Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chris had always been a bit of a ‘what-iffer’ as Wonka put it, and sometimes it bugged him to no end.
‘What if this, what if that’ all over the place some days, and it was never about chocolate or any kind of confectionery! It was always things Wonka would have to reassure, and reassure again, was more than safe.

Sometimes, it was one of the more fun ‘what- if’s’. Usually a quiet day, a moment just sat beside one another on the sofa. He hadn’t really thought much about just being in someone’s presence while quietly working, jotting things down in his notebook with half of a cover.

Chris usually knit or crochet, and at first he’d wondered if the needle tap tap tapping away would get on his nerves and distract him.
Willy was pleasantly surprised to find that the rhythmic clicks were actually far more soothing than he’d anticipated.

Pausing his own busying to steal a peek over at Chris, he could see how the once shapeless honey yellow wool was starting to sprawl over their crossed knees, neatly draped down to the floor, he noticed, eyes following the forming scarf.

That’s when Chris paused, and his gaze went back to their face. He was expecting their eyes to be on him, maybe a playful smile before they asked what was wrong, and he’d be able to charm them with a sweet comment.

Not that they got to think of anything, when he saw their gaze was still glued to the needles, brows knitted together in deep thought, dark eyes dancing as though they were reading something.
But Wonka knew that wasn’t the case, they mumbled when they read, after all.

“What if we’d never met.”

He was about to whine, as the what if left their lips, but the rest stopped him. Stumped him for a moment.

“Well, I suppose we would just… continue on.” He supplied, not really wondering why Chris had asked such a thing.
Chris was in his life now, and he knew what he’d be doing even if they weren’t in his life the way they were now. It was just a very lovely bonus that they did happen to be here, with him.

Chris grinned, shrugging.
“Well, yeah.” They agreed, voice dipping into playful annoyance. Chris was quiet for a moment, their smile falling just a touch. “It’s just.. Odd to think about, I suppose.”

“Is there a reason to, if it’s going to upset you?” Wonka tilted his head.

“It’s not upsetting me, really.” Chris reassured, “It’s just weird to think about I suppose. Would I still be at the bakery? Maybe I would’ve moved back to Brighton. It’s hard to say.”

Wonka stared at them for a long moment, eyes flicking towards Chris’ hands as they moved the knitting needles again, the plastic click-clacking against each other in that familiar way he’d grown used to. There was a small ache in his chest, listening to the sound, and he shifted himself in his seat to see if the feeling would go away.

It only seemed to stay as he watched their face, half covered by short, cloud-like brown hair. Chris paused to briefly push their square glasses up from the edge of their long nose, not seeming to really even notice Wonka’s gaze on them as he drummed a finger against his knee, his notepad and pen sat forgotten in his lap for the moment.

He rolled his shoulders, taking a deep breath before speaking again.

“It is hard to say… But, I do know some things.” He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he watched Chris lift their head to meet his own warm gaze with their inquisitive one, their eyebrow raising as they waited for him to continue.

“I know that i’d be left without all your what-ifs, even the silly ones.” He suppressed a chuckle as their face shifted into a pout, but he continued so they wouldn’t interrupt his train of thought.

“I wouldn’t get to hear that lovely sound of you knitting away at a new scarf, or hat, or whatever creation popped into that head of yours.” Wonka watched them blink as they processed him reaching over and gently prodding their forehead, smiling even as they batted his hand away with a smile on their face.

“Okay, okay, I got it.” Chris huffed, a smile still wide on their face.

Wonka grinned, feeling more at ease already now that the frown was off their freckled face.

“I hope you do.” He hummed, leaning back a little. He swallowed, trying to work up the words he wanted to say. Maybe Chris already knew, with the flush colouring their cheeks. But, he’d much rather they knew without a doubt.

“I’m… Very happy we met. That you are in my life.”

He blinked, staring at Chris as they smiled shyly towards him. Wonka chuckled, shoulders shaking a little as he felt his own cheeks heat up a little.

“My dear, could you believe I was about to say the exact same thing?”

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Chris swallowed, their chest fluttering wildly as they looked down at Wonka.
There was something.. Pretty universal about the one knee to the ground, hands displaying a small box to them.
They’d been about to witness their own sister’s proposal when her partner had popped the question, and it was a gesture that was… pretty much everywhere.

But they hadn’t exactly been expecting Willy of all people to propose. It had been jokingly brought up in a few ‘what if’s’ and ’could you imagine’s’. But Chrysanthemum hadn’t themselves once really thought that it would be something Mr. Willy Wonka of all people would consider.

Especially nearer the beginning of their relationship when it was pretty clear that neither of them really knew what they were doing.
It had just been a ride, in all honesty. Just seeing where it all went had already been more than Chris had been expecting, so this?

This was new, and a little overwhelming. A little scary.

Or, maybe it would’ve been if there wasn’t just one very absurd aspect.

The absurdity came from just what was in the box.

“Willy?” Chris asked, voice carefully level.

“Dear?” Wonka replied, simile unwavering.

“Is that a ring pop?”

“...Is it the right flavour?”

Despite everything, Chris laughed. They could hardly answer him for a second as they just bent over and wheezed for a second, a huge smile plastered on their face.

“No, no it is! It is.” Their chuckle died, and they shook their head, words lost on them.

“I just… You’re serious?”

Wonka had the audacity to look genuinely shocked. “Of course I am!”

“Like… Really serious?”

“Why on earth do you think I wouldn’t be?” Chris hardly even got the chance to point out the ring pop Wonka was displaying to them as an (apparently) honest to god engagement ring before he interrupted them.

“I mean it.” He said. “I swear on my soul, Chrysanthemum Baker. I love you and.. Frankly, I can’t imagine you not being in my life at this point.” He gazed up at them, a small smile twitching at the corner of his mouth.

“An answer would be appreciated, though. I think my leg is falling asleep.”

Chris laughed again, and carefully tugged him to his feet. They grinned up at him before burying their face against his chest. Chris sighed as his arms curled around them and he rested his chin on top of their head.

“Well, I couldn’t say no to a proposal like that, now, could I?”