*Chapter 28*
Vanellope took a few uneasy steps into Game Central Station. The whole station was dark and quiet, unusual from it's daily, bustling life. Vanellope very quietly walked over to Ralph's game. She hugged her arms closer to her body and shivered as the freezing metal on her bare feet made her cold. She quickly slipped into Ralph's game, hoping the tinkering of the train wouldn't make too much noise. She heaved a soft sigh and quickly got out of the train station. She stopped and looked around Ralph's game. Everything was still with silent slumber, most of the lights were out. Vanellope smiled and felt her heart swell with appreciation as she quickly made her way down the road to Ralph's house.
She made her way up Ralph's large steps, made just for him. She carefully tried to open his front door, but frowned to find that it was locked. She gazed up at Ralph's large door, wondering if she was suddenly overstepping a boundary. She instantly felt uneasy being in front of Ralph's door. She heaved a tired, shaky sigh before very calmly knocking on Ralph's door, her hand began to tremble because of lack of sleep. She took a few steps back and gazed at Ralph's door with sunken eyes. She slumped her hands into her usual, mint hoodie. After a few moments, she perked up as she could feel the thudding of large footsteps approaching.
As Ralph slowly opened his front door, she was greeted with his tired eyes as well. He was wearing a dark grey shirt with a comfortable pair of sleeping pants. Vanellope rubbed her eye slightly and gazed up at him in a pleading way. Ralph rubbed the top of his head, as if to try to fix his bed head. He let a small smile creep across his face before inhaling slowly.
"Vanellope," He croaked gently in a small breath, he suddenly frowned at her state, "Are you okay?"
"I-I'm sorry," Vanellope frowned gently as she looked down, her hands began to shake, "I… just, thought-"
"You look like you haven't slept in days," Ralph breathed sleepily as he opened his door wider. He looked around through squinted, tired eyes.
"I-I, haven't," Vanellope frowned, her eyes sinking by the second.
"C'mere," Ralph said gently as he reached out and slipped his hand in hers. He carefully brought her into his home.
Vanellope gladly stepped into his warm home. She looked around with a small smile and inhaled a deep breath of Ralph's comforting, familiar smell. Her eyes scanned Ralph's cozy house slowly, a small candle was lit on his kitchen table. Ralph gently shut the door behind Vanellope and locked it. He continued to carefully hold her hand in his. He gazed down at her with concern.
"Why can't you sleep?" Ralph asked just above a whisper, knowing his voice was usually booming.
"I-I don't know," Vanellope frowned, she gazed down at Ralph's feet, "That unplug that happened a few days ago has rendered me pretty much useless. I haven't slept a minute since."
"Vanellope," Ralph said softly in shock, "That was four days ago."
"Oh trust me," Vanellope gazed up at him with a pleading frown, she looked like death, "I'm well aware. I usually don't handle unplugs this poorly, but… knowing that I'd lose more than just my game has me sleepless. I feel as if I suddenly understand what it is to appreciate something, or someone, that's not apart of your own programing... Candlehead sent me."
"Is, that someone me?" Ralph asked with a gentle smile as he squinted his eyes hopefully, and sleepily.
"Is it that obvious?" Vanellope chuckled sleepily as she looked down, her face produced every last ounce of red pigments left in her.
"Yes," Ralph chuckled as he rubbed his eye with his free hand and scrunched his blushed face sleepily. He squeezed Vanellope's hand in his and gently began to pull her further into his home, "Well, Candlehead sent you to the right place. I know just what you need."
"You do?" Vanellope asked in tired hopefulness.
"Mhmm," Ralph hummed as he led her down the hallway, into his room.
Vanellope let a small smile play across her face as she looked around Ralph's room. For the first time, she took in every aspect of his room. It was calmly lit with another candle on a table across his room. Ralph's large bed was unmade, the billowing red and cream blankets were beckoning. His bed was housed in a beautiful, dark wood frame. The wood shone in the candle light. Vanellope let her eyes ease around the room as her code slowly began to settle with final relaxation. Ralph carefully wrapped his arm around Vanellope's waist, which was level with his elbow. He very carefully tucked her into his arm before gingerly setting her in the middle of his bed. She sank into the bed, her legs criss crossed. Ralph sat on the edge of his bed and smiled at her lovingly.
