#byler fic ideas

[andiwriteordie]

andi don’t do it don’t do it don’t do it—

a modern au fic called time for mistletoe and holly where holly wheeler overhears the party talking about how mike and will just need to get their act together and date already, so she takes matters into her own hands and spends all december trying to trap them under the mistletoe and accidentally keeps getting the worst combinations of people under the mistletoe instead 

(update: andi is going to do it. bc i have no self control.)

[howtobecomeadragon]

Bridgerton season 2, but make it Byler and Elmax.

Will plans to stay a bachelor and has no intentions ever to marry, because of course, that is not the path for happiness for him. He doesn't need to be high in society with a wife on his arm, he just wants to dabble in the arts. That and to help his younger sister, El, to secure a good marriage. Ever since their father died, he's been preparing El for the marriage market and this year, he will be introducing her to the high society of London.

Mike has been pressured by his parents to marry this year despite his unenthusiasm. El seems like a natural choice, a relatively unknown woman who is applauded for her fine manners, graceful dancing, and beautiful countenance.

Mike starts courting El, but, but, but... Will is blocking Mike's attempts at courting at every direction. Will has made it only too clear that doesn't like Mike, doesn't think he's a good match for his sister. It drives Mike crazy and he's thinking about Will constantly. It pushes him to try time and time again to get onto Will's better side, try to prove that he'd be a good partner, show that he has pleasant manners, is a skilled dancing partner, an excellent shot... for El, of course. For El. Will is difficult, though, and Mike finds himself spending more time with Will arguing and trying to prove himself worthy than he spends with El herself.

Will only wants the best for his sister, but El wants a love match, and Mike doesn't seem to bestow upon El the proper affections that he should. He has foul language, seems uninterested in being a doting husband for El, and just seems to want to fight. Mike is always there, needling Will, trying to convince Will that his assessment of Mike's suitability is mistaken. It's infuriating and Will is annoyed, so annoyed, and before he knows it, he's half in love with his sister's suitor. He can't do anything but bury it though. For so many reasons.

El is new to the marriage market of London, and Mike is a fair enough suitor. She tells Will that he would make a fair husband and she supposes that's true. He seems to care about her finding a husband more than she does though. Her mind is stuck on another girl that she grew up with, her good friend Max. Dancing with Mike never feels quite as, as, as... lovely as practicing with Max had felt when they took lessons together. El feels shackled by the pressure to produce an heir and the polite manners of London society. She wants to dance with her Max again, on the ballroom floor, not just in lessons. She wants to try on trousers and attend women's rights lectures.

Can they all find happiness without causing the biggest scandal that London has ever seen?

[byler-prompts]

BYLER PROMPT MASTERPOST

Welcome to Byler prompt masterpost, where all readers and writers are in for a treat! There will be more of my original byler fanfic ideas added to this post as it goes on, and if I see any of this prompts taken, I’ll link the fic and update this immediately! Stay tunes for more Byler prompts accompanied by Byler fics!!! OwO

New Byler Prompts every week!

Enjoy, Bylers!!

PROMPTS✍️

Will’s Birthday - Vecna’s Other Curse

Meet Me After Midnight - Byler Cinderella!AU

Call Me Cute, Call Me Yours! - Mike’s Self Discovery

I WANNA BE SAAAAAAAVED!!! - Byler Superman!AU

Remember. - twelvegate Will

The First Babygirl - Babygirl Duo Fic

Miraculous Cleric - Byler Ladybug!AU

The Party ™ - IT!AU

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ALREADY WRITTEN!!!📖

I Held Your Face In My Hands, Babygirl - UsErHeReOrIgInAl

The Miraculous Byler AU. - UsErHeReOrIgInAl

[hellinhawkins]

hot take but I don’t think that lucas or dustin (or anyone, for that matter, other than maybe robin) are going to see what’s going on between mike and will until it happens. they don’t suspect ANYTHING. when they actually get together everyone’s going to be shocked

[frozenfrogz]

The disappointment in getting motivation to write a fic then halfway through realize you’re better off just reading fics instead of writing them.

