it's a bit late, and I wanted to actually post this on Thanksgiving, even if it's not for y'all. I can say it is for me. Hope y'all enjoyed!Update: Holy shit I did 3k words in one day. Damn, I could write the bible within a month or two at that rate.

For Wattpad Users: If you want me to do your prompt, make sure you @MagieMagical before sending your prompt so I can find it through the bunches of messages I get. 

I have one prompt request involving snaps and mental trauma, and someone asked for a Yeetus Deletus Izuku one, but I plan on waiting until I get to a certain point in my fic when that makes more sense to write. Otherwise, you can request whatever you want. I will tell you if I will write it or not. If I decline, it's either because I want to maintain my sanity, it's too graphic, or illegal.