Chapter 4

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"Hey, Ferb, I know what we're going to do today!"

Perry smiled affectionately at Phineas and Ferb, who were fashioned in nice button ups and black slacks, all excited to tour Heinz's artwork display that day. Despite being a year older, both of the boys still wanted to have the best summer ever, and make every minute of it count.

Tailed behind them was a small Maltese puppy, who stood only up to the children's knees. His floppy ears wiggled to and fro as he barked at any and everything. The boys had named him Bartholomew, of all names, and loved him as much as they had loved Perry when he was their pet.

The dog wasn't an agent, thank goodness. He simply dashed about, wagging his tail and barking for Phineas and Ferb to start playing with him.

Perry was glad his boys had found a new companion. Although he missed those peaceful moments being in their presence and watching them work, his relationship with them as a human was more satisfying. Now he was actually able to be involved in their lives, rather than simply watch it pass by.

The gallery was being held at the Danville museum, and was open to the public. Despite Heinz's absolute horror, rumor had it that Rodger Doofenshmirtz, Heinz's brother and mayor of Danville, was coming to view the gallery, too.

Perry, dressed in a completely black suit with a black tie to match, excused himself from Phineas and Ferb for a moment, and stepped back into the bathroom where Heinz was stood in front of the sink, staring at himself in the mirror. He had a panicked expression, as if he was about to explode.

Perry immediately stepped up and put a hand on his partner's back. "Are you okay?"

"No!" Heinz cried out, turning around and grabbing Perry's shoulders. "This was a bad, bad, bad, idea! I think I'm going to be sick!"

Perry sighed as his boyfriend splashed water over his face, trying to calm down.

"Heinz, you're going to do great." Perry smiled. "Let your artwork do all the talking. Every painting, sculpture, and sketch out there is absolutely beautiful. You put your soul into your work. Every line, brush stroke, and curve simply magnifies your talent."

"Or my utter doom." Heinz muttered, leaning his head against the wall. "Plus my brother Rodger is going to be here. He never resists a moment to embarrass me. Why would today be any different?"

Perry frowned. "Because I will punch him if he starts belittling you. That's why. Now come on. Guests are arriving, and they can't wait to see their newest beloved artist."

Despite his cries of despair, Heinz reluctantly agreed to come out and put on a smile for the citizens of Danville. As they stepped out of the bathroom, Vanessa approached, wearing a beautiful black dress and high-heeled shoes. She ran up, and hugged and kissed both of them on the cheek.

"They just opened the doors! Everyone wants to meet you, Dad!"

Perry grinned and held out his crooked arm. Smiling gratefully, Heinz took his extended gesture and followed them out into the foyer. Immediately, people walked up to meet the two of them, as hundreds of people browsed the gorgeous selection of paintings. Murmurs of approval followed the crowd.

Perry remained a statue of moral support for his boyfriend, who was completely floored by all the complements, and unsure how to respond to them.

It wasn't long before Mayor Rodger Doofenshmirtz arrived on the scene, followed by an entourage of cameras and journalists.

"Ah, and here he is- the star of the show, my brother, Heinz Doofenshmirtz!"

Heinz gulped as the cameras turned to him and Perry. Journalists began hounding him with questions about his work and his muse, which Heinz answered slowly, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention. However, as he talked, the monologue tendencies in him began to take over, and soon he was taking his audience through a swift course into his mind.

"Thank you, everyone!" Rodger smiled as the news finished and cut the cameras. He then turned to his brother and clasped his arm in a warm handshake, before excitedly doing the same to Perry. "My dear brother, what an honor. Your artwork is the talk of the town. I can't wait to see what masterpieces you've created. And Perry, good to see you. You are looking well."

Perry nodded politely, and elbowed his boyfriend, who was completely shocked by the compliments. "Oh, ah, thank you.." Heinz blushed.

Rodger departed to view the gallery, and the cameras quickly followed him. Finally, the two of them were alone for a second. Heinz was still holding onto Perry like a life preserver, but the agent was seeing puffs of confidence begin to blossom on his boyfriend's face.

"Are you okay?" Perry whispered.

Heinz smiled. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay. It's just.. insane.."

"You're a talented artist, Heinz. Everyone loves you and your work."

