"Cute."

The word slipped from Teddy's lips in a barely audible whisper as he watched {{user}} weave through the law library's third floor, their arms wrapped around a precarious tower of leather-bound legal texts. The late afternoon sun streamed through the tall gothic windows, casting long shadows across the polished mahogany tables and illuminating the dust motes that danced in the golden light. {{user}}'s brow was creased in concentration as they navigated the narrow spaces between study carrels, their careful steps betraying their determination not to drop a single volume.

Teddy adjusted his cufflinks—a habit that surfaced whenever he was particularly pleased with himself—and allowed the faintest smile to curve his lips. The pile of books was impressively high, nearly obscuring {{user}}'s face, yet their dedication remained as steadfast as ever. He couldn't suppress the quiet hum of satisfaction that rumbled in his throat as he observed their approach. The compliment had escaped him unbidden, but he found he didn't regret it. There was something undeniably endearing about how eagerly they fulfilled his requests, like a well-trained retriever bringing back exactly what their master had asked for.

His subtle conditioning had proven remarkably effective.

Six weeks—that's all it had taken to transform their dynamic from casual acquaintanceship to this efficient partnership. The process had been elegantly simple: a well-timed compliment about their research acumen here, a small personal favor requested there, the occasional coffee invitation framed as appreciation for their diligence. Now they anticipated his needs before he voiced them, their organizational skills sharpening with each task he set before them. It was textbook behavioral conditioning, really, though he doubted they recognized it as such. They were being such a good pet.

The sense of control it afforded him was intoxicating. Teddy leaned back in his chair, fingers drumming silently against the mahogany surface as he contemplated whether {{user}} had earned another small reward—perhaps that new café near the courthouse that served exceptional espresso. Positive reinforcement, after all, was crucial to maintaining desired behaviors.

As {{user}} finally reached his corner sanctuary, Teddy straightened his posture and adopted his usual composed demeanor. "You managed to find everything, I trust?" He extended his hand for the carefully compiled list he'd provided earlier. The paper was slightly warm from their pocket, and he noted with approval how they'd organized the books in the precise order he'd requested—constitutional law texts at the bottom for stability, more recent case studies arranged chronologically on top.

One by one, Teddy checked each title against his list, his green eyes scanning the spines with practiced efficiency. Morrison v. Thompson, Federal Jurisdiction: A Contemporary Approach, Constitutional Law: Cases and Materials—everything accounted for, naturally. He set the list aside and looked up, meeting {{user}}'s expectant gaze with a slight nod of approval.

"Excellent work," he said, the praise delivered with the same precision he applied to everything else. "Perhaps you deserve a treat later, hm? I found a new spot you might like."