Archive of Our Own

She should have seen this coming. Something like this was bound to happen, and yet again, Candace stumbled right into it.

After cornering the Candace suit that had miraculously come to life, it was able to successfully swallow her and fit her body inside it. After trying many options, the suit finally had what it wanted – a host that was ‘a perfect fit’.

Candace couldn’t move. The latex suit was too strong; it was almost suffocating. She could barely breathe, gasping for air when she wasn’t trying to scream. When she did scream, the suit merely trapped the sound, making her suffer through the pain of that instead.

The only times she could move were when the suit moved. She moved whenever it wanted to move. There was no fighting it. The suit managed to keep her fixed in place for its own designs, like she really was nothing but a host to give it form.

Despite the futility of fighting back, Candace kept trying to scream and break her way out. Yet all that came to her was exhaustion. Exhaustion until her consciousness began to fade, not helped by the limited access to air. It wasn’t long until she was out completely.

Candace woke up, on what she assumed was the next day, based on what little light was getting through. If she passed out, she certainly hoped only the night had passed.

She felt herself walking, but the steps weren’t hers. She felt the suit try to imitate human behaviour, saying arbitrary things to pass as the real Candace.

The most horrifying part? Nobody seemed to notice the suit holding her hostage. She heard Linda, Lawrence and even her brothers talk to the suit as if it was really her.

Candace tried to scream and move whenever she could, but her energy was even lower than last night. She felt pangs in her stomach and her mouth dry, but the suit didn’t seem to notice this. It was a latex suit, why would it even have a concept of food or hydration? Does a living latex suit need any form of sustenance to begin with?

Candace stopped that train of thought, remembering she needed to look for any weaknesses, and not focus on any random mental tangents. With how weak and famished she was, it was hard not to give up, though. Maybe going crazy was a less painful way to go out.

Her only hope at this point was that eventually someone would notice. But hope was hard to come by – things usually resolved themselves by the end of their respective day or night, and if a day had indeed passed, then that meant this was going to be much harder to get out of.

And given that everyone seemed to be oblivious to her plight – which unfortunately, was very typical for Candace – it really did start to occur to her that maybe she would die either starving, dehydrating or suffocating inside this monstrosity.

Despite all the odds against her however, she was able to be freed after some time. Jeremy had come to visit her, and while he took a lot of time to notice something was wrong, she was thankful that he eventually did recognise something was off about the ‘Candace’ he was talking to. It even gave her some strength to try and break out, despite her starving, dehydrated state.

This rediscovered strength was enough to cause the suit a slip of the tongue that exposed its status as an impostor, which then prompted Jeremy to get Phineas, Ferb and their friends to free her from the torture she had experienced.

After Buford convinced everyone to spare the suit and listen to its story, it started to make Candace think about how despite her struggles, there were still beings that could have it even worse than her. She saw something that was neglected, ignored by everyone… despite this monster threatening to steal her life, and almost killing her for that matter, she couldn’t help but empathise.

Once the others started planning a trip to take the suit to the Himalayas to see if it would accept a companion in Klimpaloon, Candace decided she needed some time to recover. First, she went to the kitchen and downed multiple glasses of water. Then, she looked for any snacks she could find and stuffed her face with them.

Once sustenance was gained, her immediate instinct was to head to the bathroom and have a long shower. The smell of sweaty latex was quickly apparent to her, to the point she would need to change clothes even if she wasn’t going to get dressed for the Himalayas. When her clothes were removed and she was in the shower, she found herself using every bathroom product she had to clean it off, furiously scrubbing her skin of any traces of the suit’s presence.

Even when she was sure she had cleaned every part of herself, she couldn’t help but feel lingering traces of that nauseating scent, or the feeling of something disgusting suffocating her skin. She then did the same to her hair, using shampoo and conditioner to clean it. Then rinse and repeat. Literally. Several times.

Even after washing her hair, Candace found herself still scrubbing her body with soap. Her skin felt dry, even as she was wet. If she kept at what she was doing, she might start to bleed. But no matter what, she still felt like the suit was there. She couldn’t stop no matter how hard she tried.

              ‘Candace? Candace, you in there?’

Candace heard the voice of none other than Jeremy outside the bathroom.

              ‘Jeremy?’ Candace said.

