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Chapter Text

Was watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for old times' sake and got the urge to do this, also saw there weren't many male pairings for Wonka. So, I'll step it up!

I DO NOT OWN Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, just my Oc and story idea.

Chapter 1

This is the story of an ordinary little boy named Charlie Bucket. He was not faster or stronger or cleverer than other children.

It shows a young boy around 11 years old, he had short brown hair with light skin, and brown eyes. He was a bit on the thin side and had worn-down but well-loved clothes on. He clutched his bag as he raced home.

His family was not rich or powerful or well-connected; in fact, they barely had enough to eat. Charlie Bucket was the luckiest boy in the entire world; he just didn’t know it yet.

Inside the small and run-down home, Charlie sat at the table doing his homework. He looked over at his four grandparents sitting on the single big bed in the middle of the room, his Grandpa Joe lying next to Grandma Josephine, who was knitting, and opposite them was Grandpa George and Grandma Georgina. His mother is by the stove, boiling the cabbage soup with some carrots his uncle had brought.

Charlie turned his gaze to his Uncle, Edward Bucket. He was 39 years old, with short dark brown hair that Charlie often joked looked like it had been dipped in dark chocolate. His skin was a warm ivory, and he had a stubble of beard on his jaw kept short; his eyes were light brown with a swirl of gold around his pupils, reminding Charlie of caramel chocolate or golden swirls on fancy clothing. His uncle was around 6’0” with broad shoulders and a muscular build and slim waist. 

Edward also had a scar on his face, which started an inch above his left eyebrow and went down across his eye and stopped just at the edge of his jaw; it was darker in color compared to the rest of his face. His left eye was also blind, leaving the eye looking dull and vacant, so his uncle often wore an eyepatch when outside the house. 

Edward had on a black tight T-shirt with faded blue jeans and a brown belt. He wore his favourite faded red leather jacket most of the time, but it was on the back of his chair at the moment, and he was wearing a thicker brown pea coat. Charlie thought his uncle was the coolest uncle ever. He knew how to fight and was strong but kind.

Charlie jolts from his thoughts as his Dad arrives home. “Evening, Buckets,” William Buckets said, greeting everyone who welcomed him back.

”Evening, Brother,” Edward said as he put down the newspaper as William went over to his wife and Charlie’s mother, Helen.

“Soups almost ready, Darling,” Helen said, greeting William with a kiss.

“Uh, don’t suppose you have anything extra to put in? We got lucky today with some carrots,” Helen said as she gestured to the soup.

William gave a sad smile and shook his head. Their living situation wasn’t the best, but it was far better than being homeless. He knew his job didn’t do much, but it got them electricity and some food. His brother also did all he could to scrape together money for the family, working the odd jobs he could get and trying to grow food in the summer. Even if his green thumb wasn’t the best, Edward was better at making things than growing them or kicking the arses of people who needed it.

“Oh well, nothing goes better than cabbage with cabbage,” Helen said, moving to cut more cabbage as William went over to Charlie.

"Charlie, I found something I think you'll like," William said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out some toothpaste caps and put them on the table, some half-melted and some fused together.

Charlie's father worked at the local toothpaste factory. The hours were long and the pay was terrible, yet occasionally there were unexpected surprises. 

Charlie picked up one of the fused toothpaste caps and grinned. "It's exactly what I need," Charlie said, getting up and going over to a table, and picking up a toothpaste cap model of the Wonka Factory.

"What is it, Charlie?" Grandpa Joe asked, looking over. Edward smiled, sharing a look with William, who looked glad he could make his son happy.

"Dad found it, just the piece I needed," Charlie said, going over to Grandpa Joe.

"What piece was it?" Grandpa Joe asked.

"A head for Willy Wonka," Charlie said as Edward leaned back on his chair with a smile.

"Well, how wonderful," Grandma Josephine said, proud of Charlie and glad to see him in good spirits.

"It's quite a likeness," Grandpa Joe said.

"You think so?" Charlie asked, making his grandpa nod.

