Charlie's PoV:
One day in the factory, Charlie and Wonka were sitting on the swudge, absentmindedly plucking some of it and eating as they brainstormed. Occasionally, Charlie found himself glancing at Wonka - he couldn't help it. He'd been feeling weird around his mentor recently, had gotten a rather odd flutter in his chest whenever their eyes met, and a shiver would run down his spine when they touched. He found himself getting lost in those lilac eyes, and he'd often unintentionally tune out of what Wonka was actually saying, not even realizing it until Wonka brought him back to earth.
He looked up at Wonka now, focusing on his chocolate hair, and wishing he could run his fingers through it. Glancing down at the swudge, he saw that their hands weren't that far apart. Swallowing nervously, he shifted towards Wonka, his breath hitching as he moved his hand closer to Wonka's. He could smell his cologne this close, and oh God, it was enticing.
"Oh! I have an idea," Wonka said, and Charlie fell back into his previous spot. "You okay, my dear boy?"
Charlie nodded, blushing. "Should we go to the Inventing Room?"
"Not that kind of idea," Wonka admitted. "I was thinking we could host a 5 year reunion in the factory for the other Golden Ticket winners, and they could invite whichever p-p-p-"
"Parent," Charlie supplied, smiling. Wonka's inability to still not be able to say "parent" was adorable.
"Yes, that," Wonka said. "The children could bring them along."
"I like it," Charlie said. "A reunion. I wonder what everyone's been doing with their lives for the past 5 years."
"Well, we can find out," Wonka said.
A month later
"Welcome back," Wonka began, speaking loudly to the eight other people in the room besides him and Charlie. "I hope all of your lives have gone quite well since we last saw each other. Mike, I see that you're...back to normal size, and Violet, back to your normal color. Veruca and Augustus, charming as ever."
Charlie giggled at Wonka's side, and he and Wonka exchanged a smile. "Your rooms are this way," Charlie said. "Please follow me." He led the small group down the main hallway with the red carpeting where they had all first entered the factory five years ago. Trying to ignore the feeling of deja vu, Charlie continued, "You'll find your names are on the doors of your rooms assigned to you. As you'll be staying for a week, we've made sure that you will be as comfortable as possible during your stay."
"Boy, you have changed," Mike observed. "You sound like the tour guide, not Mr. Wonka."
"Well, I'm taking over for him eventually, so I have to now, don't I?" Charlie pointed out. Wonka nodded slightly, a subtle show of approval in front of their guests, but Charlie caught it. Feeling his face burning, he said, "Enjoy."
As he and Wonka walked down the hallway towards the Buckets' house for dinner, Charlie wondered. He recalled Violet's mom flirting with Wonka, and felt a pang at that. Although that was five years ago, would she try again? Wonka still looked exactly the same after all, still as handsome as ever-
Wait, what?
He was so deep in his thoughts that he stumbled. Wonka gasped and Charlie felt a pair of arms reach out to catch him. Yelping, Wonka fell along with him, and they both crashed to the floor, Wonka on top of Charlie.
The younger chocolatier felt like he was in heaven. His mentor's body pressed against his own, and Wonka shifted uncomfortably, unintentionally pressing his hips against Charlie's. The teenager bit his lip to hold back a whimper. "Mr. Wonka! I'm...so sorry." Charlie rolled out from underneath him and held out a hand to help him up.
"Thank you, my dear." Wonka accepted it and picked his hat up off the floor, his face a brilliant red.
I really am in love with him, Charlie sighed to himself as Wonka parted ways with him. Oh, no. What am I going to do?
Wonka's PoV:
A day later, Willy entered his room after hosting a brunch for his and Charlie's guests, when he noticed something on his bed. He turned to find a gorgeous bouquet of red roses, with those little white flowers sticking out in between. A note rested beside them on the pillow, which Willy picked up and read. To Mr. Willy Wonka, from your secret admirer.
Secret admirer? Curious, Willy picked up the flowers and smelled them. They smelled delicious, and he quickly called an Oompa-Loompa to bring him a vase so he could put them on his dresser. He felt a flutter in his chest as, for the first time, he dared hope-
No. He wouldn't allow himself to even go there. The boy was fifteen, and there was a whole factory full of Oompa-Loompas, the Buckets, and his guests. Come to think of it, Ms. Beauregarde had flirted with him the first time they'd come to the factory. Yes, he'd start there.
"So," Willy said after approaching her later that day in the chocolate garden. "Have you left anything for someone special lately?"
She gave him a strange look in response. "Ask any weird questions lately?" she replied, and steered her daughter away.
Well, that hadn't quite gone as planned. Obviously she wasn't the one who left him the flowers. He saw Charlie across the room, and went over to him. He was talking to Mike, and said boy left with a wink in Charlie's direction. "What was that about?" Willy asked him.
"Oh, Mike was just giving me some relationship advice," Charlie said. "He and Violet are kind of a thing."
"Relationship advice? Well, is there a special girl I should know about?" Willy said curiously.
"No," Charlie said quickly, blushing. Ah, Willy thought, remembering those days. Well. He'd tell Willy when he was ready, and the older man wouldn't pressure him into sharing. "What's been going on with you?"
"Well, the strangest thing happened earlier," Willy admitted. "I received the most beautiful bouquet of red roses and a note that said they were from my secret admirer."
"Ooooh," Charlie said, grinning up at him.
"You stop that," Willy teased with a smile, elbowing him playfully. "And anyway, you should talk."
Charlie blushed deeper at this, and laughed. Willy felt his heart flutter, and promptly tried his best to push the feelings away. "I'll help you search for your secret admirer if you don't laugh about me having a crush."
"Deal," Willy agreed.
This would be an interesting reunion.
AN: Hope you all enjoy this story! Updates soon!
