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skiller0dani · 6 days ago

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Dagger | Astarion

M A S T E R L I S T BG3 Masterlist

smut w.c | 3.9k summary | you need to keep Astarion from ascending, and you use the only thing that might matter to him more than power- your life.

It was just within his grasp, everything Astarion had been working towards since he escaped from Cazador’s house of horrors. He had it within reach, the dagger in his hand aimed towards Cazador. Astarion had his eyes on his target, and slowly everything else around him began to fade away. All Astarion heard was Cazador’s short labored breath, all Astarion saw was Cazador looking up with hate gleaming in his eyes. Disgust for all Astarion had become, it made Astarion boil from the inside, the rage bubbling by the second.

“Astarion…” Came your voice, Astarion had his back to you but he heard you approaching. His entire body was humming with energy, every nerve tingling. Cazador’s voice rings in your head like a nightmare, you will be consumed by the power. Consumed, the thought made your heart ache and panic spike through you like cold water being dumped over your head. Made it feel like your breakfast was crawling back up your throat. He gave no indication he heard you, no indication he even knew you were there.

“Astarion, my love, please listen to me…” You can feel tears pushing at the backs of your eyes, you can feel the emotion closing your throat. Astarion is heaving for breath, his entire body is shaking. He’s stalking towards Cazador like a lion stalks a gazelle, Astarion is slowly slipping away and he’s being replaced with someone you don’t want to know. Astarion takes slow steps towards Cazador, all he has to do is carve these damned runes into his back and then all this power is his. The power to go in the sun, his. Freedom, his. The thought was deliciously tempting, so tantalizing it made his skin prickle with excitement. He could no longer hear or see anybody else in the room, all of his predator instincts dulling everything else unimportant.

“I can’t let you do this.” You gasp, your hands shaking as you take slow steps up the stairs. Astarion’s back tenses, and you know you finally have got his attention. He turns his head slightly, indicating he is listening.

“Think about all those spawn you’d have to sacrifice my love-” “Think about the spawn? The spawn? Think about what they would be sacrificing their lives for. I assure you it’s a worthy cause.” Astarion interrupts and his voice is not his own. His words are not his own. They’re Cazador’s.

You can see Cazador’s corruption sinking its claws into Astarion, trying desperately to twist him into the new Cazador. You’re crying now, you know he can hear the emotion in your voice, it’s just not enough.

“He said you would be consumed Astarion, consumed by the power.” You beg, you’re ready to drop to your knees and plead with him. But you know that won’t work, you need to do something that calls to an emotion stronger than his hatred.

He barks out a laugh, “consumed? I’m not nearly as weak as you think I am, darling. I will control this power, for you. To protect you, to protect all of us.”

“You will become just like him, you’ll lose everything you have gained.” You don’t know how to make him see reason, how to make him see the madness in what he is about to do. Astarion grips Cazador’s shoulders, forcing him to hunch as Astarion presses the tip of his dagger into Cazador’s back. Why can’t you see all that this ritual will do for him? How can you not see that he’s doing this for you? He can’t protect you as he is now, and now that he finally has something worth protecting- he will do anything to make sure you’re safe.

“I haven’t gained anything. Once this damned worm is removed from my brain I will be banished to the darkness once more. If I do this, I can go in the sun, I will be free. Isn’t that what you want? Isn’t that-” Astarion whirls around to look you in the eyes but the sight before him makes him stop dead- makes a cold shiver run down his spine.

“My sweet, what are you doing?” His voice is weaker than it was before. He falters before you. You’re stood in front of him with your own dagger pointed at your chest, the tip digging into your skin. The only thing that might be stronger than his hatred of Cazador, is his love for you.

“I can’t watch you do this. I can’t watch you kill the man I love.” You’re crying, nearly sobbing as the tears cascade down your cheeks. Shadowheart and Lae’zel share worried looks, neither of them know what to do. Astarion’s hands begin shaking, but for an entirely different reason than before. There is fear pumping through his body, his eyes wide and surprised, and afraid.