              ‘It’s been over an hour since you went inside. Is everything okay in there?’ Jeremy said.

              ‘Uh… give me a moment?’

Candace then found herself struggling to leave the shower. She knew she had to leave eventually; she had to be there with the others to go on the trip to the Himalayas. As much as Jeremy would be able to take care of the kids, she was far more accustomed to dangerous situations. Plus, she wanted to make sure the suit was gone with her own eyes.

After more time had passed, Candace turned off the water and left the shower cubicle… but immediately decided she needed to go back in, turning the water back on once she did so. Realising how ridiculous she was being, she forced herself out… and then immediately returned inside. She repeated this cycle multiple times. Six times, seven times… but then Candace realised seven was a number that scared her, so she went back into the shower again.

              ‘Are you sure everything’s alright, Candace?’ Jeremy said.

              ‘Oh, don’t you worry, just Candace being Candace,’ Candace said through gritted teeth.

Finally, she exited the shower and dried herself with a white and teal towel. She wrapped it around her body and walked outside the bathroom, soon finding herself face to face with Jeremy. He was missing his overshirt, being in only his t-shirt, and instead of his shorts he appeared to be wearing some black long johns. Candace gasped and looked at herself for a split second before turning her attention to her boyfriend.

               ‘Jeremy, really?’ Candace frowned.

               Jeremy looked at himself. ‘Yeah, I know it looks dorky, but it’s still warm, I don’t want too much on until we have to leave.’

Candace kept her frown and stared at Jeremy even more intensely. Suddenly, he started to stammer and grew increasingly flustered when he attempted to speak.

               Jeremy said, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! I promise, I wasn’t trying to-’

Candace’s frowned morphed into a smile, completely changing her tone. Her grin widened and her eyes were half-lidded. Her expression had become something you could almost call… flirtatious.

               ‘…is it weird that I actually wish you weren’t so innocent?’ Candace said.

              Jeremy was red in the face. ‘Candace, I would never do something like that to you! I mean, yes, I’m innocent, of course I’m innocent. Wait, what do you mean?’

              ‘…be honest, you like seeing me like this.’ Candace leaned against the now closed bathroom door.

              ‘Candace, what if someone walks inside?’ Jeremy looked in several directions.

              ‘Fine, let’s take it to the bedroom!’

              ‘Wait, I hope nobody heard that, that sounds-’

Before Jeremy could finish, Candace pulled him into her room and locked her door. Jeremy’s eyes widened as he felt the panic creep in.

              ‘You’re locking the door, too? Okay, make sure we don’t say anything else that could be taken out of context if anyone passes by,’ Jeremy said. ‘Especially Buford.’

              Candace rolled her eyes. ‘Eww, of course he’d make a big deal out of it.’

              ‘Oh, I know! I still can’t believe he said I should kiss you and the suit to figure out who was the real Candace.’ Jeremy recoiled as he recollected that moment.

              ‘I’m pretty sure he lowkey has a thing for me. I’d rather not think about it.’ Candace gave a slight shudder.

              ‘He seems to like me, too.’

              ‘Right, that day we took Perry to the vet.’

              ‘So anyway… he really made the suit?’

              ‘Oh, there’s so many of me.’

              ‘What the heck? I know he’s good at heart, but I really struggle to understand him.’

              ‘Right? I really hope the other ones don’t come to life too.’

              ‘He really does seem infatuated with you, huh?’

              ‘Look, at the very least, I didn’t see one in a bikini. Eww, why did I think of that? Imagine if that thing that swallowed me was in my bikini the whole time. So gross!’

              ‘Oh my gosh, that’s going to be a new one for my nightmares.’

Candace and Jeremy then burst into laughter, taking in their current situation, even if their laughs quickly grew awkward. They even stumbled into touching each other and subsequently held each other by the other’s arms. They stopped as they both started to stare into each other’s eyes, softening their looks towards the other.

              ‘I will admit, you look beautiful right now,’ Jeremy said.

              ‘Aww, Jeremy…’ Candace gently smiled.

              ‘I mean, no use hiding it if I’m here anyway.’

              ‘Yeah… how does it compare to seeing me in a bikini?’

              ‘Much better. Though maybe you asked that too soon after that bizarre mental image you generated.’

