"Well dear, we'd better get going."

Finally.

"Alright then. Mother, father," I said, nodding at them both as we stood up. "It was nice to see you."

"Good to see you too dear," my mother said, reaching over and grabbing my shoulders for stability as she kissed both my cheeks. After kissing my left, she gripped my shoulders tighter. "Think about what we discussed, alright darling?"

"I will mother," I assured her as I patted her back, knowing full well I wouldn't be thinking about anything we discussed tonight.

"Good."

We said our goodbyes, my mother and father leaving my apartment and entering the elevator at the end of the hall.

I smiled and waved, my mother blowing me a kiss and my father waving nervously as I did so.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, my face fell into a sneer and I groaned.

"Finally, Christmas dinner with the parents? Check." I said, closing my door and walking over to my glass windows that showed the street below. Walking out onto the balcony, I was hit with the cold winter's air that cut through my skin like knives. I leaned against the railing, waiting till my parents car left the parking garage and drove away.

I finally let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, walking back inside to grab my phone.

"Contacts, contacts, now where is..." I trailed off, looking for Ochaco's name in my contacts. "There she is!"

"Ready?" She asked when she picked up the phone.

"Now."

"Roger that captain."

With that, she hung up, leaving me with a smirk on my face.

I hummed a tune, walking over to my cabinets and prying them open.

"Ok, huge bucket to put wine bottles in? Check." I whispered, pulling it out. I stood, placing it on the bar in my kitchen before walking into my undercover room.

Pans and containers were stacked onto each other, covering an entire corner of the room.

"Assorted homemade finger foods that I had to hide from my parents?" I whispered, walking over and grabbing a pan. "Check."

"Hey, we're here!" Called someone from the hall, knocking on my door.

"Coming!"

I opened the door after hurriedly placing down the pan in my hands, met with Ochaco, Yaoyorozu and Mina. Yaoyorozu held a bag of ice in one hand and a grocery bag in the other, while Mina beside her held bags of chips. Ochaco stood in front of both of them, holding dresses and shoe boxes in her arms.

"Come in, we don't have long."

(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)

A knock came from my door, making me turn in my place. I was currently standing on a stool with a roll of tape around my finger and part of a garland in my mouth with the rest of it curled around my elbow.

"I'll get it!" Mina exclaimed, running over to the door. I shrugged, going back to taping the garland to my walls.

"Hey Sero, how are you?" I heard from around the corner.

Sero's early.

"Hey (L/N)! What's up?" I turned around to find Sero standing a few meters away from me. I dropped the garland in my mouth and smiled.

"Hey Sero, I'm just decorating right now."

"Your place looks great, you guys have done a good job with it," he mentioned, looking around.

"Ah, thank you." I turned once again, taking a piece of tape and rolling it to stick up the garland.

"Sorry about being early by the way, I thought it would take longer to get here."

"Don't worry about it, I'm glad you came at all!" I went to grab another piece of tape, but found nothing, my nails scratching at the roll of plastic. "Damn it," I muttered, dropping the roll to the ground and stepping down off my stool.

"Ran out of tape?" Sero asked, scratching his elbow.

"Yeah, and I don't think I have anymore... I might have to run down the street."

"You could use mine?" He sounded nervous and I turned on my heel to look at him.

"You don't have to do that, it's fine, I'll run down the street."

"I'm alright, I didn't have a shift today and besides, it'll hold up the garland better." Sero insisted, pointing over his shoulder towards the garland.

"Are you sure?" I asked, approaching my stool again.

"Yeah, yeah," he said, ripping a piece of tape from his elbows and rolling it like I had.

I smiled and took it from his outstretched hand, putting it on my wall and pressing the garland on it.

"Did you see your family for the holidays?" I asked as I took another piece of tape from his hand.

"I did earlier this month, but duty calls, you know?"

"I get that. My parents left not too long ago and I'm glad they're gone." I scoffed, pressing another section of garland to tape.

