#byeler hurt/ comfort

[stuck-in-hawkins]

August 18th 1989

Stranger Things Fanfic

Pairing: Will Byers/ Mike Wheeler

Rating: Teen & Up

Read on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24656785/chapters/59757316#workskin

August 18th 1989

The ceiling fan swirled the summer air around. The nights were getting cooler and although it made sleeping more comfortable, it meant summer was ending, as was everything else.

Mike lay awake, feeling the contrast between the cool wind from the fan and the warm body beside him. He wondered how much time they had left. The clock was obscured by one of their shirts on the bedside table. How many more minutes could he hold onto Will? He gently pressed his forehead against Will’s back. How was he going to do this? How were they going to go back to being alone?

Will had saved him from an all consuming darkness. He had managed to pull him out of a downward spiral. When El ran away to chase down old demons… when Mike hadn’t been able to save her, he had fallen into drinking to cope and he had been drowning himself. During that time, Will reached his hand out and held him. In so many ways, he had lifted him out of that unforgiving place in his mind. In Will’s arms, the loneliness and self-loathing thoughts were kept at bay. He was a light that Mike basked in.

But now… that light was leaving, like a ship in the night. This would probably be the last time he could hold him like this. The last morning to wake up with him by his side. Mike drew him in closer.

Will was leaving for college. His world was going to open up beyond Hawkins. He would meet more people like him. People that were out of the closet, proud, and sure of themselves. Not confused like Mike was. Will would meet someone who didn’t need to keep him secret. Someone who would show him off, like the gem he was. So, he and Will would be going their separate ways. And, as much as it hurt, they would end things here. Will could move on and be with someone who deserved him. Mike didn’t want Will pining for someone hundreds of miles away. Will had already been hurt once by a long distance relationship, his first boyfriend. He watched Will waiting on the phone calls and then feel completely crushed when they ultimately had broken up. Mike didn’t want to be on either end of that call.

“You could come with me…”

“No, Will. It is going to end. One way or another. It’s better for us to end it now, when things are good, when we have a choice, and still be friends. If we don’t do it now… it will just end with one of us really hurting the other.”

And as awful as Mike felt saying those things, they were true. He knew it. They depended on each other. Too much. Will was terrified at the idea of living on his own. For him, Mike moving out there with him would save him from that fear, that isolation. Mike didn’t want to admit it, but he was just as afraid. He had spent most of his life building his identity around the people in his life. He had been their leader, the Dungeon Master, the Paladin. Now, he would be Mike Wheeler, recovering alcoholic and the only one of his party left in Hawkins.

Will had tried so many times to convince Mike to come with him. He had even tried to stay behind, to find a school in Indianapolis instead, someplace closer. But Mike hadn’t let him. He refused to let anything get in the way of Will achieving his dreams, even himself. After everything Will had gone through to get into an arts college in California, Mike wanted more than anything for Will to succeed.

Yet, here they were, in the still, dark hours of the morning. They could only have minutes before Will’s alarm rang. Maybe a few hours before Will’s flight. Then, the separation Mike had fought so hard for would be complete. And he would be alone.

He nuzzled against Will’s back and felt the tears roll down his cheek. He tried to keep his breath steady. He didn’t want red eyes that would give him away. Will would see them and find a way to convince Mike to join him on that plane.

Mike needed to let him go. Will needed to grow past all the pain Hawkins had brought on him. He needed to meet new people, discover who he was, be proud of who he was among people like him. Mike had seen glimmers of it when he’d driven Will out to the Pride Festival in Westlake Park that summer. He had seen Will open up in another way entirely. He’d never realized how much shame he carried from being gay. How much it had weighed on him. But there, among other people like him, the weight lifted, and Will seemed lighter and more open. Mike wanted that for Will and he knew he would never have it in Hawkins.

All the things that they shared: the kisses, the caresses, the heated moments… They were all supposed to be a placeholder. They were all parts of getting Will through the hell of this last year, through the breakup with his first and only boyfriend, June. They had been a part of getting Mike through El running away to join her sister to find Dr. Brenner. Will’s presence had helped Mike avoid drinking himself into stupors. He had tempered him, comforted him. And now, Mike realized, it wasn’t a placeholder. It never had been. It was love. It was unconditional. And he was going to lose it.

He sniffed his tears back. Will stirred in his arms, “Mike?”

No. Please, he thought, go back to sleep.

“I’m fine, Will. Just having trouble sleeping.”

Will turned to him and brushed his fingers against Mike’s cheek, feeling the tears. “Mike…”

“It’s just from yawning, Will. I’m fine.”

It was an unconvincing lie, but Will didn’t push it. He brought his lips to Mike’s and pressed a kiss on them. Mike pulled him in and kissed deeply. Their breath was sour with sleep but Mike didn’t care. He wanted to make this morning last. He would be selfish here. He would hold him close just this last time, then he would let him go.

____________________________

Mike and Will found little ways to close the space between them for most of the morning. Their hands intertwined beneath the breakfast table. Will’s head leaning on Mike’s shoulder as they brushed their teeth. Their fingers searching for each other in intermittent moments throughout getting ready. The touches were precious and numbered.

Mike, Joyce, and Will loaded everything in Mike’s car. He had promised to take them to the airport. But Joyce asked for the keys, and Mike saw something in her eyes. She would have the weekend with Will in California to help him get settled. She knew what it meant to him, having the car ride. He gave them to her. They spent the trip in the back seat. Will nestled in the crook of Mike’s neck. Mike’s arm around him and his head pressed against Will’s hair. Their hands laced and thumbs grazing over each other. Mike wished the morning would slow down. He wished he could just make the summer last longer. He wanted to stop time so that he could hold Will like this forever.

But, when they got to the airport, Will’s fear took over and their hands separated. Mike saw Will put on his mask around the strangers. Contact between them would signal them as gay. It would make them the target for remarks and stares that neither of them had the strength to fight today.

They went through the motions of getting Will and Joyce’s passes, the bags weighed and checked, and made their way to the gate.

A voice called on the PA, announcing that they would be boarding in 30 minutes. This was it.

Will stood up, “I should probably go to the bathroom before we board. I’ll be right back.” His eyes flicked over towards Mike and he understood.

“I’ll come with you. I have to go, too.”

They walked into the bathroom and waited out the other person in the bathroom. Once the older man left, Will and Mike went into one of the stalls. No sooner had the door closed, Will had thrown himself into Mike’s chest, hands clutching his shirt tightly.

“I can’t do this, Mike. I can’t.”

Mike held Will, “Why do you always short change yourself? You are so strong, one of the strongest people I know. You’ll do more than make it there: you’ll flourish.”

Will’s hands wrapped around Mike, “I don’t care about that. I just want to be with you. Please…” He lifted up his head, “Come with me. Come to California with me.”

“Will…”

“Just for the weekend. Please, Mike.”

“Will…”

Will pleaded, “I saved up for an extra boarding pass.”

Mike held Will’s face in his hand to calm him. Brushed his thumb against his cheek. Mike had fallen in love. He didn’t know when it had happened but it was undeniable.

And it hurt him so much to say, “No, Will.” His voice cracked and he broke down. “It has to be here, Will. If I come with you…” I won’t want to leave… “I would have to leave you there. It’s better that it ends here. So that it’s like you’re going off on a grand adventure.”

Will leaned his head and shook it on Mike’s chest. The door opened and they held their breath, not moving. They waited like that until they were alone again.

Will relaxed against him. “It doesn’t feel like an adventure. It feels like I’m leaving you behind.”

“You aren’t. I’ll be okay.”

Will lifted his head. “What will you do here?”

Mike hadn’t gained back his ambition for college after El left. He had signed up for community college, but he still felt aimless.

“I’ll help get Hopper back on his feet.” It was the only goal that he strove for, getting Hopper sober again. Will had helped Mike and he wanted to pay it forward.

“Are you going to spend your life waiting for her?” Will practically spat the words. “You just going to play the martyr? You need to live for yourself, Mike.”

He winced and bit back the temptation to fight back. He didn’t want to argue, to waste these precious moments. “I’m working my way to that, Will. I promise I am.”

Will collapsed in his arms, sobbing into his chest. “I don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t, Will.”

“You said that we have to end it.”

It had been a decision he’d made a while ago, that when Will left, they would stop what they’d once called an arrangement, but became something so much more. He’d rationalized it a hundred times, reasoned that it would be best for them both. But now it was here and he didn’t want it to end.

“Only some things. I can’t kiss you from a thousand miles away.”

Will looked up, “Can we still say it?”

Mike answered, “Yes.” He held the back of Will’s head, entangling his fingers in his hair, “I love you, now.” He pulled Will in and kissed him.

“I love you now,” Will kissed the corner of his mouth. “And now,” he kissed Mike’s jawline. “And now,” he kissed Mike’s nose. He had to stand on his toes to do that.

It made Mike smile, through his tears, that were flowing freely now.

He heard the echoes of the PA system and they both held each other tightly one last time.

_______________________________

Mike watched Will walk through the gate. He forced a smile as he waved. This was Will succeeding. This was Will getting closer to his dream. He needed to be happy about that. He could be selfish and cry later. Will smiled back, but immediately wiped his eyes. He handed the woman his boarding pass and looked over his shoulder one more time before disappearing through the gate.

[winged-wolf-dreamer]

Hot take, if you think a gay boy hating himself for being gay is a good thing and worth celebrating because it's a "win" for your ship, you might be homophobic.

[bodegacat-withboots]

Thinking about how Will started all the physical contact with Mike this season in an attempt to soothe the tension and feel closer in the same way Mike would start physical contact during S2 to soothe Will and feel closer to him.

