Logic Puzzle

A/N: Trying to describe this puzzle without too much detail was difficult. You can google 'horse shoe puzzle' and see what comes up. Derren has also solved this puzzle (it's not that hard, Tim would get it in a snap) with his own magic hands so if you can find that you can watch it.

I wrote this for Rosie while she was in the shower. Don't be jealous.

Tim let out as an exasperated sigh. It had been a week since Derren had given him "the impossible-to-figure-out-monstrosity-of-a-brain-teasing-thing" to work out.

'Whyyyy can't I get it?' he moaned to Derren as he shook it around.

Derren laughed, his eyes creasing as they often did when he smiled at Tim, 'are you ready for the answer?'

Tim frowned at the metallic puzzle, 'ugh,' he said in disgust, reluctantly handing over the horse shoe puzzle to its former owner.

Derren chuckled, 'now look very closely,' he said, somewhat reminiscent of his magician days.

The 41-year old then pinched either end of the horse shoes, jingled the ring into the middle of the chain and twisted, allowing the ring to smoothly glide between the horse shoes and off into Tim's hand.

Tim scrunched his nose at the little ring then basically shoved it back into Derren's hands. The Englishman put the ring back on and then handed the puzzle to Tim.

'Did you figure that out by yourself or did you have to have someone show you?' asked Tim slowly, trying to copy what Derren did.

'Do you want the truth?' replied Derren, smirking.

'No,' said Tim, concentrating on the puzzle by raising it above his head and inspecting it from below.

'Oop! Almost got it!' squealed Derren in excitement.

Tim paused, surveying what he'd done right, 'like this?' he asked, twisting the horse shoes a little more.

'Yes, exactly like that,' said Derren, trying to resist putting his hands on Tim's, 'just a little more, come on!'

Tim's eyes brightened as he started to see the ring glide between the horseshoes. 'FUCK YEAH!' exclaimed Tim as the ring finally, after days of waiting, fell into his lap.

'Whoooo!' shouted Derren, throwing his hands up into the air, 'now put it back on.'

'Oh, Jesus. Ummm…' Tim picked up the ring, dropped it between the horseshoes then let it drop back to where it was.

'Excellent!' exclaimed Derren, throwing his arms around Tim.

'Fucking finally,' said Tim, squeezing Derren back. 'Why do you have to be so much smarter than me?' he asked sadly.

Derren let go of Tim and held him by his shoulders. 'You are by no means smarter than me, Mr. Minchin.'

Tim hung his head, 'but the puzzle(!)' he mumbled.

'You can't judge your intelligence by your ability to solve one itty bitty puzzle,' said Derren, squeezing Tim's shoulder.

'You're right,' said Tim, looking up. 'I've just been feeling a bit defeated lately. Writing a totally original musical is harder than I thought.'

'I imagine it would be,' said Derren, taking his arms from Tim's shoulders.

'It just sucks. This is what I love doing it and I'm usually very very good at it.'

'I know. Never mind, though, you'll get through it. You're an amazing writer and a magnificent musician. I don't know anyone better than you,' said Derren with a smile.

'Thanks, mate. You're an incredible friend.'

The pair stood up and gave each other a huge bear hug.

'See you at my place at six?' asked Tim.

'Yeah sure,' said Derren, 'what's Sarah making this time?'

'Lasagne,' replied Tim.

'Mmmmm. Sarah's lasagnes are amazing,' said Derren, licking his lips.

'Oh I know, man. That woman knows her way around mince meat and cheese,' said Tim.

Derren smiled, reminiscing over past dinners him and Marc had shared with the Minchins.

'See you at six then. Want me to bring anything?' asked Derren.

'Just your lovely selves,' replied Tim waving goodbye as the two went their separate ways.

'Bye!' shouted Derren, 'I love you, Minchin!'

'See you later! I love you, Brown!'