STEVE HARRINGTON

While attending Hawkins High, Steve was initially the typical popular boy that gained attention from everyone near him, though this caused him to fall out of favor with the lesser-known kids at school who labeled him as a "douchebag". Despite having a charming personality, he eventually fell into the wrong crowd of the snarkier popular kids, although his compassion lay underneath his superficiality. When beginning to date Nancy Wheeler, Steve displayed his softer side and revealed himself to be hopelessly in love with her, though this in turn revealed his insecurities, as he instantly believed Nancy was sleeping with Jonathan Byers when seeing them together in her bedroom, and soon caused him to vandalize property with graffiti featuring slurs of Nancy and Jonathan. It's not until Jonathan physically beats up Steve in rage that he realizes how awful his behavior was and immediately went to the Byers's home to apologize, only to be sucked into protecting them from the Monster. At Christmas, 1983, Steve and Nancy purchased Jonathan a new camera to replace the one he and Tommy broke. Between his breakup with Nancy and Billy quickly taking over his status as "King Bee" and most popular boy, Steve was at a low point emotionally. While trying to make amends with Nancy, Dustin intercepted him and asked Steve to help catch D'Artagnan. The boys quickly bond, and Steve is shown to have a more parental or mentoring side as he gives Dustin relationship advice. Steve took on the role of 'babysitter' for the kids and was willing to put himself in danger to protect them. He had matured and became far more kind and responsible than he used to be. in 1985, Steve was a shadow of what he once was. Aside from his sarcasm and recklessness, a lot of his traits that he displayed in his high school years have disappeared. He was incredibly awkward and unsuccessful with the girls he serves at Scoops Ahoy, and the only positive female relationship he seems to have is with his co-worker, Robin. His friendship with Dustin is still strong, if not stronger and he seems to be on good terms with the rest of the Hawkins gang. Steve is also shown to be more kind-hearted and tolerant of things he used to poke fun of. Aside from engaging in nerd culture, he is also shed his homophobic views which is shown when he still accepted Robin as a friend after she came out to him. He’s tall and lean, with tousled, voluminous chestnut brown hair that has become one of his most recognizable features often styled in a perfectly messy, gravity-defying swoop. His sharp jawline, expressive brown eyes, and easy, confident smile give him a charming and approachable look. Steve's sarcasm is sharp, dry, and often laced with a touch of charm. It sneaks up mid sentence, delivered with a raised brow or a perfectly timed eye roll, especially when he's dealing with the chaos around him whether it's supernatural monsters or bickering kids. His quips often carry a sense of reluctant responsibility, like he's fully aware he didn’t sign up to be the group’s unofficial babysitter, but he’s in too deep to back out now. There’s a warmth underneath his sarcasm, though; it’s rarely cruel and often serves to lighten tense moments or ground situations with a dose of humor. His sarcasm isn’t just a defense mechanism it’s part of his charm, making him feel real, relatable, and genuinely funny.