#the thing in this scene is how mike immediately tries to make things right as soon as he realizes he upset will

[bylrndgm]

no words appeared to me in the aftermath

the rain scene.

[byers-bowlcut]

I've seen people say El likes the IDEA of having a boyfriend more than she actually likes her own boyfriend, and jfc it's so true 😭 Like it's all over the show:

Season 1

She's initially attached to Mike because he's the first person to give her shelter, food, genuine human care and just,, not calling CPS immediately. Her feelings for him was born from trauma and dependency in season 1. And throughout the rest of the 3 seasons, we don't see it grow past that.

Also I think it's noticeable in S1 that:

She was uninterested when Mike tried to share his hobbies with her

She also did not seem to mind AT ALL when she questioned if Mike could be her brother. He voice is neutral and curious here, not the least bit repulsed by the thought of being siblings with Mike, like girl does not care 😭

Season 2

This season has zero onscreen moments of Mike and El actually getting to know each other further. They were separated nearly the whole season.

What we DO see:

El's attachment and dependency on Mike that was developed from S1

We also find out how El spent a year of her life watching melodramatic romance films. Many other middle schoolers might identify that relationships in real life don't work like those films. But El is fresh out of lab life, she's literally learning the world through this TV, and has now become obsessed with the IDEA of having a boyfriend/relationship just like that.

Season 3

Again, no onscreen moments of El showing interest in who Mike is as a person.

The very first scene we see of them, she's trying to get him to stop singing along to the song they're listening to. She seems to like kissing Mike. But isn't shown enjoying anything actually characteristic about him, like sharing interests with him such as music.

Hopper indicates that they don't do anything meaningful together either. We see here that before hanging out with Max, El had little sense of her own style, her hobbies, her interests- meaning spending time with Mike for months probably didn't involve many talking points did it?

Also in season 3, El dumps Mike with ZERO hesitation. Then she has the time of her life with Max. The most acknowledgment we get that she's oh so heartbroken is a small frown to Max that her and Mike aren't on best terms. And even that doesn't seem so paramount cause 1 episode later she totally dismisses Mike after he explains how Hopper threatened him. She just tells him maybe Hopper was right 😭😭

It's literally ONLY once she starts becoming in danger that she starts clinging onto him again. I feel like we've seen this film before hm.

Like where are any signs that she likes Mike as an individual, and is falling for who he really is, rather than simply being attached due to trauma, and liking the concept of doing romantic things (ie: kissing, dancing at the ball, etc.)

Season 4

This is the season it becomes the MOST OBVIOUS: El loves the concept of a happy relationship and being loved, but not really loving Mike for who he is. And bringing in Will's feelings just emphasizes this point.

To start, El continues doing all these relationship-y things that she did in the start of S3. She has Mike's name and pictures plastered all over her room. She makes a "Mike box" with his pictures decorated all over it. But the thing is: this is all sort of a façade at this point. We know she's BEEN unhappy with him for months ("From Mike! From Mike! From Mike!"). But with all these items, she's basically trying to convince herself that she's in this happy, fantasy, movie-like relationship, like she probably watched in hopper's cabin in season 2.

And then, there's the sheer difference between her and WILL in their feelings for Mike. We see it right off the bat when Mike comes to the airport: Will and El both have plans to give Mike something.

Will plans to give him a painting he worked extremely hard on. The painting is a connection of what they BOTH love: DnD, and it includes their friends who also play the game. It's very personal and immediately touches Mike. What's more is, the painting illustrates the exact qualities about Mike that Will loves: his leadership, his bravery, his guidance. This painting literally spells out to us that Will truly loves Mike for WHO HE IS.

Meanwhile, El plans on giving Mike a fun reunion date. She has the whole day planned out. And immediately: we see that what she wants to do doesn't actually takes Mike's interests and personality into consideration. You can see and hear the strain in his voice when he talks about "burritos for breakfast" 😬

You can see how he's not that relaxed at rinkomania, and nervous about skating, saying he's clumsy. He probably would've much preferred movies and playing a board game, over skating. But El has her own ideas. When she brings Mike to rinkomania, she tries to act really cool about it. She wants to impress him, wants to seem like she fits in and belongs.

Her present was never actually ABOUT Mike, and about loving Mike that she would plan this huge date for him. Her present was about her desperately wanting to have this cool date like every other normal teen girl might, with a normal boyfriend, and make it seem like they have a happy perfect relationship.

And then finally we reach their S4 fight. I find it extremely interesting how Hopper's cabin is framed in the background during their whole fight. It's almost like an indication that her desperate need to be loved by Mike stems from her trying to cope with losing Hopper and the hole left by him, that clearly did not exist when she happily dumped Mike in S3.

In their fight, when the topic of bullying comes up, Mike says he understands her, but El is quick to say he doesn't. She thinks Mike doesn't understand her, but this is just as much her not understanding HIM as well.

She doesn't get the extent of Mike's insecurities (definitely partially a result of bullying), something that Mike later divulges to WILL and not her. If the writers wanted to show us how much El understands Mike and loves him for who he is, her and Mike would work through his insecurities in their rs together, NOT through a middle man.

Overall it's pretty striking that we've never once heard El actually compliment Mike, or articulate, or even show what exactly she loves about him through four whole seasons. I mean...

Attachment to him due to trauma or grief =/= loving him for who he is.

Wanting to BE loved =/= loving him for who he is.

So really in terms of a relationship, what El ACTUALLY wants is the concept/idea of a regular boyfriend, and a happy easy relationship, all in an attempt to feel normal. And that's why we see them fall apart the way they do in season 4, and why Will is currently so involved. Because Will DOES see and love Mike for exactly who he is.

[carigm]

The “Teaser”, mlvn rooftop convo, and Lord of the Rings parallel…

This is gonna be a long post, so grab some snacks y’all.

First of all, the teaser the Duffers shared at this Netflix shareholders event was basically all BTS stuff, and according to someone that was there, we have mostly seen all of it. The actual clips from the show they showed were so short that most people missed it. However, over those short clips it seems they played a voiceover of part of the mlvn rooftop convo. Notice how the Suffer Sisters are literally incapable of sharing anything new, and the only audio they disclosed is from the ONE scene that’s been leaked to death, and even transcribed multiple times with the help of AI. In any case, Netflix did not share this teaser with the masses, and it’s unlikely they ever will. Stranger Things is not going to the Super Bowl this year (yes you heard that right) and the Tudum Event isn’t until May. Our only hope before that would be them releasing something on Will’s birthday, but whether in March or May, I believe we’ll be getting a proper teaser by then.

People that attended the event reported that El has a voiceover line where she goes “they don’t get to write the ending, we do” and apparently a voiceover Mike line where he goes “we’ll finish this together” (I’m not sure if this was paraphrased or not). Immediately, we all realized that these lines sound pretty close to what Mike is allegedly saying to her during the rooftop scene. Many people in the fandom have taken the time to transcribe that scene, some with AI and some without, and although some things could be wrong here and there, the general idea of it seems pretty clear. I’m attaching an AI reading of the scene here, so I can point out where I think his dialogue might be from…

Around the 1.43 mark, the AI picked up “enjoying it, together”, however I think this is where the “we’ll finish it, together” line comes into play. If anything, this shows AI isn’t 100% accurate, and it does call into question some of these previous lines 😂…I think it’s possible that after this speech from Mike about stories, fantasy endings and heroes, El tries to follow his advice and be positive, and maybe she delivers the “they don’t get to write our ending, we do” line back to him. It’s unfortunate because obviously we can’t see her face in the video, but I think it makes sense she would reply with that because right after it seems like he says “of, course…” and then proceeds to seemingly add that the Party can have a happy ending, without all the fantasy elements he mentioned before.

I find it very interesting that he’s choosing to speak to her with this storytelling analogy, which at first I believed to be a D&D analogy, but the more I think about it, the more I feel like he’s talking about an actual story. And then the lord of the rings parallel hit me, specifically with this scene. If you’re not aware, Finn Wolfhard has mentioned lotr twice now when talking about season 5, and I personally think it’s possible that Mike is using lord of the rings here as a reference to describe the hero’s journey and relate it to what the party has been through. Think about it, he’s trying to cheer El up, who has been stuck in that fuckass radio station for a year, who’s probably extremely tired of everything she has been dealing with for years, and he just wants to offer her some consolation so she can keep going and fighting. Does that sound familiar?

Well my friends, if it does, that’s because it is a direct parallel to Frodo and Sam from Lord of the Rings. I’ve always thought Byler were insanely samfrodo coded (funny enough the last S4 Byler scene is almost identical to this scene too), but it seems the Duffers are paralleling mlvn to them here. In lotr, Frodo bears the biggest burden of the story, as he follows his hero’s journey to Mordor to defeat evil. Along the way, ofc, he becomes increasingly weary and hopeless, and it is up to Sam (his best friend) to cheer him up and provide him with strength to keep him going. How does Sam do this? Interestingly enough, he encourages Frodo by describing all the beautiful things that will come AFTER they have won, what they and their friends will be able to enjoy when they get back home. Basically everything Mike appears to be saying to El in this scene, fantasizing about the end of the battle. To make the parallels even crazier, while on his hero’s journey, Frodo has to remain in hiding because there are multiple forces looking for him, and we know that El is basically hiding away from the government.

