This was inspired by a Canderemy fic where Candace wanted to know if rejecting everyone but Jeremy would scare him off or make him see how devoted she was to him. This is what it does to Phineas.

It was a week before the deadline, the absolute last chance to buy prom tickets. And Phineas still didn't have a date.

He was sitting with Ferb one day after school when the subject came up.

"Aren't you going to ask Isabella?"

"Well…I want to."

Ferb didn't look up from his book, just nodded.

"But I don't think I will."
Ferb raised an eyebrow as he met his brother's eyes.

"It just seems like a bad idea. She's turned down every guy who's asked. Maybe she just doesn't want to go."

Ferb could see how Phineas might have gotten that impression. "Every guy who's asked" was a good chunk of their fellow juniors and even a few of the senior boys.

And it was certainly to be expected. She'd gone from cute little girl to beautiful young lady and was just as sweet as ever. Add in her brains and every boy with halfway decent intentions wanted to make the attempt.

And every time she would give a sweet smile and tell them no thank you.

Of course, she'd been turning date offers down since middle school. Ferb at least hadn't expected prom to be any different. Except in that Phineas was ready to make a move.

"I know," Phineas answered at his brother's skeptical gaze. "I shouldn't let fear stop me. But—"

"Phineas," Ferb began in his most reasonable voice. "A couple girls asked you as well, but you said no. You remember why?"

Phineas's eyes widened. "You think she's waiting on someone specific to ask her? I'd hate for her to be disappointed."

Ferb smacked his palm against his forehead.

"Phineas…" He massaged his head before placing his book beside him and matching his brother's gaze. "You're my brother, and I love you. You're the most brilliant person I know."

Phineas grinned. "Aww. Thanks, buddy. But—"

"But," Ferb insisted. "You can be such an idiot at times."

Phineas replaced his smile with a confused frown, matching the narrowed tilt of his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"That girl," Ferb pronounced carefully and pointedly, "has been in love with you since…I can't even remember that far back. She's waiting on you. So go ask her to prom before she finally gets sick of it and gives up on you."

Phineas gaped for a moment, stunned into silence. Then he whispered, "Are you sure, Ferb?"

Reverting back to his usual manner, Ferb said nothing, but only nodded. He smiled as his brother grinned and vanished faster than Perry could.

"It's about time," he mumbled to himself.