#lucas and el are friends tho

[novaninja]

“Max gets bitches” I say into the mic. The crowd boos.

I hear voices from the back. “No, she’s right.” It’s Lucas and El with matching shirts.

[diabetesnscoliosis]

stranger things spoilers in the tags

[carigm]

MORE INSANE THINGS ABOUT THE VR GAME

Vecna tries to get into all of the boys’ minds but he’s unsuccessful except with Will.

He tries to taunt Mike by saying to him that it’s his fault that El is gone but this gets blocked out by Mike’s happy place/memory and it’s of him playing D&D. There’s a rainbow dice basically wiping Vecna away in that sequence lmao…and you also hear Will’s voice. (Some people have already posted about it in the tag so I won’t add pics).

The part about the happy place/memory thing is super interesting because the writers decided to make Lucas’ happy place a memory of him and Max at the movies, even tho atp in the story they have not met. It’s set pre S2….which makes you wonder why they couldn’t make Mike’s happiest memory be one with El…

Another insane sequence is the moment where Will breaks out of Vecna’s vision…Will got a nosebleed in the real world and Mike is wiping the blood off his nose, and Will focuses on this to get out of Vecna’s hold and walk into that moment, just like Max did in S4. There’s a few interesting moments of dialogue from that sequence because as this is happening Vecna keeps taunting Will in the background. Lemme share some interesting screenshots.

The first is this quote from Vecna saying that through Will he will get into his friends’ minds…with Mike being heavily focused on….

This one is just crazy…Vecna saying “you’ll finally matter to someone, Will” and Mike’s all up on the screen lol

And this one is the most insane one imo. It’s the end of the sequence with Will coming back to himself, and Vecna is bothered that his friends (cough Mike) brought him back. At the same time he says “you are alone” Mike is asking him if he’s okay, basically proving Vecna wrong.

And that’s what he’s always been for Will, he’s always pulling him out of all his episodes, has always been his light.

I really don’t think Vecna is anticipating queer love to save the day but….lol

One last thing I want to mention if that even tho the game takes place pre S2, the characters are wearing clothes from all seasons, Lucas is able to see Max in a memory before he’s even met her, and Mike literally says to Will at one point “you look like a time traveller”

So I think time fuckery is basically a given in S5, be it inter dimensional time travel or whatever people wanna call it lol.

As for the canonicity of the game, they consulted Paul Dichter, who was a co-writer on a few episodes, including Will the Wise and Dear Billy. Make of that what you will.

[lordystrange]

Believing that you’re doing the right thing, when in fact you’re doing the wrong thing - a recurring theme in Stranger Things s4

First example that may come to your mind is Jason or Vecna/Henry/001. Jason believed he was doing the right thing by trying to catch Eddie, ”the murderer”, but due to the lack of information, that was a wrong thing to do. Vecna/Henry/001 believed he was doing the right thing when trying to create a different world, but the things he did while trying to do that were horribly wrong.

But that’s not it. Doing something you think is right, but is actually wrong, is something that everyone does in this season. I haven’t listed all examples but here’s a few:

The army

The army believes they are doing the right thing by catching Eleven, who they believe is behind the killings. But that’s a wrong thing to do, because El is actually the one cabable to help.

The parents and Erica

The parents think they are doing the right thing by trying to keep the kids inside even tho the kids need to be helping the older teens. And Erica thinks she’s doing the right thing by calling their ”bullshit” in front of the parents and police.

Jonathan

Jonathan thinks it’s the right thing to do to not go to college and stay with his family. But it’s just harming him and his relationship with Nancy.

Young Eleven

Young Eleven believes it’s the right thing to do to try and help Peter/001 escape too. But the consequences were horrible.

Max

Max thought it was a right thing to do to become a bait. And also to try and attack Vecna even tho she should have stayed hidden and let El handle the situation.

Lucas

Lucas that it was the right thing to do to try and become popular. But he would have been better off with his real friends.

The Hawkins crew and Russia crew

They thought it was a good idea to try and harm Vecna with fire and swords and shots, when actually that robbed Eleven a chance to finish him off for good. (Ofc we don’t know for sure she could have but no she didn’t even get the chance because the Vecna world just collapsed around her)

Will

Will thought it was the right thing to do to lie about the painting and his feelings when in fact… oh well…

So basically all characters have done this. Except for Mike.

Oh wait…

Mike

[tineteenieworld3]

My take, my take: I DON’T think Will, especially at this point in their relationship/friendship, would appreciate any outside input when it comes to Mike.

Let me explain. I see a lot of posts (and this is just my opinion it’s not a slap to anyone of course, I think it’s a mean thing to do in general but whatever) about Will gossiping or talking shit about Mike with El or with El and Max and I personally just don’t like that. If you do, absolutely nothing wrong with that, I respect that 100%

I mean, in my opinion, Mike deserves better than that. But #2, the relationship Will has with Mike is so vastly different than the one El has. When El gossips with Max about Mike, it displays immaturity to us. A good way of showing the middle school ish parts of it.

Anyway, I always babble, back to the point. I couldn’t ever see Will doing that. The thing I love about Mike and Will is that they are kind of private when it comes to the two of them, and they have this immense respect and love for one another.

In my opinion, Will would never ever open his mouth to gossip in any negative way, or maybe even at all, about Mike. Especially with El, the amount of disrespect in that is insane (again I know they aren’t real and it’s just for fun so absolutely zero hate whatsoever)

At most maybe he’d tease Mike with Lucas and Dustin, but that would probably be when Mike is there and involved, not behind his back.