Another thing I want to point out is that in lotr (spoilers I guess 😭) good does win in the end, and the main characters get to return back home. However, Frodo is so changed by the journey and all the things he encountered that he simply cannot stay with his friends. Instead, he leaves and goes to the Undying Lands, where he finds peace. He doesn’t die, but he also cannot stay in Middle Earth. Him and Sam have a beautiful goodbye scene and then Sam is left with the literal book of stories Frodo started, and is told by Frodo to “finish it”.

Make of that what you will…

[eddiemunson-reader-shame]

Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader: Venus

Good afternoon people of Hawkins I take hammer and I fix the canon so that Eddie and his love are there to save the day.

Alternatively: fuck people like Angela. Throw rocks at them.

Trigger Warnings: vomit mention, pregnancy

****

“What the hell are they doing to Mike’s girlfriend?!”

You sat up ramrod straight, looking directly at Mike Wheeler’s little flame as she’s accosted by a group of leering little bitches led by a trashy looking blonde named Angela. After being accosted one day in Bradley’s Big Buy, fate found you and your fiancé chaperoning Mike’s little trip to see his girlfriend and friend in California. Mrs. Wheeler had paid for the plane tickets and paid you and Eddie two hundred dollars, trusting you to take care of her baby boy and his little friends. Responsibility was something you took seriously. You felt protective, a far cry from your usual antisocial and avoidant demeanor.

The minute you landed in California was when you imprinted on the kiddos like a broody hen imprints on baby chicks. You took a particular liking to Mike’s little girlfriend: she was awkward and scared much like you were once upon a time. Jane Hopper was mousy and shy, and had been trying to be bubbly throughout the trip even though you kept insisting to Eddie something was wrong. You could recognize the signs of someone trying to hold it together. Eddie had insisted you were wrong. Despite his efforts to calm you down, nothing could make you feel safe.

You had been off the whole trip, and the way you were on high alert, the more it seemed like Eddie was right about the cause.

“Hey! Take it easy…” Eddie soothed, pulling at the hem of your Motörhead ringer tee, “Let’s not go berserker on them.”

“I don’t like the way they’re crowding her!” You hissed, pounding your clenched fist on the booth table.

Mike and Will Byers jumped, glancing from you to Eddie then to each other when you immediately stood up out of the booth seat. You were bouncing on the balls of your feet, crouched as though you were going to pounce on someone.

Everyone was already on edge because of you. Going to Rink-O-Mania had been an entire ordeal. Before you entered the parking lot, you were already bitching and moaning about the drive over. Then you started complaining that the rink smelled like feet, and then you complained that the grease from the hot dogs was too overpowering. Eddie had tried to be the peacekeeper. Settling your raging stomach with a thick strawberry milkshake when you started whining about wanting one, and then complaining that the chocolate and vanilla smelled rotten.

The shake helped settle your stomach, but once the nausea was gone you just got more broody and hypersensitive.

“Babe, take a second, okay?” He soothed, pulling you back down into the booth with him, “You’re gonna cause a scene.”

“I don’t like how they’re just grabbing her and lugging her around like a suitcase!” You said.

Will’s hands were shaking, and you could hear him whispering with Mike.

“What’s wrong with her…?”

“How the hell should I know?! She’s been insufferable ever since she got on the plane to California!”

Eddie glanced over at Mike, shaking his head and frowning.

“Mike, take it easy. She’s not feeling well.” He said.

“Eddie, this is stupid!” Mike said, “She complains about every little thing, whines that she doesn’t feel good, then snaps at you if you don’t answer her right away or do what she wants. I swear she’s on the rag! Now she won’t even let El hang with her friends.”

“Mike chill, you don’t understand-…”

You immediately snapped your head towards Will when you heard him make a strangled noise in his throat at the mention of Jane’s “friends”.

“What’s wrong?!” You demanded.

“Nothing!”

Will looked like he had a gun to his head. Hyperventilating. Pure panic on his face.

“Will…” you growled, moving in like a tiger.

“Sweetheart, please. Everything is fine. Don’t start up with the stress.” Eddie begged.

“Yeah, man! Stop freaking everyone out!”

Mike stared you down while Will looked left and right, as though hoping to be saved. A storm was brewing, both in your face and on the roller rink. And unfortunately he didn’t have the spoons or the know-how to quell both at once.

You glanced hatefully at both Eddie and Mike.

“Shut up.” You hissed, before turning back to Will.

He shrank in the booth, the faux leather squeaking.

“Those girls are not her friends… are they?” You whispered dangerously to Will.

He was avoiding your gaze. Fidgeting in his seat. You continued to stare him down until he finally, finally shook his head and muttered.

“No… they’re not her friends. Those are the ones that bully her at school…”

The air surrounding the booth seemed to shift; a cold front of anticipation hitting everyone. You began to quiver, while Mike and Eddie rounded on Will.

“Why didn’t you say something?!” Mike demanded.

“I promised I wouldn’t tell!” Will countered, while Eddie simultaneously tried to pacify Will and soothe Mike.

But you were done. You were so fucking done.

“Fuck this shit.”

You moved out of the booth and sat astride a nearby bench, kicking your shoes off and tying on your black skates. Your face was dark, stormy and murderous, and you looked like you were puffed up and ready to kill someone.

“No, no, no!” Eddie was scrambling out of the booth after you, trying to grab your arm, “Sweetheart, we need to stop and take a breath-…”

“Eddie’s right! What are you even doing?!” Mike demanded.

“I’m going to get my fucking kid.” You said.

“Since when is she your kid?!” Mike snapped.

“Since your mother told me to take care of all of you on this trip.” You snarled, nearly snapping the shoestrings on your skates as you tied them with a vengeance, “If anything happens to any of you, Eddie and I are the ones that are gonna catch hell.”

“You think I’m afraid of Karen Wheeler?!” Eddie interjected, trying to drag you back over to the table, “I get that we have a responsibility, but we need to take a deep breath and not go apeshit on a bunch of kids. You need to think of the situation we might be in...”

His voiced dropped to a whisper.

“I don’t want either of you getting hurt.”

“I’m just going to go get Jane.” You said.

“Dammit babe you can’t just go charging in-…”

Before Eddie could do anything, you had already secured your skates and began gliding out onto the rink. Vaguely over the sound of Bananarama, you could hear Eddie calling your name. You were skating a bit like shit. The motion was a little disorienting, and out in the middle of the rink you could smell everything mixed together with body sweat.

You whipped your head this way and that, before spotting Jane. Cornered by Angela, that bleach blonde jackass.

“Excuse me.” You called out, bumping the blonde with your hip.

The motion was so fluid it simply looked like you were just gliding on by, taking Jane by the upper arm and coasting with her for a turn around the rink. It was done swiftly, no muss no fuss, but you knew from years of experience that girls like Angela wouldn’t let you go so easily.

Jane looked a little frightened, and you caught a glimpse of yourself in the reflection of a mirror. Your teased hair was waterlogged with sweat, and your sharp winged eyeliner was dribbling down your cheeks and getting into your sleep deprived red rimmed eyes. To Jane, you must have looked like a demon.

“Are you okay, sweetie?!” You called out to Jane over the intro to ‘Venus’.

She waited until the iconic screech passed before responding.

“I’m okay…” she nodded, clinging to your arm when she realized you had come to save her, not scream at her.

“What were they doing to you?” You called out, only to see the intended plan a second later as Jane’s bully and her cronies started tailing the two of you around the turn. You locked eyes with Eddie across the room, watching him stand up from putting on his inline skates and gliding towards you two.

“Don’t panic.” You told Jane, “Just skate towards Eddie, okay?”

She nodded and went forward obediently, nearly falling into his open arms when you gave her a little push. Jane’s bullies were closing in on either side of you, and just as you made for Eddie, you felt a tug at the back of your hair. It was soft at first, then someone yanked you backward.

You landed hard on your wrist and ass, and when you looked up, you were doused in chocolate shake.

The smell was more overpowering than the laughter of Jane’s bullies. Angela stood triumphantly over you, her friends circling all of you as they laughed and pointed.

“Look who it is!” She laughed, “The loser’s fat little mother hen!”

You didn’t say anything as you got to your feet. Watching the girls circle you was giving you motion sickness, and you slapped a hand over your mouth as the sickening smell of cheap cocoa ice cream and curdling milk invaded your nostrils.

“Aww look, she’s not saying anything.” Angela sneered, getting into your face, “Is Mommy feeling queasy?”

The hot dog grease, burnt popcorn, oil, Angela’s Love’s Baby Soft perfume, and the insoles of skates that had been sweated in since the sixties, were cumulatively gathering together into one rank whiff to make your stomach turn violently. The feeling of saliva flooding your mouth meant the end was nigh. You looked up at Angela, a sly grin on your face as one of her female friends went up behind you with a fist raised.

“Oh, Mama’s feeling queasy alright,” you hissed, spit dribbling out of your mouth.

“You stuck up little bitch.”

Angela only had one moment to react before her friend hit you hard in the middle of the back. The floodgates opened. The punch to the back knocked you forward, and you immediately threw up all over the front of Angela’s blue shirt.

You finally understood the meaning of a Kodak Moment. Her face changed in the span of a second from superior, to shock, to horror and then fear as she began gagging as the smell of vomit hit her nostrils. You coughed up the remains of the shake while her friends immediately vacated the rink, the music stopping mid riff and everyone clearing off the minute “ralph” was heard echoing through the roller rink. Angela began screaming as Eddie nearly bowled into you, laughing so hard he was crying.

