Chapter Text
“When can we see Victor again?!” Vernon whined while laying upside down on the couch.
The four Golden Ticket Winners laid lazily in the living room.
“Vernon,” Michelle groaned. “Give him some time! The dude just lost his parents two weeks ago and is adjusting to a new life!”
“It’s true,” Agnes said. “Victor told me he’s not used to having such an open schedule.”
“Yeah, he probably doesn’t even know what to do with himself,” Michelle added.
Charlie sheepishly smiled. “He really doesn’t. He can’t really attend any of the activities he wants to keep at this moment because he’s still trying to recover. It’s making him frustrated. He was really looking forward to do at least one of his activities, but…he’s saying he still feels sore in some places.”
Michelle paused for a moment. She knew Victor was just looking for a distraction ever since his parents were arrested. His parents were his whole world and he blindly followed everything they said.
“Maybe…maybe we should do something together?” Michelle said slowly.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Victor sat there at his desk in boredom. He finished his homework. He finished a chapter of the current book he was reading. He couldn’t wait to have his strength back to start competing again. He was really looking forward to competing on his terms and what his definition of excellence was.
The absence of his parents lingered in his mind. Even though they were gone, he could still hear their voices. It’s been two weeks and he still felt lost. Who do I listen to? Who should I trust? He knew the answer was obvious but every now and then he couldn’t help but mentally run back to Sam and Scarlett’s arms.
Knock! Knock! Knock! Victor looked toward his door. Mrs. Bucket peered in with a smile and sat down on his bed. “How are you?”
Victor slouched. “I guess I’m okay,” he said. “I just don’t know what to do with myself.”
“You don’t always have to do something, Victor,” she said. “You can always rest.”
Victor frowned. “I’m tired of resting. I feel like I’ve rested all summer!”
“I can see you’re not one to stay still,” She said with an eyebrow raise.
Victor looked down then shook his head.
Mrs. Bucket stopped for a moment. She remembered that Victor told her and husband his entire upbringing not too long ago and how he was forced to compete and train every second of his life. Of course, the boy doesn’t know how to relax! The entire concept is foreign to him!
She then thought to what he said about how he felt like he rested all summer. Victor has only told them part of what he had to endure during his stay at the factory, but if it’s any implication, he must’ve done a whole lot of nothing.
“I just want to feel whole again,” he said quietly.
“I understand, sweetheart,” she said gently. “Things take time. I’m sure you’ll be back on your feet soon!”
Victor said nothing. He didn’t like dealing with change. He didn’t like it then and he didn’t like it now. He tried to look at the bright side and see that this was a good and healthy change. However, it was uncomfortable and painful.
“Why don’t you join us in the back for some fresh air?” She smiled. Victor gave a small smile back and nodded.
They headed outside and saw Mr. Bucket in front of the fire pit on the couch. It felt warm against Victor’s skin. He cherished moments like this with his new foster parents and whenever Charlie could join him. The last time he hung out with his biological parents and enjoyed their company was too long ago. He missed them. He was grateful he could have movements like this with the Bucket’s.
“Victor!” Mr. Bucket exclaimed with a big grin. “Good to see you!”
Victor gave a small smile back. He wasn’t sure if he’ll ever get used to their kindness. He joined him on the couch.
“Charlie stopped by for a bit,” he said. “She wanted to see how you were doing. I said you were doing fine. Just a little antsy.”
Victor blushed awkwardly. “Is it that obvious?”
Mr. Bucket chuckled. “We just know you don’t want to be cooped up anymore. I know how hard it is not being able to do anything.”
Victor turned his head away.
“However,” Mr. Bucket said, “Charlie did want to ask you something.”
Victor perked up at that. “What is it?”
“She wanted to see if you wanted to join the others in having a sleepover at the factory again,” he explained.
Victor’s heart dropped. “What is it with them and sleepovers?” He muttered to himself.
“I think it would be nice for you to catch up with the other Golden Ticket Winners,” Mrs. Bucket said. “Take your mind off things and relax.”
Take your mind off things, Victor repeated in his head. He knew what they were talking about. That’s all I’ve been wanting to do.
“I guess…I could join them…” he said slowly, as if trying to convince himself.
“All right, Victor!” Mr. Bucket cheered. “I’ll let Charlie know!”
Victor slouched back on the couch and tried to focus on the positives that could come out of this sleepover.
* * * * * * * * * * *
“VICTOORRRRR!!!” Vernon ran up to the boy and tackled him onto the floor.
Victor landed hard on his back with a grunt. “You really gotta stop tackling me every time we see each other.”
Michelle snorted as Vernon continued to hug him. “Yeah dude. Victor just started walking without crutches not too long ago.”
Vernon let Victor get up. “I’m just happy he’s here!” He said cheekily.
