midnightmonth

[midnightmonth]

The thing is, M*leven could have been really cute. I like almost all of the straight ships in the show, and they could have written Mike and El similarly. Their romance could have progressed over multiple seasons, everyone would have liked it. Something like Jopper or Jancy.

But they didn't do that. M*leven is written entirely differently from all the other couples. They're rarely teamed up, their break-up is framed as happy, their conflicts seem trivial and easily solvable. They're not themselves around each other, they lie and miscommunicate. El's arc is centred around finding herself and being independent, and Mike needs to be loved and appreciated. They're clearly not meant for each other, and this is intentional.

Why would they be written entirely differently from every other couple if they're intended to be endgame?

[midnightmonth]

Nothing just me feeding ur byler hope today 😋 a reminder that this video EXISTS

“I think it’s always been pretty planned out” WDYM BY THAT NOAH? THAT SIMLEEE I know u know he’s trying to hide something 

[midnightmonth]

Trying to not be a byler shipper for one minute straight

I'm trying to keep a low profile in case that byler doesn't become endgame and here's what i think that will happen in s5 that could explain why byler was never meant to be:

-Mike finds out about the painting and rejects Will, plus it all becomes awkward between them and it basically destroys their precious friendship

-Will falls in love with another guy in Hawkins (which is not possible because we didn't know about any auditions for this possible role)

-Mike and El are still together and they never break up.

-Will moves on from Mike (which i think we can agree that can't happen this easily because he's been in love with him since they were kids and he's also been suffering FOR YEARS because he loves him just for who he is but he's also pushing him to be with El because he thinks that would make Mike happy). The writers wouldn't just make us see through will's point of view in s4 giving us hope on purpose to only makings us end up being disappointed.

-Mike and El break up and Mike and Will become random dude friends

I think we all agree that all of these theories are awful and they would make no sense. They also wouldn't contribute anything to the storyline. It would feel real

[midnightmonth]

Things ST Actors & Directors have said that make me believe in byler endgame

Noah Schnapp/Will Byers:

Someone asked: "What were your favorite moments with Finn on set?"

Noah: "Oh, um... well, I would probably say from this new season, so I guess I can't tell you but..."

"I think I spend the most time with Finn throughout—the course of— wait. Um... sorry, I gotta not—make sure not to say anything from season 5, but in other seasons... what was the question?"

"Lot's of good stuff coming. It's going to be a wild last season, so just, everyone get ready. There's some crazy stuff, some iconic scenes thrown in there."

Noah talking about Will:

"I think in season 5, it will have some... we'll just be like, "Yes! Something went right for him!""

"Mike was always super protective of Will and Will always leaned on him, and you could never really tell if it was something romantic or just a really special friendship."

"I can just tell you that I'm very, very excited for what's to come. I think they did a great job with Will's character this season, and beautifully addressed everything they needed to. The way they closed the show is just perfect – the story started with Will, and it’ll end with Will."

Someone asked: "Is there one scene in your whole career that stayed with you the most?"

Noah: "Yeah... but I can't talk about it."

Finn Wolfhard/Mike Wheeler:

Someone asked: "Finn, where do you think El and you are going to go?"

"Oh, I don't know. I don't know, I'm really interested in like the end of the show in general. You know, it's hard to tell, obviously, with Eleven and his relationship... but I hope they find—you know—happiness."

"Mike is just trying to be a normal teenager as much as he can."

"I think Mike is trying to be as normal as possible and trying to keep on a normal path. He might be into some new things."

"How is he (Mike) this clueless right now? With the Will scene in the car, I remember asking the Duffers, why would he not know this? And they're like, "Don't worry, it'll pay off in the end.""

Caleb McLaughlin/Lucas Sinclair:

"I love Lucas and Max's relationship, it's not like Eleven and Mike's—you know— in that teenage relationship dynamic. Their love is very—you know— it's real."

Sadie Sink/Max Mayfield:

"We're (Lucas & Max) both very independent. We're not like Mike and El where they just kind of are obsessed with each other."

Gaten Matarazzo/Dustin Henderson:

"The Byers have moved to California and the season picks up with Mike going out there to visit his friend Will—and Eleven who lives out there with them."

Shawn Levy/Director:

"Our show is an anthem for the marginalized and imperfect, precisely because the Duffer brothers know from experience that the popular and easy road is rarely the most interesting one, and that character, grit, connection, and soul are bred in the same moments that challenge us the most."

"People talk about mythology and The Upside Down, and all that is huge, but the magic of S5 are the characters who find a sense of belonging with one another and through that connection, become heroes."

