*Chapter 42*
"Ralph!" Vanellope suddenly screamed as she dart towards the house. She tripped over her feet a few times before catching her balance and clumsily continuing her desperate sprint towards the cabin, which seemed to drift away from her stumbling self. The cold air pierced her lungs as she inhaled sharply, tears stinging her eyes. She screamed Ralph's name a few more times in absolute terror as she practically scrambled away. She pumped her arms as she ran as fast as she could. She felt her heart jump as a light quickly turned on in the cabin's living room.
She flew up the steps of the cabin and launched herself through the door. She slammed it shut behind herself as she whirled around to catch a glance of the outside world. She clumsily turned back around to run to Ralph's room but was quickly stopped by a large pair of hands and arms. She inhaled a loud gasp and jumped clear out of her skin, a look of absolute terror on her face. Her code glitched suddenly, a purple streak of lightning that stretched upwards towards the ceiling. She barked a loud noise of protest and clutched her upper chest and neck with her hand firmly.
"Whoa, whoa, easy!" Ralph barked as he quickly gripped Vanellope's shoulders, "Are you okay?"
"Rancis! R-Rancis, h-he's outside, he's OUTSIDE!" Vanellope hollered shakily, her eyes wide with shock. Taffyta and Candlehead quickly stumbled out of their rooms, their eyes wide but sleepy.
"You scared me half to death," Ralph said breathed shakily as he gripped her shoulders tighter with his shaking hands, his facial expression fixed with worry, "What were you doing outside?!"
"I-I saw Rancis!" Vanellope cried as tears bulged in her eyes, she gazed at Taffyta and Candlehead desperately, "Rancis is out there, we can't go out there!"
"Vin, Rancis is dead," Taffyta barked, as if the words were hard to utter. Ralph let go of Vanellope.
"I know what I saw," Vanellope yelled. Ralph glanced down at Taffyta before he inhaled a deep, angry breath and stepped closer to the front door.
"Ralph," Vanellope pleaded as she held her hands together. Taffyta softly hugged Vanellope to her as Candlehead huddled behind the two. All three girls gazed at Ralph's back in terror.
"Don't move," Ralph instructed the three trembling girls as he flung the front door open. He stepped out onto the front porch in an intimidating manner and looked all around. Vanellope peered around him, gazing at the spot where she saw Rancis.
"H-he was by the race cars Ralph, the race cars!" Vanellope trembled, her arms literally shook. Her face was wet with tears.
"Who's there?" Ralph hollered out to the world. No one replied. Ralph looked around for a few more moments before slowly slipping back into the house. He closed and locked the large, sturdy door.
"Ralph," Vanellope pleaded as Candlehead gently rubbed her back, "I-I swear, he was there. He had his sword, Ralph. The double striped candy tree sword."
"Vanellope," Ralph breathed softly as he stepped closer to the three trembling girls, Vanellope gazed up at him pleadingly.
"Please believe me, Ralph," Vanellope begged as tears spilled down her cheeks, "He was there, his sword was all bloody, he was just…standing there, as if he was waiting for something."
"Well, he's gone now," Ralph stated calmly, his tone still slightly coated in disbelief, Taffyta gazed up at Ralph nervously.
"I'm not so sure Vanellope is over-exaggerating," Taffyta said seriously, "Remember I told you guys, crazy stuff happens in these forests."
"But, Rancis is dead," Ralph said, "His code is completely wiped off the map."
"Ralph, how do you know that?" Taffyta urged.
"Because," Ralph inhaled a slow breath and gazed down at Vanellope for permission. She nodded softly, he exhaled and continued, "Because, we watched him die."
"You watched it?" Candlehead exclaimed softly before she averted her gaze to Vanellope. Vanellope nodded just barely, tears staining her cheeks.
"How?" Taffyta asked in shock.
"We found Vanilla Lake," Ralph stated gently as Taffyta's and Candlehead's eyes widened, "Rancis died in Vanilla Lake."
