#byler anything can heal a little bit in me

[fluffyfangirl]

I need them to hug in season5 so bad.

[freetobeeyouandme]

Chapter 7: I Get 'Advice' From a Demi-Goddess

Chapter 7 of my Byler Isekai AU took me forever, but it's finally up on Ao3! Mike and Will get to go shopping in a quaint little lakeside town and run into demi-goddess dispersing invaluable wisdom.

Tags: M, Graphic Descriptions of Violence, Fantasy AU, Canon Typical Violence, Canon Typical Horror, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn

Summary:

Mike Wheeler hates High School, so when he almost dies and falls through a portal to another world, he’s not going to complain. Especially not when that world does not only have swords and magic but seems to work exactly according to the rules of his favorite tabletop role-playing game. But his euphoria might be short lived because the party of adventurers he falls in with turns out to be the target of an evil god and the fate of the world might rest on their shoulders. So, exactly like his games of D&D. Except the wanna-be Paladin soon realizes that being a hero is much harder in real life than it is in-game. - Or, Mike gets isekai’d into a world where D&D is real.

An excerpt and taglist below the cut:

Excerpt:

By the time they make it back to their rooms, everyone else is awake and busy; breakfast sits mostly eaten on the table in front of the fireplace. El, Hop and Jonathan are still at it while Max sits beside them just sort of staring into space a little. The others flit in and out of their bedrooms as they get ready to leave.

El smiles when she sees them come in and waves with a half eaten pastry. “They made waffles!”

The thing in her hand looks like a waffle alright, but all the waffles in the room seem to be hoarded on her plate, so it’s not like Mike and Will could grab any if they wanted to.

“It looks like they made everything,” Will replies. He sits down besides her, grabs a plate, and then surveys the remaining food. In the end he settles for trying to swipe one of the waffles from his El’s plate.

The Sorceress is quicker, though, and the two of them end up squabbling over the food. Hop has to put a stop to it, reprimanding Will to leave his sister’s plate alone, and El to be nicer to her brother.

In response El sticks her tongue out at Will triumphantly and hugs her plate of waffles to her chest. Then she turns towards Mike with an innocent smile: “Do you want a waffle?”

Mike looks from her to the food ladden table – most of it normal enough, scrambled eggs and breadrolls, jams, and pastries – and feels only a little bit overwhelmed. “Uh, sure.”

El gleefully scoops a waffle onto an empty plate and holds it out for him over her brother’s head. Mike reluctantly takes it and a seat on the other couch, besides Jonathan.

“How is that fair!?” Will wails, although his tone only sounds half serious.

Still, Mike takes the waffel and rips it in half, giving Will a part of it. The dragonborn blinks, surprised. On the other side of the table El’s eyes widen, but before she can do anything, Will stuffs the entire thing into his mouth and chews exaggeratedly in her face.

For a moment the table is silent. Then Max bursts out into loud, cackling laughter.

El shakes her head, but she doesn’t look angry, instead just giving Mike a disbelieving smile. He meets her eyes and just shrugs. Then he fills his plate with some eggs, syrup and a round pastry ball covered in what looks like powdered sugar and digs in.

“You feeling better?” Will asks Max when the Monk’s fit of laughter has subsided.

Max shrugs. “Sure. I had all my bones broken yesterday, but I’m healed, so I’m fine.”

Her voice drips with sarcasm, but no one calls her out. Who among them would be fine in her shoes? She might seem physically alright, but Mike doesn’t want to know what it must have felt like to die like she almost had. Just the memory of her broken, bloody body will haunt his nightmares even if they manage to defeat One – he can’t fathom how Max will ever sleep again.

In a way, too, he knows what it feels like to die. He remembers the darkness that had taken him as he drowned, the fire that had engulfed his entire body as it shattered on the cement surface of the lake. But the water had taken him fast. He’d been out quick and only come back as Will healed him. One was a lot more precisise than Sattler’s Quarry, and Mike didn’t doubt Max would remember dying in much greater detail than he ever would.

It’s a strange thing to be grateful for.

Owens returns as they finish breakfast, the same faux concern plastered onto his face as he had yesterday. Mike had thought that perhaps he had judged the High Mage too harshly, since the Laboratories had seemed to good to be true to his exhausted and frightened mind. But he still feels the same distrust today, as Owens smiles at them just a little too widely, offering his help without wanting anything in return – the sort and scale of an altruism out of place in a man of his political stature.

