Something about steve being so perplexed and put off by all the insane energies that Jonathan, Billy and Eddie bring to their interactions with Steve because they project so much onto him, how they expect him to be and who they think he is.
Like, when you watch the scenes Steve is not returning those same energies. He's guarded. He is so immediately over it with Billy, completely thrown off by Eddie, and frustrated by Jonathan (especially in s5).
Something about Steve putting up such a stonewall with these guys
Something about how that wall comes crashing down when he's with Dustin and he can be himself, let himself be caring and thoughtful, protective and heroic, goofy and dorky, laugh and joke and and be lighthearted.
Something about the specific cruelty of being accused of being fake by Dustin in their fight in the rainbow room when Steve has been the most himself with and because of Dustin.