[dearyams]

december 18, 1985

If you want to destroy my sweater, hold this thread as I walk away. Watch me unravel, I’ll soon be naked lying on the floor; I’ve come undone. - Wheezer, 1994

day 1

day 2

[ day 3: wow, that is an ugly sweater ]

Will sits on the steps outside the Wheeler household, a steaming mug of hot chocolate scalding his ungloved hands. The sharp heat is a welcome comfort against the whipping wind lashing snow against his face. He takes a hand from the cup and wipes it across his flushed and damp cheeks. The door behind him creaks open but he doesn’t bother to turn and give his sudden intruder his attention. He can tell from the person’s gait as they take a few steps from the door that it’s El anyway.

“Hi, Will,” she starts ever so kindly. Will gives her a hum of acknowledgement and scoots over as she squeezes in on the step next to him. He notes that she’s wearing a too-large green sweater, but it’s oddly familiar so he assumes it must be one Mike outgrew after his growth spurt. “It’s cold outside.”

“Yeah,” Will replies softly. The mug rim dances against his lips as heat from the liquid curls up his nose. “Why’d you follow me out here?”

“Me and Mike finished talking.” Will wants to correct her—Mike and I—but he just nods. “I’m happy for you; I hope you know that.”

He wants to say yes because deep down, he knows all El has ever wanted from him since they moment they met in the Upside Down is his happiness and safety. She trusts that Mike can give him both, which is part of the reason why she so excited approves whatever happens between them. Everyone knows Mike and El adore each other, and maybe there will always be a tiny part of Will inside that’s forever cold and bitter over El getting Mike first when it comes to romantic entanglements. At least until he grows out of it once he’s more comfortable about being with Mike. It’s still a weird thing, looking across the way and knowing that when Mike glances up and catches his gaze, the soft look in his eyes is meant for Will in that special way Will himself didn’t truly realize he wanted until he saw that gaze directed at El during Snowball the year before.

He wants to say yes because El really is happy and he knows that intellectually, factually, and objectively. She speaks the truth and yet a minuscule subsection of Will’s hardened heart still believes the words are nothing but a farce hiding disgust and disappointment.

Of course she’s happy, he thinks with a voice laced in self-deprecation and harrowing pity, happy she’s not dating a guy who likes guys. Happy she’s not kissing a boy who would rather kiss other boys.

And he knows it’s stupid thoughts because El really doesn’t care about things like boys liking boys and girls liking girls. Plus, he’s extrapolating a lot of his own internalized problems and fears onto Mike and that’s unfair too but he can’t help it. He has no clue what goes on in Mike’s head when it comes to what they are and he’s scared that Mike will run away once the reality of it all comes crashing down. It’s not as if Will is too sure he wouldn’t run away either; he’s never been with anyone before, he’s never had the freedom to express his affections for Mike in this manner, and the ability to do so freezes him in a stupor every time Mike brushes their hands together or how all day on this cold winter Wednesday, Mike sent Will gentle and warm smiles that screamed “I’m glad I’m with you”.

Despite not having her powers back, El seems to have the innate ability to read Will like a book. She tugs on his sweater and then tries to pull the mug out his hands when he can’t gather his thoughts from the swirling depths found in dark, bleak shadows hidden from the light of the moon. “Will,” she whispers kindly. “It’s okay.”

What exactly is okay about all of this? Will feels like he’s unraveling at the edges, unsure if this new relationship is really something he should be pursuing. “How do you do it?” he asks weakly, hating his voice for cracking.

El huffs out a short breath and Will watches her breath puff white in the night air. “Do what?”

Care for someone. Present that affection. Love Mike Wheeler. It feels so all consuming and Will can’t understand how he’s able to carry this much feeling for one person and be allowed to express it, act on it, enjoy it. It’s as if a dam inside him has smashed open, waves of besotted sentiment crashing into every thought until he’s drowning, one hand reaching out through the ocean in his heart only for nothing to reach out and save him from himself. He closes his eyes and lets the winter breeze brush calming fingers through his lightly tousled hair.

“Wear such an ugly sweater like that,” is what he says, nodding toward El as he tugs at the green cloth on her shoulders. Now that he looks at it, it’s definitely Mike’s—an old thing he got from his grandma a few Christmases ago. It’s decorated with battery operated Christmas lights and cotton puffs meant to imitate snow. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer decorates the center with a glowing nose and Will remembers Mike tolerating the sweater just for the reindeer. A green, red, and white chevron pattern lines the edges and seams, and all in all, the sweater is far too decorated but it swells over El’s entire body and consumes her in a way it never did Mike.

Will finds it suits her in an endearing way.

El though seems to catch Will’s deflection but she doesn’t question it further. “It feels weird at first,” and maybe El is actually answering his unspoken question, “but you get used to it. Other people might say it’s ugly and complain that you wear it around but,” and she taps the flashing red nose which lines up over her heart, “I like it. I think you should be proud to have a gift like that. Not everyone gets to wear ugly sweaters for Christmas.”

Will drinks from his mug to hide his smile, nose crinkling once he realizes the drink has now gotten too cold for enjoyment. The door behind them opens and Will turns to spot their undisclosed topic of discussion working his way down the steps to them. “Hey,” he starts, ruffling Will’s hair as he squeezes El’s shoulder. He settles down on Will’s other side and snags the mug from his hands only to also scowl once he realizes the drink inside is cold. “You want me to warm this up for you?”

They hold eye contact for a moment, something silent and unspeakable passing between them in just a second or two. Will smiles and places his hand over Mike’s significantly warmer one. “Sure, if you don’t mind.”

El stands up and plucks the mug from Mike’s hands with a giggle. “I can do it, don’t worry about it.” She’s gone before either boy can protest and Will stares at his hands as silence fills the air.

Mike sits a little closer after a moment and places his hand on Will’s thigh with a small squeeze. “Was I too much today?”

“Too much?”

“Like with the glances and touches and stuff? I can stop if you want, it’s just...,” the lanky boy laughs and rubs at the back of his neck. “I don’t know.”

“I don’t mind really.” Will states and he doesn’t mind, not truly even if he’s still unable to really respond with anything more than stiff nods or quickly averted glances. “Don’t stress over it.”

“Take your own advice, yeah?” Mike nudges Will’s shoulder and lets loose a gentle sigh. “This is all so new, you know? I don’t know what to do.”

Will shakes his head. “Then why are you asking me? At least you’ve had a relationship before this.”

“Yeah, but you’re...well, you’re you.” Mike’s blushing, his freckles spotted against his reddening cheeks. Will feels an underlying urge to kiss each one he can see. “I don’t want to mess this up. Like you said yesterday, this is serious.”

“We’re serious?”

“Of course.”

The wind blows a bit stronger and Will closes his eyes against the incoming breeze filled with melting flakes. Mike curls in closer, not dressed for the winter weather even less than Will. The brunette unravels his scarf and wraps it around his companion’s shoulders, letting his hands linger just a moment longer than he usually would now that he has the permission to do so. They’re far too close to each other for public consumption and if it weren’t dark and snowy outside, Will wouldn’t dare be this close to him in case someone drives by and decides they need to comment in a more physical sense.

Will speaks up to distract his thoughts from taking a twist. “I saw you gave El your sweater.”

Mike laughs, hearty and sweet in the way Will has always loved. “She wanted it and you know I can’t fit it anymore. I don’t miss it, I mean, it’s so ugly anyway.”

“Yeah. That is an ugly sweater.”

Soft lips press against his temple and Will leans into the touch, letting the heat melt the chill that built up during his hiatus outside. Will feels more than hears Mike’s next words. “Bet it’d look cute on you.”

He smiles, no reply on his tongue, but he closes his eyes and doesn’t stress over it as Mike requested. How can he anyway when he’s got the cutest boy wrapped around him making sure his winter night ends in nothing more than love and comfort.

[will-bvers]

hmm maybe byler and angst ? idk

A/N: This hurt my heart to write. Enjoy. This is also my first fan fiction. If anyone is interested in the song, look up “Down we fall” by Drake Bell on youtube. 

And all I can say is you save me,

Changed all the things that have made me

~

It’s all okay, when I say…

You and I

Take your time, cause I can’t wait to

See you fly

Will leans into his chest, gripping onto the flaps of his jacket tightly. Mike sways in time to the music, but Will isn’t listening, just holding on to the boy like he might disappear if he lets go. His arms are wrapped tightly around Will’s back, and it seems like they fit each other perfectly as they sway in rhythm in the kitchen. They don’t. Will knows that they don’t, and he thinks that maybe Mike knows that too. For right now, Will doesn’t care. He is distinctly aware of the torrential downpour happening right outside the window, and he sighs bitterly. It matches his mood almost perfectly. Will knows that Mike  is blissfully unaware of how he feels, and he can’t decide if that’s for better or for worse. Mike hums to the music, off tune, and it’s just so… endearing. It’s so endearing.

Will hates him for that.

They’d been screaming at each other only minutes before, yelling until their voices were hoarse and until tears were streaming down both of their faces. They’d both said things they didn’t mean, or rather, they’d both said things they meant but didn’t mean to say aloud. He thinks at one point Mike might’ve told him that he hated him.

Yes, he must’ve, because Will’s answer had been quick, sharp. Will knows for a fact that he hadn’t meant to say this one.

“Why don’t we just break up, then?” He’d hissed quietly, harshly. Mike’s face had changed then, going from shocked, to hurt, to something Will couldn’t quite identify. They’d stood in a standoff for a few moments, both of them refusing to break eye contact. He’d glared at him, and Mike had  just… stared. He didn’t look sad. No, Mike looked like he had finally realized something that he should’ve known a long time ago. The only sound in their shared kitchen was the soft pitter pat of rain as it landed on the window, and the quiet and steady hum of music that droned from the radio. The song ended, and the next came on. Will felt his lower lip begin to tremble as the familar guitar chords resonated inside of him. It was their song.