[parkitaco]

Every morning, Mike swears his alarm goes off earlier.

He groans, rubbing sleep from his eyes and rolling over. Will is still asleep beside him, arms looped loosely around his waist, and Mike winces as he shifts, trying not to wake him. He leans over to slap the off button on the alarm, then spends a long few minutes staring at the glowing red numbers, trying to gather the courage to get up.

This, unfortunately, is the cold reality of being a college student - his weekends are constantly usurped by extra shifts at the diner where he works.

But it also means that he gets to keep this apartment, where he lives with his boyfriend, and it's for this reason that he finally tosses off the covers and sits up.

Or- tries to. Before Mike can clamber out of bed, a pair of sturdy arms wrap firmly around his middle, and he yelps as he tumbles back onto the mattress.

He huffs, trying and failing to repress a smile as Will shoves his face into the space between Mike's shoulder blades. "Will," he hums, staring out at the window where light is streaming in - they'd forgotten to close the blinds - and letting one hand rest over Will's where it's pressed against his stomach. "I have to get up."

There's no response, only a light snuffling, and if Mike were just slightly dumber and didn't know Will quite as well as he did, he'd assume he was asleep. Unfortunately, though, Will happens to be very good at getting what he wants, and this is one of his primary tactics.

"Will," Mike says again, gently tugging at Will's arm in an attempt to pry him off him, and Will's grip on him tightens. "Will, c'mon."

Again, there's no response, but Will's nose digs into his back a little more firmly.

"I know you're awake," Mike tries, wriggling a little in his grip, and Will whines.

"Nuh uh," he mumbles, muffled.

Mike rolls his eyes, craning his neck back to peer over at him as best he can. "Babe, I have to get up."

"Nuh uh," Will says again, as Mike carefully twists around to face him again. His eyes are still closed, but his nose is scrunched up in offense, and when he turns his head into Mike's shoulder he can see that his cheek is flushed and lined with pillow creases. Something warm settles in Mike's chest, and he smiles as he presses a kiss to the top of Will's head.

"I'm gonna be late," he tries, but it sounds unconvincing even to his own ears, and Will grunts noncommittally.

"So be late," he mumbles, evidently giving up on feigning sleep, and curls closer.

"I'll get fired."

"So get fired." Will presses a kiss to his collarbone, and Mike, the weak man that he is, lifts a hand to tangle his fingers in Will's hair. "Then we can stay here forever."

Mike smiles, leaning into Will's warmth a little as his hand dips under Mike's sleep shirt, thumb rubbing placating circles into his hip. It makes Mike's resolve crack just a little more, and he sighs, cupping the back of Will's head with one hand and kissing his head again.

"That would be nice," he allows, and Will hums appreciatively, "until we stopped being able to afford the apartment, and then we'd have to live on the street, and-"

"Okay, Mike," Will grumbles, and his grip on him loosens ever so slightly.

Mike's resolve may be cracking, but he knows an opportunity when he sees one, and he uses Will's brief moment of weakness to wriggle out of his grasp. Will releases an unholy yelp of offense and scrambles for him, fingers skating over Mike's arms, waist, anywhere he can reach, but fails to find purchase. "Sorry, sorry," Mike says, half-laughing as he tumbles out of bed and Will falls back onto the mattress in defeat. "Sorry, I'm sorry, we can hang out later, I swear."

Will stays silent, bottom lip stuck out in a pout and arms folded over the covers. His eyes are open now, wide and brown and sad, and Mike knows it's all for show and can't help but be a little moved by it anyway. For someone that is generally opposed to lying, Will really is excellent at it.

Mike suppresses a smile, giving in and leaning over to kiss him softly. Immediately, Will wraps a hand around the front of Mike's shirt, smiling a little against his lips, and Mike leans away just as he tugs sharply at him, trying to pull him back down onto the bed.

"Nice try," Mike says, prying his fingers off and laughing as Will immediately goes back to pouting.

