#i think about gay mike wheeler every day

[heartsgettingwiser62]

Anyways shout out to the time I recreated the MLM flag with these 3 pics of Mike's outfits through s4

[auntiejohn]

im so normal about byler and I definitely dont think abt them all the time

[aemiron-main]

going insane because the s5 mike death flags are aligning exactly with my gay mike analysis + his narrative as a character and what he represents and how we can use that to demonstrate whats going to happen to him in s5 and why gay mike is a core part of mike’s arc as a character and resolution of the narrative and metaphors of st +  then that’s also tying into my music analysis and oh my god i just need to finish this analysis but there’s So Much to say  its all coming together. though. the math is mathing. 

[lucystark12]

what are you thinking, finn wolfhard?

everything i'm about to say aligns with my finn wolfhard is a genius agenda.

it was just made apparent to me that not only did finn wolfhard film it 2017 before season two, but he filmed his scenes as boris in the goldfinch literally DAYS before filming season three. this is extremely hard for me to conceptualize. but it also makes me think about finn wolfhard himself who obviously knows the truth about mike wheeler's sexuality. if byler is as deep seeded as we want it to be, odds are that finn knew what was up from the beginning. which makes a girl think- did he know the same about richie tozier when he first played him in 2017?

lets look at richie a bit.

richie is obviously gay. i will not be taking arguments on this. i'm reading a reddit thred right now where people are debating it and i'm like- are you kidding me. but he wasn't gay in the source material. stephen king has stated as much in a vanity fair article. though he calls andy muscetti's choice "genius" (which it is, btw), he makes it clear that it wasn't his intention. it's explicitly clear in it chapter 2, and being wired like a byler shipper, i was able to suss it out in the first movie, but was that andy muscetti's intention to begin with?

there are many ways this change can be interpreted. assuming that it wasn't something that was explicitly written into the original character description for richie in the first movie, you could see this as something that was put in as a sign of the times, a statement if you will. it chapter one was written in 2015-2016 while we were still under obama's presidency, one that saw drastic improvements for the quality of life of a gay person in america. it chapter two was written during trump's presidency and could have been trying to brand itself as a statement of sorts. i only say this because as far as i can find (and PLEASE tell me if i'm wrong) there wasn't nearly as much evidence hinting at richie's sexuality in the first movie as there is for mike or will to use a relevant example.

the idea that finn wolfhard could have gone straight from it filming (summer of 2016) to stranger things filming (early november 2016) just having played a character who he knows was in the closet and in love with his best friend in the 80s could open up new interpretation to mke in season two. oddly, the reason i bring this up is because richie tozier to me is the mirror image of a kid i was friends with in middle school. they acted the same, they even weirdly looked and dressed the same. the only time i've ever made the comparison between middle school kid and mike wheeler was during season two, specifically in the scene where max leaves them the note, which leads me to believe that he could have carried other things over from other aspects of the it production.

season two isn't what really concerns me though. i'm looking more at season three. the goldfinch only moved to production in albuquerque in april of 2018, which is obviously where finn wolfhard filmed all of his scenes. however, stranger things 3 started production on april 23rd, 2018, which means there might have even been crossover between finn's shooting dates if not at least a very short gap of time between them. it chapter 2 was filmed that same summer likely with some of it's own crossover with stranger things three dates. finn wolfhard's lack of scenes in the second movie are probably what made this possible, but the scenes that he did have tackled very delicate topics that had to be handled with care. most actors get their scripts for minor roles like this a few weeks out from filming, which means that finn could have had his scripts for it chapter 2 that very explicitly make it clear that he's gay during filming for stranger things 3.

so here he is with one gay character right before season 3 and one right after. he knows how to handle these things, which means that every move he's making, especially in season three, is most likely intentional, especially if he knows this far in advance about mike's sexuality. i think it's totally feasible that he does. i'm fifteen and i understand what was happening between byler during the fight scene, finn was sixteen and, being a part of this show, probably understood what was going on too even if he wasn't outright told. doing justice to a season like this when he was also having to figure out scenes like the boreo taxi scene or the arcade scene with henry bower's cousin or r + e was probably at the forefront of his mind.

in conclusion, i just have one question:

what does this mean, finn wolfhard?

[laundrybiscuits]

“It’s happening,” crows Dustin. “Eddie, it’s happening, it’s happening, she said yes!”

Eddie blinks up at him from the blankets. “Is…this about your little girlfriend, Henderson?” Is there a school dance coming up or something? Wait, it’s the summer, school’s not happening.

In a just world, Eddie Munson would never have to think about high school again; in a just world, Dustin Henderson would not have woken him up by breaking into his trailer at ass o’clock in the morning.

“No, man, Erica! Erica Sinclair! She’s gonna run a My Little Pony game for us!”

“Okay.” Eddie turns over to bury his face in his pillow. “Lock up when you leave,” he says, muffled.

———

He honest-to-god thinks it’s just a weird dream for the next few days. He’s almost completely forgotten about it when Mike corners him at work.

“You have to make her stop,” Mike says.

“Okay, Wheeler, two things. First: who am I making stop what? Second: I’m not making anyone stop anything. Really not my style, and also, I don’t wanna get involved in whatever this is.”

“You’re already involved! We’re all involved! We’re all, like, liable.”

“Right.” Eddie wipes his hands on a rag and ambles over. “Kid, you have got to start giving me some context here. What are we talking about?”

Mike gives him just the absolute bitchiest eyeroll any human being has ever mustered in the history of the world, and sighs noisily. “Erica wants to run a stupid game, and Dustin keeps encouraging her. Tell Erica and Dustin that we play Dungeons and Dragons with like, cool monsters and shit. Not some stupid game about ponies. It’s not even D&D, it’s a whole new stupid system that she’s making us learn.”