"I'm sorry you grew up the way you did."

I paused.

"What?"

"I don't mean to be rude, but how your parents forced heroism onto you, it's- it's just not right! No child should go through that." I looked down at the man as he tore another piece of tape off his body, rolling it with a scowl.

"Thank you Sero, that's... that's very kind of you to say. Don't worry about it though, I'm fine. A dash of trauma just makes me more interesting." We both started laughing, our laughter faltering into giggles as I took another piece of tape from Sero's hand.

Putting up on the wall, I stared into his eyes, smiling.

"Thanks," I whispered.

"No problem," he responded, sounding breathless.

I smiled again, turning back to my garland.

(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)

I stared at the box in the corner of my room as I slowly buttoned my shirt.

It was addressed to me with no return address on the label. I had found it on my bed earlier this afternoon when I got home and it took every part of me not to scream. I hadn't had any guests in weeks before my parents.

I just knew it was from Tomura, I know it. I don't know if I even want to open it.

"(Y/N), are you ready yet?"

I snapped out of my trace, looking in the mirror at my appearance. I had on a red button up shirt tucked into black slacks, the sleeves rolled up to my elbows. It was unbuttoned down to my mid chest, making my bra was slightly visible.

"Yeah, Yaoyorozu, almost!"

"Can we come in?" I heard Mina ask.

"Sure!"

My door opened and I looked at them from the mirror, watching as they slowly stopped.

"Do I look okay?" I asked, turning. They both wore long dresses, looking elegant.

"You look... amazing." Yaoyorozu said slowly, looking me up and down. She shook her head, holding her arm out to me. Mina lightly smacked Yaoyorozu's arm, making her yelp.

"A woman after my own heart!" Mina exclaimed, walking over and wrapping her arms around my waist.

"Mina don't do that, you might her uncomfortable!" Yaoyorozu insisted, approaching us.

"It's fine Yaoyorozu, I don't mind," I assured her, holding out my arm to her as I wrapped the other around Mina's shoulders. I felt her horns lightly poking my side as she reached up to lace her fingers with mine.

Yaoyorozu slipped her arm in mine and we all walked out of my room and into my living room where Ochaco stood talking to Sero and Eijiro who had apparently showed up.

"Oh hey guys, you all look great!" She sang, looking over at us. She herself looked elegant in a knee length dress that puffed out at the skirt with tulle.

"Ladies, looking great!" Sero exclaimed, winking and giving us all a thumbs up.

"Wow guys, really knocking us out of the park!" Eijiro exclaimed, smiling and laughing as he gestured to him and Sero.

Sero was wearing a graphic t-shirt with a snowflake on it while Eijiro wore a sweater with tiny sweaters pinned to it.

"Did you make that yourself?" I asked, pointing to the red head.

"Yes I did, sewed the little ones myself!" He exclaimed, putting one hand on his hip and raking the other through his hair.

"Very cute Eijiro, I love it." I complimented, walking over.

"Oh great, I'm glad!" He exclaimed, snatching me up in a hug. I wrapped my arms around his neck and smiled.

His hair smells like... strawberries... it's kind of nice.

He put me down and I stepped towards Ochaco.

"Ochaco, baby, thank you so much for your help." I turned to Yaoyorozu and Mina. "You guys too, I really wouldn't have been able to get my apartment looking this nice in time, thank you all so much."

Ochaco squealed and threw her arms around my neck.

"Of course! Anytime, we were more than happy to help!" I spun her around before setting her down and looking to Sero.

"Since we couldn't do it earlier." I held out my arms and he caught me in a hug.

"Happy holidays," he whispered.

"Happy holidays Sero."

A knock rang through the room and Sero put me down.

"You should get that," he said, chuckling and rubbing the back of his neck. I smiled and ran over, throwing the door open.

"Hello (Y/N), it's an honor to be invited to your home!" Iida exclaimed. His hair was combed back and in his hands was a small black box with a red gift bow on top.

