A/N:

Hey guys, thanks for checking out my fanfic! This is my first thing published to this site, and to be honest I've been wanting to write a Wreck It Ralph story for quite some time now. It was all a matter of garnering some inspiration. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter and I hope you'll give this story a chance and stick around for some more chapters. I hope to update at least two or three times a week, but I also wanna stay ahead of my posts by a couple of chapters. Anyway, yes, this story is an eventual Ralph/Older!Vanellope fic. I know there's plenty of people who have written this, but to be honest I've wanted to something like this for years and just never got around to it. I decided to just do it even though some people may say it's overdone. Idk if I'll change the rating in the future, I may, but for now, I'll end this rambling and get on with the story lol. I hope you likey!

*Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Wreck It Ralph or the affiliated franchises.

Chapter One

Pale morning light filtered through soft, billowing curtains and cast a golden shimmer over the entire room. Against the farthest wall from the door, Vanellope lay nestled under a huge billowy blanket as she slumbered comfortably atop a massive candy-crafted bed.

She rolled over slightly in her sleep, the malleable yet sturdy marshmallow mattress easily conforming to her adjustment. As her body slowly and steadily roused itself from the tender prying claws of sleep, the young girl eagerly stretched her tired limbs and gaped open her mouth in a silent yawn.

As she began to finally roll into consciousness, her eyes blinked wearily several times before she opened them. Her surroundings quickly registered as she took them in, and startled herself awake.

With a jolt, Vanellope found herself wide awake and sitting upright in her bed. After a brief moment of startling confusion, she groaned and smacked her palm lightly against her face. "Three months into being president, Vanellope, and you still aren't used to your bedroom," she muttered to herself, voice even raspier than usual from sleep.

After sliding her hand down and away from her forehead, she slid her gaze around the room in order to once again fully absorb its contents. It was still relatively plain and the same as when she first arrived. The whole castle still looked exactly the same as when "King Candy" reigned over it. Of course, she had been planning to change that, she just hadn't gotten around to it. She was still slowly acclimating herself to the new role she had been thrown into. Though she didn't let on, she still felt nervous jitters every time she stepped on to the track. She still felt a twinge of fear that sometime soon she would wake up from this fanciful dream and return to her life as the abominable glitch.

With a small frown, she shook her head, as if this action would somehow literally shake the negative thoughts from her head. She clawed gently at the soft blankets she sat on. They were thick and of course, a vivid pink color. 'It's salmon!' She could practically hear King Candy hollering in his wretched screech. A small smirk alighted itself on her face as she suddenly gripped the intolerable fabric more firmly in her small fingers. With a sudden bout of carelessness, she pulled as hard as she could on the blanket, desperately trying to tear it.

However, after a few seconds of soft grunting and immense effort, she slumped over with a sigh, suddenly envying the wrecking skills Ralph inherently possessed. I really need to get rid of this bed. She thought to herself with a frown. This whole castle needs an upgrade.

The walls around her were also covered with the putrid salmon color, scattered with small multicolored sprinkles and various candies. The floor was at least bearable - the tiles gleamed a soft hue of pale honey. Although, Vanellope would admittedly prefer carpeting to the cold hard surface.

Other than her bed, the only furnishings the room held were a large pink armoire and two pink end tables on either side of her bed. After sitting and contemplating the fact that she actually wasn't living in her little nook in Coca Cola mountain.

After these silent minutes of thoughtful contemplation, Vanellope hurriedly crawled off of her gigantic bed and hopped down onto the floor. It was a Sunday, meaning Litwak's arcade was closed for the day - their one day off. I get to hang out with Ralph! The realization suddenly crossed her mind and sparked a spurt of energy to shoot through her as she clumsily sprinted to her dresser. Rapidly, she changed out of her nightclothes and into her usual racing clothes.

After getting dressed and pulling her silky hair back into a high ponytail, Vanellope raced down the staircase and into the sitting room of the North wing. It was at that moment that she heard a distant knocking coming from the entrance to the castle. She hurriedly scampered through her wing, through the grand kitchen, and into the great hall. Realizing she forgot to put shoes on, she sheepishly approached the doors, wondering if it was Ralph coming to get her.

However, when she opened up the doors, she was greeted with the sight of her new three closest racer friends. Taffyta, of course, as always, stood in front of Candlehead and Rancis, bearing a beaming grin and wearing her customary gear, minus the hat. Rancis too was smiling, albeit more bashfully, and Candlehead was delicately holding a small dish with an adorable vanilla cupcake perched atop it.

