The tapping of expensive shoes on concrete grabbed at Barnaby's attention. Looking up, he saw the exquisite figure of Martín del Mar approaching him from about twenty feet away, Pollux walking obediently at his side. It was quite the sight to see and, in his usual bold fashion, Barnaby made no moves to hide the way he unabashedly checked Mars out. Cobalt eyes flicked downwards and then smoothly traveled up, taking in every detail, before finally landing on the admin's own amber gaze. By the time Mars was within speaking range, Barnaby's lips had already curled into a welcoming smirk. He was about to greet his friend, but it seemed the small Pokémon in his arms had other ideas.

"Come now, stop your wriggling." The demand was said with just enough of an edge to get his point across without completely frightening the VULPIX. Castor's squirming body stilled, although his tails continued to wave amiably to-and-fro.

"Don't feel too sorry for him, Martín. Arceus knows I dote on him too much as it is." That was a particular weakness of his: vulpines in general, but more specifically those he'd bred himself. Especially given that Castor was such an extraordinary specimen of the species.

Speaking of, Barnaby's eyes slipped downward yet again and landed on Mars' own VULPIX. It was good to see the young fox doing so well, although he'd expect nothing less from Mars. Even if canids weren't necessarily the admin's cup of tea, Barnaby knew he held his Pokémon to a high standard and treated them accordingly. Smiling at Pollux and then back up at Martín del Mar, Barnaby nodded his head in assent. "Let's."

As they entered the boutique a wave of fragrant air - smelling of honeysuckle and mint - greeted them. Pleasant music played quietly in the background as a few shoppers milled along the many aisles of Pokémon accessories. Even a quick glance around the shop showed it to be particularly well-stocked and varied in its offerings.

"Hmm." Barnaby hummed as he took in the space. "I'm looking for a collar. Something that complements the color of Castor's fur."

Stepping forward toward the closest aisle, he looked to Mars and questioned, "What about you? What should I keep an eye out for?"

Martín del Mar
mission: FROU-FROU FURFROUS

☉

"Yeees, matching collars would be adorable." He agreed, flashing a dimpled smile Mars' way. "And leashes too!" Because you always had to get the matching leash. That was, like, an unspoken rule of over-the-top Pokémon ownership.

When his friend spoke of Pollux's thieving ways, all Barnaby could do was chuckle and waggle a scolding finger at the VULPIX. "Little one, you need to be more careful," A cluck of the tongue was followed by an gentle assurance. "We'll be sure to get you some even better toys than Dollar's and Penny's, though, don't you worry."

A soft whine from Barnaby's chest pulled his attention away. Apparently Castor also wanted new toys, despite having an entire basketful at home, and made sure to make it known. Barnaby sighed, ruffling the golden tuft of fur on the small fox's head. "Alright, we'll get you something too."

With that in mind, he continued their search, rounding the first aisle after not really seeing much of interest (it had mainly been stocked with gourmet Pokémon food and the like).

"...Do I really not dote on you enough, Martín?" A question asked casually, almost absentmindedly, while Barnaby's attentions were mainly focused on perusing the shelves on this new aisle. Martín del Mar would only have a moment or two to answer before something caught the journalist's eye.

"Oh! What about these?" Barnaby rushed forward toward a glass display case, which housed several gilded collars and their paired leashes.

"The blue one is exquisite." There was also one of violet and gold and a beaded red and silver piece.

Martín del Mar
mission: FROU-FROU FURFROUS

☉

"Mm, the gold would suit—" He was going to comment on how the collar would complement their champagne-tinged foxes, but the sensation of hot breath on his ear stopped Barnaby in his metaphorical tracks.

It wasn't just the feeling of having Mars so close, but the words that he whispered so innocently for only Barnaby to hear. He likely knew the effect it would have on him. Sure enough...

A deep pink blossomed along Barnaby's cheeks and flushed up to his ears and neck. He didn't respond at first, didn't look in Mars' direction, instead allowing his friend to step away and act oblivious to what he had just caused.

Hyper-focused on the display, Barnaby cleared his throat before continuing where he'd left off, "I think that collar really suits them. Let's get that one. And the leash."

Without turning his head, he glanced in Mars' and Pollux's direction and added, "We'll have to request them up front. Why don't we look at the toy section first though?" With that, Barnaby turned on his heel and made for the toy aisle.

He didn't immediately acknowledge what Martín del Mar had said. Barnaby let it stew; fester, even. It pinballed around in his mind, plinking from one corner to another.

"I’m spoiled and greedy, and maybe I just want your attention all to myself.

Why hadn't he responded?

Honestly, once spoken aloud, it surprised Barnaby just how much he agreed with the sentiment.

He was greedy, too.

Martín del Mar
mission: FROU-FROU FURFROUS

☉

Barnaby surveyed the myriad toys before him with a discerning eye.

"Well, if we're starting from scratch we'll need to get quite a few." Okay, they didn't need to but Barnaby was in the habit of spoiling his favored Pokémon. Mars probably wouldn't judge... right?

"Something to chew." He plucked a small bone-like toy from the shelf; durable, but still malleable enough as to not break any of the young fox's teeth.

"Something to tug on. You'll have fun with this one, too, mon trésor." An elongated fabric STUNKY, devoid of stuffing, was selected from the options presented.

"And something to snuggle!" Here Barnaby giddily snatched a plush WOOLOO, about twice the size of a Pokemon Ball, from where it hung on a hook. Actually, he took two, one white one for Pollux and one black one for Castor.

Barnaby continued in this way until he'd filled up their entire hand basket. All necessary purchases, he assured Mars. Before concluding their trip, however, a section at the front of the store caught his attention.

It was an open-air pet salon, empty except for a FURFROU that looked in desperate need of a spa day.

"Oh, what about that, Martín?" He gestured to the aforementioned spa. "Could be a nice treat for the babies."

Martín del Mar
mission: FROU-FROU FURFROUS

☉

"Yes, the babies." He repeated matter-of-factly. It was a term of endearment that he felt suited the offspring of both of their Pokémon. Besides, it was cute, and Barnaby liked cute things.

Glancing back toward Martín del Mar, he couldn't help but think how cute Mars himself was being at the moment. Unrelentingly flirty and playful, as was their usual dynamic. Yet it felt more purposeful today, somehow.

For a moment Barnaby paused, thinking about how he wanted to respond, before the words inevitably came to him. A teasing smile on his lips, he retorted, "You caught me, del Mar."

Barnaby reached out a hand to interlock with Mars' own. "I'm spoiled and greedy, too, you know. You were right. I do want you all to myself."

He held his friend's gaze, giving the briefest of seconds for the words to sink in, before cutting to the next topic and dragging him to the front of the store. "Alright! Let's get these guys scheduled in for their spa treatment and check out up front."

With only the singular FURFROU in line, it likely wouldn't take the groomers long to get to their VULPIX. Still, it was time alone with Martín del Mar that would be relished to the utmost.

Martín del Mar
mission: FROU-FROU FURFROUS

☉