Billy taught Max the ‘men ain’t shit, dump him at the drop of a hat’ rule and I can absolutely see Billy dumping girls and guys left and right the moment things don’t go his way and they hate him for it — but he’s testing them. He’s seeing if they’ll stay. If they’ll try to win him back. If they really care.
When he dates Argyle, he only dumps him once (he waits, he waits for Argyle to make a mistake so he can spit the words out but he’s too nice, too funny and sweet and understanding). He dumps him when he leaves California, and for a while he doesn’t think anyone could measure up to him.
When he starts his thing with Steve, he dumps him near weekly. But Steve is stubborn. He wins him back every time with flowers and mixtapes and awful singing. Romantic shit Billy tries so hard not to like as much as he does.
It gets a bit awkward when he comes back from the dead to find Steve and Argyle now know each other. Have even talked about Billy because, well, they’re one of the few people who genuinely liked him, for whatever reason.
Billy’s not sure if Steve and him are still dating. He did get possessed and die before they could get back together after his last huff with Steve. It’s the only reason he bothered flirting with Mrs Wheeler. He hadn’t even planned on going to the motel, just to drive past to see if she came so he could rub the fact in Steve’s face when he grovelled back to him (it felt more like an inside joke at this point and after dying, well…he’s not sure he likes the joke anymore. He wishes he had just trusted that Steve was gonna stay even with Billy’s issues and flaws).
Steve seems to act like they never broke up, hugging him so tight it hurt, kissing his face and his lips, and Billy feels extremely awkward doing this in front of his ex. Argyle was his friend for years before they even dated.
Except he seems to have his hands full with the eldest Byers, talking to him lowly with a smile, probably filling him in on who Billy was to him.
Billy shouldn’t be jealous. His feelings for Argyle were something he gave up when he moved to Hawkins. When he dumped him and started dating Steve a few months later.
(But maybe that was a lie. Maybe he never let go of that first love. An easy, kind love. The only one he never dumped for any reason other than leaving.)
He loves Steve. Yet he still loves Argyle. And Billy is nothing but possessive; so maybe he glares at Byers more than necessary, can’t help it really.
“Do you have a problem with me?” Jonathan snaps one day. “Seriously, man, stop giving me the stink eye. I don’t even know you.”
“Why is Argyle dating you?”
“What? I…I don’t know. Because he likes me, I guess. We’re best friends.”
“We were best friends.” Billy mutters, burning with jealousy and it’s so obvious even Jonathan can see it.
“You’re dating Steve, Billy. If you break his heart because of some ex boyfriend, I’ll kick your ass like I did to him.”
Maybe it’s because Jonathan has an instinctive motherly tone, but his sharp scold makes Billy feel small, hunched in and trying not to pout like a child.
“I care about Steve. I wouldn’t hurt him on purpose.”
“Well, you’re going to hurt him if you don’t get over my boyfriend, okay? I don’t—“ Jonathan sighs like he’s exhausted. He looks it all the time. “I don’t dislike you, Billy. You protected my sister, and you helped save Hawkins. I don’t even care that you like my boyfriend. Argyle…he talked about you. I know he loved you a lot. He probably still does, he’s that kind of guy.” Jonathan doesn’t seem upset by this, simply smiling fondly. “I want us to be friends, Billy. But if you hurt Steve or Argyle, I don’t think we can be.”
Most of Billy’s friendships have been accidental. But Jonathan is offering his, plain as day, with little conditions.
…Billy kind of wants it.
So he tries to get over Argyle and focus on Steve. But it’s hard when Argyle still treats him like he used to. Still touches him casually, gently, praises him for merely existing. Smiles at him with softness in his eyes.
He’s high when he whispers it to him.
“I don’t think I ever stopped loving you.” There’s guilt in the words, and he’s aware of Steve who’s across from them, talking lowly with Jonathan as they pass a joint back and forth. Jonathan looks mildly amused but Steve looks near tears with his giggling. They’d become closer since the Byers moved back to Hawkins.
“I love you too, man.” Argyle whispers it easily, eyes hazy and warm as he looks down at him, petting his head.
“But not like that.” Billy filled in and Argyle frowns.
“No, I totally love you like that.” He takes another hit. “Like Jonathan, man. Little dude says I gotta lotta love to give, y’know?”