"Think so? I know so, myself and your uncle saw Willy Wonka with our own two eyes, we used to work for him, you know," Grandpa Joe said, making Edward give a smile.

"You did?" Charlie asked, looking between his grandpa and uncle with awe.

"We did," Edward said, watching his father talk.

"He did," Grandma Josephine and Grandpa George said while Grandma Geogiena simply smiled, saying, "I love grapes." 

"Of course, we were much younger men in those days," Grandpa Joe said as he remembered them.

(Grandpa Joe talking)

Twenty Years Ago

Willy Wonka began with a single store on Cherry Street, but the whole world wanted his candy.

It shows a younger Grandpa Joe looking at some chocolates in the shop before going to the back room where candy was being made. He went over to a young man behind some candy sugar glass, as a younger Edward without his scar was checking over some candy.

"Mr.Wonka?" Grandpa Joe asked, getting Wonka's attention as Edward looked over.

"We need more Wonka bars and were out of chocolate birds," Joe said as Wonka blinked.

"Birds? Birds...well then, we'll need to make some more," Wonka said as he picked up a chocolate egg and held it up to Grandpa Joe.

"Here," Wonka said as he put the chocolate egg in Grandpa Joe's mouth, who looked a bit bemused at Wonka's antics but was used to them by now.

"Now, open," Wonka said, making Grandpa Joe open his mouth to show a chirping chocolate bird, making Wonka giggle.

"Willy, must you?" Edward said, smirking as he picked up the tray of chocolate eggs to go and hatch them properly, making Wonka smirk after him.

Bucket home

"The man was a genius," Grandpa Joe said, smiling as Charlie listened with full attention.

"Like Uncle Edward," Charlie said, making Edward chuckle at the praise of his nephew.

"I wouldn't say a genius, I'm just very creative," Edward said as he scratched his neck.

"Posh, you and Mr.Wonka could talk for hours about candy creations. We often joked that your uncle was Mr.Wonka's right-hand man instead of his bodyguard," Grandpa Joe said.

"Did you know Mr.Wonka invented a new way of making chocolate ice cream so that it stays cold for hours without a freezer. You can even leave it lying in the sun on a hot day, and it won't go runny," Grandpa Joe said.

"But that's impossible," Charlie said he had never seen anything like it. 

"But Willy Wonka did it," Grandpa Joe said, smiling.

Fifteen years ago

Before long, he decided to build a proper chocolate factory. The largest chocolate factory in history, fifty times bigger than any other. 

It shows Willy Wonka cutting a red ribbon and walking through the gates of his new factory, by his side was Edward dressed in a dark maroon suit with a Wonka emblem on the breast pocket. The crowd cheered as in the crowd, Grandpa Joe stood beside Grandma Josephine, and the two smiled and kissed.

"Grandpa, don't make it gross," Charlie said, smiling as he nudged Grandpa Joe.

"Tell him about the Indian Prince, he'd like to hear about that," Grandma Josephine said, making Edward pull a face.

"Ugh, him, arrogant twit," Edward muttered to his brother, who just chuckled.

"Prince Pondicherri, well, Prince Pondicherri wrote a letter to Mister Wonka and asked him to come all the way out to India and build him a colossal palace entirely out of chocolate," Grandpa Joe said, making Grandma Geogina laugh.

New Delhi, India

"It will have 100 rooms, and everything will be made of either dark or light chocolate," Wonka said, putting down a building plan as beside him stood Edward, and on his other side was the prince.

True to his word, the bricks were chocolate, and the cement holding them together was chocolate. All the walls and ceilings were made of chocolate as well, so were the carpets and the pictures, and the furniture. 

It shows Prince Pondicherri looking over the complete room, looking satisfied with everything.

"It is perfect, in every way," Prince Pondicherri said, looking over at Wonka and Edward, his eyes lingering just a bit longer on the guard, making Edward glare in warning.

"Yeah, but it won't last long, you'd better start eating right now," Wonka said.