Idk, I just think we’re shown such maturely, love, and respect when it comes to byler. These two boys are so selfless when it comes to one another, they’re best friends and actually just love eachother so much. Will wouldn’t, in my opinion, go around gossiping about him.

Will is gonna stand up for Mike in a way very few others would. He’s not, again my opinion, gonna go to Mike’s ex girlfriend and talk about him behind his back.

Mike and Will are so good because they don’t take outside influence or input, their relationship is only their own, and that’s what makes them so fantastic.

Anyway that’s just my confusing take cause I’m all over the place, but yeah. Will would ‘keep my wife’s name out your fucking mouth (in a politer way)’ to anyone. Maybe not season 3 Will tho, and to be fair that was Mike’s villain era.

[mikhardwheat]

Mike Wheeler: In Denial. Starring Max Mayfield.

Mike: you can be straight and kiss your friends. Max: true Max: not with tongue, tho Mike: what's wrong with tongue? Max: nothing, if you're dating Mike: we're not Max: I gathered that much Mike: I'm not gay Max: if you say so. Mike: why are we even talking about this? Max: because you need help Mike: why Max: you're in denial Mike: I'm not Max: do you like Will? Mike: of course I do Mike: he's my best friend Max: why do you kiss him then Mike: I've said it already, friends can ki- Max: kiss me then Mike: what Mike: ew, no Mike: why would you even ask me that Mike: are you out of your mind? Max: what about Dustin? Mike: what about him Max: would you kiss him? Mike: why should I? Max: El? Mike: what's wrong with you?? Mike: she's your girlfriend Max: Lucas? Mike: he's your boyfriend Max: that girl we saw at the arcades? Mike: what girl Max: guy from supermarket? Mike: you're talking the one with long hair? Mike: or the one buying sesame bread Mike: or the tall cashier Max: none of the above Max: you're proving my point. Mike: what point Max: doesn't matter Max: what about kissing wonderwoman? Mike: she doesn't exist Max: superman Mike: is this even a question? Mike: of course I will Mike: who wouldn't? Max: you see what I'm talking about? Mike: should I? Max: you're gay, Mike Mike: no, I'm not. Max: it's okay, you know? Max: Will is gay, and look at him Max: he's doing just fine Mike: Mike: Will is gay?? Max: for the fuck's sake, Mike.

[swanqueenelmaxshadowhunters]

elmax/ronance au where Max works at the summer camp and El goes there with her friends (it's her first time there, but the boys go every year and Max and Mike don't get along like in the show and it just intensifies when Max meets Mike's girlfriend, not that she will do anything about it tho)

Robin, Steve and Eddie have also worked there for some time and know the boys well.

Nancy volunteers every year to help the monitors because she knows they are becoming fewer and fewer people (she swears it has nothing to do with Robin, but we know that's a lie)

Max can't stand watching Nancy and Robin dance around each other any longer and decides to give them a little push. Dustin, Lucas and El decide to help and this brings Max and El closer than they could have imagined, making El realize that there is more to life than stupid boys.

I would write, but I honestly don't have the time or energy for that right now, so if anyone wants to use this plot, feel free.

I would love to read this as long as elmax remains the main couple, followed by ronance because god knows we don't have enough fanfics with elmax as the main couple

[campbyler]

if i may ask, i am v curious when the party got their cars/how long theyve had them

ella i hope you don't hate me from harboring this ask since the end of august bc i really did mean to answer it sooner. i love u mwah.

mike: some of the lore surrounding the mustang has now been revealed through chapter 9.1, but to reiterate for the purpose of this ask: mike really wanted to get a car with manual transmission, and wanted something used so it could be a purchase he made himself. he did a lot of research online and in person before finding the mustang, which he did think was a little gaudy, but to me he's also a pretty big car buff and likes a lot of classic models -- no matter anyone's feelings on mustangs as a whole, it is a very iconic car with a lot of history, so mike definitely appreciates that a lot. he had nancy co-sign but he paid for everything himself! as of acswy, he's had it for just over a year!

will: will's car is also used, and also something he (mostly) paid for by himself! originally he was going to inherit jonathan's car but like in the show, it died. rip. but hopper Knows A Guy who works on and then sells a lot of used cars and that's who they ended up buying will's car from. he got it when he turned 17 for around ~$2500 since hop's friend cut them a deal, and he paid for Most of that himself (using money he's saved up from camp and the part-time job he had during the school year when he was in hs) and hop and joyce covered the rest. that said, will does pay them back on a monthly basis and pays for his own gas and insurance, so to him they didn't help at all (even tho they helped more than mike's parents did lol). by the start of acswy, he's paid his parents back in full and now just worries about the insurance payments.

lucas: lucas's parents and smart and invest and told their beautiful talented son that if he worked hard and got good grades they would buy him a car for graduation. so he did. and then also got a full ride scholarship to uconn to play basketball and his parents said oh ok slay boy. thanks so much. so since they are saving on a LOOOT of tuition and room and board fees they said we will get you a nice car. and lucas said bet, hellcat? and his mom said ABSOLUTELY NOT and his dad said ABSOLUTELY. mike was fuming btw. if you care.

max: tbh we haven't so super fleshed out a lot of max's family lore so i'd have to consult w suni re: current arrangements BUT 2 me max shares her car w her mom. i think her mom works from home and when she needs to go somewhere uses max's step dad's car just so that max can have some extra freedom. it's also my headcanon that max is the oldest in the friend group so she got her license first and was will and el's designated chauffeur for a while <3

el: el Just got her car and license before the start of acswy! i think she's the youngest in the party and she had will and max to drive her places so there was truly no need to get her license or car until now, plus i think she had some driving anxiety. she also got her car thru hop's friend but it was a little more expensive than will's since it's a bit newer and a nicer model, but she's had more time to save up for it! she mostly got one because she wanted to be able to have something to drive back at school, and also because she's more willing to admit than will is that the cobalt is not going to last super long, so one of them needs to have a car lol.

dustin: dustin got his car from his mom when she upgraded to a new one and while most people would complain dustin said FUCK YEAH because he loves his mom's car and also didn't have to spend a single dime on it lol. i think he got it when he was 17 as well so he also drove lucas and mike around for a bit before they got their cars as part of the indy crew!