"I hate you," Will says, and Mike blows him a kiss as he crosses to the dresser and starts rooting around for a fresh t-shirt.

He gets ready quickly, on account of the ten minutes Will had so rudely absorbed, pulling on a t-shirt and jeans before stumbling out to the kitchen to make coffee and throw a piece of bread into the toaster. The kitchen is freezing, on account of it being mid-November and the two of them not being able to afford to keep the apartment constantly heated, and Mike wraps his arms around himself as he waits for the toaster to ding. With every passing second, he wishes more and more that he could take Will up on his offer (demand) to stay in bed, curled up under the warm covers with his even-warmer boyfriend.

It's rare that they get days like this, where the light streaming through the windows feels pleasant rather than blinding and their biggest strife is over one of them having to leave for work or school. It's nice, and normal, and Mike's never particularly subscribed to normalcy but, given the alternative of night terrors and monsters haunting them and those days when it feels like he can't move a muscle, normal sounds pretty great. He'd sell his soul for a lifetime of normal with will.

It's for this reason, mainly, that Mike makes a second cup of coffee, despite the fact that Will is a clingy nuisance who has probably already made Mike late for work, which Mike is actually rather pissed about.

(He's not. He wouldn't have it any other way, especially since there was a time when he didn't think he'd be lucky enough to have something as stupidly good as Will Byers clinging to him and making him late for things.)

When, after wolfing down a piece of slightly-burnt toast and pouring coffee into a mug for Will and a to-go cup for himself, he quietly pokes his head back into the bedroom, Will has already taken over the whole mattress, spread-eagled with his face planted firmly into a pillow. Mike smiles to himself and pads softly across the floor, setting Will's coffee mug down on the nightstand and reaching over to card a gentle hand through Will's hair.

"Mmph," Will groans, shifting just enough to open one eye at Mike.

Mike's smile widens, and he leans over to press a kiss to Will's temple, brushing his hair out of his eyes. "Made you coffee," he murmurs, and when Will scrunches his nose at him, "I know, I know, you want to sleep. But- it's there if you want it, that's all."

"Thank you," Will mumbles begrudgingly, but Mike can see the smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he reaches up to curl his fingers around Mike's wrist. "Are you leaving?"

"Yeah," Mike says, a little regretfully, glancing at the clock. "M' sorry."

"S'okay," Will murmurs - the coffee gesture must have made him a little more agreeable. He guides Mike's hand over to his lips and presses a kiss there, right in the center of Mike's palm. "I love you."

Mike smiles, tapping a fingertip against Will's jaw as Will kisses his hand again. "I love you too. I'll see you when I-" he cuts himself with a yelp when, with absolutely zero warning, Will tugs on his arm, hard, sending him tumbling back onto the mattress.

"Oh," Mike sighs, as Will's ironclad grip settles around his waist again, "I am so going to get fired."

---

Mike does not get fired, which is great for his and Will's financial situation but not so great for his personal affliction to doing physical labor. By the time he gets home, after a grueling eight-hour shift and the added half hour of traffic, he's bone tired and half-wishing he'd taken Will up on the whole staying-in-bed-forever thing after all.

He closes the door firmly and leans heavily against it, sighing and letting his eyes fall shut. He takes three deep breaths, then opens his eyes again, dropping his keys and wallet on the counter.

There's a patter of footsteps from down the hall, and Mike smiles a little to himself, glancing up as Will pokes his head around the corner, calling out a bleary "Mike?" before, upon seeing him, breaking out into a blinding smile. "Baby!" he cheers, as Mike laughs and holds out his arms. Will launches himself into them with zero hesitation, colliding with him forcefully and sending Mike stumbling back into the counter.

"Hi," Mike laughs, as Will winds his arms around his neck and begins peppering the side of his face with kisses. "Missed you."

"Mmph," Will replies, which is code for I missed you too, so very much, and pulls away, hopping up onto the kitchen island and beckoning Mike closer.

