hearts4willbyers

[hearts4willbyers]

i don’t think people realize that at this point it’s much more important for queer stories to be shown in a positive light than it is to portray them “realistically”.

(there’s also an issue in the idea that queer characters/couples not suffering 24/7 is inherently unrealistic, but that’s another can of worms.)

there are plenty of “realistic” queer love stories out there. we get it. most queer people lead miserable lives, never get happy endings, and are generally shunned from society, right? we know this. we see it all the time. we experience it. i’d like to think that we’ve come far enough to say that representation is no longer just about queer people being included—it’s also about depicting them in a way that’s somehow meaningful, fulfilling, and—dare i say—hopeful.

is will’s self-hatred, shame, and overall reluctance to come out to anyone a realistic portrayal of the experience of being a closeted gay kid in the 80s? yes, of course it is. nobody thinks it isn’t. the problem is that, ultimately, this is a TV show with a narrative. it’s supposed to tell a story, and a good one at that.

my question is this: what does will having unrequited feelings for his (supposedly) straight best friend do for the narrative? what does it do to develop any characters involved? the answer is nothing. it does absolutely nothing. it’s just another unnecessary tragic ending for a queer character who’s already suffered beyond belief. will’s arc could have easily been separate from mike’s; it could have been all about self-acceptance and gaining confidence in his identity, but this is very pointedly the route they didn’t choose, and that is why queer people are upset by the path vol 2 went down.

to watch a gay kid’s feelings be used as a prop to push the main heterosexual couple back together is humiliating. to see a lesbian watch as her crush kisses her shock-factor boyfriend is humiliating. it’s like it’s being rubbed in our faces—hey, look, people like you will never be happy! haha!

that’s not the representation we need anymore. it’s not impactful or satisfying or new, it’s just depressing. realism only matters so much in a sci-fi horror/drama, and i’ve honestly never seen so many people bitch and moan about realism until the conversation was about queer characters finding happiness.

so no, queer people are not just sad because their ship didn’t become canon. that is not what this is about. pay more attention, please.

[hearts4willbyers]

Why Mike Referring to El as "Superman" is Byler Coded

*Note this theory has nothing to do with gender*

This is gonna be long. But don't worry. I think it's worth it.

El + Will

El and Will are intertwined. Interchangeable characters. Almost like doppelgängers or alter-egos. Yet sometimes behave or are placed in situations as if they are foils. Here's what I mean by this.

Season One

From the very beginning, Will and El are linked. When Will goes missing from Hawkins, El appears in the woods of Hawkins. Will is taken from the party and El is given to them (in a sense) when they find her. Immediately they are put in contrasting situations (foils) yet are interchangeable characters (I'll be calling this alter ego since doppelgänger isn't a completely accurate term

Physically she is smaller than the rest of the group, like Will, and she is also shy, like Will. She's not just shy because she doesn't know many words as we know from later seasons, when she knows a lot more English. Though she talks a bit more, she is still reserved with communication, just like Will.

And we can also see their characters mirror each other in the way other characters react to them. Not only just Mike but Lucas and Dustin eventually become protective over El just like they are with Will. Joyce becomes a motherly figure for El once she meets her. Not in season one but eventually Hopper becomes both of their father figures. The bullies make fun of her just like they make fun of Will. But from the very first few minutes, we understand Mike and Will have a special friendship compared to themselves with Lucas and Dustin. Will only tells Mike the truth about the dice. He doesn't lie. Mike's also very protective over and sensitive about Will. He notices he doesn't show up to school. He goes to his house to find him. He genuinely wants to help find Will, just like the others, but he's really adamant from the get go. He has a protector role. As soon as Will becomes lost and they find El in the woods, she takes Will's place in his absence. Immediately, Mike takes her under his wing and protects her. They have a thing about friends not lying, referencing the very first scene where Will doesn't lie to Mike, and only Mike. They both have a special relationship with Mike and it's emphasized by all the other similarities between Will and El. Such as...