"Ah, nonsense! I will not eat my palace, I intend to live in it," Prince Pondicherri said as he walked over and sat down, looking arrogant as he licked his finger, looking around at the chocolate building.

But Mr. Wonka was right about this. Very soon, there came a very hot day with a boiling sun. 

It shows the prince eating chocolate in his palace with a lady serving him chocolate until everything around them began to melt. It changes to show hours later the chocolate-covered forms of the prince and lady as they stared at the melted building from a distance.

The prince sent an urgent telegram requesting a new palace, but Willy Wonka was facing problems of his own. 

It shows the chocolate factory at night as people finished for the day and began leaving and making their way home.

The other chocolate makers you see had grown jealous of Mr.Wonka. They began sending in spies to steal the secret recipes.

It was troubling times, I spent a lot of mine tracking these spies down, and sadly, some slipped through. 

It shows a man exiting the gates, but he didn't continue walking. Instead, he made his way over to a guy by a street light and handed him a letter with the words 'secret recipe' on it, making the shady guy smirk. 

Fickelgruber started making an Ice cream that would never melt, Prodnose came out with a chewing gum that never loses its flavor. Then Slugworth began making candy balloons that you could blow up to incredible sizes. The stealing got so bad that one day, without warning, Mr.Wonka told every single one of his workers to go home.

It shows all the factory workers standing outside the gates as they slowly closed, many watching in sadness, Grandpa Joe especially. Edward was nowhere in sight, as Grandpa Joe clutched a faintly blood-stained suit jacket. 

He announced that he was closing his chocolate factory, forever. 

"I'm closing my chocolate factory, forever, I'm sorry," Willy Wonka said, sounding very saddened and looking close to tears himself. Without another word, Wonka went back inside his factory.

Bucket home

It shows the family sitting around the bed eating the cabbage and carrot soup.

"But it didn't close forever, it's open right now," Charlie said, pausing in eating.

"Ah, yes, well, sometimes when grown-ups say forever, they mean a very long time," Helen said to her son as Grandpa George spoke up.

"Sometimes I feel like I've eaten nothing but cabbage soup, forever," Grandpa George said in his usual grumpy tone.

"Pops," William said to his father-in-law, making the old man go back to his soup.

"The factory did close, Charlie," Grandma Josephine said.

"And it seemed like it was going to be closed forever, then one day, we saw smoke rising from the chimneys. The factory was back in business," Grandpa Joe said, smiling.

"Did you get your jobs back?" Charlie asked, making Edward give a sad smile.

"No, Charlie, none of us did," Edward said, putting his empty bowl down.

"But there must be someone working there," Charlie asked, confused.

"Think about it, Charlie, have you ever seen a single person going into that factory? Or coming out of it?" Grandma Josephine asked. Charlie thought hard about it before shaking his head.

"No, the gates are always closed," Charlie said.

"Exactly," Grandpa Joe said, putting his bowl down.

"But who is running the machines?" Charlie asked.

"Nobody knows, Charlie," Helen said, making William nod.

"Certainly a mystery," William said as Edward chuckled.

"Sure is," Edward said in a melancholy tone.

"Hasn't someone asked Mr.Wonka?" Charlie asked, noticing his Uncle's sad face.

"Nobody sees him anymore; he never comes out. The only thing that comes out of that factory is the candy, already packed and addressed. I'd give anything in the world just to go in one more time, and see what's become of that amazing factory," Grandpa Joe said.

"Well, you won't because you can't, no one can, it's a mystery, and it will always be a mystery." Grandpa George said he then pointed over to Charlie's model factory.

"That little factory of yours, Charlie, is the closest any of us is going to get," Grandpa George said, causing Helen to put her bowl down.

"Come on, Charlie, I think it's time we let your grandparents get some sleep," Helen said as she got up.

William collected the dishes while Edward went to turn the sink on. Charlie said goodnight to his grandparents as Helen made their bed. Edward watched Charlie climb up to his room and wish them all a goodnight before turning his light off. 

