Notes: Special thank you to my beta reader! Couldn't have thought of it without you!
"Okay kids, we will meet here in the food court in an hour, grab a snack and head home. Don't go missing alright? I don't want to explain to your parents why I returned a few kids short." Heinz said as he pushed a shopping cart further inside the maze of walls, shops and escalators of the mall. The clear, silvery surface glistening from the reflections of the ceiling lights and dark shadows caused from their solid bodies following behind both adults and five children.
"Kay mom, we'll try our best not to be any cuter and get abducted by alien plushies." Ethan replied walking alongside the cart with Max right behind him and Vex, Leon and Terrance following after in that order.
"You say that now but just wait until you experience it yourself, not a pretty feeling." Heinz shivered slightly at the memory.
Perry walked on the opposite side of the kids, right besides Heinz with his arms crossed and gazing at each store passing his eyesight, pointedly ignoring each gaze he acquired from different group of females before landing his gaze on his partner and smiling at the conversation. Chuckling as he wrapped his left arm around Heinz's neck, hugging him closer. "Don't worry mama, I'll come to your rescue if you get adultnapped again."
Heinz playfully glared at him. "Yes and if you call me mama again you'll wish those alien plushies came after you."
This caused Perry to laugh and cuddle his neck, which in turn triggered Heinz to smile himself and bump his head softly with the side of his chin before pushing him off with his right elbow to still make his point across. He had showed his displeasure about his title of mama, or mother or any word in relation to the female parent in the past, but at some point he had to face the truth. He is, and forever shall be, labeled as the 'mother' of the two parents, whether he liked it or not. A downfall from the inators part for making him carry their two boys, but it's a small sacrifice really. At this point he wouldn't want to wish it any other way and besides, he's grown accustomed to the name and even secretly likes it. Of course he would never say it out loud to Perry or the twins, none of them would let him live it down.
"Alright, we're heading upstairs before you both get all lovey dovey." Ethan said before walking off and separating the group of kids from the adult supervision. Climbing up the escalator and letting the steps take them upwards to their destination.
"Alright, be careful pups! You know how stranger danger works!" Perry called after him, waving them off along with Heinz before wrapping his arm around his waist and disappeared behind a pillar.
The kids waved back before the two adults disappeared and faced forward again as the escalator reached the top floor and turned to still ground. Vex speed up her steps to reach Ethan's side before gazing at him and his brother. "You know Ethan, Max, I can't get over the fact that your ..mom.. did all that for your dad. It's really a devoted love and both are actually quite a sight to look at. They don't care about public appearance or opinion, being themselves. I'm actually proud to know them."
Leon and Terrance had to agree with Vex on that. Who ever heard of a human sacrificing his humanity to be with a platypus? That's a sweet love story in itself and kind of strange when you think about it, but only the narrow minded would complain really. As far as they cared it brought forth good things, two great friends, a couple in love(Even though they hardly knew anything about love it looks like a good thing, both Mr. Doofenshmirtzs look happy enough at least), daily fun projects and a backyard for their building. Feels like a happy ending.
When Vex finished her decree Ethan actually slowed his pace and made a soft halt, turning to face her with a face of mixed curiosity and confusion, Max stopping besides him and staring too but refusing to show anything, waiting for his brother to ask what he also had in mind. "What do you mean 'don't care about public appearance or opinion'? Aren't parents always like that?" Ethan looked at his brother in question only to receive a shrug before turning to Vex again.
Vex was taken slightly back at his question, Leon and Terrance standing opposite of them forming a small circle wondering the same thing as her. They don't know?
"Well yeah, parents are like that but only moms and dads, females with male partners can show it in public without humiliation." She said.
Ethan furrowed his eyebrows at her saying while Max glared slightly. "Humiliation? Why would it be humiliating if mom and dad showed public affection?" The teal brother asked.
Leon decided to answer the question, feeling the tension building from the brothers he stepped in front of their purple haired friend with his arms raised in surrender. If anything were to happen he didn't want it aimed towards Vexy. "Whoa there mate, she doesn't mean anything by it, she's just explaining how whack this society is and how proud we are to know 'em."
