bylerbigbang

[bylerbigbang]

Hi byler friends and especially mutuals!!! I’m prepping to run the 2025 @bylerbigbang which is a fan work challenge that pairs up artists and fic writers to create delightful byler works for the community! It’s good fun and good community and so cool to see a burst of creative content for our lovely ship, and especially cool this year since it will overlap with the release of season 5, when the fandom will be at its peak.

I am looking for mods to help organize the event - I tend to handle the big picture admin of emailing participants, managing spreadsheets, and official tumblr updates. Where I tend to need help is managing the discord for the challenge! A bonus nice-to-have would be someone excited about helping promote the event and its creations on socials, especially on twitter where I don’t have time to manage a presence.

I don’t have a formal mod application form at this point, though I may end up posting one on the bylerbigbang blog if needed. But for now, if you’re interested, please dm me and tell me how you’re interested in getting involved! If we’re mutuals or you’ve participated in the challenge before, that’s bonus points, but I’m down for anyone whos excited about the fandom and challenge.

[bylerbigbang]

since you’re usually a mod, I was just going to ask about the byler big bang?

Good question, we’ll definitely be having an event this year but the timeline will be slightly different. That’s mostly because I am on deadline and super busy until August, but also because the release dates for season 5 mean the byler hype train will be going at least through December so we may have posting dates be November and December rather than October and November. I just have to sit down and do the admin and planning stuff to get the schedule and forms ready for signups, so that will be coming early-to-mid August. Sorry for not updating sooner on the blog for the challenge!

[bylerbigbang]

THE LAST OF US 2.01 — future days

[bylerbigbang]

2025 event?

There definitely will be, but I likely won't have updates / the schedule / signup info until later in the summer, maybe July-ish.

[bylerbigbang]

Byler Big Bang 2024 Fics & Art Masterpost

Now that December is here, that's a wrap on the 2024 Byler Big Bang! We welcomed 13 fics and even more art into the fandom over the course of November, and now we want to celebrate everyone's hard work one more time with this masterpost of all the fics and art links completed for the challenge. A huge thanks to everyone who took part or otherwise supported the fics and art of the creators!

We will be back in summer 2025 with info about next year's event.

See the full collection of fics on Ao3 >>

Snakebites and Bitter Tonics by @willelworld with art from @scapegods

By Whose Stripes Were Ye Healed by @souverian-are-we with art from @boxxecl

The Briar King by @birdfrenchforbird with art from @solisevart

My Heart, in Paint, on a Piece of Paper by @freetobeeyouandme with art from @ninaninndraws

Switcheroo, In Your Shoes by @foodiewithdahoodie with art from @jiuwann

Love Your (Not-So-Secret) Admirer by @talanashta with art from @paladibun

you don’t know what you got till it’s gone by @morganee

Damsel (not) in Distress by @thegirldownunder with art from Dr. Spoon Draws

The Heat I See In Your Eyes by @reo-bylerwagon with art from @fluffyfangirl

Hear the Ghost (In the Moonlight) by @dogdaysareover365 with art from @dont-open-dead-inside-25

but if i'm all dressed up (worth it for once) by @loverslakes with art from @kidovna and @katimanki

The Summoning of the Yellow Rose by @biigiiiii with art from @cherrishnoodles

haven't even met (yet) by @hellfiremike with art from @fluffyfangirl

Thank you to everyone who participated and everyone reading, liking, reblogging, and enjoying the lovely works! We'll see you next year!

[bylerbigbang]

you don’t know what you got till it’s gone

Fic by @morganee

Rated Teen | 15k words

“Jesus Christ,” Mike mutters. “Where the hell did you come from?”

“I’ve been here all night, Wheeler,” Murray replies, sipping what Mike is sure is one of the liquors his parents hide in his father’s office.

“Really?” He definitely wasn’t there when he and Will were cleaning the dishes. Was he? “Yes. I guess you’ve been too distracted flirting with your boyfriend to notice.” Mike’s heart jumps to his throat as his hands grip the bag so tightly that he almost rips it open.

He looks at Murray and sees nothing on his face to indicate what he’s thinking, and realises he’s probably not thinking at all if he thought saying those words was the right thing to do.

“We’re not-what?!”

or An unexpected talk with Murray leaves Mike to ponder over the earth-shattering feelings he has for Will.

Warnings: minor character deaths, past deaths, period-typical homophobia, hints at depression

Read on Ao3

Read an excerpt below:

“I don’t think I will ever be the same again,” Will suddenly says, and Mike has to blink a couple of times before realising what he’s just said.

“What do you mean?”

Will turns to give him a timid smile and curls up, wrapping himself in his own embrace.