AND THAT IS IT. THAT IS ALL. I HOPE THIS WAS WORTH IT AT ALL

[deansluvbot]

my stranger things ships ratings

mike/el: 1/10 they seem kind of toxic also they got together when el literally had no concept of what love was. she could barely speak.

will/mike: 6/10 eh, it’s alright. will obviously has a crush on mike but i feel like mike just doesn’t like will like that. they are growing apart to much as well

lucas/max: 9/10 love them!! they are so cute, soulmates. they lost a point because they keep breaking up and getting back together

el/max: 9/10 love them!! el is so much herself when she’s with max and they are both so happy when they are together.

el/max/lucas: 10/10 love this!! both elmax and lumax won! max can date them both no problem

max/mike: 1/10 nah, they are all platonic. frenemies. i don’t see them as a couple as all

el/lucas: 5/10 it’s cute! love them. not much to say about this

lucas/will: 10/10 LOVE THEM!! comfort ship. they are so cute!! i don’t care if i get hate for this

lucas/dustin: 10/10 I LOVE THEM!! another comfort ship. they are adorable

mike/lucas: 5/10 personally i don’t ship them but they would be cute. i have no problem with people shipping this

will/dustin: 3/10 they are platonic besties. they would be cute i guess. i don’t ship but i can see how people do.

dustin/suzie: 7/10 they are cute. loved the never ending story scene. did wish they had more scenes tho

max/dustin: 5/10 they are okay. dustin’s little crush in season 2 was cute but i see them as chaotic besties. i can see how people ship this tho

el/will: -10/10 they are siblings!! if you ship this don’t talk to me.

dustin/mike: 0/10 i didn’t even know people shipped this. definitely not. they are friends only

max/will: 0/10 definitely not. they are platonic only!!

steve/eddie: 10/10 LOVE THEM!! OBSESSED!! comfort ship for sure. wish they had more screen time!! the whole opposite dynamics, the jock and the freak, all the flirting and looks, love it!!

robin/nancy: 10/10 LOVE THEM!! again opposite dynamics! perfect!

robin/steve: -10/10 robin is a lesbian, that’s just erasing her sexuality. block me if you ship this. THEY ARE PLATONIC BESTIES

steve/billy: -10/10 same with this, block me if you ship this! billy is a literal racist and abusive.

eddie/billy: -10/10 no! same with this, block me if you ship this!! or any billy ship tbh

jonathan/nancy: 5/10 they are cute. shipped them a lot in season 1-3 but they are no as compatible anymore. they have different paths in life. still cute tho

jonathan/argyle: 9/10 absolutely love them. they are chaotic boyfriends.

steve/nancy: 1/10 no just no. kind of shipped them is season 1 but they are friends and friends only

jonathan/steve: 8/10 it’s cute. jonathan was definitely steve’s bi awaking. the opposite dynamics of jock and freak again. adorable

eddie/chrissy: no just no. they are lesbian and gay solitary

robin/eddie: -10/10 again. ROBIN IS A LITERAL LESBIAN. block me if you ship this. they are lesbian and gay solitary

joyce/hopper: 10/10 love them. my parents. need i say more.

(let me know if i forgot any!!)

[insertsareallycoolname]

Byler Modern + Reincarnation Au (original concept)

(This better get noticed this time or else I'll cry 😭) (Also I don't ship Finn and Noah, just used them as a reference for how Mike and Will are gonna look)

- Pics from left side belongs to Mike and right side belongs to Will

- Will's hair are little more longer in length

- Will personality here is mixed of Max and his past self

- While Mike's personality is mixed of Lucas, Dustin and his past self

⚠️TW : Mention of De@th and su¡c¡de⚠️

This is mostly gonna be like a summary because I have so many things to add in this 🗿

-> Well before starting I wanna say that I'm really inspired by Obamitsu story (in kny) for this Au. The only difference is that they didn't die in eachother hands just like these two :(

Look how cute they are 😭🖐️💖

Anyways -

-> So this obviously takes place after season 5, they defeated Vecna but in the process Will dies but Mike survives (Damn the reddie card). Ofcourse it was devastating for Mike to see Will dying, but he continues to live because Will tells him too [Will says to Mike to care of himself and El (yes El survived) and tells him that he should marry her in future (Will says that because he didn't wanted them to fight like this forever and wanted them to live a happy life together)] and he also confesses to him but before Mike could even say anything, Will dies in his arms with a little smile on his face. Mike was also gonna confess to him but poor dude didn't got his chance (I hope this isn't sounding cringe, but I can already imagine a scene like this in my head). Fast forward Mike and El gets married as for Will (I don't ship them but for sake of this au let's keep it like that). Both of them weren't in love with each other now, they lost their interest in each other a long time ago but still were taking care of each other as they used too and still cared for each other, El knew that Mike liked Will (He [Mike] told her). Later on El dies because of the injuries that she got during the war (Even tho it's been so many years since that war, but people who got injured because of Vecna still faced some consequence). After the death of El, Mike stopped talking to people and became very quiet, he ignored his friends and family. He continued to visit Byers house to meet Joyce and Hopper but other than that he didn't spoke a word to anyone. Later some years his mental health got worse (consequence of war with Vecna) and he k¡lled himself (su¡c¡de)

-> Fast forwarding to now time, Mike, Will and El (and some of their other friends ) gets reincarnated in today's morden world. Although rest of them don't remember their past life (obviously), but Mike kinda does.

