A/N: Pretty much back to back chapters. Do enjoy. :D And the lyrics to the song at the end of the chapter is Black's "Wonderful Life."

Please review. :D

"Deep breath. Just wait for her to bring it up; if she does. Don't give away too much. Calm, calm, calm."

Charlie went into the dilapidated old house. His grandparents were all sleeping and his mother was at the table reading a book. She immediately looked up and stood when he came in.

"Charlie! There you are! I was wondering where you've been off to. We haven't seen you in a couple of days," she said quietly.

"I've been working around the factory, you know, homework and such."

"Of course. Of course. Charlie, can we take a walk?"

"Sure."

They exited the house and began meandering through the vast Chocolate room. Charlie was nervous, but kept himself under control.

"So how are things between you and Mr. Wonka?" she prodded.

"They're fine."

"Were you working last night with him or something because your father and I went by your room to see you?"

"Yeah, we were working on something new. Once he gets started he doesn't like to stop." Charlie hoped his cheeks were not reddening too much from those words.

Mrs. Bucket did not know how to proceed. She did not know what to say. I can come right out and ask him if Willy's done anything inappropriate with him, or I can just poke around the situation a little. "Charlie…….you've kissed him, haven't you?"

Charlie took in a breath. "Yes, I have."

Mrs. Bucket nodded, unsure of whether to ask him if he and Wonka had- "Have you slept with him?" she blurted out.

Charlie swallowed a knot in his throat, shocked by the suddenness of what she asked. "W-W-What?"

She stopped him and looked him in the eyes. "Did you have sex with him?" she asked slowly. Her heart was racing, her whole being in utter dread of what her son might reply with.

Charlie played the scenarios of each reaction he could receive with what he could answer with. He did not want to necessarily lie to her; he sensed she was extremely concerned.

"Charlie, you can tell me. Did you sleep with Willy?"

He was still fumbling with a response.

She gasped and took the silence for the worst. "Goodness, Charlie! What has he done with you! Did he rape you!" She was beginning to tremble in fear from the thought of Wonka forcing himself on her son.

This knocked Charlie to be completely responsive. "No! No! He didn't rape me! He hasn't done anything to me at all! He'd never hurt me. No…..No, I haven't had sex with him."

"Oh, thank God!" She threw her arms around him and held him close. She was beginning to cry.

"How could you think he'd do something like that, mum?" he whispered against her curly brown hair. "He's a wonderful man."

"I was just so worried. It's wrong for him to be kissing you and letting you create those marks on his neck. If he ever puts his hands on you or does anything inappropriate, you tell your father and me at once. Do you understand me?"

Tears were forming in Charlie's eyes. One slid down his face and onto his mother's shoulder. "I understand."

"I love you, Charlie."

"I love you too, mum."

They remained the way they were for a few more moments before she withdrew from him and wiped her eyes. "So that's all you've done with him? A kiss and a couple of……hickeys?"

"Yes."

"Don't let him do it anymore. You're only encouraging him, making him think it's alright. You need to tell him 'No'."

He wanted to argue that he did not see that it was wrong, but he knew it would make things worse. "Ok."

"Now," she took his hand in hers and started walking again. "Let's go back to the house. You can do your homework there and have dinner with us."

Mentioning that he was planning on having dinner with Wonka was not an option in his mind. It would just upset her more probably. "Alright."

Wonka poked his food with his fork, not eating in result of his lack of appetite. He often glanced at the door, expectant to see what he now declared and knew to be his lover. When no one came, he returned saddened eyes back to his plate. It was a new feeling to him; eager to see another and then let down when the person did not show. It had always just been himself that he could count on and nothing extra to be used to being alone. But now he had Charlie, emotions stirring whenever the youth was near. He reminded himself mentally to be cautious about the whole state of affairs he was in. Getting hurt emotionally by yet another person that he was starting to trust whole heartedly was always in his thoughts.

He sighed and rested his cheek against his hand. He twirled his eating utensil around on his plate for a few minutes. One more glance at the door before he got up and cleared the table, blowing out the two candles in the middle. When he finished, he grabbed the wine bottle and a glass and headed to his bedroom.

"Did you find out anything today?" Mr. Bucket asked his wife.

They were standing near the chocolate river together. Dinner was finished and Charlie had left, now giving them the opportunity to discuss privately.

"He confirmed that yes, he has kissed Willy, and no, they have not slept with each other."

"You don't think he was trying to…….well, cover for Willy?"

"Charlie has never lied to us. I trust him."