“I will not watch you destroy yourself, I would rather drive this dagger right through my heart.” To prove your point, you begin pushing the dagger into your chest.

“Wait!” Instantly, Astarion lurches forward a few steps until you stop pressing the dagger into your skin. Blood trickles down your chest, and the pain burns through you but you feel desperate, you have no idea what else to do to make him hear you. Astarion feels like he’s between two rock walls, completely trapped either way. If he kills Cazador, he releases all this power back into the ether and he remains enslaved by the sun. If he seizes this power, you’re going to fucking kill yourself, and he loses the only reason he got this power in the first place. He loses the only reason he had to venture into the sun. He loses the only reason he has to live.

“My love, please, I implore you to just think about this for a moment-” Astarion begs, he knows how weak his voice sounds. He doesn’t care, with you he is entirely defenseless.

“Oh I’ve thought about it. I’ve thought about you corrupted with darkness. I’ve thought about you looking at me with Cazador’s eyes, seeing me as nothing more than a pet or possession. I’ve thought about watching the man I love slip away, looking down on me and the rest of this Earth wondering how we can be used to fulfill your needs. I’ve thought about you tossing me in a crypt like this, or perhaps locking me away in your lavish mansion to use and abuse whenever you want. In case this has escaped your notice- I didn’t fall in love with Cazador, I fell in love with Astarion!” You’re yelling, you’re crying, you’re nearly on your knees and the dagger is at least a quarter of the way into your chest.

Astarion’s eyes are wide and shining with unshed tears. He’s speechless, and he’s shaking and now he’s even more unsure about what to do than he was before. He’s gasping even though vampires don’t breathe, he can almost feel his still heart hammering against his chest. His left hand is still curled tightly around the hilt of the dagger, as if some part of him still isn’t willing to let go of this power. You look directly into his crimson eyes, so he knows you mean every word you’re about to say.

“It’s me or your power Astarion, because I assure you if you Ascend- I truly will not want to live anymore. Mind flayer parasite be damned, I will end it here and now. Make your choice before I make mine.” You say finally, your hands are still pushing the dagger in bit by bit, and the amount of blood coating your armor is beginning to make him panic. Astarion truly doesn’t know what to do, he glances helplessly between you and Cazador- who is grinning like a cat despite knowing his life is about to end. He lives for Astarion’s pain, if the last thing he ever sees is the love of Astarion’s life killing herself right in front of him- then he will die satisfied.

“My love, please stop. Please- I beg of you.” Astarion knows how pathetic he sounds, he doesn’t care. Any second the dagger will pierce your heart and then he’ll have to watch you die. Any second he will watch the only thing that’s ever mattered to him disappear from this world forever. For what? For power? To sunbathe? Gods, what the hell is he doing? What the hell is he even considering? Suddenly, all at once, Astarion feels the dark cloud swirling around him dissipate. He feels the pull to the shadows completely disappear. His head clears, and in an instant he is driving the dagger into Cazador’s gut. He’s stabbing him over and over and over until he drops to the marble floor in a heap. Nothing, and no power, will ever mean more to him than your life.

When Astarion turns to look at you, it's at the same time as he hears Shadowheart and Lae’zel lurch towards you. The dagger has fallen from your hands and you’ve collapsed- coated in your blood. Astarion goes cold, and panic yanks his gut.

“No! Nonononono-” He’s rambling, and he’s shaking, and he’s panicking as he shoves past them to pull you into his arms. He’s overwhelmed by the scent of your blood, and the cool claminess of your skin.

“Can you hear me? My sweet? Please, tell me you’re alive.” Astarion is downright begging, he’s almost hysterical as he places you flat on your back. Shadowheart is mumbling to herself and holding her hands over you, and soon a soft light shines over you and warmth floods through you. Your eyes flutter before your face relaxes. Astarion holds you against him gently, soft so that you don’t break. Shadowheart’s hands drop.

“She will be fine, but she needs rest.”

