#BYLER ART IS BACK BITCH

[gmaybe666]

loneliness

this summer has been a lot of loneliness for me, what better way to channel it into a drawing of will in that scene yanno …

[ fun fact: drew this from memory on an app on my phone :3]

[mlchaelwheeler]

Mike, presents, and the painting: analyzing the van scene

There has been so many analysis posts written about the van scene and Mike's feelings, but I just wanted to write my own interpretation of how we see Mike's feelings develop through the end of S3 and into S4, using the painting as the main proof. In this analysis, I'll be mainly talking about the van scene, but also a few other scenes in which Mike's feelings for Will are clearly illustrated.

In my opinion, the goodbye scene between Mike and El in 3x08 is the first scene where the audience can clearly see that something is off between the two of them (if they hadn't caught on to that fact already). Mike's been struggling all season with letting El be her own person, realizing she's more than just her superpowers, and finally being able to express his feelings for her. During their goodbye however, none of these plot lines get wrapped up. Instead, Mike tells El he "knows her powers will come back," doesn't kiss her back, and stands there with a confused look on his face afterwards. Those are all overt signs that mlvn is not where the narrative is headed in S4. That's all old news. Instead, let's look at the more subtle clues that hint towards Mike's real feelings.

Before Mike and El kiss, Mike tells her that her and the Byers should come back to Hawkins for Christmas. It's clear Mike is excited to open presents, and even mentions talking about presents makes him "sound like a 7 year old." (It's fair to mention here that 7 is a number associated with Will and byler, but I'm just going to leave that here and not analyze that). Mike clearly loves receiving presents! There's even a track from the OST that plays during this scene that mentions presents.

Why is the line about presents so important? At the time, it felt like a throwaway line-- a random bit of dialogue added to give Mike and El something to talk about before their awkward goodbye kiss. However, that line was actually perfect foreshadowing to the painting plot in S4.

S4 opens with El's letter (full of lies), in which she mentions that Will is painting a gift for a girl he likes. Now, it's clear that this is a gift Will has spent a lot of time and effort on, and it's for someone special to him. I'm sure Mike heard about this and was immediately saddened, since he's usually the recipient of Will's art-- just look at his binder full of drawings or the walls of his basement and bedroom!

So when Mike arrives at the airport and sees the painting, he lets himself hope. He wants that painting to be for him. He's figured out by now that he loves Will. He desperately wants for Will to love him back, but internalized homophobia's a bitch. Mike is constantly guessing as to what Will's feelings are, so when Will says the painting's "nothing," Mike crushes his hopes that it could be a gift for him.

It's important to note that Mike is fixated on the painting. It's also right after Mike gives El a present (the flowers), so perhaps he's thinking the painting is actually a present for him. Why else would Will bring it to the airport? But when Will assures him it's "nothing," Mike goes overboard with sticking to El, trying to ignore his disappointment the painting seemingly isn't for him.

Later on in the van, Mike is shocked to see Will still has the painting with him. I'm sure he assumed Will had already given it to whichever girl it was for, so when Will hands it to him, he has to check it's actually for him.

And the thing is, yes, Will spills his own feelings using El as a cover. But I think Mike understood. He desperately wanted to believe those were Will's feelings. That's what he's wanted for so long now. Will loves him! The painting-- a present for Mike-- was Will's way of telling Mike he loves him. Even after Will finishes talking about "El's" feelings for Mike, it's obvious (at least to me) that Mike knows Will's talking about himself.

After confirming these feelings are real ("Yeah?" "Yeah."), Mike looks back down at the painting. A depiction of the party, Mike with a heart on this shield. To Will, he's the heart. It's clear that painting is all Will. Mike knows El doesn't know anything about dnd. There's no way she could've commissioned it. I think Mike knows exactly who the painting is from, and what it means. Or at least he's desperately hoping he knows. And then he looks back up! At Will! Not out the window (perhaps thinking of El), or at the painting for a longer amount of time, but back at Will seconds later. Will isn't looking back at him, but the way Mike is looking at Will... that boy is in love. And for the moment, he believes it's requited.

