#btw i headcanon mike as being gay but i could also see him being someone that later on down the line identivies as bi or vice versa...

[chirpsythismorning]

I have multiple versions of Mike in my head if I'm being honest.

gay/bi/unlabeled Mike discourse TW:

There's a version of Mike in my head that's gay and I love him dearly. I think that when you dig a little deeper into Mike's character, beyond what's being outright told to us, but also what's being shown, what you'll find is that not everything is what it seems (ie. mirrors = reflection/deception). And so navigating him as a character that requires more than us just going along with what's on the surface (what the casual viewers see) is what I do think leads to a lot of analysis that leans towards Mike being gay.

And yet still, simultaneously there's a version of Mike in my head that's bi and I also love him dearly. I see him pretty clearly in my head and he is wonderful and dear to me!! I also think this is more than anything because if someone whose bisexual can relate to Mike and his character, then that's great and it sort of just knocks down the basic claim that bi-Mike doesn't make sense at all/isn't realistic at all, as an argument? And so hearing that argument does irc me a little bit. I know we're talking about a TV show here, where everything is intentional. I get it and I agree! I do!

However, if we're going to also in the same breath use real life examples of peoples experience with sexuality, and argue how Mike's arc is going to provide representation to not only queer people watching, but also perhaps have a ripple effect on the entire film industry and how we as a society tend to perceive sexuality based on preconceived notions/stereotypes, in that regard, Mike being bi is valid... Because if this were the real world (again a place many of us are saying will be impacted by this moment in TV), then it wouldn't matter if we never saw Mike outright look at girls in the same way he looked at boys. This is a unique situation bc doing what we're doing in the real world would be despicable. We're talking about our perception of what makes someone gay/bi/unlabeled and all the assumptions at play in regards to that, while using the real world as evidence to support our claims. This is why, because of the impact on our reality, I would be okay with Mike being bi in canon. I'd also be okay with it assuming that Finn was okay with it. No matter what happens, Finn has a lot of say in Mike's arc, just like most of the main cast has a say in their characters. If Finn is standing by it then shit, I'm there!

I may be a gay mike truther, but I will gladly admit that there is bi-Mike evidence, bc there is! There are moments with Mike that show the colors of the bi flag that add up to at least a couple handfuls of times. While I do think the gay imagery sort of outweighs the bi-imagery in the details (there is also gay Mike evidence!), it's still not enough for me to rule out bi-Mike all together bc after all, sexuality is a spectrum and so the back and forth going on could technically be an indication of Mike questioning and figuring himself out!

I also think that Mike can be capable of having internalized homophobia while also being bi (or unlabeled/gay for that matter). I think he's capable of an arc separate from Will/El, related to him and his own insecurities and why he felt the need to be in denial for so long. All that closet imagery was there for a reason! His parents having hints at being aligned with more conservative values was intentional. I also don't think exploring this has to interfere with Will, El or any of the other character arcs. Mike did arguably start the show as the protagonist, who took a big step back from being in focus over the last two seasons and so yes I do think exploring his struggles more outright is something that could and should happen, to bring his character's arc to an end properly, regardless of what label he identifies with once that time comes.

And then there's another version of Mike in my head that's unlabeled Mike and best believe he is loved!!!. While I agree it would be frustrating to have to see people still unable to accept Mike not being straight, just like there are people still in denial about Will and Robin (an ugly reminder ppl will do it regardless), it also doesn't feel great hearing that Mike being unlabeled would be disappointing. Arguably one could make the claim that Mike struggling with his identity all this time and being surrounded by all this imagery back and forth, along with the whole forced conforming speech and that 'bs media propaganda' line alone, could be evidence supporting the fact that he's just an unlabeled king, bc they do exist. Again I welcome criticism to unlabeled Mike along with all the other interpretations of Mike's character bc some criticism is well supported and like I don't have a problem with discourse.

Here's the thing, I personally think it's sort of weird to rule out stuff as a possibility, at all? I think it's weird to make the claim that someone is not media literate or is setting themselves up for disappointment for simply having a theory. So yes I would rather believe all of it, consider every possibility, because it also allows me to not be blinded where certain analysis actually doesn't check out. Both gay and bi-Mike truthers will make a claim, be presented with evidence against it that arguably does check out as more strong that the original claim they made, only to downplay it as not that deep and move on. And it's because neither side wants to really acknowledge those deeper things if it goes against what they want to believe. (However, if it supports what they believe, then nvm, it is that deep!)