Agnes gave Victor a gentle hug and Victor hugged back. “So,” he said awkwardly. “Another sleepover?”
“I know what you’re thinking!” Charlie said with her hands up. “You don’t want to do this! I get it! But things are better now, Vic!”
Victor looked unsure. The first sleepover he attended went so horrible, Wonka had to erase their memories. The second one went fine until his biological parents showed up. He missed the sleepovers with Cameron growing up. Just the two of them going outside and hanging out. But now, Victor is 17, adopted into a new family and only has half of his mobility back.
“Fine, okay,” Victor sighed. “I just don’t want anything bad to happen…”
“Oh please,” Michelle waved it off. “It’s us! Nothing bad will happen!”
Victor tried not to roll his eyes at that. If this was about seven months ago, he wouldn’t have believed her statement. Again, he never thought he would be friends with the other Golden Ticket Winners whether Sam Beauregarde allowed it or not. Between the cruel teasing and pranking and his parents, befriending the others would be the last thing on his mind.
But current Victor Beauregarde thought it would be nice to finally get to know them more now that things are slowly healing at the factory. He has a great friendship with Cameron, Lex, Maddie, and Adam. Right now, Victor has an unspeakable bond with the Golden Ticket Winners. All five of them experienced a trip no one else in the world got to - and they survived.
Victor sighed and tried to relax. He slowly walked and joined them in the living room, it was still kind of hard to walk without the crutches. He sat down on the couch. “So what do you have planned?” He asked.
“Well I have some games here-”
“Hold it, Goody Two Shoes!” Michelle raised her hand up as Charlie shrunk back into the couch. “We’re not just going to sit around here and play board games again. There’ll be plenty of time to do that later.”
Charlie blinked a few times, weary of Michelle’s plans. “What do you have in mind?” She asked nervously.
Michelle grew a mischievous smile on her face. “I think now that all of us are finally good friends, we should teach Charlie how to be one of the so-called ‘rotten brats of the tour’.”
Charlie’s eyes widened and she laughed nervously. “Um! I’m not sure about that, Michelle-”
Vernon raised his arms up excitedly. “Ooh! Yes! Yes we should!”
Charlie looked at both Victor and Agnes for help. “You’re not going to make her do anything…too extreme, right?” Agnes asked.
Michelle waved it off. “It won’t be extreme! I promise! We can start off small!”
“And what’s your definition of ‘small’?” Charlie asked.
At that, Michelle pulled out cans of spray paint.
Charlie’s eyes flashed. “Where did you get this?!”
“What are you, a cop?!” Michelle sneered. “Anyways! We’re gonna have our own Charlie Bucket here commit vandalism!”
Vernon clapped excitedly while Agnes and Victor sat there uneasily.
Victor went ahead and pulled out a stick of gum and popped in his mouth. “This should go well.”
“Well,” Charlie shifted uncomfortably. “Wonka does have The Painting Room-”
Michelle scoffed. “Then it won’t be vandalism!”
“Ooh!” Vernon exclaimed. “Let’s do it outside
Wonka’s office!”
Michelle’s eyes lit up. “Perfect!”
“‘Michelle!” Charlie exclaimed. “I-I can’t do that!”
“Didn’t you pull a prank on Wonka earlier this year?” Michelle teased.
Charlie blushed. “Yeah, but that was to get Victor out of his shell!” Victor looked away awkwardly. “That was fun and I didn’t technically destroy anything, and I’m not defacing Ms. Wonka’s wall!!” Charlie protested.
“You don’t think Wonka can’t just magic it off?” Michelle cheesed.
Charlie opened her mouth to speak but stopped. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
“Yes! Let’s go!”
The children snuck down the hallway and stopped outside Wonka’s door.
“Now, what to draw…” Michelle drummed her fingers against the can.
“Please don’t make it too obscene,” Charlie begged.
“Oh, come on, Charlie!” Michelle said. “Think of this as your initiation!”
“Initiation?!” Charlie blurted.
Vernon clapped his hands and chanted. “One of us! One of us!”
“I’ll let you do something tame,” Michelle said. “How about…a cuss word!”
“That seems easy enough,” Agnes said.
Charlie looked at the girl incredulously. “Agnes!”
The German girl shrugged. “You could’ve been drawing something.”
“Michelle, I don’t exactly swear!” Charlie said.
“Exactly! You don’t! You’re stepping out of your comfort zone!” Michelle said proudly.
Charlie looked at the others helplessly. Victor looked unsure while Vernon was looking giddily at her. Agnes simply gave her a thumbs up. I think she feels indifferent about this whole situation, Charlie thought.
“Um…okay,” Charlie shook the can and began to spray on the wall.
Michelle and Vernon watched excitedly as Charlie sprayed. Agnes stood there simply and Victor quietly chewed his gum.
Charlie then took a step back to let everyone see her work.
