Edit 8/21/12 New Summary, same story. Pairings include PhineasxFerb, BufordxBaljeet, DjangoxIsabella. Past FerbxVanessa. Starts PhineasxIsabella.

Empty Apartment

Authors Note: I am so nervous about starting this. This story is the product of two Nano's and is probably one of the most difficult things that I've ever begun to write. The plot started out as something I just couldn't stop thinking about, and now I'm over 20 chapters in. There are so many plot holes and issues that I hadn't foreseen, but I'll filling them all in as I work. This story will be updated once a week, I'll try to always update on Thursday just to stay consistent. Also, this is AU (Alternate Universe). This is the universe that I imagine if Lawrence had stayed married longer to Ferb's mother and had therefore stayed in England, where the family wouldn't meet the Flynn's. Of course you'll all learn about that later. This story was named after the song Empty Apartment by Yellowcard, but was not based on it. I should also mention that the rating of this will go up eventually, but I'll mention more on that later. Please let me know what you guys think of this!

Prologue

Friday, January 31st

As the two boys slammed up against the door of Ferb's apartment, the green haired boy reached behind him to unlock the door. The redhead was being especially rough tonight, not that Ferb minded, he found it suited him. At least what Ferb knew of him.

Once Ferb managed to unlock the door, he quickly opened it, allowing both of them to go into the apartment. Ferb closes the door behind them as he pulls his companion into the living room. He lifts the smaller boy up a bit before lowering him, only to slam him against the bar that separated the living room from the kitchen.

The blue eyed boy moaned at the feeling before bringing himself even closer to Ferb. His nails were digging hard into Ferb's shoulder and scalp, but it was no matter. The shorter male was kissing hard, his tongue fighting against Ferb's with a new found passion. The last two times they had been together the redhead had been feisty, but he had never been this rough. He had never kissed Ferb so desperately.

Ferb separated them so that he could pull off the smaller boy's shirt, but the second he pulled away he heard a sob escape the boy's lips. He looks up for a second, but the smaller boy just pulls their lips back together.

Ferb can feel his body quiver as he cries; he can feel the way the boy is sobbing into his mouth. He pulls away once more and looks at the boy.

The tears are streaming down his face, and his blue eyes look darker than they ever have before. He's young. It's one of the first things Ferb had noticed about him. When he had first seen the boy at the Turnpike Tavern he had thought he was lost. He was the first person close to Ferb's age to walk into the bar in over a year. Ferb guessed that he couldn't be more than 17, and that was being generous. Ferb wouldn't be surprised if he was younger.

"I'm fine," he choked out. "Keep going." The boy commanded.

It wouldn't be the first time Ferb had had sex with someone while they cried. There had been two girls and a boy whose first time had been difficult. He hadn't stopped with any of them. They never asked him to stop.

Ferb knew he should keep going. He had been told to keep going. But for some reason he didn't. Maybe it was because the boy was so young. Maybe it was just because they shouldn't be doing this for a third time anyway. For whatever reason, Ferb found himself pulling away from the boy's grip.

Once he had it took only seconds for the boy to break down.

For Phineas to break down.

He had known the boys name since the last time, but he chose not to use it. A name just added attachment, and they had no reason to become attached to one another.

Phineas shook as he cried, turning to lean against the bar.

"How can I do this? How can I do this to them?" Phineas sobbed. "I'm so messed up! I can't take it! I can't take them! I'm never going to be good enough! God, she's so perfect and I don't love her! What's wrong with me? She loves me! She loves me…And I do this. They deserve better. I can't- I can't." He continued to shake as Ferb walked into the kitchen and put water into the tea kettle, before putting it on the stove.

Ferb pulled out two mugs as he listened to Phineas' tears fill the room.

He knew a good deal about the boy for not really knowing him at all. He knew he went to a school in Danville, had a girlfriend and a promise ring, and that he started out shy, but somehow was able to transform into a confident person in seconds.

He stood in the kitchen waiting on the water to heat for a few minutes, not turning to look at Phineas, whose sobs had finally quieted.

Once he heard the tea kettle whistle he went over and took it off the stove. He poured the water into the mugs he had set out and added teabags before walking to the bar and sitting across from Phineas.

He put the mug in front of the boy, who eagerly drank the tea despite the fact that it had to be scolding. As Phineas drank, Ferb blew on his tea before taking a small sip.

"You're never quite as bad as you think," Ferb started, Phineas looking up at him slightly. "Of Course you're never quite as good either." It didn't make much sense, but it was something that Ferb's grandfather had used to tell him when he screwed up, and it had always somehow comforted him.

Phineas let out a light snort, as though he disagreed, but he said nothing.

Ferb knows he should say something to lead the boy towards the door, but he doesn't.

"Do you want to watch Space Adventure?" Ferb doesn't know why he asks. Perhaps he's hoping the boy will reject his offer, mostly he just wants to end the silence and avoid a deeper conversation about Phineas' problems.

Phineas seems surprised, but after a second of hesitation he answers, "Sure."

The boys move to the couch in the living room where Ferb turns on the T.V. before sitting down. Phineas moves to the opposite end of the couch and picks up the blanket that's there so he can sit down. He covers himself with the blanket and keeps his eyes on the T.V.

Within the first twenty minutes Phineas has abandoned his tears and is lightly quoting the movie under his breath. Ferb is just happy that Phineas isn't talking to him.

Once the first movie ends, Ferb starts the second in the trilogy. By the end of the second movie he looks over to see that the redhead has fallen asleep. He turns off the T.V. before taking a second to consider his options.

He considers waking him, but since his dad won't be home until late the next day he decides against it. He figures he can kick the boy out early the next morning. At this point it's probably too late for the boy to catch a bus home and Ferb doesn't want to drive him to wherever he lives.

Ferb stands up and stretches before looking at the sleeping boy who has kicked off his blanket. Ferb shrugs and turns to go to his room. It's not his responsibility to care for the redhead.

The next morning Ferb wakes up at eight and leaves his room with the intention of telling Phineas to leave, but upon entering the living room he finds it empty. He sees the blanket lying folded neatly on the couch, and upon further inspection he finds the mugs from the previous night in the kitchen sink and the front door locked. It was almost as though the boy was never there.