“Holy hell!” He cried, his face red with laughter and his smile wide as he led you out of the rink by the arm, “Did you have to do that?!”

“She shouldn’t have doused me in shake.” Was your smug response.

“YOU DIRTY BITCH!”

Angela shrieked, alone in the center of the rink, covered and stinking, “You’re fucking gross! You’re disgusting!”

“Word of advice, sweetheart,” Eddie called over his shoulder, a smug smile on his face while leading you into the waiting arms of Will, Mike and Jane.

“Next time: don’t pick a fight with a pregnant woman!”

[sagereidxx]

Mike's "Will Voice". - An Essay by me.

If you’re a byler you know about the “Will Voice '' . But if you somehow don’t or you’re new, the “Will Voice" is the voice that Mike uses when he is talking to Will and ONLY Will. Normally Mike is a little abrasive and defensive to most people when he is talking to them. But when talking to Will, his voice is soft and quiet, just above a whisper, gentle. 

Before we get into it, I think you should just know that the “Will voice” isn’t just something Byler’s made up! The directors tell Finn (the actor that plays Mike) to use a “special voice” when talking to Noah (The actor that plays Will) when filming.

DISCLAIMER - i actually didnt think this was going to be this long so sorry in advance but here are my thought i hope you enjoy! i love you!

“It was a seven, the Demogorgon. It got me.” - Season 1

One of the VERY FIRST SCENES in the show is Mike using his “Mike voice” Even if he really doesn't have to say anything at all. After Karen tells everybody to leave and all of the boys are hopping on their bikes to go home, Will is the only one left behind with Mike. Will admits to Mike that in the campaign they're playing, the Demogorgon got to him and killed him. 

Something about this scene is just so…. The look of understanding, the nod. Mike is just more gentle with will than anyone else. 

Right before this he was just arguing with Dustin about wether his sister is cool or not but with Will it’s different. 

Unfortunately, since Will really isn’t in the whole rest of the season, because yknow he’s in a whole other dimension there aren't a lot of other scenes where Mike is using his “Will voice” However, Mike was the person who wanted to find will the most behind maybe Joyce. Saying that he “was the only one who cared about Will”, so that is something. 

“Crazy together.” - Season 2 

In my opinion, season 2 is like beak soft byler. The first season 2 byler moment was..

The Arcade Scene

As soon as Mike snaps Will out of his trance, his vision, whatever you want to call it, he goes right back to Will's comforting voice and tries to make him feel better and distracts him with a game of dig dug. 

In the next episode, it's Halloween. And we ALL know what happened on Halloween night of 1987.

Will’s episode on halloween 

When Will has a bad vision, who is the first name he calls? Mike. Not Lucas, Not Dustin, not even Max. Mike. Not anyone else but Mike. And who was the first one to find Will and the first one to comfort him? Micheal Fucking Wheeler. And he was using the same soft voice he always does when talking to Will, barley over a whisper. Not to mention that Mike wouldn't let anyone touch Will but himself after Will snapped out of his episode. 

Talk in Mike’s Basement Scene

After Will had this awful episode, Mike takes Will and only Will back to his house. Will rambles and rants about how he feels stuck and Mike? He is attentive, sweet, listening, letting him get all of his words out. I’ve noticed with other people Mike can come off like he’s abrasive and harsh but with Will he is nothing close to that. 

This conversation also consists of Mike helping Will express his feeling by finishing his sentences for him when he just can’t get his words out. In the few times Mike does speak, he does not break out of the gentle voice and literally never breaks his gaze from Will, not once. 

EVEN WHEN MIKE TALKS ABOUT EL HE TALKS IN HIS WILL VOICE. AND THE ONLY REASON MIKE BROUGHT UP EL WAS FOR WILL’S BENEFIT. 

And then the most iconic Byler line in Stranger Things history, “If we’re both going crazy, we’ll go crazy together, right?” “Yeah, crazy together.” So gentle, so sweet, so wholesome.

The hallway scene 

Mike immediately notices something off with Will and has to make sure everything is okay. 

Side note: even when Will isn't with Mike and the party, Mike will literally do anything he can to help Will. That’s his only priority at the moment. 

Will’s bedroom scene

Even when Will is talking about “Him” Mike still reminds him that Will is a good person, calling him a “super spy”. Mike is doing absolutely anything he can to comfort Will and make him feel any better. (P.s. this moment is so wholesome I love it.)

And then the “yeah, yeah I really do” The PRIME example of “Will Voice”. The gentleness, the voice, the look, the nod, the reassurance, AND THEN THE REACH FOR THE HAND. 

Hospital Scene (Will wakes up)

Will wakes up and Mike is obviously right there (‘cause he slept in the chair next to the bed, WHICH IS LIKE MY FAVORITE BYLER MOMENT OF ALL TIME) and asks if Will is “hurting again”, Mike keeps his eyes steady on Will. His only focus is Will right now. He keeps his voice soft and he asks Will things to make sure he understands and that he is hearing what Will is going through right now. 

Mike recalling how they met 

Even though the poor boys voice is shaky because he is literally trying (and failing) to hold back tears, it’s still soft and reassuring. 

“It’s not my fault you don't like girls!” -Season 3 

The movie theater scene

This scene is one of my favs from Season 3. Mike is the first and only person to realize something is off with Will and say something to make sure he’s okay. The "you okay?” and “you sure?” are so gentle and soft. It reminds me a lot of someone jumping at a scary part in a movie and their partner wrapping their arm around them and asking if they’re okay. 

NOT TO MENTION THE NOT SO SUBTLE LIP GLANCES. 

(Also the little gay panic Will has after Mike ask if he’s okay and the blush on Mike’s cheeks before) 

The scene right before the fight scene

Mike immediately notices Will is upset after Mike makes his “joke” and he goes back to his voice that always gets Will and tries to convince him that they (him and Lucas) do really want to finish the campaign. 

The fight scene

Mike IMMEADLEY goes back to his will voice after he drops the bomb shell because he know he fucked up and he did it BIG TIME. The big difference between Mike’s “Will Voice” in Season 2 and Season 3 is that in Season 2 he was really using that voice with Will because he knew that it was comforting to him but now in season 3 he uses it because he knows Will will fall for it. 

(Also you know how Max says to El that Mike will come crawling back to El in no time? The only person he came crawling back to apologizing was Will.) 

“Get away from the door” Scene 

@myname1sca1 brought up a great point! The scene where Max is trying talk to Billy through the door, Will has a feeling that “He’s here” Mike stays turned and looking at Will says "get away from the door" it's in a gentle, quiet, soft voice and when Max doesn't listen, he turns away from Will and starts screaming at her do get away from the door again. He was only using that voice because he was looking at Will and dropped that voice as soon as he looked away. 

The “Not possible” Scene

Toward the end of season 3, Mike realizes that he was being (in his own words) an asshole the whole season and starts caring about Will again. And when Will comes out and puts his box of D&D on the donate box, the thing he has loved since forever, Mike makes sure that he knows he is giving it away. 

Will knows he’ll just use Mike’s when he visits and won’t join another party. That’s not possible.  

(Plus the look on Mikes face after Will says “not possible” is adorable.)

"I didn't say it." "You didn't have to." Season 4, Vol 1.

Will's bedrooms scene

OMFG THIS SCENE

Immediately Mike is relaxed. His voice low and calm and he's lighthearted. The "You didn't have to" AND THE SMILE. This is a COMPLETE contrast to has he is around El in this part of the season. When with her, he is all tense and feels like he can never say the right thing.

Also, the absolute adoration for Will in his voice. When he says "It's Hawkins, it's not the same without you."

You can also really tell that Mike is really confiding in Will and letting his guard down which he never really does with anyone. Including El. Especially with the whole line "I don't know what's going to happen next." And if you know Mike Wheeler he never tells ANYONE that he is wrong or that he doesn't know what's going on. So, the fact that he feels comfortable enough with Will is something.

"But you make her feel better for being different." Season 4, Vol 2

"We have to Kill him." "And we will." Scene

The MOMENT Mike finds out that Will can feel that 001 is there, he jumps back into being his reassuring, gentle self for Will. This scene reminds me a lot of the "Yeah, Yeah i really do" scene for season 2.

OMG WE ARE DONE, if you made it through all of that, I love you so much. If you want to see more things like this PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know because i love writing essays about Byler analysis!

also let me know if there's anything I missed because if i miss enough things i will gather it and but it in an update!

RESOUCES

Stanger Things I The First 8 Minutes - Series Opener [HD] (Still Watching Netflix on YouTube)

Stranger Thing 02x02 - Mike and Will 'Crazy Together' Scene (Raghaua Daroui on Youtube)

Byler compilation (Season 2-3) (GoraculGerard on Youtube)

every byler scene 1080p I Stranger Things Season 4 Vol 1 (longbttms on Youtube)

byler 1080p scene pack I Stranger Things Vol 2 (longbttms on YouTube)

@myname1sca1 's post!

people who wanted to be tagged!

@lebylershipper

@ash-the-wise

@tender-emotional-music

@wallywise

@willbyerswatch

@hearteyes-wheeler

@paloma-ascends-into-hellfire

@hollarious2

[teambyler]

"Byler Endgame, One Episode at a Time" - s5e5

Plot beats and scenes leading to a Byler endgame, one episode at a time, for Season 5 of Stranger Things. (This is just for fun! I have no insider knowledge!)