With a toothy grin, Vanellope backed away and allowed her friends to step inside.

"Hey guys!" She cheerfully exclaimed. "What's up?"

"Oh, not much," Taffyta responded nonchalantly as she watched Vanellope close the door behind them and the four slowly moseyed towards the kitchen. "We just thought we'd pay you a good morning visit, that's all." A playful smirk graced her face as Candlehead stepped forward shyly.

"I-I baked you this cupcake," she stammered, a light blush covering her cheeks as she gently held the dish out towards Vanellope.

"Aw, gee, thanks Candlehead," Vanellope said with a beam, gratefully taking the plate and situating herself at one of the stools set in front of the kitchen island. She had to practically climb up into it. She eagerly dove into the delectable treat. "The best breakfast!" She exclaimed in a muffled voice through a mouthful of the dessert.

Taffyta snickered. "You're so elegant," she teased as she watched the small brunette munch on the cupcake.

Vanellope rolled her eyes and swatted playfully at the blonde as she climbed up onto the stool beside her. She swallowed another gulp while Rancis and Candlehead joined her and Taffyta at the counter. "So, what is this reeeeaaalllyy about?" She sneered as she tilted her head curiously towards the trio.

"Well," Taffyta began, casting her eyes downward in a rare moment of humble tenderness. "It's just that we're all so sorry about how we treated you back when- well, you know…" Her voice grew steadily softer towards the end of her sentence.

Vanellope's face grew softer as she listened. Before she could respond, Rancis chimed in, "We know little visits and goodies can't really fix anything but...More than anything, we just all wanna be your friends." His voice was genuine and full of concern. "I imagine how lonely you must have been all that time, it hurts to know how much pain we've caused you, even if you won't outwardly admit it."

"Aw, guys," Vanellope sighed tenderly, "It's been three months already. I've already forgiven you countless times. And you know you're all welcome here anytime you want. I've really appreciated your friendships. You don't have to keep apologizing and feeling bad." She reached her hand out to Taffyta, who was directly next to her, and gently rested it on her shoulder. "I just want things to be normal, honestly."

"After everything, it's amazing how forgiving you are," Taffyta admitted bashfully as she met Vanellope's eyes. "I can't believe you actually wanna be friends with us. Especially me," she continued with a bashful manner as she gestured towards Rancis and Candlehead, saying, "I was basically the gang leader of all this. I tormented you so much."

Vanellope smirked. "I know," she conceded. "But it's okay, I promise. You'll just have to put up with my incessant teasing and horrible jokes."

The four softly laughed and shared a short moment of knowing silence. "Okay," Vanellope disrupted with a grin, "Now I'm gonna finish this delicious cupcake. Candlehead, you're a natural! You should come be my personal chef!" They all chuckled and Candlehead smiled caringly back at Vanellope as she kept her word and finished off the dessert in one swift mouthful.

Just as she was finishing up her bite, several incessantly loud knocks were heard at the front doors. "Ralph!" Vanellope's face lit up with a grin as she dusted crumbs off of her hoodie and swiftly leapt off of the stool.

Her three racer friends exchanged silent, knowing glances and Taffyta turned to look down at Vanellope. "Ooooh, Raaalllpphhh," she cooed in a sing-song voice. The immediate reaction was intensely gratifying as Vanellope's whole face turned a deep shade of crimson.

"What the sprinkles is that supposed to mean!" She choked, flailing her arms around wildly. "Ralph's my best friend! Of course I wanna hang out with him!"

"Oh, don't kid yourself, we've seen the goo-goo eyes you get when you look at him," Rancis added on, teasingly egging on the excitable racer. At this remark, Taffyta leaned her head back in a fit of raucous laughter and even Candlehead grinned sheepishly.

"C-come on guys," Vanellope stuttered, crossing her arms defensively over her chest as her face slowly returned to its normal pale color. "It isn't like that! And besides, even if I did have a crush on Ralph - speaking totally hypothetically mind you - I am way, way too young for him. He would never have any interest in me!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say," Taffyta responded with a wink, as her and the other two hopped off their stools. "We'll leave you alone with your precious wrecker." The three snickered some more amongst themselves and Vanellope rolled her eyes with a pout. However, as Taffyta passed her, she gently nudged their shoulders together and her face broke into a toothy smile.

Somewhat reluctantly, she walked with her three friends out of the kitchen and towards the front doors. "You know," she started, "you guys could join us sometime, get to know him a bit. I'm sure it would help his opinion of you to be a little less...well, sour."

