#spicy byler hc

[romainlettusdinnerparty]

do you find yourself thinking about byler sex more with them in early relationship years or as experienced adults? I find both so so hot for different reasons but lately I've been loving older byler!

omg anon thank you so much for asking about this,, its such an interesting question to me!!

I will admit I think I am slightly more basic when it comes to this, at least currently, and do really enjoy the uncertainty and tension of exploring their early relationship. I love the idea of them having different boundaries, even after they start having sex, that they don’t think the other would cross. obviously their bond is so tight and unique and they love each other so much but at the end of the day they are both very insecure teenage boys who are growing up in a time period where gay sex is viewed as probably more “dirty” and “wrong” then even some of the previous decades, just due to the AIDs epidemic. and while i think this would happen with emotional boundaries as well, i think the sexual aspect of their relationship and the things they explore would feel almost delicate? like they both never thought they would get to have this, that they would be able to touch each other at all like this, and now that they do have it they don’t want to do anything, or ask for anything, that might make them lose it. one wrong move and suddenly it’s too dirty, suddenly it’s too gay, and that’s it, they’re over. and they can’t have that. and i really love the angst that comes with that and being able to navigate what the other person enjoys while they are both actively holding themselves back in fear of losing each other.

one of my favorite examples of that type of thinking from them is when it would come to mike bottoming. to me, I imagine when they start having sex, it’s will who ends up bottoming and mike who ends up topping, mostly because of mike’s more active role when it comes to their relationship. mike is the leader, he wants to be useful, i think he would view topping as a way to very actively give will pleasure. and i think in turn that gives him pleasure but first and foremost he is able to feel useful and needed and the like because he gets to have such an active role pleasing will. i think that he is going to be curious about bottoming from the get - will looks so good, so beautiful and overwhelmed with how good it feels, who wouldn’t be curious about that feeling? but i think he would be scared will wouldn’t want that from him. receiving takes a certain amount of vulnerability, and while it definitely doesn’t have to be a less active role, it can absolutely default to that. after will’s whole van speech we know how much will values mike’s heart and how him being open and loving is his strength, is what makes him a leader, but i think mike believing that will would enjoy a more passive side of himself, where he isn’t necessarily doing a lot of the work, where he get’s to lie there and look pretty, where will gets to actually be inside of him, something so vulnerable, would be hard for him to grasp. i think just as a person, mike thinks he always has to be doing something, being useful, to be loved, and i don’t think he would automatically think that this would be something will would want from him. and that especially - the not believing the other person would want certain aspects of themselves, that there are lines they are not willing to cross, that would be one step too far, that would ruin the whole thing for them - is such delicious angst to me. because!! 9 times out of 10 they will prove each other wrong!! i don’t think there are many things they wouldn’t try at least once if they knew the other would find pleasure in it!! and them learning that about each other, and becoming more accepting of their love for each other because of how open minded they are when it comes to that is so exciting and lovely to me and does make me emo to think about!!

there’s also this weird aspect of their relationship in it’s early days that i think i probably enjoy more than most? and its this idea that i think they would actually be sexually incompatible in some ways. there’s something about the idea that every single one of their wildest fantasies line up completely that feels very, like,, fantastical to me ig. but the idea that they can both have these secret little kinks or even just positions that one of them is into and the other one either isn’t really or is just kind of indifferent to that feels so grounded and sweet to me for some reason? probably mostly because i think they would always try and meet each other in the middle!! and even if one of them presents a kink that the other one isn’t into they would never lead with any judgement. they fit so perfectly in so many ways i just think its really touching that there are obviously going to be some differences that they won’t always align on but that that doesn’t mean they don’t love each other any less, or that means that they suddenly aren’t the perfect person for each other - they are going to face little challenges here and there and them finding ways to compromise and even just enjoy the pleasure their partner is getting out of something and that being the only part of it that’s doing anything for one of them, is so so special to me.

i will say, i do not think about older byler nearly as much as i should, especially seeing as i get very excited i do have a thought about them, so i would love love love to hear your thoughts on how their sexual relationship evolves once they know each other so completely. do they still find ways to surprise each other or at this point have they explored every little facet of their relationship, how does this change their dynamic? would love to talk more about that so i can get more thoughts of my own!! thank you again for asking me about this and thx for anyone who has stayed around till the end of this,, wow do i love to ramble lmao

[castlebyersafterdark]

something something early ish relationship byIer sneaking out to mike's car to fuck because everyone is home all the time and they can't wait to get their hands on each other....something something will gripping the seats as he bounces on mike's dick. Something Something

Tonight, the soundtrack was full of evening crickets and the singing of cicadas. The windows were rolled down in want of a breeze, but the hot air of midsummer offered no relief. No drifting wind, gentle as a caress through the backseat, no whistle through the tall Indiana grass that surrounded the car.

Insects and the creak of the old Chevy. Panting breath. Sweet everythings mouthed into strained necks. The obscene slap of skin on skin, that repetitive slick slide of flesh.

Too hot. Mike licked the sweat gathered at Will's collarbone, tongue pressing hard along the give of his skin, more plush than his own, and lapped up that salty sweetness. Teeth scraped as Will's hips slowed to a swivel, whining low in his throat as his body clenched around the cock buried deep inside.

Will caught his breath, thighs raising and lowering ever so slightly as he shifted against the burn in his muscles. Mike felt them shake and pressed a kiss to his cheek, the corner of his mouth, the mole above the perfect curve of his lip.

"Hey. How do you feel? Need me to take over yet?"

Mike ran his hands from their place gripping Will's waist and rounded them over his thighs, so plush and perfect under his palms. He squeezed and lifted Will slightly against him, then guided him back down, bouncing him in place to meet his thrusting hips as hot breath coated his cheek. Will's soft, staccato moans joined the bugs hidden in trees and the still, dry reeds in their secret field. Alone. Quiet.

Sometimes when they parked, they let the radio play soft as they kissed and kissed and shared secrets and made brand new declarations. Other times, nights like these, still new and novel but getting more practiced and familiar, they let their bodies start to compose, to mold and sing for each other with confident notes. The radio remained off.

Mike sharply thrust up hard at a particular bounce, harder and less controlled than he'd planned, and Will gasped as the hot cock dragging against the soft walls of his body jutted against the spot that made him see stars. He choked on a moan and Mike sealed their mouths together to steal the song for himself, drink it in, let it fill his own lungs.

Will stilled and whined again, chest heaving as he slid close, pressed fully against Mike as he breathed through the burn, the fluttering pleasure deep inside.

"Baby. I got you, tell me. Are you good?"

Will turned to stare directly into Mike's eyes, mouth parted, and slowly shook his head in protest, in insistence. He lifted upwards, letting the full length save for the smooth, slick tip ease out of his body before sliding back down with a now practiced squeeze. He took Mike down to the base with a pointed slam and rock, using a move he'd learned drove Mike nearly to the brink, milking pleasure from the place they were connected.

"Oh my god, shit. Gonna be over soon if you do that again."

Will leaned back, coy grin sliding into place as he settled into the ache in his legs, humming as it morphed into a pleasure-pain, a second wind, as Mike shifted into needing a breather.

He didn't give him one.

Will moved his hands from their place on Mike's broad shoulders, a perfect resting place, and leaned forward to grip the seat. His fingers settled against the old upholstery, dry under sweaty hands, and leveraged his weight to lift and raise and lower again. He smiled at the burn in his legs, eyes closing as he found that perfect angle, turning over to the repeated sensation, chasing that drag and jolt.

