Turn off the lights.

“Sorry, do you mind if I sit here? I’m waiting for someone and this is the only good seat that’s not sitting directly in the sun– and I spent hours on my hair and makeup, and I refuse to sweat,” Octavia murmured, not bothering to wait for the other’s reply. “–I’m Octavia.” she introduced herself as she held out her hand.

Looking up from his phone, he saw the woman and gave a smile before nodding, about to speak when she introduced herself. “Of course. Nice to meet you, Octavia.” Reaching his hand out, he took hers and shook it. “Andy.” Moving up, he moved his jacket so she could sit down. “So, big date?”

“Well, I miss her too. –We talk. What are we doing now?” He knew that wasn’t quite what Andy meant, but he was going to play dumb anyway. He could be a bit of an asshole, especially towards his brother. He didn’t really have any reason to be such a dick towards Andy, other than holding a grudge against him over their father’s death. It had nothing to do with Andy, really, but Julian couldn’t help but associate him with their dad dying, and it made him defensive and angry around his brother. “I think I can. I shouldn’t be working that day.”

It wasn’t the kind of talking Andy’s daughter wanted from her father and uncle - Andy knew that. He knew Julian did too which is why he didn’t comment on the subject any further. Thinking about the tension between him and his brother made him uncomfortable anyway. Giving a small smile, he nodded. “Great! She’ll be so excited. Just..” Andy paused, stopping himself from telling his brother to look after her. He knew that wouldn’t end well. “Uh, have fun and keep an eye on her? She has a tendency to run off.”

“–With our track record? No, not likely.” Julian shook his head; he would’ve laughed if it wasn’t kinda fucked up. Once upon a time they’d been close, the way brothers should be, but now it was just a mess, and they could hardly talk now without getting into an argument. “She does?” At that, he had to smile. No matter what his relationship was like with Andy, he’d always had a bond with his niece, and would give her the world if he could. “Well, I wasn’t really planning on it. Spending a shit ton of money on rigged games and shitty food isn’t exactly my idea of fun. But maybe.” he murmured with a shrug. “Why? Does Ally want to go?”

Seeing his brother’s smile, he nodded and couldn’t help but give a small smile back. Ally is the only person he has known Julian to care about and for that Andy’s somewhat grateful. If he has to have a bad relationship with his brother for his daughter to have a good one with her uncle then so be it. “She misses you. I don’t think she really understands why we don’t talk.” Nodding at his comment, he understood. With the fireworks and loud noise in general, Andy didn’t think it would be a good idea for him, especially in front of Ally. She’d never seen him like that - and he never wanted her to. “She does. I don’t think it’s a good idea for me so she was hoping maybe you’d take her?”

“If I’d known it was you, I wouldn’t’ve been so nice,” Julian replied, looking away from his brother to go back to the sketch he was working on. He hadn’t been expecting to see Andy– they weren’t on the friendliest of terms. And it was mostly Julian’s fault, as much as he hated to admit or even think about. Ever since their dad died, he’d held a resentment for his brother, and found it hard to be around him, talk to him, even. He pushed him away, and over the years, their relationship had grown worse and worse– it didn’t help that Julian had a few stints in prison. “Well, here I am, brother.” He sat back, throwing his pen down. “So… what’s up?” he frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. “I find it a little hard to believe you just came in to see me.”

Andy should have known he wouldn’t get the warmest reception from his younger brother. If he was someone else, maybe he would stop trying to salvage their relationship and give up on his brother but that wasn’t in Andy’s nature. “Can’t a guy just pay his brother a visit without an ulterior motive?” He responded but he knew Julian wouldn’t buy it. Not with their relationship being what it was. “Okay, maybe not. Forgot who I was talking to.” He mumbled to himself before taking a deep breath and looking up at her brother. “Ally keeps talking about her Uncle Julian. Are you going to the 4th July festival?” 

“We’re closing in ten minutes, so unless you’re here to make an appointment, get out and come back tomorrow.” Julian didn’t bother looking up from where he sat behind the counter; usually people came into the tattoo shop this late on a drunken whim and he was not going to spend the next hour waiting for them to come up with an idea for what they wanted that they’d no doubt regret the next day. He was waiting for his dinner, though, and glanced at his phone to see what his order status was– still on the way. He looked up expectantly to the person at the counter. “Yes?”

“You, uh.. You speak to all you customers like that or just the ones who happen to be your brother?” Andy tilted his head as he looked at his brother. The relationship between the two was strained at best and and had been ever since... well, ever since Andy could remember. After their father died, it was like something clicked in the boys. Andy went down one path in life and Julian, the other. Even so, Julian was his brother and he cared about him. Shrugging, he shoved his hands in his pockets. “I was taking a walk and saw the light on. Thought I’d come see my brother.”