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Praying that Mike Wheeler is in fact the most well written gay character ever in media with internalized homophobia, and not just an asshole

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Omg heyyy :D

Favorite color: I am soooo indecisive but I’d say generally purple?? I do love a sage green and periwinkle too

Last song: “God” by Tori Amos

Currently reading: “A History of Women” part 1, my friend bought the whole series and just gave me the first part today😭

Currently watching: the new season of Wednesday

Currently craving: fall!!!! Give me fall!!!

Coffee or tea: tea, especially matcha and chai 😋

@star-41306 @silverspirited @voidcrumbs @loverboymike @phoebephoebia @higuysetc + anyone else :))

GET TO KNOW YOUR MUTUALS!

Rules: answer and tag six people you want to know better

1. Favorite colour: Pink

2. Last song: Drop Pop Candy by Giga

3. Currently reading: Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede

4. Currently watching: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic + Transformers Animated

5. Currently craving: McDonald's french fries

6. Coffee or tea: coffee, but with a bunch of creamer and sugar so it no longer tastes like coffee lol

tags: @shortcircuitthegreat, @ambulocetuss, @doggyspeak, @it-is-i-zim, @markmaker36, @confluencechimera

ignore this if you do not want to do it!!

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The fact that the first line Mike says to Will is literally about the painting El said Will was doing for "some girl he likes" is one of the biggest pieces of evidence byler to me.

Furthermore, I also see it as a fact that Mike was aware of his feelings for Will all along. In fact, I believe the period of months between the end of season three and the beginning of season four is when Mike realizes that his feelings for Will are not platonic.

I'll say it over and over again: it was right here that Mike realized his feelings for El were more platonic than romantic. And from that point until the beginning of season four, he realized that all the things he should feel about El's absence, he actually feels about Will's absence. And vice versa, because we must never forget that Mike loves El too, but not as he loves Will—that is, he doesn't love her romantically.

Either way, I assume we'll get glimpses of that time at some point, perhaps flashbacks during an emotionally charged moment in season five or even in a book. Regardless, I have no doubt that Mike went to California fully aware of how he feels about Will and even hopeful for reciprocity.

Which begs the question: Does Mike know Will is gay? Well, I wouldn't say he knows for sure, but I think he suspects. The season three scene where Mike accuses Will of not liking girls seems to be something of an outpouring of his conscience about Will being "different." Furthermore, Mike projects his need to prove himself "normal" by accusing Will of not being so.

In my opinion, I believe Mike has some suspicions about Will's sexuality (which has been discussed by everyone since forever, especially as a form of bullying). Mike is neither blind nor stupid; he is intelligent, observant, and perceptive. He notices the slightest signs in Will, his reactions, his feelings. He is constantly attentive to Will. And we only have this "absence" of his perspicacity because his perspective has been constantly denied to us since the third season. In any case, that's why, when he begins to realize his feelings are more romantic than he had imagined, he hopes for reciprocity by going to California. He's anxious not to be the only one who feels this way. And he's practically begging for a sign that Will feels the same way.

This is also why Mike is so aware of Will's every reaction, even if we can't see it firsthand, he makes it clear that he noticed. Mike noticed that Will was acting like a jerk, but he didn't notice his own girlfriend's discomfort. Why?

That's also why he comes across as SO CRUELLY HOPEFUL when Will says "what about us" because Mike wants there to be an "us" between him and Will (and in romantic terms, of course).

Throughout the season, we see a completely different Mike when it comes to El and Will. We see Mike more comfortable with Will, we see Mike flirt with Will, we see Mike literally agree with Will about how hard it is to tell the truth to someone you "care about" for fear they won't like the truth.

Mike is constantly aware of Will's presence in season four, but he always was, so what's the difference now? Well, the difference is that Mike is aware of Will's presence in a more "sexual" way now. Will was always on his radar, always. But now (after Mike realizes his feelings are more romantic than platonic), Mike is literally having gay panic all season long.

The tension between Mike and Will is built entirely on Mike. It's always Mike who makes it clear, always Mike who initiates the flirting, and always Mike who turns the scene into something more than platonic. And why? Well, because we know Will is comfortable with his feelings, he doesn't expect anything from Mike beyond what he already has—that is, he doesn't expect them to be anything more than best friends. It's Mike who hopes for something, it's Mike who feels anxious around Will in a way he's never felt before.

