WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Stranger Things season 4, volume 1!

The character whose death audiences fear the most in Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 is Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), who has been set up as the most likely to die. Miraculously, every main Stranger Things character made it out of season 4, volume 1 alive, but the Duffers have warned that they won’t be so safe in the second half. The teaser for Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 already confirmed that Nancy (Natalia Dyer) survives Stranger Things season 4’s cliffhanger ending of volume 1, but it seems the rest of the characters are fair game for Vecna’s curse.

Although he was largely an antagonist in Stranger Things season 1 as he bullied Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) and insulted Nancy Wheeler, Steve Harrington grew to become a fan-favorite character in season 2, primarily due to his team-up with Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo). Steve was developed into the protector figure of Stranger Things’ younger characters, earning him the label of “babysitter” throughout the series’ Upside Down battles. From shallow and popular jock to kindhearted and brave babysitter, Steve is notable for having the greatest character development in Stranger Things, but many are convinced that his charm won’t be able to save him from death in Stranger Things season 4, volume 2's finale.

Related: Stranger Things 4 Made A Mistake With Its Biggest Volume 1 Death

Alongside Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn), the Stranger Things season 4 character death most predicted is Steve. One of the best recurring gags in Stranger Things is that every season Steve is nearly beaten to death by another character, although season 4 makes these circumstances far direr. Rather than being assaulted by a human, Steve is nearly killed by the Demobats in Stranger Things season 4, volume 1, with the creatures’ attack leaving many to believe that Steve was poisoned or injured beyond recovery. Some have pointed out that Robin (Maya Hawke) has an enormous fear of dying from rabies, leading certain theories to suggest that this line is foreshadowing Steve’s death by a rabies-like infection from the Demobats. Steve has closely dodged death multiple times in Stranger Things, so the general consensus is that his luck has finally run out.

Steve and Nancy in the Upside Down on Stranger Things

Outside of his injury from the Upside Down's Demobats, the fear of Steve’s death in Stranger Things season 4, volume 2, is also supported by the notion that he has already fulfilled his character arc. It’s been argued that there aren’t many more places that Stranger Things can go with Steve’s character, as he’s already completed his journey from jerk to beloved protector. Furthering the idea that Steve Harrington will die is Stranger Things season 4’s return to his romance with Nancy. Steve reveals that he’s never loved anyone other than Nancy, and with her relationship with Jonathan hinted to be over, the notion that the former couple could get back together seems more than likely.

Stranger Things season 4, volume 1, made numerous comments about Nancy and Steve getting back together, with the couple even exhibiting a level of romantic chemistry that hasn’t been seen since season 1. Returning to the Nancy and Steve romance points to his story coming full circle, with the last unfinished piece of the puzzle being his love for Nancy. Stranger Things has yet to kill off one of its major characters, and many feel that the series is wrapping up Steve's story faster than the others.

Considering the Duffer brothers had originally intended to kill off Steve Harrington in Stranger Things season 1, the idea of his death occurring in season 4 doesn’t seem so improbable. Like Hopper, Steve has been seen as a heroic protector in Stranger Things, leaving many to theorize that he’ll die sacrificing himself for Stranger Things characters Nancy, Robin, Dustin, and his other loved ones in Hawkins. However, back in 2018, executive producer Shawn Levy said that he would leave the series if Steve Harrington was killed off (via TVLine), with viewers clinging to this quote as a source of hope for Steve in Stranger Things season 4, volume 2.

Next: Stranger Things Really Wants You To Think Eddie Dies In S4 Vol 2

Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 arrives on Netflix on July 1.

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