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It's the end of a long day. Edwin and charles just solved another case and can finally rest for a bit. If it wasn't for charles' boredom, Edwin would be fully invested in his new book on fencing.
"This book isn't the only thing we received as payment. You could give the cursed rubix cube a try if you're looking for something to do."
Charles picks up the cube for a tick, but puts it back quickly. "That would be brills if i still remembered how to solve it. I've forgotten how to do some of the steps."
"There should be a small manual in the closet." Edwin says this time without looking up from his book.
Charles immediately heads for the closet to start his search. "What was the curse again?"
"You can't look away from it. The rubix cube will scramble itself when you do."
"Right. Shouldn't be too hard- oh, I found it!" Charles holds the manual up proudly.
Edwin gives him a quick smile before continuing reading on the couch.
Charles grabs the cube and goes to sit next to him.
"Right, first the cross." Charles notes as he's flipping through the manual. He grabs the cube and starts with the first step. He smiles happily once he's finished, but when he goes to check the next step, the cube scrambles itself. "Right. This is might take a while."
About half an hour later, Edwin is still reading and Charles is still sat next to him turning the cube.
"Look Edwin! Just the corners and I'm done!" Charles says before showing the cube and looking to his side. "Wait, no!". Of course, the quick look at Edwin was enough for the cube to get rescrambled. Time to start again. Charles lays down in his lap in frustration.
Edwin chuckels before scratching Charles' head.
Charles breathes heavily, but uselessly, out and starts again. First the cross, then the first four corners. Then on to the second layer.
While he's fixing the last piece of the second layer, Edwin puts his hand back in Charles his hair. It's unexpected and the boy quickly glances up in response and gives the other a smile.
"No, not again!" Charles says as he realizes the cube scrambeld itself once more.
Edwin moves his hand through Charles's hair again, but this time doesn't pull back immediately.
Charles restarts solving the cube while the hand lays still. It moves every once in a while and half of those times Charles glances at Edwin. That then follows with a grunt from Charles who, to his frustration, has to restart the process of fixing the cube.
20 mintues later, when charles only needs to reposition the last cube, Edwin coughs deliberately, hoping to distract Charles and stay in their position a little longer. Charles shows a slight knowing smile as he glances up. Then he starts remaking the first cross on the cube, secretly hoping the very same thing.