You were so clever, you kept it together today.

By the way, I’ll no longer ignore you, I wanted to show you

Again, I’m your friend. Sometimes, we just…

pretend.

Mike had opened his arms, never breaking eye contact. Wordlessly, Will had crashed into them, his eyes surprisingly dry. He had cried so much already, he didn’t think he had any sadness left in him. Will just felt numb. As they swayed to the music together, he wondered what Mike was thinking. He wondered even more why he still cared.

The song drifted towards it’s end, and Will decided that he didn’t. He didn’t care anymore, he couldn’t.

It hurt too bad.

Entertaining, thoughts are raining, down we fall

Entertaining, thoughts are raining, down we fall

[loverboy-mike]

that’s my boyfriend, mike

summary: the hospital scene but Will calls Mike his boyfriend instead of friend

warnings: none that I can think of???

read it on ao3

[beau-byers]

Umm thank you SO MUCH for recommending the fic 'i’d love to see me from your point of view' by unidentifiedblackthorn when you reblogged my post yesterday?? I just finished reading it and I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time, it was SO GOOD and really really cute. The line about Mike liking to look up at Will was the cherry on top. I haven't dived into Byler fanfic too much yet, but that was my favorite from what I've read so far. Please please please let me know if you have any other fic recommendations!!!

aaa omg!! i'm so glad you enjoyed it, it's one of my favourites :) your post had me inconsolable btw!! (Mike is such a sweetheart sometimes he means the world to me) fr thank you for writing that, it was brilliant <3 and yes of course!!

i'm tearing you asunder by @smoosnoom is downright beautiful. there's so much to love about it.

help me hold onto you by @scorchstorm is ridiculously good. it's Mike-centric and is such an interesting look into his mind !!

the dark mirror by @sevensided is a long one but OH BOY it’s more than worth it. it's a brilliant series and just. i love it sm <3 it has a gorgeous slowburn and the sheer amount of heart put into this series is insane.

as the world caves in by @bookinit02 is also one i think you'd enjoy!! if you liked the last one i recommended, i’m certain you’ll like this 

OH AND. it's dangerous to go alone! by @byeler. that one is superb - bonus points if you like hurt/comfort ^^

anyways yeah!! lmk how it goes and i hope you enjoy :)

[strangertheory]

You really think Byeler is gonna happen now? Haha delusional Byeler shippers Not after what Noah did your just as guilty

The way that Millie Bobby Brown was treated by people on social media is cruel and inappropriate and I am heartbroken over it. Bullying is always wrong and people should not hurt others for their own entertainment. It’s upsetting to hear how she was treated recently by someone refusing to stop recording her when she was out in public and asked them to stop, too. Actors are real people, not objects for fans to abuse and harass and demand things from. I hope that she’s okay and that she’s dealing with everything in her own way and in the way she is most comfortable.

I do not see it as appropriate for fans to expect all of the dirty laundry of scenarios like this to be put out on display for them to judge and dissect and make assumptions about. I think we all need to respect MBB’s privacy and that just because there aren’t press releases within 24 hours over this type of situation that it does not mean that her friends and the rest of the cast, crew, etc. has not reached out to her privately. Fans were cursing out the social media manager for the strangerwriters Twitter account for not making some variety of public statement that conforms to their expectations within less than a day of any of this happening, and I’d imagine fans have been harassing the rest of the cast and crew too in a similar way. This is completely inappropriate. Fans seem to continue to act entitled to every gritty detail of actors’ dirty laundry even in the midst of them dealing with harassment and hurt. I think fans need to take a step back and recognize that their priority should not be on knowing a play-by-play and demanding full view of MBB’s life and relationships right now. This isn’t about any of you and you are not entitled to live updates and insight into MBB’s life any more than you are entitled to record her while she is walking around shopping. You are very much not helping.

*The tone of this anon’s message can speak for itself. The absurdity of choosing to engage in online bullying and harassment of others while referring to an instance of online bullying should be self-evident.

I've gotten messages like this that I've ignored and deleted many times before but I think I'll just post them all at this point.

[serendipitous-magic]

Yo dude you got any good fic recs? Hope you’re doing well btw

I do, in fact! And I am!

Sit down, children, and let me tell you about this fucking author.

AabH on AO3.

(No idea what that stands for, I assume it’s from a fandom I’m not in.)

I only recently realized that this author wrote a lot of byeler fics that I’ve really enjoyed over the past year?? Like I never realized they were by the same author because they’re all really different. But then I clicked on their profile the other day and I was like “WHAT THE DICKENS, THEY WROTE ALL OF THESE??”

Highly recommend. I cannot recommend their writing enough. I will say that, in general, the angst is strong with this one. They really love hurt/comfort, with a lot of fucking hurt. But it usually gets paid off by fluff / comfort / at the very least bittersweetness. 

Their writing style is truly enviable. They clearly pay a lot of attention to the world around them; the details they include in their narration and worldbuilding are observant, insightful, pithy, often humorous, sometimes thought-provoking, and most of all true to life in the way that only the best writers can achieve. They’ll make you think about the little parts of your life that seem really insignificant now, but are all memorable little pieces of the mosaic of your now. Not to mention that a lot of their work is pretty dark, and those observant little everyday details make the worlds feel that much more real, and that much closer to home - and, consequently, so much more chilling. Because you could imagine that this world is our world.

(Note: heed this writer’s tags. Seriously. They deal with some very dark stuff that could be triggering for some people. Read the tags. Heed the tags. However, they are very good about tagging, and they even include an author note at the beginning of each chapter specifying what kind of content it has, so you’re never blindsided.)

And, oh yeah, speaking of, they don’t only do angst, they do darkness. And they do it really, really well. I think I mentioned in one of my comments on a WIP of theirs that I spent about 24 hours straight going about my day with clammy palms and an elevated blood pressure because I was that drawn in to the story, and I was that anxious about the characters, in the best way possible. I just couldn’t stop thinking about it. If you’re a glutton for punishment (or if you like good fanfic and you can put up with angst), read their shit.

Oh, and if it sweetens the pot for anyone, they do amazing smut as well.

They’ve done a fantastic and bittersweet byeler mermaid AU (all of these are byeler btw so I won’t say byeler for every one).

They’ve done a three-part smut series that’s beautifully written and ranges from angst to fluff (steer clear of the first in the timeline if you get squicked out by underage stuff)

THEY’VE DONE A SOULMATE AU (I want to hug this person, I love soulmate AUs) that’s not only chicken soup for my soulmate-lovin’ soul, BUT it also has some pretty good humor

They’ve done (and this is one of my personal favorites) a horrifying and heartwarming modern-day AU where Will is a tattoo artist working at Stranger Inks, right next to the coffee shop where Mike works - the twist being that Will was horrifically abused in his last relationship, and the abuser is still out there, circling, just waiting for an opportunity to strike again. Deals with a lot of trauma and has graphic violence, so if that’s not your deal beware. But it’s an amazing story with great depth, and I can’t recommend it enough.

They’ve done a few others which I admit I have not read, so I can’t personally recommend them.

Aaaaaand, the darkest of all and my personal favorite: a fic I didn’t click on for MONTHS, because I thought I wouldn’t like it. But once I did... holy fuck, I literally ripped through that thing in like under 24 hours. This fic is the reason I was up until almost 3am reading, one night last week, and had to get up at 6:00 for work. And then when I got up at 6:00, I immediately started reading again as I got ready for the day. And then I went to work, came back and kept reading. And not only that, but this fic won’t leave my brain. I keep coming back to it and thinking about it and playing out different scenarios in my head within that AU, because it’s just that good.

I’m honestly not even going to summarize it. If you click and read the description and tags you’ll know if it’s gonna squick you out or not. But here’s what I’ll say: if you don’t think you’ll like it, try anyway. Try for the first couple chapters. Because I didn’t think I’d like it either, but it’s pretty much my favorite current fic.

And you want to know the best part? It’s actually two fics of the same story. One from Will’s POV, one from Mike’s. The chapters line up almost beat-for-beat, so you get to see the same events from each point of view.

Seriously. Read this author’s stuff. And then go give them some love. They deserve it.

[ao3feed-mileven]

heather

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3bPOhjP

by flextapeonmytitties

It was just a shirt, right? Why did Will care so much?

(byler oneshot thing based off of heather by conan gray)

Words: 2505, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Stranger Things - Fandom

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Mike Wheeler, Will Byers, Eleven | Jane Hopper, Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Lucas Sinclair, Joyce Byers, Dustin Henderson

Relationships: Will Byers/Mike Wheeler, Eleven | Jane Hopper/Mike Wheeler, Maxine "Max" Mayfield/Lucas Sinclair

Additional Tags: Angst, hurt to comfort but without the comfort, i was gonna make this happy but i wrote it to avoid school work, then school ended so i was like ok ig it has to be angst, byler, Byeler - Freeform, repressed gay thoughts, Internalized Homophobia, i aint ever seen two pretty best friends, one of ems always gotta have internalized homophobia, /lh, based off of heather by conan gray, obviously, every conan gray song is about byler, if you disagree you're wrong, /hj, conan gray - Freeform, Songfic

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3bPOhjP

[argyleandjonathansmokingajoint]

In the Warmth of Your Smile

Pairing: Byeler/Byler

Words: 2441

Summary: Will’s had a pretty bad night. Scratch that, pretty bad year. Mike can’t rewind time, but he can be here.

