Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia The First.
A/N: A Hugfia story? From NerdsinaTree? It's more likely than you think.
Now, I know what some of you are thinking. "But Nerdi, I thought you were a cedfia shipper!?" And you would be correct. True blue, Cedfia is, and always will be my OTP. But I'm also fond of Hugfia(as well as some other ships involving Cedric and Sofia); and I've always told myself that if I ever got the inspiration, Sure! I'd write a Hugfia fic.
That being said, this is really more of a Hugfia AND Cedfia story. So if you don't care for that latter pairing, you may want to skip out on this fic. But if you like both ships, or at least don't mind Cedfia. Then please, proceed, and I hope you enjoy :).
An aged hand caressed it's way across the name carved into the head stone. The offering of fresh hydrangeas sitting in a vase before it.
"I brought a flycake for you too, Cedric." Reverently setting the treat amidst the other offerings.
A sad smile crossed Sofia's features. A breeze rustling through her grey hair, carrying away golden and red leaves.
"I miss you Cedric..."
She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath of the autumnal air. Holding herself as she tried to remember what it was like to feel his arms around her.
Her beloved husband, and dearest friend, Cedric The Sensational, had passed away a number of years ago. A fate his elderly wife had expected, and mentally prepared for. But which had still taken it's toll on her emotionally.
Nevertheless, time has a habit of dulling wounds, if not completely healing them. And although she still missed him, the pain and emptiness in her heart had dissipated well enough.
Rising from her spot on her ground. She admired the grave. Her fingers twiddling with the wedding ring he'd given her so many years ago. Now resting safely in place alongside her precious amulet. Recalling happier times. Their days spent in his workshop, the protector missions he'd accompanied her on. Growing their family and raising their children together. The mundane and the exiting. All converging together into a warm quilt of precious memories that helped to both keep him in her heart, and comfort her, making her feel for a moment as if he were still here with her.
The warmth of those recollections was soon accompanied by a pair of arms wrapping around her, these ones solid, as someone hugged her from behind. The jewel from the ring she now wore on her finger glistening in the light.
"Hugo..." she sighed. Squeezing his arms back in appreciation of the comforting gesture.
He held her like that for a moment longer, before turning her around to face him. Regarding her with a gentle, but concerned look. "You doing alright?"
She nodded, smiling softly as she wiped away a tear. "I'm fine," she assured, before leaning into him for another hug. Which he readily obliged.
"Come on," she said, feeling a bit better. "Let's go find my parents grave."
Hugo and Sofia had been married nearly a year now. Her relationship with the prince developing rather unexpectedly sometime after Cedric's death. After going through a period of mourning, the elderly woman had decided to go back to work. Figuring it would be good to help distract her from her grief.
Since she no longer felt physically strong enough to take on the role of Protector again; and she had long ago passed on the position of Story Keeper. She thought it best to offer her nephew, the current King of Enchancia, some help in his royal duties. The young man readily agreeing, knowing how well his Aunt had aided his mother during her reign; and of course the now former Queen Amber had vouched for her as well.
So with that, she resumed her royal duties. Occasionally accompanying the King on his visits to foreign dignitaries, or being sent herself as an ambassador; and while the pain of her loss still weighed over her, it was fulfilling work, and she found contentment in doing it.
It was on one such of these trips, that she ran into Hugo.
Sofia had only kept in touch with the prince on a nominal level after graduating from Royal Prep. Though they were friends, she wasn't as close to him as say Vivian, or even Desmond. And as such, save for their time together during Sofia's brief study at the Corinthian Sports school, where they sometimes partnered together. The two had only seen each other sparingly throughout the years.
Their little reunion went off well enough. The two of them inquiring into each others wellbeing, and Hugo offering his condolences in regards to Cedric's passing. The prince had experienced his own share of heartaches, and had changed a bit over the decades. But Sofia was glad to see that within was still the boy she had befriended so long ago.
From there, their relationship progressed onward. Thanks in no small part to the frequent visits Sofia had to make, due to some business between their two kingdoms. It took some time course, for she was still mourning Cedric; and wasn't quite ready to move on to another relationship yet. But after a while, the two gradually started spending more time together. Until one day they were full well courting.
Of course, their families took time adjusting this new situation as well. Just as her own had so very long ago now. But before long they had accepted their new members with open arms.
She had thought it strange, when these newfound and unexpected feelings for Hugo started to take root. So much like how they had with Cedric all those years ago. But different, in their own way. While growing up she never doubted her parents love for one another; and she also knew her mother had loved her birth father, Birk. But when she fell for her sorcerer all those years ago it was such a deep and all consuming love; that she doubted how it could be possible to ever love someone else like that.
But now, with her new relationship and love with Hugo, it made more sense. Her love for Cedric was still there of course. But she now had a better understanding of what Roland must have meant to her mother, and vice versa.
