Charlie woke up the next day to find himself alone in his room. The night before was just a blur, a mixture of events with varying emotions. He looked at the clock beside him, it was lunchtime. Mike burst in to the room, shocking Charlie so he was fully awake.
"Hey, I wanted to see how you were. I thought I'd let you sleep this morning." Mike sat beside Charlie, unsure of whether they were officially back together, so he didn't dare touch him.
"I'm okay. Though I can't help wondering, what if that was us?" Charlie whispered. "I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you. Can you forgive me for being such an idiot?"
Mike smirked, slipping his arms around Charlie. "You forgave me for it after all. I'm sure there's no harm."
Charlie let a few tears fall again. "I love you."
Mike let Charlie cry for awhile, not caring that the end of lunch bell had sounded. He sat beside Charlie, stroking his head. After a while Charlie calmed down, relaxing in Mike's warm arms.
"Do you think we could give it another go?" Charlie asked nervously. "I know I'm a mess right now but-"
Mike put a finger to Charlie's lips. Soon enough that finger was replaced with Mike's lips. Both of them kissed each other so hungrilly. "Just promise me you'll stop cutting yourself. That's really stupid you know, but I do know you're hurting and I'll be here every step of the way."
Charlie sat up on the edge of his bed. "So, how was Mark? Did you see him?"
Mike sighed, hesitating before replying. "They really did a number on him. Tom has stayed with him all day. I think it's killing him that he can't be open about their relationship. Especially now that Tom isn't a commitment phobic anymore. Him and me are proof that the right guy can change a man."
"I don't care anymore. I don't want to be here." Charlie whispered. "I want to be with you, but I can't handle that we're both so unhappy here. I want to protect you from this place, because I love you, but I want to keep you at the same time."
Mike just stared at his boyfriend. Glad that they were back together, even though it had only been two weeks apart. "Lets not think about that now. We'll find a way"
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"You know I can easily destroy you." Louise told Mark as they rode the limo to Mark's house that weekend. "Your parents find out that you are beingso disagreeable you'll be disowned. Out on the street before you know it."
Mark stared out the window, trying not to listen to her but knowing she was right. "Listen, why do you even want to go through with this? You don't like me and I don't like you. Why don't we both just get out of this without anyone getting hurt?"
"Well, because I can manipulate things my way and I can't resist the opportunity." Louise smirked. "Face it, I have you wrapped around my little finger."
Mark glared at her. "Why are you always such a nasty bitch? Is it that impossible for you to be the bigger person here? Seriously Louise, what does it take to get through to you?" His anger was gradually increasing. All the feelings he had kept bottled up were ready to explode.
"If you want your precious little relationship to remain a secret, then give me what I want. You and your boyfriend are friends with Mike Teavee I've noticed." Louise grabbed a bottle of champange, drinking it to look cool but visably gagging at the taste.
"Forget it. There is no need to bring Mike into this. You've done enough. This is between you and me." Mark snapped, grabbing his parents drink and putting it back.
Louise laughed. "Listen, he likes me. He's just in denial. Lone wolf type he is."
Mark threw up his hands in frustration. "Whatever, he doesn't like you. He never will because you're a bloody idiot with an ugly heart. Seriously, look at all your little schemes to get close to him and he still doesn't want to go out with you. Get the hint!"
Louise folded her arms, looking a little upset. Though it wasn't long before her tone turned malicious again. "I think he will be willing when I tell the boys that he was the one you were with that night in the bushes. Sure Mike could take on two of them, three if he carries a flick knife, but all of James and his friends? Doubtful, very doubtful."
"You've sunk to a new low. You go on about how you like Mike, well why didn't you try just being nice to him? Try a little kindness for a change." Mark yelled at her, shocked at his own anger. "You're really pathetic. Tell my parents I don't like girls, especially you. I don't care. Leave Mike out of this, he's my friend!"