"You never told Charlie about your accident," Grandpa George said, keeping his voice down to avoid Charlie hearing.

"He'll be told when he's older. I doubt he wants to hear about me being put in the hospital," Edward said, reaching up to touch his blind eye.

"It was quite the scare," Grandma Josephine said, remembering the horrid day she got the news of her son being put in the hospital.

Edward could remember that day all too clearly; he had been chasing a spy who he caught trying to steal from the vaults. He had chased him through the factory until they reached the boiler room. The spy hit one of the machines and caused it to explode, catching both Edward and the spy in it. A chunk of metal had sliced his left eye open, and the hot steam burned the left side of his chest and waist, leaving pale burn scars behind. The scars stopped before his belly button and just at the middle of his ribs; they curved around to his back. He was left in the hospital for weeks in a coma and woke up 3 weeks after Wonka closed his factory.

It had hurt to know he never got to say goodbye to Willy, but like the Bucket he was, he soldiered on. Still, he left a lot in that factory. His heart never truly left it; even now, he could feel the dull ache in his chest. Edward sighs, pushing the memories away and bidding everyone a goodnight as he goes outside to the tool shack he had made into his room, just a bed and a place to store his clothes, but he had a roof over his head, and that was enough for him.

Edward closed the door behind him and turned the light on. Some tools were at the far end of the shack, a bed was to the right side, and on the left was a makeshift wardrobe for his clothes. Above his bed were pinned newspaper clippings, ones he kept away from Charlie. Edward smirks while reading some of them.

*Fickelgruber goes out of business, tax fraud discovered!*. *Prodnose found guilty of copyright and embezzlement! Employees ready to sue*. The last clipping was about Slugworth. *Slugworth found guilty of cover-up, evidence found linking to child death via a candy balloon!* 

Edward had not been idle in the months after Willy closed the factory; he hunted down each and every one of the thieves and exposed their dirty secrets. A little tip here, a bit of gossip to get people wary. Just enough to make people suspicious and investigate. He was surprised by a few, mostly by Slugworth. The guy had tried to cover up the fact that he killed his own cousin's child with his candy balloons. He got what he deserved in the end. Edward walked over to his small desk and picked up a folder. He opens it to show envelopes of secret recipes he had taken back. He might not be Willy's guard anymore, but he can still protect the last of his stuff. 

"I hope one day, I can return these," Edward said as he took the newspaper clippings off the wall and put them in the folder, and closed it.

He put the folder down and went to settle down for bed; he could only hope that things would get better.

Indeed, that very night, the impossible had already been set in motion. 

Not bad for an opening chapter, if I do say so myself.

Next chapter coming soon!

See ya then!

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

The next day, it was a cold morning as Edward walked Charlie to school. Edward had his eye patch on. A simple black one, it helped to prevent people from freaking out when they saw his dull and vacant eye.

"Uncle, look, something is going on over there," Charlie said, causing Edward to look over and see a gathering of people around a lightpost.

Sharing a look, the two went over and pushed to the front. They saw a poster stuck to the lamppost, and Edwards' eyes widened at what was written on it.

"No way," Edward mutters, reading the poster.

Dear People of the world.

I, Willy Wonka, have decided to allow five children to visit my factory this year. These lucky five will be shown around personally by me, and will learn all the secrets and the magic of my factory. Five golden tickets have been hidden underneath the ordinary wrapping paper of five ordinary Wonka Bars. These five candy bars may be anywhere- in any shop, in any street, in any town, in any country in the world.

In addition, one of these children shall receive a special prize beyond anything you could ever imagine. Good luck to all and happy hunting. 

Willy Wonka.

"Everyone is going to go nuts. What are you planning, Willy?" Edward said his chest was feeling tight.

Edward grabbed Charlie's hand and tugged him along as people began gossiping.

LATER THAT EVENING

"Wouldn't it be something, Charlie, to open a bar of candy and find a golden ticket inside?" Grandpa Joe said, excited by the whole ordeal.