Mike tipped his head against the top curve of the seat and simply rode it out as Will took him deep, over and over. His hands skimmed Will's sides, settling on that slim, perfect waist, made for him to hold. Personally crafted. Meant to be.

The rocking, bouncing movements jostled the car just enough for brief panic to overtake Mike, hoping desperately that they'd left the emergency brake engaged before their frantic fucking rolled them into the forest. Mike leaned forward just enough to glimpse and chuckled warmly to himself at visual reassurance. His change in angle was inspired, and Will picked up the pace even further.

His legs begged for him to stop, but the way Mike felt sheathed inside, buried over and over again - the stretch, the hot skin dragging over sensitive flesh and muscles contracting in that insane sensation - felt too addicting to deny his body. He couldn't stop. Last thing he wanted to do. Mike could carry him back to the front seat once it was all over and his legs liquefied to useless former limbs.

"Come on, baby, come on, Will. So good, I'm so close, I'm so-"

Will bounced with each thrust punching a little noise from his throat, as Mike grunted in turn, in time, voice like a strummed chord. With a loud oh and a seize of his stomach, Mike's hands squeezed tight and pulled Will down hard to stop the constant motion of his hips and seat fully in his lap, then thrust deep as he spilled inside, coating Will with his hot release. Will went to take himself in-hand and finish off as he indulged that strange feeling of being so full, clenching around the twitch as Mike's cock filled him beautifully, but found that Mike got there first.

Mike batted him away and stroked fast, nice and slick and loose to start with a a tightening grip, just like Will liked it. Will's breath hitched and hitched, octave aligned with the cicadas and worthy of joining the nighttime chorus. He came loud and shuddering, hot over quick fingers that continued to pull at him until he couldn't take it and he grabbed at Mike's hand to join his, mess be damned. He sunk into an open kiss, more tongue and air than lip to lip, and moaned indecipherable with attempted words of love and praise.

Mike guided them to slide down the seat, slumped together sweaty and sticky and giggling, crowded on the back bench seat of the car. Still entangled, with Mike softening inside Will, neither quite yet ready to physically part.

The interior of the car was stifling. Hot summer night. Still air. Fog on the windows, even with the back two down. Silent, save for the insects who kept company in their field.

"Mike?" Will asked, giddy, pleasure soaked laughter apparent in his raspy voice - strained from the sheer volume his pleasure had reached. Mike hummed a kiss to Will's forehead and nuzzled closer. "We really gotta drive out here more often."

"Agreed. Heavy agree," he repeated and mentally gave himself kudos for finding the spot earlier that summer on a solitary night drive to clear his head. "Weekly. Minimum."

Will laughed out loud at that and flexed his legs with a groan and gasp, muscles smarting from the sudden lack of motion after the frenzy. They both let out soft, matching sounds as Mike finally slipped out from Will at the movement, already missing the connection. Not vocallzed, but both knew another round was temporarily out of the question.

"Not sure my legs would survive."

Mike ran a hand down Will's chest to hip, over the plump curve of his flank to rest on his exposed leg. He carded a hand across soft hair, cradled the tired thigh that occasionally twitched from exhaustion and aftershock.

"Think tonight was a new record? You're getting so good."

Will beamed with pride and nuzzled close with a soft thanks. Not long ago that he could barely maintain a few moments in Mike's lap before he gave up and let Mike take over. This was fun, exhilarating. Every day with Mike was like that.

"Anyway, not sure my legs are working, either. Don't know how I'm gonna drive us home."

"That's OK. We can stay here. It's nice."

They lay together in the dark, chatting quietly and stealing kisses, and listened to the crickets serenade them in the moments in between when words were not needed, where two steady hearts were more than enough.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[pluralbyler]

just to spite certain people /aff

i want will to initate everything sexual because mike never got past the holding hands that gave him butterflies or soft kisses that make him giddy and just- never remembers sexual stuff exists bc WDYM I CAN CUDDLE HIM FREELY NOW?????????

[astronautunderwater]

What Will does that turns Mike on and vice versa?

There are probably so many things but I'm gonna do one hc of each:

One thing Will does that turns Mike on is wearing glasses while studying - Mike thinks it's incredibly sexy when Will focuses on his school work and has glasses on looking all smart and intent. (Ever since Will learnt this he started going to the library when he actually needed to focus on his studies for hours.)

And one thing Mike does that turns Will on is playing the guitar - Watching his big hands move along the neck and sound hole and his long fingers plucking the strings... yep, Will is a goner.

[bylerfields]

i think they are overall just a makeup sex having couple 🥺

whether will is at fault and it’s mike worshipping will’s body up and down to ensure will knows he’s not mad anymore, or it’s will being cheeky and talking dirty to get mike’s mind off a little conflict.

or mike is the one who messed up and it’s will telling him to shush and lay down, it doesn’t matter and will still loves him, or it’s mike grabbing will’s waist and pulling him into a hug, kissing him sweet and slow and whispering i’m sorry and how can i make it better?

they are both so incredibly down and it’s what makes them special 🩵

who is more likely to initiate byler makeup sex?

Please note that the purpose of this blog is not to be creepy or to make anyone uncomfortable. That's why I created the #spicy byler tag (I will tag all polls with this). If you don't want to see this blog or anything related to it on your feed, please block that tag. Not everyone is comfortable with this sorta stuff, and that's okay.

[loodppaz]

Stranger Things Headcanons

Just so y’all know where this blog stands, feel free to follow or block as you please

The Spicy Six:

Steve is Bisexual. I have no solid hc’s re:gender for him, but I’m always a fan of trans headcanons

Eddie is Gay, or at least Not Attracted To Women. If you’re coming here looking for Hellcheer content, this is the WRONG blog for you, my friend. Anyway, I usually hc him as trans but I don’t care too much either way.

Nancy is Bisexual. Again, no opinion on any gender interpretations for her.

Robin is a Lesbian, obviously, but I’m a big fan of She/They Robin, so... there’s that.

Jonathan is BiroAce, and this is one headcanon I will fight for. Also he’s trans, of some flavour or other, idc.

Argyle is Pan, and uses any pronouns.

The Kids:

I don’t have much to say here, both cuz they’re very much Children, and I don’t feel super comfortable shipping kids, but also I don’t care about the gremlins the way I do about the older teens.

El is nonbinary. That’s as in depth as I’m gonna go for any of these.

Max is something, IDK, but she probably likes El.

Lucas is Bi, just cuz I like the idea of Steve being his Bi Mentor.

Dustin is Ace and at least Arospec.

Will is gay, again, obviously, which is why I DON’T ship Byler, BECAUSE-

MIKE IS A TRANS GIRL. I HAVE HAD THIS HEADCANON SINCE SEASON ONE AND BY GOD I’M NOT GONNA LET GO OF IT.

I’m not doing Erica, that kid is too young, I’m not comfortable saying shit about her. She does need some serious character development re: her blind faith in American Capitalism tho.

The Adults:

I don’t care. Hopper is a fucking cop, and Joyce is too much of a Mom-With-A-Capital-M. She’s def an Ally tho, no matter what.

Anyway if you’re gonna come in my notes to argue or talk shit, just block me. I don’t care, I’m not gonna care, and I will block you just as easily. Oh, and one more thing:

Billy was a racist, creep, and abuser, and I’m glad he’s dead. Die mad about it.