"I don't mean to brag, but my bed is the most comfortable bed in all of Litwak's arcade," Ralph chuckled quietly, "You can have my bed tonight."
"Ralph," Vanellope beamed a tired smile in disbelief, she ran her hands over Ralph's soft sheets and blankets before gazing deep into his eyes, she gave him a tired, humble smile, "Thank you."
"You deserve a good night's sleep, I insist," Ralph smiled, "After what you've been through… It's nice to get away from it all, right?"
"You're telling me," Vanellope smiled as she gazed down at her hands and feet. She was suddenly surprised to feel Ralph gently stand and distance himself from the bed. Vanellope frowned and gave him a longing look, "Where are you going to sleep?"
"My bed may be the best in the arcade, but my couch is second best," Ralph smiled a humble smile, his cheeks blushed. He began to work his way towards the door.
"Ralph," Vanellope bashfully breathed with a tired chuckle. Her heart was swollen with his gentlemanly action. She shook her head and very gently pat the bed she was on, "Please, stay with me."
Ralph gazed at her through unsure eyes, he tried to process everything that was being said, his tired mind not able to keep up. His face suddenly got hot as he rubbed his arm in a shy manner. He tried to hide a smile.
"Are, you sure?" Ralph asked curiously and gently. He stayed still as he gazed deep into her eyes, searching for an answer.
"Please," Vanellope whispered with a smile up at him, almost pleadingly, "Stay."
"Yes, ma'am," Ralph breathed with a smile before he sat down in the middle of the bed with Vanellope, matching her sitting position. He gazed down at her curiously, suddenly feeling as if he had stepped into a foreign situation. His face suddenly got hot as her gorgeous, tired eyes gazed into his. She let a small chuckle escape her tired figure as she slipped her hands into his.
"Did, I wake you up?" Vanellope asked, her smile fading.
"I wasn't totally asleep just yet," Ralph said gently down to her. He inhaled a shaky breath and stared down into her, searching for answers.
"I think getting away from Sugar Rush was just what I needed," Vanellope croaked as she lulled her head and closed her eyes gently. Ralph chuckled and rubbed his thumb over the top of her hand, trying to be as careful as he could.
"The only way to unwind is to sometimes just, remove yourself from everything you're used to," Ralph said gently before looking back up at Vanellope.
She was hunched, her eyes closed. She hummed a small noise, as if to agree with Ralph's statement, and let him know that she was still awake. Ralph chuckled and shook his head before very carefully wrapping one of his arms and hands around and underneath Vanellope. He carefully pulled her into his chest and smoothly laid down. Vanellope opened her eyes and gently gripped the chest of Ralph's shirt as he adjusted the both of them. He gently laid her on her side as he laid on his side to face her; his arm still firmly curled around her. Vanellope heaved a long sigh and slumped her head onto Ralph's upper shoulder as he pulled the thick blankets over the both of them.
Vanellope smiled and pushed into Ralph's warm body, her legs just barely mixing with his. She suddenly felt as if every single strand of code in her system was rearranging and finally settling to it's usual blue glow. She curled and cuddled into Ralph, her hands gently gripped his soft shirt. She lovingly buried her face and nose into his chest; she blushed as she could feel the rhythm of his code beat, his heart lulling her comfortably. Ralph tugged his blankets up to her shoulders before settling and wrapping his free arm firmly around her. He cradled her in his large arms as he gazed down at her eagerly, as if he had stumbled upon a rare gem, all his for the taking. Vanellope opened her eyes and gazed up into his. She sighed a comfortable sigh and rested her head on the pillow she shared with him. The two held a comfortable, longing eye contact for a few moments before Ralph squeezed her closer to him.
Ralph tenderly nuzzled his nose against hers, as if to carefully and curiously ask for a kiss. Vanellope wrinkled her nose and let out a breath of a giggle as she slowly slid her hands up Ralph's strong chest. She very carefully pushed her warm lips to his, just barely. Ralph closed his eyes and smiled, his arms tightening around his mate. The two remained still as they gave each other a few long, eager, yet sleepy, pecks on the mouth. Vanellope felt her face heat up, exhausting the last of any energy she had. She heaved a small, bashful laugh and tenderly gripped the chest of Ralph's shirt. Ralph smiled through his barely parted lips. He inhaled a slow breath and gazed deep into Vanellope's eyes.