"Hey (Y/N), thanks for inviting us!" Izuku called from behind the living Sonic.

"Of course, you guys are my friends, now come in, come in!" They both stepped in and Iida looked down at me.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" He asked, looking extremely worried.

"Yeah, sure Iida, of course. Izuku, there's champagne in the kitchen and beer in the fridge if you want anything." I said, looking past Iida's arm and at the number one hero.

He looked from me to Iida and back before smiling softly.

"That's great, thanks." He walked off after that and I turned to Iida.

"So what's wrong Iida, you sound upset."

He rubbed the box in his hand before looking back to me.

"I don't know if you celebrate Christmas, but my family does. I didn't feel right just coming to your home and not bringing anything, so here's my Christmas present to you!" He said, holding it out to me. "I hope you like it."

"Oh Iida, you really didn't have to."

"Please, I insist." He urged, touching his hair as if to make sure it was still in place.

I smiled softly at him and pulled the top of the box up. Inside was a small silver banded ring with a tiny blue stone.

"Iida I- I don't know what to say, this is beautiful." I said, suddenly at a loss for words.

Sensing my stunned state, the man before me lightly took the box from my hand and slipped the ring out. He grabbed my hand gently and slid it onto my pinkie.

"Ah," he said, smiling to himself, "it does fit. Good."

"Thank you Iida, you really shouldn't have."

"It was my pleasure."

"Heyo, anyone home?"

"I should get that," I said. "Thank you again." I reached up to peck him on the cheek before maneuvering around him and to the door.

"Denki, Shinsou, I'm glad you could come!" I said, smiling at the pair.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, beautiful!" Denki exclaimed, hugging me.

"Put her down you idiot." Shinsou demanded, rolling his eyes. He looked back at me, his face softening as he held up a bottle.

"We brought whiskey."

"Always needed at a party, come in." Stepping to the side, they both walked in, looking around.

"Nice apartment," Shinsou complimented before pointing to my mantle. "Nice collection too— wait is that me?"

I laughed nervously, scratching my arm.

"Maybe? It's weird enough when the heroes I admire are in my house, it's even worse if they recognize themselves on my mantle."

"It's an honor to be in your collection," he said, bowing slightly to me.

"Yeah yeah, give me the whiskey," I said, laughing as I took the bottle. "Get something to drink!" I said, shooing them away, "go, go talk and mingle!"

Denki held up his hands in surrender as he walked away and towards Kirishima.

"Can I get you anything?" I asked Shinsou, who, instead of walking away stayed standing at the bar.

"I drove, so I shouldn't have too much. Remind me to stop after a glass." He said, nodding towards the champagne while leaning over to look at me.

"I get that, I can't drink too much either. Messes with my quirk."

"Ah. I have to drive the idiot home so I shouldn't go hard on alcohol." We went silent after that and I heard Mina opening the door for someone.

"How are you by the way? We haven't talked in a while." He mentioned as I turned towards him with a long glass in hand.

"I'm pretty good actually. I'm really glad people are coming over, I really need it after today."

"Something bad happen?" He asked, taking a sip.

"My parents happened. They visited or more like, forced their way into my schedule for the holidays." I answered, laughing slightly at the memory.

"How... pleasant of them." He said giving me a pitiful smile as I leaned over the counter towards him.

"Oh yeah. They do that stuff a lot, it... it gets to be a bit much."

"But what can you do you know? They're family. Blood is thicker than water after all. You gotta love them." He shrugged and took another sip of his drink.

I laughed, making him look at me.

"I don't have to do shit. I hate my parents and they know it. They try to worm their way into my life, and they do. But they keep doing the same shit that made me hate them, over and over. It's not helping their case. Family isn't who made you, Shinsou. It's the people you love. The people who make you feel safe. That is family."

He furrowed his eyebrows, looking at me curiously.

"I've never thought about it that way."

"You should think about it a bit. Find your family. It'll change your life, I promise. Let me guess, your family told you that in an attempt to excuse their behavior?"