The others don’t seem to necessarily disagree with Mike’s judgement. Lucas is quick to thank the man for his hospitality and his support, but also makes it clear that they won’t be staying past breakfast. Owens tries to talk him out of it, then seems to realize there is no point arguing with the prince and relents. He promises some more resources and to see them off personally, then leaves them to their preparations.

They’re gone less than an hour later. When even El has finished eating, they collect the last of their things, pack the rations that Owens sends up, and head out.

Unofficial Tag List (aka you interacted with my posts about this fic, please tell me if you want me to not tag you in the future (or want to be added)): @smalltownwheeler @wheelerpilled @wrong-energy @willthelies @foodiewithdahoodie @doggo9 @gardenfairie @beelikesbyler @beverlysclown @yickarus @sourdough-el @hessolivagant @hesquietoday @oldfashionedmorphine @total-serene560 @bylersrise @hawkinsunderground @longtallglasses @generalstorecashier @usnaavi @camel-casing @bylersbear01 @turningsoft @casatoan @maru-chu @xobyers @goldentrunks @itachisnipplesharingan

[downbytheriversside]

something you think that's underrated (show, music, ship, habit, animal, absolutely anything. can be multiple/a list. go wild)

Oh get ready to be here a while here we fuckin go...

Wind. It reminds me what it's like to be alive

Matt Maltese. Sad boy music that's so so good and makes me feel so much pain and catharsis. Also a lot of his songs are byler/Mike coded. You deserve an Oscar, shoe, everyone adores you, outrun the bear (byler will pov), as the world caves in, strange time (its second or third line is literally "and we'll both gladly lose our minds LIKE!!). Also paper thin hotel is tom wambsgan's song, and tom wambsgan's alone.

Lucas GODDAMN Sinclair. Need I say more? Doesn't matter cus I'm gonna- I genuinely believe he's the best written and performed character in the whole show, he's my sweet child ray of sunshine I love him dlfkgkfdn and he would NOT be the same without what Caleb brings to the table in his performance. And since day ONE he fucking ATE I keep putting EMPHASIS on so many WORDS but I digress. I do understand the problems with some of his writing which sucks but he is still incredible and you can tell that Caleb cares so much about him which I always love to see

The oh hellos album dear wormwood. Omg. Omfg. It's fucking TRANSCENDENT. ANYONE READING THIS WHO HAS GONE THROUGH/IS GOING THROUGH A TOXIC OR ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP OF ANY KIND LISTEN TO THIS IT IS SO HEALING. Not only is it cathartic asf but it depicts the anger and regret and pain and resignation and fucking every emotion under the sun that you experience in those kinds of relationships. And just how connected all of the songs are. The album itself is a loop, seriously. The last part of Thus Always to Tyrants (the final song on the album) leads right into the beginning of Prelude. And while we're on the subject of thus always to tyrants can we talk about how fucking impactful it is to end the album on that note? On a bittersweet toast to the people who hurt us because there is no getting rid of what they did, only making yourself stronger from it and healing?!!? About the notion that what they did was terrible but that is something you'll never forget because you can't but you're moving on to better things, wondering if they will change/have changed from who you knew them as?!??! ARE YOU FUCKNG KIDDING ME!!!!! AND just how connected the lyrics and melodies are in all of the songs. I've listened to the whole album easily over a hundred times and I still notice new lines that relate to each other or when bg melodies in one song are the main motif (?) of another. You can tell how much care and thought and love and emotion was put into its creation and I love it so so so much. Also if you dear reader do not want to spend 40 min listening to the album please please please just listen to Pale White Horse and Where is Your Rider. Oh. My. Fucking. God. Jesus fuck these songs. I'm just typing about them and I got chills like. I'm not joking at all when I say these songs actually changed my life. And the interconnectedness of them (sorta like a horse and its rider?) is just so special. They're whole fucking experiences to listen to and I will never get tired of it. Aaaaaaaahhh I wanna keep talking about this album but we'd be here for a long long long time but I might make a post about it if anyone was actually interested on my music blog @lyricsdumblikethelinoleumfloor at some point so. Stick around for that ?