“What?!” Michelle shouted. “What the hell is that, Charlie?!”
Charlie sprayed the word “heck” outside Wonka’s door. Agnes and Victor snickered at that.
“That’s not a cuss word!” Michelle fumed.
“I told you I don’t really cuss!” Charlie shouted.
Michelle grumbled to herself.
“At least she tried,” Victor said.
“Barely!” Michelle rolled her eyes. “You could’ve stepped out of your comfort zone and done something bad for once!”
“Do you guys always forget that I stole the Fizzy Lifting Drinks?” Charlie cried.
Agnes stepped forward. “Ease up on her,” she said. “A lot of of us have never really done those things.”
Michelle raised her eyebrows in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve never graffitied anything before,” Agnes said.
Michelle looked toward the others. Vernon waved off his hand. “If I wanted to paint something I’d have someone do it for me.” Everyone rolled their eyes at that.
Victor glanced awkwardly. “I would be so busy training or competing that I didn’t have time for anything.”
Michelle groaned. “You’re telling me that out of the four of us ‘rotten brats’, I’m the only one who would do these types of things?!”
“Face it, Michelle,” Vernon said, “you would be most likely to get arrested.”
Michelle glared at him. “I think you mean ‘most likely to get away with it’.”
“None of us have really done any ‘bad’ stuff,” Agnes explained. “The most I’ve ever done was steal from my father’s butcher shop.”
“I’ve also stolen things!” Vernon said with a smile. “And done some other things as well,” he then said with a mischievous smile.
Victor blushed blue. “The only bad thing I’ve done was…the factory…”
Michelle winced at that. “Okay I get it,” she said, not wanting Victor to reopen any wounds. He’s still in the middle of recovery. “Well,” she sighed, “at least we got Charlie to spray paint something!”
“So this was Charlie’s doing, hmm?” A voice scared them and caused them to jump. The five children turned to see the whimsical chocolatier herself, Wilma Wonka. She greeted them with a smile. She turned to face the “artwork” and chuckled. “‘Heck’?” She sneered. “Oh, Charlie, baby, you were never one for swearing.”
Charlie shrunk back.
“I once heard Charlie shout ‘sugar snaps!’ and ‘sweet Christmas!’” The Chocolatier laughed. “It was quite adorable.”
Michelle huffed. “Oh my God, Charlie! Would you please just say fu-”
Wonka clapped her hands cutting Michelle off. The graffiti on the wall disappeared instantaneously. “All right, children, please enjoy the rest of your sleepover.”
Wonka left them and Michelle rolled her eyes. “Well at least I got Charlie to deface some property’s so it’s still a win.”
“Can we do something else now?” Charlie huffed, still feeling a little guilty of destroying Wonka’s wall.
“Sure, Goody Two Shoes,” Michelle cheesed. She then leaned in forward to Wonka’s heir. “But just know I’m not gonna stop trying to turn you into the dark side.”
Charlie gulped and then the group was on their way back to the living room.
The rest of the evening went fine. The children soon loosened up and were happy they were together again. They played a few board games, much to Victor’s dismay. He’s still slowly trying to get used to it. At least Vernon didn’t cheat.
“Hey, Victor!” Charlie’s eyes lit up. “You’re pretty good at makeup, right?”
Victor’s eyes widened and he blushed blue. “I! Um!”
Michelle snorted. “Oh come on, Blueregarde! We all know you wear makeup!”
Victor shrunk back. “Well! I had my reasons to do it!” Charlie couldn’t help but laugh. He folded his arms and looked away angrily. “So why did you ask? You wanted to make fun of me?!”
“Actually,” Charlie tilted her head to the side, “…we were wondering if you could help us with our makeup?”
Victor’s eyes widened once more.
The three girls eventually brought out their makeup products and set it before Victor. He chewed his gum anxiously at their spread.
Vernon smiled teasingly. “You wear makeup?” He asked Michelle.
Michelle snarled at him. “Yes! What’s it to you?!”
Victor continued to study the products and picked some up one at a time. He read the back of the labels.
“Well?” Charlie said expectantly.
Victor chewed his gum in consideration. “Most of these are cheaply made. I can bring back what I have and show you some better products.”
The girls looked at him stunned.
Victor shrunk back in embarrassment. “That is if you want me to…”
They clamored over each other. “Yeah, Victor!” “Yes! We would love that!” They all said.
Victor shakily got up. “Okay, I’ll be right back.”
Victor left and the other four children instantly came together.
“Oh my God,” Michelle said quietly. “Is Victor Beauregarde going to do our makeup?”
“I think so,” Agnes said.
“Okay, but we gotta keep it cool or else he’ll doubt the whole thing!” Charlie said.
“Would you like to get your makeup done, Vernon?” Michelle teased.