              Candace winced. ‘Right…’

               Jeremy brushed a strand of hair aside. ‘Don’t worry, it’s cool. A Candace suit in a bikini would be nothing compared to you in one, though.’

               ‘Uh… thanks?’

               Jeremy responded quickly. ‘Anyway… I guess I like being with you like this because it’s just… more personal, intimate, you know?’

              Candace gained a soft smile. ‘You always know how to say the right thing to a girl, don’t you?’

              Jeremy smiled back. ‘It’s just… I’m glad I know for sure it’s the real you.’

              Candace sharply switched to a frown. ‘You sure took your sweet time to figure that out, huh? Needed that in a bikini too to better tell the difference?’

              ‘Yeah… sorry. I really don’t know how a rubber suit can successfully pass as you. Honestly, I feel like it has some weird power that messes with our heads and tricks us into thinking it’s the real you. So maybe the bikini wouldn’t work.’

               Candace raised her voice and talked faster. ‘Okay, can we drop the whole bikini thing? I really regret running my mouth sometimes.’

              ‘Don’t need to ask me twice. Look, either way, after how long it took to figure things out, I’m feeling pretty stupid right now.’ Jeremy turned slightly to the side, looking sheepish.

              ‘Look, I’ll be over it. We’re gonna go to the Himalayas, hope the suit hits it off with Klimpaloon, and we’ll put it all behind us. Like always.’ Candace sighed, rolling her eyes as she did so.

As they held each other, Jeremy’s hands felt Candace’s dry skin. He looked down at her arms and then back up at her face.

              ‘Gosh, you really were in there for ages, huh?’ Jeremy said.

              ‘Yes, yes I was.’ Candace said.

              ‘Are you sure you’re okay?’

              ‘I… I will be. Eventually.’

              ‘Have some moisturiser? Maybe using some will help.’

              ‘Oh, I will, trust me.’

              Jeremy paused before speaking. ‘…should I let you get ready?’

              ‘What, not into hanging out with your girlfriend in just her towel?’ Candace grew a flirtatious look.

              Jeremy blushed. ‘No, it’s not that, it’s-’

              Candace giggled. ‘It’s okay, I’m just messin’ with ya. I should get changed.’

              ‘I’m surprised you can even joke around right now, after all you went through.’

After some brief silence, Jeremy let go of Candace.

              ‘…I’ll let you get dressed,’ Jeremy said.

              Candace raised an eyebrow. ‘Right, but first…’

Candace pulled Jeremy into a kiss. Jeremy was shocked, but he was quickly captivated by the gesture, soon kissing his girlfriend back. When Candace pulled away, she walked a catatonic Jeremy to the door.

              ‘I’ll see you in a few, sugar.’ Candace kept her voice low and soft.

Candace watched a flustered Jeremy exit through her bedroom door and leave the room. After taking a deep breath, she then grabbed hair curlers to put into her hair. Once they were all in place, she used her hair dryer.

Once she removed her curlers, she then applied some moisturiser to soother her skin. She then started looking for outfits to pick for the journey she was about to take. She made a selection of clothes, and started with some pale pink leggings and a similarly coloured tank top as an undershirt. She would put on the dark pink Winter dress when it was time to leave, and of course everything else that would go over her to keep her warm.

Once she had her clothes on, Candace made herself go back into a cheerful demeanour, speaking in a sing-song tone.

              ‘You can come back in, Jeremy,’ Candace said.

Jeremy walked back into her room, and Candace in her new look.

              ‘I haven’t seen you like this before. I like it, it’s cute,’ Jeremy said.

              ‘Aren’t you full of compliments today?’ Candace had a subtle frown.

              ‘Is that a bad thing?’

              ‘Look, if you’re trying to make up for the whole “not realising the suit wasn’t really me” thing, like I said, it’s cool. You don’t have to pretend.’

              ‘Candace, I promise I mean it.’

              Candace looked solemn for a moment. ‘Right… of course you do, sorry.’

However, Candace switched back to flirty, even as she appeared to be straining slightly.

               ‘Anyway, aren’t you handsome today? The tight look… I kinda like it,’ Candace said.

Candace giggled as Jeremy thought about how to respond to her. He could tell what Candace was doing, so he decided to be upfront with her.