[murdockiplier]

my st relationship hcs

• steddie try to hide it, they really do, but literally EVERYONE knows

• eddie and chrissy are in a qpr

• st*ncy remain friends but not close ones

• ronance actually manage to pull off the downlow relationship thing for a while

• jargyle literally just start making out sometimes and everyone just started to catch on that they were an item and not just two very homoerotic bros

• elumax is a platonic throuple but max and lucas are romantically involved

• dustin and suzy stay together forever because i said so

• robin and vickie are in a qpr

• byler try so hard to keep it a secret but murray keeps hinting at it so much that mike just blurts it out one day

• the spicy six minus st*ncy are all extremely close

• they all go on triple dates a lot

• jargyle and steddie try to do a foursome once but they all just ended up cuddling and smoking

• speaking of which steddie and jargyle smoke together ALL THE TIME and then ronance eventually joined their smoke seshes

i'll add more as i think of them

[romainlettusdinnerparty]

same anon! rly like your thoughts and rly love the topic of boundaries I think that's so realistic, as simple as even will accepting himself earlier on and explicitly knowing where and how he might like mike's dick, for example, might make him think it's "too gay" when he finally gets it and it's hard to be open and honest, even with so much trust.

I see what you're saying with the mike bottoming point, I'm also a huge fan of him not staring off doing it and then being curious too, it's just more different than him btming right away, that feels like him for sure. he enjoys the feeling. I really understand your point about mike feeling the need to be useful or needed (and always hope he gets to work on those insecurities!) but I also like the thought that he simply enjoys the act of topping despite any initial insecurity? I feel like actually enjoying the position goes unsaid a lot in gay sex discussions, it's often focused on bottoming, but I see it for him. his confident era! it's not a chore or he doesn't secretly not like it. maybe it stays his preference after bottoming too if they'er not 50/50 switch but regardless of that I agree he would be too curious not to try! and yes to will being willing and them both trying things or working on that sexual chemistry.

I think I started answering your question in my own ramble, above is how I do start to see their dynamic evolving. they experiment but have their preferences. I think maybe they switch more as they go? but if one had a preference it wouldn't be uncommon to roll with that either. ik some people are very into the dominant and sub dynamics in the sexual world but I don't see byler having one dynamic their whole life. like when I see talk of mike staying sub and being dominated with no control in bed his whole life I just don't vibe with that, it feels too fantastical and lowk I can't see will sticking to dominating so constantly. those dynamics are not vital to sex. I like them to have a variety even if they have a preference. now that I'm talking about it though for will's sub moments I do like that hc that he helps heal his trauma and has control/power by letting go and being submissive or trying bondage, he's been interested for years but scared because he thinks he shouldn't be into it. I think that spices things up and is good growth for him. maybe they do explore every facet like you said and know what works/doesnt, very common for gay men then to let off that repressed pent up energy with an active sex life! I think they have ways to surprise and keep it spicy because their adult life isn't just one routine and there's sudden opportunities to be spontaneous, maybe that's a basic answer sorry but when you think about it for byler specific scenarios do start coming to mind.

thanks!

oh i love everything in here, not basic at all, and if anything is basic its because its a good take!!

i love everything you’re saying about mike also just enjoying topping, like it’s definitely not something he secretly hates or is only comfortable with it because he’s insecure and thinks will wouldnt want something else. i think it should also be said that mike needing to feel needed and useful is not always a bad thing and we see that in why him and will are compatible just emotionally as well. will makes mike feel needed and useful, and while he should learn that he has value outside of that i don’t think learning that lesson would ever make feeling needed feel bad for him? i think that’s applicable here. first of all topping probably just feels great for him but he also loves to be the one causing such pleasurable reactions from will, he gets to be in control of that pleasure will is receiving. if will wants to feel like that, mike has to be the one to provide that. it’s crazy that he can do something - thrust at a specific pace, a specific angle, say something just right - and it turns will into putty in his hands, he gets to do that to him. and that will never lose its effect. ( i think it also has to be said that mike can’t not enjoy topping with will having the ass he does,, that’s just not a thing) i really think that mike would enjoy bottoming and it would be insanely vulnerable for him and outside of his comfort zone but i don’t think that means he would enjoy topping any less because of that.

i totally agree with you on the sub vs dom thing. i think it’s very fun to explore but it’s such a drastic contrast from their every day that i don’t think that would ever be something they are going to naturally fall into on the daily without any outside influence. i think there are gonna be some days where will is feeling like he really needs to get dominated by mike and some days where he looks at mike and really wants to dominate him, and same goes for mike. but i also imagine sometimes sex is just really not about that for them - they’re a team, they work together to make each other feel good and i think that’s what a lot of their sex would end up looking like. that might be a very vanilla take but idk i just don’t see everything being so intense with them at all times. so totally agree with you with will’s trauma though and leaning into that in a safe, controlled environment. i imagine, with the childhood they had consisting of otherworldly monsters, they both have kinks and interests that arise specifically because of that and they’re able to find enough safety in their relationship and in each other that they can explore. and you’re so right,, their adult life won’t just be routine, they’ll go through new things, have new experiences, and want to try new things!! and when they are completely settled in their relationship, trying those new things will always turn out at least a little good because they know each other and how they tick!! even if they don’t exactly like everything they try, they love each other, and how they make each other feel.

thank you thank you thank you for all of your thoughts, and if you ever wanna send me more about those specific scenarios i will be all ears!!

[castlebyersafterdark]

will dropping things purposely so that he has an excuse to bend down and pick them up to make mike feral with desire

Oh, you mean Will Byers' number one flirt move, his tried and true method of seduction? He's very well aware of his strengths and plays to them constantly. Coincidentally and conveniently, his strengths are Mike's weaknesses 🤭 How does he render that mouthy boy speechless? Bend over. Distract Mike.

The party's all hanging out together and Mike is really on a roll that day, peak form, in one of his more abrasive moods. Will can't deal with it anymore. As some new argument strikes up, Will bends over to look through the pile of tapes by the TV, feigning interest in digging through to find a movie to suggest instead of continuing to put up with the bickering. He's bent over, signature tight shorts stretched across his ass, kind of absently shifting and swaying in place as he looks through the bin.

Mike's suddenly quiet now. Mouth slightly parted, spots of red flushed high on his cheeks. Eyes tracking Will's slight movements like the pendulum on a clock, like a compass searching for north. He sits down on the couch, tries not to linger on the pleasant feeling that jolts from his stomach to his groin. He bites his lip and looks desperately up at the ceiling, foot tapping in place. Everyone's there in the basement, this can't be happening to him right now. Will hands his movie choices over to the others to decide, renewing the argumentative spirit of the afternoon. But Mike's still quiet. Will sits beside him, face neutral for a moment though he so much wants to burst into giggles. It's too easy. Their thighs are touching and Mike mutters under his breath how unfair that move was. Will pats Mike's leg and reclines back, sinking into the old couch. Too damn easy.

[beaubyler]

Finn pics have me freakin so I'm indulging in a hc I wrote a while ago

Mike realizing that Will kind of sort of (definitely) has a thing for being manhandled and carried around so he secretly starts going to the gym and building some muscle

Imagine Will's surprise when he's making out with Mike one night and suddenly he's pressed against the wall and lifted into Mike's arms, an undignified squeak escaping him.