Also see Part 0, where I explain what I think a Byler Endgame has to address. Link to the previous episode.

s5e5

Will is unconscious and bound to prevent him from taking off his headphones. Mike and El stay with Will. The group heads out to assault Vecna’s power source when Vecna is distracted by Will. El will piggyback and try to protect Will.

El talks to Mike. “You know why he took off the headphones, Mike?” “Vecna controlled his mind?” “No, Mike… Will was doing it. He loves you, Mike. I saw what Vecna told him. He said he’d kill you if he doesn’t give himself to Vecna.” Mike’s mouth drops open. El tears up: “He doesn’t see living without you, Mike… Did you know he’s loved you since you were five years old?” Mike can’t believe what he’s hearing. “WHAT?” “If he makes it, you have to talk to him, Mike, okay? No more pretending.” She tenderly puts her hand in his hair. “Friends don’t lie.” Mike starts to realize it all and starts to sob. She hugs him. Mike glances at Will and looks back at El: “Thank you. I - I’m so sorry…” She shakes her head and smiles, and kisses Mike on the cheek.

They hear from the walkie-talkie that now is the time. She takes Mike’s hand, “I can help you talk to him.” He understands and nods. They each hold one of Will’s hands. El takes the headphones off of Will. He starts to breathe heavily. Vecna is getting close… They close their eyes as El starts to focus.

Current-day Will is in the Upside Down, in the woods, and El is nowhere to be seen. Something is pursuing him. He runs to the old Byers house, runs in, and shuts the door. He hears Vecna taunting him: “How suitable. It’s time to finish what I started…” Will runs out to the old shed where the gun is. He is hyperventilating and starts to load the bullets. He feels the back of his neck, and turns around. He knows Vecna is in the back yard. Vecna slowly approaches the shed… when Will strides out and fires the gun. Vecna staggers back. Will is reliving and struggling through all the trauma and pain of everything that has happened to him since that fateful night. He strides forward, repeatedly firing, getting closer each time.

The bullets only have so much effect, and Vecna grabs Will by the neck. Will starts panicking. Back at Hopper’s cabin it becomes apparent Will is being Vecna’d. Mike: “El, what’s happening?” El is still struggling to focus. Mike tearfully kisses Will’s hand. “I’m right here!” El arrives in the Upside Down. She tries to stop Vecna but vines immediately grab her and restrain her. Vecna smiles and looks at Will: “Good… I see you have power over this place, too…” El looks in horror at Will, who is looking at Vecna in utter despair as he continues to taunt him. The more hopeless he feels, the more horrible his surroundings become. The Upside Down is tied to Will. El cannot reach him. Will starts to levitate.

Back in Hopper’s cabin, El levitates herself and Mike together with Will. She tightens her grip on Mike’s hand. Mike’s eyes open wide as he realizes what El’s doing. She shares his memories with Will (“I asked you to be my friend. You said yes”… a kindergarten Mike and Will swinging high on a pair of swings… biking through the rain and hugging his mom when he thought Will was dead, jumping off the cliff to join Will, by his bedside in s2, apologizing to Will in the rain, Will: “Not possible,” Mike looking back at Byers house and hugging his mom again, reading El’s letter “Maybe it is for a girl, I think there is someone he likes”, Will giving Mike the painting in the van, Mike happy seeing the painting, Will: “better for being different”) Mike: “I love you Will! Not just as a friend… I’ve always loved you. The painting, all of it, going to Vecna… I know what you’re doing! I won’t let you! And I’m sorry! I was too stupid to say how I feel. I was scared Will! I’m so sorry…”

… Vecna snaps Will’s arm. Mike: “No!!!”

In the Upside Down, Will opens his eyes with a look of utter determination. The vines unwrap around El. She distracts Vecna enough that Will falls to the ground (here and in Hopper’s cabin). El and Vecna have a showdown. The rest of the party, seeing their chance, get at Vecna’s power source. Seeing he is weakened, Vecna hurries elsewhere.

Will wakes up and winces from his arm, and looks kind of lost. Mike and El look at each other with concern. Mike: “I’m here.” He wants to hold Will but doesn’t want to hurt him. Will looks directly at Mike and extends his one good arm to him. Mike cups Will’s face and kisses him passionately. It is a long kiss… Will puts his hand in Mike’s hair, tears flowing. When it’s over Will is in disbelief.  “Am I dead?” El and Mike laugh. Mike caresses Will’s hair. Mike: “Don’t leave me Will, ever…” Will laughs and nods. “Okay.” Mike laughs, they kiss, and then hold on to each other as tightly as Will’s arm allows.

FOLLOW ME for the next part of “Byler Endgame, One Episode at a Time”!

Part 0 (what a Byler endgame needs to address) Previous episode Next episode

-teambyler

[yourdeepestfathoms]

Vanessa!Swap AU

(in which Game!Vanessa and Movie!Vanessa swap universes)

“WHERE IS BONNIE?!” “WHERE IS MONTY?!”

Movie!Vanessa is baffled by the speaking abilities of the Glamrocks, while it takes Game!Vanessa a moment to realize that the OG Gang aren’t ignoring her, they just can’t speak.

The size of the Pizzaplex overwhelms Movie!Vanessa and gives her the opposite of claustrophobia. Game!Vanessa, however, is so happy to work in an establishment that she can fully walk through in under an hour.

Game!Vanessa: YOOO THIS PLACE IS SICK!!! i can walk from one side of the Pizzeria in less than ten minutes!!

Movie!Vanessa: WHERE AM I?!?!

The fact that the Pizzaplex is closed up so tightly at night worries Movie!Vanessa immensely. And then Game!Vanessa is so happy that she can LEAVE WHENEVER SHE WANTS. The doors aren’t grated or anything!! She can just WALK OUT!!

“WHAT HAPPENED TO BONNIE?!” “We don’t talk about Bonnie anymore… 😔” “WHAT?!”

Game!Vanessa @ the OG gang: can you really not talk? DAMN, that must SUCK! where i come from, my guys have PERFECT English. honestly, it’s probably better than mine. do you even understand what i’m saying? *proceeds to rant all night*

Movie!Vanessa: *holding DJ Music Man at gunpoint, shaking in terror*

Movie!Vanessa threatens to shoot so many different things.

She takes an actual shot at Sun because he scared the shit out her.

Mini Music Man also scares the shit out of her.

First, she tries to shoot him, then she trips, slams her head into the wall, and blacks out.

Movie!Vanessa sobbing in the Pizzaplex vs Game!Vanessa tearing up the dance floor to 80s music

Game!Vanessa @ Mike: who the FUCK are YOU

Game!Vanessa would be very dubious of Mike and Abby. But also: Game!Vanessa being like Mike’s other younger sister.

Would Glitchtrap go over with Game!Vanessa?? Because if he does…

Glitchtrap: WHY AM I AN AMERICAN

Game!Vanessa: HA YOU GOT COLONIZED

Game!Vanessa: *begins to scream in agony because Glitchtrap is attacking her brain*

Mike: what the fuck is wrong with you

If Glitchtrap doesn’t go with Game!Vanessa and just transfers into Movie!Vanessa’s head…

Well, she would probably end her life right then and there.

Meanwhile, Game!Vanessa: I’M FREE!! I’M FINALLY FREE!!!

Game!Vanessa won’t stop saying how rotund the OG Gang is.

Movie!Vanessa accidentally tases Monty because he startles her, and his resulting scream of agony makes her want to vomit because CAN THEY FEEL PAIN?!?!

One of the OG Gang stalks up to Game!Vanessa, and she’s just like “rude.”

She is completely unfazed to them trying to be “killer robots.”

Movie!Vanessa, after finding the Vanny suit: am i…a furry??????

DJMM has that improvise ability, so it’s canon that he makes themes for people, and the music immediately changes when Movie!Vanessa goes to West Arcade, and she perceives it as boss music.

The final scene of the movie, but Game!Vanessa and Movie!William make the animatronics fight each other because they’re both trying to control them.

It’s an all-out R-R-R-ROBOT FIGHT!!!!!

Game!Vanessa getting turnt on the dance floor, while Movie!Vanessa questions her own humanity when she sees Roxy having human problems.

Game!Vanessa: man i really hope my nudes don’t get leaked here, too

Mike: HUH

Movie!Vanessa would shoot Map Bot

“Take this ma—” 💥💥💥💥

The OSHA violations in the Pizzaplex would send Movie!Vanessa into the stratosphere

Movie!Vanessa would start writing tickets at the race track for speeding

Game!Vanessa keeps asking the animatronics to help her with her homework (none of them know math beyond addition and subtraction)

BONUS

Game!Vanessa: yeah, Mr. Afton—

Movie!Vanessa: HE MAKES YOU CALL HIM WHAT

DOUBLE BONUS

Game!Vanessa: your dad is inside me

Movie!Vanessa: WHAT

[dollywony]

unfair - m.w/j.h

pairing: mike x reader & one-sided jane x reader

summary: the crumbled polaroid on the ground revealed the truth and some feelings.

a/n: aahh im so sorry for not updating!!! school and life has been so draining :( ive gotten so rusty with writing so i hope this isn’t horrible 😕

warnings: cheating, cursing, angst.

wc: 1k

It was 3:27 am. Who was ringing your door like a fucking mad man?