"So it's not just a myth!" Taffyta hissed in surprise as she looked at Vanellope.
Vanellope trembled and gazed down at the hardwood floors in terror. Taffyta stared at her for a second before chuckling and gazing up at Ralph with a knowing look. Taffyta gently put her hand on Vanellope's lower back and pushed her forward towards Ralph. She stumbled a few steps as Ralph smiled a knowing smile and pulled Vanellope the rest of the way into his arms. Vanellope heaved a small noise of distress and pushed her face into Ralph's chest. Ralph hugged her tight, squeezing her to his warmth. He held her firmly in his protective grip and shoved his face into her shoulder. He sweetly pecked the side of her head before pulling her away from him to get a good look at her. Candlehead and Taffyta awed with each other in a girly voice, causing a small smile to spread slowly but surely across Vanellope's teary face.
"You alright?" Ralph asked softly, his eyes peered down into hers with sincerity. Vanellope gazed up at him and nodded quickly, her lips quickly tightened with seriousness.
"Yeah," Vanellope breathed as her gaze grew more and more concerned.
"I thought you were hurt," Ralph breathed down to her as he gave her a weak, humbled gaze. She glanced into his eyes, she felt her heart swell.
"I can't believe you guys found Vanilla Lake," Candlehead said with surprise.
"It was supposed to be our secret," Ralph said with a small, sheepish smile as Vanellope softly leaned into him again. Ralph firmly wrapped his arms around her again, but kept his gaze on Taffyta and Candlehead, "I stumbled upon it and wanted to show Vanellope just how beautiful it was. Rancis followed us there, and, tried to kill me."
"His sword," Candlehead mumbled as her and Taffyta exchanged nervous looks.
"He stabbed Felix, too," Ralph said with a small, unbelieving chuckle, "We had to rush him back to our game. He almost died for good."
"Felix?" Taffyta said sadly as Ralph nodded, she exhaled nervously, "Rancis really did go mad, huh."
"He slipped into the lake, and, it took him," Ralph explained.
"He's a corrupted file, then," Taffyta said sadly, Ralph wrinkled his nose.
"I thought his code was erased?" Ralph asked.
"No," Taffyta said through an exhale, "If you die in Vanilla Lake, the lake corrupts your code. You're neither living nor dead. You're just, a corrupt piece of binary. You can willingly walk through walls, teleport, fly. You can do pretty much anything once you're corrupt, except live amongst the gamers. Good thing he doesn't know the password to the code room, we'd be in huge trouble."
"You'll forever be a troubled sliver of binary," Candlehead frowned, "You can't communicate with anyone…"
"All to say," Taffyta frowned as she gazed at Vanellope, her cheek was firmly pressed to Ralph's chest, "Vanellope probably really did see Rancis out there."
"Are we safe here?" Ralph said in a worried way, he tightened his arms around Vanellope protectively.
"Yes, we're safe," Taffyta said with a small smile, "He may look terrifying, but he can't touch you."
"Corrupted game files are pretty much just harmless holograms," Candlehead said gently, "But they are terrifying, stalking creatures."
"What were you doing outside anyways, Vin?" Taffyta asked calmly.
"I was getting firewood," Vanellope croaked sleepily, "My room got cold."
"Well, tonight, you're staying with me," Ralph said firmly, yet lovingly, to Vanellope before averting his gaze to Taffyta.
"I don't want to sleep alone either," Taffyta frowned as she looked to Candlehead who nodded in agreement.
"I'll bunk with you," Candlehead said nervously.
"No one leaves the cabin anymore tonight," Ralph said to the three girls, they each nodded in agreement.
"No danger there, buddy," Taffyta said through a yawn as her and Candlehead slowly moseyed towards the hallway.
Ralph softly put his hand on Vanellope's shoulder and began to lead her to the hallway as well. He gently flicked off the living room light of the cabin. Upon doing so, Vanellope pushed into Ralph's side a little more and nervously peered down the hallway. Ralph calmly beamed and hugged his arm around her shoulders, keeping her close.