The brothers still stared at them with the same expression, only Ethan started to furrow his eyebrows further in confusion now. "Yeah, but why? There's plenty of other parents out there so why are you proud about ours?"
"It's because they're both males." Leon replied as sensitive as he could.
"Why does that matter?" Ethan countered.
Leon felt like he was just slapped across his face. Why does it matter? He knows how closed-minded society views this sort of relationship but he never actually wondered why exactly they see it like that. He hears conversation revolving about it inside the building sometimes, when he's making his way outside or just walking across the hallway to reach Terrance's room, the occasional 'Saw two men together' and 'woman were just too close' being whispered loud enough to be heard.
He had asked his mom about it when he first heard someone talk of the two men who lived together four floors down. Around the time he first moved in the states three years ago. His mother explained that they shared a sort of forbidden love that is meant to be kept secret between the two and left it at that. Never explained why their love was forbidden and now since the question has arisen, she never explained why exactly it's meant to be a secret.
Leon was left speechless from the mental turmoil, he had no idea how to respond to Ethan's question so he just stood there, mouth slightly opened and eyebrows furrowing as his gazed fell downwards at the groups' shoes.
Ethan waited for his response but it looked like Leon wasn't going to answer. Just as he was about to demand the explanation Terrance decided to save him, stepping forward and placing a hand on his shoulder in comfort, ready to defend. "It doesn't matter but human society tends to reject abnormality, anything new, basically anything that is different from what they think is normal. A man and a woman together is the only normal thing most society believes to be right and reject anything else. A man and a man, woman and woman, dog with a cat, ect."
The expression he received from the two brothers would have been comical had it not been for the subject of the conversation and the genuine confusion both of them appeared to have.
"That's why it's a disgrace? That's why mom and dad shouldn't be seen together? Because they are both males and different?" Ethan struggled to keep his voice down and keep noisy individuals from listening in.
Leon managed to find his voice again and lifted his arms in a stopping motion to prevent Ethan from finishing. "Whoa, whoa there Ethan, we never said they shouldn't be seen together, we're saying the exact opposite. They should be seen together and we're proud to know them for it."
Vex and Terrance nodded at this.
"We need more people like them, to show their love without having to worry, and we definitely need more people like you both." Vex said, pointing at both brothers.
"More people like us? What do you mean?" Ethan asked, Max raised an eyebrow with the same question.
"People who don't see two men together or two woman, we need more people who just see a couple in love, like you two. You both didn't know that society views it as bad right?" She quizzed.
Ethan shook his head. "No, we didn't even know it mattered. You humans have strange standards."
Then a light bulb moment hit all three human kids, a small o forming on their lips. "Ooh! That's why!" They said in unison.
"You were both born as platypuses! I keep forgetting about that!" Vex said.
"And animals most likely don't care about gender related subjects huh?" Leon added.
"So you both were never informed about these sorts of things and that's why you were confused." Terrance finished.
"Pretty much sums it up, we didn't know. Does it bother you guys that our mom and dad are both guys? We never asked you since it didn't come to mind." Ethan asked, growing a little concerned about it.
The three friends instantly shook their heads simultaneously.
"No of course not! I think it's adorable and I'm tempted to take pictures and show my matʹ and ottsa."
All the kids turned to her. "Your mat' and ottsa?"
She giggled at her slip up. "Oh forgive me, my mother and father. My mother is actually a closet fan but keeps it professional."
Leon nodded and faced the brothers again. "Mom told me the love shared between couples is a secret between them and left it at that, so I figured let everyone share their love secretly in peace. Doesn't bother me one bit mate."
Terrance shrugged for his response. "My dad said stuff like that is a disgrace and should be dealt with or something like that."
Ethan's face fell at his saying, Max took a step forward glaring, ready to start a mouth lashing on him.
"But since I never listen to him and do the exact opposite of what he says to get him enraged, the more love the merrier." He finished smirking.
The brothers had no idea how to respond to that, do they care or not? And the reason for it is slightly uncomfortable to them.
Leon rolled his eyes and elbowed his porky pined-haired friend softly. "It's his way of saying it doesn't trouble him at all, don't get offended for his reasoning."
This didn't really reassure the brothers but if it was coming from Leon they will have to trust him. After all, Leon seems to understand Terrance the most from the group.
