I believe they had the perfect set up to allow Steve to explore his sexuality by giving him a gay best friend in season 3 who could explain to him something he previously didn’t know possible: that some people like boys and girls.
Further, I think they had a good base to start his bicuriousity in season 4 (with mr. Munson) when Robin said “you date a bunch of girls but still have no idea what you’re looking for” and later when Dustin said “maybe if you spent less time looking for a girlfriend and more time looking for Eddie…”. The signs could’ve all been there for Steddie.
He could’ve had google eyes when he saw Eddie’s big hair and soft eyes. Instead they set him up to be with Nancy, which feels cheap to both their characters and frankly makes Steve look like he’s only into Nancy because he’s clearly desperate for a conventionally attractive girl.