"See you guys tomorrow," Ralph said to Candlehead and Taffyta as they strolled into their rooms.
"No funny business," Taffyta barked as she pointed a finger at Ralph, "These walls aren't as thick as you'd like, Wreck-It."
"Must you make everything awkward?" Ralph laughed as him and Vanellope pushed closer to his room.
"Yes," Taffyta smiled as she vanished into her room, "Nighty night."
Ralph rolled his eyes before opening the door to the master bedroom, where the three girls let him stay for the night. He let Vanellope in first before closing the door behind him. Vanellope sleepily gazed around the room; it was calmly lit by moonlight, the beautiful flowy curtains draped the single, large floor to ceiling window as moonlight was cast through its sheer fabric. Vanellope heaved a relaxed sigh and felt her face get hot as she gazed toward the bed. Ralph's mess of billowy blankets beckoned her; she blushed hot red as she stepped closer to the bed, eager to be able to sleep in the arms of her wrecker. She wondered if it was worth holding onto her hurt feelings from earlier.
Ralph glanced at the back of Vanellope's head before averting his gaze to his bed. He felt a small smile prowl across his face, though he was worried she was still angry with him. He figured this was his shining opportunity to play the hero of the scary situation that just took place. He gazed up at the ceiling and pondered for a second before stepping across the room. In his mindless trail of thoughts, he nervously tripped over one of his large feet and stumbled. He loudly caught himself with his hand firmly on the ground, sending a loud bang through the cabin.
"Raaaaalph!" Taffyta hollered from the room over, Candlehead could be heard giggling.
"I tripped, cut me some slack!" Ralph bellowed before turning to Vanellope and chuckling nervously.
He was surprised to see her laying in his bed. She was on her side, curled into a fetal position. Her back was to Ralph. He slumped his shoulders and smiled before carefully making his way over to the other side of his bed. He gently crawled into bed next to her; he quickly situated the big, billowing blankets over the both of them before finally settling. He laid close to her and gazed down at her saddened face. He breathed a silent chuckle and opened his large arms for her.
"C'mere," Ralph said quietly as he put a firm hand on her side. He tugged her into his chest and held her tight to him. He pushed his face into her shoulder and squeezed her tight, "You okay?"
"I can't tell you how scared I was," Vanellope whimpered as her body continued to shake, Ralph pulled his face away to get a good look at her.
"I thought you were hurt," Ralph said nervously as he kept Vanellope to his warm body, hoping she'd stop shivering soon. He gently stroked some of her hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear.
"I've never felt so terrified in my life," Vanellope said gently as she placed a soft hand on Ralph's chest. She fiddled with the fabric of his shirt with her fingers.
"Did he chase you?" Ralph asked as he locked his arms around her. He gazed earnestly down at his girl.
"No," Vanellope breathed as she caught eyes with Ralph, "That's what made it scarier. He just, stood there. He looked sick."
"I really wish you would've woken me up to come out with you," Ralph said in a worried tone, "Hearing you scream in terror like that just about made me game over."
"Sorry," Vanellope frowned, "I felt I couldn't do anything but just run and scream. He didn't come after me, but just that fact that he was actually there, staring at me…it'll haunt me for days, Ralph, I just know it."
"All the more reason to stick together," Ralph smiled down at her lovingly, "I'll protect you…you know that right?"
"You have a big heart," Vanellope said after a few moments of longing silence, she firmly placed her hand over Ralph's chest and heaved a final, tired sigh, "I know you'll always be there for me."
"There's no other girl I want," Ralph said honestly before giving her a knowing look about earlier, Vanellope rolled her eyes.
"I know, I know," Vanellope groaned as she rubbed her eye sleepily, "I'm, sorry…"
"I guess I owe you an apology too," Ralph said gently as he gazed down at her, "We shouldn't have teased you like that."
"I guess if I didn't care so much, I would've laughed along," Vanellope frowned, "I guess I should've known that if I can develop feelings for you, I'm sure other girls can too."