Sure it might be a little bit embarrassing to be super convinced a theory is going to play out, only for it to be way off, but this applies to literally everyone. Everyone has theories and most of them are going to be wrong. There's no shame in shooting in the dark when it comes to speculating about what could happen.

What I do however think would actually be embarrassing, is insisting a theory is not happening, only to be the one who ends up being wrong.

Everyone can do whatever they want. I can't stop anyone from making controversial posts and honestly I wouldn't want to. I don't want us to get to a point where we feel like we can't speak our minds about basic things or to a point where we make each other feel so uncomfortable and disliked that we're not welcome. I don't want to hurt peoples feelings and make them feel small over this because it's not that serious and making real life people feel miserable over a TV show is just not worth it to me!

If you find yourself discouraging others, think about the possibility that it could be you that ends up being wrong and maybe don't take it too far?

That's why I will not be caught DEAD saying a theory has no chance because it would be naive to insinuate that. Now, believing theories on the other hand... I could go on for hours about what I do believe. And I'm gonna have fun continuing to do it!

Anyways I love unlabeled, bi and gay Mike and all the analysis surrounding it. Yes I'm controversial as I do personally agree/disagree with both sides at different points. And so until we get confirmation, I'm open to differing takes and thinking about arguments that could be used to analyze each scene for each one bc you'd be surprised how believable each analysis can be (including straight Mike... yeah yeah I love him too (unfortunately). However, he does scare me).

[vamp-stamp-fics]

Eddie Munson hcs

Tags: Eddie Munson Headcanons, mostly fluff, Eddie lives!Au, some steddie hcs too while I'm at it, some inconsistency

A/n: some of these hcs are based off of my own experiences so enjoy that lol

Edit: here's some old hcs I have that I found lying deep in my drafts collecting dust lol

_________________________________________

One time in 9th grade screamed "hail Satan" during the pledge of allegiance

Has a childhood stuffed animal (probably a teddy bear) that he still has out of nostalgia and that he's too connected to it to let go of it

Had a pet fish when he was younger. when it died he cried and buried it in the backyard. You can still kinda see the watered down cardboard headstone behind the trailer

This man is gay and realized that probably around middle school

Literally cried when he found out bc he knew what would happen if anyone (especially his dad) found out

Uncle Wayne's the only one in Eddies family that's supportive

I personally hc that's why Eddie lives with Wayne bc his parents found out and kicked him out :(

When he's not playing dnd or hanging out with the rest of the group he kinda just tends to stay in his room and practice guitar. That or goes into the woods

Or selling drug's lol

Has an extreme fear of bugs. Literally screams if he sees a cockroach in the trailer as he violently stomps the shit out of it

But if he's with the kids or the queer quartet (especially with Steve) and there's a bug he'll just act all brave and heroic and kill it

"seriously Harrington, with that scream the neighbors gonna think There's a girl in here"

"yeah haha real funny Munson"

But internally he's just as freaked out

Eddie secretly kinda always wanted to have a younger sibling so he could teach them stuff he knew and get them into stuff he was interested in and that's why he absolutely loves his relationship with Dustin bc he's like the younger brother he's always wanted

was absolutely ecstatic when he meet will

Basically took the kid under his wing like he did with Lucas, Dustin, & mike (A/n: side note people need to bring up more about Lucas when talking about Eddie being mentor for Dustin & Mike cus he's also a part of hellfire club so goddamn I'm doing it)

He also encouraged will to wear his "will the wise" costume to at least one of the campaigns

Speaking of hellfire club-

There's this hc I saw on TikTok that I absolutely love that Eddie lost a bet to Lucas and had to wear a princess costume to a campaign

Makes me laugh every time I think about it

I just imagine Eddie with a deadpanned face as the rest of hellfire tried not to laugh Thier asses off

Also Erica decided that she actually liked going to the hellfire campaign and decided to go more often

Tho she won't officially call herself a member cus "hellfire clubs for a bunch of losers" lol