For the rest of 4x08, Mike believes Will loves him. And that's why, during their reunion with El, we get shots like this:

Obviously, Mike is overjoyed to reunite with El. He cares about her so deeply, and even though he doesn't love her romantically (platonic with a capital P), that doesn't make him any less happy to have her back, knowing she's safe once again. However, the clear framing choice of Will's silhouette between mlvn, as well as Mike's reaction after he hugs El (they don't kiss, which is interesting) further prove the fact that Mike's romantic feelings are towards Will. He's still thinking about the painting. Will's feelings for him. The fact that his own feelings might actually be returned.

Mike goes into the monologue scene still believing that Will loves him. So as El's visibly dying on the table, and Will tells Mike again ("You're the heart") feelings he thought were Will's, Mike is confused. Maybe they really were El's feelings? Maybe Mike was too in his own head and misinterpreted everything? Maybe Will doesn't actually love him and never has?

You can see the confusion written clearly on his face. His eyebrows draw down, his mouth tightens, and he rethinks every interaction he had with Will earlier that day. If Will doesn't love him, then he was completely wrong. His feelings are unrequited. He's completely alone. El is dying in front of him, so he does what he can. He forces himself to say "that thing."

He lies his ass off, but what else is he going to do? Will doesn't love him but apparently El does. He cares for El so much. He obviously doesn't want her to die! So he bottles up his own feelings and tells her exactly what he thinks she wants to hear. He makes up lie after lie, but at that point, he's saying anything that might help. His face right before he says he loves her is heartbreaking. That is not the face of a boy professing his love to his girlfriend. That is the face of a boy forced to lie to save a life. Forced to push aside his own feelings after apparently misinterpreting everything. That is a face of despair.

Two days later, it's clear Mike's lies didn't help anyone. El is more distant than ever. Max is comatose. Will is ignoring him. No matter what he does, Mike can never seem to get it right. Yet he does know one thing: he loves Will. So even in his mind, even though he now believes Will doesn't actually love him, Mike keeps hoping. He resigns himself to the fact that he'll just keep being Will's best friend, because that's how he can stick by his side. It's clear he's still contemplating this on the drive back to Hawkins.

And it's even more clear that he loves Will in the scenes in Hopper's cabin. Mike and El have barely spoken two words to each other after his grand confession of love-- despite the fact they were sitting inches apart for 48 hours. Yet who does Mike gravitate towards, as he always does? Will. We get a beautiful parallel to S2, in which Mike would've moved heaven and hell to keep Will by his side.

If one thing's for certain in Mike's mind, it's that he loves Will. He's not losing him again. Despite finding out that the malicious presence that's been out for Will for years is now back, Mike is resolute. Vecna is not touching Will ever again, not if Mike has any say in the matter. They'll figure this out together-- as best friends, as a team, as something more. Because even if Mike believes that Will doesn't love him, Mike does love Will. He always has and always will. And he's not losing him ever again.

[longtallglasses]

i feel like i need to do my due diligence in the byler tag. it’s getting sad, here’s some lightly fluffy sweet stuff not really it’s from horror

“Can we stop for a bit?” Mike asks when it’s clear they’re still getting nowhere. If they had been going in the right direction they should have reached a road or at least the river.

Will nods and they sit down. He notices that they both gravitate towards hiding away, between a tree trunk and a shrub, like they want to close themselves off from everything else.

They’re silent for a bit. Resting their eyes. Listening to the trees. If it was any other day it might’ve been quite peaceful. Sitting under a tree with Mike like old times. He’s about to break it by mentioning Dustin and Lucas again.

Crunch, Crunch.

Will looks over to see Mike with a leaf in his mouth.

“Are you seriously eating a leaf right now?”

Mike looks at him and shrugs, “What? I’m hungry.” He holds out the leaf to Will, “Want some?”

Will just stares at him and the leaf looking perplexed, “Um, no I’m good…”

“C’mon,” Mike spurs, “give it a try,” he tries to incentivize Will by wagging the leaf in front of his face, and Will can’t hold back his laughter.

“No,” he tells him, giggling. Mike doesn’t relent with dragging the leaf over Will’s face, which tickles and only causes him to laugh more. So much for trying to be a petty bitch, Will thinks.

