Ghosts of lovers past but with a twist.
Steve starts seeing alternate versions of himself loving and being with different people. Im talking every ship you can think of.
Either he sees it in his dreams or maybe hits his head and gets visions of what could have been. Maybe hes dwelling on never finding love and feeling lonely and then he slowly sees the versions of him that do have someone.
Him and Eddie tease lovingly through it all. Steve doesnt even know he likes guys so its shocking at first. But sure enough the other Steve and Eddie grow close after surviving the bat attack because its Steve after everything thats there to stitch him back together. They fall quickly using jokes to gauge the others receptiveness. Until Steve cant even joke anymore. Eddie says kiss me then and Steve, tired of this game, does it. Eddie stands up shouting to the sky about his victory and other Steve watches his weird little boyfriend lovingly.
Steve and Billy are rivals turned lovers. In this one Billy doesnt die. Hes there to help through s4 and 5. He doesn't like Eddie because they both want Steve. But its already too late for Eddie. Hes fallen for Billy because he stepped up and helped the group and wormed his way into Steve's life. He becomes a better person. And the other Steve absolutely melts when Billy and Eddie finally argue over him. Billy just loses it biting out Steve is his. That he loves him and he wont let Eddie take him. And thats enough for other Steve to cut the shit and claim his man.
Steve and Jonathan are slow burn. They fight the upside down without Nancy being involved. Theyre the ones fighting it from day one. Each of them trying their best to survive. Until finally they're forced to feel. Steve and Jonathan both worry the other will be Vecna'd pretending its just cause they cant do it alone. And then Steve does get Venca'd and Jonathan freaks out begging Steve to come back. He puts on his song and when he comes back Jon kisses him. And Steve smiles back as if saying 'I couldn't leave you.' Its unexpected. He'd barely count himself as friends with his Jonathan but this Steve would die for his.
Steve and Nancy never break up. Steve watches them a little bitterly knowing the other Steve never gets his heart broken. Jonathan doesnt try to get Nancy. Theyre simply friends. Steve is there for her during it all, from start to finish. She trusts him with everything and he believes everything she says helping her from the beginning.
Steve and Argyle is surprising. He doesnt really expect it because hes barely interacted with the guy. But in this one Jonathan spends less time with Argyle and more with Nancy. Steve starts to smoke with him when hes bored. And Argyle is like a rock to Steve. Listening and holding what he says while thinking before he replies. Its exactly what the other Steve needs. During one smoke session Argyle asks Steve if he likes boys. Steve doesnt have a reply other than 'I dont know.' Argyle goes 'do you wanna find out?' They kiss and Steve realizes he doesn't know if he likes boys. But he does like this boy.
Steve and Nancy and Jonathan throws him through a loop. His mind barely comprehends the fact that he can date more than one person at a time. But its clear as day in this one. They fight the demogorgan together in s1 but this time Nancy gets hurt. Not too bad but enough that it leaves Steve and Jonathan shaken up. Neither are willing to leave her side. So the three of them spend their days bickering and fighting until Nancy mockingly tells them I can date you both. And they look at each other and kinda nod. Shes shocked but agrees happily not believing her luck. Eventually Jon and Steve get a little jealous and realize they want to kiss too and Nancy is more than happy with that.
Steve and Barb is another one he doesnt expect. His Barb is dead. But in this one its Nancy that dies that night. His heart aches a bit thinking of how there's always someone lost to the damn demogorgan. This Barb blames Steve at first until they stumble together upon the upside down. They work together trying to avenge Nancy and slowly become the one person that understands the other. Until eventually other Steve is sobbing and so is Barb and they drunkenly kiss. Its grows from there. Soft tender love built on understanding.
All in all it leaves Steve bittersweet knowing the other hims have the greatest loves of their lives but he himself doesnt. Yet. But part of him settles knowing he is loved. In every universe there is someone for Steve Harrington.
All it will take is a little more time. He goes to sleep feeling more hopeful and loved than he ever has in his entire life.