Both of the characters being the only ones to have outwardly abusive, shitty fathers. Lonnie is a homophobic bully to his own son and would gladly exploit his death, while Brenner imprisoned El her entire childhood and did nothing but manipulate and exploit her. They both were taken from their mothers, who go crazy looking for them and never stop until they find them or are physically prevented from doing so :( They are the only characters alive who have been abducted, so they share a complex trauma that none of the others can relate to. Automatically this gives them a similar character profile starkly contrasted to the rest. They both feel a connection to the Upside Down and are the other characters main (only?) connections to the Upside Down.

Finally, in the final moments of season one, Will is brought back to the original Hawkins and El is taken into the Upside Down. Interchangeably. A transfer of their characters. The paralellism lol. And this brings us directly into season two.

But before that.

This next sentence is important, so pay attention. Essentially, the only major difference between Will and El is that Will has no powers. Remember this.

Season Two

So immediately in season two there is already another situational contrast between our mirrored characters; Will is now in Hawkins, placed back inside the party, and El was in the Upside Down until she was in the woods (just like Will except reversed) and then Hopper took her in (same person who saved Will), taken from the party. So Will is given back and El is taken. Almost like you can only have one because they're so interchangeable. So there are already many parallels.

**So many that I could stop here and make my Superman point honestly but this is too much fun. So if you want you can just skip to the end for the rest of the theory and it will still make sense. But I suggest reading the whole thing for it to really hit.**

Anyway. Now instead of El being the main character, Will is, at least in relation to the other party members. I would say both El and Will are the main main characters of s2, but regardless, Will takes her place as the main character in the party. So again, they switch places. Indicating they are interchangeable. Which is very important. Just like season one where the party members and eventually the other characters were protecting El from the bad men, they're now protecting Will from the Mind Flayer. He takes the place of protected and Mike is his main protector as far as the kids and teens. Not only that but there are tons of Byler moments in this season and they mirror how Mileven were in season one. If what's happening in a canon ship is happening in a supposed "unrequited" ship, then maybe that ship isn't so unrequited. If people even question it, maybe that ship isn't so canon.

But I digress. Lol

Just because Will and El are so alike doesn't mean they don't clash. That's why they're also foils, imo. And this is what we see in season three.

Season Three

So by clash I don't mean they don't like each other or have ill will for one and other. I mean the trope or role they hold in comparison to the other characters only has room for one, so it can create tension. Otherwise, they still pretty much mirror each other. Both are finally getting to grow up and not experience trauma (in the first few episodes). They are both recovering from their childhood being ripped apart by two heads of the same beast. El has girls night with Max before+after breaking up with Mike, Will has boys night before fighting with Mike. They're two peas in one pod that are constantly revolving around each other. The yin and yang. So similar but constantly moving in opposite directions. When one does this, the other does that. Mileven's breakup scene is funny, lighthearted, fun colored and sunny. Bylers fight is dreary, dark, mono toned color scheme, emotional acting and serious implications. El is seen having fun thinking of other things after the breakup. Will destroys Castle Byers, the place he felt was safe for him, which could even parallel when El destroys the cabin because Hopper won't let her leave/see Mike. They're in almost identical situations (lover/crush isn't reciprocating the feelings I have for them, or at least isn't showing it properly) yet their situations end up completely different. This mirrors their characters but also foils them. Regardless it creates a link between the two indicating they hold similar roles within the show. Other than Mike relations, while El is figuring out something is up with Billy/the Upside Down, Will knows the Mind Flayer is back. They both consistently represent the fantasy aspect and always facilitate that storyline. Now that they've finally been present together in a season, it becomes A LOT more obvious how their characters are so similar it causes clashes, which only further emphasizes how alike they are.

Let's just get into S4 because this is so long lol.