***

When your eyes open, you’re back in yours’ and Astarion’s shared room in the Elfsong Tavern. Your chest aches, but you can feel the leftover wisps of Shadowheart’s magic still healing you, stitching you back together cell by cell. You look to your left towards Astarion, who is sitting at your side, his elbows resting on his knees and his head hung low. He’s cleaned up, wearing a white button down and his hands are clasped tightly, and he’s mumbling but you can’t tell if he’s begging or praying. He looks as though he hasn’t moved or slept in days.

“Astarion?” Your voice is hoarse, and his head snaps up in an instant. Your heart splinters once you can see his face, his eyes have dark bags beneath them, and his entire face looks gray- confirming to you that he likely hasn’t moved or fed in who knows how long.

“My sweet, you’re finally awake. Thank Gods, you scared the hell out of me.” His voice is nearly as hoarse as yours as you sit up, surprised by how quickly the pain is ebbing away. You shouldn’t be really- it is Shadowheart’s restoration spell after all. Looking into his eyes you feel relief flood through you- he didn’t perform the ritual.

“You let the power go.” You say softly, tears of happiness brimming in your eyes. Astarion takes your hand in his, rubbing soft circles over the back of your hand.

“I couldn’t let you go my love, you showed me there was another way.” Astarion whispers, afraid that you’ll break if he’s too harsh or holds you too tight.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t listen. I made you do this to yourself, I-” Astarion begins softly, and you know exactly what’s going on in his head. You know he’s blaming himself, hating himself, adding it to the list of reasons why you will inevitably leave him one day. You can’t listen to anymore of it so you cut him off by grasping onto his shirt and pulling his lips to yours. Instantly he melts into you, his hands reaching up to cup your cheeks. You tilt your head, deepening the kiss and Astarion hums in approval. You lean back, trying to pull him up with you on the bed- but he resists.

“Star?” You inquire, noticing him watch you with hesitant eyes.

“Astarion, I did this to myself. This was a choice I made- you didn’t make me. This isn’t your fault.” You tell him, and while he hears you…he doesn’t really hear you. He can hear the words you’re saying, but they do little to convince him he isn’t to blame for what you did to yourself. Your hand may have held the dagger, but his words made you reach for it. He shakes his head, his gaze dropping. You reach for his hand and you place it over your chest, letting him feel your heartbeat steadily against his palm. You see his eyes flicker up towards your chest, watching the steady rise and fall of your breathing.

“I’m still here love, you didn’t lose me.” You whisper, and it’s only now that you see his expression relax- just a little. You pull him to you again, reconnecting your lips. This time he doesn’t fight you as much when you lay back- he climbs up onto the bed, carefully holding himself above you. Your lips move together and Astarion begins to lean into the sensation, but he comes to his senses all too soon.

“My sweet, we can’t. I’d love to, darling but I can’t hurt you.” He says, clearly unhappy with his decision. You want to roll your eyes at the irony, the Astarion you met on the beach wouldn’t hesitate to have sex with you- especially if it benefited him in some way. But the Astarion before you now won’t even touch you in fear of hurting you- the difference is not something you’re complaining about however.

“You’ve left me more sore than this Star, I can take you.” You say softly, blinking at him sweetly the way you know he likes. His expression softens, but his pants tighten.

“Please? Need you.” You beg softly, it’s the only thing you can think to do to convince him. It seems to work, because he lowers himself to your lips again. He slots himself between your legs, using his right leg to help spread your legs open. His left hand snakes up towards yours and he laces your fingers together just as his lips begin to wander. They wander down your neck, and feeling your pulse beneath his lips makes his fangs ache. You turn your head to the side, exposing more of your neck to him. You expect him to bite you, to feed as he usually does. But instead he presses soft kisses down your neck to your shoulder, where his hand gently slides down the strap of your nightdress. You whine in protest, looking up at him with inquisitive eyes.