Of course her relationship with Hugo wasn't exactly the same as it was with Cedric. For example, though her first husband would sometimes accompany her on Skye or Minimus in order to help on a protector mission. He wasn't one to join her in riding just for the pleasure of it. Whereas Hugo on the other hand, who had still kept to derby and ice dancing throughout the years, made a wonderful companion for a leisure ride, or even a little race if they so felt inclined. And while Cedric and her had enjoyed practicing magic at all hours, Hugo(while he never discouraged her from it) didn't find much interest in it.
Basically Cedric was Cedric, and Hugo was Hugo. But both were equally precious to her; and she had learned to love and confide in them both.
They spent their day strolling the graveyard. Visiting the plots of family and friends now departed. Today was after all, a day to remember the dead. And it was met with both the pleasant warmth of fond memories; and the solemn bittersweetness of good byes.
When they were satisfied, they decided to return home to Hugo's kingdom. While Sofia had lived in mystic meadows during her and Cedric's golden years, and had continued to do so after his passing. Before she and Hugo married he'd suggested they live in his manor, and figuring the prince would be more comfortable there than at a wizard's retirement home, she had agreed. And while it was certainly a change from her beloved homeland of Enchancia, with him, she felt right at home.
After taking the time to visit Hugo's own past loved ones, and rest a bit, the couple decided to take a walk in a nearby forest, a favorite past time of theirs. Admiring the scenery. Hugo's land was colder than Enchancia and as such the trees were already nearly bare, and snow had even been seen in some parts of the kingdom, and was expected to cover the remainder of it by next week
Speaking of next week...
Hugo cleared his throat garnering her attention.
"So um..." looking off almost uncomfortably. "Our anniversary is in a week..."
She could tell he was trying to be tactful, considering the current situation. Something she appreciated.
Leaning against his shoulder, she gave his hand a reassuring squeeze "hmm, yes it is..." smiling softly at him.
"Is there anything you'd like to do?"
"I'm not sure yet..." Mulling the matter over a bit. It had been some time since she'd celebrated an anniversary, after all. An amused grin lit up her eyes when she finally suggested. "Maybe we could go visit some place warmer."
He laughed, "That sounds pretty nice." Though they kept their manor well heated (helped even more by Sofia's magic), the cold of his homeland could still be quite hard on their old bones.
They came upon a small lake hidden in the woods. The couple admiring the view of the frigid waters. Knowing it would be completely frozen over in less than a month.
An idea struck Sofia, and she tugged at her husband's arm. Getting his attention.
"I can think of one thing I'd like to do now."
He cocked his head in confusion as Sofia dropped his hand, and reaching into her pocket pulled out her wand. The man blinked in surprise before granting her an amused smirk. "What are you thinking?"
She winked, and with a flick of her wrist the lake was coated in a thick coat of sparkly magical ice.
Odd perhaps. But, she thought using magic to create a stage for ice dancing seemed the perfect way to honor both her loves.
A wide grin spread out on Hugo's face as she used her wand again to equip them both with a pair of ice dancing skates. "Alright!" he cheered. Without waiting another moment he skated off onto the makeshift rink.
Like Sofia, Hugo had kept physically active his whole life, and thus was in pretty good physical condition for his age. A fact that sometimes, unfortunately, went to his head...
Picking up some speed he leapt into the sky, curling up midair for a few fireball flips. He succeeded in one, then two, but before he could complete a third one. Gravity forced him down. On to his feet, thankfully. But the shock and momentum were so great, that he struggled to keep his balance. Sliding around haphazardly until he finally fell on his rear.
"Hugo!" Sofia gasped. Rushing over and kneeling down with him. "Are you alright?!"
"Yeah, I'm alright," he grimaced, rubbing his sores. Before a mischievous smile appeared on his face. "But I think I could use a kiss to help me feel better."
What he got was an admonishing but playful slap on the shoulder instead. Causing him to laugh as she scolded through a stifled giggle of her own, "Don't scare me like that!"
Despite the levity, there was a genuine concern to her tone. And considering the meaning of this particular day. It didn't take much for him to figure out why.
"Here," sobering up, he rose back to his feet and offered her a hand. Pulling her back up as well.
"I'll be more careful," he promised.
Seeming satisfied with that answer, she smiled and lifted up slightly on her toes to give him that kiss he'd asked for on his cheek. Taking his hands as they began dancing on the ice.
A lightness washed over Sofia as they swirled and twirled together under the rising moonlight. Unable to do the death defying stunts of their younger days any more. But the experience still called forth memories of that time now long gone. Making her feel like a child once more.
She laughed as he tossed her into the air, allowing her a stargazer spin, before falling back into his arms again. Spinning around in each others embrace before resting their foreheads together gently. The fond gaze of his eyes filling her up with warmth as their lips met for a tender kiss. The purest contentment washing over them.
Though Sofia's love for Cedric still remained, and she still looked forward to the day she could be reunited with her precious sorcerer. Until that moment came, she would continue to savor and cherish this new love, with her dearest Prince Hugo.
A/N: And there you go! Hope you liked. I'll admit the inspiration of this story caught me off guard, as I usually imagine Hugfia being a first love kind of deal. So having a story where Sofia gets with Hugo, after having shared a life with Cedric, was unexpected. But I guess that's just how inspiration goes sometimes, lol.