Mike sometmes get dream of his past life, the time he spent with his friends and the time he spent with Will. Although he doesn't fully remember everything, he just feels Deja Vu around them.

Well thats it for now, I will post more about this Au in future :)

(Let me know ur thoughts about this)

Peace ✌️🦅

[timetobeaghost]

Breaking my silence

I guess fandom doesn't take leaker maire3xx on X too seriously. But I do, I buy it - like 72% buy it, who would want to be sure. People brought the counter argument that they said Lucas would die in S4, but they claim they just hinted hints about shit getting real in the Creel house, that was taken as Lucas dying. Which from the way they talk I can believe? Are there better counter arguments?

Here a summery go what they said for S5:

Byler endgame, it happens in E5

Before that there is a scene that WILL make us cry best described by the saddest Adele lyrics ever "Please, stay where you are, don't come any closer, don't try to change my mind, I'm being cruel to be kind. (O MY GAWD) I can not love you in the dark, it seems like we're oceans apart" And it's Mike -> Will, so get ready

Emotionality of the Byler arc is 10 out of 10

Emotionality of the Elmike arc, which they described as 💔 is 8/10, Scene on the rooftop is "very emotional!

Will gets so possessed, like they won't shut up about it. completely super constantly possessed. No powers but when possessed. Dangerous and veiny when possessed, which he so is. Like fr.

Vecna gets involved in the love triangle in that he wants to break it up. To isolate them.

Will in the bts pic is a spoiler because plot and time jump, we'll get it when we watch the show.

The Sinclairs move away and Lucas is not in Hawkins High to be bullied alongside Dustin and Mike. The Sinclair siblings insert themselves into the plot somehow using Erica's friend Tina. Lucas is then hyper focused on Max. Caleb has not filmed yet (or when they said this not so long ago)

Max is playing a large part in not the real world. Which might be for the best... Sadie has filmed one scene.

Eddie is back. Just is.

No conflict between Mike and either Dustin or Lucas, they're tight. And also have scenes with the 3 of them.

Stonathan BFF, Rockie is happening, duh. Lots of new interaction, half the cast at the barn and also radio station. (not Lucas tho) Everyone is closer to everyone.

El gets a happy ending.

Jonathan dies. No, he doesn't! Or does he? (I'm telling you they are sometimes playing, but dear god I hope Jonatan doesn't die.

Mike is in danger, his plot in 4 emojis: 🔻⚠️❤️🗡️

Wills arc in 4 emojis (he possessed) 👦🏻 👁️*hand I can't find*❤️ ( hand might say stop or be laid on someone's chest?)

Idk I can work with all that. Unless Jonathan dies, then I hate this show!

[nadia-zahra]

Deep Dive on Mike and his Gay Feelings

So a lot of people speculate when exactly Mike realizes he has romantic feelings for Will, and I’m jumping onto the snowball train. Lemme explain:

For the show’s pitch on the characters, Mike was insecure ab not having a girlfriend. From the start, the duffers wanted his character to struggle with not being heteronormative. All of the characters are type casted as being different in their own ways. But this let’s us know that Mike thinks having a gf is what’s going to make him normal. Lucas and Dustin didn’t have anything ab girlfriends in their description, so why Mike? Well, it implies that the duffers have always had the intentions of making him queer (ima gay mike truther personally), but I don’t think this means since s1 he knows he likes Will.

Season 1 shows us Mike and Will have a deeper connection compared to the rest of the party. Mike keeps a binder of his drawings, puts himself and the rest of the party in danger in order to find Will, trusts El solely because she says she can help find him, and was going to kill himself at the quarry because he had lost all hope in finding Will. I don’t think Mike starts developing romantic feelings for him in this season because tbf he’s 12 and it is really traumatic to have your bff of 5 year’s old disappear. But I will say that this behavior does show just how deeply he cares for Will and that his feelings definitely have some romantic undertones (again gonna mention the binder of Will’s pictures and drawings all over basement).

His relationship with El s1 also highlights how mike is queer. El is the only girl he’s ever became friends with that understands what it’s like to be an outsider. He’s in the mindset of normal=girlfriend, and since El is the only girl in his life he thinks they’re supposed to date. Even tho they are depicted as a blossoming romance, both Mike and El’s behavior isn’t romantic in the slightest. It more so reads as mike thinking him and El need to date because he’s a boy and she’s a girl, and El just going along with it because she doesn’t know better. The clearest piece of evidence that mike doesn’t have romantic feelings towards El is when discussing El living in the Wheeler house in 1x8. Mike says El would be like Nancy’s sister, but wouldn’t be Mike’s. This means that his feelings for her are platonic because he views Nancy and El as a sibling dynamic, but thinks the next step in their relationship is dating because of heteronormativity. If he didn’t view her platonically, he would’ve said El could become friends with Nancy or wouldn’t have mentioned Nancy at all.