Grumbling, you got yourself up and pushed it open. To your sudden satisfaction, it was your boyfriend, Mike.

Widening your eyes, you questioned the lanky boy who had been standing out in the rain, fully drenched. That wasn’t the only thing that stood out to you though.

His eyes, bloodshot red while his nose was a furious shade of vermillion.

“Mike, what are you doing here?” You asked, as you ushered him into your house.

Sniffling he followed you in. Ushering off to get a towel for him, he held your wrist firmly.

Giving him a look of confusion and worry, he began to speak, not before immediately crying.

Not caring if you got wet, you pulled him into a hug and tried your best to comfort him. Whispering “it’s okay” and “you know I’m here” repeatedly into his shivering figure.

A few minutes went by before Mike spoke up.

“Y/n-“ Mike choked up, bursting into tears once again.

“Mike? What is it?”

You were met with no reply, the sounds of Mike’s sobs echoing through your ears again.

“Y/n, I’m so sorry.” Mike finally let out, slowly letting his head hang low.

What exactly was he sorry for? You were sure he had done nothing wrong from what you knew.

“Sorry about what?”

Wordlessly, Mike fished something out of his pocket. A crushed up polaroid hit the ground.

Picking said polaroid up, your look of confusion turned into a fury of different emotions. It was at a party of some sort you guessed. Mike was against the walls, arms wrapped around some girl while hers were upon his chest, making out.

You were silent.

Nothing ran through your head. You tried to convince yourself that he was just caught off guard, maybe even set up but no. The look on Mike's face gave it away. It wasn’t like he was surprised, no. He looked like himself.

The image looked normal. Well, minus the fact that your boyfriend was making out with another girl.

He had done the one thing he had promised he would never have done.

Cheat on you.

Mike turned his head away, trying to somehow shove his shame away. Trying to somehow ignore the scene upon him. Trying to somehow, somehow believe this all is a nightmare come alive.

Mike's pleads and apologies haven’t even made it through your ears. They all seemed like empty, useless words.

Feeling the warm sensation of your tears streaking your pained face, you think of how minutes earlier you were wiping away the tears of who you believed loved you.

You bring your hand up as an attempt to wipe your tears away. They were useless, the ugly sobs stuck in your throat erupting and making you a mess. Your knees grew weak and gave up on you.

Tossing the polaroid to god knows where, you just cry. You just fucking cry.

It felt like hours, but when you look up to distinguish the time, only five minutes had gone by. Five minutes of the two of you crying had gone by.

“Mike, please leave.” Your voice comes out croaky. You were surprised that you could compose a sentence without breaking down again.

“Y/n-“

“Mike.”

Mike's face contorts from frustration to helplessness. But, he accepts your decision. He knew the mental message you sent him. The message that you couldn’t say right now. Not verbally.

Mike wants to fight with you, at least to try and get you back but he knows he’s lost.

He’s lost you.

Shamefully, Mike picks the tear stained polaroid and shoves it in his back pocket and heads for the front door.

“You know Y/n. I really still love you. I really fucking do.”

The sound of your door clicking had released the new streams of tears you tried so hard to push back.

Words couldn’t explain how you felt. You felt a mixture of multiple emotions. The feeling of nausea came to you, though you felt no need to regurgitate.

Through the door, Mike can hear your muffled, anguished sobs. He can hear the low whimpers you let out. He can practically feel the emotions radiating off you through the door.

Walking back to the black vehicle, he slams the door shut.

“You didn’t have to make me do that, you know.” Mike grumbles to his friend.

“Y/n had a right to know.” Jane scoffs.

“But you could have kept it a secret!” Mike exclaimed with frustration.

Mike was right. Jane could have kept it a secret but she didn’t.

She loved you too much.

“Y/n’s my best friend. I’m doing what’s best for her and you.”

“And I thought we agreed it would be for the best if she didn’t know?”

Staying silent, Jane doesn’t say anything. Sure, she agreed at first once seeing the unknown female in his bed but she didn't understand.

Why did you choose Mike?

Why not her?

Why was it Mike out of all people?

Jane had probably loved you the moment you guys became friends. Your bubbly personality, your smile, the way your eyes light up at the mention of cherries and penguins.

She loved you so much but why was it Mike that had won your frail, delicate heart over?

Jane knew she was selfish. She knew she was selfish for making Mike tell Y/n about his scandalous behavior but she didn’t care. She knew Y/n would take it horribly but she couldn’t hold the lies in any longer.

“Shut up Mike, it was your fault anyways.” Jane grumbles as she starts to drive to the Wheelers residence.

Even though as hard as Jane tried to ignore it, she knew that deep down Mike was Y/n’s and Y/n was Mike’s. No matter what happened. At the end of the day either one of you would run back.

And she fucking hated it.

[stardust-moth]

You accurately assessed that Mike is not best with words, that he does better with quiet reassurance and physical touch. So why didn't he do any of that when El was crying and begging for him to love her? Why couldn't he go over to her and put his arm around her to comfort her, hold her hand, kiss her? Why did he maintain such perfect distance even after it was clear she hadn't found someone else and she desperately wanted his love?

If it was just the words he struggled with, why couldn't he show he loved her in his own way to ease her worries? It's not like he's never kissed her before. They are in a relationship and it wouldn't be unexpected.

And you can't say El wouldn't want him to, because she was literally begging him to prove his love to her.

I assume you mean in that moment, after the "you're a superhero" "not anymore" lines...

First of all, there's a narrative that needs to be told. Can't really get around that. There needed to be that little bit of a barrier, a little bit of conflict for Eleven's part of the story to progress. Like I said before-- the point of that conversation was not about Mike's feelings for her. That conversation was about how El felt about herself, and how she believed everyone else to feel about her. Even if he did try to hold her and kiss her and do whatever else might "convince" her that he loves her, I don't think she was in a mental state to accept it. She already believed she was unlovable now, long before he even came to visit. In that moment especially, with emotions running so high, I fully believe she would have just shoved him away if he tried to push her, even if that was what she wanted most from him. (PTSD does crazy shit sometimes, trust me.)

I don't think Mike would have wanted to push that boundary, either. Both out of respect for her and out of fear of making it worse. He's too insecure already about his own worth, especially now that she is pulling away from him-- and has been pulling away from him for months, apparently-- and a good portion of what we see of Mike for the rest of the season is him battling with that helplessness he feels. He talks to Will about it several times how he wishes he could have the courage to love her openly. A more confident boy might have swooped in and made it all better right away, but he was scared. Someone more suave might have been able to charm away the tears with poetic words and kisses on the hand, but we all know Mike is no Casanova, and as nice as it would be to be able to do that so easily, it's not realistic, and he understands her enough to know it wouldn't work like that either.

It's almost exactly the same as how Lucas approaches Max, to be honest-- trying desperately hard to get her to understand that he supports her and cares about her, but not so insistent that he just kicks down those walls for her anyway. (Given how hard Mike was grilled by Max in S3 for being possessive/overprotective/not letting her be her own person and handle things on her own, regardless of how wrong Max was contextually, I'm pretty sure he learned his damn lesson.)

Also, as always, the plot gets in the way before they get a chance to properly communicate. If the police had not whisked El away immediately after that scene, and there had been more time for emotions to settle and for them both to find the right words, they could have worked it out. El could have calmed down enough to be receptive to the things Mike was trying to tell her, and probably accepted any hugs or kisses or cuddles he offered. In a perfect scenario, that could have happened. But for the purposes of the story, and the self-acceptance obstacles that both characters have to face, it just doesn't play out that way.

[mileven11forever]

Ok, since you were friendly with bylers, I want to actually know your own interpretation from some scenes that we as bylers sometimes use as bylers proofs, but mileven ones.

*I am just asking this on anon because the last time I tried to be friendly with a mileven off anon and just ask something, I received a wave of hate from a lot of milevens on my asks*

Ok, your thoughts about:

Mike claiming that his relationship with El is love at first sight, when the duffers made clear that they don't believe in it and they made fun of that trope with Argyle and Eden (while Mike is really annoyed by it behind them)

What do you think about the difference between mileven break up scene and byler rain fight, with Will being devastated and El hanging out and being really happy with Max after. Why do you think they decided to joke about it even when all other couples that broke up had been taken serious, like stancy.

About the fact that they made Max assure El that Mike would be at her door crying for forgiveness and at the same episode Mike goes to Will's door instead to scream "I'm sorry" and actually accepting that what he said to Will was wrong instead of blaming other as he did to El ("Max corrupting her" instead of understanding that she is mad because he lied).

Are you satisfied with the fact that the duffers used Will's feelings to save Mike and Els relationship?

The fact that El NEVER once said something that she likes about Mike or complimented him or tried to know what he likes or his interests, what leads to Mike to think that to her, he is just a random nerd and she is going to leave him for whatever reason (his words before Will's speech to him)

The fact that for some reason, Mike hides from Will what's the real problem in their relationship and says to Will that he need to say something but if he said "that thing" he would lose El, even tho he just needs to say "ily" and there is no reason to believe he is going to lose her, since she asked him for it.

Why do you think Mike acted the way he did with Will at the airport if it's confirmed that Mike don't know and don't even suspects that Will is gay nor in love with him?