He stayed silent, just staring in astonishment.

"I thought so. Just remember, you can choose your friends but your family? They'll find you, blood related or not. I promise." I assured him, reaching over to pat his shoulder.

He reached up, taking my hand and kissing my knuckles.

"I'll have to think about that." He stared at me for a moment in silence.

"I think you're part of my family, (Y/N)." I smiled, putting my hand to his cheek.

"I'd be honored."

"(Y/N), there you are!" I turned, finding Jiro and Tokoyami waving at me.

I smiled, waving back before turning to Shinsou.

"Think about it ok?"

He nodded and I turned to Jiro and Tokoyami.

"I'm so glad you guys could make it!" I exclaimed, wrapping my arms around Jiro.

"I didn't want to miss it! I feel honored to be invited!"

"Oh my god, of course!" I said, laughing and hugging Tokoyami.

"So how have you guys been, what have you been up to?" I asked, ushering them to the living room.

"Nothing much, the usual," Jiro answered, "Just hero work, you know."

"Mostly getting Dark Shadow to be quiet. He really enjoys the holidays, so he gets excited."

"You bet I do! It's the most wonderful time... of the year!! Ten out of ten, very enjoyable!" Dark Shadow exclaimed, emerging from Tokoyami's gut.

"Dark Shadow please-"

"Hey Dark Shadow, how's the holidays for you?" I asked, smiling at the void shape.

"They're great! I love this time of year! The air is cold, people are kind, and everyone is happy!" He exclaimed, spinning around with his arms wide.

"Well, I can't argue with that."

"Oh hey, (Y/N)," Jiro said, lightly hitting my arm, "I did a lecture at U.A. earlier this month and Mirio was talking about wanting you to come teach another class, you should call him."

"He and I have talked about that, he's actually coming tonight."

"Oh good, he sounded really excited."

"From what I've heard, you were quite a hit over there in 3-A." Tokoyami said.

"I hope so, I really enjoyed it. Those kids— dude, they are crazy skilled." I praised them, thinking back to those amazing kids.

"Aren't they?" Jiro asked.

"I have to agree, they are very talented."

"Hey, are we talking about my kids?"

"Mirio! I'm so glad you could come!" I exclaimed, turning when Mirio's hand landed on my shoulder.

"Of course, I wouldn't miss a chance to see you!" He said, picking me up and spinning me around.

"(Y/N), thanks for the invitation, your place looks great, very festive!" Izuku complimented, coming up from behind me.

"Thanks, I had a lot of help," I said, pointing towards Ochaco, Mina and Yaoyorozu who sat in a group talking. They all looked up and waved at us.

"They're great at decorating and all that stuff, they used to decorate the dorms all the time." He told me, laughing.

"Oh I remember that, you invited me to a few of their parties to try and cheer me up in high school!" Mirio recalled, smiling and pointing at Izuku's chest.

"I forgot I did that to be honest," he said, looking embarrassed.

"Well it sounds like you meant well."

"He did, and I'm grateful for him!" Mirio exclaimed, throwing his arm around Izuku's shoulders and squeezing him tight.

"Mirio..." Izuku trailed off, his face turning red.

"Speaking of Mirio, where's Tamaki?" I asked, knowing that he might not have come.

"He's behind me!" Mirio exclaimed, jabbing a thumb behind him. "He doesn't really like parties, but he's been wanting to be more social lately!"

I stepped around Mirio to see Tamaki's face pressed against his back.

"Th-there's so m-many people..."

I reached over and rubbed his back in circles, trying to comfort him.

"You want a drink?" I asked softly.

He nodded his head.

"Ok, come on." I whispered before looking towards Mirio and Izuku again. "Hey, let me get you guys drinks, we can catch up," I said, beckoning them to the bar.

"That's be great!"

(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)

"Shoto, I'm glad you could come!" I exclaimed, walking over to the man as he shut the door behind himself.