Mike would be smug about it too, smirking into the kiss while his large hands cup Will's ass and thighs, providing support for Will with such ease that it has him tightening his legs around Mike's waist and whimpering

But like also Mike would be too cocky with it and try to carry Will to the bedroom, only to drop him bc he's still built like Gumby 💔 its okay though he more than makes up for it later! and Will can't wait to watch how Mike's body grows stronger, to see his muscles grow more defined and put them to the test in the bedroom ;)

[astronautunderwater]

This is how byler workout would go:

Mike sees Will doing squats. Will sees Mike doing hip thrusts. They decide to combine those two.

Great workout!👌👍👏

[spicybylerpolls]

It is genuinely ASTONISHING to see how many people are against your blog because they believe “it’s bad/weird to fantasize” or they say stuff like, “analyzing is fine. fantasizing is evil.” Actually fantasization is a divine gift, a spiritual experience, one of the best things we can do as humans. And most clearly Bylers agree!

They spend all day fantasizing about Mike and Will holding hands, going on dates, kissing, even ‘making out sloppily’ but the second we on the spicy side say that we want Byler to fuck, people start freaking out. How dare you fantasize?

Stick to analysis, freak.

Can someone please tell me why sex is such a big weird scandalous taboo? Have we gone back in time? Is this an evangelical youth group? Is this Catholic school? Are we Mormons? To fight back, some say, “Oh I’m not fantasizing, I’m just exploring the character dynamics” as if fantasizing will implicate them as some kind of dirty rotten sinner, as if this is some kind of gotcha that will expose fandom nonces.

But I don’t get it. I’m doing both, unapologetically! I’m exploring Byler’s dynamics, just like we do with ever other HC and canon analysis point, AND I’m fantasizing about them fucking like rabbits until the end of time, just like we fantasize about how the Byler kiss will go or how Mike will finally admit his sexuality.

Last time I checked, sex is part of sexuality, it’s literally in the name, and it’s a Divine Gift. Mike and Will are not disembodied beings who only want to hold hands and look at flowers all day. They are gay teenage boys who are sexually ravenous for each other. It’s clear this era of Puriteens didn’t devour Reddie or Stenborough smut under the covers while giggling and kicking their feet. And none of them would have SURVIVED the Harry Potter fandom.

The other side of this are the adult fancops who are siding with the puriteens and constantly trying to cancel Bylers for thinking unholy thoughts. You can only think analytical thoughts while wearing suits and taking cold showers. Meanwhile 65% of the fandom is openly attracted to Finn, and I’m supposed to be gaslit into thinking this doesn’t translate into their experience actually watching the show? I’m supposed to believe they watched him drool over Will’s ass and then said, “No, he didn’t do that”?

“But why aren’t you fantasizing about adult ships like J0pper or JAncy or or or-”

Because I don’t care about them? No offense. I’ve never read J0pper or JAncy fanfic in my life. And this isn’t J0pper Tumblr? It’s Byler Tumblr. I’m a Byler and naturally I want to see my favorite characters rail each other romantically? And it’s very, dare I say, unnatural and unrealistic when you read fanfics and Mike and Will kiss each other and don’t so much as get a boner. One boner?

I’m so tired. It’s utter gobbledegook.

Especially giving the context of what Stranger Things and Byler represents, it’s so obvious that sexual exploration is the natural evolution for these characters in their arcs in Season 5. Self-actualization and an embrace of the queer experience in all its sensuality and beauty.

The shame WILL be on the other side.

yeah, all great points! I think people get overprotective and hyper-vigilant, and they want to make sure they're taking a strong stand against their nebulous, exaggerated, hypothetical image of the shadowy "30-year old creep" getting off to Byler smut in a dark room.

but you're right that all Bylers "fantasize" about many things, even those most vocal in the analyze-only movement. technically all of Byler is "fantasizing," since they aren't together yet and they are fictional. we're all just envisioning scenarios and situations!

for some reason tho, people are chill with people daydreaming about every romantic scenario imaginable and chill with people conjuring up sad, tragic, angsty situations involving Vecna and bullying and pain. but sex? no. sex is shocking, alarming, and frightening.

also, this is definition of fantasize:

there's nothing inherently creepy about that definition. It's neutral.

[castlebyersafterdark]

yes mikes an ass guy, but he's also very much a thigh guy

(A day at the lake. And later that night.)

Mike can't believe his luck sometimes, as he watches Will from across the grass. That's his best friend, the love of his life. Sweet. With the capacity to snap a cutting remark, to tease and twist words with an ease, an art. He always says Mike's the one good with words, but so often Will leaves him speechless, breathless. Now is one of those moments. He can't get over it. Will's standing by the picnic table, leaned over the old wood as he flips through his sketch book, glancing through his work from the morning so far. The pages are full of interesting trees along the lake and some sketches of the old abandoned dock, but mostly Mike. All of his sketchbooks are littered with Mike. He's wearing his green shorts. Tight, lined with yellow piping. Barely covering the curve of his ass. Showing off the thickness of his tanned thighs. They're a little shorter than he'd normally wear, but this section of the lake is isolated. They're alone. That's the point. And Will likes to tease. He knows Mike loves to watch him.

He's well aware that he's being observed as Mike struggles to set up their tent for their impromptu camping trip. It's nice to sneak away, find time for themselves. A little hidden slice of the world, away from crowded houses and an escape from basements and bedrooms and the cramped backseat of Mike's car. None without merit, but none provide freedom. It'll be different when they leave for college at the end of the summer. For now, the lake. Will leans further against the slightly broken wood of the picnic table and imagines the eyes that are burning into the back of his legs. He shifts his hips. He never used to feel this confident. Everything about being with Mike leaves little room for anything else lately. It's addicting. Will hums and chuckles to himself, not having heard the hammer against tent peg for a while now. How long until Mike snaps?

Not long.

Mike's on him moments later, arms around his waist, lifting Will off the ground breifly in a somewhat possessive hug before dropping him back down. Will adores when he does that, makes him feel wanted and loved. Mike laughs into his neck and presses kisses where the sound touches first. Firm, but soft. Humming into his slightly sweaty skin from the summer heat. It's the reason why he's wearing so very little to begin with. Mike lost his shirt first, and his bare chest presses against Will's own slick back as wandering hands trail from hips up his sides, fingers gentle before they fall dramatically to his ass, giving him a rough squeeze as he bites at the back of his neck. Will involuntarily squeaks from the sudden motion and spins around, pinching Mike in the side in retaliation. Mike squirms but then brackets Will against the table once more, hips pinned to hips.

"You are ridiculous," Will chides with a fondness so deep from within, and leans up to steal a kiss. Can't really steal what's freely given, but he steals another, too.

"Hmm, title belongs to you. These shorts, Will. I swear you do this on purpose."

"Of course, I do. What am I doing, though?"

Mike hopes he doesn't fuck this up, and take the risk. He scoops Will up, arms under his legs, and deposits him on the table. The old table groans under his added weight. Will immediately winds his arms around Mike's neck, legs around his body, and draws him back in, mouth hot against his own.

"Distracting me," Mike says into his mouth, kissing him open and biting, bottom lip between his teeth, pulling away to press several small kisses to his upper lip and the mole that resides right above it. "Tent's never gonna get built at this rate."

"We have time."

Will wraps his legs around Mike's hips tighter and traps him close. Not needed. In no world would Mike try to get away. He places his hands on those thighs and feels the smooth skin under his palms, drags his fingers through downy hair and teases along that yellow edge of the flimsy fabric.

"Maybe if you'd help me," he squeezes the supple flesh, like his large hands are mapping and molding it to his satisfaction, "it would get done quicker."

