"You're not gonna make this easy for me are ya kid?" Ralph sighed.
Ever-so-slowly he took the jacket off, which was a lot harder to do one-handed than he'd thought it would be. When he shifted Vanellope to his other arm to take the remaining sleeve off she made a brief sound of protest but thankfully didn't wake.
Phew, Ralph mentally sighed as he dropped the jacket, letting out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
Still cradling the kid in his arms he trudged down his familiar hallway almost in a daze, still feeling like this was all some crazy dream and any minute now he was going to wake up.
Had he really just been chased by the police?
Had he really just taken in a runaway child?
And was he really about to tuck her into bed like she was his kid?
Apparently I am, he thought as he lay Vanellope down as gently as he could on his bed, covering her with the comforter. She stirred a little, mumbling something incomprehensible but quickly settled into the soft blankets, her thumb instinctively going to her mouth.
But it's not like she doesn't deserve it, he frowned, Poor kid looks like it's been a long time since she had a good night's sleep.
It feels like it's been a long time since I've had a good night's sleep too, Ralph realized as he stretched his sore muscles and ignored the strong urge to yawn for fear of disturbing the sleeping child.
Better leave her be, he thought, though he left the door open a crack, Just in case.
Ralph was awoken from a nap he didn't even realize he'd been taking by a small tug on his shirt.
The half-asleep man's first instinct was to swat at whatever was bothering him. But when he received a yelp in response he realized that he wasn't dealing with a something, but with a someone. Groggily sitting up he turned the lamp 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.
"Kid what are you doin' up?" he grumbled, slightly irritated.
"I...I couldn't sleep."
Ralph gave the child a deadpan look.
"Vanellope, last time I saw you you were drooling on my jacket."
"Wanna tell me the real reason you're up at two A.M.?"
"I don't wanna talk about it," the kid growled defensively.
She looked down, glaring at the floor, and that's when Ralph noticed the nearly dry tear tracks on her face.
"Ok," he softened, "You don't have to."
"What do you need, kid?" he asked gently.
The little girl looked at him strangely.
She didn't know what she needed. Nobody had ever asked her that before. In fact, she didn't even know what'd compelled her to wake him up in the first place in all honesty. She was being a big baby, and a burden and pretty soon he was gonna realize it and kick her out.
Nice job, her inner voice sneered.
"I-I'm sorry-" she started to step back.
"What for?"
"For bothering you and- and making you go through everything earlier and taking your bed. I- I can go-"
"Vanellope," he said calmly, sitting up, "You're not bothering me. We went through a chase together, I'm not gonna kick you out," he laughed and offered what he hoped was a reassuring smile.
"Now let's get ya back to bed, yeah?" Ralph nudged her and she tentatively followed him down the hall.
He patted the bed and she hopped up after a moment of hesitation.
"There ya go," he tucked her in again, and Vanellope had to admit, she was already getting sleepy again.
"Goodnight kid," he got up to leave.
"W-wait!" something grabbed the hem of his shirt.
"Hm? What's the matter Vanellope?"
She looked at him in a way that made Ralph feel like she was staring into his soul for a moment before sighing.
"I...I-"
He waited patiently.
"I don't wanna...be alone," she whispered.
At best she was certain he'd laugh at her and leave her anyway, at worst he'd kick her out.
But Ralph surprised her.
"Ok," he said softly, sitting down beside the little girl.
"Huh?"
"You don't have to be alone, kid."
She looked blankly at the wrecker for a minute, her eyes wide in disbelief.
Ralph smiled gently, laying down and holding out an arm, an invitation.
And after a moment of hesitation, she took it.
He lay a comforting hand on her back and she subconsciously snuggled into his side, the exhaustion from the day taking its toll.
She didn't think she'd ever been so comfortable in her life. She didn't know how or why Ralph actually seemed to care so much for her, but for once in her life she felt safe.
Vanellope blinked slowly. It was getting so...hard to stay awake. She lay her head on Ralph's chest. His heartbeat was...so...nice, she thought drowsily. It made her wanna...close her...eyes again.
Just for a minute...
Ralph looked up at the reflection of the street lights on the ceiling, hearing the kid's breathing become slower and slower, evening out into a steady rhythm punctuated only by the occasional little snore that made him smirk. Now he could get some rest, he thought as he closed his eyes.
And even though he didn't know what the rest of his thirtieth year had in store, or even what tomorrow would bring, he knew that he would be ok.
They would be ok.
"You didn't find her?!" a pale fist slammed down on an elegant wooden desk.
"We-we're sorry sir," Wynnchel and Duncan stuttered in unison.
"So, let me get this straight- two police officers couldn't manage to track down a nine-year old little girl?!" the King spat.
"We had 'er for a while," Wynnchel piped up timidly, "Almost caught the little brat."
"Well almost doesn't do us much good right now, does it?"
The King sighed, a hand on his forehead.
"Looks like as usual, I'll have to take things into my own hands."