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"I said, 'Do you want the house, Bonnie?' Not much to mix up there, I assure you." What exactly is happening? I took this call with him, and I was expecting to just get our bank accounts figured out, maybe split up some of the stuff in the house neither of us particularly care for. This, though? This is... what is he thinking?!

"Penn, that's just crazy! I mean... you've got the house right there, and I already have a roof over mine and Clover's heads. Why would you give that up?"

"Think about it. This estate is huge, and I'm but a single bachelor, in effect. I have no use for it. ...I do have ONE prospect, but it's far enough out that I'd be stuck here for a while yet. I don't know how much longer I can last in here." I can hear the clicks of claws against wood, striking in a rhythm. How restless must he be if he's pacing around on a phone call? I've never known him to be the fidgeting sort.

"Haaah... alright, then. But still, that can't be your only reason! And what do you mean by a 'prospect?'"

"Oh, the latter isn't someone you know. Someone from my work, who I've trusted for a long time. Even got advice from her on more impactful evenings, to be honest. Despite that history, it's not going to be that swift. It's far too messy to explain, but I need her to make a move first. It's for the best." So he's on the rebound as well? That's... somewhat comforting, to be honest. I wasn't sure what he was going to do from here on. That he has something, or someone, in mind is a relief.

"Then I hope it goes well, Penn. Now, about that other reason...?"

"Ahhh, yes. Bonnie... I should think you know it rather well. What we'd been after all these years, what this house was meant for. I can't imagine Clover's sprung for a place big enough to raise a family, assuming she was living on her own until you two became an item. Am I right?"

"It, er... may only have the one bedroom, yes. And as a rental, I'm not sure she can have more than the two of us here permanently with that kind of space."

"Then consider it a boon for your future together. It's none of my business as to what methods you would take were you to decide on becoming parents, but I should think you'd like the option." ...maybe a bit more than 'like,' yes.

"Yes, I suppose you're- ...oh. Actually, it might be useful sooner than expected, now that I think of it."

"...excuse me? What happened over there?"

"Ah, right, you wouldn't know. I shouldn't need to remind you of Kylie, yes? As it happens, I think she'd like to move in with us, were it possible. She's been absolutely adorable about it, too! A-And a few other things, but maybe I'll find a way to explain later. ...oh right, maybe Jill, too? She's from work, she and Kylie have been kind-of-sort-of dating, and-"

"Er... what??"

"...this is making less sense the longer I go on, isn't it. The important thing is that this house isn't gonna cut it for our needs, now or later. So the house might help. I do worry about one other thing, though."

"And that is?" Oh, Penn... I appreciate what you're doing here, but it can't be this simple. Not from the financial side of things, at any rate, and I'm not as prepared to deal with that as I was with you.

"You know neither Clover nor I make as much as you do, yes? There's still the payments to be made on the house, and even if we threw Kylie into the mix, that's still a concern."

"...Bonnie? Maybe you should double-check that."

"W-What?"

"I mean, you should go and check the state of the mortgage. I'll wait." What is he- no, he can't be serious about this! I rush over to the dining room table, where my laptop is situated at an end seat. Pressing the phone between my cheek and my shoulder, I put everything I have into getting logged into it, working my way to our banking, figuring all this out... when I feel a tap on my shoulder. Seems I've forgotten I'm not alone here.

"Bone...? You okay? The heck's goin' on? You mentioned something about the house..." Seems I've drawn the attention of the entire living room with my frantic pace. Oh dear... even Clover's looking over, spent as she may be as she idly chews her donut. Not a bad view, I must say, but- no, that's not the point right now!

"I-In a minute, Kylie, I have to check this..." Okay... banking website. Logging in with those muscle-memory keystrokes to the shared account, it's just a matter of going to where records and payment options for our mortgage are kept, and then I'll- I-I'll...

"Penn...?"

"You found it, I imagine?"

"What did you DO?!" In my bafflement, I only notice Kylie coming up behind me once she's already there. Seems she'll have her answer as to what's going on, even if she has to claim it herself.

"Okay, that's it, what're ya- ...uhh. Isn't that-"

"You hadn't checked in a while, I assume. I meant what I said about things being smooth sailing for us. It took another small push from a recent scheme at work, but... it's all there. Paid in full. And no, I didn't bankrupt myself to do that. Kneecapped, maybe, but I'll be just fine, even taking into account the expenses of finding my own place."

"Bonnie? A-Are you... are you okay?" Ha... hahah, g-goodness, am I, Jill? My hands are shaking, my breathing's gone wild, all while that headstrong man just- just casually drops this into my lap? How am I supposed to feel?!

"Why... why did you do that?!"

"Hm? I thought I made it clear. It's perfect for you two- or three, or four, as the case may be- and it was almost paid off, anyway. I can't live in it anymore, and it'd be a waste to sell it now. Why not leave one last gift behind before I go get my life sorted out?"

"B-But, both our names are on it! With a divorce coming up! How's the court going to take that?!"

"I should hope they let it slide as an offering, but if they don't? Buy my share."

"But-!"