“I think part of me died in the Upside Down when I was twelve,” Will admits, and it’s a confession that’s been on everybody’s mind for years, but no one has ever dared to voice that thought. “And I’m not just talking about this…connection I have with the Upside Down, it’s not just that.”

Will shrugs and turns his gaze to the horizon, fidgeting with his clothes. “I don’t know. I just think that something changed after everything that’s happened. That I’ve changed.”

Mike scoots a little closer, careful not to hit the bag of chips between them, and this time he doesn’t try to hide the fact that he’s staring at him.

Will has a tender smile on his face, the one he so often has when he’s trying to put on a brave face for everyone around him. But Mike can see how the corners of his mouth are never fully up, how his eyes seem melancholic, as if sadness is the only thing he knows.

“I think everybody changes at some point,” Mike tries, hoping his words can ease some of his sadness. “I don’t think anyone ever stays like their twelve-year-old self.”

Will chuckles, letting go of his legs and stretching them out. “I know that. But I’m not just talking about growing up, you know?”

Mike nods, because of course he knows. How could he not? He’s seen him change. He’s seen his eyes lose the light, devoured by the darkness of the evil in this world.

“I know,” he says, and he tries to think of something to say, anything that could lift Will’s mood, but his mind gets filled with words he still doesn’t find the courage to say.

“Did you know that I died?” Will says, and Mike blinks a couple of times, confused.

“What?”

“I was dead when Mom and Hop found me,” Will continues, and Mike feels his heart stop. “Hop revived me. I’m not sure if my bruised ribs were because of what I went through in the Upside Down or because of Hopper.”

“Because of Hop–what?!”

Mike does his best not to raise his voice and takes a couple of deep breaths before looking up at Will again.

Will is smiling, clearly holding back a chuckle, and Mike doesn’t know how he does it.

“Yeah. It took a while to recover from that, but I managed,” he replies.

“What I wanted to say is that I died that day, but not just physically. I lost something, something I can never get back, something no one can ever give me again. And…I don’t know, I think that I will never be that twelve-year-old ever again.”

[bylerbigbang]

haven't even met (yet)

Fic by @hellfiremike | Art by @fluffyfangirl

Rated Teen | 43k words

Mike Wheeler is insecure, even by normal teenage standards. So when his friend, Max, connects him with her old friend from California, he's surprised by how easily they get along. But as the weeks wear on, their letters grow increasingly personal, and they make plans to embark on a week-long trip, Mike can't let go of one inconvenient, anxiety-inducing thought: What if he wants to be more than friends?

Warnings: Period-Typical Homophobia

Read on Ao3 | View Art

[bylerbigbang]

For @hellfiremike's BBB fic "haven't even met (yet)" @bylerbigbang ~

[bylerbigbang]

The Summoning of the Yellow Rose

Fic by @biigiiiii | Art by @cherrishnoodles

Rated Teen | 10k words

Mike Wheeler is the only son of the Wheeler family, and another wizard in a long line of pure bloods… or so everyone thought. Unfortunately, Mike’s magical abilities fail to materialise before September 1982, only to finally show up late when everyone around him was starting to think he may be the families first Squib. Once he eventually makes it to Hogwarts part way through the school year, he finally gets to meet the boy he’s been curious about for so long; the youngest Byers’ boy, Will.

Warnings: Emetophobia, mention of 80s HIV crisis, hints of ableism

Read on Ao3 | View Art

Read an excerpt below:

Mike smiled, and lifted a hand up to the other boy as a small greeting. Once again, he opened his mouth to speak, but was rudely interrupted by the door chime as the Sinclair’s left the shop. Begrudgingly, Mike snapped his mouth shut and scurried after them, but not before seeing Will return his own small, timid smile. The sight of it filled Mike up with an unusual amount of excitement, and he almost giggled from the way his fingertips tingled with the intensity of it. He hoped he could meet Will Byers again.

~*~

It was a Sunday, again, when it happened.

Mike was lying in his bed, listening to his parents arguing downstairs (despite doing his best to ignore them), whilst thinking about multiple things at once; one of them being Lucas’ happy face leaning out the side of the Hogwarts express, four excruciatingly long days ago, the other being Will’s smile, again.

The image of the latter, he hoped, was now somehow burned in to his retinas with the amount he thought about it. If it was, then hopefully he would never forget it, just in case he never got to see Will again in person. The other image, though, he was quite happy to forget - although he felt guilty about that. He was happy for Lucas, of course he was, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be happy and jealous at the same time… right?

Anyway, here he was, focusing his thoughts on Will again, when suddenly-

“Achoo!”