Season 2 pre-snowball is when things pick up a bit more with byler because now we actually see how Mike and Will interact with each other. Will said Mike was the only one treating him the same. So before the ud, Mike was super affectionate and protective and was basically acting like a boyfriend? Cool, good to know. 2x2 specifically gives us the most insight into how they’re dynamic works. The whole Halloween episode let’s us know Mike thinks of Will and their friendship differently than the rest of the party’s. Him getting pissy with only Will for not talking to him ab max joining (even tho lucas or Dustin didn’t either), him immediately searching for Will after he’d left Will’s side for not even 3 minutes and then dragging Will back to his place to be alone, and, finally, the crazy together scene. Again, I don’t think the crazy together scene is when Mike realizes he has feelings for Will. This is when WE, the viewers, know Mike has feelings for him. That scene was the nail in the coffin in confirming these two clearly have romantic feelings. But for Mike, it was a turning point in their relationship. It confirms that they are their own individual team separate from the party. This scene probably had mike feeling all kinds of butterflies and just didn’t know why they were happening…yet 😏

His relationship with El s2, again, shows us that his feelings for her are platonic and also not has strong compared to Will’s. He doesn’t believe El is dead…but he also doesn’t search after her once, doesn’t bring up how he saw her out his window to the party (only to Will might I add), and, besides calling her everyday, Mike basically acts like she doesn’t exist. This is a complete contrast with Will’s disappearance!! This is the girl Mike supposedly has a crush on, the only girl he’s ever had a deep connection with—this behavior doesn’t add up with his character…unless he doesn’t feel as strongly towards El as he does Will. And the way Mike behaves versus how El behaves in their reunion is telling ab how they see each other too. It’s obvious that El feels romantically towards him now (she’s looking at him with heart eyes and is a little breathless), but he reads as platonic. Like if it had been Dustin or Lucas, he would’ve said and reacted the exact same way. He didn’t overreact (in my books at least) when finding out hop was hiding her either. Just really platonic and would’ve also started punching and screaming at hopper if it was anyone in that room.

THE SNOW BALL *duh duh DUHHHH*

I need to preface this beforehand: Mike didn’t think El was going to show up!! His reactions and responses of what’s to come are without El in mind.

Ok back to Mike realizing he like likes Will

When Dustin arrives late to the dance we see Lucas and Max together (presumably as dates) and Mike and Will…so he thought during the whole dance it was just going to be him, Will, and Dustin together once lumax started doing their own thing.

But then this random girl comes up and asked Will if he wants to dance and Mike pushes Will to say yes. Just noticed only Mike and Will turn to her when she comes up, Dustin doesn’t. this happens for two reasons 1) Dustin is heartbroken ab lumax so ofc he isn’t watching this happen 2) Mike isn’t heartbroken by lumax, and is also thinking “why tf is this girl coming up to Will?”. So when this random ass girl asks Will for a dance and Will looks at him for an answer, the only thing he thinks is to say yes because that’s what a good NORMAL friend would do.

Yet, even though he’s the one that told Will to say yes, he automatically starts sulking. He looks just like Dustin: heartbroken from jealousy.

but this is his face when he realizes what his jealousy is from:

YEAH THIS IS THE MOMENT HE REALIZES HE LIKES WILL

Sitting there, just processing his feelings, Mike realizes that his jealous insecurity of someday being replaced by Will’s future girlfriend is because Mike doesn’t want him have one and, instead, wants Will to be with him.

His face gives it all away!! He looks in shock. Eyes wide, mouth opened, and staring at nothing because he’s so deep in thought. He looks completely dumbfounded, like “I like like Will holy shit” is on repeat while he thinks about every interaction they’ve ever had. And this shocked face was intentional!! They stay on him with this face for almost 10 seconds before El walks in. This wasn’t just a quick cut to him looking bored (which is what it looks like if your just casually watching). They wouldn’t have stayed on him for so long if we weren’t supposed to notice his facial expression!

You might be thinking, why now? How does this girl coming up to Will and making Mike jealous get him to this realization? After all, he was super jealous when he thought Will liked Max, so why not back at the crazy together scene?

Heres the difference between him getting jealous over Max and Will versus the rando and Will: he saw unrequited feelings between Will and Max (she didn’t like him back), but not with Will and the rando (he says yes). Plus the crazy together scene leads Mike to believe their bond is stronger than anything else, but Will leaving him for a girl makes him realize it isn’t.

And this realization doesn’t help him mentally— it just feeds into his “I’m not normal” insecurity. Not to mention he thinks Will doesn’t love him back or even could. So guess who walks in and is able to save him from his gay crisis…

YUPPPP THE ONE AND ONLY EL

Even the mileven kiss proves mike knows he likes Will. Mike wasn’t originally supposed to kiss her— he duffers didn’t even want it, Millie did. She literally asked for it because she thought that shippers would be pissed (she’s the shipper) if it didn’t happen. The duffers don’t give a fuck ab what shippers want! Never have! And even tho it was her begging for it, I don’t think they would allow a 13 year old to make major decisions like this without it working with their vision. However…it does. They realized the kiss actually strengthens Mike pushing away Will, so that’s why they lit the green light on that impromptu kiss. The kiss is just Mike belly flopping head first into his new (fake) personality.

Mike begins his “I don’t like like Will, I’m normal 😃” phase that continues through s3 and s4. Except that phase takes a turn after he realizes he’s in love with Will in the season 3 finale, but that’s for another byler essay.

[jaegerisim]

You Promised Me Heaven (and put me through hell)

DESCENDANTS AU Y'ALL YESS! Who cheered? (Absolutely nobody lmao). If y'all are wondering I wrote this while listening to the Descendants OST (particularly Rotten To The Core) like God intended. As always, name taken from "You Give Love A Bad Name" by Bon Jovi. If this is a bit all over the place, I'm sorry. It's 1 AM and my beta reader is me, myself and I (not even Grammarly, bro 😭😭😭😭) Anyways enjoy! 💕🌈

TW: implied alcohol and drug use (they're 16 m'kay?), the language is pretty strong (nothing too bad tho) and there are mentions go throwing up.