"I wouldn't really know what I'm doing," Will adds with a flirtatious lilt, and scoots closer, barely contained on the edge of the table.

Mike's weight keeps him sitting, pressed together from chest to groin. His feet are crossed at the ankle, behind Mike's own legs. His thighs clench around Mike's body and he gets another deep, lingering kiss for his efforts. Sitting like that, Will still has to look up a few inches to see Mike eye to eye. They pull apart with a wet noise, and Will beams, chin on Mike's chest as he squints up. The sun is behind Mike's head. It's hard to look at him directly. Will nuzzles into his chest, kisses a slow line down the center of his pecs until he can't lower his head further. His mouth drags lightly up the path in reverse. Mike's breath catches. Will's thighs tense again as Mike slips his hands briefly down the back of his shorts, kneading once and bring him closer still.

"You know what you're doing. You absolutely know what you're doing."

"Fine. Have it your way." Will pushes forwards suddenly and lands on the grass, bare feet hitting the ground. "Let's build it."

He trots over to the half dilapidated tent and shoots a look over his shoulder to Mike, left standing with whiplash.

---

An hour or so later, full of bickering and little arguments laced with laughter, and more distracted bouts of handsy grab-ass and traded kisses - the tent was secure along the tree line. One less thing to worry about. Mike's next worry is finding the self control to not immediately pounce on his tempting, unfairly hot boyfriend currently tanning by the water's edge. He's laying on his towel, fresh from a quick dip in the lake. He'd neglected to change into swimwear and the green shorts are dark with water and cling to every curve, leaving nothing to the imagination, basically painted onto his skin. Will's head is pillowed on his arms and his satisfied grin rivals the laziest cat, stretched along a cherished sun spot. Mike shakes his head. Ridiculous. Genuinely ridiculous. How is this his life?

He's recruited to help apply sunscreen as Will tans and the game continues. Doesn't know what he's doing, psssh. He knows. He's cruel. He's so fucking sweet. Mike gets to run his hands freely over Will's body and he wants nothing more to pull the shorts off entirely, press him into the grass and dirt and embrace the primal side that flares up from deep within from time to time. Take what he wants, given willingly. Will feigns innocence but he shifts against the ground and spreads his legs just enough to make Mike's voice catch in his throat at the sight. When Mike's finished with his back, he turns to Will's legs. Traces the toned length of them with his hands again, rubbing in the white lotion until it blends into his skin, leaving them shiny and smooth and so nice to map, again and again. He doesn't need that much sunscreen, the sun's on the descent anyway. Doesn't stop Mike from applying more lotion to his hands and passing across the smooth backs of Will's thighs again, tracing the soft inner portions that the sun wouldn't even hit, carding up the flesh that's slightly clammy from the cool lake water, ass perky and softer still under the edges of those shorts. Will adjusts yet again and dips his back slightly, an exaggerated curve as he lifts back against Mike's wandering hands. Will moans into his arms and Mike flops down next to him.

"Mmmm, Mike. Why'd you stop? Felt really nice." His gentle complaint is borderline a whine.

"Because I don't think I could stop myself if I kept going." Mike stretches out, and mimics his position. "Rain check for later."

"What happens later?" Will teased. He loved riling Mike up. It was so easy. He faked a yawn, not his best performance but it did the trick. "Feeling kinda sleepy. Might turn in early tonight."

"Are you kidding!? That's the whole reason we came out here!"

Will let out a laugh at Mike's gentle outrage. Like he genuinely could resist him, either.

"The whole reason? Maybe I just wanted to work on my tan. Mission accomplished."

"Oh, that's right. Of course. And having me put the tent up was just for your sick amusement to watch me struggle."

"I needed something to entertain me."

"I love you but I'll throw you back in the lake. No hesitation."

Will cracks an eye open and smiles, expression a challenge, a dare. It's not taken. Mike moves close, sides pressed together as he inches across the edge of the towel that Will's hogging. Their feet kick together as they lay on their stomachs next to the lake, soaking up the remaining sun rays in late afternoon. Will pouts, not unhappy, but willing Mike to read his mind instead of genuinely asking for a kiss. He's too content to make the effort to move and strain his neck. Mike complies immediately and cranes over, gives him a wet peck before falling back onto his own arms.

They tease each other and lay close until the cicadas start singing, having talked through the early stages of sunset. Times like that, they forget how easy it is to lose track of time and get lost in one other, conversation flowing as easy as the summer breeze. There was no rush. Not for the moment.

---

Will's back arches as Mike touches him again, hand dipped under the hem of his shorts, slightly uncoordinated as he groped at his clothed cock while he mouths hungrily and presses kisses to the inside of his thighs. Theyre spread out inside the tent, sprawled over sleeping bags and illuminated by lantern light. Will gasps as Mike's teeth graze his skin again, biting and kissing and biting again, sucking bruises into the soft, pale parts of Will's inner thighs. He loves marking him up, seeing the reminders bloomed under his skin the next time he buries his face between Will's thighs. Hickies rarely have enough time to fade before Mike revisits them. Will's the artist out of the two of them but Mike takes pride in the colors he paints on such beautiful skin.

"Mike, Mike. Please. Here," Will begs and guides Mike's hand from out of the bottom of his shorts to where he's shoved them slightly down and pulled himself out, hot and hard and leaking with needy attention.

He loves the teasing, the harsh kisses and teeth embedded in his skin, but he's been pent up since the picnic table. Worse off than Mike's desperation. Mike needs no further instruction and seals his lips around Will's exposed length and sucks him down, bobbing and moaning as Will whines high and breathy underneath him. He slides his hands under Will's shorts again, both palms splayed wide against his cheeks, tugging his body closer as he sucks him. Will's thighs tighten as he feels the pleasure building, pressure threatening sooner than he'd like. It had been a long, teasing day. And Mike was relentless. Will comes down his throat, thighs so tight around Mike's head at the peak that the sounds he makes are muffled as plush muscles hold tight to his ears. Mike loves how Will sounds lost in pleasure and misses them. But, the night's still young.

"Holy shit, Mike. Get up here."

Mike crawls over his body, hovering above as they exchange a kiss, sloppy presses of tongue and lips as they share the taste of Will's release. Will inclines on his elbows and pulls away, smirking as he reaches a hand down to palm at the pronounced bulge in Mike's underwear.

"Loved that, but I meant bring me this," he teases, stroking the shape of him through the fabric, fingers lingering on the outline of the head where he's so wet and sensitive. Mike groans, mouth falling open at the feeling, eyes fluttering shut as Will tries to work down the boxer briefs one handed.

"Will. God, hmm, fuck. Ok." He takes a breath, takes the plunge, and asks, "Can I try something else?"

"What do you want to do?"

Blushing in the low light, he asks Will to turn over. He complies, allows himself to be moved and positioned how Mike wants him. Face pillowed on elbows, chest flat, ass raised. It's still a little weird, still a little vulnerable when Mike asks him to turn over like this, but he trusts him. He always makes him feel good, feel wanted. They've been trying a few things, explored with tongue and fingers a few times. He's still so shy, almost embarrassed by his pleasure. But Mike gets him through it. Mike always takes care of him.