Season Four

El and Will becoming siblings heavily emphasizes them being each others alter-egos and the fact that El has no powers only maximizes this to the fullest. Essentially they're now the exact same character trope/profile whatever you want to call it. El is now being bullied for being "different" and because she no longer has powers. We all know Will has been bullied since the womb 💀 Without her powers, El has a very difficult time defending herself, and so does Will in general. She can't vocally speak up for herself, the only time Will does is when Mike has ticked him off so bad, similar to El without her powers. They both just don't fit in. So why don't they also show Will being bullied? It goes back to how they clash, reiterating how they're the yin and yang, switching situations constantly. When Mike first gets to Cali, Mileven are all over each other leaving Will dilly dallying somewhere in the background and Byler eventually fighting. Then Mileven fight and Byler make up. Both Will and El want to hear something from Mike that he's isn't ready to say. He dances around the issue with the both of them - telling El she's incredible and he cares for her, telling Will they're just friends, and indicating their relationship didn't warrant regular contact. Same situation (I want Mike to reciprocate my feelings) different outcome (Mike doesn't love me, Mike can't admit we were best friends ((or more than that)) and his behavior is weird). This is not for no reason. Writers (and no it's not just the Duffers, so please stop shitting on the writing when if you look into it there's some good subtext) don't parallel characters for no reason. They are trying to indicate something. That Will and El are so alike but constantly stuck in opposing situations.

Okay so that's my in depth analysis of why Will and El are essentially the same character while simultaneously contrasting each other. Alter ego foils. Let's get to the ACTUAL point 😭

Superman

So, in the van scene, before Will gives his speech, Mike has his own little semi-speech and towards the end he says "...that I'm just some random nerd who got lucky Superman landed on his doortstep. I mean at least Lois Lane is a reporter for the daily planet, right?"

Now this may seem like a simple analogy, not knowing much about Superman. However, even when I only knew the basics and tropes, it still stood out to me that he referred to el as Superman, not Superwoman, wonder woman or Supergirl. I've seen a few people for and against this theory and it always revolves around the idea that El is a girl not a boy so it should be Supergirl. And yes, I think that partially helps this analogy, it gives it more attention to an average viewer; but that's not the only reason it works. In fact, I don't think that's the main point at all. It's also important that Mike refers to himself as Lois Lane. Now hear me out...

In the original Superman comics, and some iterations of it, Lois Lane falls for Superman because of his super powers and subsequent charisma/attractiveness, while befriending Clark Kent and not realizing they are the same person. Are we seeing this comparison? Please tell me I'm not crazy.

If it wasn't obvious, Mike = Lois Lane, Will = Clark Kent and El = Superman.

Here's a description of the "love triangle" between Lois, Clark and Superman. Yellow is Will, blue is Mike and green is El.

Now obviously, Superman and Kent really are the same person. However, I think there's plenty of support for the idea that Will and El are nearly interchangeable characters without the powers. So the Writers used a clever reference to indicate this love triangle (or at least I think they intentionally did lol).

What supports this theory more is Mike's descriptions throughout the seasons of El. He's references her super powers more than twice, referred to her as a "machine" a "weapon in s1". In S3 and S4 he has trouble saying ILY which on its own could be plenty of things but coupled with all of the other subtext... let's just say maybe I choose to be delusional. In the monologue, he refers multiple times to her super powers instead of like "i love your caring soul, your warming smile, how you are literally always there for us". No its "you can move mountains, fly, do anything" etc. Clear romanticization of her powers which she probably doesn't like and isn't a healthy thing in a relationship anyway.

Lois Lane has a close personal relationship with both Superman and Clark Kent, yet she's unable to tell that they're the same person. Even though the only thing being different is a pair of glasses and obviously super powers. This parallels how Mike is unable to differentiate between his feelings for Will and his feelings for El. They're confusing because he thinks he's supposed to like El because of society (Lois is primarily attracted to Superman first over Kent because of the allure he brings with his fame and powers, which relates to social standing) and that he can't like Will because of the obvious implications - being gay would give him hardship. For Lois Lane, it means she has a lower social status than if she were to be with Superman. The way El and Will have so many parallels I feel like this analogy is too blatant to not mean something. Especially considering this is a sci-fi action show and Superman would attract similar fanbases, so some of them would be able to make the connection.

+++It's also NOT a coincidence that he says this RIGHT before Will confesses his feeling VICARIOUSLY THROUGH El. It just can't be sorry.

Now obviously this is all speculation, but this next part is really speculation.

So how is Mike's behavior explained in the context of this Superman analogy?