“Oh, shit.” There’s—a few things to unpack in that little speech, but Eddie can’t help the delighted grin spreading over his face. “That’s for real? The pony game? Shit, this is going to be the best thing ever. What system is she planning to run the campaign in?”

“Oh my god,” says Mike, and storms out of the garage.

———

“GURPS: Generic Universal Role-Playing System,” announces Erica, slamming the books down on Steve’s kitchen table. “A flexible, multi-purpose, setting-agnostic system that can accommodate any conceivable type of story or play style. This is the future of role-playing games, not your broke-ass fantasy bullcrap.”

Eddie wonders how complicated it is to file paperwork for adoption.

“Some of us like D&D,” says Will.

“Yeah, we don’t want your stupid generic whatever. We’re not playing,” Mike snaps.

“That’s not what I said.” Will looks annoyed with Mike, which has been happening a lot lately. Eddie’s glad the kid seems to be growing more of a spine; you can’t just let your tragic heterosexual crushes walk all over you, but that’s the kind of lesson every young gay needs to learn the hard way. “I’m fine with trying something new. I’m just saying, the next campaign after this should be D&D.”

“Sure, what-ever, nerds,” drawls Erica. “We’ll see how you feel after you experience the magic of Ponyland.”

Lucas puts his face in his hands when she says the magic of Ponyland and lets out a pitiful groan.

“Whoo!” cheers Dustin. “Let’s get started!”

———

It takes them a solid two hours to make their characters. Even Eddie, who’s been vaguely aware of GURPS since it was released a couple years ago, is struggling a little to adapt. It’s just been a while since he played anything but D&D, but he’s enjoying the change of pace. He likes this kind of challenge; it’s like figuring out how to play a familiar song in an unfamiliar genre.

Erica is not especially patient with them, but she’s clearly done her prep work, so Eddie thinks they all manage to get through the character creation process more or less the way it’s supposed to be done.

Steve gets back from work right when they’re putting the finishing touches on their characters. The way he blinks all sweetly confused makes Eddie think that Dustin was definitely lying about having permission to play here, and also that Dustin probably has a very troubling stash of keys to all their homes squirreled away somewhere.

“If I may, Lady Sinclair, I’d like to humbly suggest a ten-minute break?” Eddie says, before Steve can decide whether or not to be mad about this whole thing.

“Sure, go ahead and rest up while you still can,” says Erica. “Steve, I hope you got good snacks around here.” She makes a beeline for the kitchen, and the boys trip over themselves to follow her.

“I would die for that child,” says Eddie.

Steve laughs, low and a little tired. “Yeah. Um, me too.”

“So, I’m gonna go ahead and guess that Henderson didn’t actually clear this with you?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure.” Steve runs a hand through his hair. “He might’ve said something last week? Sometimes when he’s on a tear, I just kinda let him talk.”

“Y’know, we’re at a pretty good stopping point for today, if you want us to clear out so you can get some rest.” Eddie can see the smudgy shadows under Steve’s eyes from halfway across the room.

“No, it’s fine.” Steve peels off his vest. He’s wearing an entire perfectly normal shirt underneath, so there’s no reason for Eddie to hastily avert his eyes like Steve’s doing a damn striptease. “I might go take a nap, though. Gonna trust you not to let them burn down the place, got it?”

Eddie does a silly little salute. “Aye aye, cap’n. No hint of flame shall breach these walls.”

Steve laughs again, a gravelly chuckle, and musses Eddie’s hair on his way to the stairs.

“Why do you have that dumb look on your face,” says Erica suspiciously, standing in the kitchen doorway and clutching the biggest bowl of ice cream Eddie’s seen in his life.

“What look, there’s no look,” says Eddie. “Let’s play some GURPS.”

Edit: now a complete fic on AO3!

[byler-heart]

Things that still haunt me to this day and desperately need answers to/want them to be addressed in S5:

1. How did this cutie patootie dodge the demogorgon in this scene (or rather, why didn't the demogorgon completely rip him to shreds like Barb?) and survive for a week in the Upside Down?

2. The destruction of Castle Byers. Destroyed in: S3, completely ignored in: S4. And in S5: ???

Well, wth happened here? Will this never be addressed again? Will and Jonathan build it together🥺; he spent time here with his closest friends🥺; he hid here during the UD🥺; this was his safe space🥺... sigh I'm haunted by memories that aren't even mine.

3. Uhm, does the Demogorgon have telekinesis now? I don't fcking think so, so why the heck was it able to move the door chain like that? The Demogorgon I know (and the other one we see in Season 4 AGAIN) doesn't have telekinesis, and certainly it's not that freaking civilized— it would've just ripped that door apart with brute strength. So, who's actually behind that door? Hummm, Ve-vec-- VECN—*gunshots*

4. Mike Wheeler's awkward hug and weird attitude overall towards Will the entire season, like, I wanna crack his skull open and study his brain and dissect his thoughts.

What's up, buddy? Scared to face those jumbled feelings for your bestie? Did your time apart make you realize something? Feeling a little, uh, gay perhaps?

Sooooo awkward.

Anyway, there's definitely a ton more I want the showrunners to address, but right now I can't think of them all. Just wrapped up my S4 rewatch, and I gotta admit, there were tears.

P.S. Couldn't help but roll my eyes at every St*ncy scene. I mean, Robin and Eddie kept pushing them like they knew what they were talking about—dude, you're both single AND losers, what could you possibly know?