Mike's got his hands on him again, always grabbing him like he doesn't quite know what to do with all that skin, with the permission to feel up all that pliable flesh. Will's heart races as he let's himself be played with, still finding it thrilling that Mike desires his body in such a way that he doesn't even know where to start with him. He jolts as a hand comes down hard on him, palm loud against his right cheek. The sting is lessened by the fabric, but with little recovery as Mike follows with his mouth, delovering a moan and a bite. Will can't help but giggle into his arms as Mike traces down the seam of the shorts, dragging his finger over his approximation of his hole, lingering a moment. He's correct and Will whimpers. Mike doesnt know what he wants, but he wants. They haven't done that yet but he wants to. They haven't really talked about it yet. Not in detail.

"You look so good like this, baby. So good. Don't even know," Mike begins to ramble as he gets up on his knees and presses his aching cock to the clothed swell of Will's ass, sliding fabric to fabric.

The friction is nice. Skin would be better. Being inside would be otherworldly, he knows it. Not yet. Not tonight. His mind swirls with ideas, though. He works them down and pulls off his briefs, completely bare while Will remains in those tight green shorts. Mike pushes at the fabric, watches as it clings to skin as he moves it higher and exposes the bottom curves of Will's ass, so incredibly soft. He presses forward, cock hard and hot against the inside of Will's bare thighs. Will doesn’t know if he wants to close his thighs or spread them. He doesn't know what Mike's thinking.

"Wanna fuck you. So bad, baby." Will's voice catches in his throat at the deep reverb of the statement, unsure how to respond. There's the clarification. He doesn't know what to say. It's the first time he's heard it so blatantly from Mike. "Can I? You can keep these on."

He snaps the elastic band of the shorts against Will's waist, where he's pushed them to ride up in want of exposing more ass and thigh. Will groans in confused arousal as Mike's cock slips against him again, barely more than a passing caress against his own trapped dick, rapidly filling up again under the intense attention.

"Mike? What? I don't... I'm not sure I'm ready to, you know. Go all the way right now?"

He feels embarrassed as he says it, red faced buried in his own arms. Mike leans over his back, presses reassuring kisses to his heated face and neck, the parts he can reach, and wraps his arms around him in a soothing, grounding embrace.

"I know. Me either. I kinda want to try something. I don't even know if it'll work." He kisses Will on parted lips once he turns his head to the side. The angle's awkward but he can't move away until he really kissed him. "Do you trust me?"

"I do."

"Cool. Here." He hold his hand out, under Will's mouth. "Spit."

Will does it without really questioning it, something deep within him churning with strange arousal at complying immediately to the odd request. Mike does the same, lets his saliva join before wrapping his wet hand around his cock, spreading his palm along his length. It's all he's got to ease the way, but he doesn't think he'll need much.

He presses forward, cock sliding between the channel of Will's thighs. As he moves, he pushes them closer together, trapping his cock between the supple skin, thrusting slowly to test, in and out. He moans low in his throat. It's so fucking good. Oh. Will understands with a thrill, and instinctively closes his thighs tighter, muscles tense as Mike fucks him, clock slipping hot between his skin slick with sweat and spit. Not what he was expecting. But he likes this. A lot. Mike's hands seem enormous as they grip his hips and alternate between holding him firm and steady, or slamming him back harder to meet careful thrusts.

"You could have taken my shorts off. I'm ok with it," Will says as Mike holds his hips even tighter. The band is digging in his skin, sure to leave a deep impression from the sheer strength of the grip Mike has on him. He hopes it bruises.

"That's okay. Like them on you."

"What is it with you and these shorts?"

"You've seen yourself. No way you're this clueless. Haunted me for years, ohhh."

The word years rattles around in his brain as Mike falters in rhythm, barely registering as he's pushed further into the sleeping bags, shoved flat as Mike pulls out of his thighs and finishes hot against his back with a strained, stuttering moan. Another first. Will liked that, too.

Mike flops down beside him, a repeat of their positions earlier by the lake. Out of breath and feeling a little awkward, Mike watches Will's expression, unsure what to say after his little adventure.

"Was that ok? I don't know what came over me. Kinda weird, I guess."

"Well," Will started with a light sigh, mirth quirking the corner of his lips. He brushes the sweaty strings of hair from Mike's forehead. "At least I know who came over me, though."

Mike stared at him, mouth agape, as Will turned his face into his arm and laughed quietly with embarrassed glee.

"Holy shit, Will. Wow. Wow." Will continued to laugh, but turned in his arms, exposing one eye to take in Mike's expression, full of fond disbelief. "Uncalled for, hate you so much."

"No you don't," Will sing-songed.

Mike leaned in and pressed a loud, smacking kiss to his equally sweaty forehead. "Yup. Guilty. Huuuuge liar. I fucking love you. You're incredible. Are you... sure that was ok? I mean -"

"Mike. It was great. Kinda loved it, to be honest. And I love you, too. We should lose the shorts next time, though."

"Fine. I guess."

"Can you maybe take them off me now? You didn't, um, didn't get it all on me."

"Yeah. I know," Mike admitted with the audacity to appear bashful at the admittance.

"Gross."

"Yeah well, you liked it."

"True." He sat up, grimacing at the feeling of cooled, drying come on his back, and was struck with an idea. "Hey. The lake's right there. If you want to..."

"Yes. Hell yes. Bucket list item!"

"Skinny dipping is a bucket list item?"

"Totally. Let's go."

He was out of tent and half way to the lake before Will could even ditch the shorts quickly enough for him to finally see him out of them.

✅️ ✅️ ✅️

[castlebyersafterdark]

Mike playfully slapping Will’s ass while Will is cooking in the Kitchen

You bet he does. He's getting his hands on that thing every chance he can:

Will's trying to cook dinner. He's got music playing, swaying his hips as he sings under his breath while stirring whatever's on the stove. He's not a great cook, but Mike's no better. What Mike is good at is distracting Will. And vice versa. Mike walks into the kitchen and sees Will leaning against the counter, with those hips moving back and forth like a tractor beam. Mike walks by and gets a good slap across, innocently leaning next to Will to inspect the pot, all while Will gasps and jumps in place, with an indignant "Mike!" after the palm strikes him. He's not too bothered, as indignation immediately turns into giggles at the sight of Mike's cheeky grin. They lean together like magnets over the hot stove, kissing as the steam from the boiling water warms their faces, though Will's is already flushed. Kissing leads to handsy distractions and they burn dinner yet again.

He's running late for work, but Mike has the day off, able to sleep in. But Mike wakes up anyway as he hears Will rummaging around in their bathroom. He gets out of bed and peers through the slightly open door. Will's on his hands and knees, looking for something under the sink, ass in the air. Not much different than how he looked the night before when Mike thoroughly fucked him into the mattress. It's so natural for him, Mike muses, and counts himself lucky that he gets to have that man all to himself. God, Will always looks so good, so tempting. Can't help it, it's right there in perfect position. Smack, followed by an ass grab, and Will groans from his position on the bathroom floor. He cranes his head back, one eyebrow raised as Mike grins down at him, toothy and conspiring. Will cannot remember what he dropped and was looking for in the first place. He stands up and leans on the counter of the bathroom, still looking at Mike and not saying anything. Mike leans in for a long, lingering good morning kiss and Will presses back into Mike. He can feel that he's hard against him. Will's hard too. "We don't have much time. Can't be late again." Mike kisses his neck and hooks his hands in the waistband of Will's pants, works them over his hips, down over his perfect ass. He's still a little red from the night before, where Mike's palms had struck over and over as Will asked for more, more, more. Again, again, moaning until incoherent and sobbing into their pillows. Mike's hands are gentle in the morning, soothing and worshipful as they run lightly over the soft, heated skin, cupping the shape of him with both hands, squeezing as Will whimpers. He wants to feel the reminder all day at work, his dirty little secret. Will whispers for more, in the same tone of voice from the previous night, and Mike asks for reassurance. Will nods and sticks his ass out further. Mike complies. Once, twice, three times to each cheek, then drops to his knees to spread him wide and lick him open again. Will's late to work. He doesn't care.

