Ghost!Starb with a side of Steddie/Starbson poly tho, where Steve doesn't even know his house is haunted til after Season 3, he and Barb get to know each other and eventually start their little spooky romance.
Steve doesn't do all the failed dating, but he talks like he does, keeping up appearances with these random names when really he's spending the night cuddled up with his ghost girlfriend, being affectionately called a loser, making her laugh, wishing he could share this joy he feels, wishing he could talk about it without ruining what little closure people had.
The Steddie chemistry of season 4 happens, Steve has a minor bi awakening, but he also has a ghost girlfriend so he has no intention of doing anything particularly bi except accepting it.
At the end of it Eddie survives (just), makes a pass at Steve before he's out of hospital, gets an awkward "I have a girlfriend, sorry." But it's definitely odd, since nobody else thinks he does, Eddie even asked Buckley (who after a moment of queer solidarity and "he kissed me back when I kissed him" confirmed him bi and perpetually single) he even asked Henderson (who was confused as to why Eddie cared but also how Steve remained single when Nancy and Robin make so much sense—they do not). So he decides, fuck it, he'll go ask Steve at his house, where there is no answer so he goes to the sliding doors to see if anyone is actually home.
Someone is, but it's not Steve.
It's Barb freaking Holland, the girl who was declared dead in a huge conspiracy about the lab, the girl who looks mortified when Eddie lifts a hand and gives her a very confused wave.