Edward was sitting to the side, arms resting on his knees and fingers steepled. Deep in thought, he stares at Charlie's model factory as if it holds all the answers he needs.

"I know, but I only get one bar a year, for my birthday," Charlie said, snapping Edward out of his thoughts.

"It's your birthday next week, Charlie," Edward said, standing up, and he rubbed his neck.

"You have as much chance as anybody does," Grandma Josephine said, making Grandpa George grunt.

"Bolderdash, the kids who are going to find the golden tickets are the ones who can afford to buy candy bars every day, but our Charlie gets only one a year. He doesn't have a chance," Grandpa George said, not to be mean but realistic. Edward understood that. 

'He doesn't want to see Charlie hurt from having his hopes crushed,' Edward thought with a sad smile.

"Everyone has a chance, Charlie," Grandma Josephine said, making Charlie smile a bit.

"Mark my words, the kid who finds the first golden ticket will be fat, fat, fat!" Grandpa George said firmly.

A few days later, his words came true as the family sat watching a TV broadcast about the first golden ticket winner.

William tuned the TV as it came to life to show a large boy and his equally large mother on the TV screen, with the boy holding a golden ticket.

"Told you it'd be a porker," Grandpa George said, making Edward scoff.

"Talk about unhealthy," Edward said, leaning against the bed.

"What a repulsive boy," Grandma Josephine said. She would like Charlie to have some meat on his bones, but not to the degree of fatness as the boy on TV.

"Only four golden tickets left," Charlie said.

"Now that they have found one, things will really get crazy." Grandpa Joe said, making the others nod.

It was true that not a few days had passed when the next ticket winner was found, a spoiled rich girl called Veruca Salt. Her name made Edward laugh, baffled as to why her parents named her after a wart on a foot. He bit his lip trying to set an example for Charlie, but it was hard when his shoulders were shaking from laughter. It was a look from Grandpa George that set him off into a laughing fit over the name.

"She's even worse than the fat boy," Grandpa George said after Edward calmed down.

"I don't think that was really fair. She didn't find the ticket herself," Charlie said, not understanding how one girl could act so proud like that when she did nothing to find it.

"Don't worry about it, Charlie; that man spoils his daughter. And no good ever comes from spoiling a child like that," Grandpa Joe said as Helen and William returned home.

Edward watched as they came over to the bed and asked if Charlie wanted to open his birthday present tonight. Charlie smiled and agreed. Edward watched as Charlie opened his present to show a Wonka bar. He held his breath as Charlie opened it to show no golden ticket. Edward smiled sadly, sharing a look with his family. At least they tried, and it was all that mattered. 

Despite the disappointment, Charlie remained humble and wanted to share his chocolate bar; Edward felt proud of his nephew. Unlike that selfish rich girl, his nephew knew what mattered most. He accepted the piece Charlie passed him with a small thank you. He waited until Charlie started eating before taking a bite of his own piece. He closed his eyes as the rich taste danced across his tongue. It had been years since he allowed himself to taste this again.

He liked sweets as much as the next person, but he always had a fondness for sourness as well. He internally chuckles, remembering the time Willy decided to make a sour candy that would suit even his sour cravings.

“Here! Edward, try this!” A young Willy Wonka said as he handed a younger Edward a gummy candy shaped like a shoe.

“What’s this? It’s not gonna pop in my mouth again, is it?” Edward asked, remembering the exploding candy Willy gave him once.

“That was one time, go on, try it!” Willy said, pouting as Edward chuckles, popping the candy into his mouth.

“Oh wow! Whooowee!” Edward said, his face scrunching up and his head jerking like he had been hit, as sourness assaulted his mouth.

“That’s one hell of a sour kick; the sweetness at the end helps ease it off,” Edward said, shaking his head as Willy laughed.

“I said I’d make the perfect sour candy for you! I call them Sour Kickers! Gives you a hit of sour like you’ve actually been kicked,” Willy exclaimed happily as Edward smiled, watching him.