[castlebyersafterdark]

So. Do you think one is more into being edged and one is more into forced orgasms? :)

This is one of those situations where I'm actually not relenting to saying "oh they both are into it but in different ways." I see this as a perfect difference with my headcanon dynamics for Mike and Will.

Mike. Edging king. He's so into it. I think it all stems from him when he and Will first get together. I kinda HC him as a guy who got off A LOT before he's in a real, physical relationship. He's easily turned on and worked up and frustrated about it. Doesn't have great stamina. Those teenage hormones are a killer, and he's so unsatisfied and bothered by it a lot of the time (also frustrated because he's mentally blocking getting off how he really wants to, to what he wants to). He and Will get together? He's gotta work on it. Everything is so much, all the time. His body is always rushing to the end.

So. Practice. Not indulging chasing the end, mentally stopping himself from coming too soon. Wants to last longer with Will, for Will. Will wants to be able to suck him off longer - because he just physically enjoys doing that. Mike wants to be able to please Will more, fuck him harder and longer. Practice. Gratification. Denial. Working him up and then easing off. Will gets really good at being able to tell when Mike's about to come so he can stop and pull back, divert pleasure elsewhere. And so it becomes a thing for Mike. Something that even as they get more experienced, it's not to increase his stamina because oh, he's got it now that he's familiar with his and Will's bodies, he's experienced and good in bed.

No, now it's about enjoying the feeling, that playful frustration of not being "allowed" to come yet being a different sort of turn on. Him being the one usually controlling the pace, worshiping Will, but sometimes they both indulge in something a little different. Will teasing Mike, bringing him to the brink a few times, enjoying the desperation at the end when he's begging for it. Bashful Will, sweet Will, just getting to play and play as Mike whines and whines until Will decides it's time to let him let go. Mike thrives for the intensity when he finally gets to come. It's one of the few ways to truly get him to shut up - and he wants that sometimes. Break him down. Lives for it.

Will. When he's younger it's like he's ashamed to get off. He does it, oh yes, he fantasizes and envisions what he knows he's into. He knows. Doesn't try to pretend he's anything else. But, after it's over, he can rarely enjoy it for too long. Tinged with shame, of course. So when he's finally with Mike, finally allowed to explore and enjoy his body and another man's body - there's hesitation. He's awkward, he's thinks he needs to hold back because the weight of his desire is too big, too scary.

Mike realizes this. So that's why he treats Will with so much care, besides the fact that he adores him. He wants Will to feel as good as possible as much as possible. One orgasm? Not good enough, Will has to come at least twice. Quite often, he likes to make sure Will gets off first, so there's no skipping it after Mike comes. And then if he's not completely out of it, Mike needs to get Will off again to thank him. Make sure he's still feeling good. He needs Will to indulge and not shy away from his own pleasure.

So, over time, it evolves into moments where they go overboard, purposefully. Mike wanting to see how many times in a night he can get Will off. "Wanna try to break your record again?" Wanting to see Will sobbing from pleasure. And Will loving it, learning that pleasure and pain can get wrapped up together and how the sensations get heightened when sparking in different directions. How getting overstimulated turns him on further. How he used to run and hide from his pleasure because feeling good felt wrong when he felt wrong - but now sometimes his body almost tries to shirk from the pleasure because it's tooooo good, too much, it's overwhelming and he thinks there's no more to take. And Mike pushes him over the edge just one more time, and he's barely even able to come but he still gets there and it's crazy, to be so hyper-aware of his body, when in the past he wanted nothing to do with his own self.

So, all in all - for me this is really one that's indicative of the difference in their core personalities as analyzed by sex HCs. Breaking down their insecurities through a positive, kinkier means. Mike's repression and insecurity making him rush through pleasure where Will's lack of self worth is reversed by forcing him to indulge in pleasure over and over again. That's how I've approached this one 😊

[castlebyersafterdark]

Imagine Will going home after the first confession/make-out and immediately getting off alone. See, while Will had frequently gotten off while fantasizing about Mike in the past, this is the very first time he gets off with the thought “oh my god, this could actually happen. Mike and I having sex someday, that could be real”. Plus he now knows more things that elevate his fantasy. How Mike kisses, how he grips his hips, how he sounds when Will kisses his jaw and neck, etc. Safe to say Will does not last long.

Being the person that he was, Will was in the unique position of knowing what it was like to experience the feeling "if I disappeared right now...," though, not as happily as he could ascribe to his current state. More than a feeling. Here and gone. Been there, done that.

If the worst should happen and he disappeared again, if the ground opened and swallowed him up, if another gate split time and space and whisked him away - in that exact moment as he walked through the bedroom door after the best night of his life - he'd do so with a smile on his face. Didn't mean he wanted it to happen. Having now known what it was like to kiss Mike Wheeler, oh what a waste it would be.

What a revelation. It was like coming back to life all over again - another cliche experience of which he had personal knowledge. He was pretty sure his heart had stopped several times tonight. When he - when, he and Mike -

He'd kissed Mike Wheeler. Mike had kissed him. A lot. Quite a lot.

Please, let him live, actually. Forget all that darkness. He wanted to stay right there. Solid ground. Boring and wonderful planet earth. Linear and spinning. The cruelty of giving him everything he'd every wanted and then losing it? Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?

No thanks. He'd rather not have known then, if this was lose-able, if this would get snatched away.

The burden of knowledge.

Please, let me keep him.

They'd kissed once before, days ago. Danger. A fight. More danger, imminent danger. More fighting, and then stillness. A kiss. A confession. Too much danger for those so young, for anyone, really. And - now. Time. Calm before some storm. A chance to talk and slow down and smile into each other's mouths and and and. Kiss. For the sake of kissing, not to seal the truth into each other's anxiety corroded skin when faced with the possibility of this was it. Now or never.

They were getting closer to hope. To normal. It was going to get bad again. But, they existed suspended in the still of a moment.

Try to be normal. As normal as it can be when you're in love with your best friend and he knows that now. A secret unspooled. No longer restricting and suffocating like vines around limb. The strength to fight.

His room was dark and Will didn't bother with the light. He closed the door behind him and let out a long, contented sigh. Still smiling. His face almost hurt from the constant strain, though it could never hurt him. The solid ground was more like clouds, feet so light they stumbled as he approached the bed.

He couldn't concentrate on one foot in front of the other when his mind was a haze of Mike Mike Mike. His kisses. And everything more.

Will fell back onto the bed in the room he'd been staying in temporarily at the farm. Ever since returning to his town, he was a boy in limbo. He'd bounced from Mike's floor to his bed to the couch in his basement, to a cot at the radio station, and now to a spare room at their latest residence. At least he got a space to himself for once, with privacy. Sharing with Mike had been lovely and terrible and exciting and agonizing. A head spin, a constant mind fuck. Tense and soft and tense again. Close quarters, a team! But often - too far away.