(this for the Eddie lives!au where Eddie just goes with Dustin instead of going and trying to fight the bats off. I'm still mad about that 😒) How Eddie met will was after the "earthquake" when the rest of the group are at Wheelers house and the California crusaders (argyles group lol) are back in Hawkins and there all hugging each other and just happy everyone's okay 👍

"but vamp Eddie is wanted by the police shouldn't he still be in hiding and not in the public eye" I THINK A MURDER SUSPECT IS THE LEAST OF HAWKINS WORRIES AFTER A EARTHQUAKE THAT DESTROYED THE TOWN JUST HAPPENED

Anyways Mike and Dustin introduce will to Eddie (someone pls write a fanfic of this PLEASE-)

Eddie sees alot of his younger self in Will

Like ALOT

Besides the fact They're both queer (will didn't say shit about that btw, Eddie just knew) they're both seen as freaks and have similar interests with dnd so when Eddie and will learned more about each other and realized they had more in common

Steve & Dustin 2.0

obviously Eddie doesn't just sweep Dustin under the rug now that wills there but c'mon he can have 2 younger brothers can't he?

And Steves his bf he's gotta take care of their kid together/hj

Speaking of steddie Steve & Eddie kinda give off divorced parents taking care of Thier kid together and Secretly still are in love with each other but doesn't say anything to the other ab it

Eddie's also the 2nd person for Will to come out to and Eddie immediately accepts him

"I mean byer c'mon it was a little obvious"

"huh?"

"you're kidding right? I see the way you look at Wheelers brother"

Of course Eddie doesn't tell anyone unless wills fine with him telling someone else

which let's be honest he probably doesn't want Eddie telling anyone else at least until he's absolutely sure how they feel about queer people. And even then will probably be a bit hesitant on telling the person WHO he likes (A/n: totally not projecting or anything)

After will comes out him Eddie decides to pull a switch a roo out of his ass and come out to will as well

"besides the fact that I also know how you feel, considering I swing that way too"

Will is absolutely shocked

Bamboozled even

Just :0

As if Eddie doesn't look like a walking Skittles ad

Tbh I might make a little fanfic of this scenario :)

Back to when Eddie gets introduced to everyone

Argyle thinks he absolutely fucking cool

"wow man that's a pretty sick jacket"

"you, like metal?"

"well Eden listens to metal so if she likes metal I say it's pretty cool 😎"

Eddie, argyle, & Johnathan are smoking buddies

+ Eden sometimes if argyle visits her

(I'm sorry but I love argyle x Eden sm. They're in a long distance relationship damn it)

If Edens with them Eddie talk ab different type of music they're into sense they have somewhat similar taste

I hc Eden prefers goth music (Siouxsie and the banshees, the cure, joy division, sisters of mercy, Bauhaus) but listens to metal as well so if she wants recs she'll ask Eddie

They all just hot box in argyles van

Anyways back to Eddie hcs

When he graduates (finally) he does exactly what he said he would do: flip principal Higgins off and run like hell out of there

Hellfire club + the rest of the queer quartet, and Wayne was there in crowd cheering him on

After the ceremony tho he was absolutely ecstatic

Wayne gave him the biggest hug out of all them

"I'm proud of you kid"

Nearly teared up when Wayne said that

Jonathan took a bunch of pictures

They had party at Wayne's trailer

Nothing too fancy but there was enough people to call it a party

He also has a pet rat named Ozzy

A/n: anyways these are all the hcs that I could pull out of my ass for now but I might update this post if there's more I can think of

[okaybutlikeimagine]