In conclusion, Mike knew he was in love with Will BEFORE HE GOING TO CALIFORNIA. And he was waiting (and waiting all season) for some sign of reciprocity. And that's why he seems so happy and satisfied and in love when he thinks he's got that sign, just as it's why he realized Will was talking about himself in the van speech.

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Man what is it with the Byers pining for the Wheelers from afar

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So, this scene is clearly after the fight in the Military base.

As you can see, Mike has a bruise on his right cheek here, but he didn't have that bruise in this scene.

and here too...

So my theory is this. Either Will gets taken by Vecna OR he voluntarily goes with him to keep Mike and Joyce from even more harm.

Which leads us to this Mileven scene...

They're sitting on what is clearly a deprivation tank. El is also wearing a wetsuit.

They're trying to find Will here.

There is no doubt that this is a Will-centric scene. Mike has probably realized his feelings for Will and already knows about the painting, and this is him and El tying up loose ends. Closure.

Edit: I forgot to mention that Mike is wearing the same outfit in the Mileven scene, sans the jacket.

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Thinking about vecna taking will right in front of mike....

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Thinking about the fact that they CHOSE to show us that Mike’s parents voted for Reagan. Like what was the point? We already know Hawkins is a conservative small town, and if they were attempting to show the attitudes of the town, they could’ve just shown that sign in other yards instead. There was no reason to establish this about Mike’s parents specifically as we never hear about it or see anything significant related to it. The homophobia of the town has already been established from Will’s bullying so… why show it? Something something to explain Mike’s internalized homophobia and where his internal struggle has come from during s3 and s4… because how else would this fact of them voting Reagan come into play and be relevant at all??

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“The Duffers are cowards”

LET THEM COOK!!

They aren’t gonna rush Byler if they want to give us the most well-written depiction of internalized homophobia TV has ever seen. They won’t rush Byler if they want to make media history by straight-baiting the general audience and then completely subverting heteronormative expectations. They’re not gonna rush Byler if they want the plot twist to allign with their ideals of what a plot twist should be.

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“leader mike is back in s5” everyone is so happy about it but aren’t talking about what it means. why mike lost himself in the first place? he started dating el and pretended he’s someone he’s not. that’s why so many people dislike him in those seasons. and now he’s back for the final season and people really think he would still be with el?? the only way he accepts his true self and becoming the leader he was meant to be is if him and el break up and he stops pretending. don’t forget who called him the leader, the heart. that was WILL. the same way mike gives will the courage to fight on, will reminds mike who he is. he makes him feel needed and like the hero he wants to be. leader mike is happening and so is byler.

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Too shy shy !!

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Chapter 2 of my byler college fic is cooking, I promise! I just got back from a family vacation so it's been pretty minimal writing. I should have it up sometime this week though, and you'll get some Mike POV and Halloween vibes (also a lil exploration into the lasting trauma of the UD and everything). In the meantime, if you haven't already, read chapter 1 here! I'm excited for you all to read it already :))

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every time i think about this, my stomach drops.

anyways. never forgetting that we are getting vecna vision scenes of will at rink-o-mania. bc why tf else would noah be filming in his vol 2 flannel there

you all may have forgotten. not me .

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They look so terrified I'm not ready for this 😭

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This is so important to me !!

The Byler gates I think could happen and under what circumstances/order: PART 1; LETTERGATE💌✍️📝🛡️🗡️

I AM VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS SO PLEASE READ BYLERS I PROMISE ITS GOOD!!

pinning and will edit with every part I add, follow if you wanna keep up!! :D

possible BTS photo spoilers and discussion of rumored ‘leaks’ but unconfirmed of course.

After the Wheeler house is targeted, Mike and Lucas will bike there after they are told that something is going down there. They will arrive there during the aftermath, ambulances present. Mike will run into his house to see the aftermath, and he goes to his room to grab things important to him.

His room is destroyed. Will’s painting is ripped, and his binder full of Will’s drawings, and the letter(s) to Will, is scattered across the floor. He starts to cry, he was already overwhelmed but now he’s completely breaking. His fingers trail across the painting…his tears fall onto it before he realizes and starts to wipe them from his face.

The instrumental to Smalltown Boy begins to play as he collects all the pieces of the painting and starts to collect things from Will’s binder, and the letter(s).

Lucas sees this, he’s confused, but he knows Mike is hurting so he tries to help him clean up, but he picks up a letter, and reads that it’s for Will, the date from 1986, and addressed to Lenora—but, Mike yells at him, scared Lucas will pick up on his secrets.