Mike grins wide and comes to stand between Will's knees, placing one hand on his thigh and the other against the side of his face. "Have you done anything at all today?" he asks, looking him up and down. Will is still in his sleep shirt and a pair of Mike's stolen sweatpants, and his hair is endearingly ruffled, like he'd been napping before Mike got home. Mike is incredibly jealous of this fact, because he'd spent the day serving ungrateful customers and trying and failing to prevent anything from spilling on him, but any negative emotions are undercut by Will, who looks so sweet and flushed and warm that Mike can't really be pressed to complain.

"I did art," Will says proudly, despite the fact that doing art is kind of his resting state.

Mike bumps his nose against Will's, smiling. "Do I get to see?"

"Later," Will says, and kisses him, slow and sure. He tastes like early evening sleep and tea and cigarettes, his hands coming up to cup Mike's face and tilt him into a better angle. Mike hums, soft and appreciative, and Will pulls back with a lazy smile.

"I can't believe I spent all day working my ass off while you sat here and doodled," Mike mumbles, knocking his forehead against Will's.

"I didn't- doodle," Will huffs, breath fanning across Mike's chin, and Mike grins all teeth, pleased at getting him all riled up. "And I've worked plenty of long shifts this week. S' not a competition."

"You're right," Mike agrees, suddenly in a very agreeable mood which may or may not be related to Will's lips, which are very close and very kissable.

It's worth it, too, when said lips stretch into a pleased little smile, and Will rubs a thumb along Mike's cheek, gazing up at him with unfiltered adoration. "'Course I am," he replies, and kisses Mike again before he can argue, not that he would have tried particularly hard to.

It's sweet and saccharine, Will's tongue running slowly over the line of Mike's lip. Mike's hand shifts to grab hold of Will's waist, mostly just to ground him where he's gone a little weak in the knees, because if he melted to the floor over a singular kiss, Will would never let him live it down.

He's pretty sure Will knows anyway, though, because he grins against Mike's mouth and pulls him closer, humming appreciatively. "I love you," he murmurs into the kiss, and- okay, if Mike wasn't feeling dizzy before, he certainly is now.

He disconnects the kiss a little reluctantly, a smile tugging insistently at his lips. He presses it down, tipping his head to one side inquisitively. "I love you too, freak," he says, laughing a little. Will is so- odd, sometimes, so clingy and affectionate and giggly, and it's not a bad thing by any means, but he's not always so bubbly. Not without a reason.

He bumps his nose against Will's again, and Will scrunches said nose at him. You're like a cat, he'd said once. Always- fucking- headbutting me, or something.

It's 'cause I like you, Mike had replied, and Will hadn't been able to think of a comeback for that.

"What's going on?" he asks now, lightly teasing and faintly confused. "Why are you being so- nice?"

Will gives him a look, hooking his arms around Mike's neck and drawing him in for another kiss. "M' always nice to you," he mumbles, still half-kissing him, and Mike's smile wins out as he leans into it a little.

"I just meant," Mike starts, leaning away, only to be immediately cut off by Will kissing him again, quick and sweet, "you're being extra- affectionate, today." His eyes widen, and he pulls back for real, staring up at Will. "Oh God, did you do something bad? Are you trying to butter me up so I won't be pissed? Oh, no, what did you break this time-"

"Nothing!" Will squawks, flicking the side of his face indignantly. "Nothing, oh my God, I just. I don't know." He curls a finger through a lock of Mike's hair and tugs absently at it. "Today's a good day, and I just wanted to take advantage of that."

"Oh," Mike says, a slow smile spreading across his face. Will has a point - last week had had some bad days. They'd gotten into an argument on Monday - the small, inconsequential kind that had been resolved not even one full day later, but fighting with Will in any capacity always makes Mike's skin crawl. Then Will had had a bad day, the kind where he'd woken up screaming too many times the night before and had been overtired and sad all day. The day after that, Mike had had a bad day, the kind where he hadn't been able to move or talk or eat or do much of anything but lay in the dark, and Will had cried three times with worry and had tried not to let Mike see.

