Phineas sighed, jamming his hands into his hoodie's pockets and craning his head back. As clear as the sky was, only a handful of stars were visible with glaring lights of the downtown area around him.

"Phineas."

He glanced at Vanessa out the corner of his eye. She had her keys in one hand, her other arm hooked around Ferbs. His matching hold was probably the only thing keeping her up on her five-inch heels.

Why someone would wear heels that high when they were going drinking? It was a complete recipe for disaster. Or for a broken leg.

But he also didn't know why Ferbs hadn't brought a jacket with him when everyone knew the nights were chilly. He had to be freezing in that top, but it wasn't like there was anything Phineas could do about it.

"Catch." She tossed the keys at him.

They clinked against the concrete about five feet to his left. Phineas rolled his eyes. At least she remembered he was driving and was still willing to let him. If her aim was that bad, he didn't even want to know what damage she could do with a car at her disposal.

He walked over to pick up the keys while they continued to her car. Hopefully, she was sober enough to remember what car was hers because Phineas sure as hell didn't know what she was driving.

The hard edges of the keys dug into his palm. Phineas didn't loosen his grip as he trailed after his drunk companions.

When he spotted the car, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "I thought we were taking your car, Vanessa."

She already managed her way into the passenger seat and was trying unsuccessfully to toe-off her boots. "We are." Leaning over the closed door, she looked at the outside as if checking that it was. "Yeah."

"So this is your car." Taking his eyes off the very familiar yellow convertible, he looked at Ferbs. His soulmate had been oddly silent since their dance. Even with the promise of not talking to him, Phineas hadn't expected him to shut up completely.

Vanessa gave an affirmative answer before starting on something else, but he wasn't paying her much attention.

Why was suddenly an issue for him? So what if Ferbs had borrowed her car? It wasn't like ownership of the car had come up on their date.

Ferbs gave him a small, half-shrug before climbing in the backseat.

It didn't matter. Phineas walked around and got in the driver's seat. So maybe Ferbs was like him and didn't own his own car. Or maybe he couldn't afford it or something. Not that it mattered why. It didn't affect him. It didn't affect anything because there was nothing for it to effect.

His fingers stayed on the key a moment before he turned it. When was the last time he'd driven? It was probably the same as riding a bike. Just much larger and with an engine and stuff.

Vanessa was still rambling about something. It didn't help.

He took a deep breath. It wasn't like it could be any worse than spending a night out with Ferbs.

He turned the key.

Phineas figured he'd drive to his apartment building. Since Vanessa's dad owned the penthouse, she could crash there and, with any luck, Ferbs could too since he apparently knew her dad.

Thinking about his soulmate made his eyes drift to the rearview mirror. Ferbs had his elbow propped up on the door, chin resting in his palm.

Was he brooding? Phineas shook the idea off, putting his eyes back to the road. Why would he be brooding?

A hand latched onto his arm, squeezing. "Slushy Dawg!" Vanessa pointed at the fast-food restaurant as they passed it. "Meat so green and pickles so brown, slushy time's fun with Lunchy the Clown." The off-key and blatantly wrong lyrics of the jingle sent Vanessa into a giggling fit once she was done singing it.

Phineas rolled his eyes. There was no way he was ever agreeing to go out with them again.

Never. Ever.

The rest of the drive was thankfully void of random grabbing and singing.

Phineas herded them out of the car after parking, pointedly ignoring Vanessa slurred complaints about bringing her to her dad's. He didn't know why she was complaining.

When she stopped walking halfway across the lobby, Ferbs picked her up bridal style and carried her the rest of the way to the elevator.

Phineas started to follow before noticing Vanessa's shoe-less feet hanging over Ferbs' arm. "Shit. Be right back." Spinning on his heel, he went back outside.

Maybe he could just wait a few minutes for them to go up without him and drop them off in front of the door. No need for any extra interaction.

Her boots were in plain sight but he spent a few moments pretending to look for them, just in case Ferbs could see him. Or left the elevator to see what he was doing.

Finally, he brought the boots inside.

Ferbs was using his foot to keep the doors open.

Phineas sighed. So much for the them going on ahead of him idea.

"Thanks." He hit the button for the forty-fifth floor. Glancing at Ferbs, he sighed again. "You can talk to me. I mean, I know you said you wouldn't, but the dance wasn't that... unenjoyable."

It was awkward and uncomfortable, but it wasn't horrible.

Ferb didn't reply. Not even a shrug.

Well, he tried. Phineas stared at the floor counter until the doors opened. He led the way to the penthouse door and knocked before stepping away.

"Please don't be Dad," Vanessa mumbled, pulling her head away from Ferbs' shoulder. She smacked him on the chest. "Put me down." Her feet touched the floor as the door opened.

"Hey, sis!"

Phineas flinched at the booming, artificially happy voice. That was going to play havoc with their hangovers tomorrow. Later today? Whatever.

She groaned. "Your speaker's broken."

"It is not! I am simply happy to see you!" Norm moved backward. "And Ferbs is here too. How wonderful!"

Vanessa stumbled her way into the penthouse, and Phineas shoved the boots at Ferbs.

Norm's perpetually smiling head turned to Phineas. "I do not forget a face. It is part of my programming. Hello, Phineas, are you coming in as well?"

Phineas forced a smile. "Nah, it's late."

"Of course, how silly of me." Norm paused. "Goodnight, Phineas."

"Goodnight, Norm," Ferbs was still standing in the hallway so Phineas nodded at him, "Ferbs." Alright, he got them there, his job was done, he could go to his apartment and... and do something. Sleep, probably.

He turned his back, ready to return to the elevator.

"Goodnight, Phineas." The words were soft, almost whispered, like Ferbs didn't want him to hear it. Maybe he didn't.

Either way, Phineas pretended not to.