"Highly unlikely," Ralph chuckled, "But even still, there's no other smarty I want."
"I accidentally wrecked my room out of anger," Vanellope said sadly as she gazed at Ralph's chest. It rose and fell with each calm breath he took.
"So I heard," Ralph breathed as he rubbed the back of his head nervously, "I'm assuming it's my fault."
"I'm just new to this whole wrecking aspect," Vanellope chuckled, "You've learned to control it, for the most part. I'm suddenly slammed with it, and am forced to master it overnight."
"It can be a blessing and a curse," Ralph smiled as he hugged her closer, "I had no idea you'd take on my traits when we, you know, s-swapped codes."
"I wonder if you've obtained any of my traits," Vanellope said gently as her face got hot, though she trekked into the awkward conversation with more ease than she expected.
"I guess we'll find out sooner or later," Ralph chuckled as his face steadily grew red.
"Maybe it just takes a few tries," Vanellope suddenly said, Ralph raised his eyebrows at her and chuckled in surprise.
"Feeling daring all of the sudden, I see," Ralph laugh quietly, Vanellope giggled, though her arms and hands continued to tremble, her face was hot red.
"Maybe I'm just sleep deprived," Vanellope said nervously as she softly gripped the chest of Ralph's shirt. Ralph bowed his head to kiss her forehead gently, "But I don't know if I care."
"That's the spirit," Ralph breathed with a small chuckle on the top of her head. Vanellope smiled, her face hot red. She gently slid her body closer to Ralph's as she could feel his arms tighten around her. She heaved a small sigh and buried into his chest; she steadily began to feel the need to cling onto him. She gripped his shirt tight and latched onto him as she nuzzled her nose and face into his large, powerful chest. Ralph smiled a knowing smile and held the back of her head. He pushed his face into her neck and shoulder and relished in her sweet, familiar scent.
"Are you going to be okay?" Ralph breathed gently in a question, his facial expression concerned; he continued to hold her close.
"After what happened, I just don't want to be left alone," Vanellope said quietly, a twinge of fear in her voice.
"I won't let anything happen to you," Ralph replied in almost a whisper as he kept his grip on her firm and true. Vanellope closed her eyes tight and inhaled Ralph's familiar scent. She exhaled after a few moments, her eyes fluttering.
"I trust you," Vanellope said sweetly before softly placing a kiss on Ralph's upper chest.
Ralph smiled a warm smile and remained still. He gently caressed Vanellope's back, hoping she'd become more comfortable and at ease. He closed his eyes and held her close. The wind outside picked up and began to howl quietly through the trees which caused Vanellope to tense and cling to him harder. She whimpered a small sound of protest as she practically began to burrow a hole into Ralph. He let a small chuckle escape his chest as he tried to gaze down at her. Ralph slumped his shoulders and very tenderly put his hand on her shoulder. With a fluid, slow movement, he gently pushed Vanellope onto her back and crawled on top of her carefully. He supported his upper body just barely above her. She widened her eyes and gazed up at Ralph with a look mixed with curiosity and knowing. She let a small smile play across her face as Ralph laid on her; he support himself on his elbows on either sides of her shoulders. His large arms practically cradled her, safe and sound.
"I think I know what will take your worries away," Ralph said casually as he gazed down at her happily. Vanellope breathed a chuckle and gazed up at Ralph through beautiful, innocently dewy eyes. She softly fingered his chest with her slightly trembling fingers.
"What's on your mind," Vanellope breathed as she glanced at Ralph's mouth a few times before averting her gaze to his powerful chest; she sat nestled under him, comfortable and safe.
"Welp," Ralph breathed as he looked away as if to be deep in thought, "There is a certain thing called a code swap."
"Code swap," Vanellope laughed quietly as she wrinkled her nose, "Never heard of it before."
"It's pretty nifty," Ralph stated casually, playing along, "Only meant for star crossed fools."