              ‘Are you really okay after everything that happened? You don’t have to pretend you’re fine with all of this,’ Jeremy said.

Candace wanted to protest, but Jeremy gently grabbed her hands, his eyes pleading. Candace sighed. There’s no use continuing to pretend. Candace let go of his hands and sat down on the floor, and Jeremy followed immediately after her.

              ‘I… I’m really not okay. I… I just don’t know how to deal with all this without moving on like it never happened. Especially since this took more than one day to resolve itself. But hey, I guess that’s just what we do in Danville!’ Candace’s eye twitched.

              ‘You don’t have to, you know. Look, it was nothing compared to what you went through, but it was pretty scary for me too. I even had to cancel work today just to process it all.’

              ‘Right, you said it tried to swallow you.’

              ‘Yeah, a monster that looks like your girlfriend tries to swallow you whole, pretty messed up, right? But also… the fact that I couldn’t tell if it was you or not. Like, you don’t have to pretend you’re not annoyed about it. Because honestly, I kind of hate myself for being fooled. Especially when it feels like it should be so obvious. Are we all idiots?’ Jeremy clutched his face.

              ‘It sure feels that way, sometimes. Even when I’m not trying to bust my brothers, Candace Flynn is the only sane girl in the house. But even then, am I really sane? Am I crazy too? Am I even crazier than everyone else?’ Candace started to lose focus on Jeremy.

              ‘Candace, relax.’ Jeremy grabbed her hand.

              ‘This stuff just keeps on happening. Failing every bust isn’t enough, is it? These monsters have to appear and torment me too. Because Candace Flynn is never allowed a break, right? Right?’

There was a pause to the conversation. Jeremy had his eyes fixated on her, and when Candace allowed herself to look back at him, she burst into tears. Jeremy pulled her in for a hug.

              ‘How do I keep going on like this, Jeremy? Every day feels like this. I hate that I can’t even be mad at that Candace suit after hearing her story!’ Candace said.

              ‘Candace, you can be as angry as you need to be. Be mad at her, be mad at me. You don’t need to empathise with her,’ Jeremy said.

              ‘But I do! It isn’t simply about how she has a far worse existence than me or whatever stuff I said before.’

              ‘Then what is it?’

Candace pulled away from the hug, took a breath, and looked at Jeremy with sad eyes.

              ‘That thing… it reminded me… of how I always feel. Unnoticed, unloved. But it’s like I can’t help but feel like she’s justified, and I’m not. And she makes me feel like I should just suck it up and be grateful for what I do have, while she never had any of it! I see what I always feel about myself in that Candace suit, Jeremy. What I always feel, about myself, about everyone around me, she goes through too, but it feels like her struggle is real and I’m just petty and ungrateful. I have things she hasn’t ever had, but still… ugh!’ Candace gritted her teeth.

              ‘Candace…’ Jeremy said.

              ‘Jeremy, I want to hate her so, so much. But I can’t. Instead, I feel like I hate…’

              ‘…yourself?’

              ‘Myself!’

Candace returned to crying in Jeremy’s arms. Jeremy could almost feel tears of his own ready to be shed, but he held them back. He needed to.

              ‘Candace, please know that whatever happens, I will always be there for you,’ Jeremy said.

              ‘But… but you just said, you also…’

              ‘I know. And it’s true, but look… someone has to be the strong one here. And you’re clearly going through so much worse than I did.’

Candace pulled away from the hug, glaring at Jeremy.

               ‘Jeremy… don’t you dare talk yourself down like that,’ Candace said.

              ‘Then don’t feel a need to talk yourself down, either,’ Jeremy said.

Candace stopped crying for a moment, and regained her composure.

              ‘Jeremy, am I too much for you?’ Candace said.

              ‘What? Of course not. Candace, I like you so much because of everything you are. Even the rougher, messier parts,’ Jeremy said.

              ‘You mean that?’

              ‘Of course I do. You’re my girlfriend.’

              ‘Oh, Jeremy…’

Candace let herself by hugged by Jeremy. He held her gently yet firmly. Eventually, they started to gently lean their foreheads against each other, with Jeremy moving to Candace’s side.