"Anyways," Leon continued. "We gossiped enough about your parents lets vamoose down to our original destination before our mall time is eaten away from us."
Everyone nodded their agreement and turned to walk down the furnishing samples, anxious to try the new vibrating couch and anything else that needed an opinion, previous conversation completely forgotten.
"So what are you guys going to get?" Vex asked as she gazed longingly at the different menus displayed in front of the multiple food stalls. Who knew testing the sample furnishing in the middle of the halls can build up an appetite?
"Don't know about you but I have a hankering for some lasagna over there in that Italian place." Leon responded, eyeing said place across the room.
"I have a craving for ramen but I highly doubt they serve it here." Terrance said undecided, eyes quickly scanning for anything appetizing.
"I really have an apetite for strawberry pie but that's probably a poor choice for a meal huh?" Ethan said wistfully as he looked over the stalls and stores that contained candy, sugar and sweets of different size, shape and variety.
"Well you know how the saying goes, dessert first then dinner." Max helpfully added as he scanned the room completely. "And I'll just get whatever my eyes land on that looks good."
"I thought the saying was dinner first then dessert." Leon stated confused.
Vex couldn't help but laugh as she playfully nudged his shoulder. "Let the poor boy dream you mechta ubiytsy."
Leon placed his right hand across his chest in a hurt manner as he feigned injury. "Vexy! Such language! You wound me with your words!"
This caused her laugh to grow a note higher before finishing in a fit of giggles. "It's nothing bad I assure you. You're safe from my strong language, promise."
"Good I shall accept that. I'd be throwing a fit at this moment but right now my stomach demands satisfaction and who am I to object? Where are these parents of yours platypups?" Leon said with a quirked eyebrow and smirk.
"Hey now, no need to get your hair in a twist." Ethan said, raising his arms in surrender and silently laughing as Leon self-consciously ran a hand over his hair. "We can't keep an eye on our parents all the time, they're like ninjas, there one minute gone the next. Also, should we brace ourselves for future platypup jokes?"
"Nah, perhaps every now and then, especially when you guys don't understand human nature." He answered.
The teal-haired brother nodded. "Fair enough, now, where are those two adults at? You'd think since they are the ones who set the time on when to be here they would be the first ones to arrive. The nerveeee I say."
The entire group couldn't agree more as they stood there awkwardly waiting for the adult supervision to return. A few gazers openly stared at the assemblage of kids, probably wondering what they were waiting for and if they needed help in anyway but none brave enough to even ask, not like they needed the help. The kids continued to look through the lists of food, drinks and desserts, each mumbling to themselves what seemed good, alright or just straight out of the question.
Vex suddenly left her gaze from the menu and stared at Ethan, letting her eyes roam over his face and sighing at each expression he showed upon reading each item, quirking his eyebrow at a strange combination and raising them on a dish that seemed impressive, furrowing his brows together in a face of disdain and smiling as he looked over towards her. Suddenly meeting his eyes snapped her from her trance as she quickly returned the smile before looking back at the list, blushing furiously at getting caught. Staring at him had become a common habit, like a second nature as her eyes searched for him without even realizing it. She never means for it to happen but it just does, like her mind wanting to observe every expression, witness every movement, and remember every smile he ever shows.
Who knows when this infatuation started and why of all the people she has ever met, it had to be Ethan, who she is still learning about and getting to know. Sure enough the moment they introduced themselves Ethan had to be the one to catch her off-guard and strike her right in her Achilles heel. Darn that boy and his cute charm, his innocent eyes and his bright smiles.
And there he goes, chuckling at her as he turned back towards the menu list, faking obliviousness from her exposure. If he knows about her, dare she say 'crush', he is really good at acting ignorance. Wonder if their friends know about her.. infatuation?
Sure enough the lion-haired and porcupine don't seem to know about the crush but a certain brother of a certain teal-haired obsession indeed knows everything about it, and all he has to think about the idea is young love, go make goo-goo eyes somewhere else! He thought with a dull roll of his eyes.
"Ethan? Max?"
The brother's heads instantly turned to the source of their names and grinned (or eye-sparkled as best as he could) upon seeing who it was.