Warning: None, they’re kids and they have their first kiss though? (Well, Mike’s second, sorry.)

Author’s Note: Thanks for reading this! I just have a lot of thoughts about that Halloween night. Can you believe I didn’t mention “Crazy together” once? I hope the feeling is invoked, though. You can also find this and all my other Byeler fics on my AO3 here!

They’re sitting shoulder to shoulder with legs pressed in close in Mike’s basement. It must be getting pretty late now. The fear’s still sitting in Will’s stomach like a lump, but it’s settled now thanks to Mike and his comforting words. His reassurances are still floating about in Will’s head when Mike says something and he has to turn to him to try to catch it.

“Huh?”

Mike scoffs lightly at his friend. “I said you really should have told me about that girl-”

“Max.”

“Yeah, whatever. you should have told me she was coming with us tonight, that you were inviting her.”

“You’re still upset over that? Come on, Mike.”

“What? Because of her-” he cuts himself off and lowers his voice again. “If I wasn’t so focused on all that, I would’ve been with you the whole time.” his chin is jutting out and Will’s worried he might cry, but instead he just curls his fists up, pulling on the pants of his Ghostbusters suit.

“Hey, it’s nobody’s fault. And don’t blame Max. ‘Sides you never asked about your friend, El being in the party. Just decided." he says it matter of factually as he swipes a bite-size snickers from the table and unwraps it. He tries to avoid conversations about her usually, especially if Mike’s the one talking about her, but he can’t help the comment that rolls off his tongue.

“What?” Mike has all of a second to feel offended before he looks at Will’s face. That’s right, now isn’t about him and besides, Will’s right anyway. He always seems to be right. He wishes he knew what Will was thinking though.

“Nothing. I just d- Look, it doesn’t matter anyway, okay?” Will sticks the whole snickers in his mouth and bites down. Hard. It gives him something else to focus on, other than the thoughts running through his mind.

“Sheesh, you won’t even have a conversation with me? Fine! I don’t get what the problem is anyway? It’s not like she’s done anything to you! She even helped save you!” During Mikes little tirade, Will finishes his mini up, but was now looking to the ground, visibly shaking.

He turns towards his friend within the second Mike was done talking and lets loose on him. “Jeez, I just don’t like her, okay?! Not everybody has to like everybody and I don’t! You don’t like Max? Well I don’t like this El you-you keep talking about! God, you can’t just shut up about her! I- I mean I get it, you care but guess what? I’m right here, Mike!” There are tears in Will’s sullen eyes now, but he keeps going, voice softer this time. “I came back. She left. You’re always here for me, but it’s like you’re not at the same time and I hate it.” The words are practically growled as they make their way out of Will’s angry throat.

Mike looks at Will, his best friend since they were five, as if he’s been stricken. It hurts, to hear all the thoughts and feelings that have been built up inside his small friend this whole time he’s been back home. He thought it’d been him and Will against the rest of the world, but it turns out he’d been part of what was hurting him most.

He blinks and feels something running down his cheeks. Huh? How long has he been crying? “I-I’m sorry. Will, I-” He looks down at his lap, then back up at the boy in front of him. Tears escape his eyes too and Mike wants to hold his hand or hug him, to comfort and be comforted, but he’s afraid he’s lost those privileges now, so he settles for just looking at his sad face, sure that he’s never felt so crushed in his life, excluding the time he saw “Will’s” body being pulled from the quarry.

“Will, I didn’t know you felt like that. I thought we told each other everything.” Will’s sharp look makes Mike flinch and inhale a breath.

“Yeah, so did I. But I guess not anymore.” When Mike looks at him questioningly, Will sighs. “You and El sure got pretty close while I was- gone.”

Mike is stunned for a second. He racks his brain and then it clicks. No, no way. “Will, it’s not like that! I- We weren't -!” He clumsily scrambles closer to Will on the couch and clutches both of his hands in his own. “I promise it wasn’t like that. Not for me, definitely! You know I-” The words don’t quite make it out of his lips, but the answering blush to both of their faces is enough tell them both the truth.

“But, then why did you act so uh, you know?” Will looks to the side.

Mike bumps his shoulder, still holding his hands and makes sure to look into his eyes as he says the next words.

“I lost a friend. I guess I started to care about her.” At Will’s hurt expression, Mike quickly corrects his phrasing. “As a friend though, a friend only! Besides, she doesn’t even know basic stuff. I think it would be, like, taking advantage of her.” Mike makes a face. He remembers Nancy overhearing Nancy talk on the phone to Barb about that. His dad was never gonna tell him, so he’s lucky to have learned it somewhere when he did. He still feels guilty for that kiss, knowing what he knows.

“Mike?” Said boy looks at Will and his heart almost stops. There are dried tears on his face and a question in his eyes still.

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere but here, anyway.” He says softly, pulling Will closer and wrapping his arms around him tentatively. Will seems to accept this, so Mike leans his head on Will’s shoulder and then, with the silence of the house around them, he just breathes him in.

Will sits there, still and breathing shallowly. He’s too nervous to do anything, not wanting to make a mistake and have Mike move away.

It’s maybe thirty seconds before Mike chuckles and burrows closer to Will, gently stroking his back with a single finger. “I’m not made of glass, you know?”

Will seems to calm when he hears that and relaxes instantly. “S-sorry. Nervous.”

“Me too.” If Will could see the expression on Mike’s face as he say those words, he’d see the hopelessly lovesick look he wears.

Will, wearing his own lovelorn look, places his head atop of Mikes and his arms come around Mike in a hug-like fashion, then stay there.

It’s quiet inside Mike’s home. The only sound the boys can hear are their breathing and the muffled television upstairs. Will can feel Mike’s heartbeat against his side and he wonders if Mike can feel his. It’s a nice thought and it makes his heart feel all fluttery inside. There’s so much he’s yet to tell Mike, that he must know now but Will wants him to hear it too. He wants to-

“Can I kiss you?”

“I- Wha-?” Mike’s head shoots up and he stares wide and owlishly at Will.

“Um, a kiss?” Will’s losing his nerve, but he looks into Mike’s eyes and Mike doesn’t look disgusted. He looks amazed, like he’s surprised that Will would actually want to kiss him of all people.

“Y-yeah!” Mike catches himself and then says, calmer, “I mean, sure, okay.” But his eyes are still eager and Will can’t help but grin, even as his cheeks turn a dewy pink. It’s okay, Mike’s are the same color.

“I’ve never done this before.” Will confesses. It’s kind of daunting.

“I’ve never done this with someone that matters.” Mike whispers back as his face comes closer to Will’s own.

It makes Will’s heart hammer even faster. He feels almost like a grown adult and at the same time like he’s five years old again, meeting his best friend for the first time on those swings. His eyes are cracked open just the slightest bit ‘cause he figures you gotta be able to see which direction you’re going in, right? He thinks Mike probably looks beautiful this close up because he looks beautiful all the time, but he can’t see to well with his eyes squinted half open and half shut so he’ll half to check another time. Another time, wow.

His internal monologue seems to die as Mike’s lips graze his own, his eyes slipping shut fully and of their own accord. After five seconds it’s over but then Mike’s coming back in again. And again. And again. He doesn’t really know what he’s doing and Mike doesn’t seem to either, so he just tries to emulate what he’s seen in movies and from TV. It seems to be working, Mike and him pressing their lips together and rubbing them around slightly. It feels nice, at least. He’s grabbed onto the back of Mike’s suit sometime during their kissing and Mike’s bunched up the front of his in his hands.

They’re still softly kissing when the door to the basement opens and the clicking of heels starts down the steps.

“Shit.” Mike curses. They jump away from each other as quickly as they can, almost as if just burned.

“Boys!” Mrs. Wheeler rounds the corner and peeks her head down. She looks at them suspiciously for a few seconds then shakes her head fondly. “Boys, sort out your candy now! Will, your brother’s here to pick you up, sweetie.” She smiles, turning and heading back up the stairs.

“Yes ma’am!”

“Okay, mom!”

Mike looked put out as Will and he starts sorting through the candy and chocolate.

“Eugh, raisins.” Mike’s face scrunches up and he’s about to throw them in the trash can, but Will stops him.

“Wait, I’ll take them.”

“But you don’t like raisins either.”

“No, mom does.”

Mike’s eyebrows go up at that. “Dude, I’m seriously questioning your mom right now.”

Will just shrugs and smiles. “She eats them on her oatmeal.”

“Wow.”

When nothing else is said Will looked at Mike questioningly, still going through the candy pile. “Huh? What’s wrong?”

“It’s true.”

More silence.

“Mike, come on. What’s true?”

“You really are too good! How is this possible? That I could meet someone like you and you would think I’m worth anything is beyond me.” Mike’s tone is joking, but Will leans over and pecks his cheek anyway.

“Don’t you know how important you are, Mike? To the party? To me?” He leans in and just when Mike thinks for sure, they’re going to kiss again he smiles and pushes him back.

“Here.” In Will’s hand is a Baby Ruth. Mike looked at him questioningly.

“I dont-?” He wasn’t sure what was up.

“Kiss.” Oh. Oh, okay. Well, if it was an exchange Will wanted than he’d be happy to oblige.

“O-okay, yeah!” Wow, calm down, Mike.

Will just laughs slightly in return. Then, they’re coming closer and closer, but the sudden sound of footsteps on the wooden steps stop them in their tracks. They didn’t even hear the door open this time. Was it never shut? They can’t remember. Mike and Will back up until they’re at a safe distance from each other, then Will picks up his candy-filled bag.

Perfect timing, as Jonathan rounds the corner just then. His eyes are tired but his lips curve into a smile when he sees Will. He waves and nods his head at Mike too.