“Wh-!” Mike blinked rapidly, as he recovered from the unexpected sneeze and pulled his hands away from his face. When his eyes finally focused on his hands in front of him, they widened in shock, for there sat a single head of a yellow rose.

“Woah…” Mike stared at it for a few moments, thinking that maybe he was hallucinating. He tested out the tangibility of the object, by plucking away a few petals, and watching them flutter down to his bed. Yep. Definitely real.

[bylerbigbang]

Mike Wheeler is the only son of the Wheeler family, and another wizard in a long line of pure bloods… or so everyone thought. Unfortunately, Mike’s magical abilities fail to materialise before September 1982, only to finally show up late when everyone around him was starting to think he may be the families first Squib. Once he eventually makes it to Hogwarts part way through the school year, he finally gets to meet the boy he’s been curious about for so long; the youngest Byers’ boy, Will.

Finally done with my piece for @biigiiiii ‘s lovely Harry Potter AU fic “The Summoning of the Yellow Rose”!! It was so lovely to work with them for this fic and this third @bylerbigbang in a row! I’ve really enjoyed working on this piece, I’ve missed my loves Will and Mike. Plus I used to be obsessed with Harry Potter hehe

Here’s the link to the fic!

[bylerbigbang]

but if i'm all dressed up (worth it for once)

Fic by @loverslakes | Art by @kidovna and @katimanki

Rated Teen | 27k words

It’s 1800s Regency-Era England.

Lord Michael Wheeler and Will Byers find themselves in a predicament when their undeniable chemistry gets in the way of Society’s expectations for the Lord and Will’s sister, Jane. What began as Will’s earnest mission to support his sister soon spirals into a tangled web of unspoken feelings and societal pressures. Will, initially determined to remain emotionally disengaged, finds himself unable to mask his growing affection for Mike. The tension between passion and duty grows almost unbearable, and the two are caught in a loss for how to be around each other with the feelings they have, but Will ultimately decides that the price for true love is worth paying.

Warnings: Internalized Homophobia, Period-Typical Homophobia

Read on Ao3 | View Art 1 | View Art 2

Read an excerpt below:

It’s not Will’s fault that Mike’s affections evidently lie elsewhere. Will can only imagine the immense pressure and responsibility that comes with marriage being arranged, to be expected to participate as if he’s fulfilling any other familial duty. To be the eldest son, essentially required to marry and manage an entire estate in the place of his aging parents. Especially considering Mike's unique circumstances, having lost his father when he was young, and at the anticipatory gaze of society as he's come of age. It’s not Will’s fault that he's developed a connection with Mike— truly, he wished he had done anything but that.

It makes the perfect arrangement between Mike and Jane that much more complicated, the fact that Mike looks at him when they’re in filled ballrooms, and that he looks at Mike. The fact that everyone perceives Will as the doting brother who is expected to approve of Jane’s future husband— yet, for the last three weeks in Mayfair, Lord Wheeler has earned Will’s endorsement in ways he hopes no one will find out about, and he has resented him for it. Seeking romance was the last of Will’s intentions when he’d chosen to travel here all the way from up North with his mom and sister.

But here he is, in a bed of soft, green grass, in a quiet corner of the Wheeler Estate garden with Mike, instead of doing what’s expected of them on a weekday afternoon. Technically, spending time together is exactly what’s expected of them— except it’s because Jane insists on Will “bonding” with the man who could perhaps be her future betrothed, and not whatever they’re doing instead. They’re in a hidden part of the garden, where no one else is around, and the sun is beaming down on them. Mike and Will have found themselves in hidden, quiet moments more and more often over the past week— escaping, just as friends, really, but Will can’t help but wonder if it’s developing into something more.

The flowers bloom around their bodies as they lay, exchanging thoughts in some moments and opting for silence in others. When it’s just the two of them, things just feel so right, and he can almost pretend that there’s no family, or expectations, or anything looming over them and they can just be. Together.

“I like this, Will,” Mike thinks aloud.

“What, the afternoon? I think I prefer evenings, personally.” Will gives a last ditch at brushing off the tension they’ve created, wonders if he ignores it that Mike may move on and they can both avoid the drama this will inevitably cause.

Mike leans over and nudges Will on the side of his ribs. “This. Being with you.”

Will sighs. “Yeah?”

“Being alone with you. More specifically,” He clarifies.

[bylerbigbang]

but if i'm all dressed up (worth it for once) by @loverslakes

It's the time for @bylerbigbang 2024!!💖💖

[bylerbigbang]

Lord Michael Wheeler and the Byers who stole his heart (insp)

Art I made for @loverslakes’ regency era fic for the @bylerbigbang! (+more art for the fic!)