But this week has been better. They go in cycles like this sometimes, as lasting childhood trauma will tend to do to people, but it always gets better. Everything is better, with Will around.

"Yeah, okay," Mike whispers, and Will smiles as he drags him back in for another kiss.

[byler-alarmist]

I have this great need for both older Wheeler siblings to be very, very jealous. Jealous Mike is already basically canon, but what if jealous Nancy?

We haven't really seen it with Jancy, since Jonathan seemingly doesn't hang out with or even know a single other girl in the world.

I want Nancy's friendship with Robin to grow and deepen to the point where Nancy secretly dreams of it becoming more, and when Robin finally tells her that she and Vickie are more than friends, I want Nancy to surprise herself by getting insanely jealous.

Nancy's brain is short-circuiting and Robin starts panicking, stammering and trying to explain because she thinks Nancy doesn't approve of her being a lesbian.

Meanwhile, Nancy is trying to appear so normal about it, insisting that it's totally fine and great, that Vickie is....a really great person and it's....really, really great.

Robin is uneasy, thinking Nancy is doing her best to tolerate Robin's truth despite thinking it's gross.

Robin assures Nancy that she doesn't want to make her feel weird, that Nancy doesn't need to worry about Robin hitting on her, since they were friends and nothing was going to change that. Ironically, this makes Nancy angrier.

Nancy's head is spinning and she feels these ugly feelings rising in her chest, to the point where she has to excuse herself or she'll scream.

And all she can think is.....why couldn't it be me?

[howtobecomeadragon]

byler but anne with an e au (spoilers!)

especially, ESPECIALLY s3. mike feels like he's put himself out there enough times with will without getting any positive signs that will likes him back, so he forces himself to move on and starts courting el, because sure, she's a respectable choice.

meanwhile will is finally catching up to what's going on, finally, FINALLY accepting how he feels and when their class practices dancing to prepare for the fair, will noticed how often mike was looking at him and all of a sudden he couldn't stick his head in the sand about what it all meant anymore. mike, annoying mike who always had to be the best of their class, annoying mike who'd teased him for his hair the first day of class, mike, mike, mike. how lovely mike was.

and after that dance, he's thinking back to all their interactions before and hoping that maybe mike likes him, that what he thought was out of reach and beyond hope could be true, that he could be loved dearly and have a romance of his very own. but at the fair, he sees mike, mike with a girl, and everything comes crashing down around him because how could he ever be so stupid to hope that mike would like him and of course they couldn't court like that in front of everyone, they would never be able to dance together at the fair anyway.

against reason and sense, will keeps feeling like mike still harbors some affection for him as they talk at school, only to be reminded, again and again, how stupid that is, for mike is courting el, and their classmates are making jokes about an engagement soon and will just caught on to everything but he already missed his chance. so he takes his entrance exams to go to the local college and afterward he and all his classmates have a clandestine party where they drink, and who could blame will for overindulging a little bit in the midst of his heartbreak?

mike knows he's at a point in his courtship where he needs to propose or get out. el's father just gave him permission to propose. it's time, the pressure is mounting, and it feels like it's choking him. if he proposes, he'll have el's father's financial support to go to the college of his choosing, the expensive school all the way in europe that could take him so much farther than the local colleges ever could. he'll be... happy enough, he's sure. but there's also will, he can never escape thoughts of will, he can never crush that long held hope that maybe after all these years, maybe will has come around to understand the way that mike looks at him, talks to him. maybe if he simply says it, no subtly chosen words to hide his meaning anymore. it's now or never.

so he goes to the party and will is there, and he's dancing and smiling, and the glow of the bonfire is reflecting on his face and in his hair and mike can hardly breath, can hardly bear to look at him because he's just too beautiful.

he asks to talk with will, and mike is talking too fast, too foolishly, but he has to put it out there so that will knows. he explains that he just got permission to propose to el and he'll be able to go to the school of his dreams but he still doesn't know what to do, he still doesn't know.