Mike does eventually stop and drops the half eaten leaf on the ground. Will catches his breath, and when both their smiles die down, it feels like sinking back into quicksand. They’re so lost. They’re so out of hope to get out of here. The only bit of hope Will has is that maybe they can get their friends back, they could not be dead.

“I think Dustin and Lucas are probably in the-”

“Can we talk about something else, like literally anything else?” Mike cuts in before he can get out his thoughts. Will looks at him almost hurt. “It’s not that I don’t care, I do. It’s just, I can’t handle it right now.”

Will considers him. He could be mean and demand they do, he could, they kind of really do need to talk about it. But he sees the look of a forlorn puppy in Mike’s brown eyes and can’t bring himself to. He sighs, “Yeah, sure,” and he resigns himself, leaning back on the tree trunk and crossing his arms across his chest.

“What do you wanna talk about?” He asks.

Mike hums, “I don’t know, um… How’s school?”

Will side eyes him, “You wanna talk about school right now?”

Mike gives a slight smile, “Uh, yeah, I don’t know,” shrugging, “like how is art school? I know you told us it was going well, but like how is it really?”

Will doesn’t say he could’ve already known if he had bothered to call or hang out, that he had wanted to invite Mike to countless shows and parties to show him around, but he holds his tongue. Mike’s asking now and he seems like he really wants to know.

So he tells him. He really really tells him. “It’s, like…” he lets the huge smile take over his face, “so amazing. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Mike’s face lights up, “Really?”

Will nods.

“Ok well, say more,” Mike eggs him on, “tell me.”

He tells Mike about all of it. The teachers, the students, his new friends, the atmosphere. How he felt nervous in his first class when they all went around the room to introduce themselves and their art, but hearing everyone talk and reveal how much art means to them in their lives the nerves just evaporated. How his teachers actually understood him, something that before was absolutely unheard of, they gave him the advice he needed, they saw him.

“And it’s like, everyone gets it you know,” he continues to blabber on, Mike leaned in nodding at everything he says, “I always felt so weird but there I’m like so normal. I’ll talk about something I have an idea for and how it’s like a need that I need to make it or how I’ll talk about things through art and some things just have to be through art and everyone understands me, it’s crazy. I mean the only other person I’ve been able to talk to like that has been you, but now it’s everyone, it’s surreal. And every time I go to class or I’m on campus it’s like I’m so excited for something, I don’t know everything. I’m excited about everything.” He focuses back on Mike who smiles at him.

“I’m so happy for you, Will,” he says a little bittersweetly. “I mean, if there’s anyone who deserves the best college experience it’s you.” Will gives him a small smile back.

“Thanks, yeah, I’m glad too… You know, I think you’d really like it there, there've been a bunch of shows I saw, where I was like, oh Mike would be obsessed with this.”

“Yeah? I’ll have to come then,” and Will feels something wanting to stitch itself up inside himself. “Are you gonna have any shows?” Mike asks.

“Mm, not any time soon, don’t think I have anything ready.”

“Bullshit,” Mike looks appalled, “I know for a fact you do, but also I’d really wanna see your new stuff too…”

“Oh, I would’ve shown you, but I forgot to bring any sketchbooks with me,” he says regretfully.

It looks like Mike almost starts to blush a little bit when hears this, “Actually um, ha… I totally forgot but… hold on a sec,” and Mike gets up to reach around to his pack on the other side of the tree. When he comes back around he’s holding an old beat up notebook.

Will’s eyes widened, “Is that mine?”

“Uh, yeah… When I was packing it was just there on my dresser and I thought, in case you forgot to bring a sketchbook you could use one of your old ones, I mean it’s probably already pretty full but,” he shrugs, “in case you really wanted to draw something.” Mike stops fidgeting with the well worn pages hanging off it and hands it to Will.

Will studies it in his hands. It’s at least 5 years old. He cringes at some of the drawings inside, he’s so glad he got over shading in that weird cross stitch. He noticed a lot of the pages are dog eared, he assumes because they were favorites but he doesn’t remember doing that. There are a few blank pages, surprisingly. He looks back up at Mike who won’t catch his eye, his face completely red. It’s in moments like these, when Mike just absolutely blows him away that he thinks, it can’t just be me right?