“Hey guys, you hit a lot of houses?”

They look at each other and remember the events that had taken place earlier. “Uh, it was pretty good. We decided to come back early though and just watch some Halloween movies.” Mike covers for Will.

“Oh, yeah? Not too scary?” Jonathan’s concern is palpable an honestly, Mike gets it.

“Uh, n-no. Funny ones mostly.” He’s blanking, shit, he’s blanking.

“Um, E.T and So-something Wicked This Way Comes?”

“Right. You guys okay? You’re kinda jumpy.”

Oh no. It’s all over. He knows and he’s gonna tell they’re mom, then Mrs. Wheeler’s gonna find out, oh God, Ted-

“Did you guys actually watch a scary movie? ‘Cause I won’t be mad. Will, I know you love them, an-”

Will sighs and looks over at Mike, who gives him a smile and a quick wink.

“Okay, yeah. We watched Cujo. It was really scary and ya know, we’ll probably both have nightmares now.” He looks back to Mike, who nods along.

“Okaaayy.” Jonathan draws the word out, still not sounding convinced, but whatever secrets they’re holding, it doesn’t seem they’re ready to give it up quite yet.

Will turns back to Mike and walks over to him. “Here.” He looks down and in Will’s hand is the Baby Ruth from earlier.

“But-” He looks at Jonathan standing on the foot of the steps and then back at Will. “Our deal.” He maybe puts too much emphasis on the words, but that’s neither here nor there.

Will grins. “It’s okay. You’ll make it up to me, won’t you Wheeler?”

It nearly short circuits Mike’s brain, but he manages to hug back when Will goes in for a hug.

“I’ll call you later on the walkie.” He promises.

“‘Kay.” Then Will’s out of Mike’s arm’s and moving up the stairs, shouting a ‘see ya’ behind him.

“Bye!” Mike yells back, then he plants himself on the couch with a doofy grin on his face.

~

"Hey, buddy?" Jonathan looks puzzled as he and Will make their way out to the car, having already said by to Mike's mom.

"Yeah?"

"You guys drink some Kool-aid or something? Have some kind of red candy?"

Jonathan can swear he sees Will's soul leave his body the moment he say it, the sheer terror on his face is enough to read and he feels like a fool. It doesn't take a genius to round up all the clues and know what they mean.

"Yeah! We had.. Skittles! It was skittles!" Will hurries through an answer and though it's hardly believable, Jonathan lets it go.

"Well, congrats." He ruffles Will's hair and the boy looks unsure.

"For what? Eating skittles?" He's incredulous.

"Uh, yeah. I haven't had any, but I hear they're pretty good." He says as they buckle their seat-belts and Jonathan starts the car.

That changes Will's mood instantly and he smiles. "Oh, I still have tons! You can have some of mine!"

"Oh. Thanks, bud."

Jonathan turns up the music on the radio, a song about someone who's in love, their heart is breaking, and for the first time Will can't relate to it.

[frogfaceandzombieboy]

can i just. take a second to talk about how beautiful it is that byeler’s connective moment happened in autumn? i’m not sure if we’ve ever discussed how much that symbolizes before. we’ve talked about the summer season and what that means in terms of youth/growing up, but not so much autumn.

the only constant is change. not only is the physical environment around them actually changing & shifting, but it’s symbolic of their whirlwind growth as young teens from the tiny kids we first met them as in s1. it’s emphasizing that yes, they’re still young but they’re growing up. they’re shedding childhood and entering a new phase of life. also combined with the horrors will faces throughout the season, it just hits home that these two young kids have to accept the impermanence of life and how important and vital it is to appreciate and embrace the present before it’s gone. i.e.- the anxiety mike feels at the possibility of losing will all season. and how the innocence of youth (trick-or-treating, stability) can float away in a bracing breeze if you turn your back to it.

it’s also a chilling time for mystery. and as obvious as it is given will’s arc and the genre of horror throughout the season; the falling leaves, changing colors and shifting lanscapes personify the unknown (— unknown emotions, perhaps? unknown intentions, unknown nature of affection). & as things die/change and life gets less certain (z o m b i e b o y; trick or treat, freak!)- it makes characters realize that they have to live life to the fullest extent that they can because the next day isn’t a given (“it was the best thing i’ve ever done.”)

autumn is also symbolic of creating warm, comforting, homey environments. as peak autumn instinctually brings out the preservation of life, it’s time to prepare for hibernation and cozy spaces for winter. amidst dropping temperatures (“he likes it cold”), who does byeler find comfort in literally the entire season? each other. the fact that the writing has them pair up this way really says this is my safe haven. that they find a home within each other. a nook where they feel safest, well-protected & ready to face the bracing, bitter and unrelenting cold of winter; together. fall is a time for reflection, and a time to reconnect within. where does will find any tranquility this season? with mike; we won’t let him- remember the first day that we met? - are you hurting again? and what is the only serene space he finds himself in? the basement; crazy together.

also in basic seasonal symbolism, autumn is the “adulthood” of the seasons. this would mean that byeler by-way of a basic writing mechanism, is symbolic of a matured, long-lasting transformative relationship capable of withstanding the test of time.

in that same vein, bundling up in warmer clothing symbolizes protection. mike has undoubtedly one of the most iconic looks all season with his argyle sweater. he also wears double layers in all of his scenes with will (always in a sweatshirt). mike becomes peak!paladin in s2 in his efforts to protect will, and as autumn is a time for boosting healthy habits, self-awareness and awareness of one’s surroundings- we can surmise that taking care of will is not only natural for mike’s protective nature but it’s also good for him. autumn brings out the best of mike (—therefore will does, too.)

and most notably, autumn represents death. aside from the most obvious example of will narrowly escaping the mindflayer’s grasp, autumn is not generally so morbid and instead, spiritually, represents beginnings. so along with death comes transition and balance & being reborn. fear shouldn’t stop you from being reborn into the unknown or you won’t be able to find new happiness. be it the death of your old self turning into something new (zombieboy/coming out), the loss of the old version of your best friend, or the death of friendship turning into something more, and the birth of love. fall is a reminder that life doesn’t get better by chance, it get better by change.

and to me it seems like byeler didn’t connect in autumn by chance, they connected for a change in their future.

[argylemikewheeler]

ghosts are always dead.

|| Anon Prompt: the last now-memory that Will got from the Mindflayer was an image of Mike and his friends watching the tunnels burn, watching HIM burn and that sticks with him, even once he’s no longer possessed. Maybe he is subconsciously resentful towards them? Maybe he’s somewhat afraid of them? Maybe he knows why, or maybe not. But something’s changed and it seems like he’s beginning to withdraw from the Party. ft. established sweet byeler ||

The Now-Memory had been completely repressed until a sweltering August day in 1986.

The Party was sitting in Mike’s basement– to absolutely no one’s surprise– and trying to wait out the sun to go night swimming. There was very little entertainment to speak of, except to be absolutely destroyed by El in a game of Monopoly. She’d not only caught up on knowledge of American currency, she got very good at gambling. Dustin claimed she had gained extra mind reading powers, but Will knew she was just great at statistics. He saw her math tests on the fridge every morning.

It was Lucas’ turn to roll when Max purposefully poked his sides playfully and got him to overshoot the table. The two dice flew off the table and under the couch. At that exact moment, like the haunting echo a ghostly sweet memory, the lights switched off. The quiet hum of the fans dipped down into slow, paced silence as the panels spun to a stop.

Something inside of Will felt like it had been pricked, his whole body recoiling and trying to anchor himself the table. But he wasn’t going anywhere.

“It’s just Ted.” Mike said, waving at the ceiling flippantly. “He’s trying to fix the TV but keeps throwing the breaker.”

“Why don’t you help him?” Dustin asked.

“Oh, that’s his problem.” Mike said, shaking his head and laughing. “This is day three of power failure. Day five is when I’ll just do it while he’s sleeping.”

“Everyone okay down here?” Mrs. Wheeler said, poking her head into the basement.

“Could probably use some light.” Mike said, leaning his chair back. He gripped the table, not as harshly as Will though. His fingers poked against Will’s fingers gently.

“I want to save the flashlight batteries. Do you mind using the candles down there, Mike?”

“Sure.” Mike let his chair fall and rest upright. “They’re in the closet, I’ll get it– and no body say to get myself while I’m in there.” He pointed at the rest of the group, cracking a slow smile. The rest of the group pretended to not know what he was talking about.

Will was still waiting for the lights to start flickering. The walls to start bending. The floor to creak by a set of feet not accounted for. He stayed perfectly still and breathed slowly-- quietly. It couldn’t find him, it couldn’t find it, it wouldn’t find him. Not again.

Mike stood from his chair and passed behind Will, placing his hand on his shoulder. His fingers ran across his back before sliding off, Mike turning his head to cast a quick look at Will’s face. Mike’s own was furrowed in quiet concern: Will’s back was completely rigid.

“You okay, Will?”

“Yeah. Yeah, just, uh, the dark. The lights… Took me back.” Will had had his first nightmare in two years just three nights prior. It was nothing, really. Will had experienced worse– although, truthfully, there was something horrific about watching Mike scream “it’s a trap! it’s a trap!” through fogged and paralyzed eyes.

“Oh. Well, I’m going to get some lights for us. And they won’t go out with Ted’s stupidity.” Mike said. He crouched down and dug through the bottom bin under the shelves. He hoisted out– with a quiet swear and grunt– a box of candles. He shuffled it over to his chair and dropped it down gracelessly, all the glass containers clanging together.

“Dustin, you still carry Steve’s old lighter?” Mike held his hand out without looking.