              ‘Are you sure you want to make this trip? You can stay back if you need to. Your brothers and their friends definitely seem able to take care of themselves,’ Jeremy said.

              ‘Look, I need closure from this. I need to make sure the suit goes away and has her own life, like I said she should,’ Candace said.

              ‘But it’s not just about making sure she’s away, is it?’

              Candace gave a subtle, sheepish smile. ‘…yeah, you got me. I also want to make sure she’s happy with where we take her. There’s no guarantee her and Klimpaloon will get along.’

              ‘Right… then again, Buford seems pretty confident of it. I don’t get his deal, but his hunches in these moments seem to work out.’

              ‘Right. Still, I want to see for myself.’

              ‘Candace, you’re amazing.’ Jeremy looked at Candace softly.

              ‘What? Where did this come from?’ Candace’s eyes widened.

              ‘Even after everything you went through, you’re still able to empathise with that Candace suit.’

              ‘I can’t help it. Like I said… beyond just hearing what she went through as something that was never meant to be alive in the first place, I can’t help but be reminded of myself. It’s like she’s some weird grotesque reflection of myself.’ Candace couldn’t help but smile to herself.

              ‘Right. But seriously, listen to yourself. That’s amazing you can do that.’

              ‘Thanks, Jeremy. And thank you for being able to spot me inside her. You saved my life.’

              Jeremy held an arm behind his back and blushed. ‘Oh, wow, I wouldn’t go that far, I simply noticed and then the others came and-’

              ‘What were you saying about me not putting myself down like that?’

              ‘…right. Sorry.’

              ‘Look… you’re right, even if I feel like I should just be grateful for what I do have, it’s still hard being me. I wouldn’t wish my life on anyone. It’s really hard not to hate yourself, thinking like the Universe must be punishing you for a reason.’

              Jeremy looked resolute. ‘Candace, I’m going to be clear about this. Please don’t hesitate to talk to me if you need it. I get it, you can’t really open up about this to your family – heck, your brothers don’t even seem to quite get your whole deal with them – and I don’t know how many of your other friends seem willing to hear you out.’

              ‘Yeah, Stacy seems to not want to get too dragged down in my mess. Maybe Buford would listen to my struggles, though.’

The couple burst into laughter again.

              ‘Right… but I think you deserve someone who will listen to you, no matter what. And as your boyfriend, I want to be that person,’ Jeremy said.

              ‘Oh, Jeremy, you’re so sweet…’ Candace reached for Jeremy’s cheek.

              ‘Candace, you’re an incredibly strong, capable girl. But we can’t be strong all the time. So please, talk to me if you need it.’ Jeremy grabbed Candace’s hands.

              ‘Right… and you too. You can tell me about all your problems too. Even if it’s just another gruelling day at work.’

              ‘Of course, Candace.’

Candace and Jeremy continued to hug each other for a while. They knew they had to leave eventually, but they remained content staying together.

              ‘I really don’t want to let go of you,’ Jeremy said.

              ‘How come?’ Candace said.

              ‘It… it just feels so nice to know that it’s really you in my arms.’

              ‘Oh, Jeremy…’

              ‘After all this time, it still really is you.’

              ‘Want more proof it’s really me?’

              ‘Yeah? What do you mean?’

Candace then kissed Jeremy, to which he gladly returned. Their hold on each other tightened as they locked lips, letting themselves relish in the presence of the other.

After a few minutes, they decided to pull away from each other.

              ‘Shall we head out?’ Jeremy said.

              ‘Yeah, let’s go on our little Himalayas adventure,’ Candace said.

Candace and Jeremy woke up back in Danville. They had successfully introduced the Candace suit to Klimpaloon, and they were cuddling each other in their Winter clothes. They wanted to continue their tender moment, but they soon realised they weren’t alone.

              ‘Don’t mind me. Keep doing what you’re doing,’ Buford said.

              Candace shot the boy a glare. ‘Buford, were you watching us the whole time?’

              ‘It’s not my fault I have been witness to the beauty of young love, from two of the most beautiful people I’ve ever laid my eyes on.’ Buford’s tone was wistful.

              ‘Go! Shoo! Go annoy Baljeet or whatever it is you do!’

              ‘Your loss!’

As Buford left, Candace removed her jacket and hat, as did Jeremy.

