[ maybe that's it. maybe floyd is the reward for being so diligent and thorough with his work. maybe he even wants to push through his work and get right to the prize-- a thought he would have balked at before, but riddle has few things in his life that make him feel, well, alive. few things that are more interesting than learning out of a book. the hands-on approach floyd has taken with him recently has been especially effective.

besides, who's to say floyd isn't getting rewarded too? when that big rough hand slides atop his thigh to squeeze and massage, riddle doesn't rebuff it. on the contrary, he glances down at it, flickers his own gaze over to floyd's lap, up his arm, to his neck, to his face, those lips and that mischievous smile.

riddle takes a soft and steady breath. ]

I meant what I said. You come up with good ideas for activities from time to time. Lately, you've become better at choosing ones we both enjoy.

[ in many respects, not just the kind related to flesh. whipping floyd into shape is coming along brilliantly. sure, he drives riddle crazy as much as he always does, but there's a balance being struck that makes the insanity worth it-- at least to riddle. could it be the fiery queen is the one who is being whipped into shape, in that case?

it's not something he wants to think about. not right now. his sole interest lies in getting through the last bit of this chapter he, quite frankly, doesn't care about anymore. still, he knows he'll be bothered by it if he leaves his notes incomplete. almost robotically, he begins to peruse, write, peruse, write. ]

I'm just finishing up yesterday's History of Alchemy lecture. Currently, I'm adding onto the fifth century Neverland timeline.