“Mike, that’s so… that’s so nice of you.” His voice is quiet, if he’s any louder or says anymore he’ll give away just how much this means to him.

Mike still can’t meet his eyes, but he tries to get out, “Nah, no, it’s nothing it was just there you know, it was…” he tapers off.

“I can’t believe you still have this, it’s so old, and most of these suck,” He jokes.

“They do not suck!” Mike finally turns to him. The way he sounds you would think he was defending his own work.

Will laughs at him, “No they really do suck. I appreciate you thinking they don’t though, even if your opinion is uneducated and wrong.”

Mike scoffs, “Oh shut up, my opinions are great, my opinions are law if you ask me.”

“That might be true, but not when it comes to this.” Will says.

“Whatever, I like these,” Mike rolls his eyes and takes the book back like a little kid in a huff.

Then Mike looks abruptly back up, “Wait do you want this back?”

Will shakes his head laughing, “No you can keep it, I didn’t even bring pencils.”

“Oh. Ok, thanks.” Mike smiles and flips through pages.

Mike goes through the book with him and points out all his favorites, the dog eared pages, and describes in detail what he likes about each one. They get a good laugh at the page where Will was learning Morse Code, which was completely for Mike at the time. “I can’t believe you forced me to learn that shit.” “Hey! It’s useful!” “When would it ever be useful?”

With every turn of the page Will feels like his heart is being pressed down on harder and harder. Every word Mike says it feels like the sweetest slash of a knife. Why can’t he just be grateful? Because now he’s bleeding out and he’s gonna drown in all this want. Mike is killing him and Will is letting him.

[lookwhatyoumademedohaha]

Alright since I'm fucking heartbroken and exhausted about what they did to Byler and to us, my hurt brain came up with a few ideas you all are free to turn to fics and fix everything.

Five Hargreeves meeting Will Byers. Both of them being sassy little shits. Five taking an immediate liking to Will and has big 'I've had Will Byers for one day but if anything happens to him, I will kill everyone in this room and then myself' energy. Both of them becoming good friends who go on road trips singing out loudly visiting all the roadside attractions and visit art galleries with big smiles and loud laughs. They get kicked out of some places for being too chaotic and Five being lippy but they are having the time of their lives.

Will making senior citizen jokes about Five. Five rolling his eyes affectionately every time Will mentions he's got a serious coffee addiction and Will having to listen to Five talk about why coffee is the best. So many inside jokes and teasing each other. Five being a maniac and Will being sweet and everyone wonders how they are friends.

Five and Will bonding over their trauma which brings them closer together. Five and Will understanding each other on a deeper level because they know how it feels to be different, grief and loneliness.

Five and Will comforting each other when they have nightmares.

Five appreciating Will every single day. Will letting Five know that he's not alone and that he's not insignificant. Will coming out to Five who is truly happy for him. Though he is cool with it, it really means a lot to him that Will decided to trust him. Five doesn't want to make a big deal out of it but it's Will who has spent his whole life feeling like a second choice, a mistake, worthless so Five plans something to celebrate to show Will that he is loved.

Will and Five drunk dancing together. Five being proud of Will whenever he does anything from finishing a painting to standing up for himself.

Five getting mad at vending machines and Will laughs in amusement at first but then goes to help him out as they both have their snacks together.

Five being protective of Will especially when Mike comes around because if this gibber idiot can't see how special Will is, then he doesn't deserve him. Five ready to throw hands when Mike says something stupid to Will, fuming and mad because no one gets away with treating Will like he's worthless and Will has to physically stop Five from fighting Mike with an axe.

"Will, I'm about to beat this bitch up for treating you like garbage." "FIVE PUT THE AXE DOWN!" "Why does your crazy friend have an axe?" "OH YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT, MIKE WHEELER! MY FRIEND IS FUCKING CRAZY AND HE WILL KILL YOU!" "Thanks Will. Make your peace with God Mike -" "Not today, Five. Maybe later." "Fine. But if you're am asshole to Will one more time and I don't care what Will says, I will kill you myself. Do not test me."