[bylerbigbang]

Hear the Ghost (In the Moonlight)

Fic by @dogdaysareover365 | Art by @dont-open-dead-inside-25

Rated Teen | 11k words

n 1983, days after the body of Will Byers is found, tragedy hits the party again. Rumors flew about why Mike ended up in the quarry, but nobody ever learned the real reason.

Will Byers, to everyone's surprise, is found alive days later.

In 1986, Will Byers was left comatose after a mysterious attack. Will Byers now finds himself confronting familiar faces as he asks himself: should he stay or should he go?

Warnings: Major character death, coma, bittersweet ending, suicide/reckless homicide, canon-typical violence, threats of violence, near death experiences

Read on Ao3 | View Art

Read an excerpt below:

Finally, Dustin spoke up, "Right. The reason I invited you over."

Dustin walked over to his desk, staring down at the papers. "You're staying in Hawkins, right?"

"Yep," Will said. "We just sold the California house."

"That's great," Dustin said. "So, Eddie- I told you about Eddie right?"

"In almost every letter," Will joked.

"Oh yeah," Dustin said with a chuckle. "Well, he asked me to take over the D&D club at Hawkins high."

"I'm still surprised Hawkins High has a D&D club," Will responded. "Never thought the school board would approve of that."

"Eddie fought hard for it, but he managed to make it happen," Dustin explained. He looked away longingly. He released a sigh before continuing. "Anyway, this upcoming year, I'm taking over the position as Dungeon Master, and I need to start planning campaigns. I was hoping you could help me."

"Sure," Will said. Dustin leads Will to his desk. On the desk, Will saw a photo. It was of him, Dustin, Mike, and Lucas on Halloween. It was the last Halloween they all spent together before everything went to shit.

Will smiled as he recalled the memory. Mike had come up with a scheme to maximize the amount of candy they'd receive. It almost worked. Mike was always the one who made the plans.

Now, they were all lost.

Will and Dustin worked for about five minutes before someone knocked on Dustin's door. "Come in," Dustin called.

Claudia Henderson opened the door. "You have a visitor," she said.

Jane poked her head through the door. "Max is up!" --- In almost record time, the group arrived at the hospital. They didn't stop by the receptionist, already knowing the directions to her room. It wasn't until they were halfway down the hall when Dustin finally spoke up, "wait! What if they moved her?"

"They didn't," Jane said. Within the next two minutes, the group rushed into Max's bedroom. Lucas was sitting at her bedside, looking at her with a face showing relief in every corner. Lucas turned to their visitors, tears streaming down his face.

"Hey, Max," Lucas said. "Jane-"

"Will and Dustin are here?" Max interrupted.

"How did you-" Dustin started, but Max interrupted again.

"Being in a coma unlocked my secret sixth sense," Max said. "Also, I heard you down the hall."

[bylerbigbang]

byler big bang with @dogdaysareover365

read her fic here

[bylerbigbang]

The Heat I See In Your Eyes

Fic by @reo-bylerwagon | Art by @fluffyfangirl

Rated Teen | 37k words

What if Mike and Will got the November 1983 Jancy treatment? (but with a twist)

Mike and Will are stuck together on patrol under Hopper’s orders and are left aimlessly wandering the woods, hoping they won’t encounter any monster-shaped surprises. Mike’s top priority is to not let Will out of sight, which is no problem for him- yet maybe that is the real problem here. Coupled with his embedded pledge to protect Will, he’s totally successful in making a fool out of himself. But, Will’s not his only audience, not for long anyway…

With that being said, Mike’s protectiveness is, to his misfortune, challenged. Our boys get themselves tangled up in a crazy (together) little side quest that’ll ultimately lead to a familiar pair coming to their rescue, with serious deja vu.

Warnings: Gay Panic, Gore, Internalized homophobia, Mentions of abuse, Usage of firearm, Hints at suicidal thoughts, Slight Dark humor

Read on Ao3 | View Art

Read an excerpt below:

Mike emerged from the ground, and was greeted by surrounding woods. An overwhelming wave of nausea overcame him as he spun around, absorbing the decayed atmosphere.

Immediately, he traced back to those grated sobs from a trapped Will all those years ago:

“It’s like home—“

Spores fell here like snow. More native and comfortable here in its own twistedly beautiful way. The silence was disturbing in the kind of way that if Mike decided to take another step, it would actually cause an echo.

Unlike the trees in Hawkins, these seemed alive somehow. Mike had the strangest feeling while scanning the hazy woods. He felt as if each one had a pair of eyes, somehow. And all those eyes were on him. Praying on his every move. Like, if he did something wrong, the trees would come alive and grab him. Pull him into the depths and darkness ahead.