"That sounds nice," Candlehead piped in, though Taffyta gave her a nervous look. "Maybe sometime after game day lets out?"

Vanellope grinned and nodded eagerly. "Great!" Of course, she could practically hear the unsaid questions hanging in the air. She knew they were all bound to be a little scared. After all, Ralph's disposition toward them wasn't exactly favorable. He still didn't believe they deserved Vanellope's forgiveness. Although somewhat annoying, she found this strangely endearing; after all, it showed just how much he cared for her. Her cheeks blushed slightly at the thought.

She eagerly opened up the front door to reveal none other than Ralph himself, who was standing and staring at the ground, absentmindedly twiddling thumbs. When he looked up and saw her he displayed his usual gap-toothed smile and she grinned back at him. "Hey Stinkbrain!"

"Hey, kid," he greeted warmly. He looked at the other three smarties lined up behind her, all three of which were giving him and Vanellope knowing smirks.

"Hey Stinkbrain," Taffyta chimed sweetly in a mocking voice as her, Rancis, and Candlehead shuffled out of the castle entrance.

"Hey, knock it off!" Vanellope choked out, her voice strained as her cheeks slowly lit up with color.

Ralph looked back at he questioningly. "What was that all about?" He pondered as Vanellope watched her three friends climb into their racing carts and take off down the long pathway from the castle.

"Uhm, nothing of course," she fibbed, turning away from him to hide the blush on her face. "Wanna come in for a minute?"

He stepped into the hall and closed the door behind him. He watched, confused, as the young girl bounded off in the opposite direction.

How does she even have that much energy this early in the morning? He wondered as he scratched his head, arching an eyebrow contemplatively before leisurely following Vanellope into the exquisite castle kitchen.

"Want any breakfast, Hamhands?" Vanellope asked eagerly as he entered. However, she was already zooming around, pulling things out of the fridge and using a stool to gain access to the appliances. "Pancakes sound good?"

"I guess it doesn't seem like I have much of a choice," he teased with an exasperated sigh. He cautiously eyed one of the stools situated on the other side of the counter she was currently working at. He didn't really want to risk sitting down and breaking something, especially considering it looked so...delicate, and ornate. For a stool, anyway. He decided against it. "Do you want any help?"

Vanellope let out a boisterous laugh. "Come on now, Ralph, really?"

"Hey," he uttered defensively with a smirk. "I know I'm a big, clumsy oaf, but I still know my way around a kitchen."

"Yeah," she continued their playful banter, "literally around one, right? What, did you go and sit on someone's house?"

"Ha ha," he said with an eye roll, "Very funny. You know, you should go to Tapper's some night, I bet you'd make a great stand up comedian."

Vanellope bowed down dramatically with a giggle. "Here for your entertainment." She had donned a clean apron, and it and her fingers were already dusted with flour. She straightened up, suddenly confused. "Wait, what's Tapper's?" She asked curiously.

Ralph leaned up against the opposite side of the counter. He slapped his hand over his face with a groan. "Of course!" Vanellope eyed him questioningly as she started frying pancake batter methodically. He looked back up at her and leaned his elbows on the counter, supporting his head in his hands. "I keep forgetting you've never been outside your own game. It's been three months, but I keep forgetting to take you."

Vanellope's eyes lit up instantly. "Outside Sugar Rush? I was never able to leave before the game reset - yet I've hardly even thought of it ever since." She continued cooking and let a few moments of silence trail by, only interrupted by the sizzling batter. "I guess it's partially my fault too, I've been so busy trying to accommodate myself to all that I've missed out on here, I haven't even thought about what I've missed out on out there!" She gestured with one arm outward in the general direction of Sugar Rush's exit.

Ralph smiled at his energetic friend. "Well, I guess I'll just have to take you today," he offered as she flung one last pancake on top of the already towering stack. He was surprised how fast she was able to make those things. "How many of those do you think I'm gonna eat by the way?" He chuffed jokingly.

She barely heard his last remarks, as she let out an excited squeal and jumped off the stool. "Really, Ralph, you'll take me?!" She exclaimed, zooming around the island and jumping hastily into the cuddly wrecker's arms. He let out a disgruntled oof and chuckled nonetheless.

"Sure kid," he laughed, gently hugging her back. "Just let me eat these pancakes first. They've got my mouth watering already."

She leaned back and wrinkled her nose at him as she offered a toothy grin. "Sure thing, fart breath."