[katlandry]

I love the idea that Nancy would be so accepting of herself and she’d have like a mini gay crisis for like 0.2 seconds, I do personally think she would bc that’s just the kind of person she is. HOWEVER there is something so funny about Nancy being so comp het that she thinks she’s homophobic, because every time she sees Robin with Vickie it makes her want to rip her own hair out but she tries so HARD to be okay with it and she just doesn’t understand why she’s feeling this way about Robin & Vickie when she’s so happy for Steve & Eddie?

and everyone, even MIKE, is hinting at her that it’s because she is literally in love with Robin but Nancy just never picks up on it until one day Jonathan (or Steve or Eddie, I picked Jonathan bc he knows her the best but honestly it works with any of them or maybe it’s all three of them that sit her down 😭) literally spells it out for her and she has a classic *oh* moment. And she’s so glad she isn’t homophobic, except now she has to deal with the fact she’s in love with Robin and Robin’s dating someone else.

Except Robin isn’t dating anyone, she and Vickie are just really good friends after being able to bond over their similarities and of course Robin is in love with Nancy too because who isn’t? She’s Nancy Wheeler. And now everyone has to suffer through watching these two mutually pine for each other and being disgustingly in love without the other knowing.

and Mike is just slowly but surely losing his mind…

[andiwriteordie]

Mike coming out to Will sometime during season 5 before they’ve confessed their feelings for each other or anything hehe

For the writing prompt requests <3 also CONGRATS ON 1500 ANDI U DESERVE IT!!

hi elli!!! oh my god this prompt 🥺 this is so sweet, and it was so much fun to write. (side note i have now written like 3 coming out stories in the span of a week so. that's fun!) also tysm!!! <3 i hope you enjoy this!

—

you pull me in (and i’m a little more brave)

Mike Wheeler has two secrets.

He’s never really been a person who has liked keeping secrets, at least not from his friends. He’s kept secrets from his parents for his entire life, so that doesn’t really matter. But Mike has always tried to be honest with his friends. After all, the Party’s first rule isn’t “friends don’t lie” for nothing.

But Mike Wheeler has two secrets, and he’s kept them close to his chest for the past couple of years.

The first secret is this:

Mike Wheeler is gay.

Yeah, that… that had been something difficult to come to terms with. It all started back in the fall of 1985 before everything went to shit and before the world started ending and before they got trapped into an interdimensional war with One and the monsters of the Upside Down. Talk about an awful time to have a sexuality crisis. 

Seriously. Mike spent… a lot of sleepless nights, absolutely terrified that his first big secret would be found out. When you’re fighting a monster who literally reaches into your brain and brings out the worst parts of you—the parts that you’re terrified to even admit to yourself—it’s really not a good idea to have this big of a secret. 

At least… at least that’s what Will said when he came out as gay, early last year.

God, he’s the bravest person that Mike knows. There’s no one braver in the world than Will Byers—not even El, whom Mike believes is really fucking brave. But El, as incredible as she may be, is also a superhero. Of course, she can bravely face monsters and government scientists and anything the world throws at her. Mike thinks he’d be braver too if he was better than Superman.

Will’s just Will though, and he’s been through so much. And yet, he makes the decision to get back up every time the world tries to knock him down. He stands up against all the monsters and the bullies and every single being that’s ever hurt him, and yet, he still manages to be the kindest, most loving person Mike has ever met. He’s never lost sight of who he is, and everything he does inspires Mike to be braver. 

There’s no one braver than Will Byers—no one better in the world than Will Byers.

And that’s exactly why Mike decides that Will Byers should be the first person in the world to learn his secret.

The two of them are sitting in Mike’s bedroom now. Earlier, he’d asked Will if they could talk—alone, he’d been quick to add. Naturally, Will had been a little bit confused, but he’d nodded and promised to come over to Mike’s room in the lab after dinner.

And so… here they are. 

Mike’s heart pounds inside his chest, and his hands feel clammy. Of all the people in the world, Will is going to be the most accepting. Everyone in the extended Party has been accepting of Will and Robin (who’d come out a few months before Will), so honestly, Mike knows he shouldn’t worry about their reactions. But still, he’s never shared this secret with anyone before, and… and it’s terrifying.

But this is Will.

And Will makes him feel brave.

So, with Will Byers’ kind hazel eyes staring back at him, Mike takes a deep breath, and he wrings his hands nervously.

And he chooses to let his walls down.

“Will… I… I’m gay,” Mike admits, his voice impossibly soft. He doesn’t dare look up at his best friend—not yet. The memories of words so cruel and so hurtful, said years ago on a day full of pouring rain and his worst mistakes, make their way to the forefront of his mind. “I… I’ve known for a while now, and I, um… I didn’t want to admit it... But I… I don’t want to hide anymore.”

Another breath—shaky and quiet this time.

Mike dares to look up, and he meets Will’s eyes. “I, um… I said some things to you when we were younger,” Mike whispers, and though his vision is a little blurry because of the tears stinging his eyes, he can still see the recognition that flashes across Will’s face. “Some really, really hurtful things… and I’m sorry, Will. I… I know it’s no excuse, but… that’s when I was first starting to realize this about myself… And I was scared, and I took it out on you. And I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.”

One more breath. In and out.

“I wanted to tell you first,” Mike says, his voice soft, “not… not just because you’re gay too, but… but because you’re my best friend in the entire world, Will. And I just… I trust you more than anyone else, you know? And also… because you make me feel brave enough to be myself. So… yeah. That’s it, I guess.”

For a moment, Will just stares back at Mike, as if he’s searching for… for something or trying to understand Mike better. There’s curiosity but also compassion and understanding in Will’s eyes, and before Mike knows it, he’s being pulled into Will’s arms.

“Oh, Mike,” Will whispers, holding him close. 

The embrace is warm and familiar and comforting, and God, fresh tears well in Mike’s eyes as he all but collapses into Will’s hug. Will’s arms wrap around him tighter in response, and Mike sniffles, burying his head in his best friend’s shoulder.

 “I’m so proud of you,” Will murmurs, rubbing Mike’s back gently. “God, I am so, so proud of you, Mike. You have no idea. Thank you. Thank you for… for trusting me and for being you. You’re incredible, and I’m so proud of you.”

