Well, here it is, Chapter 2!

This chapter is way shorter than the last one, and it's a lot slower paced, but don't worry, the story really starts next chapter.

I can't put my finger on why exactly, but I'm not quite as pleased with how this one came out. I never really planned on writing any more chapters for this honestly, so it's a little shaky. Please bear with me!

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy!

Ralph honestly had not thought this through.

Of course the decision itself was simple- the little girl couldn't possibly spend the night outside in the cold. But upon getting home and discovering his tiny companion fast asleep, it dawned on him that he had no idea what to do with her once they got home.

He had a one bedroom apartment, and while he did have a couch, it wasn't a pull-out, or particularly big, and it probably wouldn't be very comfortable to sleep on.

But no matter where he ended up putting her, how to get her there would be another matter. "Vanellope," which definitely wasn't the child's name, he'd decided, was already asleep, so he'd have to be careful not to jostle her too much and wake her up- and that would be no easy task for the giant, clumsy man.

"Ugh," he groaned, running his free hand down his face frustratedly.

He hadn't realized how exhausted he was, how taxing this hectic night had really been until now, when he was standing still trying to concentrate. Taxing for both of them, he noted with the slightest chuckle as the child on his chest let out a small snore.

"Ok." he thought, "The sooner I figure all this out, the sooner I can get to bed."

Luckily, the next day was a Saturday, so he didn't have work and could get all the answers he needed then.

After he spent what in his opinion was a ridiculous amount of time thinking about a simple problem, exasperated by his fatigue, he decided it'd be easiest to let Vanellope have his bed, and he'd sleep on the couch. He would have been fine with sharing his bed, but he wasn't sure how she'd feel about it, and he didn't want to make her uncomfortable, so he'd just let her sleep there for tonight.

He walked down the familiar hallway with different eyes. He wasn't alone tonight, and though he didn't know what the next days would bring, right now he was actually feeling pretty content. He never thought he'd see himself in this scenario- willingly relegating himself to the couch while this child-virtually a stranger using a fake name, slept in his bed, but here they were.

Reaching the bedroom he laid the little girl down as gently as he could. She stirred slightly, but settled after instinctively sticking her thumb in her mouth. He let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding and draped the comforter over her before taking his pillow, a blanket, and a change of clothes back out to the living room. He turned the light off, leaving the bedroom door open a crack, then set to making his own bed for the night.

"Maybe I should invest in a sofa bed," he mumbled absentmindedly as he spread the blanket over the couch. He never had guests, so he'd never considered it before. But he didn't know how long this kid would be with him. Someone would probably find Vanellope, or whatever her name was, and take her home soon. Then he'd be alone again. No, Ralph decided, he didn't need a sofa bed.

But was anyone looking for her? What if nobody was? What about "King?" Who was he? Was he looking for her, or making his thugs do it? What would he do if/when he found her?

All of these questions were frustrating, but there would be time to figure all this out tomorrow, he reasoned.

He yawned, reclining on the couch and switching on the tv.

Ralph was awoken by a small tug on his shirt.

The half-asleep man's first instinct was to swat at whatever was bothering him with his large hand. But when that something yelped in response, he realized that he wasn't dealing with a something, but rather, with a someone. Groggily sitting up he turned the lamp on the end-table on and looked beside him, his eyes landing on his little house guest. He next looked at the clock and stifled a groan. 2:36.

"H-hey kid, what's the matter? Why aren't you in bed?" he said, slightly irritated.

Vanellope hesitated for a moment, noticing his tone, before saying, "It's not important, I just couldn't sleep. Why'd you give up your bed for me?"

Her rapid change of subject was not lost on him, and he got the sense that something was wrong, but he wasn't going to force it out if she didn't want to talk about it. Also she had been fast asleep last he'd seen her, so that was a pretty blatant lie. But he'd let it slide.

"Well, I gave you my bed because I thought it'd be more comfortable for you than the couch, and I didn't know how you felt about sharing a bed, so I just came out here. It's fine, really."

She stared for a moment at the benevolent stranger who had taken her in. This was the first time somebody had ever put her comfort before their own. She honestly didn't know how she felt about it at first. Then the all too familiar feeling of guilt started to creep in. Vanellope examined the floor intently.

Ralph's heart ached as he looked at her.

What had this kid been through that made her not know how to react when someone showed empathy and understanding towards her? It was all too familiar.

"I-I'm sorry," she stuttered before turning around, looking for something.

"Aw, it's ok kid- hey, where're you going?" he looked at her quizzically.

"I'm getting my things, I-"

"Kid, what're you talking about? You're not going anywhere." Ralph said in the same stern voice he'd used earlier, making the girl pause.

She looked back at him, bag in hand.

"Y-you mean, you want me to stay? But why?"

Ouch.

"Of course I want you to stay, it's way too cold out there for you. Plus it's dangerous. I don't know if you've noticed, but this isn't the nicest part of town. And you're exhausted. C'mon kid, let's get you back to bed."

She didn't argue. She really couldn't argue. He was right, she was exhausted, completely, and the circles under her eyes would attest to that. There was just one thing.

"Ok," she agreed, "But what about you Ralph? You'll sleep in your bed right?"

"Well of course, but are you sure you want to stay on the couch? There's plenty of room."

"Yeah, it's fine. I mean, it is your bed after all."

"Alright kid, as long as you're sure."

But she wasn't sure.

Vanellope had two options, and she had to make her choice quick. She could let Ralph sleep in his own bed and spend the rest of the night on the couch, where she knew she wouldn't get any sleep, despite how tired she was. Or, she could stay with the only person who'd ever shown concern over her comfort and finally get a restful night's sleep for the first time in years. That was the easiest decision she'd ever made. The little girl ran up to Ralph as he started down the hallway, practically leaping into his arms when he held them out for her, and he smiled knowingly as he led them both back to the bedroom, getting a weird feeling of deja vu as he did so.

Once in the bedroom he sighed, gently setting the little girl on the bed before plopping down on it himself. He laid down, and she tentatively drew a little closer.

"C'mere," he held his arm out and she gratefully scooted all the way over, snuggling into his chest, and letting out a contented sigh as she did so.

She didn't think she'd ever been as comfortable in her life as she was now, especially with a complete stranger. Ralph actually cared for her, more in the short time he'd known her than anyone in her whole life. His strong arms protected her, and his rhythmic heartbeat was a lullaby, coaxing her closer and closer to sleep with each strong beat. Minutes later Vanellope finally surrendered to sleep.

As he looked up at the reflection of the street lights on the ceiling, he could feel the tiny girl's breathing even out, and could hear the occasional little snore, and knew she was alright. Now he could get some sleep, knowing they were both alright, and even though he didn't know what the future held, or even what tomorrow would bring, he knew that they would be alright.

The gray light of early morning filtered in through the bedroom curtains, shining on the large man and tiny girl nestled happily in the huge bed. One could never find two people more different from each other. But they were so happy in this moment that it was as if no one else existed in the world. Among their nest of blankets, the man's arm was wrapped protectively around the girl's small frame, almost cradling her. The girl was laying on his chest, one of her little hands holding onto one of his huge fingers, and the other wrapped around a flannel throw blanket. They were so comfortable with each other it was as if they'd known one another forever. They had many things to burden their minds when they awoke, many questions that needed answering, but for now they enjoyed the serenity that peaceful, much-needed rest brought.