Now that El lost her powers, Will and El are essentially two peas in a pod. If you analyze closely throughout the seasons you would catch on to it, but now more than ever. Mike has too. They call and write all the time so presumably they talk A LOT about A LOT of things. This gave him the time to understand El apart from her powers. Not only that but they were physically separated so even if she did have her powers, he still wouldn't be as affected by them. He finally gets to know her. And that's not to say he doesn't like her. Or even love her. He just doesn't romantically love her. And he realizes that once he's confronted her true self, and once he gets to Cali it's thrown right into his face (as he may or may not have been expecting) causing him to ignore Will. Even though he's never, even in s3, acted this nonchalant and apathetic towards Will. It's noticeable, probably noticeable enough for the general audience. A stark contrast even. Yes it could be the distance so they grew apart but we know from their talks in Vol 1 that it wasn't intentional. Mike says he lost Will. When's the last time he lost Will? In s2 with the Mind Flayer and in s1 with the abduction. How did he react? Negatively, but urgently tried to find Will. This time he reacts negatively but avoids fixing it. Why? Because he, at least on some level, has recognized his feelings for Will. Perhaps the similarities are so glaringly obvious that he feels stupid and naïve.

And one last thing to drive the point home.

Mike, in episode 8, refers to El as "superman". You can brush it all off as oh that's just the most popular superhero, etc. But in the VERY next episode, Argyle refers to her as "supergirl". It shows that Argyle sees her as a girl, not a boy. Not that Mike doesn't know she's a girl but that he chose not to refer to her as such. Someone else pointed out that he has referred to her as "person" multiple times throughout the series. I don't have the proof in that but if it's true it supports this. It also shows that the writers (may) have used the word Superman intentionally.

Well that was super fucking long but I would love to hear opinions if you've gotten this far!!! I don't think it's that far fetched but I am deluded so I truly can't tell lol.

[hearts4willbyers]

Also I just wanna make notice that Will was not getting bullied in Cali. In fact he even had people show interest in him. When Angela and co approach their table at rink-o-mania they don’t even take a look at Will, they definitely are aware of who he is but they don’t spare a look.

He is not a target anymore but the problem is that he continues to hang around Eleven who is now the target of the whole school, like he once was. He could have a “chance” at being normal and having friends but he’d rather stay loyal to her because he knows exactly how she feels and because he loves her so much. He’d rather sacrifice his happiness than hurt someone he loves.

So keep his name out of your mouth when you say he hates or even dislikes Eleven. He loves his sister and does everything he can to make her feel like normal and not a mistake. Something he has never felt in his life.

[hearts4willbyers]

THE CAREER GOALS 😭😭😭

no caption needed

[hearts4willbyers]

Hold on, I just thought of something. So we've talked a lot about how Mike's love confession monologue feels off and feels narratively clunky, but we don't really talk about WHY that choice was made.

Because here's the thing: the narrative imperfection is in direct conversation with Will's monolgue/love confession.

In both speeches, on the surface level, they seem like they should make sense, that is, until you start looking at the details.

In Will's love confession scene, we see him tell Mike that El "commissioned" the painting for him, which serves as a cover for Will's real intentions in creating that painting. On the surface, it seems like a believable thing El could do out of affection for her boyfriend, until you start to think about it again and realize we've never once heard El and Mike discuss DnD in any sort of depth, and she likely wouldn't be overly familiar with the roles of the party.

We also see Will here say that if Mike felt like El was "pushing [him] away," that it was likely just because she was afraid of losing him. Upon first hearing this, it sounds feasible that given the distance, El could be pushing Mike away, but when we look at the actual context of El's feelings towards Mike over the course of the season, we see her room filled with pictures of Mike and a box full of momentos, and we're privy to the dozens of letters she has sent him. In other words, we can see El's affection for Mike loud and clear, and so can he.

And when Will tells Mike that El needs him, these are sweet and reassuring words, but we've also seen how quickly El dumped Mike in season 3 and how she left without warning to go with Owens and get her powers back, once again leaving Mike behind. In truth, El might love Mike, but she doesn't need him, not like he seems to need to be needed.

Will's monologue is meant to throw off Mike, but we see a few shots within the van scene where it seems as though Mike is confused and processing, as if something isn't quite lining up, but he can't really put his finger on why.