He couldn’t put his finger on it, but this whole place just felt like it was holding its breath. Stalking, waiting for him to make an incorrect movement. Shoving down every detail Will had etched into Mike’s mind about the Upside Down, the Mind Flayer, the cold air vacuuming every splotch of warmth left on your skin, and-- wait--

“WILL?” Mike spun around, screaming to the invisible and unresponsive tree canopies. “WILL?!” He repeated, more shrill than the first time.

His attention was drawn to the hole he’d just popped out of, not yet sealed off. “MIKE?” Mike was on his knees instantly, skidding and scraping them against the coarse earth until he was hunched over the hole, “Will! I’m here!”

“I’m not gonna be able to hear you soon enough, so you’re gonna need to follow my voice so we don’t lose each other, okay?” Will explained, his voice grainy and filtered.

“How will you know I can hear?” Mike asked.

“I still have my flashlight! It’s already picking up on you, just don’t go off course too much!” Will’s voice was beginning to get more choppy, like he was being submerged underwater.

“Shit…holy--holy shit…” Mike panted, swallowing what could have been a spore or the residue of cottonmouth.

“You’re gonna be okay, you’re gonna-- j-just watch the--”

“Hive mind. Yeah, yeah.” Mike understood, feeling Will slip away. “Be careful down-- up-- there!”

“You too.” and with that, Will’s voice shriveled away with an electronic-like ripple, leaving Mike temporarily dumbfounded.

[bylerbigbang]

Damsel (not) in Distress

Fic by @thegirldownunder | Art by Dr. Spoon Draws

Rated Teen | 15k words

Mike’s whole life is a big game of balance and chance. Balancing his college life and his responsibilities as Spider-Man as he makes it his mission to save people from a greater evil that he himself if unsure of. Great power and great responsibility yada yada yada…. But who saves him?

4 times Mike saves Will and 1 time Will does the saving

Warnings: Strangers to lovers, minimal angst, Spider-Man AU, Spider-Man!Mike, Damsel!Will, Guy in the chair!Max, canon typical violence, human experiments, minimal blood and gore

Read on Ao3 | View Art

Read an excerpt below:

“Hey, man. Are you alright?” Mike tries to deepen his voice so that it would not be easily placed.

He steps closer and takes a look at the boy and completely falters. His breath is momentarily punched out, stolen from him by this stranger. His brown hair looked a little disheveled but still a beautiful warm brown and caramel strands that fell into his tired looking eyes. His cheeks were puffed in an almost childlike pout. Mike’s heart stutters and so does he when he tries to ask the question again.

The stranger glares, his nose is scrunched just slightly and his green eyes burned into Mike even through the mask. “Why? Do I look alright to you?”

Upon closer inspection, this stranger is not really a stranger to Mike Wheeler. Perhaps to Spider-Man but not Mike Wheeler. Because the Will Byers who sits next to him in his English lit lectures and who is in most of his other classes is the same one sitting on the ground in a heaping mess.

“Oh no! You’re bleeding!” He winced aloud, as if Will hadn’t noticed the blood seeping through the tears in his own flesh.

Will must’ve hit the ground hard enough to have skinned the heel of his palms and his elbows. Mike reaches to help him but Will jerks away before he can touch him. He easily starts picking out the pieces of debris from his bleeding wounds himself without even much of a gasp or wince. And then he brushes off the blood over the thighs of his distressed jeans.

“Are you sure there’s not anything I can do to he-”

“I’m fine, thank you very much. You’ve done enough helping for today, don't you think?” Will huffs under his breath and looks him up and down with a nasty look. I saved your life, Mike wants to yell. “What are you supposed to be anyways?”

“Oh me? I’m the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!”

He looks him up and down again with a blank and uninterested look. “Right.”

Will ignores him shift on his feet uncomfortably and begins reaching down to pick up pieces of what looked like a school project that probably no longer looked the way it was intended to, what with it scattered about the pavement in a mess.

Mike stoops down awkwardly to help him collect parts of his project, and when he came to the now broken CD player with the disk dislodged and lying sadly on the sidewalk, sweat gathered in the collar area of his suit. “Uhhm-” is all he can manage and for Will to look at him.

A momentary look of disappointment and desperation flashes in his eyes before he sighs to himself and dumps the more broken parts of his project in a nearby trash can.

“Over here!” Comes the booming sound of a police officer. He rounds the corner and runs straight toward Mike.

He panics.

“Here take this-”

“Hey!”

“I am so sorry! I’ll make it up to you! Promise.”

He gets away before more policemen can come after him.