Edward finished his piece of chocolate, and as the memory faded, one day he would buy a pack of Sour Kickers to let Charlie try and tell him the story behind them. Edward bid everyone goodnight and went to bed.

A week later, news spread about the next ticket winner, a girl named Violet Beauregarde, a competitive girl with her equally competitive mother, who was as vain as a peacock, a very ugly peacock. He did find the fact that the Violet girl had been chewing a piece of gum for the last 3 months made him want to gag. 

Then they learned the fourth ticket winner was a vulgar boy called Mike TeeVee, whom Edward instantly didn’t like. The rude boy was fixated on his games and TV. He didn’t even like Chocolate! This sent Grandpa George into a swearing fit, making William cover Charlie’s ears. While his ears were covered, Edward snuck in his own swear words for the brat. 

Three days later, Edward was on his way to meet with Charlie after school. He frowns, seeing the news of the last ticket being found by someone in Russia. He shook his head, knowing Charlie would be disappointed. He had hoped Charlie would find it, but luck wasn’t on their side this time. 

Edward paused as he spotted something. He walked over and picked up a $10 note, getting an idea. Edward smiled and pocketed the note. He could cheer Charlie up with a nice treat.

“Charlie, there you are,” Edward said, spotting his nephew waiting for him.

“Uncle Edward, did you see the news?” Charlie asked, making Edward smile sadly and ruffle Charlie’s hair.

“Yeah, it can’t be helped, but hey, at least we tried and had some excitement trying, who knows? Maybe there will be another competition next year,” Edward said, making Charlie nod, still a little down.

“Here, look what I found in the snow,” Edward said, pulling out the note he found, making Charlie’s eyes light up.

“A little treat, on me, just don’t tell ya Mum, I don’t want her to scold me for giving you too much chocolate before bed again,” Edward said with a wince, remembering the one time he did that.

Charlie giggles, remembering that day too. He made a shush gesture. Edward copied it and grinned as they went over to the Cherry Street corner candy shop. They went inside, and Edward let Charlie pick the candy bar he wanted. 

“The nerve of some people,” A woman said, putting down her newspaper, letting Edward see the headline ‘Russian ticket fake! Golden ticket still out there!’

“Huh, I know, forgoing a ticket, come on,” Bob, the shop owner, said as a glint caught Edwards' eye. He looked, and his jaw dropped.

“Oh my god,” Edward said, his heart racing as he saw a golden ticket, a real golden ticket in Charlie’s hands.

Instantly, Edward’s instincts went wild as Bob spoke in awe at Charlie’s find. Everyone in the shop looked over, hardly believing it, and just as a man and woman were about to dash over to bargain with Charlie. Edward produced a very menacing aura, the kind that makes people freeze in place. Edward had been Willy Wonka’s bodyguard for a reason after all, he wasn’t afraid of getting his hands dirty to deal with people. 

“You found Wonka’s last golden ticket! And in my shop too! Haha! Lad, you best get home right away, don’t let anyone have it,” Bob said happily, delighted to have the last ticket in his shop all this time.

“Come on, Charlie, let’s go!” Edward said he smiled at his nephew, who grinned, his whole face lighting up in joy. It warmed Edwards' heart to see such a look.

Charlie held Edward's hand as they raced home. At one point, Edward picked Charlie up and carried him home. Charlie laughs as they arrive, and to everyone’s bafflement, they barged in. Charlie, shouting at the top of his lungs he found the last ticket.

Edward set Charlie down, who darted over to Grandpa Joe. Helen and William watched in amazement and disbelief as Charlie held up the golden ticket, letting Grandpa Joe take it to look at closely. It took a moment for Grandpa Joe to focus before his eyes widened, and with a loud yell of joy, he surged out of bed doing a little dance! To everyone’s amazement, Edward laughs before surging forward to catch Grandpa Joe when he nearly fell over.

“Whoa, Father! Easy,” Edward said, helping Grandpa Joe sit back down.