"So Willy hasn't…….he hasn't raped Charlie, has he?"

Mrs. Bucket shook her head. "No, he hasn't. I don't even think that could be in Willy's nature; to rape someone."

"Perhaps." He let out a held breath. "Do you suppose we should have followed Charlie to see where he went? If he met up with Wonka? If they went off together?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I just don't know. Are we handling this whole thing right? This is all…….I never thought we'd be worrying about something like this."

"We're trying to protect our son. We're doing what we know. It has to be enough for now."

"You're right," she sighed.

"We'll keep an eye on them."

Charlie entered Wonka's quarters slowly. Everything was dark except a trickle of light coming from the bedroom. He walked towards it, opened the not completely closed door, and leaned against the doorframe. Wonka was sitting up in bed, scribbling and scratching out things in a notebook with a pen, unaware of the presence of someone else. Part of his sleek hair was tucked behind his right ear, a simple alteration that Charlie had never before seen. The curtains to the window on the far side of the room close to the bed were barely parted, allowing a sliver of the moonlight to come in, and the other light came from the small lamp on the nightstand that illuminated the area around Wonka in order to write.

Charlie beamed and watched him silently. The man was dressed in his dark blue silk pajamas. Charlie briefly imagined unbuttoning the shirt, sliding the pants and undergarment down, and ravishing the candy maker slowly and passionately.

Wonka paused, tapped the end of his pen on the page, then raised it up with a smile on his face as he found the word he was looking for. Charlie did not want to disturb him, but he wanted to spend the night with him.

"Hi," Charlie said gently.

Wonka looked up and his smile widened. "Hey!"

Charlie crossed the room to sit on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry if you were expecting me for dinner. I was with my parents."

"They ask you anything?"

"Not much. Don't worry about it."

"So how was school?"

"It was alright. I got a 'B' on that math test."

"That's great! Good job! See, you shouldn't be scared of math."

"Maybe. Does your offer still stand on studying with me?"

"Of course it does! Don't be silly!"

Wonka closed the hardcover notebook he had and put it in the top drawer of the nightstand.

"What was that?" Charlie questioned.

"Oh, nothing. Just some notes and such." He yawned and stretched. "I'm tired, Charlie. How 'bout you?"

"Did I wear you out last night?" the youth replied smartly with a smirk.

Wonka blushed and quietly answered, "A bit."

Charlie leaned forward and kissed him affectionately. "Can I sleep in here with you tonight?"

The prospect struck Wonka somewhat surprisingly. He had never before shared his bed with anyone that could become a continuous thing. "S-Sure."

Charlie kissed him again before he took off his shoes and socks. He did not feel like traveling to his room to get a change of clothes, so he climbed under the covers to rest beside Wonka in his jeans and button down shirt. Wonka turned off the lamp and lay down. Charlie put his arm across Wonka's waist and snuggled close to the chocolatier. Wonka placed his arm around him and giggled.

Charlie started to hum a tune softly and moved his hand beneath Wonka's shirt. Wonka grinned as the boy's fingers rubbed lightly against his stomach.

"What are you humming?"

"Just a song."

"Can you sing some of it for me?"

Charlie cleared his throat and began to sing quietly. "No need to run and hide. It's a wonderful, wonderful life. No need to laugh and cry. It's a wonderful, wonderful life."

Wonka sighed. "I like it."

"It's a good song. Do you want to hear it all?"

"Sure!"

Charlie closed his eyes and sang the song quietly. When he was finished, he looked at Wonka to find that the chocolatier was asleep. He smiled and rested his head against Wonka's. Wonka stirred, and he turned to face Charlie. Charlie very gently kissed Wonka's closed eyelids and then his lips.

"It's a wonderful life indeed," Charlie whispered, almost inaudible.

Review Corner (kind of short :D)

The-Serious-Padfoot – What's it? LOL. Live on candy and Charlie….mmmmm. Please do share:D

BasketCase14 – Scare you like that. LOL. Some problems indeed!

Mrs. Granger-Weasley – Oh, thank you. I do love your reviews. ;)

Darth Granger – Hee hee. Ryan sounds kinda hot? The finger-tat is on the lower part of his finger near the knuckle, small. Prongs are facing upward toward the knuckle. :D

Princesskatt – Like stew. Haha. Killed Jamie when you had the chance? You're all talk. ;) LOL.

Mystery Reviewer – Ooo. I have a mystery reviewer. ;) Tasty tasty!

Korde – Thank you! You're very kind! And you didn't have to wait long:D

Please Review. Thank you!