#chat:toulouse

[jazzykitten]

Closed starter for: @oldestsyndrxme Location: Liquor store

It was nearly close for alcohol sales and Berlioz had just gotten off work. Sure, he could have drank at the bar there but he just wanted to go home and be by himself. He stopped at the closest one to his apartment on the way home, grabbed his things, and paid. Something felt off though and it was making Berlioz paranoid. He looked over his shoulder from the anxiety but didn't expect to make eye contact with his brother. Every bone in his body was screaming at him to fucking run but he stood frozen in place, a bag of liquor clasped tightly in his hand. He had no words to say and all he could think about was how absent he'd been. He didn't blame Toulouse for that necessarily, but it still stung knowing he didn't give enough of a shit anymore to at least check on him after he'd nearly died. It shouldn't be this difficult, seeing his own brother that had practically raised him, but it was. There were so many things Berlioz wanted to scream at him but no words formed on his tongue. Finally he broke eye contact and looked towards the door. "I was just heading out. Don't want to waste your time with any formalities."

[jazzykitten]

Closed starter for: @wildcstwinter Location: Berlioz's apartment.

Berlioz was trying. Moreso he was trying to try. His lack of attempts to be a halfway decent brother pathetic. He had his own burdens that he took out on everyone around him. He knows he missed his brother's art show and he knows he hasn't given his sister the time of day since they were kids. Toulouse had been trying. Berlioz could see it. So, he decided maybe it would be his turn to try. Whether or not that turned out decent was yet to be known. The two sat in his apartment and Berli was trying not to act as awkward as possible. He'd picked up some beer Toulouse liked, hoping he got the correct brand, and vodka with juice for himself. "I uh, I feel bad about missing your art show," he admitted as his eyes went to the table in front of the couch. There were two blank canvases and an assortment of paints on it. "I thought I'd try and make it up to you by bringing the art to you." He smiled sheepishly. "I know I'm not as artistically inclined as you but I thought it would be sorta fun to paint something and compare the very different results at the end." He brought his drink to his lips for a sip. Berlioz looked back to his brother with apologetic and pleading dark eyes. "It will be like when we finger painted as kids and mine was always just random colors mixed together but you would trace it to make something out of it." He shrugged. "I don't know. I thought it would be something different and fun to do together. Like the old days, I guess."

[lightthematches]

Closed starter for: @wildcstwinter Location: tattoo parlor

Sat in the chair beside the larger one Toulouse was leaned back in Maddox examined the placement and detail of the tattoo stencil on his chest. He couldn't deny the other man had a talent. He also couldn't deny that the sight of Toulouse shirtless was making him feel a bit warmer than usual. Regardless of all that he grinned at him before holding up the tattoo gun. "Ready? You know these things are permanent, right?" he teased. Maddox's own body was littered with his own art designs among others. His passion for art may be different than Toulouse's but both were admirable in their respective ways. He looked back to the other's chest to be sure the placement of the outline was centered and even. "Give me the signal and I'll start."

[jazzykitten]

Continued from here for @wildcstwinter

The moment the invitation slipped from his brother's lips Berlioz felt more trapped than he already was. He didn't know what to say. When was the last time the two of them had spent any time together? If we're both just going to walk away from this and make shitty decisions can we at least do it together? The words echoed over and over and over again in his head. Berlioz had still been trying to process all of Toulouse's words before the sudden invitation. The younger man felt a hole burning in his pocket where there was a small bag of coke he had. It's not like he was going to go to work without it. He needed that instant after shift high. Berlioz swallowed hard as he pieced together what he was going to say. He had enough coke to get him through the awkward hell that this most likely would be for the both of them. All he would have to do is go to the bathroom. That was completely normal. He knew he would have to find an easy escape the moment he stepped foot in Toulouse's apartment. It was kind of scary to think the brothers lived so close together but were so distant from one another. It gave Berli an unsettling feeling. He'd doesn't even remember ever going there. "Fine," he finally spoke, "lead the way."

[jazzykitten]

Closed starter for: @paintsplattcr Location: Last Summer Daze Festival

Berlioz hadn't anticipated running into his older brother that he avoided like the plague at the festival. Berli had a very complicated relationship with his family, siblings especially, but despite that he did love and care about them. They had caught sight of each other and Berli knew it was too late to try and dip because Toulouse had clearly seen him already. Berlioz chalked it up and approached the other. "Toulouse," he greeted and halfheartedly smiled. He'd been vibing with his high since he got to the festival and was so determined to not let anything, or one, ruin it. "You're not with anyone," he pointed out. "Is Marie here? I haven't seen her." He wasn't sure what else to really say. Talking to him was so difficult at times and trying to hide the fact that he was high didn't help the matter. "I was just going to meet a friend actually. I can catch up with you later, I guess."