[midnightmonth]

🤍

Reblog if you genuinely support asexuals

It terrifies me that there’s so much raging passion in the lgbt+ community that insist on marginalizing asexuals and implying that asexuals don’t deserve to have safe spaces. There’s still so much acephobia so I just wanna know which blogs are genuinely supportive and a safe space for asexuals

[midnightmonth]

10 days btw!!!

[midnightmonth]

The most hypocritical anti Byler argument:

"Why can't two boys just be friends? Why do you have to make everything gay!?"

Whenever I hear this argument or some variation of it, I think back to my two cousins, one a girl and the other a boy. (He was from my dad's side of the family; she was from my mom's.) They were maybe six years old at the time, and they were innocently talking and playing and giving each other math and spelling-bee quizzes. ALL my family were giggling, saying they were going to be boyfriend and girlfriend.

I also think back to all the times I see young girls being judged on their physical beauty and told they're going to have a handsome boy when they grow up because they're so pretty.

From childhood, boys and girls have their sexuality assumed for them. Their SEXUALITY and romantic possibility are talked about openly in front of their face. They're made to look at themselves sexually before they even want to.

So when people yell at Byler fans saying "Why do you have to make everything gay?" I want to scream at them:

"Why do you have to make everything straight!?"

Why do you insist on sexualizing children to be heterosexual even before they're ready to start thinking of themselves in those terms?

Why do you have no problem with Mike kissing El in season 1 right after she asks him if he's like her "brother"?

Why do you idealize their relationship when they were children, while simultaneously trying to shame Byler fans for trying to "sexualize children" even though these are fictional characters and the actors who play Mike and Will are already adults?

Why do you shame any thought or possibility of homosexual romance, while imposing heterosexual norms on everyone?

It reminds me of people who say "You can be gay of course... just don't shove it in our faces (by holding forth that you're gay, kissing in public, etc.)." When no one bats an eye when straight people do the same thing. They might claim they're not homophobic, but actual equal treatment of LGBT+ people they don't accept.

It's Straight Privilege in action: the norms and standards that straight people enjoy quietly do not to apply to us.

This hypocrisy even distorts how Milkvans view Mike and El. We're told that if Mike and Will get together, that would mean Mike "used El" and El would never be able to forgive him.

Not only does this disregard that people can have amicable break-ups and still be close friends: it also shows that the idea of a platonic loving relationship between a Mike and El is beyond their comprehension. To them, the only loving relationships boys and girls can have with each other are romantic ones.

(Now, before anyone objects: sure many people accept Robin and Steve, but that's because Robin is canonically gay. We all know that before she came out many of us (me included!) were shipping those two as a couple!)

If someone ships Mike and El WITHOUT her confronting him about his poor treatment of her in early s4, without there being an honest conversation about that, this definitely raises an eyebrow from me. The "love confession" didn't address this: his fear of losing her did NOT explain his failing to comfort her or failing to say he loved her. Theoretically it's possible for these two to repair things. (And if Milkvan is endgame I hope that they do by addressing this!) But for some Milkvan shippers the need to address Mike's behavior doesn't even enter their minds because they're idealizing their relationship. In other words, THEY are imposing their idea of a relationship on these two, much in the same way my family was imposing their own ideas on my two cousins without regard to the people involved.

So if anyone asks "Why can't two boys just be friends? Why do you have to make everything gay?" it's purely hypocritical and dishonest. No, we just want THIS relationship between Mike and Will (which is clearly being built up as romantic) to be gay out of a sea of heterosexual relationships on TV.

No. THEY are the ones who rule out a boy and girl just being friends. THEY are the ones who insist on imposing romance on a boy and girl when they're not ready. THEY are the ones who insist on "everything" being one way.

-teambyler

[midnightmonth]

Im proud

Claim your prize now!

[midnightmonth]

Once again thinking about the fact that El and Will look almost identical in S4.

Look me in the eyes and tell me they don't look like the same person but gender-bent. El's even wearing Wills shirt ffs (literally confirmed by the costum designers)

It's so obvious the Duffers tried to make it veeeeery clear that Mike sees Will and El in a similar way.

[midnightmonth]

Im so scared of what is actually happening here

literal chills everytimeeeee i see this clip

[midnightmonth]

my official list of things I need to watch the last season of stranger things… if u even care <3

[midnightmonth]

Byler!

Byler

byler

[midnightmonth]

Im gonna show this to my mum and i promise u she’ll have no byler doubt anymore

Will's Arc Ties the Whole Series Together

"Will really takes center stage again in [season] 5," Ross Duffer told Variety. "This emotional arc for him is what we feel is going to hopefully tie the whole series together. Will is used to being the young one, the introverted one, the one that’s being protected. So part of his journey, it’s not just sexuality – it’s Will coming into his own as a young man."