Will's day began shitty, like always. His head throbbed and, distantly, he could hear his father, Lonnie Byers, scream about whatever it was that had angered him today. Will groaned, another day in The Isle of the Lost aka where every villain and their children - the Villain Kids or VKs for short - lived. The Isle of the Lost was an island (if it could even be called such) in the middle of the fucking ocean with no WIFI, no electricity and no way out. It also had an extremely clear view of Auradon, the place where all the perfect little princes and princesses lived their happily ever after; while all the VKs where left to rot in the lame ass excuse of a home.

Will's head felt like it was about to explode, he definitely drank too much last night. He considered going back to sleep but he knew that if he woke up now, his father would most likely scream at Will to make himself useful but he also knew that if he didn't wake up the his father would scream at him for being a lazy ass. So if his father was good to scream at him regardless of what he did, he'd rather wake up now and annoy his friends sleeping next to him. He kicked the sleeping person next to him, his best friend Max Mayfield. She gasped and her eyes flew open. Will cackled maliciously and received a playful punch to the arm.

"You asshole!" she shrieked "Your feet are so fucking cold!"

The person next to Will stirred and cursed.

"Can both of you just shit the fuck up? Some of us are trying to sleep, right El?" the person, Lucas Sinclair, cursed.

"Yeah! Don't you think it's a bit early to be screaming?" El Hopper chided, rubbing her bleary eyes.

"Tell my Dad that. He was the one who woke me up." quipped Will.

As if on queue, Lonnie began to call their names with fury.

"What did we do now?" moaned El.

"Well, we stole Argyle's stash, we wrecked Robin's restaurant, we also stole a bunch of shit from a bunch of places, we also-" listed Lucas off with irony.

"Yeah, ok, fine, we get it Lucas. Thank you." snapped Max.

"Wow, someone is in a mood today." laughed El pressing a kiss to Max's cheek.

"Ugh, get off me." Max grumbled just for Lucas to grab her hand.

Will looked away, they were a group of 4 and 3 of them were dating each other. So Will, as the poor single schmuck that he was, was stuck having to bare their terribly sappy flirting. Deep down, he was happy for them but he'd rather kiss Ursula's tentacle than admit it. Will cleared his throat and signaled for them to follow him to the living room/kitchen/second bedroom/bathroom.

Lonnie was a thin man, with a stubble and salt-and-pepper hair. The man was grinning like a madman next to Jonathan, Will's older brother, who was shaking his head, amused.

"Hey, Dad." said Will, strutting through the long singular table occupying most of the space. His black boots breaking several stolen trinkets under his weight.

His dad didn't even bother to even wave at him. Will kept a neutral expression, but it stung a little, being ignored by even his own father. Weren't parents supposed to love their kids unconditionally? This rule, apparently did not apply to his father.

"Everyone, SHUT THE FUCK UP!" yelled Lonnie and everyone turned to look at him "I have news. As everyone already knows, the crown prince of Auradon Michael Wheeler will be crowned king in 1 month."

Will grit his teeth, he detested that prince. He had detested him ever since their first and only meeting.

It all began when a group of VKs tried to break the barrier surrounding the Isle, unsuccessfully. This event ended in thousands of innocent VKs and villains being slaughtered by King Theodore's knights. One of these villains had been Will's own mother.

"Oohhhh, how delightful, truly." Cooed Max with mockery. Lucas snorted and Will snickered. Why should they care? As if that affected them in anyway.

"And so, he has done his first proclamation: to allow 4 villain kids to go to Auradon. These 4 villain kids are the son of Charles Sinclair, the daughter of Susan Mayfield, the daughter of Captain Jim Hopper and finally, my youngest son."

The following silence was deafening. Nobody dared to say anything. Finally Will spoke up.

"They want us to go to Auradon?" he asked.

"Son, listen to me, this my- our chance to fight back against our oppressors and the people who killed your mother. You and Jonathan can have your revenge, and show the world you are your father's sons. All you guys need to do is steal Fairy Godmother's wand and with it, break the barrier." Lonnie told Will.

Max and El were having a silent conversation while Lucas was having his card reads by his younger sister, Erica.

"But Dad-" Will tried to say.

"No buts, William. Show me you truly deserve the title of being the son of the cruelest villain in the whole Isle."

Will sighed "Fine, we'll go. We'll do it. Whatever."

"When the fuck are we leaving, anyways?" scoffed Max.

"Maxine, language!" chided Susan, while doing her nails.

"Mom, I told you to call me Max!" Snapped her daughter

Lonnie ignored their bickering.

"Well, Maxine" - Max huffed, annoyed - "to answer your question, you are leaving today. Now, even." Stated Lonnie with a grin.

Everyone gaped at the man.

"Now, regarding your bags. I've already taken care of that and the limo is already waiting for you outside." Lonnie stayed as he ushered Max and Lucas outside

Will seemed to snap out of his daze.

Limo? Now? Did his dad really pack their bags? Why the fuck would the damn prince choose them?

Will vaguely registered El giving her dad a hug and following Max out of the door..

Lonnie grabbed him by his leather jacket.

"What are you waiting for, son?" demanded his father. "This is our chance, don't you see? We could have the world at our very feet. I'd you don't blow it, of course."

"I won't, I swear." Will reassured him.

His father grunted and shoved him out the door.

Will was faced with absolute chaos.

Jonathan was in a heated discussion with a smartly dressed man, who Will guessed was the driver.

