im currently writing a story that isn't specifically centered around romance, more so on adventure, but there are some couples that form along the way. given that romance isn't the main focus, that's the reason why im unsure on how much attention i should give to the following part of the story:
character A and B start dating. A is a soft and sweet gentleman, and B is a very troubled woman who's had countless mental health and addiction issues she still dealing with. when A and B start dating, its a breeze of fresh air, they're perfect for eachother, they help eachother heal in their own traumas and create a healthy relationship neither of them had ever experienced in such harmony.
however, soon character C is introduced into the story. she's B's best friend, and they've known eachother for a couple years now (A and B had only recently met eachother before they began dating). now, C has a very bold personality. she's sexy and she knows it, charming people with her attractiveness to get her way without shame, thought she's still mindful of boundaries.
a bit of backstory for characters B and C. they met when B was at the worst moment of her life. she had a highly abusive and manipulative boyfriend, was dealing with addiction problems, depression, untreated BPD, family issues, failing her classes, etc...
C came into B's life when B needed someone the most. she had never experienced such tender care and attention from anyone. C helped B escape and resolve a lot of her life problems, and they ended up moving to C's house when B finally broke up with her boyfriend and her family kicked her out once again. soon after, they fell in love and began a sort of relationship.
now, remember how bold C's personality is. she's a very sexual woman, loves to go out partying and hooking with up to multiple people in the same night, its part of her lifestyle. when she began dating B, she realised she had to shy away from those types of activities, as she had to respect that she now was dating B, who needed her full support and attention. this huge change in her life was really hard for her, as she still went out partying but now had to refrain herself from drunkenly cheating on B out of routine.
this ended up causing big problems in their relationship, and even though C loved B very dearly, she could not snap out of her nightlife enjoyment just like that, as she still wanted to enjoy her sexual freedom until she was ready to move into a new part of her life. due to that, soon after they ended up deciding to break up and stay "friends", both acknowledging it was a "right person, wrong time" situation.
even though they broke up, they still loved eachother passionately, and hooked up whenever they saw eachother (not too often, as they both have busy lives, around once a month or so), holding these strong feelings yet not daring to hurt eachother in a committed relationship again. they stayed best friends with occasional benefits and that had been working out for them for a year already.
enough backstory, circling back to the present now. A and B are dating, and they're just what the other needed. opposed to when C and B dated in that "right person, wrong time" fashion, A and B are definitely a "right person, right time". all gentle love, genuine romance and overall teeth-rotting affection.
HOWEVER, here come the big guns. as i mentioned, C joined their group in adventure, still holding some feelings for B. she flirted with B, also with A for good measure, due to her bold way of being.
now B is troubled, having C back into her life so actively is making her attraction to C bubble back into love, but not being able to give in because now she's dating A because she would never do anything to hurt him.
A is a pure gentle lover for B, and even though C can also give her that, she's mostly a sexual desire for now. that still doesn't erase the fact that they hold such a strong bond for when they helped eachother at B's worst, and they'll never forget the passion they once had. their situationship-ish had been working just fine for them, they could hang out and go out shopping, having the time of their lives, stay home and watch a movie, catch up with whats going on in their lives, laugh together endlessly, cook together... just like normal bestfriends, except with that undeniable layer of attraction and an occasional smooch. it was mostly when alcohol was in the way that they felt bold enough to do something about it.
now, here's the kicker. A is going to notice the way B gets so nervous about C, and when he asks B about this, she confesses her past relationship story with C. A isn't mad at the slightest, he's just glad B could have someone for her in dark times.
BUT, this is the moment where im stuck at..
im not sure if i should make B and C finally break off that bond to favour the respect of her relationship with C, possibly causing their demise for B and C's friendship due to the harshness of it. they're too bonded together to just forget about everything they've been through together.
the other option im exploring, which would fit A's gentle and understanding way of being, he could let B handle her feelings with C, he could let them decide if it's better for them to break the tension by getting together. this would mean A and B being in a relationship, and at the same time B and C dating, all with A's knowledge and concern.
im fully aware that i dug a hole on myself considering there's about 5 other characters that also need their screentime to focus on their own backstory... plus the actual adventure plot part.. so im still not sure if its worth taking up so much of the non-romance centered adventure story to make the characters ive grown so attached to have a happy ending.
given all this backstory, would it be too crazy to allow them polyamory so they can all get what they want? or should B and C suffer through their relationship's demise as to not complicate things? any advice is appreciated