A/N: If you enjoy this fic, maybe consider checking out my RP forum? forum/Phinerb-RPs/204736/
Number One.
They were ten the first time. They'd just gotten done with school for the day, and they were on the bus ride home. Phineas was slumped at Ferb's side, reading some book or another.
Ferb turned and looked at Phineas. After a moment of thought, it came to him. Hit him like a truck. He liked his step brother.
"I like you," he whispered.
Phineas glanced up, then looked back at his book. "I should hope so," he said playfully, "I'm your brother."
Ferb sighed softly. But he didn't say that he didn't mean it like that, just nodded and looked out the window again.
Number Two.
The second time, they were thirteen. It was a hot summer day, far too hot for them to do anything. Ferb was slumped on the couch, and he watched silently as Phineas brought in a tray with lemonade and sandwiches.
"They're not like mom makes," he said as he sat down next to Ferb, "but they're close enough." He sighed dramatically. "When are mom and dad coming back from that antique convention?"
"A week," Ferb said before taking a big bite of his sandwich. He chewed thoughtfully, mind far, far away from the TV in front of them. He swallowed. "I like you."
"I like you, too?" Phineas looked confused. "You're, like, my best friend. And my brother."
"That's not-"
"Oh, there you are, Perry!"
Ferb sighed. Today wasn't the day.
Number Three.
They were fifteen by the time the third try rolled around. Phineas was huffing and puffing, staring up at their project with a bright smile. A water slide crossed with a rollercoaster. Only they could build such a thing.
Phineas turned to Ferb. "Where are the others?"
"They'll come, I'm sure," Ferb said. "I doubt anyone could miss this."
Phineas laughed. "Come on, then. Let's get on while we wait!"
Phineas grabbed his wrist - lightning touched his skin - and pulled him onto the ride. Ferb stared at Phineas, almost ready to try again...
"Wait for us!"
Buford, Baljeet and Isabella all rushed into their yard, all getting onto the ride next to them. Ferb sighed. He wouldn't tell him with an audience.
When they were eighteen, Ferb had given up on telling Phineas how he felt.
He watched Phineas work on his homework silently, until he felt eyes on him and looked up to meet Ferb's gaze. "What's up?"
Ferb could have said it then. But he knew that Phineas wouldn't understand. "Nothing."
Phineas blinked. "Oh. Okay." He looked back down at his homework, and Ferb, after a moment, looked at his own.
He eventually felt eyes on himself, and turned to look at Phineas. "What?"
"...I love you."
Ferb blinked. "I love you too," he said slowly.
Phineas scoffed. "You're so oblivious." Really? Ferb was oblivious? "I love you, Ferb. Like, I want to date you."
...Ferb was probably a little oblivious.
"I love you too," he repeated, smiling now. "I want to date you too."
Phineas blinked, his cheeks turning a bright red. "Really? You don't... Hate me now?"
"Of course not."
"Oh. That... That was easier than I thought."
Ferb chuckled, and playfully nudged Phineas. "Easier than when I tried to tell you."
"You tried to tell me?"
"Three times, Phin."
Phineas blushed an even darker shade of red. "Oh... Sorry."
Ferb shook his head, smiling. "Don't worry about it."