"Phineas! Ferb!" Ethan called back.
The red and green-haired brothers walked closer to them, Isabella, Baljeet and Buford appearing into view from behind a pillar.
"And the rest of the gang." He finished, waving at them all on behalf of both him and his brother.
"Hey Hey! Ethan and Max, it's been a while. What have you guys been up to?" Phineas asked upon finally reaching the platypup brothers and grinning at them.
"Yeah it has been a while, hasn't it? Not much really, just passing the summer with this group of trouble makers." The teal brother told him, lifting his right arm and gesturing to their DEI friends like a display, each friend waving and smiling as the hand passed over them.
"Oh hey! Looks like you guys got hooked huh? I'm Phineas, and this is my brother Ferb." Phineas introduced.
Vex was the first to walk forward, Leon and Terrance following behind forming a line to introduce themselves individually, she extended her arm in greeting. "Pleasure to meet you Phineas, Ferb. I'm Vex."
Phineas happily accepted the hand. "Nice to meet you."
She giggled at them as she switched hands to the other brother who simply blinked at her 'Pleasure to meet you as well.'
Understanding what he implied she smiled back and walked behind him to start her introduction all over to their other friends, smiling brightly when she came face to face with another girl, extending her arm again in courtesy.
"My names Vex, nice to meet you."
Isabella accepted the hand, smiling back and shaking in a manner that Vex instantly recognized. "The names Isabella."
A twinkle appeared in the curly-haired girls eyes. Isabella had the posture, the confidence the aurora of assistance swirling around her and the handshake, girl-scout huh?
"So how many badges have you earned so far?"
Isabella didn't seem one bit shocked that this girl knew she was a girl-scout without even having to wear the uniform or calling out to the Fireside Girls. "I've earned enough to be named senior but there are still many more out there to get. Are you a girl-scout too?"
Vex shook her head. "I use to be but decided patches just weren't my thing, I'm more of a fan of shiny medals. I'm a member of The Comrades."
Upon hearing Comrades Isabella felt a little impressed but also fired up. The Comrades is a group of boys and girls that help each other improve in their strengths and weaknesses but also encourage having rivalries. They don't just team up together they compete against each other as well, and earning a medal of any kind is an achievement in itself since there is an entire line of competitors eyeing those same medals and only a number of them are made.
"How many medals have you obtained?"
"I have finished six sets so far and just need one more medal to finish the seventh set."
Isabella had to whistle at that, earning those medals is an extreme honor but their way of obtaining them is a bit tacky for her taste. "How many medals per set?"
"Ten."
"Impressive." Yes indeed it was very impressive. The Comrades and The Fire-side Girls may not always come across each other but that never stops a rivalry from building itself up, especially when both are working hard to bring a good name to their groups. She has a feeling that both of them are going to get along just fine.
"What kind of name is Vex anyway?" Isabella asked after a few seconds.
Vex couldn't help but chuckle at the all too familiar question. "It's short for-"
"Ha! You think you're stronger? Let's arm wrestle, right here right now!" Buford suddenly shouted, causing both girls to look at him and Terrance who stood in front of the bully, arms crossed over his chest and glaring.
Buford walked towards the nearest table and sat down, Terrance following behind and sitting across from the big oaf, lifting his right arm making his elbow touch the table, Buford doing the same and connecting their hands in a death grip. "May the best bully win."
"Well paint me impressed, Terrance made a new friend already?" Leon said standing a few inches away from earshot of the wannabe bullies and smiling at the achievement.
Baljeet stood awkwardly next to the tall boy and coughed once on his hand before placing it behind him, getting the boys attention. "Actually it's 'color' me impress, not 'paint' me impressed."
The boy looked down at him and smiled at the correction. "Bother, thanks for that, I'll get the American sayings perfect one day."
"Glad to help, my names Baljeet." The Indian boy said, extending his arm.
"Names Leon." The taller boy accepted.
"So Leon, what is your favorite subject?" He started, trying to get a conversation going.
"Favorite subject? I'd say sports is my favorite, unless it's not qualified as one. Otherwise I'd have to think about that." Was his answer.