What do you think about the writers choice to have a focus on Els memories with Max with Max saying "there is more to life than stupid boys" right after the monologue and El and Mike aren't talking after what's suppose to save their their relationship problems.

There are more things I would like to ad but those ones I really want to know what you think. I'm asking you this because you look like you are going to awser seriously without being bitter about it. Also, if you want to know bylers thoughts about all of this, let me know, I would explain to you our interpretation of it.

(I'm sorry you've gotten hate from people, that sucks.)

1) I don't know if it was actually love at first sight, I think Mike just said that because he was trying to say anything to save El. I do think he truly loves her, but he fell in love with her more gradually throughout season 1, not at first sight. And in hindsight, sometimes when you really love someone, it feels like it was immediately when you met them even if it wasn't. So Mike might have just felt like he loved her immediately and said it that way in a high pressure situation, that doesn't mean it's completely accurate to what actually happened, memories can be unreliable too. And the Duffers say lots of things, and sometimes they are inconsistent. That happens, they're human. Also, where's the proof that they said this? I think you're probably talking about that tweet with "wrong answers only", but how do you know the Duffers wrote it and not a different employee who believes differently than them? And I don't think Argyle and Eden were making fun of the trope, they hooked up. Even if it was meant to make fun of the trope, that doesn't make it untrue for Mileven. But like I said before, I do think he was being hyperbolic.

2) I think it was because they were more making fun of Mike specifically than Mileven/their relationship. And S3 was playing on the summer blockbuster sort of thing, so it was kind of different than the other seasons. And the rain fight was probably from Will's perspective, and so it was trying to portray how he was feeling. Mike was caught off guard by El dumping him and probably didn't really believe it at first, but Will believed everything Mike said and took it to heart. So I think that's the difference. Additionally, the Mileven breakup wasn't meant to be serious because they just got back together later that season, and still obviously liked each other while broken up, wanting to get back together. The break up wasn't serious because it wasn't supposed to be taken seriously, they still acted like a couple and loved each other, and they got back together pretty quickly.

3) Again, because the break up wasn't serious, they both knew they would get back together. And Mike did apologize to El and tell her the truth later, he was just scared because Hopper literally threatened him. What was he supposed to do when a grown man threatened him? And of course Mike went after Will because he was visibly upset. El ran off giggling with Max, and Mike was surprised and confused about what was happening, so he needed some time to process it and vent to his friends. The urgency in the scenes are completely different. Mike could tell he really hurt Will, but El was fine, so why would he run after her? They were different circumstances, so I don't think it's really fair to compare them.

4) Yeah, I think it makes sense for the time period. He substituted El's name in place of his to be able to get out his feelings without outing himself. He doesn't know how people might react to finding out about his sexuality, it's the 80s, the height of the AIDS epidemic, he's scared. He just needed to get closure somehow, knowing Mike will never feel the same way about him, in a way that didn't possibly risk his safety. And *Will* didn't fix their relationship, he didn't know what Mike was going to say to El, he just tried to boost his confidence a bit. Everything Mike said to El was his own feelings, and repairing what happened in the Mileven fight earlier that season. Will had no idea what the problem between them was, so he couldn't have directly fixed it, and he didn't, he just helped a tiny bit, like any friend would. So yeah, I think the way it was written makes complete sense.

5) I think when we see them in the show they have a lot going on dealing with all the Upsidedown plot related issues, is there really a good moment for her to start listing everything she likes about him? They're going through literal hell, so of course they aren't just spending time complimenting each other. She said she loves him, he should know that without being given a list of her favourite qualities about him.

6) Mike was scared of losing El, and maybe worried if he said the problem out loud, that would make it feel more real. Will isn't entitled to any information that Mike isn't comfortable sharing with him, and they had drifted apart a lot since S3. Mike is just a 15 year old boy, not all of his decisions necessarily make perfect sense, he wasn't comfortable telling anyone, he struggles to express his feelings.

7) Because they hadn't seen each other in so long, and barely kept in touch. It would be pretty awkward seeing an old friend again after months of trying to call them and not having them reach out. Will could have called Mike, but he didn't, so they drifted apart. Their connection is just a lot weaker than it used to be because of all the things they've been dealing with. Being awkward around a friend you haven't had contact with for a long time is completely normal.

8) That scene was about Max and El specifically, so of course it focused on them. And that line was about how platonic relationships are just as important as romantic ones, they don't have to be mutually exclusive, El can have both kinds, and both are important. Romantic relationships aren't better than friendships, they're equally as valuable, both kinds of love matter and can make El's powers stronger. And Mike and El were talking a little after, he was the only person she talked to at all, so clearly she feels safe to open up to him after all the traumatic stuff she just went through.

So those are my thoughts and interpretations, I don't think any of those events in the show proves anything about Byler.

[thestrangestthing89]

This is an add on to my post about how something happened with Mike and Will when they were younger. I said this a bit in the replies but I've been thinking about it more and it makes a lot of sense.

I think Mike has told Will he loves him before and it's part of the reason why he's struggling so much to say it to El. There is a lot going on in the scene in season 3 when he blurts it out. We have seen Mike in the past say things he doesn't mean when he feels defensive and/or scared (It's not my fault you don't like girls). He's fighting with Max here and getting upset about the girls spying on him when he says he loves El. Right after he says it he is immediately confused and he looks back a Will a few quick times. Not only that but Jonathan immediately looks at Will and Will looks down and avoids eye contact. When Lucas tells El they are having a family discussion, Nancy and Will look at each other. I wouldn't be surprised if Nancy and Jonathan both have always known something is going on with them. I always took Nancy's comment in S1 about Mike liking El to be her also being oblivious like Lucas and Dustin and making assumptions. But maybe she was just trying to figure out what was going on with Mike. She does assume he was being weird because of Will. It's also possible she didn't mean "like" to mean he was crushing but just like her as a person. Mike takes it to mean he has a crush because everyone else has been assuming as much.

There is a lot going on here that to me suggests Mike was not only immediately regretting what he said but that he never thought about his feelings for El before. He surprised himself when he said this and he can't bring himself to say it again. When he tries to explain his feelings in the supermarket he fumbles and can't say the words. This scene reminds me of the conversation they have in S1 when Mike is trying to explain the Snow Ball to her. He can't explain himself well when he's not being honest. In both situations he is doing something he doesn't want to do and he's doing it because everyone else thinks he has feelings for her. He's doing what he thinks people expect him to do but he can't say it. He accidentally said it about her once and he can't say it on purpose. The way he avoids the word "love" here is interesting. He can't bring himself to say it even though he just had. He spends the next several months avoiding the word in letters to the point where it is noticeable to El. When she confronts him he still can't say it. Not only that, but Mike brings up his fight with El to Will several times but he doesn't actually tell him what they fought about. It's like he's prompting Will to ask. It seems like Mike wants to tell him that he couldn't tell El he loves her. He wants to talk about this with him. But Will is in self-preservation mode and isn't asking.

When he actually does say the words to her it's because he's put into a position where he has to say something and he doesn't know what else to say (again blurting things out he doesn't mean when he is scared). For most of the scene Will shown behind Mike - he's in the back of Mike's mind. I don't think Will's reactions here are simply to show that Will loves Mike but also Mike's true feelings as well. I think Mike has only ever said this to Will and those feelings are only for Will and it's part of the reason why he distances himself from El so much.

[dirtytransmasc]

random avatar hc's cause I'm bored. (these fall closer to canon, and not for one of my au's, so like... vaguely 'normal' spider, not so nice neytiri, etc. unless specified otherwise)

spider and tuk are besties. the way she sorta hides behind spider when she blows a raspberry at lo'ak? she knows he'd take her side in a fight. spider will never tell her she's "too big" for anything, he literally works out partly because he wants to be able to carry her for as long as possible. he goes out of his way to play with her when her siblings ditch her. take whole days to just follow tuk around and do what she wants to do. she made him a songchord and goes to sit with eywa with him so he won't be alone. doesn't get why people don't like him, cause she thinks he's the best. so she tries to make him happy when they're together. pisses neytiri off, cause she always wants to spend time with spider, even when she tells tuk not to (it makes spider sweat bullets, cause tuk refuses to let go of his hand and neytiris just glaring at him, and he almost wants to beg her to let go)

ao'nung is also tuks best friend. they bully each other, but get offended if anyone insinuates they don't like each other. she's still mad at him for being mean when they first met, won't let him live it down, even years after the fact. braids his hair all. the. time, he can't get her to stop touching it.

even outside of my blessed spider au, spider has connected with eywa, cause she accepted him no matter what, he just doesn't tell anyone. she knows how to connect to humans now, via her roots, so she connects with the boy. he feels like if he points it out he'll get in trouble or he'll be 'using eywa' to get what he wants (which isn't true, but the boy has some irrational fears cause ✨trauma✨)

ao'nung and rotxo 'dated' as kids, like schoolyard crush type dating, cause they were really young. it lasted a few years (on and off) from like 6ish to 10/11, but to this day, they're still very close. like, its odd to find them not touching each other or cuddling or holding hands. they're inseparable and have no clue what personal space is, at all. they still say "I love you", kiss eachother's cheeks/foreheads, ao'nung is possessive, roxto is always talking about him. they're platonic they swear (not a soul believes them).

neteyam doesn't want to be chief, sometimes he hates being jakes son because of the weight on his shoulders, but he doesn't complain cause he doesn't want to be a disappointment, and he doesn't want to watch his siblings struggle to carry the weight themselves.

