Friends in the Corner

Summary: Sofia has been distant for several days for some reason, and even Cedric can't snap her out of her daze. He calls on her Guardian to step in and try to reach her in a way he can't right now. (Takes place a year after "The Tainted Ten")

Disclaimer: I own Jas Butterford, Serena, Charlie, and any other mentioned OC except for Nana and Tanya, who both belong to MarionetteJ2X. All other property belongs to Craig Gerber.

A/N: I recently visited a Five Below, where I heard the most hauntingly beautiful song being played. I used my phone to identify what it was, and it was called "Friends in the Corner" by an English singer named Foxes. I have had the song on repeat for a few days now, and eventually, it led to me pondering scenarios for the song context. It's a deceivingly upbeat song with a very profound and honest message behind it, despite the cheerful tonality of the singer's voice, and I love that juxtaposition. I highly suggest listening to the song at least once so that you get a feel for the purpose behind this story. 😊

*Story*

"I'm really worried about Sofia," Cedric admitted to Amber as they walked along the halls together, the queen listening attentively to her brother-in-law as he spoke about her sister. Their friendship had strengthened considerably over the years, and they arguably had the closest friendship in comparison with Sofia's other family members—even Roland. There was just a deeper connection he shared with Amber, not to mention the level of familiarity and respect that they each shared. "She's been distant for days, hardly speaking to me or the children. I've tried asking her what's wrong, and she just plays it off with her usual sense of optimism."

"Sofia's the kind of person who always wants to help people but never takes the time to help herself," the blonde surmised as she frowned. "She'll let her emotions build and build until she finally explodes, and it's never pretty. I'm not sure what could be causing it though. From what I can tell, things around here seem to be fine."

"Clearly, they're not. I'm determined to figure out what is going on with her." He sighed as they stopped walking, having reached the end of the hall. "I just…don't know how. She always pushes me away and tells me she's fine when I know for a fact she's not."

"She'll come around, Cedric." Amber smiled as she reached out and took his hand, gently squeezing it as he nodded silently. "You'll see."


"I'm fine, Cedric," Sofia murmured listlessly as she finished braiding her hair before turning over in bed, facing away from him. "Don't worry."

"That only serves to make me worry more, my love," he admitted as he pulled the covers over himself, though he lay facing her, just in case she decided to turn and talk to him. He always waited… But she never turned. Not recently. He sighed after several moments of just watching her still form, finally turning over and facing the opposite direction. "Good night, Sofia."

Sofia closed her eyes, allowing several tears to streak down her cheeks after the magical flames were doused, leaving them in darkness and silence. It wasn't his fault she was so distant. She knew he was trying to be there for her, though he clearly didn't have any clue why she was so…

This shouldn't have happened. Not again. And now she was pushing away the one who loved her the most… But she couldn't tell him…

Stifling a sigh and a potential sob, she forced herself to close her eyes and fall into a dreamless sleep.


Days passed, and Cedric could see that Sofia was in an even more dejected state. She hardly ate anything. She was pale. She forced a smile to her face when Serena and Charlie asked her for a hug, which she offered. Even then, he could tell something was very wrong…

She spoke to him, of course, but it was often in a manner of her insisting she was fine when he argued (gently) just the opposite. It wasn't like her to act like this, and he was afraid. The last time she'd put this much distance between them was after the Greeneyes incident, and that was now quite a long time ago. So, what could it be?

One morning, he decided to take matters into his own hands, and he retrieved her old Enchantlet from the bedside drawer when Sofia was downstairs with the children. As soon as he saw Chrysta's face, he sighed in relief. "Chrysta, I need a favor…"


Later that afternoon, Sofia had escaped to the hydrangea garden she and Cedric had planted a few years ago. She was sitting amidst the blooms, her fingers and long nails brushing the petals and leaves. She admired the ombre effect the purple and blue flowers possessed, a comforting and familiar hue she had always enjoyed. The sunshine on her shoulders and back felt so good, like a warm blanket draped over her somewhat wilting form.

She heard the soft footsteps behind her, but she didn't turn around, even when she felt a soft hand land on her head. "I'm fine, Cedric."

"Something tells me that's not quite true," a different voice acknowledged, that familiar light tone sounding both concerned and intrigued.

Sofia turned, elation written on her features as she slowly stood, embracing her Guardian firmly. "Jas…"

Butterford chuckled and returned her hug, his gloved hands caressing her back through her wavy hair. "Sofia…" He pressed his forehead to hers gently, playfully kissing her nose and causing her to giggle, before releasing his friend. "Let's take a walk." He held out his hand, smiling as she accepted, her fingers brushing the soft fabric of his gloves. He blushed a little when she ran her fingers over the golden band wrapped around his left ring finger, the surface lined with light blue gemstones, the same color as his eyes. "Heh… You miss nothing."

She observed him carefully. He still looked the same as she remembered, but he'd evidently gotten an upgrade in his wardrobe. His outfit was now entirely white except for the original gold sash dangling from his left shoulder and the dark silk gloves on his hands. Sharp white pants with a belt and a silver heart along a chain were tucked into calf-high white boots, buckled all the way up the front. An underlayer white shirt was tucked into his pants, and an outer layer form-fitting white coat was fastened in the front with a matching tied cravat along his chest, the bottom of the coat fanning out in a longer expanse just behind his knees. "I'm happy for you," the princess whispered as they continued walking. "You deserve the world, Jas…"

He felt his heart flutter a bit at those words. It meant a lot that Sofia still wished nothing but the best for him, like she always had. "Thank you…" He cleared his throat as she simply held his hand now, both walking side by side. "Chrysta told me Cedric contacted her this morning… She said he sounded really worried and wanted to see if I could come see you and see what's going on."