Forehead kisses. We need more of those pls

Sincerity. For the love of the night sky. BE EARNEST! BE SINCERE!! BE GENUINE I WILL FUCKING STAB YOU-

Little thumb rubs while holding hands

My mutuals all of you deserve love and appreciation and tenderness every one of you fuckers I love you all <33333

Cucumbers. Shit fucks

LIBRARIES! Please if you can visit your local library, it'll be so lovely I prommy

Humans committing to silly bits together. And just like building off of each other's energy. One of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed and that I'm so grateful to have experienced

Introspection. For the love of fuck pleaaaase more people need this. Everyone needs to practice introspection idc just do it it's not some shameful act it just helps you grow

Peach flavoured things. They're yummy 😋

My ever growing gnome figurine collection pretty underrated imo kinda flying under the radar imho

Burger King foot lettuce

Laying on the floor and doing nothing. 10/10 activity honestly. Especially when you're in a sun spot shit fucks

And that's m'list! Glad you made it to the end, sorry for the long post

[perexcri]

Fannon is here to scream:D

Congrats on getting through 2 Life things!! Life is Very difficult so tbh you are awesome for completing them whatever they are! (Looks over at my lack of doing anything substantial …) anyway!! Pretty picture btw!!

This chapter was so lovely!!! The way they’re basically having tiny dates without saying or acknowledging they’re dates (the Rose!!!! William you Romantic!!!) djfiidkdiwieidj

I am so interested to learn about this version of Mike!!

(The fact that they’re both healing each other a little bit by interacting I’m 😭)

I see that Drama is starting soon:O a little miscommunication trope? (Does…does Mike not know it’s Will?) I am Going to Cry if either of them Cry:))))

Anyway I would literally read any fic you put out ever. You’re my Most favorite Byler author and tbh fic author in general😊

fannon i saw your message last night and was almost crying. i just want you to know it means a lot to me that you're enjoying my writing!! you're very sweet and it is much appreciated 💜and your favorite byler author?? 🥺🥺🥺 again, this means a lot to me because there are so many wonderful authors writing for this ship, so the fact that i'm anybody's favorite it almost incomprehensible to me T_T

ahhh and thanks for the congrats!! i had to drag myself kicking and screaming through both of them, but at least they're done!! i am sending whatever temporary spirit of productivity hit me your way in the hopes that you can get done what you need to get done :D you can do itttt!!

yesss they really are just little dates. it's just them being cute together, which was so nice to write - and i'm glad you picked up on the fact that the connection they're making is helping them both out!! a lot of the inspiration for this fic was the song it's based on (the truth untold), but also the idea that we need others and community to survive. Will's been isolated for so long, but he's finally starting to open up again, and it's making him a better person

hmmmm yes i can promise you that more will be revealed about Mike, and there is trouble on the horizon (isn't there always with these two? lol). i hope you like how it turns out :D

again, thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such a kind message T_T i genuinely don't have the words to describe how much it means to me, especially with this fic, because i've had such a hard time getting the rest of it written and posted. so, yes, thank you for all the lovely support, and hopefully i'll be seeing you with the next update!! I hope all is well with you :] 💜

[honkhonkrichard]

byler really really sucks as a concept lmao like, Mike stopped just shy of calling Will a slur for wanting to spend time with his friends instead of watching them mope abt their girlfriends, Will deserves a better boyfriend imo

YES you GET it alexa play you took the words right out of my mouth (hot summer night) by meatloaf!!!!!! God damn!!!

I don't want to sound like I'm plugging my fic or anything but I deadass forget sometimes that byler is such a big thing bc I'm so fixated on my own omc and will being together !!!!

Also Mike and Will’s chemistry has kind of filtered out. There wasn't a whole lot of Chemistry the way that say Lucas and Max have or Dustin and Steve have even platonically Mike and Will are far more like. They act like exes now more than anything else which is fucking hilarious imo. Like I can 100% get behind the idea that Will had a big crush on Mike when they were younger (s1/2) but i think that it definetely filtered out after Mike and Jane/El started dating. I dont see Will as being the kind of person to harbour feelings like that

But yes youre totally right i think that the bridge between mike and Will has kind of been burned with the rain fight in s3. I dont blame anyone for feeling different and if Will chooses to forgive Mike in s4 then Fine but also.

 I personally think that Will’s character arc moving forward should revolve around hins trauma and how he’s been angry over it all (we see a little bit of that in s2 (”everyone treats me like a baby”) and flares in s3 (he’s clearly more bitter, snappier, etc) but nothing crazy except him destroying castle byers) and i think he deserves screen time where we see the rage thats boiled in him from the trauma he’s suffered through and the lack of proper support he’s recieved from it. not even in a “hes gay in 1986″ way more in a “his friends have no idea how to help him so they kind of it ignore it, he never learned to cope, his family is too busy and distracted, theres no healing around him so he cant heal himself,” etc etc etc. 

long story short i dont like byler it doesnt feel good in my brain or my heart