will, with his heart beating out of his chest and his thoughts muddled with the wine he drank, asks, dread and hope clinging to each word that he forces through his lips, "i don't understand, what's holding you back then?"

and mike stares at him, he looks at will's lips and searches his face for understanding, he looks into will's eyes, firelight reflected back, and he simply says, "just one thing." and surely will must understand that mike wants to be with him, that'd he'd throw it all away for him, that he'd go to a college close to home and be happy with a private life with will at home, if only will would have him.

but will doesn't understand. how could he? mike is saying that he could have everything he wants, a respectable life, a wife, a better education than he could ever have otherwise. and mike has been courting el, and will couldn't possibly hold mike back from all of that, because he's just will, he's a just a queer boy who never fits in anywhere, who's teased and a misfit. mike could do so, so much better. he's drunk and doesn't see the desperation in mike's eyes, but words are flowing from will's mouth, messily unspooling, and he knows as he's talking that it doesn't make sense, but mike ambushed him with this and he never knew mike could love him and it's too much to understand. "i don't know what to say. what am i supposed to... and everyone, everyone is... and now you just... and i'm... and we never even... and you're never going to, that much i know. i can't, you can't, i... we..."

mike is staring at him with big, wide eyes that look sadder with every word will says, and will can't figure out the right thing to say. suddenly will's friends are running over and calling his name, pulling him to his feet and drunkenly asking him to join them, and will can't stop staring at mike in shock about what just happened, what mike said, how mike was looking at him, at what he himself said.

mike had gone into the conversation clinging to this slightest possibility that if he laid his feelings on the line that will would tell him not to propose, to stay with him, to be with him, and as the words fell from will's mouth, they stomped on all of mike's hope. will didn't like him back and mike had been foolish for hoping he did. as will stared back at him amidst his friends' chatter, mike stood, and said, his voice cracking, "well, i'll be off then." and he gulps down air on his walk home, brushing away the tears.

[jonathanbyersphd]

College AU where Mike was supposed to room with Dustin but shenanigans ensue and he ends up rooming with Will and they do not get along. Will thinks Mike is messy, Mike Hates Will's music but they're both trying to make the best of it. (Don't worry they're going to kiss kiss fall in love)

Meanwhile, Max lives with Dustin and Lucas because the school messed up and thought she was a boy. And the three of them are getting into absolute hijinks while trying to hide the fact that Max shouldn't be in that room.

AND IN THE BACKGROUND, Nancy is the editor of the school paper and has been in a secret relationship with Jonathan for like two years so they could avoid nepotism allegations. 

But wait where's El? You ask. Simple she's in the other dorm with a similar name wondering why her roommate never showed up and rushing the sorority Chrissy's in. (Or she's living in Jonathan and Argyle's apartment and in on the nepo baby secret)

[byleriscanon713by]

Obsessed with Mike having to get his wisdom teeth out and Joyce offers to pick him up and obviously all the Byers comes and Mike just rants about how hot Will is or how hot random men are and they all die of laughter and Mike makes a fool of himself.

[imfinereallyy]

50 Dialogue Prompts for Fic Writers

“You should call me sometime.”

“I didn’t know you played.”

“You’re not human, are you?”

“I heard a rumor about it.”

“Why is there a hole in your ceiling?”

“Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?”

“Hey Alexa, play ‘Vienna’ by Billy Joel”

“Sorry.”

“I’m really lucky you’re not in love with me.”

“A boy needs his father.”

“I’m sorry you’re upset, but I’m going to marry her.”

“Why is there blood?”

“And you’re sure it was over there?”

“I can hear it through the walls.”

“Don’t worry, you’re not my type.”

“This is for your own good.”

“Is it okay if I borrow this?”

“I heard you were dead.”

“All you have to do is say it.”

“This place is haunted…I can feel it.”

“You said this time would be different.”

“You woke me up.”

“Think before you speak.”

“The infection has spread.”