              ‘Being in the Himalayas makes you forget just how hot Summer can get, huh?’ Jeremy said.

              ‘Yes, yes it does,’ Candace said.

              ‘Mind if I take a shower? I’ll come back over in a bit.’

              ‘You could use mine.’

              ‘Aren’t you gonna use it?’

              ‘I mean, we could both… okay I’m making this weird, aren’t I?’

              ‘A bit weird, yeah.’

              ‘…see you in a few.’

After Jeremy left, Candace then went to take another shower after everything she went through in the Himalayas. It may have been less stressful, but it was still a lot of work. Even so, this time it felt nice. Instead of feeling like she was in a nightmare, she felt relaxed and free as the water was at the perfect temperature.

Despite still needing to force herself to leave, Candace wasn’t in as long this time. She then exited the bathroom and headed to her room. She then put curlers into her hair and dried it. Once she was done, she removed the hair curlers and shook her hair across the room.

Finally, freedom. However, Candace realised she was by her room’s window, and a certain someone was watching under the evening sky.

              ‘I still didn’t expect you’d take that long, sorry!’ Jeremy said.

              Candace giggled. ‘I’ll be ready soon. Come on in.’

Candace then removed her towel and got dressed, now in her regular outfit. She opened her door and immediately saw Jeremy, who walked into her room, now also in his regular outfit.

              ‘Did you do that hoping I’d come by?’ Jeremy said.

              ‘If that’s how you’re talking, I wish I did. Honestly, I didn’t even realise I was by the window.’ Candace let out a nervous laugh.

              ‘I always love it when you let your hair loose like that.’

              ‘Well, here I am with my hair loose like that.’

Candace and Jeremy smiled before kissing each other again. It was a shorter kiss, but they still couldn’t help but let it linger for a bit.

              ‘Well, this whole thing is all behind us, right?’ Jeremy said.

              ‘Yeah… I don’t know when I’ll be fully over this, but as long as you’re around, I’ll be fine.’ Candace smiled warmly.

              ‘Us against the Universe? That was how the song went, right?’

              ‘Right. If it’s us against the Universe, we win. With you, my brothers, and everyone else, I know I’ll be okay, even if I continue to struggle.’

              ‘Yeah. I’m so happy you feel you can talk to me, Candace.’

              ‘Same to you, Jeremy. I know being with a girl like me isn’t easy.’

              ‘But it’s more than worth it. Every single day I get to spend with you.’

Candace and Jeremy hugged each other.

              ‘So, wanna do anything tonight?’ Jeremy said.

              ‘I was thinking of taking it slow, personally,’ Candace said.

              ‘As long as I’m with you, I’m cool with whatever.’

              ‘Yeah.’

Candace let go of the hug and brushed some hair aside that was hanging over her face.

              ‘I still need to brush my hair. I’m sure it’s pretty boring to watch,’ Candace said.

              ‘No, don’t worry. I mean… what if I helped?’ Jeremy said.

              Candace let out a barely audible gasp. ‘Jeremy… you’d do that?’

              ‘Of course, Candace. Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it. It can’t be harder than Suzy’s hair.’

              ‘Right, her hair seems like… a lot. Just like her… wait, I shouldn’t say that. Sorry.’ Candace winced ever so sightly.

              Jeremy smiled. ‘Don’t worry, Candace. I’ve been doing my best to help her get over that grudge she has over you. Still can’t believe she confessed everything at that one brunch last year.’

              ‘Yeah, don’t know what that was all about. Maybe it’s another one of those weird Danville things.’

              ‘Maybe. But at least we know now, and doing our best to make sure she’s still not causing you any trouble.’

              ‘Thanks, Jeremy. You really are the best.’

              ‘I only seem that way because I met the best girl I could possible find.’

              ‘Oh, you!’

Candace and Jeremy spent the next minute looking at each other, merely enjoying the other’s presence. But as another strand of her hair landed over her face, Candace remembered what she was supposed to do.

               ‘Oh, right! My hair,’ Candace said.

Candace then got her hairbrush, sat down and instructed Jeremy to sit behind her. She instructed him on what to do, and then Jeremy soon got to work. As she felt his gentle strokes in her hair, Candace let herself and Jeremy just relax and enjoy each other’s company for the rest of the evening.