#..{{an unexpected happily ever after}}..

*It takes years, but eventually Cedric overcomes his fear of physical contact. Gentle brushings and touches on the shoulder shift to entwining of fingers and full embraces. He is extremely particular about who he shows affection to, however. Calista, Sofia, and his partner tend to be the only “family” he displays such acts with, and usually only in private. From time to time, however, he can be seen with a child or two by his side as headmaster, comforting some of the more outcasted children he’s taken under his wing knowing how important it is, and how lacking it warped his own perception.

*Ditching evil schemes freed up a bit more time in his schedule. Picking up some of his old hobbies again, Cedric dabbles a bit with music (piano and violin) to assist Calista. He’s awful at it. Given time, he becomes mediocre but eventually decides to quit once more. He still enjoys listening to music, however.

*Spending far too much time with his sister rubs off in a rather pleasant way. Newfound self confidence leads Cedric to taking better care of himself in regards to grooming, dressing in a more varied assortment befitting his position as well. When his hair begins to go entirely grey early, he grows it out due to the nagging of Cordelia and Greylock— he’s looked like a dweeb ever since his hair burnt off years ago, and he should have grown it back out to begin with. Unbeknownst to his sister, he is exceptionally flamboyant and had been hiding it. The two of them are sometimes seen shopping together, but it’s mostly to judge the other’s choices.

*Cedric is not a goody-goody and does still get into a bit of trouble from time to time with pranks and more innocent schemes. Some old habits die hard, especially when one has the opportunity to run prank day at Hexley Hall. Absolute chaos ensues the first year that both Greylock and Cedric work at the school. The fairies learn to hate them both quickly.

*Cedric is fully convinced he will never have children, and thus asks Calista if she’d like to be royal sorceress one day. She agrees, but he does state if she changes her mind at any time, he’ll retract it and not force her to do anything— Amber can hire somebody if it comes down to it. Nor would he force his own children to work for her even if he had them. Cordelia is ecstatic.  

*Roland and Cedric’s relationship is not perfect and is still strained, but it is far better than it was. Roland reaches out far more than Cedric - realizing the error of his ways - but Cedric honestly just wants privacy and to focus on his work. They tend to get together for drinks and to discuss magical related issues in the kingdom weekly, something the two of them were supposed to have been doing from the start. Because of this, Enchancia’s magical trade begins to thrive more than ever with Cedric’s advisement, and Cedric’s presence at official events becomes noted more as a neutrality rather than something to dread.

*The stress of his former life has taken a toll on him in later age; many comment that he looks older than he actually is, and he becomes particularly frail. Despite this, he’s more spunky than ever, and even though he is known for  sleeping the day away and his general disdain for mingling, he attends more formal events and works with Merlin’s wizard council closely. He does, however, tend to need a cane to walk as early as his 50′s due to issues with fatigue and pain, and generally will not stand for long in later years.

*Keeping things awkwardly private, Cedric does wind up partnered with another former delinquent: Greylock. After King Magnus passes, Greylock finally comes out of the shadows and begins to live life normally again as a candy and toy shop owner with the help of Cedric’s family and Merlin’s approval. Very few are aware of the extent of their relationship due to Cedric’s requests. They never had a formal ceremony but do carry rings with symbolism of their troubled pasts and bright futures.

*After years of volunteering assisting with the restructuring of Hexley Hall, Cedric is offered the position of headmaster by Merlin - who is temporarily running the school after Grimtrix’s betrayal. The entire royal family convinces him to take the position, and Cordelia takes over temporarily as royal sorceress while Calista finishes her schooling. His new role is heavily questioned by those who know of his former status, but he proves himself rather quickly through various means. *Sofia’s role as a protector concerns him deeply— more so than Roland. Despite this, however, he realizes that she is growing into an adult, and continues to offer his aid whenever she needs. Even well into adulthood he still tutors her on magic and assists her whenever she requires. Eventually, he stops protesting and realizes that helping her is a childhood dream come true... even if the other protector’s dislike his presence. Luckily, he isn’t needed too often.

These moments were ones he looked forwards to no matter how many years had passed; and as she grew older, it became more intimate. There was something charming about how the conversations they had over dinner becoming more and more important as they aged; how they began to relate to each other more and more. It was like watching his own daughter grow before him, but with particular perks that her real father would never be able to partake in. There were just some things you felt more comfortable sharing with a best friend who couldn’t judge you, and for that, he was eternally grateful and delighted.