spider self soothes by brushing a thumb over his own cheek or running his fingers through his hair or holding his own hand. he's so insanely touch-starved its not even funny.

he's also a maladaptive daydreamer. I got no solid reason, it just feels right. gotta deal with his loneliness and metric ton of big feelings in one way or another.

he also feels the urge to talk to himself, a lot, especially when he's out alone in the woods. he just happens to think the ato'kirina are a coincidence (eywa listens to him attentively like a mother should).

spider tends to 'ignore' signs of eywa when it comes to himself, because he can't accept that eywa would ever wish to connect to or guide him. (its a running theme in my hc's)

after sorting out their drama, ao'nung is really close to lo'ak. after neteyam's death he sorta becomes his big brother. their dynamic is a mess, but they make it work. ao'nung is sorta like a punching bag for lo'ak a lot of the time (like hopper and mike in that one scene in season 2 of stranger things). ao'nung hates watching him mourn (he wishes he had died instead. for more then one reason, but that's a big one). other times they're super sweet on each other, play roughhousing, just hanging out, lightly teasing one another. they're my messy boys.

kiri refuses to pick between spider and rotxo. they don't mind. polycule for the win.

spider isn't immediately accepted by the metkayina, but he tries really really hard to prove himself, and does make some sort of name for himself. they may not all like him, but they respect him.

spider learned to treat bullet wounds after having to sit behind neteyam, staring at the bullet hole, and not knowing what to do. he blames himself for neteyams death, but he thinks that if he knew what to do, if hadn't frozen, if he'd known what to do, maybe he would have lived.

ao'nung has a disproportionate level of big brother instinct, relative to his general asshole personality. he's insanely protective of anything smaller them then him, even if he himself hates it. aka, even before he accepted spider into his friend group, or the village as a whole, he was instinctively protective, embarrassingly so. still kicks himself for getting lo'ak hurt (he meant to scare the piss out of him sure, but he never wanted him to get hurt) and he genuinely cringes, one of those full body shakes type cringes, when he thinks about it. he hates its.

spider doesn't know how to properly show affection after always being denied it, having to suppress it (not being able to affectionate with the other sully kids in front of the elders), etc. so now he sorta just struggles. the sully kids don't really notice how he hides his affections, how he's timid about it, what he considers to be affection. the metkayina kids are not used to it, they are genuinely concerned. spider is genuinely afraid to be nice to people when not in private. he's deathly afraid of receiving affection in front of others.

tsireya and ao'nung (sorta rotxo too, but he's dating him, so its kinda different) forcibly adopt him after a while, they can't help it. he's like a kicked puppy, its hard not to love him.

roxto's grandma (who raised him, canon, cause i said so) and all his brothers and sisters (he has a big family, mostly adopted siblings,) love spider, so he has a little makeshift family.

spider would, whether he was accepted as one or not, become a warrior after what happened that night in the forest (getting kidnapped) and what happened on the ship/to neteyam. he won't let himself be taken off guard again, he won't let the people he loves, even if they don't love him back, get hurt again. he vows his life to the na'vi, to pandora, to Eywa herself; he will die before he loses someone else.

spider and lo'ak orange cat energy, kiri and tuk have tortie energy (sassy queen), roxto is a tuxedo cat, ao'nung and neteyam are black cats, tsireya has tabby vibes (sweet but sassy). (fight with the wall)

[melishade]

Hey, once again thank you for the story.

A funny idea popped into my head and just wouldn't leave my mind so I thought of sharing it with you.

In the (War timeline) as some sort of deleted scene/ blooper/ flashback.

(Start)

Now that Mike thought about it. He never got the chance to catch the kids' exact scent. So much had been happening so quick for him to pay close attention. So, without even thinking while he was half lost in thoughts, he tries sniffing the shortest one when he was passing by......

SLAP!!!!!

MIko: PERVERT!!!!!

She immediately grabs Raf and hugs him close, her face red with fury as she glares dagger at the downed man.

Mike blinks as he is on the ground, a little caught off guard by the sudden change in circumstances with his cheek stinging. However, when he hears Miko scream, his eyes widen as he realizes what he did.

Mike: wait, kid. Hold on, that's not what...

Miko: stay away from us, you GODDAMN PEDO!!!

Mike: wait, I swear this....

Jack: when the bots hear this....

He gets interrupted when suddenly, Bumblebee, Bulkhead, and Arcee come close seeing the commotion. And before Mike could explain himself, Miko screams at them about the so-called 'Pervert'.

Bulkhead: HE WHAT?!?!.

He immediately changes his right hand into his iconic mace/hammer. While, bumblebee immediately gets in front of the kids to protect them. While, Arcee simply crosses her arms while giving Mike a look of disdain. They had learned about many things on earth that could pose a danger to their kids from them, they also knew about these kind of scumbags, especially from the media.

Mike: w-wait... I swear...

Bulk: SHUT UP!!! MOVE ONE INCH AND YOU'RE DEAD MEAT!!!

As he says, he intentionally slams his foot with more force than necessary, making the ground shake slightly.

[ I can totally see Bulkhead reacting this way, Remember how he was willing to leave Vince to the Decepticons for just being a bully to Jack, Miko, and Raf]

Mike, as pale as a sheet, doesn't even try to defend himself. He could only remain frozen and hope that Optimus and the commander quickly comes and dissolves the misunderstanding.

After they come and dissolve any misunderstanding, the kids and bots calm down. And Mike is finally able to breathe a little...until...

Levi: really? couldn't keep you nose to yourself before explaining at least.

Hanji: Awww.... come on, Levi, our poor naughty boy Mike here must have learned his lesson already, RIIIGGGHHHTTT ?(grinning teasingly at the man).

Mike could only groan. He knew that with so many people witnesses, he reputation was going to take a massive hit.

Curse his nose....

(End)

A little too late to share it, but couldn't help myself.

😁😁😁

Thanks for the praise, and this is no offense to you, I've just never been a fan of the pervert trope in anime. I mean it still got a slight chuckle out of me.

[deadlyterrorstonight]

Ask #1 | Question 49: Would they eat something they find gross to be polite?

Mike

Would he? Yes he would. His Ma taught him to always be polite. Try something at least once before you decide you don’t like it..He’ll eat whatever it is that you put on the table- but NO guaranties that this man will finish or ask for seconds if it isn’t good, or if it’s something he doesn’t like.

If Mike was eating the not so good dish, he’ll put a spoon full of it in his mouth (or forkful) and gag in his mouth while it’s closed and swallow the food as fast as possible. He’ll try to get through it without complaint and you can see he’s still struggling. He’s trying to hide it but he can’t. He’ll be polite enough to finish a plate or bowl, but no more.

He might honestly feel a bit bad for his reaction. But if his taste buds don’t like the taste what’s he suppose to do?…

*********

Fritz

Fritz doesn’t mind trying new things..even if they contain the things he doesn’t like.

He likes food and finding new flavors- which helps open up his palette to some new dishes. And who doesn’t love a new favorite food? Right? Maybe the thing he doesn’t like in the dish won’t be so strong.

So yeah, he’ll try the dish. He’ll probably be eating it and immediately taste how gross it is as soon as it hits his tongue, because the thing he doesn’t like ends up actually being stronger than he thought it would be in the dish. But this man for the sake of being polite, tries to tank it and finish it. You can see his face is struggling, similar to Mike but Fritz knows how to downplay more than him.

It’s the look of a slight nervous “uh oh” face with a fake smile paired with it. He’s trying y’all…he’s trying.

He’ll finish it though, but obviously won’t go back for more.

*********

Jeremy

Oh boy. Jeremy.

He would, but he’s not good at hiding it either. Mike and Fritz are probably the better ones at dealing with this (to an extent). Scott being more so better at it than any of them though.

When Jeremy began eating the dish he immediately started to cough, putting a fisted hand over his mouth while putting his head down.

He’s trying to keep it together but to no avail.

He swallows it after he gets his cough under control but not without a loud gulp. He wasn’t trying to be rude, but he’s definitely expressive when it comes to things he doesn’t like.

He doesn’t hide it good at all. (Food wise.)

He’ll offer a smile, but it’s apologetic. He knows how he reacted was considered as rude. He’ll try to finish as much as he can..but it ends up only half the plate or bowl.

*********

Scott

Scott would.

As he tries and takes a bite or spoonful of whatever that he’s eating, he realizes how disgusting it is again. He just stops completely, processing what that taste is in his mouth- while also unsure of what to do and he doesn’t like to make a scene about things.

It’s not like he can spit it out or make a face- he keeps it together. He slowly eats it, taking his time. Long waits and pauses between each mouthful. If he does it too fast, he knows for sure he’ll gag or cough.

He’ll finish the plate or bowl- but it takes an odd amount of time.

*********

Vincent

Vincent is also very expressive, like Jeremy. He can’t compose himself as well as the others. And he failed to do so with this dish.

For the sake of being polite, he tried the dish. As soon as he got a taste he made a face, it wasn’t intentional. It just happened. He wasn’t being rude, it’s just it didn’t taste good and he didn’t like it. There wasn’t much else to it.

He’ll eat the dish midway before having enough and sayings he’s done when he’s trying to get out of it.

[castlebyersafterdark]

'its quite concerning'

is it? or are you making it so?

if mike doesnt have scenes with el, it'll be a disservice to the show. i want closure, connection for them.