"I wouldn't dare miss it." He answered simply, smiling as I raised my arms to hug him. We wrapped each other in our arms and a chill ran up my spine from his cold jacket.

Kissing me on my cheek, he released me, shrugging off his coat.

"Put that on the rack if you can find a hook and then get a drink, talk, everyone's here," I said, waving my hand towards the rack I had hung on the wall.

"The only person I want to talk to is you," Shoto responded, hanging his coat over Bakugo's even though there was an empty hook right beside it.

"Yeah yeah lover boy, now go get some alcohol."

Shoto chuckled, putting his hand on my shoulder and kissing my head before walking past me towards the kitchen.

"Hey dumbass!" I turned around when I heard Bakugo's voice ring out, internally groaning at his sneer. "Is that Deadchi Bitch here, I wanna teach him a lesson."

"No Bakugo, Daichi isn't here. He's spending the holidays with his girlfriend and her family, so cool it. And please, for the love of god, don't beat anyone up." I pleaded, giving the hero in front of me a face as I sipped from my glass.

"I won't, but after what that asshole did, he deserves it." He huffed, shoulders slumping down.

I reached over to the table behind me, grabbing a cookie from a plate.

"Baked goods for your troubles?" He looked from me to the cookie in my hand and groaned, grabbing it from my hand.

"Did you make these?" He asked, taking a bite.

"Yes, I also laced them with arsenic so watch out."

"Ha ha, very funny." He said, covering his mouth as he chewed. "They aren't terrible."

"I'm sorry, what- what was that?" I asked.

"I said, they aren't... terrible. They're actually pretty good."

"I'm sorry, did the Bakugo Katsuki just compliment me? Oh joyous day, he can show positive emotion!" I exclaimed, throwing my hand over my chest.

"Shut up!" He practically growled, waving his arm to hit me lightly in my stomach.

I started laughing despite his pissed off face, making him even more upset.

"Hey (Y/N)," Denki asked, putting his hand on my shoulder, "do you have any Asahi?"

"Yeah sure, hold on." I answered, putting my glass down and waving a goodbye to Bakugo and walking away before he could say anything.

I approached my fridge, opening it and crouching down. Opening a drawer at the bottom, I grabbed a can of the beer before standing and closing it with my foot. I turned as I closed the door as Denki fell forward.

His hand fell on the counter, the other grasping the side of the fridge.

"Sorry, someone bumped into me." He stared at me as I glanced behind him. Kirishima was walking away from us.

"Right. Well here's your beer." I held up the can and he smirked, taking it from me. He placed it behind me on the counter, still studying my face. Taking my hand, he pressed a kiss to my knuckles.

"Who are you and what have you done with Denki?" I asked while I smirked, making him chuckle.

"I'm just looking at you. You're really pretty you know?" He asked, smirking and leaning down.

"Get off her you idiot," someone said, shoving Denki's face away from mine.

"Shinsou, I was on a roll!"

"Then why don't you roll out of the room? Get up, go, leave." The insomniac said, shooing his roommate away.

"Shinsou you little-"

"Don't trash my kitchen please!" I called, already walking out.

"Roger that!"

"If Shinsou keeps being an- ow! A total ass— then I can't make promises!"

I laughed as I walked out, picking up my glass and a bottle of champagne as I went.

I saw Izuku on my couch, leaned back and smiling as he talked to Mirio. Tamaki sat back to back with his blonde friend, sipping his champagne glass and looking down.

"Hey guys," I called, walking over and sitting on my coffee table. "More champagne?"

"Yes please!" Mirio exclaimed, holding out his glass to me. His eyes looked around the room as I poured, a smile gracing his face. "Your apartment is great (Y/N), I love your Funko collection." He said, pointing towards the mantle behind me.

I started filling Izuku's glass.

"Thanks, I'm pretty proud of it. Kind of embarrassing when the heroes you have Funkos of are actually in your apartment, but you learn to live with it."