"I love you, Vanellope," Ralph said gently, yet with all the confidence in the world. Vanellope smiled up at him in tired surprise. She looked down bashfully as she fingered the shirt over Ralph's chest. She inhaled gently before sliding her gaze back into Ralph's warm, sleepy eyes.
"I love you too, Ralph," Vanellope said with loving eyes, her tired voice soft but sincere. She wrinkled her nose and chuckled sleepily as Ralph heaved a gentle sigh of relief.
Vanellope quickly shoved her head to Ralph's shoulder and snuggled into his warm body. She could feel every single fiber of her being un-tense as Ralph's large arms tightened around her. She exhaled the very last worry of the past four days and shut her eyes for what felt like the first time in years. She completely melted into Ralph's side, feeling as if she could stay in this spot forever. She almost immediately fell asleep, every single worry and trouble on her mind vanished into thin air. Ralph beamed a tired, closed mouth grin and tucked his girl closer to his chest. He very gently buried his face into the top of her head, relishing in her sweet scent. Before he could even realize it, he quickly fell asleep with Vanellope in his arms.
The two were still that night; deep sleep coated the whole room in it's rejuvenating love. Not a single interference disturbed their bonding slumber. The light from outside Ralph's home gently casted across the bed they lay in. Warm, tangible specs of dust floated around slowly, the whole room thick with no disturbances. Birds could be heard outside, chirping their morning songs.
Ralph inhaled a long, slow breath as he opened his eyes just barely. He shifted softly before suddenly freezing, remembering that Vanellope was still in his arms. He blinked quickly a few times and looked down. She innocently snoozed before him, her face pure and sweet. Her head was lulled against his shoulder, her mouth just barely agape. She breathed deep, seeming as if it would be impossible to wake her. Ralph felt his heart swell with affection as he gently unglued his arm from her side to tuck strands of her loose, black hair behind her ear. He inhaled a breath before gently placing a few lingering kisses on her warm forehead and cheeks. She shifted ever so slightly, mumbling something indistinctive. Ralph silently chuckled and watched her as she settled once again. As easily as he could, he slipped his slumbering partner out of his arms, making sure she was comfortable where he left her. He carefully got out of his bed and left his room, a smile plastered across his face.
Vanellope peeked open a tired eye and gazed across the bed where she lay. She noticed Ralph was gone. She slid one of her hands where Ralph had been laying; she smiled to find that his spot was still hot. She inhaled a deep, relaxed breath and sat up on her elbows. She blinked hard a few times and gazed at Ralph's shut window. Light tried to push past his dark curtains, signaling to her that it was late morning. She rubbed her eye and gazed at his window in a daze, feeling more rejuvenated and rested than she has in a long time.
"G'morning," Ralph croaked as he gently came back into the room and got back into the bed. He carefully swung his arm over and leaned over Vanellope to set a cup of some sort of steamy beverage on her bedside table. Vanellope carefully sat up as Ralph leaned back into his large headboard; it creaked slightly under his weight.
"Good morning," Vanellope smiled a smug, satisfied smile as she closed her eyes and leaned into Ralph's side.
"I'm assuming you slept well," Ralph chuckled as he gazed down at her; her hair was a slight mess. He carefully reached up and brushed some loose strands of hair out of her face.
"I did," Vanellope heaved a long sigh with a satisfied smile, "I haven't slept that well in weeks... I really needed this."
"You're always welcome, here, you know that right?" Ralph said sleepily, Vanellope smiled up at him.
"Thank you," Vanellope smiled as she peered at her bedside table, noticing the steamy cup of creamy coffee, "Is, this for me?"
"Yep," Ralph breathed as he rubbed his eye with his large hand, "Sorry, all of my cups are too big for you."
"It's perfect," Vanellope croaked with a happy smile as she held the large cup in both of her hands. She took a few sips and leaned into Ralph's side again, "What time is it?"
"Well," Ralph sighed, "The arcade opens in about an hour."