“Of course I do.” Dustin dug into his inside vest pocket and produced Steve’s old cigarette lighter– at least before they all got him to quit.

“Alright, Party. What do we elect should be the smell of the afternoon? I’ve got… Honeydew Melon… Evergreen something or other… Sugar cookie!” As he named them, he popped the lids and began placing them around the table. Apparently he voted them all.

Will didn’t care. It was still too dark, and as much as Mike was trying to be funny and helpful, he was taking too long.

“Do you want me to do it?” Will offered, finally lifting his hands from the table. His nails left an impression in the wood surface. He moved his paper money over it, hoping Mike wouldn’t notice.

“No, I’ve got it, Plum.”

Mike cupped his hand around the closest candle– Something Sunshine– and clicked the lighter. It didn’t spark at first, Mike muttering and readjusting his fingers. Finally, nearly as Mike’s hand slipped, the lighter caught and held a flame.

Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.

The heat from the flame was barely noticeable– Will knew that– but his fingers began to feel white hot, like the ends were wicks ready to be scorched. His entire body began to flush-- but also run cold, staring at Mike as he lit every candle. The glow of the flame flickered shadows up onto his face– all of their faces.

They upset me. They want to hurt us. They want you dead.

The room shrank away from Will, the colorful table and board game blurring into the lapping flames torching His Body. Every breath felt like he was inhaling smoke all over again– back when he was being burned alive; his body convulsing and mind trying to do the same. He remembered the story of the strategy: the Party driving a beaten Steve Harrington to the Tunnels to try and attract every demodog away from the Gate to allow a clear path for El.

Will never asked for much detail or clarification of the take down plan. He was just glad to have an uninterrupted, individual thought. There was no secondary voice, no challenge to his autonomy. Will never asked who lit the flame, who even volunteered the idea, or who was the last to turn away. It didn’t matter all that much– Will had a clear enough vision of it all then, sitting in the basement.

Eyes, ten of them, locked onto Will– or what Will thought was himself at the time– engulfed in bright, white-hot, growing flames. The very last shred of Will that was clinging on, following the sound of the five voices he knew. He thrashed and screamed against a phantom pain he’d never learn to be real, but never be able to forget. Those five voices– their owners rather– stood before the fire, watching it try to eat Will alive. They caused that pain, like it wasn’t going to leave an impression on Will. Like it would all just turn to ash.

Clearer than all the others, Will could now remember being shown Mike, standing just behind Steve. His face was covered by most of his protective gear, but even Will’s past Now-Memory knew who it was. No reiteration of Will could ever forget his Mike. The Mike that visited him frequently in the hospital for the week after his possession. The Mike that helped him catch up on his schoolwork and not fall back a year. The Mike that Will learned was being more than friendly for a reason, and that Will was finally allowed to admit his own feelings about his best friend. The Mike that was Will’s hidden partner to every event and good night call via SuperCom.

But that Mike wasn’t exactly this Mike. This Mike was unafraid, standing over Will’s boiling corpse, only moving away when Dustin started shoving everyone back. He was going to watch Will die. They all were.

Before Will truly noticed, he had stood from their game table and was going for the door. Typically, Will always left out the front door, making sure he’d say goodbye to Mrs. Wheeler. In his distanced state, Will went for the backdoor just across the room. His trembling hands fiddled with the lock before yanking it open and stepping outside. The sun had begun to set. The sky was melting before Will’s very eyes into threatening, bleeding red clouds.

They want you dead.

“Will? Hey, Will! What’s wrong?” Mike was running after him. He didn’t even know he was walking that fast. The rest of the Party hung back by the door, gripping the frame to pack into the tight space.

“I have to go home.” Will didn’t stop. He wasn’t too sure who or what had control of his legs.

“I thought we were going to go swimming.”

“I want to go home.”

“Okay, that’s– Will, would you please stop!” Mike sprinted ahead with a last heave and stopped in front of Will. Will skidded to a halt to avoid collision. He looked at Will again, this time the burning red was behind Mike’s face instead of between them. “What’s the problem?”

“I… I just really don’t feel well and I want to lay down for a while. Maybe take a warm bath or something.” Will would later sit in the bathtub, skin so hot and aching, he’d be sure nothing had survived his first burn. He’d still be alone.

“Oh, okay.” Mike didn’t disagree. “Call me when you get home?”

“Sure.” Will nodded despite having no intention of speaking to anyone else that day.

“Okay.” Mike stepped forward, hand extended as if to touch Will’s hand. Will recoiled, holding them against his chest. Mike blinked, looking at his own hand again in confusion. “Okay.” He said again. “I’ll see you later, Will. Take care of yourself and call if you need anything.”

“I will.” Will lied.

“One two three.” Mike smiled, hands at his sides. Their goodbye was a subtle, coded way of counting the three words they were never comfortable saying to each other in case anyone heard. Will had never been more thankful for the secrecy; he didn’t think he could stand hearing Mike say those words when he could still feel the heat of the fire against his skin.

“One two three.” Will repeated, although he just meant the numbers then. Just then. Only then. Will knew he loved Mike, his vision just seemed to refuse to show him any Mike that he did love. He kept seeing blue goggles. Ten eyes. One glinting lighter. Not one endearing, protective boyfriend.

The walk home was nearly an hour. Every step felt like a mile, but Will had barely lifted his shoes off the ground. As he walked in his front door, the sun had completely set, but he was still soaked in sweat from the unrelenting humidity. Hopper and Joyce were eating at the table, laughing just as Will interrupted.

“Hey! You’re home really early.” Joyce said, placing her fork down. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“I thought you were at Wheeler’s place.” Hopper said. “That’s where I took El.”

“We all were. I just wanted to come home… I’m exhausted.” Will shuffled inside and kicked off his shoes. “I’m going to bed, don’t worry. Keep eating.”

“You look terrible, Will. Did you two have a fight or something?” Joyce stood and met Will at the door.

“No. We didn’t.” Will hadn’t even known about Mike’s actions to begin arguing with him. He was learning about all of it through a less present Now-Memory. “We’re fine.”

“Are you sure, baby, you–”

“Joyce, let him go. He’s probably got a lot on his mind.” Hopper said, balancing his firmness with a gentle wave back over to the table. “We’ll talk later, alright kiddo?”

“Sure.” Will sulked off without even looking Hopper in the eye. He didn’t want any more than ten fixated on him.

As Will flopped on the bed, one steady thought cut through the overwhelming return of a memory fostering just under his consciousness: there were ten eyes– five people– and no one moved to save him. They wanted to let Will die, whether they knew who it was in those flames or not. They wanted to kill you–

Will turned over harshly in his bed and tried to silence the familiar but finally articulated feelings pulsing through him. His friends were burning something– one thing– to save everyone else. They were being noble and brave and smart, and definitely were not trying to harm Will. Not Will himself. Not their Will.

Will wondered if he was still the same one they were trying to save.

—

Mike called three times. In two hours.

Eventually, Hopper took the phone out of the wall to plug it in on Will’s side table. He told Will to answer the phone-- answer his boy-- or he’d drive Mike over to their house himself. By the fifth call, Will reached over and grabbed the phone, holding the receiver to his ear not covered by his pillow.

“Hello?” Will’s voice cracked. It was the first time he’d spoken since coming home from Mike’s the day before. He hadn’t even verbally greeted El when she came home, poking her head in with a smile.

“Will! Hey, how are you feeling?” Mike sounded absolutely thrilled to not be ignored.

“I’m okay.”

“Still feel sick? Can I get you anything?”

“No.”

“No what? Do you feel sick still? Or do you not need anything?” Mike asked. He was patient and it was more than Will thought he deserved at the time. He was being completely unreasonable, right? Mike was his boyfriend– the literal love of his life at sixteen– and Will didn’t want to share more than thirty words with him.

There was still a loitering image of Mike– the only image he could seem to conjure when thinking of him– standing in the tunnels again. Unlike most other things in Will’s childhood, this one wouldn’t go away. It refused to be swallowed or pushed down to his feet. Will was walking on the anxiety of high school and fidgeting habits of having an abusive father, why wouldn’t this Now-Memory join them? Watching his own boyfriend wish he’d just burn already was just as terrible. Will wanted some peace and quiet. Just a little.

“I don’t want to see anyone today.” Will said flatly.

“Oh.” Mike said, pausing. “Is there something wrong?”

“No.”

“Will, I’m not really convinced, I have to say.”

“I just don’t okay?” Will snapped. He hadn’t done it in years. He barely remembered how to yell. “I–I just, don’t want to see anyone right now, okay. I’m sorry, Mike. I’m tired today.”

“Will, I’m starting to worry.” The other line muffled, like Mike was moving. Oh great, you’ve summoned the smart one, Will’s mind quipped instinctively. It had said the same thing before when Mike began connecting dots just in Will’s earshot. “I’m coming over– is anyone else home to let me in? I’m assuming you’re in bed… Someone moved the phone, right?” Will blinked, taken aback. This was still his Mike. The Now-Memory had it all wrong.

“Michael,”

“Hey.” Mike said somewhat firmly. “I’m going to be over in like, ten minutes whether you want me to be or not. I’m bringing soup.” Soup on a hot day sounded like a recipe for Will to sweat through his clothes.

For some reason, a deep part of Will’s brain took it as a threat.

“… Okay.” Will bent immediately to the promise. Mike The Friend had set him on fire, watching him burn through a scarf and goggles. Mike The Boyfriend was newer, had far less history and knew far less about Will. Maybe this one would stir up less intense feelings of impending death and unrequited revenge.

Maybe he doesn’t know your weaknesses.