“You’ve lost too much blood love, and it’s been too long since I’ve fed. I don’t want to get carried away.” He whispers against your skin before continuing kissing down your collarbones. Astarion continues pulling your nightdress off until it’s bunched around your stomach. He mouths the tops of your breasts, his breath hot against your skin. You arch into him, your sighs and gasps spurring him on. His left hand keeps holding yours, giving you something to ground yourself too. He gently brings his hips against yours, grinding softly and making you moan. Astarion takes your nipple into his mouth, and you arch sharply into him. He pulls your nipple between his teeth, the soft pain turning into pleasure shooting through every nerve ending.

“Please, more.” You beg softly, and Astarion groans against your skin as his kisses gradually drop lower.

“How could I say no to such a needy plea, love?” Astarion teases, kissing down over your navel as his hands yank your nightdress the rest of the way off. There’s a soft look in his eyes, a look you’ve never seen before as he trails his kisses lower and lower. You squirm beneath him, your moans raising gradually in volume. Every sound you make is like music to his ears. His left hand releases yours to slide down your body and hold onto your hips. You wriggle your hips impatiently as Astarion begins pressing kisses to your hipbones.

“Please, I need you. I don’t want to wait.” You beg again, and Astarion smiles against you- looking thoroughly pleased with himself.

“All in good time, love. I’ll take care of you, don’t I always?” Astarion asks, kissing you once. He does, he’s not lying about that. He always gives you exactly what you need, he just enjoys slowly torturing you beforehand. His eyes meet yours, and you feel his fingers parting your slick folds. He rolls your clit gently beneath his fingers, and instantly you’re throwing your head back against the pillows. Astarion is going slow, being gentle, to avoid reopening the still-closing stab wound in your chest. The one that nearly took your life. With his other hand, he’s sliding 2 fingers into you and pumping at a steady pace. You whine, back arching.

“Oh Gods Astarion- please more, more, more.” You beg shamelessly, making him grin widely. Nothing brings him more pleasure than pleasuring you. He continues pumping his fingers into you, reconnecting his mouth with any part of your body he can reach. He sucks and bites bruises into you, leaving his mark on your skin in more ways than one. You roll your hips into his hand, matching the pace he’s thrusting his fingers into you. You feel heat searing through you as you wind your arms around his shoulders tightly- wanting to feel him as close as possible. Astarion leans his body against yours, but he still doesn’t feel close enough.

“Closer, Star please.” You beg, with tears collecting in the corners of your eyes. Astarion’s face softens lovingly, before he reaches up to swipe a falling tear with his thumb. His fingers leave you, making you clench around nothing, and Astarion is reaching up to unfasten his trousers. You spread your legs wider, making as much room for him between them as possible. He reaches down to hook your thighs over his arms, and with one yank he’s pulling your pelvis against his.

“Is this close enough, my sweet?” Astarion asks huskily as he presses himself against you, and then begins sliding in inch by inch. His right hand laces with yours, and his left grasps at his base to guide himself home. The burn tears through your body in the best way and has your toes curling as he presses into you. You press your face against his neck and shoulder, arms encircling him tightly. Once he’s buried to the hilt, his left arm circles around your back to press your chest flush against his. You long to feel his skin but his stupid shirt is in the way.

“O-Off.” You beg breathlessly as he presses open mouthed kisses to your jaw. He pulls back to yank the shirt over his head, reconnecting his mouth to your skin and his arms around your body. This time your naked chests press together, and you moan at the feeling. Astarion gently pulls his hips back, until just the tip is left inside you and slides back inside in one fluid motion. Stars burst behind your eyes as your head tosses back. Astarion continues his steady pace, pumping into you with purpose.

“I-I love you-” You gasp and you feel Astarion shudder above you with a deep groan. His lips press against your neck, his fangs aching again but he uses all of his willpower not to bite you. He’s famished himself, he won’t be able to stop. Gods, he curses himself, I’ve put her in danger again.

“Say it again.” Astarion groans, addicted to the way you sound when you say it. He keeps pumping into you slow and deep, his lips grazing over your pulse point.