"I don't care if your Dad is a fucking king! In the Isle you have no domains or right to tell me to fuck off! This is my damn home!" screamed Jonathan, jabbing a finger in the man's torso.

The man growled at Jonathan and huffed indignantly.

"Fucking villain kids." He scoffed.

Will entered the limousine where Max boasted of how he stole the driver's wallet.

"It's says here, that this is Prince Steve Harrington! Son of, ooooohhhh, the Beast!" Max quirked an eyebrow "That's why he is so hairy!"

"Punch him in the face! Come on, Jonathan, I'm rooting for you!'' yelled El

Apparently, Jonathan had gotten into a fist-fight with Steve.

Half an hour later, Steve entered the limo looking pissed.

"Give me that!" Harrington said as he snatched his wallet from Lucas' hand. Sadly, his money was long gone.

-----

The moment they stepped out of the limo, several things happened:

1. Max puked on the floor.

2. Will trying not to step on the vomit, tried to jump over the disgusting puddle but tripped over and fell on top of someone

3. That someone turned out to be the Michael Wheeler.

Will blushed, he literally had the man pinned on the ground. Now that Will had the chance to stare without being weird or creepy, he noticed the man's attractiveness. Michael had a splatter of freckles across the bridge of his strong nose and high cheeks. His face was framed by elegantly styled, black curls. Michael's face was surprisingly red, was his face always that red?

Will decided to get up and got to stand next to his friends. Max was already standing up looking defensive.

"Wow, your friend sure gets carsick easily, huh? I take it you don't ride car ride very often" chuckled Michael

Lucas snorted and El fell into a fit of laughter.

"You hear that Max? We mustn't rides cars that often?" laughed El, wiping the tears of her eyes.

Will couldn't tell if Michael was joking or not.

"What did I say?'' Mike asked to the guy next to him.

"I dunno." shrugged the other.

"Well, you said that we don't ride cars often. Of course we don't. In fact we've never done that, before. It's a small Isle, in which we don't even have electricity. You think we'd have cars?" sneered Will.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I-". Mike tried to apologize. Will felt that the man was genuinely sorry about that. But in the Isle, you don't trust anybody, even if at first glance they look harmless.

Will sighed, it was going to be a long month.

[dinosaursatemymom]

I just saw your post about Nancy kinda not having relevance to the plot, and I never saw it that way, but it's kinda true.

She never grows as a character, and her plots are not really that important when it comes to the overall storyline. (At least in s1-3, in s4 her getting the info out of Wayne Munson helped the group move forward, but Robin is the one who found the rest and figured out the music theory).

Anyway, like you said in s1, Barb didn't have to die in order for her to be involved? She could have helped Jonathan because Will is Mike's friend, however the writers made her such a bitch about Wills disappearance they had to kill her best friend in order for her to care. And even then Jonathan could have figured out that there was a monster based on the photos he took he could have go straight to his mom who already told him about it. He didn't necessarily need Nancy.

In s2, her plot was so stupid, and it did nothing in the end. It was an interesting concept, dealing with grief, but omg. First of all the lab doesn't play around they would have found the recorder and second seeing the fucking gate should have put the entire thing down. She endangered the whole town of Hawkins in the name of revenge. Both, her and Jonathan didn't know El was alive getting the lab shut down was stupid because they were the only people who seemingly knew how to deal with the vines. It would have been much more interesting if Jonathan and Nancy were captured and there were consequences (like Steve, who was scared of getting murdered if they broke the NDAs). Getting revenge on Barb did nothing for her character as well, and the show never explores it further, or they rehash it. Shutting the lab down did more harm than good because it meant for s3 that the Russians could just do whatever thanks to Nancy. (I hate that storyline so much in general, but if you think about it, it only happened because the lab shut down)

S3 again, Nancy's rat story could have been cut out because the party figured it out themselves they didn't need her. El was the one doing all the work here (getting into Billy's mind and fighting the Mindflayer since Nancy can't aim for shit)

In s4 like I mentioned, Nancy was useful for once by getting them to Victor Creel, but Robin really was the one getting it together.

Overall, her plans always kinda fail or endanger people (s2, s4), and her using a gun also does nothing because the monsters are immune to it. Fire is the thing that works and I hate how Stobin were cut short in s4 for essentially doing the part just so Nancy gets her shot (metaphorically and literally) even tho it does fucking nothing. Give her a flamethrower like Murray.

Anyway, idk people always shit on Steve being considered a main character, but he had literally more important moments than Nancy.

Without him in s1, Jancy would be dead. Nancy's gun did not work, and Jonathan couldn't use the bat in the right way. If Steve didn't come back, the Demogorgon would have killed them. Dustin meeting Steve in s2 is such an important moment because without him there, Billy could have gotten to Lucas and Max, even tho he lost the fight. He was also important in the tunnles because he helped them getting out there fast. Even tho he was concussed, he did everything to ensure they were save. Lucas would have been seriously hurt. S3 Steve drove his car into Billy's (after Nancy couldn't stop it with her useless gun), saved Jancy and the party there. In s4, he was the one who found the gate because of his experiences as a life guard, he also was the one along with Robin who did the most damage to Vecna. Steve literally has more moments that are important to the plot because without him there, other characters would be hurt or killed. He's important to the plot because of his athletic skills and survival instincts. He was also one or one of the few (if not the only one idk I only watched s4 vol once bc I hated it sm) characters that protested Nancy's insane plan because he has common sense lol. I wish the show would use his leader abilities (being the captain of the basketball team and a lifeguard) more instead of dumbing him down for the sake of it. He should be actively involved in planning bc he knows how to play as a team, and idk the party is book smart, but they have no regard for any danger they need someone like him more.

