Work Text:
When Marc gave Steven the news, he expected him to be excited. Ecstatic even. Possibly even grateful.
Needless to say, he was not.
“Why the bloody hell would you do that for?!” Steven exclaims.
“Why not?” Marc replies, puzzled as to why he is so upset. “You have been solving them every night for months when you were trying to stay awake. I figured you would be thrilled. (Y/N) seemed impressed when I mentioned it earlier.”
Steven’s expression grew more distressed at Marc’s words.
“I’ve never solved one before!” He yells, throwing his hands in the air in exasperation.
Marc blinks at him, surprised.
“What the hell do you mean you’ve never solved it?! You’ve had that stupid thing for months! Even I could solve a rubix cube with all the time you’ve spent fiddling with them. There are hundreds of videos online showing you tricks on how to do it in minutes!” Marc responds, completely shocked. Now Steven looks a bit embarrassed when he replies.
“Well the whole point of doing the puzzle is to keep my mind occupied, innit? If I knew every trick out there I could have them done in no time and I would fall asleep doing it now wouldn’t I? Besides, those tricks are cheats.”
Marc sighs, rubbing his face with his hands in the reflection.
“Well you’re gonna have to learn quick Steven. The competition is in two hours and (Y/N) is expecting you to come out first place with all the bragging I did for you.”
Steven groans and pulls out his phone, unlocking it to enter his Youtube app.
“Of all the ways for you to try and get me a date, you had to go and pick something I’m completely rubbish at.” Steven grumbles as his phone loads.
“Well at least I told you about this one in time to make it. I still can’t believe Jake set you up with that tour guide chick and never clued either of us in on it until it was too late.” Marc remarks, shrugging as he sits back in the chair he is currently in.
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“Well, at least you tried right? That's all that matters in the end.” (Y/N) says, resisting the urge to pat Steven on the back as the two of them leave the tournament.
“Yeah…” Steven trails off, eyeing his participation ribbon in his hand.
“I mean, two hours is still faster than average. And I’ve never been able to solve one before, so I’m still impressed.” (Y/N) continues, trying to cheer the man up. “And honestly, those others were complete cheaters. Using those tricks from online, anyone could solve it in a few minutes. At least you finished with honor.”
Steven tries to hide his embarrassment by looking away. Not that he’s gonna tell (Y/N) this, but he had tried to use those same tricks, but buggered it up somehow and just ended up with a bigger mess to try and undo in the end.
“How about this,” (Y/N) proposes, “we can stop by that new vegan restaurant on the way back to your flat and have dinner. My treat.”
Steven looks up and smiles, nodding in agreement. (Y/N) smiles back and loops their arm with his, pulling him along.