Ooktober Day 14 - Jackrum's Little Lads! This one probably took me the longest to do lol. My idea is to depict them as toy soldiers on a diorama being looked down on by the military higher ups
A little throwback to the proposal that launched it all
Willy was clearly, undeniably up to something.
First, it was a spur of the moment trip of several days to an undisclosed location. Not even Lofty was kept apprised of where.
Then came the late nights at the factory for what felt like weeks on end. He managed to make time roughly once a week for dinner, but he spent all remaining spare time cloistered behind the factory walls. He never let on what for, and despite being present in body, he was distant, his mind was evidently elsewhere, often interrupting himself to quickly draw something in the notebook he kept in his breast pocket.
At first you thought he was just working on a new candy. It wasn't unusual for him to hyperfixate so intensely that he needed reminders to even eat, and even less unusual for him to travel for some exotic ingredient. But he was usually bursting at the seams to share his ideas when you were reunited.
As time dragged on, though, you didn't know what to think anymore. You were head over heels in love with the man and ready to spend the rest of your life with him...but was this what it would always be like? Would you always come second? It started to feel...lonely.
Boring evenings began to bleed into one another. Like any other recent evening, you sat solemnly in the study of your childhood home, mindlessly thumbing through a book when the unmistakable creak of the letter slot on the front door broke through your doldrums. Intrigued, you gathered your skirts and shuffled over to investigate. Seeing the very recognizable gold filigree "W" on the envelope caused your heart to race. Your fingers fumbled in your haste to open it, sending the ripped envelope to the floor.
You looked up at your mother's grandfather clock and groaned. It was already 6:05. "Willy! You could have at least given me more time to get ready!"
"Mr. Wonka requests your presence at the water fountain at town center at 7pm - Lofty."
As frustrated as you were, you had to admit this was the most exciting thing that had happened in months. You giddily held the envelope to your chest and spun around before sprinting to your room to ready yourself.
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At exactly 7:00 sharp, you stepped into the town center, hurriedly smoothing back the hairs loosened by your hasty jaunt down the cobblestone roadway. You looked around through the dim, warm light cast by the streetlamps, but there was no sign of the lanky chocolatier. Disappointed, you sank down onto the ledge of the fountain with a loud sigh.
"[Y/N]!" you heard Willy call out behind you minutes later, just as you started getting fidgety from waiting. You turned toward the familiar voice in time to see a grin break out across his face when your eyes met his.
You just couldn't stay mad, no matter how hard you tried, and answered his smile with your own.
Willy closed the gap between you in two long strides. One arm wound around your waist while the other hid behind his back. He pulled you in for a deep, hungry kiss before leaning away just enough to nuzzle your nose with his.
"Close your eyes," Willy whispered, warm breath grazing your cheek.
"But I haven't seen you in forever," you whined, tangling your fingers in his curls.
He chuckled at your protest. "I know, my love. It's just for a moment. I promise." You closed your eyes in reluctant compliance and felt the warmth from his body wane as he stepped back. "Hold out your hand."
A smooth, hard, object was gently placed in your outstretched palm.
"Now, open your eyes. I'm sorry I was so late. I couldn't get the bow just right. And it...it just really needed to be perfect tonight."
Your eyes shifted down to the item in your hand. It was a wooden box, masterfully hand carved and tied shut with a soft red velvet bow. With his hands now free, Willy drew a paisley handkerchief from his coat pocket and wiped his forehead nervously.
You drew the box closer to examine it more closely. Your fingers carefully traced the incredibly detailed tulips, your favorite flower, that adorned each side.
"Did you carve this?" you asked in disbelief. His skills never ceased to amaze you.
Willy nodded. "But that's not the best part. Go on," he nudged, gesturing to the bow.
With your unoccupied hand, you gently pulled the ribbon's tail, feeling somewhat guilty for undoing his hard work. A light gasp escaped your lips when you lifted the lid. Nestled in a protective bed of plush velvet laid the most ornate ring you had ever laid eyes on, a deep red oval garnet set into delicate gold prongs shaped like tulip petals that glinted in the flickering light of the streetlamp.
"Oh, Willy...is...is this what you have been working on? It's exquisite!"
Without a word, Willy pulled the box away and laid it gently on the ledge of the fountain. Steeling himself with a deep breath, he took the ring and knelt down on one knee, never loosening his grasp of your left hand.
You sucked in a shuddering breath. "Oh my..."
"[Y/N L/N]. Out of all the wonders that I've seen around the world and across the seas, none hold a candle to you. Nobody, nowhere has felt like home since my mother passed. I have been wandering aimlessly until I found you. My north star. Building a future with you would be my greatest adventure yet, if you'll have me."
Your eyes stung with tears, smudging Willy out of focus. "Oh, Willy [sniffle]...yes! Yes, of course!"
Willy launched upward like a rocket, crowing victoriously as he picked you up and spun you around. When you were stable on the ground again, he slid the gold band onto your left ring finger. Somehow he managed a perfect, effortless fit.
You tilted your hand back and forth, mesmerized by how the gem caught the light. Unable to contain himself, Willy pulled you into an embrace before dipping you back for another kiss. "Happy, my love?" he asked, eyes pooling with unshed tears.
"I am now."
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