Work Text:
Phineas sighed with a smile as Isabella left the yard.
“You guys are gonna make such a cute couple someday,” Candace grinned, ruffling his hair.
Phineas’ smile vanished. “Huh? What?”
“Oh, come on,” Candace smirked. “You totally have a crush on her.”
“What are you talking about? That’s crazy!” Phineas protested, face turning the color of a pickled beet. “Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean I have a crush on her!”
“Sure, kiddo,” Candace winked, walking away.
“That’s not why I like Isabella,” Phineas insisted even though she was gone. “She’s smart and funny and talented and we like so many of the same things. I’m not friends with her because I have a crush on her! I just like her as a person! She’s cool!”
Ferb shared a glance with the reader.
“Hey, Phineas!” Isabella said cheerfully as she skipped into the backyard. “Whatcha doin’?”
“Hey, Isabella!” Phineas called, turning around. He stopped, and didn’t explain what he was doing.
“Apparently, we’re starin’ at Isabella today,” Buford quipped, chisel in hand.
“No!” Phineas shook his head vigorously. “We’re sculpting an even bigger statue than the Colossus of Rhodes.”
“Wow, cool,” Isabella grinned. “Wish I could join, but I’ve got some really important Fireside Girl stuff today. I’ll try and swing around when it’s done!”
“Okay,” Phineas waved, his voice barely escaping his vocal tract. “Bye…”
The gang turned their attention back towards their project— all except Phineas. Baljeet noticed first when he turned around to fetch some sandpaper. “Um… Phineas?”
Phineas lay curled on his side, clutching his knees and moaning softly. Ferb tentatively poked him with a stick. “Hey Dinnerbell!” Buford barked. “You okay?”
“No,” Phineas groaned. “When Candace finds out about this I’ll never hear the end of it.”
“Do you know what he is talking about?” Baljeet asked Ferb.
Ferb looked at Phineas, then down the street, and nodded.