"Sports? If you lean more towards sports that means you're an athlete and therefore rely heavily on brawns. Great, you'll get along great with Buford." He said huffing.
Leon stared at him surprised and completely lost. "Whoa there mate, you lost me a second, rely heavily on brawns? Is there something wrong with that?" The short boy suddenly became insulted and he didn't understand if it was his doing or something he said, all he did was say which subject he liked.
The short boy shook his head. "No, nothing wrong with it, just hoped there would be more people who relied on brains to be able to communicate properly with."
Now this insulted him instead. "What do you mean 'communicate properly with'? Ya sayin' since I like sports that I wouldn' be able to understan' what ya sayin?" His accent was now starting to come out in full bloom from his mouth.
Whenever he becomes enraged, irritated or annoyed his etiquette or American accent is left forgotten and replaced by a speech that causes many curious eyes to linger on him. It's not a bad thing and it certainly doesn't leave him embarrassed but it does get annoying after sometime and all the girls, he noticed, tend to sigh and swoon at him, which he finds to be slightly uncomfortable. He doesn't like the idea that his voice can cause a whole group of woman to just collapse out of nowhere by him simply saying hi.
"No! No, I didn't mean it like that, I worded it wrong. I meant it more towards having someone who has strength in brains to be able to partner with. Have someone to devote on good grades with." He furiously shook his head.
"Well mate, why couldn't ya just say that? I don't have the highest grades nor do I have the lowest. I land mostly on average or slightly above so can't help ya on devotion."
"Yeah, that's what I thought." He sighed in defeat.
"But hey, maybe you can devote yourself on sports? Not necessarily play it but you know, observe it, and help others with the mechanics of it?" Leon offered, trying to take the tension off the previous conversation and regaining his calm.
Baljeet raised an eyebrow. "The mechanics of sports?"
"Yeah, mechanics of sports. Add wind velocity to the equation, how the gravel or terrain adds friction against the runner or how the thickness or thinness of the grass or turf can add to the speed of players or subtract from them. How the length of each individuals' legs can add to the distance run and more." The sports kid said casually, eyesight growing distant and landing on the ceiling as all these different thoughts ran through his head.
The Indian boy stared mouth opened at him. Very impressed and very shocked that Leon even considered all this in sports. Didn't the boy have average grades?
"You.. actually ponder all this when you play sports?" He finally asked after seconds of staring.
This earned him a confused stare. "Of course, many don't consider sports as anything other than a way to show off to the crowed and prove your strength but in reality it's just as much mathematics, planning and team work as anything else. Why do you think I'm one of the best in every physical sport out there?" He stated, smirking proudly.
Well paint me impress he thought. "So if you are the best at it and you add all of that to your game plan, why do you have average grades?"
"Oh simple, cause sports are important, at least to me and grades are nothing but pieces of paper that go into a computer where one becomes just another individual lost in a mob of people. I figure as long as I have good, average grades I will be fine and my sport skills will get me somewhere."
"Well Leon, I have to say I'm very awestruck, but I'm going to have to change your way of thinking on the matters of grades." Baljeet said, crossing his arms over his chest.
This caused Leon to chuckle. "Well I wish you luck mate, once I am set in my ways I'm as stubborn as a mule when it comes to certain change."
"What?! No way!" Buford suddenly shouted when his right arm came in contact with the table, Terrance standing up and raising his arm in victory. "You short punk! How can you be stronger than me?"
"Because you big oaf, looks can be deceiving and I saw your technique. You tend to only rely on your arm strength when you also have to consider finger strength and sometimes even shoulder strength. It can be risky but if you can time it right, using your shoulder can give you a three second upper hand and your arm finishes the rest." The victor stated, lifting his head in victory and crossing his arms in defiance.
"Is that really true?" Buford became awestruck at the information.
"No, you just lack muscle strength on the upper-region of your arm, also I'm stronger then you and just said that to sound smart." Terrance couldn't help but smirk as he finished the sentence and almost laughed when he saw Leon roll his eyes from the corner of his eye. Leave it to him to always ruin his fun.
"Don't listen to him, he tends to say more then he can chew and it's also just his irritating way of saying he is impressed with you. Not many can wrestle him for more than five seconds, you should feel honored." Leon used his index finger to softly thump his friend.