“Here! Read it out loud, let’s hear exactly what it says,” Grandpa Joe said, holding out the ticket to Helen and William, who immediately dropped everything and moved forward to read the ticket.

“Greetings to you, the lucky finder of this Golden ticket from Mister Willy Wonka. I shake you warmly by the hand. For now, I do invite you to come to my factory and be my guest for one whole day. I, Willy Wonka, will conduct you around the factory myself, showing you everything there is to see. Afterwards, when it is time to leave, you will be escorted home by a procession of large trucks, each one filled with all the chocolate you could ever eat. And remember, one of you lucky five children will receive an extra prize beyond your wildest imagination,” William said he pausing to look over the instructions.

“Now, here are your instructions, 1st of February, you must come to the factory gates at 10 AM sharp, you're allowed to bring one member of your family to look after you, till then, Willy Wonka,” William said, lowering the ticket.

“1st of February, that’s tomorrow,” Helen said, making Grandpa Joe snap his head over to Charlie.

“Then there’s not a moment to lose! Charlie, wash your face, comb your hair, scrub your teeth, wash your hands, and blow your nose,” Grandpa Joe listed excitedly.

“And get that mud off your pants,” Grandpa George said, making Charlie smile.

“Now we must all try and keep very calm. First thing we have to decide is this, who is going with Charlie to the factory,” Helen said, being the calm one beside William.

“How about you, Grandpa Joe?” Charlie asked, remembering his grandpa had wanted to see inside the factory for ages.

Grandpa Joe smiled and went to say something, but he paused and thought really hard about something. He then smiled softly and said, “I think Edward should go.” 

“Wait, what?” Edward said, looking at his father.

“You helped Charlie find the ticket, and you know Mister Wonka just as much, if not more than I do, son, plus I’m not as fit as I used to be,” Grandpa Joe said. His little dance episode had already drained him quite a bit.

“Still,” Edward said, feeling the tightness in his chest return, old memories running through his head, and old pains.

“Edward,” Grandpa George spoke up, gaining Edward's attention. “Young man, there are many chances in this world, many chances to find jobs and make money, but right now, there are only five chances in this world to go into that factory. Are you a dummy for giving that up?” 

Edward sighs through his nose. He gave Grandpa George a look before smiling; his nerves eased. “You know what to say, don’t you, Pops?” Edward said, running a hand through his hair.

“Alright, I’ll go,” Edward said, making Charlie cheer and hug Edward, who smiled.

“It comes with age, now get that mud off both of your pants! You’ve got a factory to go to!” Grandpa George said with a nod, looking pleased with himself.

“Thank you,” Edward said, looking at Grandpa Joe after they sent Charlie to bed to rest for tomorrow.

“You're welcome, son, plus, you’ve got unfinished business with Mister Wonka to settle, don’t you?” Grandpa Joe gave Edward a wink.

Edward blinked before his cheeks tinged pink. He cleared his throat, asking, “So..you?” 

“I noticed, but you were happy and that’s all I asked for,” Grandpa Joe said, taking Edwards' hand.

“Go and heal Edward, for both of you,” Grandpa Joe said quietly, making Edward give a small smile and nod.

He big everyone goodnight and went outside to his shack. He closed the door behind him and went over to his wardrobe. He opens it and looks at the one outfit he hasn’t touched in the last few years. Maroon pair of Cotton pants with a black belt, a dark purple button-up shirt with brown buttons, and a maroon waistcoat. The outfit he wore when he worked with Willy. Sadly, missing his jacket, it had been too badly damaged to be saved after the accident, but he could wear his red jacket over it. 

“One last time,” Edward said as he put the outfit aside for tomorrow and went to bed.

NEXT DAY

FACTORY GATES

The big day arrived as people were packed in the streets, and the golden ticket winners were all lined up outside the gates. 

First in line was Varuca Salt and her father, Mr.Salt. Edward was once again thankful that Charlie never became a spoiled brat when he heard Varuca making demands already.

