Okokok so I'mma quickly address some things

Firstly, the ending wasn't a cop out or anything, I planned it from the beginning. Alot of the stuff in the middle did change but the ending always stayed the same.

Now, I bet you're wondering what my point with this fic was especially with an open ended ending like that.

I'm not gonna fully explain it but you should know that I wrote this fic to show how a very overdone concept can have a lot of pretty interesting potential. You can explore characters and their relationships in fics goddamnit that's what they should be for!!!

Here are some hints to lead you in the right direction of the meaning:

The title, How These Floorboards Creak is a hint I gave from the start. Many a times are the creaking of the house and floorboards mentioned. Notice that they creak differently depending on the character in focus.

I've said it in the comments but the ending is all dependent on who you think Al called in the end. Here's the reason for each character:

Toris: he'd want to make up, cool the tensions, or act like it all never happened but he really misses him and he feels pretty alone

Ludwig: the guy figured out his message and he feels something fishy about it or he feels like he should talk to the guy more

Arthur: he'd want to try to improve some of their relationship and actually be nice comparing to their last interaction

Ivan: to invite the guy to have some fun

Kiku: just to have some company

Feli: to ask the guy if he's alright

Lovi: ask to hang out or perhaps something more ;)

Francis: probably the only relationship where nothing heavy is going on so he'd rather avoid the heavier stuff going on

If anyone is able to figure out Al's point or at least give their own theory on what it is, I will write a five chapter sequel that explores the dynamics and concepts I ended this off with!

Thanks for listening to my tedtalk lmao