Somehow, just like he always does, Will knows exactly what to say. He knows exactly what Mike needs to hear, and Mike can’t help the watery laugh that escapes his lips. “I didn’t really do anything,” he admits. “Nothing that you haven’t done.”

“Hey.” Will pulls back, just enough so they can look at each other now, and he smiles at Mike, gentle and familiar. “Coming out is terrifying no matter what, and it’s not about me. It’s about you and how brave you are and how incredible it is that you’re accepting who you are. So… I mean it, Mike. I’m proud of you, and thank you for trusting me enough to tell me.”

Will pauses for a brief moment; then, he smiles again. “When I came out,” he says softly, “Robin told me this… She said that the world becomes a better, more beautiful place whenever anybody accepts who they are and shares it with the world. So… just remember that, okay?”

Mike can’t help but smile, and he reaches up, putting his hand on top of Will’s. “Okay,” he whispers back. “Thanks, Will… Seriously. Thank you for… for everything.”

The look on Will’s face turns soft again, and for a moment, the world shrinks until it’s just the two of them. Something wildly beautiful and familiar and electric lingers in the air between them, close enough for Mike to reach out and grab it, and he nearly does.

Because, you see, Mike Wheeler has two secrets—though, he’s now shared one of those secrets with someone and is starting to find the courage to share it with others.

The first secret is this: 

Mike Wheeler is gay.

The second one is… a little more complicated than the first, and it’s this:

Mike Wheeler is in love with Will Byers.

[thefirstlioveyou]

welcome to my blog :^)

(note: all my interactions come from @beingdiifferent, as this is a sub-blog)

I’m an autistic gay dude that yaps a lot about stranger things, primarily with a byler/mike-focus, and my own life/thoughts! i’m also 18. i really enjoy film and tv as an art form. i’m currently trying to explore more into the queer side of film, so feel free to enlighten me with suggestions! (please)

I am a writer and artist that creates original work and fan work, but i have yet to share anything because 1) i have not finished anything worth sharing, 2) i’m a sick perfectionist. one day i will though!! i have byler ideas in mind

st related preferences

my main ships are byler & lumax, with some occasional elmax if i’m feeling it. i primarily discuss byler though. my favorite character is mike (if if wasn’t obvious), but i also really enjoy nancy and will; the wheelers are my little creatures. also i’m a gay mike truther, so everything i say or talk about is from that lens.

other info

for the most part i don’t engage in discourse. if i do, i’m just ranting in my tags and keep it out of any of the main tags! please also don’t confuse me stating an opinion as me trying to start discourse :)

my inbox and dms are always open for anything. i can sometimes take a while to respond because i need to think, or i may not respond at all because i’m recieving too many of the same thing that it may be getting overwhelming. i’m sorry 😭 i appreciate everything, though

i love the show and it’s every core, from ships to supernatural plot. however i don’t focus on talking about the supernatural plot myself - i’m not that smart lol. i typically only reblog when it comes to that. i mainly discuss characters and ships. so if that bothers you, well you know what to do 👉🚪

links (wip)

“what’s a soulmate?” dawson’s creek x byler edit

“i feel wrong (homosexuality)” mike wheeler edit

-

mike and will sims download

[castlebyersafterdark]

let's do a little brainstorming for fun... lots of people seem to think that will is gonna end up staying in mike's room while the byers settle back into hawkins. if this happened i imagine mike would force will to take his bed and sleep on the floor. but imagine if they confess/find out while this is still happening... being realistic about teenage hormones as well as their internalised homophobia etc + the fact they share the house with others, what do you think the outcome of them having confessed while still sharing a room would be? based on the average teen gay males lol.

would they share the bed but nothing happens? would they sleep apart to ensure nothing happens? would they go for it and fool around, probs not all the way but just feeling each other and making out? i know they are both so into each other but i honestly can't predict what their behaviour would be

Prefacing to say, for the actual show, I do not think that Will is staying at the Wheeler's house for a very long time. Maybe when they first arrive in Hawkins until they find somewhere adequate (at the radio station... at one of the farms, etc). And I also think the confession is going to be a bit more heat of the moment? High stakes? Build up to it etc. BUT HOWEVER. My favorite favorite "canon" style fandom trope is Will staying with the Wheelers and he shares Mike's room. So good.

Envisioning this scenario: spot on. Mike is not putting his boy on the floor?? Will gets the bed haha. I imagine that after a while, whatever stakes bring them to confessing, after sharing the room for a while in this span of time in between the beginning of the end of the world and before they stop it, let's say something gets them to confess and admit feelings for one another, that first night either they're talking, staying up sitting on Mike's bed, and the jubilation and excitement of finding out they have reciprocal feelings for one another - that first night they just would stay up talking and kissing until they eventually fall asleep. The shock and newness of it all won't lead to much more. But they do get to wake up in each other's arms, how cute.

But after that, it's real. It's a known thing. They like each other. What are we to one another? And they end the day together, back in Mike's bedroom. I think maybe there's a moment of hesitation that second night, but they laugh and decide. Why wouldn't we? We're sharing the bed now. We can get away with it. Shyness bleeds away into giddy secrets, one they have together now. How fucked up is it, the way the world views and treats boys like us, but hey - how lucky, too. No one will suspect what we're doing in here. There's no way their parent's would allow a girlfriend or a girl in general to share the room, even with the understanding that the sleeping bag is on the floor. No one anticipated gay teenagers experimenting while everyone goes to sleep! How fucking lucky are we? Haha

I think getting together like I stated above in the show storyline, it's possible that a confession under stress/heat of the moment/high stakes could lead to something beyond just a kiss right away. Show runtime, plot, etc. But compare this to getting together say, during "peacetime" or after events of s5, Will staying elsewhere, a normal home life situation, the trajectory of their relationship is on a different timeline depending on circumstances. A normal teenage relationship is thwarted by going to school, parents aren't gonna let them spend every night together (even if it's thought they're just friends). It's planning hang outs and dates and finding situations and time to sneak away. Boys sharing the room every night under otherwise standard assumptions? That relationship is progressing physically a lot faster.