“…I love Steve. A lot.” It’s hard to admit out loud, even after dying. Steve still felt like a raw nerve when they were alone, trapped in tender moments that enticed an emotion too large for his chest. He fears Steve will leave one day, but the brunet clings to him, drowning him in gestures and words and love. He can’t ignore that. Can’t ignore how his heart races when Steve enters a room, how his stomach flips when Steve looks at him with nothing short of adoration.
“He’s pretty cool.” Argyle agrees. “He’s got a good heart, man. Jonathan insisted before we met but he’s proven it.” Billy nods his agreement.
“He really does.” He knocks his head against the side of the van, staring at his boyfriend who’s grinning dopily and leaning into Jonathan’s ear, trying to say something that gets waved off every time he starts because Jonathan is apparently ticklish on his ear, wheezing a soft laugh and covering it.
“Plus, he has a nice butt.” That makes Billy laugh, smacking Argyle’s chest.
“Eyes off, Wipeout.” Argyle takes his palm and Billy can feel the hitches of his own laughter against the back of his hand as Argyle leans in to whisper in his ear.
“I complimented your boyfriend, compliment mine, Riptide.” He rolled his eyes and let his eyes drift to Jonathan. His hair looks softer today. Steve’s been teasing him about it’s lack of volume and greasiness so the jock passed on some of his own products for Jonathan to test out. It’s worked wonders.
Billy let his eyes wonder lower, trying to see the appeal that captured Argyle. He seems too pale, too lanky, dark undereyes and jaw shadowed with stubble, clothes ill-fitting. But there is a certain charm to his overall appearance. He looks strangely homely with his dark eyes and messy hair, flannel falling off his shoulder as he snickers. There’s a dark hickey at the base of his neck that Billy hadn’t noticed earlier and it makes his eyes focus on the expanse of his neck, slim and unblemished besides the singular hickey.
“He looks biteable.” Is the only thought that came to mind and it sends Argyle into a fit of laughter, curling down into his shoulder to rest his head there, hand still in his.
“Dude, he is.” Billy’s lips split into a grin. He’s way too high for this conversation. It’s too open, too honest, and all kinds of weird.
“Billy.” Billy squinted at his boyfriend and smirked.
“Hiya Stevie.” Steve looks tasty too, with his star-like moles and soft tan, his usually artfully tousled hair is simply messy now, falling into his eyes as his shoulder bumps into Jonathan’s, giggling as he tips his head back against his shoulder. Jonathan looks sleepy and soft, his hand petting Steve’s throat clumsily as he tilts his head to knock against his.
Billy’s pretty sure he should be jealous. He mostly just wants to pull them both against his chest and cuddle them.
“Comfy.” Steve hums, looking at Billy who’s got Argyle half draped over him, his glossy black hair falling against his shirt and tickling his jeans. It’s so long, and Billy kind of loves it. Billy’s not entirely sure if Steve means he’s comfortable or that Billy looks comfortable.
He just hums in return.
He’s pretty sure they’re supposed to be swapped. Argyle should be draped over Jonathan and Steve should be laying his head on Billy’s shoulder, but it feels good. Feels right.
He likes seeing Steve melt as Jonathan scratches at his scalp. Likes how warm Argyle is, solid and grounding. He even likes the look Jonathan gives him, sleepy but content. Like he doesn’t care that his boyfriend is snuggling his ex. That he might even find it nice.
He had dumped plenty of folks on a whim and dipped, not regretting a thing. He moved on with ease because he never let his heart be invested long enough to get attached.
Argyle had been someone he never wanted to dump, had been easy to love. Been a familiar face when he got back to Hawkins. Steve had been the guy to chase after him, prove he wasn’t leaving, that he wanted Billy despite it all. Had essentially been waiting for him with his heart on a platter once he crossed the veil back to the living.
Billy was certain no matter who he chose, he’d feel the others absence. He didn’t want or get to chose. The choice had been made for him when Argyle returned to his life with a new boyfriend and Steve had showered him with love like he never left.
He loved Steve and he loved Argyle.
And Billy understood why Argyle loved Jonathan.
As he linked his fingers with Argyles, eyes fixated on Jonathan and Steve, all he could think was my heart is so, so dumb.