Will standing up for Five telling the Hargreeves that they should appreciate Five more because he literally saved them all. Five enjoys this but is surprised and moved. Basically now all the Hargreeves siblings have adopted Will and Five has to fight to get to spend time with his friend.

Five and Will getting into all these adventures. Will possessing Joyce's crazy fierce spirit and Five's absolute badassery make them a dynamic duo to be reckoned with. At the end of the day, they look out for each other and when they get wounded, they take care of each other.

Will and Five bickering like an old married couple. Will is stubborn and so is Five. Both of them have arguments which don't last for long because dammit Will, Five doesn't want to see him sad and Will might be right and dammit Five, you might be right too. Both of them are back together in a matter of minutes and find a way together.

Five isn't really into physical affection but Will is into physical affection. They hold hands, hug each other, ruffle each others hair, hold each other when they are crying or had a nightmare and even random cheek or forehead kisses.

Five: Will, you're a genius! I've got to go! Will: Aren't you forgetting something? Five:.... Um (Kisses Will on the forehead) Will: NO! Pay the bill! Damn, who raised you?

Will and Five calling each other nicknames but also just little things like 'darling' or 'sweetheart' just slips out. They'd be speaking with each other and just call each other those nicknames so naturally and normally that they don't see others smirking or raising eyebrows. (Especially Mike who is confused and jealous of this awesome dynamic)

Five and Will getting drunk together. Five's 'fuck it' attitude has rubbed on Will who doesn't care. When both of them get drunk, chaos ensued and they have a wonderful time together.

Five and Will wanting each other to be happy because they have been hurt and miserable for too long and they both deserve happiness and relaxation and friendship. This means Five and Will trick and treating together. Five dressing up as himself out of retirement to annoy Will who put thought into his costume. But Five has a backup costume which he actually put thought to and they have a good time.

Basically Will and Five being platonic chaotic besties that they both deserve and maybe even more as time goes on. This is how I see them

[meredithdoesfandoms]

HOW DO YOU THINK THE PARTY WILL BE LIKE AS GROWN ADULTS?? I'D BE INTERESTED TO KNOW YOUR HEAD CANONS!!!

THIS IS SO BROAD GAHHHHH

byler- yall know im an absolute sucker for the Writer Mike™️ and Artist Will™️ hc. they definitely leave hawkins ASAP and go to university together. they always wanted to live in a bigger city, both because of the art scene, and because larger cities are usually more queer friendly. the problem is that will absolutely hates the cold, but also doesnt want to go back to california, or live in the south. basically he’s just a picky little bitch. honestly fuck it, ik the winters are cold but lets stick em in new york. mike gets him through the winter, and they keep their tiny little shoebox apartment at like 80F. (thats a good bit warmer than room temperature for those of u who dont use Freedom Units™️)

dustin- goes to UI and gets his masters. he works in like communications engineering for a while (is that like a thing? like he engineers different radio waves and forms of communication.) he then moves to indianapolis and becomes ur insanely cool high school science teacher. his coworkers think he’s fuckin weird, but the students LOVE him. I THINK HE AND SUZIE ARE LIKE HELLA ENDGAME. they live together and have a bunch of weird ass pets, and like 2 kids MAX. hes just suburban and happy :)

lumax- california lumax. i always imagined lucas working a pretty standard 9-5. not because hes a dull character, but he grew up in a stable home, and after everything max has been through, he wants her to feel secure and happy, like he did before everything went to shit. i have no fucking idea what max would do. lowkey i always hc her as being crazy good with kids, OH MY GOD WHAT IF SHE IS LIKE A PEDIATRIC TRAUMA COUNSELOR. im fucking genius that is so max. NO BETTER YET SHES A SOCIAL WORKER. because the system fucked her over, and nobody ever listened to her, so she advocates for children the way she wished someone did for her as a kid. this is canon because i say so fuck you. lumax doesnt plan to have kids, max has witnessed too many tragedies involving children, and cannot handle having her own. but they foster teenagers every once and while. then they foster one girl who’s a bit younger than normal, maybe 8. and then they accidentally fall in LOVE with this kid and fuck it, we’re adopting her she’s one of us now. and theyre a little family and its cute and max teaches her how to surf :))

el- this always interests me because i dont know what her life could even look like? depending on s5 outcomes things could look like 10 different ways. ik she isnt a strong student, so i like to think she goes to community college to see what she likes, because shes never really had a chance to explore that. i hope she finds something that makes her happy i fucking love this bitch. i saw an hc where she worked at the library in hawkins, so maybe she does that while she does community college classes. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YALL THINK SHE WOULD STUDY I CAN SEE LIKE 10 DIFFERENT THINGS. eventually she moves to california, to the same city as lumax. lumax’s kid calls her aunt jane, and they have dinners together and are happy because they all deserve the world ok.

