Vanellope's eyes flickered open as a stream of caramel sunlight began to pour through the castle window. Beside her, Taffyta lay curled tightly around her form, a stubborn frown lacing her delicate features. Vanellope giggled at the sight; it amused her to see how defensive her girlfriend was of her, even when asleep. Stretching, she ran her fingers through the sleeping girl's crystalline blonde hair.

'Taffy…hey, Taff…it's morning – you owe me a re-race at Frosty Rally'

Taffyta stirred, swatting away Vanellope's hand.

'Nggh…won't lose…you …'

Vanellope smirked yet again; she always found Taffyta's sleep-talking incredibly endearing.

'Hey, stop dreaming about me beating you and wake up ya big sugar lump' Vanellope nudged her a little harder, and was met with two glacier blue eyes fluttering open.

'You ready to eat some serious icing-sugar?'

But Vanellope's playful smirk soon faded as she saw a familiar look of fear and confusion shadow her girlfriend's features.

'You okay Taff?' she asked, concerned.

'Yeah...I…just a bad dream…' As she was still holding Vanellope close she could feel Taffyta's rapid heartbeat. 'Taff, you're shaking'

'Yeah…I don't know if I feel like racing today…' Today was Sunday, after all – the arcade was closed.

Only Vanellope saw her girlfriend's true demeanour – beyond that hard outer coating of bitchy comments and condescending glares was a soft layer of fragility, vulnerability.

'Aw, Taff – but you're my best competition! It's no fun without you, it's just too easy beating everyone else' Vanellope winked and smiled, but Taffyta weakly shook her head.

'I think I'll just go pick some lollipops or something. I'm really sorry, Van, I just don't feel right about something.'

'Man, that sucks – but if you really don't feel up to it, that's fine' Vanellope planted a soft kiss on her girlfriend's forehead. 'Just watch out for double-stripes.' She paused. 'So…what did you dream about that freaked you out so much?'

'Well…you had crashed…but…it wasn't normal…you didn't…come back.' Her eyes glazed over as she replayed the nightmare in her head. 'There was this other racer…his head looked kind of like a skull'

Vanellope glitched a little at the ominous words. Taffyta shook her head .

'I'm sure it was nothing, Taff. I'll be fine.' She gave her girlfriend a comforting hug, before leaping out of bed.

'Yeah, you're right. The other racers will be waiting – you go down to the track, Van. I'll see you later'

'See ya, Taff'