"I don't know if you deserve it," Vanellope said playfully, through a giggle, up at Ralph, causing him to chuckle and roll his eyes in reply. He kept his eyes fixed on her.
"You've had a taste of awful, bad guy binary," Ralph said with a smirk, causing Vanellope's face to turn red, "But you've yet to explain to me the definition of sweet, Sugar Rush."
"Ralph," Vanellope bursted with a small giggle as she gently pushed up on his chest.
"I refuse to believe that it's only me who's connected the dots," Ralph chuckled as he looked away playfully, biting his lip and wrinkling his nose in the process.
"Ralph," Vanellope giggled harder as she placed her hands on Ralph's shoulders, near his collar bones. She continued to push on him playfully. Ralph smiled down at her in a loving, playful bout of joy.
"What," Ralph breathed quietly, his facial expression softening to a warm glow. Vanellope gazed into his eyes earnestly and rubbed his skin softly.
"You're my hero," Vanellope breathed through a small, sigh of a chuckle. Ralph beamed at the thought of the medal she had made him years prior. He glanced at her mouth a few times.
"Us bad guys gotta stick together," Ralph said with a small laugh as he nuzzled his nose to hers.
"I'm not bad," Vanellope gaped.
"Well, you were when I met you," Ralph beamed, causing Vanellope to slump her shoulders, "It counts."
"Does not," Vanellope whined, "There are no bad guys in Sugar Rush. Except you."
"Well, I'm not a part of this game," Ralph said with a sigh and a smile.
"Well, you could be, eventually," Vanellope said before mentally biting her tongue. She gazed up at Ralph curiously, hoping he wouldn't be confused.
"Could be," Ralph repeated her words and looked away for a second before gazing down at her sweetly, "I'd be a terrible king."
"You'd wreck everything," Vanellope said with a small laugh, her smile wide. Ralph chuffed before beaming down into her eyes. She gazed up at him happily, her eyes full of hope and longing for him. He felt his heart swell every single time she laughed on his account. He wondered how it was all possible, to be in this kind of a situation with her. He gently adjusted himself on top of Vanellope and heaved a nervous sigh, suddenly feeling very aware of the prolonged tension that hung over the two like excited thunder storms. Ralph shifted nervously on top of Vanellope, causing the headboard of the bed to suddenly hit the wall. Both gamers froze and stared down at each other, their faces hot.
"I will make you sleep outside, Wreck-It!" Taffyta sleepily grumbled through her bedroom wall, causing Vanllope and Ralph to let out a few silent laughs.
"I have an idea," Vanellope whispered as she gazed up at Ralph through eager eyes. Ralph gazed at her intently before she gently wriggled out from underneath him. He finally got the idea and sat up, freeing her. She quickly got out of bed and waved for him to follow her. The two quickly made their way to the wall that was shared with Candlehead's and Taffyta's room. Vanellope softly bumped her arm and hand against the wall, making it sound organic and natural. Taffyta could be heard grumbling something to Candlehead through the wall. Vanellope and Ralph stifled laughs, their hands covering their mouths.
Ralph softly bumped his large hand against the wall before Vanellope quickly continued to join him. Ralph shoved his ear to the wall as the two made soft, natural bumping sounds against it. Vanellope bit her lip and tried her hardest not to burst out laughing as Taffyta's grumblings and complainings got louder. Candlehead could be heard giggling; Vanellope finally inhaled a breath from all her stifled laughter as her and Ralph continued to bump on the wall, both of their eyes wet with tears from silent laughter.
"Oh, Ralph, you're so strong!" Vanellope said into the wall as she bumped harder. Ralph snorted a laugh before loud rustling could be heard through the wall.
"Okay, break it up! I'm tired of it!" Taffyta hollered as she burst into the room, she had her hand clapped over her eyes. She flailed her arm into the room towards the bed. She jumped in shock once Ralph and Vanellope began laughing from a different direction than she expected. She opened her eyes and fixed her attention at the two, who were doubled over laughing.