Vernon stuck up his nose. “I don’t need Blueregarde’s help!” He said haughtily. “I have my own makeup artists at home!”
“When do you wear makeup?” Agnes asked.
Vernon grew defensive. “When I do interviews or attend parties!”
“I swear, you and Victor are just the same,” Michelle said.
“Hmph!” Vernon folded his arms.
“Except Victor does everything better,” Agnes whispered to Michelle. Charlie laughed.
“He does not!” Vernon exclaimed.
Victor came back awkwardly as he heard Vernon shout. “I brought my makeup…”
Michelle pushed Vernon out of the way. “Sweet!”
Vernon rolled his eyes and grumbled to himself.
Victor sat on the ground. “I guess I can…help you guys apply them?”
Charlie gave a gentle smile. “That sounds good.”
Victor did each of the girls’ makeup, carefully applying them and explaining what he was doing. He went for a natural look for all of them since it what was what he used to.
Each of them looked into the mirror and were impressed with Victor’s skills.
“Victor, this is amazing!” Charlie smiled. “Thank you so much!”
Agnes nodded in agreement while Michelle continued to stare at herself in the mirror. She’s never seen herself with makeup on like this before! She then snapped herself out of her thoughts and then wore her normal frown. “Yeah thanks or whatever.”
Victor smiled sheepishly. “I’m glad you like it.” He looked at his makeup pile before him. “Um, I was actually thinking of giving these away since I no longer need them.”
Charlie paused for a moment before she understood what he was saying. “Oh,” she said quietly. “Because you’ll no longer need them for interviews?”
“Well that and I’ve been sleeping better,” Victor corrected. “I mostly used makeup to cover the bags under my eyes.”
Charlie gently touched Victor’s hand and gave a soft smile. “I’m just so happy you’re doing better, Victor.”
Victor smiled then took a deep breath. “At the last sleepover, you guys wanted to know why I chewed gum so much and well…I think I’m ready to explain.”
Michelle felt bad. “Victor, you don’t have to explain if you don’t want to!”
“Yeah, we don’t need to know!” Vernon added.
“No, I!” Victor stopped himself then sighed. “I just want to own up and tell the truth. I think it might help.”
Charlie nodded. “Okay, Victor. But please. You can stop anytime you want!”
As Victor gathered his thoughts, he slowed down his chewing and shut his eyes. “I…chew gum so much…because of my parents. My father forced me to chew gum because of my rival Cornelius. He wanted me to go after his world record. It would’ve been another win. But I didn’t want to chew gum. I hated it. Well, after I won I couldn’t stop, I was addicted, and he didn’t want me to stop. Then the factory happened and Ms. Wonka waved it in my face and I just wanted the competitions to stop and her gum was a way out! If I chewed it, maybe…maybe things would’ve slowed down.”
Michelle touched his shoulder. “We get it. We understand,” she nodded slowly. “Your dad’s a dick.”
Victor wiped at his eyes and laughed a bit. “Thanks.”
“We know your parents made you do those things,” Vernon said, “and we’re sorry.”
“But in a way,” Agnes started, “didn’t we all make choices at the factory just to escape?”
“Well, I did,” Michelle said. “I’m pretty sure Vernon did it because he really wanted a golden egg.”
Vernon shrugged.
“Even though Wonka apologized and we’re all good with her now, I can’t help but think what she said after you got eliminated,” Michelle said to Victor. “She said you and Agnes were two naughty, nasty children and that there were three good, sweet little children left.”
Charlie looked away in shame. She remembered all the times Wonka compared her to the other four. Victor and Agnes’ cheeks burned in shame.
“I remember that,” Vernon said. “But nothing is worse than the media constantly asking us what happened. They keep giving us names and won’t leave us alone.”
“It’s almost like Ms. Wonka wanted the media to capture our failures the moment we left the factory,” Agnes said quietly.
Victor was grateful he escaped the media frenzy that happened immediately after the tour. He was already pretty famous. He didn’t need the world to know he was blue from head to toe.
“Ms. Wonka is slowly getting there,” Victor said quietly. “I know we’ve moved on and things are in the progress of being forgiven, but…it still hurts.”
Charlie hugged him and Victor was caught off guard. “Things will be okay. We’re all in this together.”
Michelle smiled and nodded. “Yeah. In fact, Blueregarde, what would you like to do next?”
Victor’s eyes widened. “Me?” He pointed at himself. “I-I don’t know!”
“Pick something!” Michelle said.
“I’m not used to making decisions,” Victor said awkwardly.
“It’s pretty evident,” Vernon teased.
“I…” Victor looked around. “I decide…to let Agnes decide what to do next!”
Michelle groaned and rolled her eyes as Agnes chuckled. “I’ll allow it for now, but next time you’re picking.”
The children continued to stay up late into the evening, eventually falling asleep. As usual, they enjoyed the time they got to spend with each other.