#mahahahaha

❀ When Phineas was in Elementary School the “young” excuse stopped being effective since crushes are more common during that age group. Baljeet in particular would talk the most about who he was crushing on, which earned him a lot of eye rolls and teasing “they’re out of your league” comments. But Phineas didn’t really have anything to add to those types of conversations. When they talked about who the “cutest” girl or boy was, he was always objective. Even Ferb had more to say than Phineas did and that was rare

❀ Phineas never had to desire to search for a girlfriend or boyfriend or soulmate because the relationships he already had with his friends and family fulfill that “requirement.” Especially, the bond he has with Ferb since despite being step-brothers they are cut from the same cloth. They’re “twins” without needing to be biological twins

❀ Teen Phineas had mixed feelings when he found out Isabella had a crush on him. She’s one of his best, closest friends and she’s already deeply intertwined in his life! He already enjoys spending time with her, whether it’s going on adventures around the world or just hanging out in the backyard. So he doesn’t say no to dating and being called her boyfriend

But when it starts going beyond that into “serious territory” and Phineas is expected to give Isabella all his attention that’s when things go south. Suddenly, Phineas can’t build anything with Ferb without feeling guilty that he’s doing that instead of going on a date with Isabella. He starts to unconsciously push both her and Ferb away. He’s not made for these “expectations” of putting one person over another and he feels like he’s been torn in half. Who’s more important? His brother or his girlfriend? But more importantly Phineas is already known to put the needs of others before his own

The dates that felt fun start to feel like obligations and Phineas gets frustrated and starts to snap at Isabella more and more often. When Isabella tries to hold his hand now, Phineas instinctively tenses or flinches away. He’s uncomfortable in his own skin and he doesn’t understand why because he loves Isabella! But does he love her in the way she and society seem to expect him to? He likes the kisses but they don’t give him butterflies in his stomach like Candace said they should...

Isabella immediately notices, don’t get her wrong. Phineas isn’t singing or humming like he used to. He’s not infodumping anymore. He goes quiet but not “Ferb quiet” it’s more like the quiet before the storm or like a bomb is about to go off. Neither of them really know what to do about it and they don’t talk it over because Phineas feels like he’s about to explode whenever he opens his mouth

❀ Phineas eventually builds a device to “fix” him because he starts to think that something’s wrong with him, that he’s b r o k e n. Why doesn’t he feel what Candace and Ferb feel? All three of them were raised by the same parents. So what’s he missing? Why the lack or insufficient amount of romantic interest? Why can’t he be the boyfriend that Isabella wants him to be?

The device sorta looks like a Cupid’s arrow and he points it at his chest, directly above his heart, trying to convince himself that he needs to do this to be “normal.” But… his hands won’t stop shaking and it feels more like a death sentence. Besides, he’s Phineas Flynn, “normal” isn’t in his vocabulary! He can build a rocket and so much more with his eyes closed! With that thought in mind, Phineas snaps it in half instead of using it and expects to feel relieved!