the party remains intact to an extent. byler lives together, lumax lives together, and el lives in the same city as lumax. everyone reunites for the holidays, when will brings mike with him, and el brings lumax with her when they go home for Hopper- Byers christmas. dustin typically makes an effort to stop by while he is in town visiting his mother. even tho theyre in different cities, el and will talk on the phones every damn day. usually once, sometimes like 5 times daily. mike and el talk about once or twice a week, and byler talks to lumax about every other day. dustin creates a little bit more distance, but he makes an effort to call each person for at least an hour a week. there’s a lot of love between all of them :)

[frogboyandzombieface]

mike is a SIMP for will case closed thanks for coming to my ted talk
reblogs > likes
hellloo i decided to start off my new byler/st sideblog with some art ive done !! i havent drawn these two in s o long oh my god but it was rly refreshing i hope you all enjoy this !!!

sketch :) yes very ugly ik

[jack-kellys]

it’s fizz, with another fic, another au. idea lowkey stolen from the lovely @vioislit, but she has input don’t worry :)

anyhow

———————

“super” broke

words: 1.2k

warnings: cursing, pain description, passing out...yes that’s all

—————

Jack

Jack didn’t actually like being late.

Crew was supposed to be at tech way before the actors, and yet here Jack was, earning a disappointed glare from his stage manager. Especially as her ASM, assistant stage manager, he should be ten minutes earlier.

Another thing Jack didn’t like- or understand, really: why was he, a design major, assigned to assistant manage again? He could’ve helped design this whole set instead of attending rehearsals and taking notes and all the damn reading he had to do and the organizing and piles of paperwork… Well. Maybe he was assigned this to reorganize himself, actually. God knew he’d been wildly caught up in...himself.

Jack had reason, of course. It wasn’t some self-absorbed thing (for once, Spot would say). He was genuinely busy outside of Shakespeare In Love—he had semester courses that were finishing up and finals were damn near literally creeping up his asshole, he swore. He had an entire art project to do that in actuality would have taken him two months...if he didn’t have only two weeks to do it.

Jack groaned inwardly as he set up his laptop backstage, nabbing his printed pre-show list to start checking things off around the area. He was used to burying himself, but lately the soil felt suffocating. The show—which had turned out to be much bigger than anticipated—his classes, upcoming finals, and...y’know.

The whole superpower thing.

Back in September, when Jack was working a play and running the lighting board, he’d been alone on headset and bored. He hadn’t learned much about sound design yet, so of course he was messing around. The spotlights weren’t up on the catwalk yet, their PSM wasn’t anywhere to be seen, and no one’s voice was crackling over the headset. Jack was idly turning dials on the soundboard as a result. Because Jack—and he knew this—was an idiot, he turned one of the many colored dials way up to one side. He’d done it before to a few different dials and nothing had happened, so he figured ...Wrong. He figured really fucking wrong.

A piercing sound struck horizontally in his skull, like it's lightning-bolt points were stabbing through his brain and out of his ears. His hands lost feeling and he tried to cry out, eyes squeezed shut, though he could only emit a small gasp of agony. Honestly, Jack couldn’t feel much of anything with the blinding pain at the forefront of his nerve endings. He knew his knees were to the ground now, he sure as hell wasn’t standing with his legs heavy as lead. It wouldn’t end, it seemed, the pain still as powerful as it was initially. If his hands decided to be useful, they could switch off the dial, or take off his headset, but for now, they were set on feebly attempting to protect himself. For some reason, he’d stuck his hands out and away, like the pain source was right in front of him.