{{Here’s that tiny fic I wrote that headcanon for. I’m gonna post it on archive right now too. Also I just wanna say you’re all too sweet to me and I’m glad people liked it and ♥♥♥ anyway here. I’m sorry.}}{{btw this has harringrove in it so if you don’t like that then don’t read this and then get mad me}}

~~~

It’s a late Thursday afternoon nearing the end of summer, the balmy weather and the late sun making the pain and anxieties of this past summer in Hawkins fade away so much quicker than the little family could ever hope for. The wounds will be fresh for a while, but the sun seeping in through the windows and the satisfying warmth of it makes most of the fear melt away like ice cream.

Joyce opens the door to Murray the Conspiracy Theorist with 2 cherry slurpees in hand and Alexei the Russian Scientist with 3. Alexei’s smile is splitting his face as he holds the drinks up a little higher and says something in Russian.

Joyce turns her smiling confusion Murray, who gives a tired grin.

“He says they’re for your kids. He insisted on buying your children cherry slurpees.”

“Oh! They’ll love them.” Joyce assures, giving Alexei a kind smile as she takes a couple of them off his hands and passes them around, putting one in the fridge for an absent Billy.

Even in the calm of the moment, Joyce and Hopper share a similar feeling of nervousness at their current guests. They introduce the two men to the kids with an expected difficulty, but it goes off about as smoothly as it possibly could and a couple of minutes later, here they are.

Murray the Conspiracy Theorist is currently speaking to Will and Jonathan about a plethora of crazy theories, the boys listening intently.

“There’s no doubt that they’re in contact with them but the question is why?”

“Mmhm, definitely.” Jonathan nods, sharing a wry glance with Will as they both chuckle quietly. The man is an absolute nut, but it’s entertaining to listen to. And hey… stranger things have happened than aliens conversing with the government somewhere in Nevada.

Alexei is on the couch with El, the two of them sipping their slurpees and looking at the TV intently. She’s bouncing a bit with her feet tucked under her as she watches Alexei flip through channels, the man mumbling Russian to himself every now and then and El getting a little irritated as he keeps skipping past her favorite soap operas.

This is... nice. Joyce thinks to herself from her spot next to Hopper as they lean against one of the kitchen counters.

It’s not like it’s not incredibly nice. Something about this feels so oddly comfortable. It’s just… strange. Inviting over a crazed and (typically) drunken conspiracy theorist and his Russian (former) mad scientist… friend? Into their little home with 4 lightly traumatized children? It’s not like they can’t both admit that this is so, so strange.

It took a bit of convincing on Joyce’s part to get Hopper to not throw a fit at the thought of the two men coming into their home, but she reminded him that they dragged these two men through a crazy adventure of being shot at and shooting at others and Joyce really feels that it’s the least they could do to invite the two of them over for dinner or something every now and then. Plus, she likes Alexei’s smile and thinks Hopper treated him poorly the first time around.

Murray is just getting into the dangers of new technology when a gasp comes from the couch. Alexei’s pointing to the TV, smiling widely and saying something in Russian.

El turns to look at him then, confusion written all over her face.

“Looney Tunes.” She points to the TV too.

Alexei turns his attention to her, eyebrow furrowing a bit at her, saying the same words in Russian.

They go back and forth a couple of times. Hopper stands in the kitchen, leaning forward on the counter and squinting his eyes at the scene because how the fuck is his little 14 year old girl going to speak to this Russian man? He couldn’t even speak to this Russian man.

But when it comes to El’s turn again, she doesn’t speak English. El starts to mimic the sounds that the man is saying to her, albeit with quite a bit of difficulty.

Alexei’s eyes absolutely light up at the little girl. This is the first person who has attempted to speak his mother tongue that isn’t Murray, and yes the words are very butchered, but she’s trying! She’s actually trying! He turns a bit towards her, nodding along to encourage her to keep trying. Someone not forcing him to speak English but rather trying to speak to him in a language he understands? He can’t believe this!

She tries again, tongue fumbling over the new sounds, but they both giggle away the errors so it’s fine. After a few attempts, Alexei attempts her English words too, and the two are smiling and laughing at their fumbled language.

“Hop look!” Joyce whispers as she smacks his arm repeatedly, as if he hasn’t been watching raptly in confused amazement. He just rubs his arm and nods to try to get her to stop.

After a fit of giggles, Alexei turns back to the TV, pointing at Woody Woodpecker on the screen and saying something else in Russian. He then turns to look at El again, saying a whole sentence that she has no hope of understanding.

