Who did Steve have a crush on?
As one of the most beloved characters on Stranger Things, fans are deeply invested in Steve Harrington‘s relationships and crushes. So who has captured the former high school king‘s heart? Let‘s analyze Steve‘s major love interests:
Robin Buckley – Unrequited Office Crush
In a jaw-dropping scene in season 3, a drugged Steve confesses his burgeoning feelings to co-worker Robin while they are held captive. Fans everywhere likely screamed at this nearly perfect pairing – their chemistry and humor shared simply electric. However, in a genius twist that subverted expectations, Robin reveals she‘s gay – rejecting Steve‘s affections.
This groundbreaking scene cemented Robin as a landmark LGBTQ character in television history. Despite Steve‘s hopes, it seems his feelings were unrequited. Or were they? Show writer Jess Righter said this about a potential Steve-Robin relationship:
"They have this intimate connection and I think the lines can easily be blurred when you have such an intimate connection with someone."
So perhaps embers still glow for a Steve-Robin romance…Righter leaves the door wide open.
Nancy Wheeler – His First Love
No relationship defines Steve more than Nancy Wheeler – his first love. After dating in seasons 1 and 2, trauma over Barb‘s death took a toll, eventually rupturing their romance. But the spark remains…
In a season 4 scene burned into every fan‘s memory, Steve professes enduring love for Nancy after she helps pull an embedded spike from his torso (gulp!). Nancy later nuzzles his hand, and fans collectively melt.
So where do they stand? Actress Natalia Dyer said:
"They have so much history together, and they’ve connected on this deeper level. I don’t think they’ve ever really lost that connection."
Co-star Gaten Matarazzo echoed her sentiments:
“There’s always something still lingering between Nancy and Steve that will never go away.”
Does this mean romance will be rekindled in season 5? Fans sure hope so!
Steve‘s Relationships By The Numbers:
| Steve x Robin fan fiction | 9,600+ works on Archive of Our Own |
| Steve x Nancy fan fiction | 26,000+ works on Archive of Our Own |
| "Steve Harrington" Google searches per month | 73,000 and rising |
As these astounding numbers show, interest around Steve‘s relationships is white-hot!
What‘s Next For Steve?
Steve Harrington has grown enormously in popularity and screen time since his villainous debut. As the show‘s breakout star, where could his arc go from here?
Many fans speculate Steve will solidify into a father figure for the younger boys. Or that he‘ll rekindle his fiery chemistry with Nancy. Or that he‘ll take new steps towards Robin‘s friendship or more! The options for Steve capture more fan theories than any other Stranger Things protagonist!
For now we‘ll have to impatiently await news on Stranger Things season 5! Stay tuned to updates and insights on Steve‘s future right here!
Which relationship appeals to you most? Let everyone know in the comments!