Lucas is shocked, but he leaves Mike alone, figuring he’s just extremely overwhelmed right now. His family is crumbling a part, and his valuables have been ripped, scattered and tainted by a monster.

The camera is back on Mike, starting to sob, he’s frantically collecting all of his Will-centric belongings.

The camera focuses on the letter Lucas begun to read…it’s not a love confession, or anything crazy. It’s just Mike talking about himself and telling Will he misses him—but the bottom of the letter reads; “Love, Mike”

The camera focuses on Mike again, lyrics to Smalltown Boy are now playing, we see Mike focus on the letter. He aggressively grabs it and stuffs it in his pocket. He collects everything else, shoves it in his pack, and leaves, trying to contain his emotions. It’s very hard to watch, he is hurting so badly, and those who understand Smalltown Boy, and the Mileven/Byler communication lore understand it all. (Phone gate, can’t write ily to El)

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Lucas never pokes at Mike, but he starts to pay more attention to him and Will, wondering why Mike got so defensive over an unsent letter.

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I think Will knowing about the letter could go different ways.

1. Either, Mike put the letter in his vest pocket, that Will shared with him, and Will finds the letter when he puts his hands in his pockets to stay warm.

2. Mike gives Will the letter post the reveal of their feelings for each other, and when Will reveals why he lied about the painting, so we can see their love is equal to one another and the beauty of Mike showing love through writing it, and Will showing love through art. (my personal favorite option because it ties “you can’t even write it Mike” back into things and also connects back to Mike being an aspiring writer, and ofc Will being an aspiring artist).

3. We see the letters present in their form in the epilogue, signifying that Mike finally revealed it to Will, and they’re next to Will’s painting that has been taped back together, just like Hawkins had to be ;)

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friendly reminder mike's the one making it weird! will has absolutely zero intention to pursue mike romantically. he wants to be honest but he does not believe it's reciprocated. MIKE is the one seeing their interactions differently.

he makes it weird in season three by hyperfixating on his relationship to the point he's a shitty friend. he makes it weird by actively pushing will away. he makes it super weird with "it's not my fault you don't like girls." he is the first one to speak out loud about a version of their relationship where they have forever to do what they want, implying at the same time that the reason they can't is because he's obligated to grow up. he makes it weird by being so devastated when will admits he did want that, because mike wanted that, too.

he makes it weird by not writing letters. he makes it weird by not hugging will at the airport and getting jealous of the painting. he makes it weird by acting up at the rink, paying all his attention to will while pretending to ignore him. he makes it weird with "that's because she's my girlfriend, will!" and then doubles down on that weirdness with "we're friends! we're friends."

and it isn't just their friendship he makes weird, it's the entire dynamic of the party, it's his relationship with el, with hopper, with his parents to an extent, because he isn't acting like himself.

will, despite his canon romantic interest in mike, was not the one to choose to interpret their friendship through a romantic lens and that is so fucking fascinating. mike did that even though he's totally unaware of will's feelings.

mike is the one who cannot appropriately contextualize their relationship and struggles to behave appropriately. mike's the one who missed will so much he called and called and whined to dustin when will didn't pick up. mike's the one who refused to let dustin use the phone when will DID pick up.

mike did that shit bro idk what to tell u. he's the one who can't be normal despite that being his hidden goal the entire season.

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Thanks for the tag @star-41306 and @voidcrumbs !! I’d say my favorite song atm is David by Lorde (love her new album)

@randylastname @lightbulb1980 @phoebephoebia @loverboymike @bubblybyler @addibylerstan718 @zarbylerz @sufferingfrommoodpoisoning + anyone who wants to :))

heya! Found a picrew that has black representation! It’s so hard finding picrews that don’t only have 1-3 skin colors and there’s only straight hair styles 😭

but anyone can do this picrew! Just make yourself or what you want to look like and add your fav song :)

have fun <3

My fav song

Moots below

@ghosty-dsmp @ghostboyravenight @midnight-soulless-system @chilllikeavillain @ghost-of-a-swarm-of-bees @genericemobitch @urmostaverageegg @caninecolumbidae @captain0fcrows @demonusenjoyer @the-fallen-collective

Anyone can do it tho

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The concept of Jonathan and Mike arguing over Will's safety and Jonathan is like: "Dude he's my brother!" And Mike is like: "Well he's my-" --awkward pause-- "my f-friend..." And then Jonathan gives him THE LOOK.