Everyone's supposed to be asleep, anyway. You're a teenage boy (and teenage girls do similar of course) and you're raging with pent up hormones and you're getting off at night. Imagine the tension and frustration before they get together, having to share that bedroom. There's no alone time! Having to logistically plan now when to get off, now that someone else is always in your bedroom. But eventually as time goes on, hey! The boy I like likes me back! Amazing. We're sleeping in the same bed. We're kissing and making out every night once we close the door and say we're going to bed (how early can we get away with doing that without making it seem suspicious). If we're quiet, we can try something else. They know they want it, obvious how turned on they are after they've been making out, how they awake tangled together, sometimes with a little morning wood situation going on. Teenagers. They're having fun, they're exploring their feelings, they're getting off together at night. They're not going all the way and fully fucking in his bedroom, absolutely not with the threat of others still in the house - they can get away with certain things but the anxiety is still there. And they wait a while to even try that, it's a big step. Deserves peace and quiet and time to dedicate to making it good. Not going to risk and rush that with siblings and parents down the hall. They've got a lot else to occupy their time.

If this was the way they got together in some version of Mike and Will's story, all that described feels like a pretty accurate portrayal of what two teenage boys are going to get up to after confessing feelings for one another. Kind of want to write this scenario. I've read a ton of really good fics where this is the situation they're dealing with and I've read a lot of super good confession scenes, but what happens after that first kiss and make out and night spent together, since that's where the fics usually stop because they all stay firmly sfw. I'd love to see more extended storylines. Portray a realistic approach to the relationship because one of the elements that draws me in so much, and a lot of others I believe, is that switch from two best friends into two best friends who both know they like each other and have physically and emotionally expressed that. Navigating from a deep platonic relationship to a romantic/physical relationship after being suuuuch good friends for so long is really interesting (and cute and hot, of course). That timeframe is severely under-explored around this fandom.

[steddie-fanfic-recs]

Get a grip, Munson

by GrasshopperKatie

Rating: Mature Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationship: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Character: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley, Nancy Wheeler, Dustin Henderson, Lucas Sinclair, Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Will Byers, Mike Wheeler, Jonathan Byers, Argyle (Stranger Things), Jim "Chief" Hopper, Joyce Byers, Murray Bauman, Eleven | Jane Hopper, Erica Sinclair Additional Tags: Bisexual Steve Harrington, Gay Eddie Munson, Eddie Munson Lives, Soft Eddie Munson, POV Eddie Munson, Protective Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington is a Sweetheart, Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington Friendship, Past Steve Harrington/Nancy Wheeler, Eddie Munson Has a Crush on Steve Harrington, Requited Love, Comfort, Slow Burn, Nightmares, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Scars, Flirting, Sexual Tension, Mild Sexual Content, Frottage, inappropriate use of syrup, love and basketball, robin and dustin are their homophobic dog, steve harrington in a crop top could save the world, 5+1 Things, eddie just constantly screaming cover up slut in his head every time he sees steve, need to clarify I know nothing about sports Words: 18,208 Chapters: 6/6

Summary

Eddie is very thankful that he still has on his sunglasses because Steve is showing more skin than Eddie has ever seen, even during his basketball days at Hawkins High. He’s wearing a white cropped Tears for Fears shirt and possibly the smallest blue shorts ever created. He’s got his hands on his hips and it draws Eddie’s attention to the scars lining his sides on full display. He’s almost wearing them like a badge of honor, refusing to cover them up like this. He wants people to know he fought and survived, it makes Eddie's stomach flip thinking about how that bravery was part of the reason he's even here. or, 5 times Eddie sees Steve's scars and 1 time Steve gets to see Eddie's.

[robynrocksforbrains]

Mike Wheeler's dragon poster and how I think it foreshadows his jealousy

I finally found the high quality photo of this poster and I just have a few thoughts on it.

I'm probably not the first to interpret it like this, and honestly I may have seen this somewhere and just forgot.

We see this poster one time in s4, right when we first see Mike. Right after he reads El's letter. The letter that says:

"Will has been painting a lot. But he won't show me what he's working on. Maybe it is for a girl! I think there is someone he likes. Because he has been acting... Weird"

I think we can all agree that Mike is jealous of this "girl". It's why the first thing he asks about is the painting. It's why he tries to act like he doesn't care about it. It's why he pays SO MUCH attention to Will's every move that first day in California. He thinks Will likes a girl and he's jealous of that girl.

Anyway, that's not new information. And what I'm about to say is probably also not new information. But this poster is a hint that Mike is jealous because of this painting, and it's foreshadowing his behavior in episode two.

Let's begin

I don't think it's farfetched to say that this WIZARD could represent Will. They both have stars on their robes trust me. On the poster, the wizard is creating/summoning this dragon. I'd like to point out that the painting Mike learned about right before we see this poster - the painting that he's jealous about - is a painting of the party fighting a DRAGON. A dragon Will created. Just like the wizard on the poster.

The dragon itself makes me think of the dragon in Will's painting, as I previously stated. But the other thing it makes me think of: The green-eyed monster of jealousy. Or in this case, just the green monster of jealousy. Close enough though. Mike is jealous because of Will. Because of Will "liking" this non-existent girl. Because Will allegedly painted for this non-existent girl. So, right after Mike reads El's letter, we basically get a flashing neon sign that says "HE'S EXTREMELY JEALOUS" right next to his gay "One Way" sign pointing to his CLOSET. I DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN THIS SHIT. YOU GUYS KNOW.

