Several days later was Charlie's thirteenth birthday. It was a big birthday for Charlie, the biggest since he had turned ten, and Charlie definitely felt older. He was kissed awake his birthday morning by Wonka, so his day was definitely off to a good start.

Charlie pulled Wonka close, the already deep kiss deepening even more. "Happy birthday, my love," Wonka murmured into the kiss, and Charlie melted into his arms.

"Thanks," Charlie said between kisses and pulled back to look at Wonka. The man didn't look any different since he was thirteen, though in the past week his growing feelings for Wonka had definitely made Charlie perceive him differently. When he was ten and visited Wonka's factory, he had been way too young to even think about girls - or, in his case, boys. Now Charlie was with someone much older than him. "Willy?"

Wonka looked at him in surprise. "You called me by my first name."

Charlie realized that indeed, he had. "I guess I did." Wonka wrapped his arms around Charlie's waist, pulling the boy into his arms. "I was just wondering how old you are." He blushed.

"Way too old for you, I can tell ya that," Wonka said. "But you stole my heart."

Charlie smiled. "I'm glad I did," he declared.

"Me too, Charlie. Me, too," Wonka agreed, and the kiss that followed was loving and passionate. "If you want an exact number..."

Charlie watched him expectantly, and Wonka groaned and mumbled something Charlie didn't understand. "Sorry, Willy, I didn't catch that."

"Thirty eight," Wonka confessed.

Charlie buried his face in Wonka's chest, embarrassed.

Wonka chuckled. "Sorry you asked?" he teased, running his palm over his partner's hair. "You don't have to be embarrassed, my dear. Love chooses us instead of the other way around and we have absolutely no say in the matter."

"Isn't that the truth," mumbled Charlie, lifting his face out of Wonka's comfortable chest. Suddenly, a random thought popped up into Charlie's head. "Willy, do you believe in love at first sight?" He genuinely wanted Wonka's opinion on the subject.

"Yes," Wonka admitted. "I believe there is always someone out there for everyone. Before I met you, I didn't feel that that applied to me as well, but when I met you, my perspective on love changed."

Charlie was completely awed and flattered. "You mean...you loved me at first sight?" he breathed.

"Oh, no, not love, not that soon," Wonka said. "Remember how reclusive I had been, and sometimes still am now? I couldn't have loved someone then. But I did feel...something. I didn't know what and I still don't. It was like I knew I was meant to meet you. Like fate. Heh." Wonka smiled sheepishly. "And then you taught me how to love, and I fell for you."

Stunned, Charlie gawked at him after the beautiful speech he'd just made. It was so incredibly sweet, even for him, that it had left Charlie with tears in his eyes. Charlie leaned down and captured Wonka's lips with his own in an emotional kiss. "You're the best," Charlie choked out between kisses, his throat tight with tears. Wonka held him close. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Charlie."

Charlie settled into his arms, perfectly happy in that moment. If he could have his way, he'd want nothing more than to spend all day in bed with his partner - again. But he also needed to spend time with his family, especially since he and Wonka had been inseparable since they'd become a couple. "We've never talked about love before. Not like this."

"And you haven't been thirteen before," Wonka pointed out, smiling fondly at Charlie. "Which reminds me, we should probably get up and go get some delicious breakfast, 'kay?"

Charlie snuggled deeper into his arms. "Don't wanna. My birthday." He wrapped his arms around Wonka's neck and nuzzled him.

Wonka laughed. "Well, we can't very well spend the rest of our lives cuddling."

"Why not?"

The chocolatier ruffled his partner's hair. "Because we've got a birthday to celebrate!" he sad enthusiastically. "And I have my present for you."

This encouraged Charlie. Eagerly, Charlie followed the man he loved out of the room and towards the Buckets' house.

"Happy birthday, Charlie!" Charlie's entire family said in unison when Charlie and Mr. Wonka walked through the door. Smiling, Mrs. Bucket led Charlie to his seat, where chocolate covered strawberries decorated the edge of the plate. He had a huge breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon. The chocolate covered strawberries reminded him of the strawberries he and Wonka had split on their date, and Charlie wondered when they would have another date again, because he liked the last one. He decided to ask Wonka after breakfast, when they would be alone.

After they finished eating, Wonka wanted to give Charlie his surprise. Said chocolatier asked for time alone with Charlie before Charlie himself could ask, so that worked out. "Willy," Charlie said as they walked towards the chocolate river holding hands, "when are we going to go on another date? I loved the last one."

Wonka smiled, seeming pleased with himself. "I'm so glad you liked it, Charlie." He pulled the boy closer. "I'm sure we can plan another one soon."

"Can we go out of the factory this time?" Charlie asked, knowing he shouldn't get his hopes up.

Wonka seemed to consider it. "I'll give it some thought."

Charlie hugged him. "I love you, Willy."

The chocolatier hugged him back tightly. "I love you very much, Charlie. Now close your eyes and I'll give you your birthday present."

Charlie obeyed, bubbling with curiosity, and when he was instructed to open them he found two doughnut tubes sitting on the edible grass. "Doughnut tubing!" he exclaimed. "Willy, you did it!" He threw his arms around Wonka, who grunted in response. "It's the best birthday gift ever." He knew he should have been more careful, but he wanted to kiss Wonka, so that's just what he did.

And someone - that someone being Mrs. Bucket, that is - saw the kiss.

AN: Cliffhanger! Hahaha I love writing those! :) Please review and I will try to update soon...hehe...