So in other words...

Will Byers will receive more attention in season 5 due to his importance in the story. His goals, motivations, conflicts, and decisions will make Will’s story an emotional arc. Instead of Will keeping his thoughts and feelings to himself, he’ll become more open and honest not just to others but also himself. Instead of needing protection and being treated like a child, he will stand up to fight to protect others and make his own decisions instead of doing what others want him to do. To come into his own, Will must face challenges such as going against numerous enemies and trials along the way (internal and external conflicts), and emerge stronger and wiser at the end. Once Will overcomes these challenges, he’ll be able to:

Utilize his strengths and unique qualities to his fullest extent.

Become more self-assured and comfortable in his own skin, no longer needing to defer to others or hold himself back.

Establish a strong, independent sense of self, rather than relying on others' perceptions or definitions of who he is.

Fully showcase his talents, skills, and perspectives, without feeling the need to conform or blend in.

Reach new heights in his career, personal life, or other endeavors where his true abilities can shine.

Will’s story is about self-discovery and growth. He will grow into the fullest expression of his authentic self and potential. His emotional arc will tie the whole series together because in order to defeat Vecna and save Hawkins, Will must stop clinging to his childhood and use that support from others as a stepping stone toward finally growing up and becoming a young man.

And we know Will will always need Mike. Mike is part of the key to Will's self-discovery. Mike makes Will feel like he's not a mistake. He feels better for being different because of Mike. He can be himself because of Mike. And that gives him the courage to fight on. The courage to finally defeat Vecna once and for all. That support from others will play a part in Will growing as a person, thus leading to Will becoming a young man and facing against Vecna.

As I said before, Will’s arc is about self-discovery and growth. He has that acceptance from others such as Jonathan and Mike, and that support will help him grow as a person and become fully comfortable in his own skin. However, Mike isn’t the key because of his acceptance, but rather part of the key to Will coming into his own. Becoming his own person. Will having support is important, but that’s not his story. After coming back from the upside down, Will has been clinging to his childhood. Will’s arc is not about acceptance from others, it’s about him growing up and finding out who he is as a young man. That acceptance and support will lead Will in the right direction toward self-discovery and growth.

"I think Mike is trying to be as normal as possible and try to keep on a normal path." —Finn Wolfhard

"How is he (Mike) this clueless right now? With the Will scene in the car, I remember asking the Duffers, why would he not know this? And they're like, don't worry it'll pay off in the end." —Finn Wolfhard

"I can just tell you that I'm very very excited for what's to come. I think they did a great job with Will's character this season, and beautifully addressed everything they needed to. The way they closed the show is just perfect – the story started with Will, and it’ll end with Will."

—Noah Schnapp

"Our show is an anthem for the marginalized and imperfect, precisely because the Duffer brothers know from experience that the popular and easy road is rarely the most interesting one, and that character, grit, connection, and soul are bred in the same moments that challenge us the most." —Shawn Levy

With Mike and Will becoming a team in season 5 and Will taking center stage, it could only mean one thing...

Byler Endgame

[midnightmonth]

I wanted to have something in my room that reminded me of byler and i painted this!!!

I know I might not be the best painter but I’m happy with the results <3

[midnightmonth]

To make ur day better (or worse) im gonna ask u to imagine Will getting vecna’d and Mike starting to sing Should I Stay or Should I Go for him because Will doesn’t have his headphones with him rn while the tears fall off his cheeks and he grabs Will’s hands trying to wake him up

Wouldn’t this be a good scene?

[midnightmonth]

Everyone’s talking about how Mike will find out the truth behind will’s painting and realize his feelings for him but…

What if…

He realizes this way

[midnightmonth]

After the death of his daughter and losing his wife, Hopper believed he was cursed. Until the narrative started to prove him wrong.

After the disappearance of Will, Jonathan believed he was dead. Until the narrative proved him wrong.

After running from the house, Eddie thought of himself as a coward. Until the narrative proved him wrong.

After losing Billy right in front of her after years of wishing he'd die, Max started to believe she didn't deserve to live. Until the narrative proved her wrong.

After everything he's been through, Lucas believed he needed to fit in with people even if he had to pretend to be someone he was not. Until the narrative proved him wrong.

After the massacre, El started to believe that she was a monster. Until the narrative proved her wrong.

After disappearing, being possessed and hurt and finding the boy he loves is with someone else, Will believes he'll never have that boy's love or get to be happy. Shouldn't the narrative also prove him wrong?