"Yeah well." Buford said standing up from the chair. "The way I see it is if there is someone out there stronger than me I have to make a trip to the gym and correct this! This also means I have to watch my enemy silently and learn his strength and weaknesses!" The big bully walked over and stood a few inches from Terrance, eyes never leaving the others. After a few seconds the porcupine nodded.
"Then I will see you sometime this week in the gym."
Buford accepted this. "And you better not be late." He finished, lowering his voice and making it sound deeper and raspier for added effect.
The two boys outside of the rendezvous were left comically interested and downright confused. "Huh, what just happened?"
Leon shrugged and motioned at the bullies. "Buford just asked Terrance if he wanted to hang out in the gym this week."
"What? Didn't they just insult and threatened each other?"
"Nah, it's the bully and headstrong way of communicating, very confusing if you don't see the hidden clues and twitch of the eyes." Leon took a few steps over to the still going staring contest and introduced himself to Buford.
"I see." Baljeet scratched the side of his head but still couldn't understand what just happened so decided to just leave it like that. As long as Leon is there to make sense of the situation that's all he will try to attempt. He took a Step forward as well to join the group and to meet the porcupine hardhead.
"Looks like everyone is getting along!" Phineas shouted at the group of brothers.
"Yeah, they are all getting along great over there." Ethan answered for the two action brothers.
"Anyways, what are you guys doing here? Where are Perry and Doof?" Phineas looked at the brothers in question, noticing the lack of ex-platypus parents and the group just standing around in the food court looking at the menus before they arrived.
"Parents are still out shopping most likely and they are ten minutes late now, they should be here soon though." Ethan looked up and calculated in his head the estimated time and arrival of said parents. Where could those two be anyway?
"We're here! We're here! Sorry we're late!"
"You know Perry, sometimes I wish I can just put a paper bag on your head and hide you away from the rest of the world."
Heinz looked over at his partner and couldn't help but feel a slight twinge in his chest when he noticed many group of woman passing by and letting their eyes linger on Perry a bit too much for his liking. Perry does his best to pointedly ignore them but no matter where he looks, he manages to just catch the gaze of another on the other side. Perry tries to show he is uninterested but one can't help but feel self-conscious compared to the many, attractive females who show notice.
Far from what anyone believes, having the attention of the opposite sex almost 24/7 isn't as great as they think. For one thing Perry is taken and in love, for another Perry is taken and in love, and for another, another, having woman fawn over you is kind of annoying.
Group of females looking at him on the right, instantly look left to avoid eye contact only to find another group of females looking at him and accidently catching ones eye. Look the other way only for it to happen again, huff in annoyance.
Best to just turn again or gaze at the ceiling otherwise they might get the idea that he is interested in them, and he most certainly is not! Answer to what his partner said.
Fake wounds and place a hand over his heart. "Why Heinz I never! Are you saying I embarrass you because I'm too hideous for the public?"
Heinz openly rolled his eyes at him. "Oh pleaseeee, if anything you're a sight for all of the public's eyes. I don't like all of them gawking at you is all." He finished with a sigh, looking down in defeat before quickly recovering and continuing like nothing happened.
He wasn't prepared for suddenly getting an arm wrapped behind his neck and pressed close towards a chest. "Now listen here, we've been over this. They can gawk all they went, they can wish and they can try, but they will never have a chance." He pressed a kiss on his forehead. "None of them went after me when I was a platypus, none of them changed for me when I was a platypus and none of them built a machine for me to change human. I'm all yours Heinz Doofenshmirtz, always have been from the moment we first met and always will be."
Heinz relaxed at the touch and remained cuddled in his chest for a couple of seconds before breaking the contact and standing up straight, extra bounce in his step. "I know, I just like hearing you say it for reassurance."
Perry chuckled at him before straightening himself and completely ignoring the females with new bound determination. "You just love to use me for attention sometimes."
"Not sometimes, all the times."
Silence followed after as both men walked in comfort next to each other. Females, and a couple of males, completely forgotten. Different decorated stores were passed with different individuals. Giant green signs, shelves, counters, examples displayed behind glass, mannequins, shoes placed on the side of the walls, dark decor and furnishing examples in the middle of the halls.