“I love you Astarion,” you whine needily, your body climbing higher and higher and Astarion is right there with you. He shudders again, reaching down to thumb your clit, and you cry out as soon as he makes contact. You expose your neck, too drunk on his cock to understand why he can’t. The bloodlust frenzy he will be thrown into will be too hard to resist. He would drink you to death right here, and then he would drive a wooden stake through his chest. Instead he presses soft, feather light kisses to your neck and throat.

“I’m oh my Gods- I’m almost there Star,” you’re gasping and pushing your hips to meet his. His pace has picked up a little, but it’s still slow and steady. Your naked chest is pressed against his and you can feel the heat between you two as your breaths mingle together.

“You’re so beautiful, you’re- Gods- the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” Astarion praises, watching you begin to unravel on his cock.

“Yes, that’s it my love. You look so beautiful when you come undone.” He praises feeling you tighten around him as your entire body goes taut, tears rolling down your cheeks. He continues fucking you through your orgasm, your body beginning to jerk and spasm against his. With a few more pumps of his cock, Astarion is burying himself to the hilt and groaning deeply into your neck as he comes in hot bursts. You’re panting as he gently pulls out of you, and you feel cold without his body pressing against you.

“Star?” You ask needily, he always stays and holds you after sex. This time however, he has pulled his trousers back up and is holding a soft washcloth in his hands.

“I know my sweet, but I need to clean you up. Besides, stab wound- remember?” He reminds gently, pressing soft kisses to your clit as he leans forward to bury his face in your cunt- the washcloth quickly abandoned on the floor. His eyes meet yours as his tongue explores your wet folds, your clit throbbing as his tongue rolls over it.

“Fuck Astarion!” You cry out, your hand flying to his silver curls, digging your fingers against his scalp. He grins like a cat as you hold his head firmly against your puffy folds, and he continues lapping at you like a man starved. He is completely and entirely at your service, even if that service is pleasuring you until you’re gushing into his mouth. You feel your climax sneaking up on you again, and you begin crying out desperately- grinding your core against his face.

“Please don’t stop my love, please-” You beg, coming hard when your eyes connect with his again. You cry out sharply, feeling the floodgates opening again as you come all over his face- grinding against him. Your body drops to the bed limp as Astarion leans over you, kissing you deeply. You moan into his mouth when you taste yourself on his tongue. Astarion pulls the blankets up and over your naked body as you collapse against your pillow, exhaustion taking you already.

“Where are you going?” You mumble sleepily, noticing that Astarion is not climbing into bed with you. He smiles fondly and lovingly down at you, pressing a kiss to your head.

“I have to go hunt darling, but I have something to show you later my sweet.” Astarion says fondly- but you’re already half asleep.

“Mm? What is it?” You mumble, your voice somewhat slurred.

“You’ll have to wait and see- for now, sleep darling. I love you.” He presses a kiss against your temple, and you’re asleep before he’s even closed the door behind him.

#bg3 smut #bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #astarion smut #astarion x tav #astarion bg3 #shadowheart #lae'zel

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skiller0dani · 1 month ago

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Season 2 Mike definitely saw Max as a love rival for Will

Another Byler from Mike Wheeler's POV analysis—(Unrequited love trope edition).

Walk with me.

Sometimes I think about how when the party went trick-or-treating Mike specifically told Will that he, "should have checked with him" first before letting Max join them.

It's just a very peculiar moment. Why Will?

Even Will was confused by this, lol.

We know that Mike doesn't like Max in season 2 (for reasons we'll look into more), but why did he make this Will's problem/ responsibility? Especially after only knowing of her existence for 2 days at this point.

He wasn't angry at Lucas or Dustin—or at least, he didn't expect them to come to him for permission—otherwise he would have said something to them, too.

It was Will who he felt betrayed by and upset with.

Heck, go ahead and take a second look at the first screenshot provided above.

Does Mike look angry to you?

No—he looks forlorn.

Let me break it down for you:

I'll start by saying when the party learned of MADMAX the screename, they were all equally interested in knowing who it was.

But when Max is introduced to us as a character (and revealed to be a girl), we get markedly different reactions between the boys.