In Mike's monologue to El, it follows a similar pattern. Mike tells El that he loved her since the moment he met her in the woods. From an audience standpoint, having seen Mileven's relationship manifest over the past three seasons, at first this seems sweet. But then as we parse the context of that moment, Mike's assertion rings false as we see him in the first scenes with El confused, afraid of her, and ready to cast her out in favor of finding Will. It's only when she demonstrates that she could help find him that Mike starts to see her as anything other than transitory.

Mike also makes it a point to say that he is "not scared" of El and that he's "never felt that way." While this is certainly something you would hope your boyfriend would say, this, also rings false as we see multiple times that Mike is shocked by her powers, and even accusatory with his famous "What's wrong with you?" line. Mike has been scared of El on MULTIPLE occasions.

He also tells El in this scene that he "doesn't know how to live without [her]." I'd say this is the most up-for-grabs statement that Mike makes, because he does care about and have love for El, but he's also shown twice now that he has lived without her. The first time, when he believed she might be dead, Mike checked in on El every day, but he never went after her. We see some definite signs of grief from his acting out in school and grades slipping, but his life with his friends remains overwhelmingly unchanged in her absence. The second time we see this is in season 4 when they are forced into a long distance relationship. While Mike does still receive letters from El, he doesn't seem lovesick or mopey that she's not around. He joins Hellfire and spends time with his friends. If anything, we get more indication that he's felt the absence of Will more strongly as he directly tells Will that "Hawkins isn't the same without [him]."

He says his "life started that day [he] found [El] in the woods." Another beautiful sentiment, until you look closer. This directly conflicts with Mike's character arc in season 1 in which his main priority was finding Will. It also conflicts with Mike's statement in season 2 that choosing to be Will's friend was the "best thing [he] ever did." Obviously Mike had a life before El, and even after having met her, he still believes that being Will's friend was the best thing he ever did, and not finding El or making friends with El or kissing El.

We also see Mike say here that he "love[s El]" with or without her powers. This has been the crux of their relationship drama throughout the season as Mike continually identifies El as a "superhero" and El, feeling lost without the thing that makes her feel special, goes off to regain those powers, because she thinks that's what Mike wants her to be. And even during that time, Mike refers to El as "Superman" during his conversation with Will. While Mike saying he loves her without her powers here might seemingly resolve this earlier conflict, he then goes on to specifically talk about and focus on her powers in his speech, making his words feel disingenuous.

He then once again refers to El as his "superhero" and tells her she can "fly" and "move mountains," both things that connect back to her supernatural powers and her otherness, but not her, not "exactly who she is" as he claims.

The entire time Mike is giving this speech to El, we see Vecna's vines TIGHTENING around El, not loosening, until she looks over at Max, someone who has over and over again reminded her what it is to be free and to be her own person.

This scene, just like Will's monologue, is meant to function as a form of misdirection, but not necessarily for El, for the audience. As we've discussed on the surface, all of these elements Mike brings up in his monologue should make sense for a couple in love, and to a casual viewer, would probably just be written off as a kind of corny scene, but what we as critical readers of the scene can take away from it is that this scene is intentionally meant to mislead you.

Mike is not talking about his real feelings for El here. He's talking about feelings for the version of El he created for himself in his head. For the larger-than-life savior. Simply, Mike loves the idea of El, but not the person she's become. And El knows that his speech about her, however touching to an outside audience it may seem, does not really reflect her, and that's why we see the vines tighten around her neck.

So what could this mean for season 5 and what does it mean in connection to the Will confession?

I think this heavily suggests that Eleven will be single in season 5 and that she will break up with Mike since he no longer really sees her for who she is. But I also think that this misdirection theme will play out in Byler as well. Just as the audience is meant to slowly piece things together after the fact, Mike is supposed to do the same in his relationship with Will. As season 5 unfolds, I think we'll see Mike get more hints that the painting was not commissioned by El and that the version of him that is loved and needed is not El's, but Will's. Mike, just like us, is supposed to read between the lines right now.

In conclusion, I think the Duffer Brothers may not have actually fucked up as badly as we thought, but instead created some somewhat genius foreshadowing and parallelling.