One example caught Perry's eye. A lovely little polka-dotted picnic set with a small family of mannequins to finish it off. The squared blanket lies across the floor as the mannequin family sit on top of it. A wife and husband mannequin sitting right next to each other, holding hands and hand feeding the other in a playful manner, both smiling wide. Two kids sat across from them, the son kneeling down and looking to be in a hurry, grabbing a piece from the set up but frozen before he can officially grab it. The daughter was sitting content and looking as if she was scowling at her brother, one arm raised near her face, holding what seemed to be a sandwich, frozen before it could officially reach her.
The mannequins looked so real, so life-like, that if it wasn't for the fact that the entire color of the bodies were a dark gray others would mistake them as a family causing mischief on a set. Each mannequin had their own style of real clothing, genuine fabric and cotton worn. The scene was so heartwarming that anybody who came upon it had the sudden urge to buy it and have one of their own, and that's exactly what Perry wanted at this moment.
"Hey Heinz? When was the last time we went to the park together as a family?" He suddenly asked.
His partner pondered this over. "The last time we went to the park together was when we were still platypuses which would be last year, so I guess it's been a year since we have gone together, why?"
"Because I see a lovely picnic set over there that is dying to be platypied and we are just the family to do it." He gestured at the set they were about to pass.
Heinz looked it over and had to agree with him. "It does look lovely but only us? Or are we taking the new additions of the family?"
"Taking the new additions of course, wouldn't be the same without the kids trying to start a food fight, Norm trying to over-feed us all or watching Max hit Terrance with a cupcake. How about this Saturday? That way Vanessa can join in the fun too."
He received a nod. "Yeah, sounds like a great plan. Let's hurry and look for the set, we're five minutes late to meet up the kids in the food court and knowing Ethan he will think of a way to use this against us."
Perry placed his hands together, making his fingers knot in between the others before pushing out and hearing them crack, smirk in place. "Watch me work then."
And work he did. As fast as lightning Perry managed to find the set, rush through the line, pay everything and cuddle it all together in the cart in a matter of two minutes before rushing Heinz down the hall, making a left, down the escalator and watching the kids come into view. To their surprise Phineas, Ferb and their gang also came into view.
Heinz was the one to call out to them. "We're here! We're here! Sorry we're late!" He was huffing and puffing from the exhausting of speed walking over here.
"Mom! Dad! You're late! You know what this means!" Ethan smiled at them.
"Hi Perry and Doofy!" Phineas waved after.
Ethan received a wave of the hand in a shoo manner while Phineas received a greeting. "Yeah, yeah, extort something from us later, and hello kids, pleasant surprise to see you all here, now who is hungry?"
The entire group of children shouted in unison, even the Phineas gang. "Guess we are feeding all ten of them?" The question was directed towards Perry.
"Course, who are we to refuse these adorable, manipulative faces?"
The two adults received a multitude of different smiles, grins and dull looks.
"Yeah okay, you children have power, now begone and go choose what you want."
The kids were about to fully turn before Heinz remembered and stopped them. "Oh! Before you go, Perry thought it would be fun to have a picnic in the park this weekend. Would you kids like to go?"
Vex clapped her hands together before answering first. "Oh that sounds lovely! I would love to go!"
Leon agreed with her. "Sounds like fun, count me in."
Terrance shrugged. "Sure I guess."
Phineas stood there looking over the adults and looking back at his brother. Were they asking them too? Or was it only intended for Ethan and Max's friends? A picnic does sound like fun and with Perry and Doof's permission they could build a project with them like old times! Even have Vex, Terrance and Leon join too!
He bashfully twirled his fingers together. "Uhm, can we go as well?" He finally asked.
"Of course! The question was directed to all you kids, wouldn't be complete without you." Perry answered him.
This earned him an intense, cheerful beam from his ex-owner that Perry couldn't help but grin back at him and maybe earn a cavity or two. "Great! Count me and Ferb in!"
Isabella smiled at the adults. "Count me in too."
"Oh I love picnics!" Baljeet added after before Buford decided to finish the list of kids attending.
"Course I'll go, can't let my nerd wander around on his own."