"That's 'buy' with air-quotes around it, Bonnie. Do I look like I need the money? I'll be back on my feet in full within months. And if they make you have records of transferring the money, and get testy about return transfers, well... I'm always on call for a favor or three. Dinner for the lot of you, as a minor example. A sudden expense that needs covering, as a major one. It's your cash to begin with, so you have every right to make use of it, however it's needed."

...

"Hey, uh... Bone? You still with us, girl?"

"Geh... come onnnn, Ky, I can't see her that well from here, what's going onnn...?"

"...Bonnie? Are you there?"

"A-Ah! Um... yes. I think. I'm sorry, but I... don't know what to say."

"Then you don't have to say anything at all. Regarding what to do going forward, I've found a vacant apartment. I'll be spending the next couple of weeks moving in. A few pieces of new furniture to assemble, some kitchen supplies, everything a small place like that could need. ...except maybe a television, but honestly, I've got my laptop for anything I want to watch in earnest. Saves a pretty penny, skipping that. Back to the point, after those two weeks, I'm leaving the house vacant. It'll be ready to begin the process of moving in. I doubt you'll notice much missing. There's not much here I'm keen to take along, and I've been trying to gather up what I do think I'll miss in the meantime. Does that sound alright?"

"Okay, that... should be fine, by my best guess? I'll still need to talk with everyone, but... thank you. For everything. You're sure there isn't something I could do in return? Maybe to help the one you've got your eye on...?"

"Ah... I'd advise against poking that issue, Bonnie. She knew and knows full well about us, and she... took it personally, what happened. Far more than I ever did. The only way you two are meeting is if she has the time to cool down and a way to process this. I'll not object to being invited over for dinner every once in a while once you're all settled in, though. I do believe we've yet to make good on that idea!"

"Hehee... true enough, Penn. I hope things go well with her, regardless. And yes, I think we'll have you over a fair few times once everything's ready! Look forward to it, because I'll be preparing my best!"

"You say that as if there's a single recipe of yours that wouldn't qualify for that title! At any rate... take care. Say hello to the others for me. We'll pick up the rest of this another time, I doubt you want to continue like this."

"You're right, there! I'll talk to you later, then. And good luck." At last, it's over. And looking at Jill and Clover's confused stares, alongside Kylie's more shellshocked state with the filling being squeezed out of her donut without her noticing, I think I have a lot of explaining to do. Where to begin...?

"Well! So, that was Penn. And we talked over a few things with our belongings and the like. And... there's one other thing, but would you like to tell them, Kylie?"

"Uhhh... I guess? By my best bet, you two, he... paid off the house?" Perhaps to be expected, but Jill's raised her hands to her muzzle in shock and Clover's choking on her donut while trying to keep the blanket from falling off of her as she sits up. ...and failing. Not as if I'll complain~

"Oh my..."

"So... so what, is he... what???"

"He wants me to have the house, you two. An offer that I think meshes rather nicely with last night's revelations. You mentioned discussing a living situation, Kylie?"

"...o-oh. Oh gosh, already? Bone, I- that's seriously happening?!"

"He'll need a few weeks, but yes. It really is, my little firecracker~" It just won't do to have her looking all excited with no one holding her, now will it? I remedy that swiftly, taking care to avoid knocking what remains of that Boston cream out of her hand. It's kind of cute, anyway, feeling her do the best she can to return the gesture while she's short an arm; I can see that Clover appreciates the sight as well, as she goes to gather up her clothes at last. Show's over, it seems, though Jill's getting one last look in before that shirt gets thrown back on.

Looking at all of us gathered around like this, coexisting in this odd web of relationships and affection, a thought strikes me: how far have I come in the past month? Spring's just starting, and last winter, my only thoughts were of subsisting through my strained relationship, wishing something better was around the corner. And what do you know... it was. So much of it. Clover, ready to support me through anything. Kylie, finally putting words to what the both of us felt for more than a decade. And Jill, who seems to be the catalyst behind the latter's development, and a fine young lady from the office I'll be looking forward to growing more familiar with. All of it, a blessing, and sheer luck beginning with Kylie inviting me along, hoping to give me something where there was nothing... what would I do without her, all these years? I hope she realizes just how much she contributed to our blissful situation, in the end.

"Mmm, Kylie?"

"Yeah, Bone?"

"Thank you. For everything. I love you so much!"

"H-Huh?! What'd I- ...ya know what, nah, doesn't matter. Love you too, sweet stuff." Ooooh, I wonder if this warmth is how it felt for Clover to hold me as I was burning up from the truth of that hazy night. If so, I can see what she liked about it: knowing your partner is right there, worked up and affectionate, all for you. As if nothing else could interfere. ...hm. Worked up, eh? Ahhh, that's right, one more thing I need to do!

"Oh, and Clover, dear?" By now, she's scooped her bra off the floor after getting all her other clothes put back on. At last, I'll have her full attention for the most important part!

"Hm? What's up, angel?"

"If you ever wind up trying things again with Kylie, there's this one thing she-"

"GodDAMMIT, Bone, nooOOOO-!"