AN: I can't decide if I should continue on with more chapters. Anyone want to weigh on this matter?
I do very much like Older Charlie and Wonka as a couple :D

Chapter 2

Chapter two
Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock
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"Will," Charlie was frowning when he stared down at the inventor, asleep at his desk in the inventing room. He crossed the small space that housed the two desks and work stations, his gaze lingering on the exhaustion written over the older man's face.

Willy lifted his head enough to give Charlie his attention. "Just resting my eyes." He murmured.

Charlie laid his hand on the velvet covered shoulder, frowning. "Go to bed," he ordered.

Willy chuckled weakly, "Hello," he chided playfully.

"Hello, Will, you look like hell. For God sake go to bed like a normal person!" Charlie grumbled. He smoothed a lock of light brown hair out of the older man's face, studying the reaction he got; which was just a slight flinch.

Willy lightly pushed Charlie's hand away as he sat up straighter. "Things don't invent themselves," he reminded the young man.

Charlie crouched down beside the chair, holding onto the arm to keep his balance. "Will, things wont get done if you get sick." He reminded him. "You'll get sick if you don't get some rest. The world can wait."

Willy chortled. "Charlie, I know the factory would be fine if anything happened to me…" he gave him a serious look.

Charlie nodded his head. "I know everything would be fine with the factory but it wouldn't be fine with me." He touched the older man's arm. "I couldn't… can't stand seeing you sick, Will, it'd break my heart in two if you got sick trying to do too much."

Willy blinked in surprise. "Charlie…"

Charlie sighed. "Willy, please." He pleaded.

Willy closed his eyes. "That's not fair, you know I hate that face."

Charlie smiled just slightly, "Do you?" he teased, cocking his head to the side. "Why I never knew!"

Willy laughed, "You really are horrible. Why did I pick you?" he asked.

"Because I'm the only one who didn't run around and mess things up," Charlie laughed, "that and you love me."

Willy hesitated before smiling faintly. "Then there's that." He added, a bit uncertainly.

Charlie rose to his feet and held out his hand. "Bed?" he suggested.

Willy smiled, "Bed." he agreed, accepting the hand long enough to get to his feet.

They both walked from the room toward the elevator hallway, their footsteps impossibly loud in the strange calm of the night. At this hour many of the machines were sleeping, leaving an empty space where noise should have been.

From somewhere deep within the factory a constant hum echoed through; comforting to the two men as their own heartbeats. As they stood in the elevator, Charlie having pushed the button for the living area of the factory, Willy's head lulled lightly back and forth as he attempted to keep his eyes open.

Charlie noticed his mentor's struggling and, hesitating a moment, reached out and wrapped an arm around the narrow waist.

Willy opened his eyes enough to give the young man a strange look; but his eyes fluttered closed and he leaned his head against the bony shoulder.

Charlie watched the chocolate maker going in and out of sleep as the elevator made a strangely smooth stop at the hallway entrance to the sleeping area. He gently nudged Willy awake. "I'm not carrying you," he chided.

Willy sighed softly, his breath tickling along Charlie's skin, raising Goosebumps in their wake. He nuzzled into the warmth before remembering where he was and who he was with; he pulled back and frowned. "Sorry."

Charlie was grateful for the dim lighting of the hallway, it hid the fact that his face was an bright red color. "Not a problem." He soothed.

Willy stepped out and waited for Charlie to exit the elevator. He pushed a button on the panel display that would send to elevator back down to the only active work level for the time of night it was.

"I left my book in your room," Charlie said, looking over at his mentor. "Mind if I grab it?"

Willy turned to raise an eyebrow but smiled all the same. "Not a problem," he laughed.

They stopped in front of the oak door, Willy opened it; stepping in and held the door long enough for Charlie to catch hold of it, and headed across the room toward his bed.

The room had a classic feel to it. The walls and bed sheets were a beautiful cream color; the floor a smooth dark oak.

When Charlie spotted his book on the window seat; he walked over to collect it. "Night, Will." He called. When he turned around he almost laughed.

Willy was already curled up in bed, sound asleep.

Charlie walked over to the bed, frowning down at the fully clothed man. "Not tired my ass," he murmured. He reached down and gently rolled the man over enough to get the beautiful jacket off of him. He then produced to unlace the knee high boots and set them neatly beside the bed.

As he sat there on the edge of the bed, Charlie frowned. "You'll be the end of me what with all the worrying I do." He hesitated before leaning forward, brushing the lightest of kisses against the pale cheek. "love you," he whispered.

Charlie straightened up and started toward the door. He opened it.

"Love you too." Willy said from the bed, one lilac eye half open.

Charlie smiled and stepped into the hall, the door closing behind him.