Not only does it tell us he's jealous, but it also foreshadows his behavior in episode two. Mike is a complete asshole to Will in episode two. That's just a fact. Jealousy makes people do stupid things, it makes people mean. That's why it's called the green(eyed) MONSTER of jealousy. When you are jealous, it hurts you and everyone around you. In the poster the dragon is snarling. It's mad. And it's looking at the wizard!! LIKE IT'S MAD!! DO Y'ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING!!

(Also yellow and blue make green. There is lots of yellow and blue on this poster)

That's all I have to say. Idk maybe I'm cornplating, maybe I'm crazy, maybe this has been said before. But ever since I first saw an analysis of Mike's bedroom, this is the first thing I thought. It makes sense to me, and that's all that matters because we can all interpret media differently 👍

[starstruckwillows]

vitamins — will byers ♡

requested by 🐍<3

nancy wheeler x fem!reader, platonic!will byers, talk of homophobia, this is more will centric

you as will’s queer mentor

you’d lived next door to the byers family for a long time. before will disappeared, and your whole life became affected by the dead remains of the upside down.

despite being closer in age to johnathan, the youngest boy was the one you’d bonded with the most. you’d spent many nights watching films with him while his family were all working. when he was rescued, you were one of the only people he still knew how to talk to.

and maybe, he’d go on to admit to you later, he felt comfortable with you because of the rumours.

the girlfriend, gay, queer, rumours that flocked around an unbothered you. will just hoped they were true as he sat on your bed, waiting for joyce or johnathan to pick him up. he decided it was time to tell someone, and at least you couldn’t disown him.

while he flicked through a comic, you grew bored of your chemistry homework. you concluded you’d ask nancy for help later.

“talk to me, will,” you sighed dramatically, “my brain’s gone numb.”

he laughed half-heartedly, “yeah. so... i’m in love with mike.”

you choked on the water you’d only just reached for, banging your chest as tears spilt down your cheeks. will stood up in concern but you waved him off, “no, i’m fine. that was sudden.”

he shrugged, not meeting your eye and sheepishly apologizing, “well, i didn’t mean to kill you.”

“just, say that again for me.”

“i’m in love with mike.”

you leaned against the back of your chair, “huh. you want to know what i honestly think about that, will?”

he felt his stomach drop. here came the bad news, “yeah?”

“you could do better.”

“than boys?”

“what? no, than mike.”

will folded his arms, “why’d you say that?”

“no reason. are you alright?”

he only realised then that he was trembling rather violently. he shook his head and sat back down, pressing an elbow to his bouncing knee as he answered you, “i’m good. yeah. i just... you seem better with this than i am.”

you nodded sympathetically, “well, i’ve had more practice. i’m also, y’know, gay.”

it was will’s turn to choke now. metaphorically, because he wasn’t drinking anything, and he had also suspected. the way you said it so bravely... it instilled confidence in him.

“you and nancy, right? i knew it.”

you smiled, “it’s not really a secret. we’re just private. and slightly wary, considering the world we live in.”

will scoffed, “is steve, like, collecting lesbians? that’s three now.”

you laughed, “maybe he has a radar for them.”

“like... a gaydar?”

“something like that. anyway, i promise, everyone in our circle will be alright.”

he took that on board, but he didn’t tell anyone else for a while. that was okay. of course.

you made a conscious effort to give your relationship with nancy more clarity within your group. an arm at her shoulder every known and then, honey and babe worked into your sentences, wearing her jacket, and, most importantly to will, referring to her as your girlfriend. that was something you had, were allowed to have.

all within your group of course, this was indiana in the eighties.

“does it scare you?” will whispered one day, as another news headline of lgbt riots appeared.

“sometimes.” you whispered back, with an arm around him. sometimes it seemed you needed will as much as he needed you.

the young boy looked defeated, “i feel ostracized as it is. what’s worse than zombie boy? gay zombie boy.”

“i get it, man. i mean, i don’t, because i wasn’t kidnapped by a sentient alternate reality,” he laughed at that, thankfully, “but i’m here for you. you aren’t alone.”

he asked you what he should do, then. you joked, “drink milk and take your vitamins? i don’t know.”

will sighed, “i have a boyfriend, now. would you want to meet him.”

“of course i would.”

🏷️ — @lil-quinnie @echoloidsblog @sw34terw34ther @river13254

[most-canon-non-canon-ship-poll]

they're toxic + mike is gay and in denial

Why Mileven is shit - a submission-based essay, part 1/3

Mileven - a currently canon het ship from the Stranger Things fandom between Michael (Mike) Wheeler and Jane (Eleven) Ives/Hopper/Byers/IDK

12 years old girl raised in a lab is thrown in a relationship with the first boy she ever meets. They constantly fight, lie to each other and develop a unhealthy co-dependent bond. The boy has a close ambiguous relationship with his male best friend which leads a good part of the fandom thinking that he is actually gay. People who stan this ship constantly throw homophobic slurs to this male best friend and some even argue that they hope he dies of AIDS next season

Where do I even begin. I do not care what anyone says the chemistry is not there. Another cog in the Should Have Never Been Written As A Couple machine. What made them cute in earlier seasons was their platonic dynamic and Mike's kindhearted nature to help her. It is hilarious this is apparently their "flagship" and "main" couple when they have the least amount of chemistry and the poorest written out of the others. They are not their best selves together, not only hurting themselves, but the people around them. Mostly Will, which is clear as day in Season 4. At the end of Season 4 I am so to the nth tired of the same shit different shovel with them. I am probably too gay to see The Vision fans of them see, but I do have eyes and it looks to me like they've been slowly crumbling. There is no foundation for their relationship they were barley friends a week before Mike kissed her and then she vanished for a year. They maybe had a little bit of interaction between closing the Gate and Snow Ball. Kissed again. Then spent all summer making out and ditching their friends until El comically broke up with him. Their relationship is exhausting to watch. The drama eats up too much screen time. I am tired of watching them hurting themselves staying together. There is no meaningful conversations since maybe Season 2. In Season 4 what could have been one ended poorly and the other interrupted comically. They've dragged out the Mike saying "I love you" story line, seemingly concluding it while El was being strangled in a Mind Scape trying to save Max who was also in said Mind Scape being slowly to tortured to death. Said confession prompted by using Will's own veiled confession disguised as El's an episode earlier. Plus Will using his own words to encourage Mike to help her. He did to help her, but that was painful to watch there was so much going on! Then they expect me to believe they're better than ever afterwards when there is nothing to indicate that? I need them to break up please free them. Free me. I am over it bro.