“Daddy, I want to go in,” Varuca said, causing Mr.Salt to look at his watch.

“It’s 9:59, sweetheart,” Mr.Salt said, trying to appease his daughter, who just frowns.

“Make time go faster,” Varuca said, looking forward making Edward roll his visible eye at her antics.

“Do you think Mr. Wonka will recognise you?” Charlie asked his uncle.

“One can only hope, it has been some time,” Edward said, squeezing Charlie’s hand.

Edward looked down the line. Augustus Gloop and his mother, Mrs.Gloop, were next to them. The boy was munching on a chocolate bar; to her credit, the woman did try and tell her son to save his chocolate for later. It seems she was a good mother, just a bit…misguided in certain things. The next in line was Violet Beauregarde and her mother, both wearing matching outfits. Mrs.Beauregarde looked like she had put too much makeup in Edwards' opinion.

“Eyes on the prize, Violet, eyes on the prize,” Mrs.Beauregarde said, causing her daughter to nod and still chewing that 3-month-old gum.

The last in line was Mike TeeVee and his father, Mr.TeeVee, both silent, but the father did look at everyone down the line. He did avoid Edward’s gaze upon seeing the eye-patch he wore.

Edward took a deep breath, patting down his clothes. He was glad to see his old suit still fit, if a bit snug around the shoulders and waist area. He looks up as the gate opens at last. Sharing a look of excitement, both Charlie and Edward smile, ready to face it.

“Please enter,” A voice said over the speaker system. 

Edward walked forward with Charlie and blinked when the other children and adults rushed forward. He raised an eyebrow at them. Who was the child here? He shook his head and kept a firm grip on Charlie’s hand as they were told to walk forward to the main doors as Willy Wonka spoke over the speaker system.

When they got close enough to the doors, Edward was expecting many things from his old friend: a dramatic entrance, a rain of chocolate, or loud sounds, but what he was not expecting was the doors to open wide to reveal puppets singing a song about Willy Wonka. 

‘Well, he still likes his theatrics, it seems,’ Edward thought, watching the puppet show. 

However, his viewing was cut short when he noticed movement. He looked and saw a man join them, but one he knew even after all the time apart. Willy had changed a lot and at the same time very little. Still tall and slender with dark brown hair, but it seems his skin had become paler, and he kept his hair to a Bob-cut framing his face; his sense of style had stayed the same. Glasses hid his eyes, but Edward knew those purple eyes were eagerly watching the show.

Edward chuckles as the show stops with the puppets sparking and melting. Charlie, ever the polite boy, claps a few times with Edward before everyone notices the extra person also clapping with them and talking about the puppets before moving to climb the steps.

“Who are you?” Violet asked, making Willy pause.

‘Still socially awkward,’ Edward thought as he spoke up.

“He’s Willy Wonka,” Edward said, drawing people’s attention to him, giving Willy a moment to gather himself even as he stiffens a small gasp at seeing Edward.

“Really?” Charlie asked in awe, seeing his idol in the flesh.

“Yes, he is,” Edward said. He saw Willy reach for his glasses, but paused and instead greeted everyone. It was a bit awkward, but Edward knew Willy wasn’t good at talking with…other adults. He always preferred a select few people and his candy. 

“Mister Wonka, I’m not sure if you remember, but my uncle here worked for you,” Charlie said, speaking up after Willy finished speaking. 

“Yes, I remember, it’s been a long while, Edward,” Willy said, his awkward smile shifting to a more tender one. Edward smiled, feeling a weight leave his shoulders.

“It sure has, Willy, got some new stuff to show off?” Edward asked, falling into old words and banter.

“Haha! I sure do! Welcome back! Now, let’s get a move on, children,” Willy said, turning and beginning to walk inside, causing everyone to follow him.

“Don’t you want to know our names?” Augustus asked.

“Can’t imagine how it would matter,” Willy said did the children not think he had a TV? He saw their names on there.

“Come quickly, far too much to see,” Willy called out as they entered the factory, and the door closed behind them.