'talks of...' FROM WHOOOOO i mean. the same old rumour mill, snore. gullible just isnt something i wanna be. even if true... i mean, pics or it didnt happen doesnt even apply here cos like vinny said, we have no context. so nothing actually matters until we see the show.

moral of the story is: everyone needs to learn how to wait.

oh but also, mike finding will after losing el? could be classic, could be beautiful. its a common love story. only milevens are poisoning that notion to make it seem like will was second. if you wanna be literal about it, will already IS second. but we know that that doesnt matter, because.... context.

y'all are looking so bored. couldnt be me, we've got our imaginations. so much more interesting than leaks. maybe create, write, anything else than spiral into false concern

I think a problem I'm finding in the Byler fandom is that people feel in order for Byler to succeed as a possibility - El must disappear from the plot completely. And hey, this is coming from an El neutral fan. I don't love her, but I don't hate her. My gripe is: 1) She gets too much screen time and I'd like to have seen other characters get more and her less 2) her scenes often feel a bit repetitive and dragged out and 3) her relationship with Mike needs to change (and I believe it will in season 5). She's an important character and her story is important to the show. Her and Will have a connection, her and Mike have a connection. We are working towards those true connections. Her family. And a friend. El can and will and should have meaningful moments with Mike. Closure. Discovering that their love isn't what they tried for, what they thought it should be. Mike does love El. The point is "but not like that." Hasn't that been our whole point this entire time?

Mike and El having scenes together does not concern me. They should be having scenes together. And if these theories are true and El is gone somehow - set opinion aside - Mike should be grieving. That's an important person gone, that's a friend lost. Does not mean anything against Byler's legitimacy. Mike and El could break up in the first episode and the rest of the season is Mike and Will together on their journey and then the whole cast comes together at the end. The El factor does not have to determined by romance.

And there's something really beautiful, you're right, about working for and fighting towards and discovering yourself and making a change. Second love is a valid love. Understanding different types of love. I think there's a lot of passion and devotion to this pairing - I'm there, too!! But it would be so boring if it was easy. Mike and El break up and immediately Will and him get together, yay. All for what? That's not great entertainment. I want them to overcome and struggle and learn and it to feel cathartic and real when they get together.

The easy path does not need televised.

"Talks of"... I really have a lot of patience and I truly mean this as a way to deliver some kindness: stop focusing so much on what people in certain online spaces are "saying." We're all different flavors of fans. I'm too based in reality and logic and common sense to devote much time to things that frankly, are being perpetuated by people on an app and fandom corner I don't respect for many many reasons. Love yourselves!! Focus on what's real in this fandom. The internet is very dangerous in that it makes you want to believe everything you read. Becoming gullible to readily available information is part of the addiction of social media. No!! Many have worded it better than I have. Anyway, twitter is not a place of truth or happiness. Focus on the things that are interesting and fun and bring joy. That's alllllllllll I have to say.

[bradshawsbaby]

Hi! 👋🏻 Thanks for opening requests for TGM's 1st anniversary! 😘 I'm having thoughts about Rooster or Hangman actually being a mechanic. 👀 I don't know why the beach scene helped quite a lot. 😇 Have a nice day!

Mechanic!Bradley was something I never knew I needed until this moment! I may have gotten slightly carried away 😂

It all started when you needed an oil change.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had one,” you admitted to your friend Charlotte over lunch one day, after complaining about a couple other problems you’d been having with your car lately. “My dad would probably kill me if I told him that,” you added with a laugh.

In all honesty, you had no idea what you were doing with your car. Whenever you’d run into issues in the past, or needed things like an inspection or an oil change, your dad had always handled it for you. But since you’d moved out to San Diego on your own, you’d been left to fend for yourself when it came to such matters.

The main problem, as you explained to Charlotte, was that most mechanics could sniff out your naïveté right away and looked for any opportunity to exploit it and overcharge you.

“Oh no, you have to go to Mike’s guy,” Charlotte insisted, immediately grabbing her phone and scrolling through her contacts. “He has his own garage. Mike’s been going to him for years. If you tell him you know us, he’ll give you a good deal,” she assured you.

If Charlotte’s boyfriend trusted this guy, then you knew you could, too.

“I’m texting you his number now. His name is Bradley Bradshaw,” she explained, tapping away on her phone until she hit SEND. “He’s really nice. And really cute. And from what I know, really single,” she added with a wink.

“Charlotte!” you exclaimed, feeling your cheeks grow warm. “I just need a mechanic, not a date.”

“I say you need both,” Charlotte grinned, nudging you playfully.

You ended up calling Bradley Bradshaw the next day and making an appointment to bring your car in.

“This guy better not charge you more than $75,” your dad insisted when you spoke to him on the phone. “And even that’s pushing it. He tries to charge you a penny more, you just walk right out of there.”

“Alright, Dad,” you nodded, working hard to hide the amusement in your voice.

Ultimately, Bradley Bradshaw—who was incredibly cute, just as Charlotte had said—only ended up charging you $40 for the job.

“That’s it?” you asked with wide eyes, mentally kicking yourself for giving away your surprise.

Bradley chuckled, wiping his freshly scrubbed hands on a small white towel, which he then tucked into his back pocket. “That’s it,” he nodded, smiling at you. “It’s an easy thing to do, plus you come highly recommended from Mike and Charlotte,” he grinned.

You felt butterflies in your stomach when he smiled at you and you suddenly forgot how breathing worked. Fingers trembling slightly, you opened your purse and pulled out $60. “Here you go,” you offered, handing him the money. “Keep the change. Please.”

“Oh, you don’t have to,” he insisted, trying to get you your change.

“No, no. Thank you. Really,” you said, waving your hands. “It’s hard to find a trustworthy mechanic. I’m glad Charlotte recommended you.”

And not only because you’re breathtakingly gorgeous, you left unsaid.

“Well thank you,” Bradley said appreciatively. “Next oil change will be on the house.”

“I might be back sooner than that,” you admitted sheepishly, rubbing your arm. “My car’s kind of been acting up lately.”

“Can’t have that now, can we?” he replied, running a hand through his sun-kissed brown hair. “Why don’t you bring it back on Friday and I’ll see what I can do?”

“Okay,” you squeaked, trying not to focus on how good he looked in the white sleeveless shirt he was wearing, streaked with oil and grease.

And that was how you ended up going to Bradley’s garage every couple weeks, every time some new issue with your car popped up. At first, you really were having issues. Your steering wheel needed realigning, your brake light went out, you needed a tire change. Bradley always handled your cases personally as opposed to handing them off to one of his men, and he always charged you a fair price.

“Hey, he charged you even less than he charges me!” Charlotte jokingly complained once when you told her. “He must like you,” she added, waggling her eyebrows.

What you didn’t admit out loud was that you certainly liked him. Very much so.

It wasn’t just that he was handsome, though that was certainly the case. You’d never seen a man more rugged and muscular, and you’d also never been so attracted to a mustache in your life. But it was more than that. Bradley Bradshaw was also kind, funny, and a gentleman to boot. He was always patient when he spoke to you about whatever trouble your car was having, and he always made sure to personally walk you out whenever you visited his shop.

Which was why you’d now started visiting him for even the tiniest of problems.

“Hi, Bradley, I’m sorry to bother you, but my car was making kind of a funny sound on my drive home from work today. Would you mind looking at it?”

“This light keeps coming on and I don’t know what it means. Do you think you could help me figure it out?”

“Do you think I should get my car detailed? I keep hearing people talk about that.”

You felt like a fool, but you couldn’t help yourself. For his part, Bradley always indulged you. He never laughed in your face or told you to get lost. And lately, he hadn’t even been charging you for your silly little visits that took up his valuable time.

One day, however, after performing a thorough check on your car, he approached you with a hand on the back of his neck, rubbing at his tanned skin. “Hey, so I looked everything over, and I really can’t find any issues. I know it’s an older car, but I really think she’s got a bit more life left in her.”

“Oh,” you nodded, deflating slightly. You were running out of excuses to hang around the garage.

As if reading your thoughts, Bradley went on, “I hate for you to always have to go out of your way to come here. Unless you run into some major issues, I really think you should be good until it comes time for your next inspection.”

That was months away.

“Oh,” you repeated, deflating even further. You supposed this was his nice way of telling you to stop bothering him. “Okay. I’ll just come back in a few months then.”

Bradley surprised you by placing a hand on your arm. “Even if you’re not coming around with your car, I’d still really like to see you,” he murmured, his ears turning red. He almost looked a little shy.

“You would?” you gasped, once again unable to mask your surprise.

“Of course,” Bradley nodded, grinning brightly. “You don’t think I put in this many hours for just any customer, do you?” he teased.

It was your turn to look shy.

“I would really like that,” you told him, biting your lower lip as a smile broke out across your face.

“Can I give you a call tomorrow?” he asked, nervously shifting from foot to foot.

“Yes,” you replied quickly, your eagerness showing.

“Great,” Bradley beamed, his dark eyes sparkling.

This time, when Bradley walked you to your car, he rested his hand on your lower back and helped you settle into the driver’s seat.

“Until tomorrow then,” he smiled, brushing his fingers against yours.

You grinned, already thinking about how you had to call Charlotte. “Until tomorrow, Bradley.”

From my “TOP ONE” Anniversary Celebration! (Requests are now closed)