He regretted it now, knowing what he knew, how Mike felt for him. And how he'd felt for him for quite some time. He regretted them not getting their shit together in time to take advantage of a bedroom and a locked door and a bed big enough for two. Big enough for two seventeen year old boys to lay side by side (and on top and behind and under and and and - he had to stop. A jolt ran down his body, hooked under his stomach. Twitching under his jeans. The images in his head - enough, Will. Enough.)

Didn't matter. He couldn't change time, force a path not ready to be tread. That hadn't been their journey. They liked each other. Maybe even loved each other. Will was so in love it made him sick from it most days - Mike hadn't said he loved him, didn't have to. He'd felt it. Still wanted to hear it. In time - the thing he couldn't force to move faster or slower, backwards or forwards. Where time stood still he didn't want to re-visit. Figured he would again. Inevitable. The threat loomed, ever present. A steady imprint on his roller coaster reality.

Ever present like the phantom feeling against his lips.

Mike's lips. His mouth, Mike's mouth. Will shifted in his too-narrow bed and kicked off his sneakers and pulled off his coat, brought a finger to his lips. Traced the shape of them, traveled the sloping curve. Less than an hour ago he'd had his mouth pressed to Mike's over and over and over and over. Teeth nipping at reddened skin. A tongue, cautious, testing, then sure, tracing slick lips and slipping into wet heat. The tingle of how it felt when they touched. Seemed weird to him before he'd tried it, even if he'd thought about what that would be like over and over.

He kissed the spiraling ring of forefinger and thumb as he brought his fist to his mouth, kissing his own skin. Inadequate. Couldn't get away with doing that anymore as he'd often practiced and fantasized, didn't feel like Mike's soft lips and hot tongue. Didn't taste like him, just nothing but his own skin.

Gosh, was that another revelation, learning how Mike tasted. Couldn't describe it, but he wanted more. Sweet but strange, skin and saliva and the hint of his own fruit flavored gum mixing with Mike's 7up and popcorn. They'd been hanging out in Mike's basement - a night of normalcy until the next disaster. He'd wanted to stay over. Mom insisted on him coming home. School night. As if that mattered anymore.

The world could end. He needed Mike. Needed to taste him again.

Will turned into his pillow and kissed the fabric, lips soft and slow as he allowed himself to moan into the scratch of threadbare cotton as he relived a memory. Guess he could go back in time. Freeze it. Repeat it. Kiss the pillowcase like he kissed Mike. He hadn't known what he was doing. Didn't seem like Mike knew either. Sloppy and inexperienced and so, so eager. Mike had said not to feel nervous, he'd never kissed anyone like that before either.

He hated himself a little for it, but Will couldn't help but feel excited about that truth. Being the only one to go further, to get Mike in a way no one else had, in a way someone else hadn't. He'd wallow in the guilt later. Now, he relived it. Kissed and kissed and continued where he wished they had before they parted with great reluctance.

It had been wet and open and messy and full of love. The heady adventure of inexperience and need. Heat and teeth. Breath through nostrils and mouths re-sealed. Hands grabbing at t-shirts and then bare skin, hands under clothing.

He was definitely hard now, all from making out with his pillow and trying to conjure the phantom flavor that was all but gone at that point. He ran his tongue over his teeth once more, over his lips, and frowned when he only tasted himself. His hips thrust forward into nothing and he couldn't take it.

Will's hand flew to his zipper, hesitated a moment as his fingers trailed up the body-heat warmed metal, then relented and pulled the teeth of the zipper down and apart slowly. He brushed a hand against the parted gap in his pants, petting over-top the underwear covering soft hair and the base of his dick, smiling dazed at the teasing relief. Mike hadn't touched him there. They'd only kissed - well. Not quite true.

They may have gotten a little carried away.

He'd only been pining over the boy for the bulk of his young life, all of the parts that mattered, anyway. Before Mike and After Mike. The after was love and longing. The after now, having kissed him and told him how he felt and come out on the other side alive, in the true After - he knew too much. Felt enough to make him burn.

Hands sliding under his shirt, too gentle against his skin, against the scar tissue of a burn mark on his side and then felt all too good as those same gentle, huge hands gripped his waist and hauled him into an eager lap. Thighs around thighs. Ass on knees, then raised as he followed Mike to fall back against the couch, bodies flush. Hips slotted together, hot and hard and unacknowledged save for the sudden, jarring sound of a moan. Mike had groaned low in his throat, and shuddered over how it felt against Will's tongue. High and breathy a moment later as Will pulled away to press his mouth and teeth against the side of Mike's neck as their hips rolled and then slowed.

Too much, all too much. Pulling away with a heavy, rapid heartbeat. Slower, drier kisses. And Will's hand now, shoved down his pants, tight between his sweaty skin and the taut fabric of his jeans and briefs. Pent up. No relief despite skin on skin.

Will pulled his pants off the rest of the way. Tan and tight - chosen on purpose for his date (it had been a date, a date, a date!) He knew how his ass looked in them. Mike noticed, too. Felt it up for only a moment as they'd sat thigh over thigh, chest to chest. Cock to cock, too, when he admitted what they'd done. Will's hand stroked himself tight at the thought.

He'd felt Mike against him for only for a moment, but it had been enough for Will now to moan softly into the pillow again as his hand pulled at his cock, slow and too dry. Didn't care. Wasn't the point. He was traversing a memory, using sensation to slow time, speed it up, imagine what could happen if they both hadn't gotten too nervous.

Mike had been hard. Mike didn't just like him, want to be with him, want to kiss him - he wanted him. He wanted to do things with him. His body liked it, liked him. Wanted to fuck him, whatever that really meant - and fuck, wasn't that a revelation all in itself? The way Mike's hands had felt on his waist. A perfect resting spot, made to hold him like that. Will turned onto his back and spread his legs, splayed and vulnerable as he jerked off, slicker now as he leaked all over himself. Still not perfect, but good enough.

He knew how it would go, how he wanted it. Was that how Mike would want it, when they finally did get brave, find courage, have sex? Will, like this, like they'd been on the couch, with his legs wrapped around Mike as Mike's big hands held his waist, his hips, drove into him and guided him in time with his thrusts.

How would time feel as they made love? Too fast or too slow? Would it freeze? Would it matter? Will's hand sped up. Back arched, neck twisted as he writhed from the pleasure of it all, memory and hand and phantom kisses, cheek against the damp spot on his pillow where he'd mouthed and pretended he could taste Mike instead of the bitter flavor of the old pillowcase, fabric and old sweat and traces of shampoo and his own plain spit.

It was over suddenly, as words echoed around his brain. His orgasm caught him off guard as he conjured the ghost of Mike's mouth on his mouth, the bashful roll of his hips, and the sound of his groan and pretty words against his teeth.

"I like you so much, Will. So much. Could kiss you forever."

And Will had to live now, they both did. There was so much more he wanted to do, a door flung open, unleashing desires stashed inside a lifetime of want.

Will removed his sticky hand from his softening cock and rested his fingers in the mess on his stomach, tracing through pearly white patterns as it dripped into his navel and slid down his side. Unbothered. Out of breath. Smiling in disbelief that Mike was his, and he was Mike's.

He brought his clean hand to his mouth, curled a fist again, and kissed Mike good night. Mouthed his love into his own skin. Wondered if Mike was doing the same in his own bed, thinking of Will and how they couldn't lose each other again. Wanting. Knowing he could be getting it all, within reach.

No disappearing. Solid ground. They were going to make it.

Will had gotten a taste. Wanted more. A lifetime of thinking about never. Real was better. Real was kissing Mike forever. And everything else.

~❤️