“Sometimes I forget to look up.”

“Do you think we are soulmates?”

“There is a chicken on our couch.”

“I can’t believe he cheated.”

“I lost the letter you gave me. I never read it.”

“Will you be my best man?”

“You don’t get to just kiss me and walk away!”

“I heard you the first time.”

“The twilight movies were cinematic masterpieces.”

“Only a true man plays with Barbie’s unapologetically.”

“Please leave a message, after the beep.”

“I’m so tired and I feel useless.”

“Is there a reason you’re here?”

“I was eavesdropping and I heard something I can’t scrub from my memory.”

“I’m scared I’ll be the reason.”

“It’s nothing personal.”

“I guess I just always thought when someone wrote a song about me, it would be romantic. Not this.”

“Run.”

“It’s not miscommunication if you never communicate in the first place.”

“If you had a dad to call, I would call him.”

“You’re the first person I wanted to tell about the divorce.”

“Every time I look in the back seat, I think of you.”

“Why are you hiding? Aren’t you supposed to be working?”

“Worst. Wingman. Ever.”

“We met at a funeral.“

“And if I don’t say it enough. I love you, I love you, I love you.”

[royal-they]

smaller byler sketch dump from my last and current sketchbook

that last one was inspired by the heartbreak prince of ao3

Will!! I’ve been drawing him a lot lately. He’s my favorite character. I’ve been brainstorming possible routes his character arc might take…

Trans masc mikes bc i guess ive been feeling more dysphoric as of late and it makes me feel better to think about this idea.

“I feel like someone definitely died here at some point.”

“Probably because they have.”

“What.”

This reminds me of the season three especially.

[apple-cider-vinegarrr]

Luca au ft Mike being a little shit

[misswhyso]

think about how the end feels very much like the beginning, how the future only holds the horror of the unknown. and just like they were at twelve years old, mike and dustin find themselves sitting at the quarry—maybe dustin had blown up at steve after a long day, maybe nobody was listening to mike. whatever the case: there they are at the quarry, sitting in silence. palms against gravel. wind howling like the wolves are home. then, with his gaze fixed on the crashing waves, mike says, “i dream about it.”

dustin stills. some things you don’t have to say out loud.

“all the time.” mike draws his knees to his chest. he is thinking about the burning sun, the drag of a dead body from the water. funny how everything feels fresh, raw—it never matters how long ago it has been. it's like they're twelve all over again. “in my head i see the four of us here, again. and i can see it—it’s always so clear, how sharp the knife is. and they won’t let you go. dustin, they won’t let you go.”

a sharp breath. dustin leans forward, says, “mike—”

“and,” he interrupts. the words spill out of him, reckless, relentless. “and it’s the same thing, always. they ask me to jump, and—i have no choice, you know? it’s me or you. of course it has to be me.”

a pause. he swallows thickly. three steps away from him, dustin looks at him with wide, wet eyes. “so i jump. there’s no other choice.”

“that’s bullshit,” dustin chokes out. “that’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever said.”

maybe he should stop while he’s still in dustin’s good graces, pull them back from the edge of it. but it’s so mike wheeler, isn’t it? always driving the knife in. forever walking away, debris scattered around him. 

he says, “in my dreams, el doesn’t come.” 

he says, “and i fall. i just—fall. one second it’s cold and then—nothing.”

mike closes his eyes. he can’t bear the weight of dustin’s gaze; how did he get by all these years, hanging onto the brightest kids he knows? will, dustin, lucas. max. el. he never deserved them. he never deserved any of them.

inhale. exhale. a confession lays on the tip of his tongue.

“and it’s good,” he finally says. this is the truth, the only thing he knows with certainty. “it’s a good dream.”

[lighthouseas]

happy byler bts pics <3 and also happy Bee Wrote A Fic For The First Time In 9 Months.

shake it out

A decade post-breakup, Mike shows up at Will's door in the middle of the night with a toddler in his arms and desperation in his eyes. And really, who is Will to refuse him?