So she looks to Murray, who she notices is looking at the man the same way that Hopper looks at Joyce and vice versa. The same way Mike looks at her after they kiss. The same way Max looks at Lucas when he’s turned away after a really bad joke.

“He said it’s his favorite. That he won him in a rigged game.”

El knows all but one of the words.

“What’s... rigged?” She asks. It takes Murray a second to understand her question.

“Rigged is… when something is set up for you to lose. But he won anyway.”

El is immediately impressed, eyes going wide and turning back to Alexei, who is watching the television again.

“You won!” She says through a smile. He turns to see her holding a thumbs up to him, and he gives one back.

It’s then that the front door swings open and two tall boys holding hands and smiling goofily stumble in before freezing in the doorway. They stare at the group like they’ve been caught in the act. They bring the faint smell of weed in with them.

“Hey.” Billy greets them awkwardly. Everyone is staring and Billy takes in the sight of everyone  + 2 strange men. Steve slips his hand out of Billy’s to absently rub on his jeans. “I brought my boyfriend home.”

“Billy!” Steve yells indignantly, eyes shifting across everyone’s faces. “He’s just joking, we’re not-”

“I told you, they know already, princess.” Billy sighs on a smirk. “You don’t have to pretend anymore.”

“Oh.” Steve’s face goes red.

Jonathan just smirks around his straw, shaking his head and chuckling along with Joyce and Hopper. Will blushes at it, still always turning cherry red at seeing Billy being so happily gay with his boyfriend.

“So… who are they?” Billy asks with about as much tact as Billy typically has around strangers.

Joyce and Hopper flail to explain.

“Billy this is Murray and his… friend? Alexei.” Joyce gestures vaguely to them both. Alexei turns away from the TV when he hears his name. “They’re… friends of ours.”

Jonathan and Will sip at their slurpees, watching their mother fumble through her explanation.

It’s then that Alexei gives a Russian greeting, waving at the two and asking Murray something, to which he responds back in Russian and gestures towards Billy.

“Woah, wait, they’re Russian?” Steve immediately asks, confused and on guard.

“Well…”

“Alexei is. And he says there’s a slurpee in the fridge for you.” Murray gives Billy an unamused look.

“How the hell did you meet 2 Russian men?” Steve asks as Billy walks over to the fridge, ruffling Will’s hair on his way.

“They helped us. Back in July.” Hopper tries his hand at explaining. It confuses Steve more.

“The Russians helped you? Aren’t they the enemy?”

“There are no enemies on the day that you acknowledge the humanity that lies within every one of us.” Murray preaches suddenly, giving a very serious look to a more than confused Steve before turning adoring eyes to the Russian man on the couch.

There’s a beat of silence, everyone shifting their gaze between Murray and Steve.

Billy licks the cherry syrup from his lips.

“Welp! This was fun. Steve and I are going to be in my room.” Billy grabs Steve by his sleeve and pulls him towards the back of the house. “Thank your Russian boyfriend for me.”

Murray can only sputter.

“3 inches!” Hopper calls out to the retreating pair.

“I’m not 14! I know what condoms are!” Billy calls behind him, leaving Steve to choke on a laugh at the blatant words. “Plus I don’t think you’re going to see either of us getting pregnant.”

“Ew, stop!” El yells from the couch, a laugh in her words.

“I’d keep your eye on your precious John-boy, though.” Billy turns to face the living room, giving Hopper a sly grin and a wink towards Jonathan before disappearing into his room, leaving Steve to stand in the hall.

“Hey! Shut up, Billy!” Jonathan calls, face redder than his drink.

And there stands an awkward Steve at the end of the hall. He’s fiddling a bit with his jeans as he gives a smile to the family, fully aware that his boyfriend just made it painfully clear that they’re going to fuck.

“Uh… it was nice to see you guys.  As always.”

A hand from inside of Billy’s room reaches out and pulls him in. The door shuts audibly and about a minute later there’s heavy rock music playing loudly from the room.

Hopper sighs.

~~~

20 minutes later and they’re all basically in the same spot, when the music stops playing from Billy’s room. The tape must have ended.

It takes only a second before there’s a very clear, very audible groan-like scream that comes from the back of the house. Everyone freezes, save for El, who tilts her head to look down the hall in concern before realization dawns on her face.

She turns towards Will, stating almost excitedly: “Good screams!”

Jonathan legitimately chokes on the last of his slurpee, cracking up laughing in-between labored breaths as Joyce rushes to get him a glass of water. Will’s face has never been more red, his eyes wide and body nearly frozen. Murray and Alexei just exchange an amused smirk at the sound.

Hopper’s just about on the brink of an aneurysm as he ushers El and Will out with the excuse of getting some sunshine before dinner. It’s moments like this where he thinks he might actually regret having children. Maybe. But he does know that whoever tricked him into loving the 4 little bastards played a real dirty trick.