#This vision just struck me I don't know!!! Nineties NYC Byler are so very dear to me. So sappy. Love them ❤️❤️❤️

[castlebyersafterdark]

raaah vinny I'm still thinking about that part of your drinking hc post where mike has a little group of more local friends, and the detail that he's the more subdued one but gets chatty once he loosens up makes me so giddy 🥹 we can see elements of that already when he's with the party

I also enjoy the idea that of course they have some circles of friends that are their own and not mutual! So on that note - do you think those friends have met will or seen pics? Is mike able to be out to them? Or they just know all about him in general because of course mike is gushing about him any chance he gets. I wonder if they ever had a night in drinking and mike hosted it so they got to see will's gorgeous self all cozy padding around his home, or if will ever does go say hi at the bar one time. so many thoughts, sorry I'm having hc's of your hc now 🙈

Yessss HCs of HCs is the joy of fandom, inspiration flowing. I really love and need to bask in the idea of Mike having a little group of new friends in his post-Hawkins, adult life. Because he's the type who could easily slip into solitude, or cling to just their partner, but I don't want that for him. Gotta envision a Mike with a support group and a friend group with the Party now split to different cities, etc. Still in touch, but it's different now. I like Mike because he's not easy to shove into a this-or-that, not everyone is so easily "introverted or extroverted" and he's a fun one to think about it. Comfortable, he's so charismatic!! Are these college friends, work friends? Maybe both. I like to envisioned he got an entry level kinda shit job at some publishing company right outta college, maybe a pal from school also got hired there, too, and they form a little group with some guys.

This got out of hand, the rest of this lengthy ramble under the cut:

Nerdy go-getter writer types, vastly differing personalities but it's a squad. Young twenty somethings in the city. Will has his art friends, Mike has this group. Mutual friends in common, too, but it's super healthy to also maintain your own things. I think they do eventually meet Will though, as time goes on. The college buddy already knows about Will, but with the new group? Mike's gotta test the waters, subtly discover vibes. Saying partner is still such a flag. It's the 90s but it's still only the 90s. He really likes these guys. I like to think in some way the college buddy makes some gay-positive comment at one point, which makes Mike's blood run cold at first, initial panic over the group's reaction, he meets his friend's eyes first out of fear but appreciation for taking the initiative and burden. But it's fine. Nothing makes it seem like the others are unsafe. Mike eventually jokes when one of the guys is trying to pick up girls at a bar, confirming he's spoken for. References his partner. Boyfriend is one of his favorite words but it's a terrifying word. But the implication is made, the groundwork laid.

Drinking one night, they're all a little lit up, laughing and venting about work. Hanging at the pool table, beer bottles filling the high top nearby. Mike on some ramble, slipping into waxing poetic about Will this, Will that. "Who's Will?" "His partner. Will's the best. Oh." His college buddy wants to sink into the floor, he fucked up, he fucked up big time. Mike breezes by with a dreamy "Yeah, Will's the best, the other day yap yap yap..." and all is fine, it's a natural addition to the conversation. Floodgates opened. The weight has left his shoulders. When they hang out and one of the guys talks about his girl, Mike adds an anecdote about his boy. Mike talks about Will's art expo, Mike mentions some movie he and Will saw together, Mike invites the guys over to watch some sports thing at his place one Saturday night. He could care less about the game, what sport is it again?

But he and Will have a really nice TV they splurged on for video gaming, and everyone gathers at their apartment for the first time instead of elbowing into drunks at the shitty sports bar they typically prefer. At home, totally comfortable. Mike initially the tiniest bit hesitant, but Will was so excited to finally meet Mike's friends. He'd been invited out to their drinking nights a few times, but Will hadn't yet taken Mike up on the offer, not wanting to intrude despite Mike insisting he'd want him there. That's Mike's thing. It's ok. But this is their apartment, their home. Will's having fun playing bartender, he mixes a mean drink, impresses one of the guys when he goes shot for shot with him at one point. Mike giggling and bright and beaming at the scene as Will makes tossing back liquor look graceful rather than sloppy like his pal. He wipes his mouth on the back of his hand with a wink towards Mike, such a weak man when it comes to the sort of expression Will is sending him. Something exciting happens in the game. The group's raucous attention turns back to the screen. Will feigns interest but Mike's draped over him, hugging him from behind with his chin on Will's shoulder as Will braces to watch with palms gripping the couch, also pretending to care about sports.

They're both a little unsteady on their feet. Secure with each other even just feet away from the display of macho jubilation in the living room, funny to them because these guys are also all just such nerds too for the most part - young and hungry writers vying for a promotion or a big break, trying to make it in the industry, in the city, searching for connections and love and companionship all the same. Geeking out over the gaming systems neatly organized under the TV console, eager to dig into that once the football game is over. Including Will in conversation all the while and Mike really, really likes his friends.

Mike leads Will over to the big plush armchair diagonal in the living room, pushed up against the wall. It's so unhesitant and natural to fall into the chair like they often do, Mike half up on the armrest while Will curls up next to him, head tucked up under Mike's neck while Mike's got one arm loose around his waist, the other hand brandishing a beer. He's gesturing wildly with his hand as he rambles on about something in the game that he does not fucking understand while the other guys banter back. Will steadies his arm when the beer threatens to spill over them both. They're all laughing. One of the guys bemoans missing his girlfriend, says maybe he'll bring her next game since she kinda digs football, too, and their TV at home is garbage and she hates going to the bar. Will tells him to definitely bring her, tells everyone they should bring their partners if they have someone, they'll make it a whole thing in a few weeks for the Superbowl. His voice stutters on partner, despite the fact that he's currently sitting in a man's lap, unable to hide or deny. It's still an adjustment when unfamiliar eyes and ears are on him, after all this time. But, he has to be brave. He likes being brave when he can.

Everyone's down for the plan. He looks up at Mike, wincing a little, hoping he didn't overstep. He gets one of Mike's stunning, soft smiles that abates his worry. Mike hugs him closer, kisses the top of Will's soft brown hair that's tickling his nose. He's so damn happy. Both of them are. ❤️