the word flynn echoes in the air between them the same moment the word theo registers. flynn's face contorts as a response — whether it be because he's not used to the other man saying his actual name instead of the word kid, or just 'cause he doesn't like the sound of his mother's name from a rocket's mouth, is impossible to tell. or maybe, flynn has realized his faux-pas — rocket was an organized crime syndicate. respect was key.

[break][break] flynn had been supposed to say beckett. but he hadn't.

[break][break] hopefully theo didn't notice.

[break][break] either way, their attention is distracted by the young mudkip currently whoring herself out for scratches from the team rocket admin. she paws at the other's pantleg, keening happily as she is given scratches under her skin. even flynn has to admit - the sight is disgustingly cute. his eyes are soft as he observes, only to be dragged away by theo's voice.

[break][break] "well?" flynn echoes, barking a laugh. "well's an understatement - " almost on cue, the mudkip yips at theo, nipping for his hands as if she hadn't devoured flynn's entire lunch just an hour ago.

[break][break] flynn scowls. "she's a monster."

[break][break] mudkip turns wide, adorable eyes at theo, looking innocent as ever.

[attr="class","tag"] THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","flynnsq"]

"you're not a monster, are you?"

[break][break] the mudkip cooes as a response, the pokemon-speech garbled cutely in response. freaking peachy.

[break][break] flynn grumbles, but the sound is lost on the pitter-patter of the rain as he finally decides to approach the rocket admin. blue wags her tail in turn, licking the older man's hand in greeting — she wants attention too.

[break][break] the brunette reaches forward to pick up the mudkip and despite his disgruntled nature, there is something soft in his eyes and he reaches into his pocket for a blueberry puffin, the treat crumbling in his hands as the other devours it. "huh?" he says, distracted, and then blinks. "used to. moved outta this shit-hole into another shit-hole in lilycove ages ago. management had me switched to work at the department over there," he says, as if theo doesn't already know. even if marcel maeda 's work was before his time, theo would've had to have read the records. he looks like the doting type.

[break][break] "this is my neighborhood, though. wouldn't miss it, 'cept this shop — best fish food around," he says, glancing to the small storefront they stood in front of now.

[attr="class","tag"] THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","flynnsq"]

the gentle pitter-patter of rain has turned harder now. more like cement-blocks against his umbrella.

[break][break] flynn shrugs. "sure."

[break][break] once the mudkip is satiated, she leaps down from flynn's grip just as the other uses his free hand to open the store. there is a pleasant jingle as they enter the pet store.

[break][break] at first, it seems pretty uninspiring. boxes and boxes of unlabeled merchandise, fishtanks filled with various water types. there's even a small wimipod skittering in a tank below.

[break][break] "don't let looks fool you," he says to the other, leading their way down an aisle. it is labeled AISLE 4, and after walking a few steps down it, flynn pauses in front of a section of colorful feed. he grabs a smaller, indiscreet bag, labeled WISHIWASHI DELIGHT. he hands it over to theo.

[break][break] "it's delicious. fish pokemon eat it up."

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"] THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","flynnsq"]

"hmm." flynn's expression is thoughtful as he ducks his head, sifting through the aisle's contents. he'd tried a few different feeds with niles, before finding one that stuck. despite the fact that the sharpedo would literally sift through trash if it came down to it, the sharpedo's skin was pretty particular when it came to it's sheen. "if you got any bigger guys, this one could work." he pulls out a bag that looks pretty indiscriminate, unlabeled.

[break][break] it's a pack of dry dogfish. "great for snacking."

[break][break] mudkip, who seems to have been wandering the store, returns. she paws at THEO BECKETT 's leg, asking to be picked up.

[break][break] "what about you? you must have stuff you like too." he shoves a hand into his pocket, angling his head. "got any recommendations?"

[attr="class","tag"] THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","flynnsq"]

"muuudkip mud," the mudkip babbles at him, tiny paws waving as it's suspended in air.

[break][break] flynn watches the two, bemused, before watching as theo reaches down and grabs his own recommendation. it's another food option, this time an unlabeled bag with a magikarp atop of it. it's cute.

[break][break] "i'll try it." flynn tucks it under his arm, along with the rest of the supplies that he'd needed, before making his way to the register. "did you need something too, or were you just accompanying me?" he tilts his head back at theo, a question in his eyes.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"] THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","flynnsq"]

he blinks.

[break][break] uh — what?

[break][break] the officer's not used to getting compliments, especially not from THEO BECKETT of all people. though, maybe this is less a compliment and more just a confession of truth.

[break][break] yeah. that sounds better.

[break][break] still, there is a flush that crawls up his neck that still won't go away, not even as he turns away to the counter.

[break][break] "... your company's not bad either." coming from flynn, that was just as good as hugging the man outright.

[break][break] he hands some coins over to the cashier. he lets the pause rest between them, before gathering the supplies and headed towards the door. "you live around here? i know a good taco truck — if you're hungry, i mean."

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"] THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","flynnsq"]