In the first frame, they have no idea who she is or what her name is. All they see is a new girl. (Played by Sadie Sink mind you, who is very pretty).

Look at Mike's face: he already looks sulky.

The second frame is after they learn her name is Max. Once again, all four boys show some level of interest, but Mike remains sulky.

Then we have the recess scene in which the boys are watching Max, which is very interesting.

Consider the blocking and body language in this frame:

Look at Will here: he's just as interested in Max as Lucas and Dustin are (even if his interest is not based on attraction). In fact, he's the main focus of this frame for some reason.

Mike is the only one who hangs back, and his body language is completely different from the other three (hands in pockets, meaning he is distanced). He has no interest whatsoever and his facial expression appears agitated.

Mike feels like the odd one out here.

Will fits in.

When they "lose the target" Will is the one who spots her and reinitiates the "watching." Once again, Will is the main focus of this shot and even seems to be showing the most interest; his expression is bright and engaged.

He runs with Lucas and Dustin to the wastebin while Mike trails behind begrudgingly, not wanting to be left behind.

It begs the question: why is Will the focal point among the four boys in a scene about looking at a girl, if he was never intended to be a love interest?

I argue it's because we're seeing this interaction from a very specific perspective—the perspective of Mike Wheeler, who is standing back and observing.

It's also worth noting that Will's change in demeanor and energy here is extremely apparent.

He is noticeably withdrawn and low in spirits this season due to his PTSD (both literal and metaphorical if you count the MF as a metaphor for trauma).

And Mike notices. He’s the one who points out that Will had been "quiet today"—a detail the others miss because they don’t watch Will the way he does.

Notice that Will is disengaged during the science lesson (before Max arrives), while the other three are nerding out. Will previously participated in the science fair—it typically interests him—but his mood is very low.

Then compare that with his immediate engagement when Max walks into the classroom, and the level of interest he showed during recess. Mike would certainly observe this shift, paying as much attention to Will as he does.

In fact, once the distraction of Max has passed and the principal comes to collect him, Will's body language retreats again; shoulders hunched, eyes downcast.

What conclusion do you think Mike would come to based off these few short interactions?

(And these are the only interactions Mike sees between Will and Max before trick-or-treating together the next day. Mike hasn't even spoken to her yet).

From Will's perspective, this girl is just a novelty: a light-hearted distraction from everything else going on, offering a spot of normalcy.

But from Mike's perspective, this is a pretty new girl showing up out of nowhere and immediately raising Will's spirits: something he felt like he failed to do.

And so it brings us to the trick-or-treating scene, in which Will (apparently) joins Dustin and Lucas in their enthusiasm for Max joining the party, while Mike hangs back and then begrudgingly follows, not wanting to be left behind.

Are we noticing the pattern?

Then we have Mike's confrontation with Will (this happens after Will is seen filming Max, btw). He tells Will he should have checked with him about Max joining them and that Max is, "ruining the best night of the year."

Uh... what? What did she do?

He then storms off: inentionally leaving Will behind this time.

(He wants him to know how that feels).

Following this interaction, Will has a big scare with the MF—and of course, it’s Mike who finds him first. Despite his mood, Mike is still attentive and protective.

Mike behaves possessively when he finds Will, not wanting the others to get involved. He takes Will “home” (his home) so they can be alone.

What follows is a scene that, put simply, is about reciprocation.

Interestingly, Mike’s attitude toward Max shifts after this scene with Will—he doesn’t have anything to say about Max joining the party in the AV room to look at Dustin’s pollywog.

This is the girl who apparently ruined Halloween.

You’d think he’d still be unhappy to see her.

But after that conversation with Will in his basement, Mike feels more secure and reassured about the state of their relationship.

He's no longer jealous.

So now, it's apparently fine for Max to be in the party.

Well, that changes again.

The next notable interaction is after Mike realises the pollywog is from the UD. Mike immediately goes into protective mode. It’s not Will who storms into the classroom to grab the trap—it’s Mike.

It’s also (presumably) Mike who locks Max outside of the AV room when they discuss this, yelling at her that she can’t come inside.

