#i love autumn and peak s2 byeler feels come back this time of yr

[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.