Secrets would be exchanged over these meals. It had just become customary at this point, and for what felt like the first time in forever, he had been the one to invite her off schedule. It was his turn to share some life-changing news for once, and while he was still unsure of it all, he knew that she would support him no matter what— and be the second voice of reasoning he needed to nag him to go through with it all.

As this had always been a private affair, nobody else was home with him, and Hugo certainly wasn’t invited. It was just the two of them, some tea and wine, and whatever it was they felt like partaking in for the evening; a sweet curry this time, with various pastries that Grey had left behind for them for desert later.

Whenever it had been his turn to speak what was on his mind, it took forever, and she always had the patience to wait for him to finally ease his way into the actual conversation. Idle chit-chat had never been his thing, but these were some of the only times he would engage in such redundant banter. However, he knew he needed to get to the point sooner rather than later, and thus he would finally begin their tradition proper at the dinner-table.

“So, I’ve been in cahoots with Merlin about something of rather... meaningful significance lately, Princess...”

“Ah, Cedric, my boy! It’s so nice of you to come visit.”

Pausing as he hung his coat up, Cedric would glance at the elder wizard with a brow cocked, head tilting to show the prominence of almost the entirety of his hair now being as silver as his mentor’s. Merlin was such an eccentric man, but it was charming, even if sometimes condescending.

“Oh, don’t give me that look. Just like a father always calls his son a boy, I’ll call all you whippersnappers that until you hit your hundreds.”

Cedric couldn’t help but laugh. Nobody knew how old Merlin actually was, and he had been an old man even when he was a child. Maybe he was immortal and couldn’t tell a soul, or maybe he was just a time-traveler. Who knew? He wouldn’t question it though; some things just weren’t meant to be.

“Did you get my letter?” Cedric would ask without breaking his humbled smile.

It didn’t matter how many years had passed since the first time he held her in his arms in this exact manner. The bitterness and regret that once consumed him that fateful evening hadn’t haunted him for what felt like eons now, and instead, he felt a sense of peace whenever they shared an intimate moment like this. While he found comfort in the affections of his husband, there was something that the touch of what one considered kin - one’s own child, even - that brought a feeling of solace and serenity that no other could bring. It was only she that could make him feel whatever this sort of love was— paternal, raw, and so very calm.It was odd to think she had chosen to spend part of the evening before her wedding here with him, but he delighted that he was still so important to her. It seemed she found that very same comfort that kept him going years prior within him; there was no way he’d ever deny her request for evening tea knowing this.

He had already wiped the tears from her rosy cheeks and reassured her with a smile that few could ever find consoling before she buried her face into his chest, and as she grew quiet and her anxious sobs ceased, he would brush his fingers gently through her hair in the same manner he had since her childhood. Lips gently caressed the top of her head as he softly reassured her in the same tone that she had always used for him,

The hallow’s end masquerade was quite possibly the only party that Cedric had grown fond of attending over the last few years. Partially the reasoning was that his costuming choices allowed him to hide his identity from the party goers and weave in and out of mingling at his desire. Normally the sorcerer opted to dress in guise of a raven or some other corvid with extravagant feathers and a hand-held mask that rested atop his nose - but he had grown bored of the same costume as of late and had decided to try something new for once.

A plague doctor.

Perhaps it was the stress from the years past that had lead to him being so frail now. It wasn’t as if he were particularly old - yet he had started to grow weak from the use of his magics. It was days like this that he knew that he had been over-exerting himself far too much…but it was just the nature of things. So much time had been lost to ridiculous laws and rules that he felt pressed to catch up on lost time. It was dangerous work but he knew it’d be worth it in the end. All this, after-all, was for the benefit of the people - not himself. Such healing magics backfiring was just a result of experimentation and part of the process. Besides - she was watching over him. Should accidents happen like now, she was there to make sure that he’d be fine. There was a concern that in time he wouldn’t wake up to see her anymore for one reason or another…or perhaps she’d secretly come to detest his practicing of what many considered black magics. Perhaps he wouldn’t wake up at all?Turning under the blankets that he had been tucked under who knows how many hours prior, Cedric would face the Princess with a weak smile meant more to reassure himself that things were okay.“…Whatever happens, Princess. You will always be important to me. My dearest friend.”