In the future, everyone will get to meet Fred's two kids in a story that is a spin-off of Moving Too Fast that I can't tell you the name of because it doesn't have one yet (someone please help me or else it's gonna for sure be named after a musical). But this idea popped into my head a few days ago and so I had to introduce you to Freddy Frederickson V and Dadzilla a little early.
You don't have to read Moving Too Fast to read this, you could read Don't Spend The Rest of Your Life Wondering What If to better understand the Honeyzilla aspect of the story, but you don't have to read that either.
It'd be nice if you read this though since you're already reading this author's note. And it'd be nice if you reviewed it.
Even after years of proper adulting Frederick Frederickson IV, there were some nights when he pulled all-nighters like he was still in college doing night watch or trying to complete assignments for his online classes. He looked back fondly on what had to have been the stupidest nights of his life. Maybe that was why he was apparently trying to replicate it now, sitting in the kitchen of his mansion while his wife and kids were asleep in their rooms. Honey Lemon had asked him to come to bed once or twice but she understood that sometimes he needed to be awake.
So he was in the kitchen at 3 in the morning, outlining a story for a future graphic novel he wanted to write with his wife. They'd reconnected a little over 13 years ago when working on their first graphic novel together, and now they had several stories released, a small but dedicated fanbase, and a happy family. There was a mug of coffee in front of him. The mug was from his little girl with the superman logo that said "Super Dad." A storm had started outside, and it was the storm that made him realize that everything wasn't as calm and quiet as he thought. Other than the storm, everything was quiet. So he definitely heard the sound of a door swinging open and close.
Fred jumped up and moved through the house, booking it as he tried to figure out who had just broken in and was putting his family in danger. He was frantic but his nerves were momentarily calmed when he realized it was just his 12-year-old son. Momentarily.
"Freddy?! What were you doing out? Do you know what time it is?!"
"Why are you up?" Freddy grumbled, not meeting his dad's eyes.
"Apparently I'm up because you decided to sneak out! You're drenched!" Fred began to drag Frederick "Freddy" Frederickson V upstairs, towards his room so that Freddy could change into dry clothes before the explanation and the lecture. He went and found Freddy a towel for his dripping strawberry blond hair. When he walked back in, Freddy was wearing his pajamas and hugging a pillow that looked like Saturn. Fred didn't remember what year they'd gotten Freddy the whole set but those planet pillows were one of his favorite things and he looked a little lost and tired among the solar system.
Fred felt guilty, now. His little boy was just sleepy- no. Sleepy or not, Freddy had left the house at night without telling any of them, and he needed to explain himself.
"Why were you outside in the rain?" Fred demanded though he put an arm around his son to make sure that Freddy knew he wasn't too mad. If Freddy hadn't been so tired he would've pulled away because Freddy was going through his rebellious stage.
"I was stargazing," Freddy said, crossing his arms and preparing to argue.
"Freddy, you should have told one of us. We wouldn't have been upset with you if you'd just let us know, and if you'd come inside as soon as you saw that it was getting cloudy and going to rain."
"I didn't notice…" Freddy muttered, twisting the towel over his ponytail. Fred remembered being young and having his focus drifting away from reality. Even pretty obvious sensations like rain could go unnoticed if your mind was up in space. Fred resisted the urge to tell his son how similar they were. Freddy would hate that.
"Your mom and I just want you to be more careful." Fred grabbed a blanket from the edge of the bed and wrapped it around his son, "You could get sick from being out in the rain and the cold, and tomorrow is a school day, so you really should be sleeping right now."
"Why're you up?" Freddy asked again.
"I'm an adult, I don't have a bedtime, I'm allowed to stay up."
"That's not really a reason," Freddy muttered, scootching away from his father's embrace. Fred's heart broke a little but he let Freddy have his space.
"You're right. Uh, sometimes I can't sleep. My mind won't let me. I just have to stay up a while and work on something. Sometimes that something is nothing though, sometimes it's just video games or comics I've read a hundred times. Trust me when I say I get it, Freddy, I understand wanting to stay up and do something, especially if it's something you're passionate about, but right now you're responsible for putting your health first and then your education. So maybe star gaze during the weekend, okay? One of us will sit out with you if you want…"
"Yeah, okay, whatever…" Freddy muttered.
"I love you, kiddo, I always will. You need to get some rest now." Before Freddy could protest, Fred had gently laid him back on the bed and tucked him in. Freddy looked away but he didn't stop Fred from placing a kiss on his forehead.
"Goodnight, Dad," Freddy said quietly before Fred was all the way out the door. The storm kept raging outside as Fred tip-toed down the hall to his Ariadna's room, made sure she was all cozy and kissed her on the forehead.
When he returned to the kitchen, his coffee was cold, so he poured it out, shut off the lights, and went to turn in for the night too. He climbed into bed as a crack of lightning hit, and Honey Lemon turned to face him.
"Couldn't sleep?" He asked, cuddling close to her.
"Not as easy without you here," she admitted, "but I slept for a bit."
"Good." He kissed her cheek and held her close.
"I'm glad you're here," she mumbled as she rested her head against his shoulder, "I worry about you when you stay up all night…" He thought about the concern he'd felt for Freddy minutes earlier and understood. It was nice knowing your loved ones were safe in bed.
"I'll try not to pull any more all-nighters, baby," he promised, his eyelids growing heavy. The storm continued as the Frederickson family drifted off to dreamland. Though his mind was the most awake at this late hour, Fred didn't mind the crashing of thunder. His wife snored louder anyway, and he slept just fine.
Maybe I am writing this story because I have been staying up very late maybe I am just trying to idealize my current habits maybe I wanted to make it cute and cozy and maybe I should go to bed but I won't.