Suddenly, the noise of two young voices and two pairs of running legs dashed down the hallway. "Dr. D! Dr. Perry! Can we visit the rest of the gallery with you?"

Would they ever quit it with the Dr. Perry?

Perry glanced to Heinz who nodded. "Sure, boys."
Linda and Lawrence waved goodbye as Phineas and Ferb tailed them to the other side of the room, where Heinz's biggest paintings, and one of his sculptures, were put on display.

"This is my favorite!" Phineas beamed, pointing to the abstract artwork hanging over a white wall. It was titled Muse.

"It was inspired by how I regain my steam after having scientist-block." Heinz shrugged. "Just chaos and confusion, and a lot of anxiety."

The four then trailed down into another room, full of framed versions of Heinz's many professional sketches. Perry grinned when he saw the sketch of him polishing wine glasses on the wall, the very sketch Perry had discovered months ago.

It was titled Beauty.

Perry giggled as Heinz blushed all the way up to his forehead. "I, ah, was just really proud of that one."

"Hmm.." Perry grinned as Phineas and Ferb continued down, out of hearing range. "I wonder how else you've drawn me, doctor?"

"You're perverted." Heinz shushed, playfully swatting him in the arm.

Soon, the whole Flynn-Fletcher family was back together, including Candace and Jeremy, who were holding hands and talking with each other. Perry excused himself from Heinz to visit the open bar at the end of the hallway.

"I'll have a Manhattan, please."

The bartender nodded and began mixing his cocktail. After his drink was made, Perry tipped his head to thank the man.

"One second." The bartender spoke. "Are you Perry Michael?"

The agent raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"Someone asked me to give this to you."

Curiously, Perry picked up the little box that was handed to him. He felt around its lid and bottom, feeling for triggers or anything out of the ordinary. However, when there was nothing to discover, the agent carefully opened up the lid.

Inside was a sticky note, and all it said was Base64.

Well.. weird..

Unsure what to make of the note, Perry stuffed it in his pocket and grabbed his drink, deciding to take it to O.W.C.A. in the morning for testing.

When Perry returned, Heinz was no longer looking like the scaredy cat that he'd been this evening, and was instead happily talking to people about his different painting techniques. Perry turned and noticed Charlene, followed by Vanessa.

"Hello, Perry." The woman smiled. "How are you?"

Perry hadn't known that Charlene was going to be attending. Perhaps Vanessa had asked her to come?

Although the agent didn't really know the woman well, they'd met a few times when dropping Vanessa off at school or work and so on. She was a polite and level-headed woman, who didn't show much of an emotional response to the news that her ex-husband was dating another man. Thankfully, she hadn't inserted herself much into their relationship, and simply kept her distance.

"I'm well." Perry nodded curtly. "How are things?"

"Oh, they're usual." She smiled. "Although I think my company is going to be bought out at the end of the month. Here's to hoping there aren't many terrible changes coming. How are you and Heinz? Any plans for the future, yet?"

Perry suddenly became alarmingly aware of the ring that was still sitting in it's box in his fedora. He cringed, but immediately controlled his face and let it breath back into a calm state once more. "We're hoping to move out of the apartment here pretty soon."

"Oh! How wonderful! That place was a cheap deal, anyway."

Vanessa raised her eyebrows at her mother's insensitive comment, but didn't say anything. Perry simply decided not to retort, and excused himself from her presence. It was always too awkward to talk to the woman for too long.

Pretty soon, everyone was heading home from the big event, including Phineas and Ferb and their friends and family, who waved goodbye. All except for Phineas, who ran up and gave both Heinz and Perry a hug before racing off after his step-brother.

Heinz began to glow fondly. "Do you think we'll ever raise kids, Perry?"

The agent blanched. That question had come out of nowhere.

Heinz noticed his alarmed look and instantly retorted. "I mean, I know that's way down the road, I just.."

Perry sighed and kissed his boyfriend on the forehead. "Sorry, you just caught me off guard. There's no one in the world I'd rather raise a child with. We'll talk about it one day, yeah?"

Satisfied with that answer, Heinz hugged his partner and ran off to see how many paintings he'd sold that night. Perry watched him with a concerned gaze.

Raise kids? Where had that come from?