My propaganda is *drum roll*. Season 4. That's it. I am putting faith in the other haters to submit something coherent. I do not have the energy unfortunately. It is shit now, but would be even more shit if they finish the show endgame. I do not care about them. I want focus on the supernatural plot!! I want focus on characters and conversations that don't revolve around or circle to their relationship! I don't want to see another character to become a mouth peice for Opening Their Eyes and What Really Matters and they'll "Work out." I am exhausted of third parties putting more effort into Mileven than Mike and El themselves. I want them to be their own people because they come off miserable together. They both vocalize their pain and no one that ships them cares! I have never in my years of watching shows have seen such a terrible,boring and annoying couple championed as much as Mileven. Every other canon couple in the show is miles better, yet are over shadowed. They are holding together by Elmer's glue and popsicle sticks. Them being boyfriend and girlfriend means nothing to me when the chemistry is not there. Final propaganda- Most of the more vocal fans are homophobic and go out of their way to harass others.

Two incredibly written characters that have so much potential outside of a relationship. seriously their relationship is absolutely erasing all and any personality that the show gave them separately. That and they're just incredibly toxic, el literally met mike almost first thing after living in a lab her entire life, she has no reason to start a romantic relationship, especially at that age. mike is also super insecure, and using el's love towards him to ease said insecurities. incredibly unhealthy on both sides how this became the main ship of the show absolutely BAFFLES the fuck out of me

[kiirotoao]

Hey!! It's the byler music fairy!! What are the songs you most associate with byler, Will, and/or Mike, and why??💙💛🎶🎵🧚‍♀️

Well, hello there, Byler Music Fairy!!! What a lovely surprise to see you this fine day.

OOoo and with a good question, too. I have an entire playlist of songs that remind me of Byler, so allow me to look through it and arrange this accordingly. But also, oh, boy, why? I think for explanations I’m going to pick a top three for each: Mike, Will, and then them together. Because otherwise this post would be an entire essay 😂.

Mike

Glimpse of Us - Joji

The second I heard this song, I was like: Oh. My. God. This is Mike Wheeler. Take one look at the lyrics and the battle between remembering a past lover while having someone else in your arms and it all screams Mike’s love towards Will and El. The emotion and the way that Joji sings with pain and regret coupled with the gentle piano really makes this song powerful and sweetly holds the internalized emotions that I perceive in Mike.

Watch Me Bleed - Tears For Fears

I feel like Mike goes along with Tears For Fears so much, and a good fit I feel for him is Watch Me Bleed, a song written with frustration, acceptance, wrapped in a tender cry for help. I feel like this song really reflects Mike’s role in his family as well as his view of himself and putting himself down in season 4. Basically, this song really carries the angst of his story for me.

LOST BOY - Troye Sivan

I can’t have a song list without Troye Sivan, and oh my gosh, this one is killer. Lost Boy sings a tale for s3 Mike the most, but it also carries over to his relationships all throughout the show, in my eyes. This song is about not being sure to commit to someone, to wanting freedom, to wanting someone to be free with him, to also not wanting to quite grow up. And as much as that idea of growing up is often tied to Will, I really feel like this song leans more to Mike’s side of the story, of loving so openly and maybe even too quickly that it leaves him in this state of uncertainty.

Will

tolerate it - Taylor Swift

THIS. SONG. HOLY. SHIT. This song was made for Will Byers. With a somber and soulful piano line, Taylor weaves a lament of her lover not noticing her works of art, her simple care, her presence. It’s invisible love as a song, and it’s every longing stare that Will gives Mike without him giving anything back. This is a reflection of Will’s heart when it cries - there’s even a lyrics about “use my best colors for your portrait” - and I just need to stop here before I go insane.

I’m Still Standing - Elton John

I call this cheating because I tried to keep away from using songs directly on Mike and Will’s Spotify playlists, but this one is way too perfect for me to leave out. I’m Still Standing highlights Will’s journey, his perseverance, and I love the chorus’ line: “looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid.” That succinctly captures Will’s story of going through hell and still coming through with his whole heart, enough to still feel wholly his age. It’s an upbeat kind of pick-me-up song, and it makes me really happy when I think about it in terms of how strong Will is.

FOOLS - Troye Sivan

And of course, another Troye song for Will. And this one is for Will as regards his queerness. This song is special to me for that. Fools is a heartbreaking dream that Troye knows will never come true, a forbidden romance, and he calls himself a fool for falling for the boy he loves. I also like to think of it as an ode to Will’s painting and the van confession. This is tolerate it but openly gay, and it’s so, so painful in a lovely way.

Byler

I Found - Amber Run

This song is another somber one, and like Fools, it’s about forbidden love. This time it’s much more general but also pointedly about a love that “wasn’t supposed to be,” of someone “right in front of” the singer. I love this song and Byler because it’s all about their struggle as best friends in a homophobic town, not sure what to do with their relationship. The many pushes and pulls and yet the gravity in Amber’s voice really brings out the almost inevitable nature of the pull and how it hurts with how strong it is. Powerful stuff.

Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx

When making this list, I was like, okay, I have to choose a love song. But which one? So many go with Byler! And then I came across this one that I found on the radio, and I immediately came back to this post to put it down. Right Here Waiting is a sweet ballad of long distance love, of looking back at all the good things grown between the lovers, of literally “going crazy” without the lover. So, I mean, come on. Crazy together, it’s all there. This is a love realization song for them that makes me think of them very fondly, like they were right there for each other and finally came to understand it.

The King - Sarah Kinsley

OH my god. I promised that I wouldn’t make this an essay, and I’m trying hard not to, but guys. Please. Of all songs here, please, if you go and listen to one song on this list, make it this one. The King is probably one of my favorite songs of all time, and I found it thanks to a mutual on TikTok (who’s currently a private account, so sorry, but I can’t link) who made a Byler edit with it, and my brain merely exploded. This song never even names, “love,” but it’s so intrinsically heartfelt and laced with emotion and want and beauty and I cannot express to you how gorgeous it is!! To me, this song captures all of Byler’s hopes and ambitions and forces of love. It’s such a thrilling song, and it makes me feel like I’m flying. It’s a spectacularly euphoric rendition of what their love is and can be in its full and realized greatness, and I think that that’s the most exciting part about this song. It feels like what Byler can be, like the peak moments of their flirting put to music and all the dreams in their eyes that flash back and forward in that single second.

And not only that! The lyrics are also scattered full of Byler things: of time, of phone calls, of the rain, of a castle built and falling, of wholly falling apart and getting back together, of future dreams, of being the “king of your heart,” just like that painted crown above the heart. This song simply is romantic Byler to me.

And that’s all I’ll say as this has gotten long enough. But thank you for coming to my TED talk if you made it here, and THANK YOU dear anon! This was a very fun write 🫶

[boldlyvoid]

I love thinking about everyone coming back to Hawkins eventually

Steve is the Middle School guidance councillor (Mr. Clarke is now the principal) Robin is the High School guidance counsellor and runs the school's gay/straight alliance. The two of them went to the same college, they just can’t stop looking out for other kids going through rough times.

Will is not only a fantastic artist but a wonderful storyteller. he gets a degree in English literature and he does a few art classes to be the best he can be and he turns his stories into graphic novels that he illustrates himself. The Stranger Things series is published through scholastic and in libraries all over the country, he gets fan mail from other weird kids who found solace in the stories, he does book signings and he takes photos with groups of friends that formed over the love of HIS book and it makes everything worth it. with the success of the book he can move anywhere he wants to, but he just buys a nice big house in Hawkins with enough space for anyone in the party to stay when they visit. and Joyce lives with him too, she takes care of the house when he's out on book tours and talk shows and she's so, so proud of him.

El was able to get into an adult education program and catch up to a grade 12 education by the time she’s 23. After that she goes to college, she gets a degree in early childhood education and she works in the elementary school as an EA for special needs children. Now she runs the special needs program at both Hawkins middle and high and her office is right beside Steve’s.

Dustin originally goes to school for engineering but gets sidetracked when he meets some people in the radio and communications courses. He ends up switching over and getting his degree in television broadcasting. Now he's Dustin Henderson head news correspondent for HAWK Channel 7 News, he does the 6 and 11 o'clock news, and his voice fills the homes of Hawkins residents for many years

Erika goes to college and gets a degree in political science and comes back to run for mayor of Hawkins and she wins. she’s the mayor for a long time until she decides to run for governor. And then president.

Jonathan is so burnt out from everything and the trauma of it all that he doesn't do anything big for a while. He works odd jobs, he gets hired for some prom photos and then some engagement photos and then the same couple comes to him a year later for their baby's newborn photos and that's where his career starts. He makes business cards, he gets a business loan and rents out a building downtown and he opens a photography studio. He's Erika's campaign photographer, Steve and Robin get him a contract with the school for grad photos, and he loves it.

Argyle befriends Keith whose parents own both the arcade and family video and he convinces them to open up a Surfer Boy Pizza branch in Hawkins to go with their games and movies... and now He's the manager of said Surfer Boy Pizza and living his best life.

Max is a doctor at the hospital. When she was in recovery, she got bored just sitting in her room in her wheelchair so she asked to help out. They let her do rounds and learn what a nurse did every day which helped her get up and start walking again… and she ended up loving every second of it. She went back to high school after that and took every science course she could, she went to college on a scholarship and she came back to Hawkins Memorial hospital as soon as she could. Now she's head of trauma surgery in the ER.

Nancy comes back to Hawkins in the 2000s after years of being a big city cop in Indianapolis for many years, ready to take over as the Hawkins Chief of Police when Hopper retires.

Much like Nancy, Mike also works with the Hawkins police. He is a social worker who relocates children during an emergency. If a couple passes away in a car accident, a domestic dispute, or anything, Mr. Wheeler is called in to talk to the kids, make sure they're okay and drive them to their Foster parent or next of kin. It's a very hard job to do but he has experience with finding kids on the worst night of their life and making sure they're taken care of.

Lucas doesn't know what he wants to do for a while. he takes a basketball scholarship to a really good college somewhere far away and he thinks he'll find himself there... and he's right. he gets hurt in his 3rd game and benched until he's better, causing him to spend a decent amount of time with the team's physical therapist. he remembers when max was in recovery and how he liked to help her and so he switches his major to Kinesiology and he becomes an occupational therapist for people with chronic illnesses and severe disabilities. he moves back to Hawkins when Erika gets elected, the town a lot different and there's a large number of veterans in the area too since the war, she convinces him to move back and open a care facility, cause no one understands Vets better than someone who's been on the front lines himself.

Eddie tours around as a guitarist for some solo artists for a few years and then comes back to Hawkins to set up a music store where he does guitar lessons for kids after school.