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Guillermo checked his watch for the third time and let out a soft huff as he lazily paced around in the hallway. He had sent Nandor back to his room to change clothes yet again not five minutes ago, hoping that the vampire would come out in suitable clothes and not being surprised in the slightest that at least one thing was off about his outfit. At this rate, they were going to be late for the fireworks show.
In the eleven years he had lived in this house, he hadn’t seen a single fireworks show despite Nandor wanting to attend one every year. And every year, without fail, they hadn’t been to one. Things always got in the way or Guillermo had simply been too busy maintaining the house to remind Nandor when the 4th of July was coming up. This year turned out different. Guillermo had remembered the upcoming holiday and the past few weeks had stayed relatively calm. Even appearances from the council assassins had been far and few between although Guillermo chalked it up to this oppressive July weather. It had been hot and humid over the last couple of weeks, causing the old house to feel like an oven during the day. Nighttime brought the only reprieve from the sweltering 90 degree heat and the vampires were taking full advantage of it.
Tonight, they were heading off to a park to watch the annual fireworks display. A small festival was taking place there, complete with kiddie rides, games and food trucks. It was only going to be himself and Nandor tonight. Laszlo held a fierce dislike towards July 4th. No matter how much Nandor tried to convince him, no force could compel Laszlo to tag along. He and Nadja were shut away in the music room, as was usual for them on this night. Colin was busy crashing a party down the street, one that conveniently had a swimming pool.
Guillermo glanced down at his watch again. They had just over an hour to get to the festival, pick out their spot and for both of them to find their respective dinners. This is what he got for trusting Nandor to pick out his own outfit for the night.
“Master, are you sure you don’t need my help?” Guillermo sighed and ran a hand through his hair as he stopped in front of Nandor’s door. “We’re going to have to leave soon if we want to get there on time.”
“In a moment, Guillermo!” Nandor’s muffled voice floated through the door. “I am just putting on the finishing touches!”
Guillermo was left to resume his pacing as he waited, growing more anxious with each glance at his watch until the door finally opened. He was greeted with the sight of Nandor wearing the most human looking outfit he had seen him wear in years. The vampire was clad in dark jeans, an old shirt sporting the logo of a long since closed down tavern and a thin, red flannel shirt. The outfit had none of Nandor’s usual endless layers of clothing but considering the humidity, it was the closest Nandor was likely going to get to wearing shorts and a t-shirt out in public. For Guillermo, the most distracting part was Nandor’s hair. His master had decided to forgo his normal bun and instead went with pulling his back into a loose, low hanging ponytail.
Nandor stepped out into the hall and spun in place in front of Guillermo, showing off how good a job he did at picking the outfit out himself. “How’s this for the festivities?!” He stopped and frowned at his familiar when he said nothing. “Guillermo?”
With a quick shake of his head, Guillermo snapped his attention away from Nandor’s hair and sputtered. “I- uh, yeah. Yeah, you look great, master.”
“Then let’s be off!” Nandor didn’t wait for Guillermo. He hurriedly headed down the hall and out the front door, eager to be on the way to the festival.
As Guillermo was locking up the house, there was a loud crack from overhead. Bright colors erupted in the sky and lit up the front porch from the fireworks their neighbors were setting off. Guillermo could see Nandor’s face light in wonder as another one went off, sending a stream of gold colors through the sky with a crackling hiss and pop. Nandor turned to make sure Guillermo had seen and excitedly pointed up at the fireworks before his attention was stolen away by the neighborhood kids lighting sparklers.
While it was still hot and humid outside despite the sun having set already, all the miserable summer weather in the world was worth it to see Nandor’s eyes spark with a child-like wonder at something as simple as fireworks.