[hearts4willbyers]

i am somehow both at the same time

[hearts4willbyers]

[hearts4willbyers]

Here's the thing I've been ruminating on... Whether the Duffers were queer baiting or are a bit homophobic or scared to actually make any characters queer bc the straight audience is the important audience or whatever-- The cast, tho, aren't. I think possibly what they've been hinting at or alluding to is that whether they were supposed to or not... They were playing their character that way. Like Maya and Natalia were leaning into the chemistry and like the idea of ronance. Like Joseph making Eddie flirty with Steve and Keery being on board with it. Or Noah and Finn do think Will and Mike like each other. And yeah, you could say it's another form of queer baiting but I see it more as the Duffers aren't going to make it canon but the actors actually know what people want and give us what they can. Does that make sense?

I could be way off with this but... It's just food for thought and all that.

[hearts4willbyers]

so we all agree "mike wheeler is the heart of the group" is bullshit, right?

we all agree that it is will byers instead right?

in season 1, everyone banded together (and found el) to find will.

in season 2, will was more than happy about max joining the party. but guess who wasn't? mike wheeler.

in season 2, everyone worked together to help will.

in season 3, mike was literally going away from his friend group to make out with el at all given times.

in season 3, we saw will being the only one who stayed till the very end when dustin returned because he missed his friend.

in season 3, will just wanted all of his friends to spend time TOGETHER (because let's be real, will would've been so happy just doing whatever, not only d&d, as long as all six of them were together. just look at how excited he was when they all were about to leave for the hill)

in season 3, will let go of his very rightful anger towards his friends who kept ignoring what he had to say, because he thinks it's for the betterment of the group.

in season 3, will is even willing to let go of his own interests (playing D&D) if it meant his friends would still spend time with him whenever he returned to hawkins next.

in season 4, max, lucas, dustin and mike are literally falling apart because they're all too into their heads (and i don't really blame them here - especially not lucas and max). mike and dustin weren't even that supportive of lucas joining basketball when his reasons of doing so were extremely valid.

in season 4, mike is quite literally having relationship problems with el by not being able to say "i love you" (and the confession scene doesn't seem to have done much either because why is el still not talking to him at the end?)

in season 4, will brushes aside his own feelings for mike and instead focuses on helping mike and el get back together because he loves them both dearly and he just wants to see them happy together.

in season 4, mike only really confesses after will byers pushes him to. shouldn't it have been mike's instinct which "really kicked in" when he sees his loved one is in danger?

will byers is the heart of the group and fuck whoever wrote those scenes because you don't even know your characters at this point.

[hearts4willbyers]

OK SO

I may have found something??

I saw this TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRLtHS73/?k=1

And i was like, "WHAT- IS THAT REAL??" AND I LOOKED UP THEIR BIRTHDAYS AND THE MOONS ON THE NIGHTS OF THOSE DAYS AND HOLY CRAP

Q&A!

What about El? : Waning Gibbous (Based off Google)

What about Will's birthday changing to May 22? : Same phase 😻😻

The link (again)

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRLtHS73/?k=1

[hearts4willbyers]

Well...i was wrong but- there's quite a few theories that are still feeding into my delusions so- byler canon season 5 😍‼️😍

Byler is canon you can't convince me otherwise. I truly believe it's endgame. If it isn't, I guess I was wrong but until I see vol. 2 and/or season 5 i will truly believe it's canon. There's just so much proof it's phenomenal. Mike is more queercoded than Will tbh 🤷‍♀️ and if they don't end up being canon i uh...might die inside for a bit. If they are canon, I'm going to laugh in the faces of the doubtful 😈 but also I'll have to double check as to whether I'm dreaming or not. A lot of milevens believe that Mike is going to meet El and say he loves her, but he can't say it at the same time we see Will madly in love with Mike???? Like bro...what is the heterosexual explanation for this.... I don't think milevens dig into the details and believe mileven is endgame just because they're dating, while the byler nation is like 9593928382 ft deep into the details. I really wanna know what gives milevens hope these days. Literally everything makes me believe byler is endgame- anyways 😍