"Keep telling yourself you can do that." Louise nodded, seeming unthreatened. "I could always get James to beat up you again, since Mike will do anything for his friends. For some extra icing on the cake, a snap of my fingers and the same will be done to that guy Mike hangs out with...what's his name. Charlie, that's right!" She pulled out a nail file and worked on her nails, smirking at Mark.
Mark didn't know what to say. He knew that Louise had Mike now. Knowing that Mike would do anything for Charlie. He felt ashamed to be in the same car with her. Staring out the window, he recognised the street a few blocks from his house. He yelled at the driver to pull over so he could get out and stepping out into the cool air, he felt relief and though it was scary he knew what he had to do. Though first, he had to rid himself of the guilt and tell Mike what was going on.
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"Maybe you could come and work at the factory." Charlie suggested, laying back on the edible grass of the chocolate room. "Since you don't hate chocolate anymore."
"I do have to watch my physique you know." Mike replied. "Besides, Wonka can't stand me and my parents wouldn't allow it."
"I thought your parents didn't care." Charlie replied, teasingly. Mike jumped on him so they both rolled towards the candy pumpkin patch.
"I love you." Mike whispered, looking in Charlie's eyes before looking at the candy pumpkins he had so much fun destroying years ago.
Charlie followed his gaze. "You've really changed since that day. It seems like you're the only one who has."
"It's because of you." Mike told him, rolling his eyes but smiling. "How else could I get you to like me? You know that day I couldn't stop staring at you. It's like the whole day was planned ahead of time. Maybe we were supposed to meet there."
"I guess we'll never know." Charlie replied, sitting up and staring at the chocolate waterfall. "Now tell me that it's not beautiful. I know you have some imagination and feeling in there. I've seen it."
"Only when I'm with you Charlie." Mike replied. "I admit it, it's really cool. May aswell enjoy it right?"
Charlie rolled his eyes and laughed at Mike being his old self. He took him by the hand and just held it for awhile. Both of them just sat there in contemplation. No words were needed. Though the enjoyment was put on pause as Charlie's phone rang.
Mike stared at Charlie with concern, stroking the areas where Charlie had cut himself. When he was handed the phone, he listened to everything Mark had to say. During the conversation, he kept squeezing Charlie's hand tighter. When he hung up, Mike couldn't say a word he was so shocked and angry. Though he turned to Charlie and looked at his sweet face. He refused to let there weekend be ruined, especially since their Valentines Day would be.
"Charlie, do you want to go up to our special room?" Mike asked, unable to look at the pretty surroundings any longer.
Charlie lead Mike to the elevator, and while waiting for it to reach the Love Room, Charlie turned to his boyfriend. "What's wrong. I can see right through you. You've hardly been one to keep your feelings to yourself."
Mike sighed, hesitating before telling him all about Mark's phone call and how he was going out with Louise on Valentines Day. "I don't want you to get hurt Charlie. I promise nothing will happen with Louise and I will always think about you. Though if he hurt you and Mark again I'll never forgive myself."
Charlie nodded, staring through the floor at the room below. "It's not the day that matters, it's the fact that I'm with you. Mike, I know that you love me and I should have known it all along." He turned to Mike. "She's a nasty piece of work but I can't believe you're doing this for me. It's just more proof that you care."
"I know it's been complicated, but I can't let her hurt you. I'll never forgive myself if you get dragged into this. I love youand I'm sorry." Mike pinned Charlie to the wall of the Wonkavator, kissing his lips passionately.
"Don't apologise when it's not your fault." Charlie whispered, slipping off Mike's layered T-shirts, leaning against him. Listening to the familiar sound of Mike's heart, Charlie felt a smile appear of his face. Even with everything bad happening, he knew it was all going to be okay.
A/N: I know it was a little late, but now it's here. Chapter 15, Charlie has a plan so don't count Valentines Day out completely. Now I'm sure you're happy that Mike and Charlie are officially back together. Plus more reason to hate Louise. Enjoy!