"Wow," Vanellope frowned, "I didn't think I slept THAT long."
"You went four days without sleep, what do you expect?" Ralph said with a chuckle as he adjusted the way he was sitting.
"Ralph," Vanellope looked up at Ralph through worried eyes, "If I go out there, everyone's going to know I slept over."
"Is, that a bad thing?" Ralph wrinkled his nose.
"I-I don't have a change of clothes," Vanellope frowned as she practically hugged the large cup, in her hands, closer to her.
"Good point," Ralph heaved a long sigh as he fiddled his fingers, "Maybe I can go get your racing clothes?"
"You realize Taffyta would probably kill you with the amount of questions she'd ask you," Vanellope laughed as she finished her drink and set it on the bedside table.
"Probably," Ralph breathed as he got out of bed and headed for the door.
"Ralph, a-are you really going to go get my clothes?" Vanellope laughed as she sat up, her eyes full of surprise. Ralph turned around and gave her a smile.
"Yeah, do you not want me to?" Ralph chuckled as he stopped and gave her a confused look.
"O-oh, no, I appreciate it," Vanellope chuckled as she slumped her shoulders. Ralph left the room with a small nod and smile.
"I'll be right back, then," Ralph called as Vanellope heard him open the front door. There was a moment of silence before his voice was heard again, "Vin, you should come see this."
"What is it?" Vanellope flew out of his bed and came around the corner. Ralph was standing in front of his door, it was wide open. On his front steps were Vanellope's clothes, folded neatly, with a note on top. Vanellope breathed a chuckle and shook her head, "My, clothes?"
"Who put them there?" Ralph rubbed the back of his head as she grabbed her clothes and quickly came back inside, "You didn't, did you?"
"I didn't," Vanellope chuckled as she set her clothes down, "There's a note. 'Thought you might need these, Candlehead.'"
"Candlehead brought these clothes for you?" Ralph wrinkled his nose with a smile, eyeing Vanellope, "Does Taffyta not know you're here?"
"No," Vanellope nervously giggled and put the note on her pile of clean, racing clothes, "She's my competitor on the tracks, but at home she's my sister."
"It's sweet that she cares about you," Ralph said gently as an announcement came over Game Central Station, stating that the arcade would open in forty five minutes.
"I should probably go," Vanellope hurried as she grabbed her clothes and closed herself in Ralph's bathroom.
"Will she be mad that you stayed here or something?" Ralph asked through the door as Vanellope rustled around on the other side.
"No," Vanellope scoffed with a laugh, "She just was upset with me going for four days without a reset. She wanted me to sleep before seeing you, cause I think she was worried you'd keep me up or something."
"Quite the contrary," Ralph chuckled, "I'm boring, aren't I."
"You're not boring," Vanellope smiled up at Ralph as she stepped out of his bathroom, fully clothed, "I really needed this, this… Getaway. Thank you, Ralph."
"You're always welcome," Ralph smiled down into her eyes. She leaned up and lovingly pecked Ralph's cheek before slowly heading for Ralph's front door.
"Sorry to snooze and run, Ralph," Vanellope called over her shoulder, "I'll see you after game day, right?" Vanellope whirled around and gave Ralph a flirtatious smile. Ralph barely nodded and smiled, trying to form words. He gazed at her across the living room from the hallway to his bedroom. She was wearing a pair of worn skinny jeans, racing gear, and a mint colored short sleeved shirt. Her small, bare feet smacked against Ralph's dark, glossy concrete floors. Her long, black hair flicked around as she moved; she was flawless.
"Right?" Vanellope said a little louder, giving Ralph a look. She threw her hand down to her legs, where Ralph's eyes were, and motioned her hand a little, motioning Ralph to look up, "I'm up here, buddy."
"S-sorry," Ralph choked as he rubbed the back of his head, his face beet red, "Yeah, I'll see you after game day. I'm happy you finally got a good nights sleep."
"I am too, Ralph," Vanellope smiled sweetly. She eyed him as she opened his large front door, "Thank you. For everything."
"Sure thing," Ralph smiled a dizzy smile. He waved as Vanellope left. Ralph exhaled and shook his head, his cheeks on fire.