"I'm flattered to be apart of your collection!" Izuku exclaimed, smiling at me.

"I-I um- I am too," Tamaki muttered, looking at me from behind his friend.

"It took forever to get my Suneater, you're sold out everywhere!" I said, chuckling. Tamaki blushed when I said that, looking away and holding out his glass.

"I'm g-glad you f-found it. Champagne p-please."

"Sure thing," I said, tipping the bottle to fill his glass. "How's U.A.?" I asked, noticing Mirio and Izuku had gone back to talking about some mission they had.

I moved to sit across from Tamaki, setting the bottle back on the coffee table.

"I-it's good. J-just helping Mirio a-and N-n-Nejire mostly. Helping w-with training and papers." He answered, taking a sip from his glass. "How's the a-agency?"

"Oh it's good. Just catching bad guys, you can relate, I'm sure." Tamaki gave me a small smile through his bangs.

"I helped Mirio and Izuku on a m-mission the other day. R-raid on a s-small gang." He told me, looking back down at his glass as he tapped the stem.

"I think I saw that on the news, you were great in there! The- the, ah crap, that move you did at the end! That was insane, you have to teach me that sometime!" Tamaki's face lit up, the tips of his ears turning red as he hid his face.

"Th-th-thanks (Y-Y/N). I-I-I can t-teach you sometime."

"That'd be great, I'd love that Tamaki."

I put my hand on his shoulder and smiled, opening my mouth to say something else.

I was interrupted by a knock.

On my window.

I turned in my seat, looking to the glass.

"I'll be right back, ok Tamaki?" He nodded at me and I patted his cheek, causing him to cover his face with his hands.

"What was that?" Izuku asked as he stood, walking after me towards my door to the small balcony.

"I'm not sure," I answered, trying to see what was happening in the dark outside.

I watched as a fist emerged from the dark, knocking on the glass again.

Did he really—

I slid open the door as Izuku put his hand on my shoulder.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yes really!" Takami exclaimed, spreading out his arms. "I had to come see my girl during the holidays!"

"I'm not your girl," I laughed out as he threw his arms around me.

"Yet," he whispered, "not my girl yet."

"Were you on a shift?" I asked as he pulled away, smacking Izuku's hand away from my shoulder and replacing it with his own.

"Indeed I was, but I saw your lights on through the door so I thought I'd stop by. I hope I'm not  intruding."

"Not at all, I'm having a little party thing for the holidays. Can I interest you in some champagne?" I asked, gesturing to the bottle on the table.

"I shouldn't," he said, tossing his wrist in a flippant gesture. "But I will anyway."

I smiled wide, patting his chest.

"Let me get you a glass." I turned and started walking away, Izuku on my heels.

"Since when do you know Hawks?" He asked as we entered to kitchen, no one else was occupying the space, which left us alone.

"We met a few years ago but recently got back in touch," I responded, opening my cabinets and grabbing a champagne glass by its stem.

"Why did he call you his girl?" Izuku sounded hurt when he asked and I turned to face him.

"Just because he's got this notion in his head that we should be dating, don't worry about it, it's not a big deal."

"He plays people (Y/N), I don't wanna see you get hurt." He pleaded, taking one of my hands.

"Izuku please, don't worry about it, it's alright. I'm a big girl, I can handle myself, I promise."

"I just don't want you to get heart broken!" He exclaimed and I let down the wall I put up to read his thoughts.

I don't wanna see you with him!

"Izuku, listen to me," I said, putting the glass down and grabbing his shoulders. "Hawks and I? We are not dating. I will not get my heart broken, I promise you. Even if I do, I give you full permission to say 'I told you so,' ok?"

He chuckled, reaching up to grab my face.

"Yeah ok."

We stared at each other for a minute, just smiling before I craned my neck to kiss his forehead.

"Come on, let's go," I said, grabbing his hand and the glass. I dragged him back into the living room where Takami stood, talking to Mirio.