When she opens the door anyway, the pollywog escapes—and (of course) Mike blames her. No one else points fingers.

Now, the boys were hesitant to reveal any information about the UD for obvious reasons, but here we see the recurring theme in the Mike/Will/Max triangle: Mike’s protectiveness (and slight possessiveness) of Will.

So, a recap of Mike’s perspective so far:

First gripe: You’re hogging Will’s attention (possessive) Second gripe: You’ve compromised Will’s safety (protective)

Then we finally have the confrontation between Mike and Max:

It literally starts with Mike telling Max to leave because she's in the boys' room. (Similar to his "boys only" comment in season 3).

Let's not get it twisted: When Max finally asks Mike why he's been treating her the way he has been, he deflects.

Mike, who always has a ready opinion and is not afraid of confrontation, is not comfortable sharing the real reason why.

It’s commonly believed that Mike simply didn’t like Max because her presence reminded him of El’s absence—and I see it—but after a closer look, I no longer agree.

Firstly, I don’t think it’s fair to assume that Max would remind Mike of El (or rub salt in the wound of her absence) just because they’re both girls. Max and El couldn’t be more different—physically or otherwise—and that distinction feels intentional.

Mike would never compare Max to El, because to him, El is incomparable—a superhero who saved his (and Will’s) life.

Also, in Mike’s mind, El is still in the party—he lists her name off with the other members.

Max wouldn’t be a replacement.

He literally just stated that she would be an addition.

Secondly, Mike never actually makes this connection himself. He simply offhandedly mentions El when he’s trying to convince Max she’s not needed.

So why does he want her to stay away?

And when El is finally introduced (both through conversation and literally) to this dynamic, what happens?

Mike and Max begin to get along.

They share a smile.

If Mike’s issue with Max had anything to do with El, the scene wouldn’t have played out this way.

It’s classic misdirection.

The misdirection is so obvious they lean into it—even having El herself misinterpret Mike and Max’s relationship, becoming jealous.

She mistakenly assumes Mike is interested in Max, just like Mike mistakenly assumed Will was interested in her, too.

They’re giving the audience a warped perspective, urging us to look behind the curtain.

Mike’s behaviour towards Max fits perfectly into Byler’s shared arc in Season 2: Mike is attentive, protective, and possessive over Will, while Will—consumed by the MF—can’t fully reciprocate that attention.

The “crazy together” scene is the only time Mike receives the same energy back from Will the entire season.

I feel like people forget that when they talk about how cute Season 2 was for Byler. Cute from Will’s perspective, maybe (supernatural plot aside)—but for Mike?

We get multiple shots of Mike staring at Will or noticing his absence (Mike staring at Will’s empty desk being the most obvious example).

That’s called pining.

Will does not invite Mike to his house or show up uninvited—Mike does that. Will does not hold Mike’s hand—Mike does that. Will does not watch Mike closely or check in on him constantly—Mike does that. Will does not become possessive of Mike’s attention—Mike does that.

In fact, they play into this unreciprocated affection trope pretty blatantly—when Mike bares his heart to Will, tearfully recounting their first meeting, Will quite literally cannot respond because he’s possessed—even if he wants to.

Not to mention—Mike’s recount of their first meeting is also (thematically) about reciprocation:

“I asked if you wanted to be my friend. And you said yes. You said yes.”

Mike puts emphasis on the fact that Will said yes: the fact that Will reciprocated his feelings.

That is what he wants.

He wants validation that Will feels the same.

That Will won't leave him behind.

And what happens at the end of Season 2?

From a Byler perspective, this season is about Mike’s (seemingly) unrequited love for Will—and it directly influences Mike’s (very different) behaviour in Season 3.

So yeah.

Mike didn’t like Max because he was jealous, and coping with feelings for Will he feared were one-sided—and in his mind that was confirmed as true.

Why wouldn’t he be relieved to see El at the snowball dance?

Why wouldn’t he kiss her?

Why wouldn’t he immediately start dating her and pushing Will away?

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