"You really think we'd be that clueless of our whereabouts?" Ralph laughed as he rubbed tears of laughter from his eyes, Vanellope heaved a few laughs as she wiped her eyes free of tears as well.
"I think it might be wise if we all just bunked in the living room for the night," Taffyta barked in annoyance, her eyes sunken and sleepy.
"Aw c'mon Taff," Vanellope groaned nervously, "Those windows are really big."
"Candlehead won't stop saying how nervous she is," Taffyta chuckled in annoyance as Candlehead peeked her head into the room, "I would feel a lot better if we all stuck together."
"I guess this is the part where I'M the one sharing Ralph," Vanellope crossed her arms and gave Taffyta a cocked eyebrow look. Taffyta glanced at Ralph before she slumped her shoulders and rubbed the back of her head. Her white hair was down and messy all over her shoulders.
"Sorry about that, Vin," Taffyta mumbled, looking at her sister in an apologetic way, "We were just playing."
"I won't let anything happen to you guys," Ralph smiled before showing his clenched fist, trying not to seem too egotistical. Everyone chuckled and nodded in agreement before Vanellope put her hand up.
"Why don't we just pile Taffyta's and Candlehead's beds in the master bedroom," Vanellope suggested as she gestured to the large room, "That way we can all be together and not have to sleep on the floor."
"I'm game," Taffyta said loudly as she began to head back to her room, "Though I think Ralph might have to do all the heavy lifting."
"You guys just keep me around for protection and heavy lifting, don't you," Ralph scoffed as the three girls moved out of the doorways so Ralph could have room to rearrange.
"Exactly," Candlehead chuckled as the three girls laughed amongst themselves.
"Alright, watch your heads," Ralph said loudly as he quickly burst into the room, effortlessly holding Taffyta's and Candlehead's beds. He quickly set them down in his room and brushed his hands clean before smiling at the three girls.
"Thanks, Ralph," Taffyta smiled as she quickly closed the door and locked it. She then nervously looked at each window in the room; Candlehead scoffed at her.
"You scared, Taff?" Vanellope laughed as she made her way onto Ralph's bed, Taffyta sighed in disbelief.
"I'm not scared," Taffyta barked as she quickly made her way to her bed as well. Candlehead followed suit.
"Well at least we're all together," Ralph said gently as he approached his bed; Vanellope had quickly made herself comfortable but left room for Ralph.
"I'm so glad I don't have to be alone after something like that," Vanellope said with a frown.
"Ralph," Taffyta barked loudly, she whirled her whole arm up into the air before pointing at Ralph. She inhaled a sharp breath before stopping herself and gazing at Ralph, her furrowed expression quickly softening. Ralph slumped his shoulders and slowly turned to face her, knowing exactly what she was going to complain about.
"What," Ralph asked softly, trying his hardest to be patient. Taffyta tucked her arm to her chest and smiled, giving him an apologetic look in the eyes.
"Thank you," Taffyta smiled before slowly rolling over. Ralph gazed at her across the room before shaking his head with a smile and crawling into bed with Vanellope.
"Just doing my job," Ralph breathed softly as he scoot closer to his girl.
She smiled up at him, though her eyes still were laced with nervousness. Ralph exhaled one final, relaxed breath and quickly scooped Vanellope into his arms. She melted into him with ease, loving his care and warmth. She closed her eyes and wrapped one arm around his middle. She clung to him gently, loving how safe she felt in his strong yet tender grip. She closed her eyes and heaved a long, shaky sigh as she buried her face into Ralph's strong chest. Ralph squeezed her to him and secured his arms around her for the night; the blankets billowed over their shoulders.
"Goodnight, guys," Ralph said gently to the room.
Candlehead and Taffyta both replied sleepily. Vanellope placed a small kiss on Ralph's jaw, as her way of saying goodnight, before she slumped into him once more. Ralph gently squeezed her to him one last time before he untensed and let his head hit the pillow just above Vanellope's. He shoved his face and nose into the top of her head; her intoxicating scent lulled him to sleep almost instantly.