I filled the glass in my hand and handed it to the hero who had just dropped in for a surprise visit.

"Ah, thank you my dear. If it's not too much, I'd like to make a toast?" He asked more than said, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and looking down at me.

"Be my guest."

He simply smiled.

"Excuse me everyone!" He exclaimed, making heads turn. "Excuse me! Can I get everyone's attention please?"

Jiro hit Denki's arm to make him pay attention and when he turned his eyes widened.

"Is that-"

"Yes it is, now shut up."

People emerged from the hallway, all looking surprised that the Hawks was in my apartment.

"You know bird brain?" Bakugo asked, scoffing.

"I take offense to that and you weren't even speaking to me," Tokoyami said, tapping his glass with his finger as he and Shinsou left the hallway.

"Hello all," Takami said, holding me close with his arm which was still wrapped around my shoulders. "I stopped by tonight to check on my girl-"

"Your friend—"

"Ah, she admits it, my girlfriend—"

I hit his chest and we both laughed, a few people laughing along with us.

"Ok not my girlfriend yet— but that's not the point. The point is, we're here. I haven't seen a few of you since you were at U.A., and that thought alone is terrifying. But here we are, all together, in (Y/N)'s lovely home—" he tightened his grip slightly, shaking me a bit and making me laugh— "to celebrate the holidays. So I'd like to propose a toast. To (Y/N). To her kick-ass detective skills and her—" he leaned towards me and whispered— "superior beauty—"

I hit his arm and looked down, making him chuckle.

"And of course to all her friends, who gathered with here today to celebrate winter and it's many holidays. Happy holidays to you all! To (Y/N)!" He thrust his glass in the air and smiled down at me.

I looked up at the crowd of my friends as they slowly started raising their glasses to me.

When I was a kid, my mother didn't really let me celebrate the holidays. Something about it being a "distraction." But here I was, celebrating this season with everyone I love surrounding me.

"To (Y/N)!" They all exclaimed.

"We're forever grateful you're in our lives," Izuku said, walking up from behind me. "Happy holidays (Y/N)."

"Happy holidays!" Everyone exclaimed.

"I didn't think I'd ever enjoy any choice that Bakugo made—"

"Hey!"

"—but... he did invite you to that party. And I'm glad he did." Jiro said, smiling at me and raising her glass impossibly higher.

I felt myself tear up as Takami put his fingers under my chin, making me look up at him.

"Happy holidays feather," he whispered.

I didn't need my parents.

Blood is thicker than water.

Shinsou said that earlier, but that's only half the phrase.

The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.

I didn't need my blood related family.

I had my new family. One that was good for me. One that was made for me.

"Happy holidays guys," I said, smiling as I held back tears.

"Happy holidays."

(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)/(/)

Staring at the box that was mysteriously on my bed, I finally decided to open it.

Might as well get it over with. Besides, what there's more threats I need to comply with?

I sighed in an attempt to prepare myself.

Now or never.

I ripped the tape and opened the lid of the box only to be met with...

Sour gummy worms?

Sour gummy worms. They've been my favorite since high school and here they were, five packs of them. I took them all out, looking at the bags.

In the bottom of the box though, was a piece of paper. I looked down at it, cringing at the one word written there.

-Tomura♡︎

"Happy holidays Tomura," I whispered, staring at the note. "Have a happy holiday."

Happy holidays guys!! I am so so so happy to have all of you, your comments and messages make my day whenever I see them, and I'm so excited that I get to share my stories with you and make you happy with my fantasies of fictional characters. Next month will mark one year of this book, which is insane to me seeing as how I didn't think I'd make it past chapter fifty! But here I am, the hundredth chapter in my drafts as we speak. But before that, I hope you enjoyed all 5,000 (around 5,300) words of the holiday special!

Fun Fact: Kirishima's sweater is based off of one I wore in the eighth grade.

Reminder: Family isn't blood. Family are the people that make you feel safe. I love you all💞💞

Over and out.