My Lost Starshine (Willy Wonka x Reader)(2005)

12

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I shouted over the rushing dark and the low hum of the boat's paddles—"Switch on the lights!"

The tunnel snapped bright in an instant—blinding white and candy-pink, walls flashing with swirling patterns of lollipops and peppermint sticks. 

Y/n and I sprang apart like guilty teenagers caught behind the bleachers, though neither of us looked particularly guilty. 

She smoothed her dress with one hand, cheeks still flushed; I straightened my coat and adjusted my hat with exaggerated nonchalance. 

No one seemed to notice—or if they did, they were too busy blinking against the sudden glare.

"People, keep an eye out," I called, voice bright again. "We're passing some very important rooms here."

Charlie's eyes were huge, drinking in every impossible detail. Y/n kept one protective arm around his shoulders, but every few seconds her gaze slid back to me—warm, amused, a little daring. I felt ten feet tall.

Violet's mother's voice cut through the wonder like a dull knife. "What do you use hair cream for?"

"To lock in moisture," I answered without missing a beat.

Y/n chuckled beside me—quiet, delighted—and the sound went straight to my chest. I loved making her laugh. Always had.

We glided past a wide viewing window. On the other side, a placid brown-and-white cow stood placidly while half a dozen Oompa-Loompas circled it with tiny whips, flicking them in perfect rhythm. Cream sprayed in fluffy arcs.

"Whipped cream," Charlie said softly, almost to himself.

I grinned. "Precisely."

Veruca wrinkled her nose. "That doesn't make sense."

"For your information, little girl," I said, leaning forward with mock solemnity, "whipped cream isn't whipped cream at all unless it's been whipped with whips. Everybody knows that."

I felt Y/n's shoulder brush mine as she tried (and failed) to hide her smile.

"Stop the boat."

The command came out sharper than I intended. Everyone froze. Y/n actually jumped a little, hand tightening on Charlie's shoulder. I softened my tone at once.

"I wanna show you guys something."

The boat nudged gently against a candy-cane dock. I stepped out first, offered Y/n my hand (which she took without hesitation), then helped Charlie. The others followed—grumbling, curious, impatient.

"Now," I said, spreading my arms wide as the doors hissed open, "this is the most important room in the entire factory. Everyone, enjoy yourselves, but just don't touch anything." I fixed them all with a look. "Okay? Go on. Go on, scoot."

They scattered like sugar ants—except Y/n. She stayed close, Charlie's hand in hers, watching me with that quiet, steady gaze that always made me feel seen. Really seen.

Violet was the first to break formation. "Hey, Mr. Wonka, what's this?"

I turned, delighted. An Oompa-Loompa had already scampered up with a perfect red sphere cradled in both hands.

"Thank you," I said, taking it gently. "These are Everlasting Gobstoppers. They're for children who are given very little allowance, mind. You can suck on it all year, and it'll never get any smaller."

Charlie's mouth fell open. Y/n's eyes widened in the same soft wonder I remembered from our childhood nights under the cherry tree.

"Isn't that neat?" I asked, grinning.