The voice spoke again. This time, it was an echo of what it had thought moments after it forced Will to recognize “his friend. Mike”. The smile and the wave from Mike made all the difference to Will, but all that was much worse to the monster darting around under the town, swelling and trying to drag Will down with him.

“One, two, three. Be there soon.” Mike said, quickly hanging up.

Will tried to repeat after Mike, but found his tongue too heavy. Maybe when he saw Mike– had him staring at the real Will in present day– Will would feel different. He’d see there was no hatred in Mike’s eyes, no desire to end his life. Will could clear the name of his whole friend group by being seeing Mike, however it is he showed up.

Will had short ten minutes to try and push down the unrelenting notion that something was wrong, that Will was supposed to be fighting against something or pushing them away, rather than the memory. Will turned over on his bed, trying to find a different position. One that would let him feel like he was truly alone again. Not silently festering sudden and unidentifiable emotions that were not his own and quietly taking over his current consciousness–

“Will?” Mike called in the house, interrupting Will’s panicking process. “Plum? You here?” Will was home by himself. There was no one to direct Mike around, but he laid under his covers and waited for Mike to locate him on instinct alone. “There you are!” His messy hair-- Will’s favorite hair-- bounced as he swung around the corner into his room.

“Hi.” Will couldn’t match Mike’s level of enthusiasm.

“What’s going on in here?” Mike dropped his bag by the door and started toeing off his shoes. “I’ve got a thermos of soup with your name on it whenever you’re hungry.”

“Not now. Can’t stomach anything, I don’t think.” Will pulled the blankets up under his chin. It was another hot day in August, but Will still hesitated giving himself even a breath of reprieve– maybe letting the monster win again.

“Okay, whenever you want.” Mike said, placing his knee down and climbing onto the bed. He maneuvered his way to lay beside Will, bracing his head up on his arm as he faced Will. “Mind if I cuddle in? You said you were feeling weird. I wanna help.”

“No, Mike, you don’t have to–” Will almost didn’t want him to.

Trying to cover up the dead stare haunting Will’s mind with the sweet loving one in front of him seemed like a ploy. A tactic. A way to smooth over Will’s own deserved rage, hidden just beneath a history he never knew until the day before. What if all of it– everything between them– was a test? A way to know if Mike really got away with nearly trying to kill Will a few years ago and–

“Hey, I want to. I want to.” Mike laughed, and pushed Will’s bang back. He felt his forehead. “You feel feverish? Or is it just a general kind of yuck feeling today?” Will couldn’t respond; his jaw was clenched far too tightly. “Will? Talk to me. What’s going on? Why… Why do you look mad?”

Hearing it aloud struck Will out of his fog– back into a vague sense of self-awareness. Will was furious at his friends, at Mike for nothing. Well, nothing Mike was even aware of. It was unfair, it was selfish and crazy and–

“Will? Sugar Plum, talk to me.” Mike was just below pleading, placing his hand on Will’s chest, pulling the blankets up higher. “I don’t like when you’re quiet… That’s never good.”

Will relaxed his jaw, letting the words form on his tongue. “I remember you… in the tunnels.”

Mike blinked. “...back in eighth grade? That?”

“I remember it. Steve. The lighter. Everything. Everyone.” Will muttered. He finally felt overheated, but it seemed to start only on his chest and run up to his face.

“How? You weren’t there, Will.”

“He saw you.” Will said. “He showed me. Yesterday.”

Mike leaned back, his eyebrows furrowing together slowly. “What?”

“I saw you, all of you, when you lit the tunnels on fire. You were watching me burn.” Will couldn’t see Mike clearly in front of him anymore. It was only the distant memory. His repressed Now-Memory was trying to layer that stranger over Will’s boyfriend. The image was inconsistent and was jarringly unclear.

“Will, that wasn’t you. That was never you. That was the Mind Flayer.” Mike said softly, shaking his head. “We wanted to watch that monster that had you go up in flames and–”

“But it still had me!”

“…Did you feel it?” Mike reached out to touch Will’s shoulder. His hands were far softer than the flames trying to flicker behind Will’s eyes.

“Did you want me to?” Will had a lasting strike of anger that escaped before he could control it. Mike blinked at Will, tears suddenly pooling in his eyes. His hands dropped from Will and rested over his own chest-- his own breaking heart.

"You don’t think we actually wanted to hurt you... do you?”

"...What I saw... You were so determined. All of you were so willing to douse me, head to toe--”

“Will, none of that was you. We were trying to hurt the tunnels- the monster.”

“Same thing!” Will cried, pushing himself to sit up. “It was the same thing for a while... For a moment, when you had me tied up, I remember everything turning cold. My vision went all white and I... I couldn’t feel anyone anymore. For a second, I lost my grip and it had me, Mike. We were the same.”

Mike scrambled to sit up, moving to sit on the end of Will’s bed. His hands rested on Will’s ankles, gentle but distant. “You are not the monster, Will. Having a memory of His doesn’t mean that you two are the same--”

“Then what does it mean? That I get to just... remember feeling all this anger toward the people I love? I get to just have that forever.” Will had remembered how to yell. “I didn’t remember the Tunnels until today! Who’s to say that I won’t remember another one when we’re... all at graduation or going to college or going to Lucas and Max’s wedding or--” Will refused to have any positive moment of his life haunted by hearing Mike exclaimed that he had killed those soldiers and he’d kill them too. Those were traumatic and hopeless moments Will had cut out of himself and pushed aside. He couldn’t deal if there were more, cropping up out of no where.

“Then we’ll take that on together. All of us. We’ll remind you who you are-- and who you never were.” Mike slid his hands up, leaning in closer to Will. “We wanted to save you, Will. All we wanted to do was save you.”

The evidence was there to argue with Mike. Will had the vision and the fear to convince Mike that no, he had felt that sinking realization of death. Although he hadn’t remembered it initially, Will now got to carry that feeling with him going forward. And he had his friends to thank--

No. It wasn’t his friends, it was the monster. Will wasn’t being hunted by the friends around him, he was being haunted long after he thought he’d healed.

"It feels so real.” Will muttered, reaching for Mike’s hands. “But I have to remember: you are too.”

“We’re all real. We’re here for you-- what you saw is all in the past. It’s a ghost, Will. Ghosts are always dead.” Mike squeezed Will’s hands tightly. “He can’t hurt you anymore-- and we never will.”

There he was. Will’s Mike. The one that who had written a whole speech before asking if he could kiss Will for the first time. The one that made Will feel safe and protected. The one that kept his promises-- and this Mike was no different.

“I’m sorry I put His words in your mouth.” Will shuddered out a slow sigh. That was his Mike, and he’d betrayed him.

“Hey- no no. It’s alright. You don’t have to apologize. I can’t ask you to just forget what happened to you.” Mike said, moving closer. Will moved the blanket apart, letting Mike kneel between his feet. “I just wish I knew how to help, how to get all that out of your head.”

“... Sometimes I’m afraid it’ll be there forever.” Will hung his head, afraid to admit to Mike he hadn’t yet pushed everything down. He wasn’t as good as he should have been.

“It won’t be, Plum. We’ll work on it. I’ll take care of you.” Mike reached forward and took Will’s head in his hands, pulling him to his chest. Will let himself sigh and relax against Mike’s chest.

“I know you will.” Will laughed, gently petting Mike’s thigh. “You brought soup and everything.”

Mike hiccuped a giggle, wrapping both arms around Will’s shoulders. “Yeah. Soup really cures nightmares, haven’t you heard?”

“The hospital did mention something, now that you bring it up...” Will teased, closing his eyes and letting his full weight rest against Mike’s chest. Mike placed his chin on the top of Will’s head, breathing slowly.

“You’ll tell me the next time things get bad, right?”

“I will.” He promised.

“Thank you.” Mike kissed Will’s head. “I love you.”

There was no one around to hear it but them; Mike’s words weren’t hidden or masked by fear-- and neither was Will’s view of Mike. It was really him, and it was really love. Out loud, out spoken, and out in the open. The Now-Memory still felt fresh, like prickly heat forming just across the back of Will’s neck, but it wasn’t able to hurt him anymore. It was pushed aside by the undeniable affection he felt for Mike. It was the best defense against the twisting torment of false resentment: how could Will ever hate the boy that was openly loving every bit of him-- even the darkest parts that seemed to survive without any light.

The fire had burned Will free from the monster, and offered a chance to put light in those dark, hidden corners. This was Mike, this was his Mike. And he was Mike’s Will. The monster could never take his place. After all, hearing in the distance-- ringing true and with painful desperation-- “the best thing I’ve ever done” brought Will back when he thought he’d lost all hope. Not persistence, not anger, not fear, but love.

Love survived darkness, fight, and flame. Always had.

“I love you, Michael.”

ao3

[mitchmarnier]

byeler

when I started shipping it if I did: i definitely didn’t start shipping byeler until after season two, because while theres some good mike-caring-about-will stuff in s1, it’s safe to say that s2 is when we started to see them interact together and how good the dynamic is! 

my thoughts: i love byeler so much, and reading all these fan theories about them just has me like *puts on clown shoes* *screams*

What makes me happy about them: i like mike can read will like a book and how will can just put in his trust in mike. i also love how no matter what’s going on, mike “crazy together” wheeler will still drop whatever if will seems distressed. like yeah, mike was hung up on el/calling el/whatever with el during the campaign but the second he saw it was real distress will was feeling, not just annoyance at his friends, mike hauled out after him, and then booked it into the pouring rain (even all the way out to castle byers) just to make sure will was okay. 