Yessss

The only thing I have to disagree with is that Nancy was helpful in s4, literally anyone else could've been told about Victor Creel, they didn't even need Wayne munson for that tbf, Eddie could've been living on his own(he's old enough) or just not a character at all tbh. Steve or Robin could've been talking to a customer at the video store who lived in the trailer Park and got a glimpse of Chrissy's body and Robin and Steve could've gone to the library while the Dustin and Max went to the counselor.

I definitely agree about Steve, he is honestly being underutilized, he clearly has team building, athletic, and problem solving skills but he's constantly being reduced to dumb hot himbo and it's really frustrating.

I didn't love the s2 storyline but I didn't hate it, but wow you're right, she really just made everything worse and endangered everyone for her own selfish reasons. I understand she was working through trauma but so was Steve and he didn't decide to put people lives in danger.

Her entire s3 plot just pissed me off so much, what was the reason? Feminism? Because honestly it just made her look like a classist dick to jon.

Nancy really doesn't do shit but nearly always ends up getting credit for things other people have done, both from the writers and the fandom.

[bugsbenefit]

Mike in s3 post rainfight is interesting because he shows up in the corners of most of Will's shots which is sweet (visual representation of the two of them double teaming all their friends ideas and being on the same page). but that also has the unfortunate side effect of Mike looming in all the weird shots with lines about possession and hosts...

the visual siding with Will is sweet

...but taking up half the screen and not contributing by staring down is a Choice tho, quirky

also no, Mike, buddy, you're disagreeing with Lucas about this whole issue. being with Will is fine but stay out of Lucas's shot then

this entire season, him backing Will up visually is clearly intentional. you can see it in the way it cuts between the two a lot as well. despite their previous fight we're still supposed to see how good of a team they are (talked about this here a bit). the same way El will sometimes slide into Max's shots when Max asks her something, Mike is also there for Will. but WHY does it have to always be with the weird dialogue for him

like here, instead of sitting in the free chair between Lucas and Max Mike stays standing as the only kid. which allows him to keep being right next to Will. visually showing us he's literally in Will's corner... sadly now with the doubled effect of making Mike linger super awkwardly in frames about the possessed people in town and how they have to be careful because they don't know how many there are...

Mike... the ominously lingering is funny in small doses but this is a Bit much. just a little bit unfortunate timing

and unrelated to backing up Will there's also just this super funny and out of place dialogue of Max talking to herself

like this one is Genuinely weird to me because there's no "reason" for Mike to be here this time. or for this scene to exist at all actually

Mike just had another pseudo argument with El about her spying on him and her being mad about the "different species" comment

then out of nowhere Max radios him but doesn't say anything of plot relevancy. Max asking where he is is redundant from a story telling perspective because they all come back out right after anyways. then we cut from that interaction to Max outside where she suddenly talks to herself (which we don't see on ST usually) as she looks at Billy and hopes "it isn't him" less than three seconds after talking to Mike. which she repeats twice for emphasis. she "really" hopes it isn't him

Mike lingers in a lot of weird shots throughout the show, especially in s3. but this season is funny because most of them serve the function of showing how him and Will have the same stance on how to approach the Flayed, so there's always a technical excuse for why Mike lingers in shots that shouldn't actually concern him

but this pool comment is just, out there. because the entire scene is unnecessary. Max radioing Mike for no reason just wastes time. having characters suddenly talk to no one is a completely new thing for the show (also unnecessary because Max already made it clear, and makes it clear again right after this, that she hopes it's not Billy)

just... odd moment overall, this one always irritated me a bit

[rainbownixie]

i love!!! mike!!! being a clingy boyfriend!!!!

we know for a fact that mike is a clingy and sweet boyfriend. he's the one making up pet names, calling will 24/7, walking will home to make sure he gets there safe, and always ALWAYS touching him in some way.

when they start dating but the party doesn't know yet, he's always standing close to will. always glancing at him and always asking him his opinion on everything. which, technically, isn't far from what he already does canonically. but the moment they're alone he can't help but hug will and shower him with kisses and compliments. and will always rolls his eyes smiling and says "you're such an idiot..." and mike always holds him closer and replies with a chuckle saying "but i'm your idiot". and it's cheesy af but they don't care. so they're super clingy and nobody questions why will always stays at mike's after everyone leaves the basement. they're THE best friends, after all. will's always been mike's priority and they know.

mike being a clingy boyfriend + not being able to show it all the time because they're always with the party = touch starved mike. and i LOVE touch starved mike. he just begs will to stay with him for a while more or to sneak out with him to kiss or just hold hands whenever they hang out with the others. that boy is head over hills for will and he just has to show it!!!

once the party knows, they are free to act like that around them. and el finds them cute, but the others are so tired of their cheesy relationship.... they don't care, tho. mike is always hugging will from behind or kissing the top of his head! he will put his arm around him whenever he has the opportunity and whisper stuff to him when they're just chilling with the party. and he does all of this because he needs to express his love to will and make sure he feels loved after all those years of pining.

but don't think mike is the only one being clingy! he's just the only one doing it with that purpose! will often will place his hand on mike's leg or hold his hand as if he doesn't notice. like it's a force of habit just being touchy with mike. and it was, at first. but now he only does it because he's aware of how happy and flustered mike is when it happens. so will places his head on his shoulder when sitting next to each other or caresses his back softly only because he wants to touch mike.

and they're always like that with the party and they're all so, so tired. but el and max find them sweet and dustin and lucas complain about it but they always let them be. they want to see them happy, after all.