Then, the brain-burning feeling dropped away, and Jack carefully opened his eyes to find a slightly opaque blue forcefield surrounding him like a bubble. He shifted to one side, and the blue moved with him. He sat up, and it adjusted. Jack broke out into an astonished grin. How the fuck had he gotten a forcefield from a sound board? Not like he cared how he got them—all that mattered was that he could make a forcefield with his fucking hands and that was the coolest shit he’d ever seen.

So that was the whole ‘superpowers thing.’

Since that day, Jack had been experimenting with himself, hence why everything else was becoming even more heavy on Jack’s back. He couldn’t help but dedicate real time to figuring out this random new ability. Homework kind of took a backseat to mysterious abilities.

Jack would find himself a private area in between classes—secluded enough not to simply be found but reasonable enough to not look sketchy—and just concentrate. Envision the blue around himself as he held up his hands, eyes scrunched closed. Picture its shade, a stark and royal blue, but still able to see right through it.

“Jack.”

The pulse of something so close to being emitted from his palms.

“Jack.”

Feel the zap of energy between his ears, somewhere deep in his brain-

“Jack FUCKING Kelly! You in there?”

His gaze finally focused back in with a gasp. Someone was whapping his cheek.

Oh, god. Right. Shakespeare. Shit. He was still standing backstage, and was apparently staring at nothing.

“Hi Sarah, um,” Jack chuckled sheepishly to his stage manager. “I, uh...dissociation’s a bitch, huh?”

Sarah Jacobs frowned. “Technically true,” she muttered. “Just get back to it. Actors are called in twenty, so make sure your side’s all set up.”

“Thank you, twenty,” Jack sighed with a smile as her boots padded away. Thank God he was on her good side. Sarah was one of the toughest seniors Jack had ever come across. Her glare could probably cut straight through a freshman’s heart.

Jack had finished setting in only ten minutes, about to decide to help the other ASM when something blinked out above him and a loud “SHIIIIIT, Jesus…” called from the back of the house.

“Oh God, Spot, what happened?” Jack groaned, glancing up towards the lights as he came center stage. A whole line of them had gone out. Shit. “The hell did you do, man?”

“Whatever it is, you’re dealin’ with it!” Spot yelled back. “I’m going over cues in three minutes. You figure it out, Kelly.”

He was on Sarah’s good side. Not Spot’s, despite he and Jack being in the same grade and shared many classes together.

“Fucking….fine.” At least it would give him something to do.

Jack’s investigation led him outside, unfortunately. He shivered against the cold as he checked the power box, only understanding what about half of the switches meant. Conlon never gave him a damn break, did he.

A gust of wind blew through him, making him shake like a damn leaf in addition. Fuck Spot rights, Jack decided spitefully.

“Uh, hello- hi?”

Jack paused, turning around to see leaves swirling in the air still as well as a curly-haired kid staring at him with wide eyes. He looked freaked.

Jack’s lips pursed, hand coming up to gesture.

“Did you…” Jack pointed to the kid, then in the direction the leaves were blowing.

“Yeah,” the kid nodded hesitantly, “I was running-“

“You were running?” Jack scoffed, surprised. “And it created a damn windstorm?”

“Well, yeah, what’s it look like?” The kid shrugged, taking a few steps closer to Jack. “Maybe don’t...tell anyone, okay?”

He looked rather vulnerable, eyes shifting around their surroundings in search of other possible witnesses. A pang of sympathy struck Jack’s heart, he couldn’t help it.

“Sure thing, kiddo,” Jack smiled. “I’m Jack. You can trust me, I promise.”

Jack watched the guy breathe out a small sigh. “I’m Anthony,” he smiled slightly, sticking out his hand. “And thanks.”

Jack’s smile grew. “Nah, nah, I get it. Gotta keep your identity secret, and all’a that.” He shook the kid’s hand as Anthony let out a small laugh.

Something white and hot zig-zagged up Jack’s arm at the contact. He felt his whole body nearly vibrate, and then he blacked out. This really wasn’t Jack’s goddamn day. ——————

of course the first thing I write is gonna be a series, because I hate making life easy please tell me if you don’t wanna be on my tag list anymore! or if you wanna be on it! it’s been a few months heh :) just message me I don’t bite

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