[hearts4willbyers]

since we’re reaching nearer towards The Big Day, i wish a very good night to all the citizens of byler nation, including:

the fanfic writers, you got us through the toughest times, fed us when we needed the most

the brains of the fandom: the analysts who make long-ass posts and 30k essays that are some of the most well-written pieces of literature i have ever read, you are healing the world

the byler stans who are also el stans, you are slaying

the people who will be under the duffers’ bed if it’s a queerbait, you go besties

the believers of the ‘mike/will gets vecna’d’ agenda, you are on the right side of history

the ones who don’t participate in ship wars, you are legends

the artists, you are doing god's work

the willel enthusiasts, you will always be famous

the shit-posters, your posts are making the planet a better place

the byler master doc worshippers and the person who created it, you are the chosen ones

the ‘mike wheeler i know what you are’ truthers, you are my religion

the editors, photoshoppers, gif makers, you are so goddamn talented for what

the meme makers, you will never not be funny

the byler playlist makers and the people who recommend songs that are relatable to byler, you have immaculate music tastes

the byler swifties, thank you for existing

noah schnapp, finn wolfhard, and the st cast, because they told me they are big byler shippers as well

the kaypeace truthers and kaypeace herself, hawkinsschoolcounsellor truthers and hawkinsschoolcounsellor himself, you each deserve a gold metal

the people who have full confidence in byler, that is such slay behavior

the people who have doubts and worries of being queerbaited because of past experiences, you deserve better than that, i love you

(oh and since pride month is ending soon,) a very special good night to everyone in homophobic/transphobic/unaccepting households or environments, and ones who are in the closet together with mike wheeler, you are so loved and you are not alone

but who am i kidding. no one here will have a good night, we’ll all be on panic-mode for volume 2

[hearts4willbyers]

Byler is canon you can't convince me otherwise. I truly believe it's endgame. If it isn't, I guess I was wrong but until I see vol. 2 and/or season 5 i will truly believe it's canon. There's just so much proof it's phenomenal. Mike is more queercoded than Will tbh 🤷‍♀️ and if they don't end up being canon i uh...might die inside for a bit. If they are canon, I'm going to laugh in the faces of the doubtful 😈 but also I'll have to double check as to whether I'm dreaming or not. A lot of milevens believe that Mike is going to meet El and say he loves her, but he can't say it at the same time we see Will madly in love with Mike???? Like bro...what is the heterosexual explanation for this.... I don't think milevens dig into the details and believe mileven is endgame just because they're dating, while the byler nation is like 9593928382 ft deep into the details. I really wanna know what gives milevens hope these days. Literally everything makes me believe byler is endgame- anyways 😍

[hearts4willbyers]

So true

I'm bursting at the seams to talk about mike to anyone who will listen, but I feel exhausted just at the thought of explaining will

[hearts4willbyers]

Sobbing

whiteboard doodles!

[hearts4willbyers]

AJAJSJAJANAJS I LOVE THIS

Stranger Things 4 as an 90's anime (video), art by me 🖌️

[hearts4willbyers]

so true

me explaining why byler is nothing new and how Will told Mike the truth about the dice rolling on 7 and how Robin the only gay character confirmed cracked the blue meets yellow in the west and Mike and Will wear blue and yellow in California and how their current outfits look like their s3 one's and how Mike wore els favorite colors when he was awkward at the airport and how he cared more about the crushed flowers representing him and elevens relationship and how the use of rainbow imagery is constantly surrounding them and how Mike's closet has a one way sign pointing at it and how s3 m*leven kiss was in front of an open closet and Mike's eyes were open and he didn't reciprocate it and how the use of the words crazy / stupid / bullshit all have deep meanings in regards to relationships and how Jancy and Stancy directly parallel M*leven and Byler and how Mike always initiates moments between him and Will and how love makes you crazy so crazy = love so crazy together has deeper meanings and how the use of the word team is used for Johnathan / Nancy , Hopper / Joyce and Will / Mike and how the s3 fight vs breakup were purposely filmed to contrast eachother and how Mike can only apologize to Will easily and the lesson of forced conformity and authoritarian pressure being the real kid killer and