"I figured…" She frowned, shaking her head as they continued. "I've been so off lately, Jas. I know Cedric's concerned, but I'm…afraid to worry him even more…" She stopped walking, turning to look up at him instead. "I'm really afraid of hurting him… Of disappointing him."

Butterford's heart sank when he saw his friend's eyes brimming with tears, her small form shaking a bit from nerves and uncertainty. "You could never disappoint Cedric, sweetie. He loves you so much…" He reached out to her, brushing his gloved fingers along her cheeks, trying to soothe her. "Sofia… Tell me what's wrong."

"I… I can't…"

He blinked when she pulled away from him, seemingly ready to get away, but he pulled her carefully back into his arms, embracing her as she finally broke, sobbing into his shoulder. "Sofia… It's okay." He didn't feel it was best to push anymore. Not now. He could feel a distinct warmth filling him, that precious Light Magic, flowing from his form into his friend. After all, he was her Guardian. It was his job to protect and comfort her in any way possible, and right now… This was what she needed.

A few minutes passed, and Sofia finally sighed heavily and looked up at her friend, eyes a bit red from crying. "Y-You know… The doctors told me… I would be a high-risk patient if I were to get pregnant again. B-Because I've lost a baby, and… B-Because of…" She trailed off. Butterford knew of the Greeneyes situation, so she didn't need to explain as he nodded. "Getting pregnant would be…very difficult. Not only conceiving, but also…carrying to term."

Butterford frowned in concern, reaching to take her hands as she clasped them in front of herself. "Sofia, are you…?"

She slowly shook her head. "Not…anymore…" The lost look on her face remained as she whispered, "There was…so much blood, Jas…" She leaned into his arms again, fresh tears beginning to soak his outfit. "I…suffered another miscarriage… Cedric doesn't know…" She shook her head. "I wasn't even supposed to get pregnant again. I was told it would be difficult, if not almost impossible, to have another healthy baby…" She shuddered in dismay, biting out wryly, "Guess they were right. I was so selfish to even think…"

"Hey…" He caught her eye and shook his head. "No, Sofia… Expressing your love with Cedric is a very natural thing, and sometimes that expression can result in… Well, you know. It's not your fault that this happened. You're not selfish for wanting to be with Cedric, or even to long for another little one. I know you've told me before that you both agreed not to have any more children, but nature sometimes has a different plan. And then…" He sighed. "Sometimes…those plans get shattered."

"The plans aren't the only things shattered, Jas." She'd barely managed to speak his name before she broke down crying again, feeling herself being pulled into a loving hug.

Butterford simply held her for several minutes, allowing her to express her grief and anguish. Maybe this was what she needed: an outlet for all her hidden, unshed devastation. It wasn't fair that yet another innocent life was taken from this incredibly giving, kind, gentle princess, but… It was the harsh reality. And reality was cruel sometimes. When he could tell she was calming down, he smiled lovingly down at her, his hands now on either side of her face. "You're a wonderful mother," he whispered to her, brushing her tears away and watching them absorbing into his gloves. "To all of your children—even the ones who are just too pure to stay in this realm."

She smiled sadly, sniffling as she gripped his cravat, trying to ground herself by holding onto something tangible—something real. "Thank you, Jas… Thank you so much." She embraced him once more, murmuring, "I love you."

He kissed her forehead and rested his cheek against her hair. "I love you too."


Later that evening after Butterford had left, Sofia lay curled up in bed, patiently waiting for her husband. When he finally entered, his movements slow and precise as he removed his gloves and slippers, he settled onto his side of the bed, dousing the light from the flames. She could tell he was trying not to disturb her in any way, and that both endeared her and saddened her. He was so sweet to care about her, but he didn't deserve this…

She turned over, snuggling close to the sorcerer for the first time in a few days, resting her head on his chest.

Cedric blinked at the action but immediately wrapped his arms around his wife, holding onto her as gently as he could. "I take it the talk with Jas went well…"

She nodded, meeting his eyes. "There's…something I need to tell you…"

Once she finished explaining why she'd been so off lately, she could tell Cedric was holding back his emotions for her. He was trying to be the strong one. It was difficult, though; they'd already lost one child some years ago before Charlie was born, and now this little one as well… Greeneyes was likely the main source to blame, but there was also the possibility that this could be a biological factor as well. Either way, regardless of the fact that they'd agreed to no more children, losing one—a child who would have been loved no matter what—was incredibly heartbreaking.

"I'm so sorry, my love," Cedric managed, kissing her cheek. "I understand why you didn't want to tell me, but… I wish you had, so you wouldn't have to suffer alone. You don't deserve that."

"You didn't deserve my silence either," she admitted. "I should have known… Just being open and honest like always would have been better, but this was…different. You know…"

"I know. I know…" He pressed a kiss to his right hand and placed it on Sofia's abdomen, missing the fond expression on her face. "My love for our children—all of them—is unmatched. This child deserves as much adoration and recognition as any of our other children." Placing a soft kiss to her lips, he smiled. "Thank you for telling me… Please let me know how I can help you heal."

"Just hold me, Cedric," she whispered softly as she embraced him more securely. "And love me… Be my comfort."

He nodded, understanding her request. "Always, my princess—my Sofia." He reaffirmed his hold on her and smiled. "Forever."

The end