What makes me sad about them: i didn’t like how the s3 angst wasn’t resolved!!!!!! i love angst, and i actually didn’t hate that they were fighting-i liked that we got to see a deeper side of them, you know. that they have faults with one another- but i hate how it just got dropped :( 

things done in fanfic that annoys me: when mike cheats on el with will :( mike wheeler would never do that to el... and WILL BYERS wouldn’t either. bitch. 

things I look for in fanfic: bold of you to assume you can be picky in the byeler ao3 tag. but i really like pining, and i kind of like fics where mike is struggling w/ emotions because he’s a dumb boy. 

Who I’d be comfortable them ending up with, if not each other: pre-s3, i liked mike/el. i’d also be okay with lucas/will (as long as max doesn’t get hurt) or mike/dustin (imagine the chaos!!!!!!) 

My happily ever after for them: living in San Francisco. small apartment. comic book writing. pet cat. Holly lives with them in her late teens, then stays in the city and has weekly dinners with them. 

who is the big spoon/little spoon: will was probably exclusively the little spoon in the beginning, but they switch out as they grow older and more comfortable with a romantic relationship. 

what is their favorite activity: mike making up stories, and characters, and will drawing the actions/characters while mike works on his novels, etc. 

[dearyams]

maybe something with a Protective Will and a Hurt Mike for byeler? I just really love when the roles are reversed in that ship.

“I’ve got you.”

Three simple words that should have given more comfort than they did. It wasn’t Mike’s fault, either; he was always so protective and determined to take care of every loved one in his vicinity even if they had better means of protecting him than he did of them. For example, here and now as Mike had stepped away from Will to confront their enemy in an attempt to shelter Will. Basic control over his newly unleashed powers was still a struggle for Will and Mike was very adamant that he didn’t use them as much as possible so he wouldn’t accidentally kill people—“You don’t need that on your conscience,” he had said as he squeezed Will’s hands with wide eyes and dry blood smeared against his cheek, “Don’t worry; I’ve got you.”

So while Will didn’t have killing people weighing on his shoulders, he did have to live with seeing Mike get severely injured. He had to live with seeing solid determination in bright, heroic eyes melt into bone-crushing fear and pain and wonder if Mike’s constant need to be saving his loved ones would finally get him killed. Killed where Will could see it. Killed where Will could have done more to prevent it. Sure, Mike had a weapon in hand— “A proper one for once,” he had mumbled and Will was brought back to how he tried to kill Dart with a microphone—but it wasn’t going to be enough to really protect him as much as he thought it would. Mike wasn’t an idiot, well, not all the time, but sometimes he had a childlike air about him concerning his physical invincibility. It allowed him to be brave in ways Will could never relate to, but in this moment, as Mike crumbled to the ground and the dumb sword he had bought at a garage sale earlier in the year clattered with him, Will hated it.

“Mike!” he cried out, rushing forward only to skid to a stop as the wind brushed by him the way a shadow follows the light. Will turned on his heel but didn’t spare a second more as he skidded to his knees beside his fallen friend. “Mike! Mike, can you hear me?”

His body was moving with shallow breaths so he was alive but Will didn’t know for how much longer. Blood was staining his jeans dark and the strong iron odor made Will’s nose burn from the intensity. He shoved at Mike’s shoulder and tried to flip him over but a low, pained groan kept him from pursuing the action any further. Another chilly breeze blew by and Will quickly stood up with a snarl forced from between his lips. His eyes were better attuned to the shadows, a byproduct of his True Sight and clairvoyance-type powers, and he could see a tail whisking through the air around them. He and Mike were surrounded, by what exactly Will couldn’t tell. It wasn’t the Mind Flayer, not yet at least, but definitely was a force similar enough to it. A different shadow monster perhaps. It didn’t really matter though as Will was the light; he was always the antithesis to the shadows the Upside Down attempted to drown him under.

“Stay away from him,” the brunette hissed as he situated himself closer to Mike. He had one shaking hand positioned closer to the fallen boy and kept his other hand raised up in the general direction of the breeze he could feel against his damp cheeks. “You can’t have him.”

I don’t want him, spoke the wind. Will shivered unkindly and felt chills raise up his spine. The breeze chuckled coldly. Unless you’re willing to offer.

“What part of ‘you can’t have him’ do you not understand?” Will’s eyes glanced down at the rapier by Mike’s feet before darting back to the direction the wind and it’s shadow had gone. “Why are you after us?”

The answering silence was so loud Will held his breath in fear of adding to the white noise. An icy gust kissed his cheek and he pulled away with a growl. You know why. And he did. Will knew why the monsters were after him, why they came for the people he cared about, why they wanted his loved ones even if the monsters wouldn’t admit it themselves. He couldn’t—no, wouldn’t—admit what he wanted either. That was why.

They were him.

But Will wasn’t going to entertain that fact any longer. Everyone had their dark sides, sure, but this had to be defeated. Mike was bleeding out on the dirt ground that drank his sticky red blood like it was an elixir of life. Mike was trying to protect Will from himself and got injured in turn and that would not ever happen again if Will had a say in it and Will most definitely had a very strong say in it.

“I can and will destroy you,” he hissed unpleasantly, surprised at the dark, gritty tone found in his scratchy voice, “even if it kills me.”

“Will.”

Will whipped around to face Mike, who was so stupid and annoying and selfish but equally selfless and amazing and smart. Will loved him, he really did, but he did not love that Mike was trying to sit up while he had a deep gash across his stomach. He did not love that Mike was bleeding all over his hands as he tried to cover up the wound with his shirt. “Lay down,” snapped Will, chuckling inwardly as Mike’s eyes went wide as saucers from the authority dripping in Will’s command.

Mike opened his mouth to speak but Will felt the breeze before it could reach out and he snapped his thumb and middle finger in the space between himself. Flames flickered to life on his fingertips and he quickly knelt down beside Mike before blasting a ring of fire around himself and Mike to keep the monster away from them. Mike reached out as if he couldn’t not immediately find physical contact with Will. His fingers were slippery with his own blood but Will happily took those red-stained hands in his own as the flames flickered around them and gave them a false moment of solitude.

“Lay down,” whispered Will with less authority and more care, more comfort, more desperation. Mike nodded and did as told, wincing as his breathing hitched. “There’s no need to worry about me, okay? I have powers, you idiot, I can take care of myself.”

“Just don’t want you to use them for bad,” the other boys whispered hoarsely. He was losing too much blood now, not even the flames could keep his cheeks as rosy red as Will loved.

“It’s not bad if I’m using them to protect us. To protect you.” Will tightened his grip on Mike’s hands, ignored the wet squelch of blood between his fingers and smiled. “Don’t worry; I’ve got you.”

Mike’s eyes were drooping. Half-lidded and dark with exhaustion that mirrored Will’s own. His face was dirty, caked with dirt and dust and soot but Will would always be able to spot the constellation of freckles that naturally grace his cheeks under the grime. He wasn’t going to let this—Mike injured and bleeding out in the Upside Down—be their last memory together, so he leaned down and pressed a kiss to chapped lips in a stolen kiss that he wasn’t sure he really deserved in the first place. Mike’s eyelids fluttered but he didn’t move any further.

Will sat back on his haunches to recollect himself. The breeze was back but the roar of a demogorgon echoed through the wind. Of course; the smell of blood would attract the monster. Will stepped out of the fire ring and grabbed the rapier with a deep, concentrated sigh. When he opened his eyes, he pointed one palm toward the zephyr’s shadows and let his light persevere. 

[wackywriterwhowriteswhenever]

Reddie and Byler one-shots

All right, y’all. Camp NaNoWriMo is coming to an end next week, which means I’ll be writing the last of my Reddie and Byeler one-shots that will count toward my goal for the month. First, a major thank you to all of my readers who have read, left kudos, reviewed and shown all of these one shots a lot of love this month. You’ve truly warmed my heart and made this whole writing project that much sweeter. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤️🥰 Second, as a little treat and tease for my readers, here are the next three one-shots I’ll be working on to close out July.

Take it Easy (Reddie): Eddie is an actor/stuntman who performs most of his own stunts. He’s starring in an action film and hurts his back doing a particularly difficult stunt. He’s not hurt badly, but Stan recommends Eddie see Stan’s friend Richie, who is a chiropractor. Eddie sees Richie and the two bond almost instantly. Richie helps make Eddie feel better and recommends Eddie try to take it easy and maybe get a stuntman of his own. When Eddie invites Richie to the set the next day, Eddie can’t help but show off for his new friend and performs a stunt he really shouldn’t try when he’s not at 100%.

The State Fair (Byler): The Party heads to the Indiana State Fair for a day of fun. Dustin and Lucas have an eating competition where they both have to eat one item from each food stand at the fair. El and Max compete against each other in several games, each trying to outdo the other on the big prizes they win. Mike and Will ride several rides together and enjoy each other’s company. Everyone meets up at the roller coaster and one of the Byeler boys is nervous about going on it. The other boy comforts him. That night, there is a fireworks show and The Party wins a raffle contest to watch the show from the Ferriswheel. They divide into the same duo groups as before and the Ferriswheel stops with Mike and Will at the top in time for the fireworks show.

It Was Always You (Byeler): Mike is a successful author, who has written several best-selling novels. He is on the book tour of his latest novel. Hawkins is the final stop of his book tour and Mike hasn’t been in town in nearly a decade. Will comes to the booksigning and reunites with Mike, who is overjoyed to see his best friend and sign a free copy of his book for him. Will invites Mike to dinner and Mike quickly agrees. Over dinner at the Byers home, Joyce casually asks Mike if he’s married or has kids, and Mike confesses that he’s still single, but that he has been in love with someone for years, but thinks it wouldn’t work out. Later that night, Mike and Will have a heart-to-heart, where Will learns who Mike loves.

I’ll be writing and publishing these three stories in the coming days. Stay tuned!