Fireworks were alright in his opinion. Although why the residence of Storybrooke insisted on setting them off for a country they only occupied because of a curse confused him endlessly. They were set off in celebration of your victory in battle, not because of a battle 200 years ago your ancestors weren't even a part of. Yet for some reason the entire town had chairs and blankets sprawled all down the main road as fireworks lit up the sky from three directions.
Some were chatting as they watched, one girl was reading by the irregular light, and a couple was even doing something as juvenile as chasing fireflies. Some were turning constantly in attempts of the impossible task of watching all three directions. It was one of these people that caught his attention. The girl was watching with the same look of wonder and amazement the town's children shared. He'd never seen that particular woman grin so broadly.
"Never seen fireworks before, sweetheart?" he asked as he approached her.
She hardly spared him a glance before tilting her gaze back to the sky. He half-expected her to walk away considering their history, but she was in too good of mood to care.
"No. It's too dry in the desert. Too much risk of starting a fire," she answered.
"Ah. Well personally I don't see why they're setting 'em off in the first place," he shrugged.
"It's the fourth of July."
"I heard," he chided, "but these people have no tie to the holiday."
There was an especially loud BOOM causing her to jump slightly, then laugh in joy at the especially large burst of light and colour that he completely missed seeing.
"That's not what I meant," her eyes flickered back to him for a moment, "It's the fourth of July. It would be no different if they did this on the fourth of August, or any other day for that matter. They're not celebrating what happened two hundred years ago, they're celebrating what happened today. When you've survived as much as everyone here has, you don't need a reason to celebrate. You just need to celebrate. Remember all you have to celebrate."
"By setting things on fire?" he asked in amusement.
"Apparently," she chuckled. "You have to admit, they are beautiful though."
He wasn't looking at the sky when he gave a, "Mh-mhm," of agreement.
She wandered off at that moment, and he had the sudden urge to follow and find out what else that optimism saw.
A/N: I was watching fireworks and got bit by this plot bunny (and mosquitoes), which explains this drabble/one-shot thing! Hope you enjoy, please review, and Happy 4th of July!