#platonic elmike

[grandmasterinsider]

Even after Mike's 'love confession', he and El are still not on good terms. This is clear proof that their 'relationship' problems have not been resolved. If only there had been one season where they acted like a sincere, healthy couple in love… Come on, guys! Just stop going out and be friends because "friends don't lie", and that would make you both so much happier! After all that exhausting stuff, you don't need to stress yourself out over something that could obviously never work!

[bylertruth3r]

MIKE WORRYING ABOUT WILL, HE'S SUCH A PROTECTIVE BOYFRIEND <33

apparently someone then comes up on the roof and according to atlanta filming Will was there (they liked a comment about it)

Video

Full analysis here

People are saying it might be about Dustin but I think it's about Willl because in a video we can see him staring at a tree (looking at the clock) and it could be a callback to s2 Mike being super protective of Will (and the "he's quiet today" line), plus Will is getting Vecna'd in s5 and Mike said he (Will) was scared

Wait yeah😭

[willfreakbyers]

El obviously gave mike the painting

[stranger-chichka]

The jackets, HELLO????? I already can smell the parallel

@greenfiend already wrote a while ago how that scene from s1 may foreshadow Mike coming out to El and I think that’s maybe it! Or they’re having a heart-to-heart after just to clear things up/open up about Will

I mean, look at him!!! It’s the same Mike who feels understood and accepted for who he is

[lovesong1984]

stranger things textposts [1] [2] [3] [4]

previous / next

[gayofthefae]

"El's gonna be totally not okay with Byler!"

Wrong, it's gonna be this

Previous feelings for someone but actually love them so care more about their happiness with someone else than them being involved romantically.

Will's love for Mike is proven selfless in a plot way that deserves rewarding.

El's love for Mike is selfless in the way that is demonstrated through unconditional love regardless of nature.

The idea that she will be anything less is a disservice to their relationship, not a service to it.

[blueandyellow7]

byler shippers who also love el wya????

[thesapphicsoldier]

stranger things + text posts

[thefirstlioveyou]

imagine the world if bylertwt wasnt afraid to acknowledge mike and el's dynamic and its importance to the narrative and how it's not just internalized homophobia that explains mike's actions

[phoebebuggers]

what if i said i laughed out loud

[queen-of-hawkins-why-ler]

"They won't split up the MAIN couple of the show >:(((" and the main couple of the show in question is a girl whose arc has actively included her becoming progressively more self-reliant and less dependent on her boyfriend across ALL seasons + a boy who has been staring wistfully at his best friend's lips and reaching for his hand since they were like 12

[4rielle]

Hot take but El dying in season 5 would be an awful decision and would be an unsatisfying end to her character arc.

[bylertruth3r]

the willelmike love triangle in their layout/header <33 best love triangle🙂‍↕️, obviously Mike is gonna start dating Will and the scene ended with Mike staying next to Will next to the other couples and it was foreshadowing for s5

this was them foreshadowing the s5 couples

[tabby-tiger]

☆elmike s5☆

Her using mikes line would be so cool

[teambyler]

THIS was the scene that should've repaired M*leven in s4 (Byler analysis)

In 4x8 ("Papa"), Mike's GIRLFRIEND was being pursued by a wing of the government that wanted her dead. He saw her ALMOST DIE to an army helicopter. El, after days of being scared and alone, saw that her BOYFRIEND DOES love her: he searched for her across the country and came to RESCUE her.

Isn't THIS the moment, IF Mileven were endgame, where the arc "does he really love me" should have been resolved? With a romantic moment, and a kiss?

Instead, Mike and El reunite like dear friends. El and Will's hug was more passionate.

This should have been the ultimate romantic moment for Mileven.

Instead, the writers had the GALL to insert RIGHT HERE a hint of a future romance...

... and they got away with it! (With most viewers.)

This is foreshadowing 101, baby.

Mike and El had just gone through the kind of experience you see in TV and movies, where a romantic couple have a falling-out, and they're supposed to realize that they truly and desperately need and can't live without each other. One has a Love Epiphany, and it might culminate in a Race for Your Love. (Links are to TV Tropes)

In these other stories, saying "I love you" is usually cheesy, trite, and unnecessary. They end with a KISS.

Like the Duffers have done before, they built up a trope only to subvert it. Here, the romantic couple were supposed to realize their feelings and have a bond that was stronger than ever.

Instead, that DOESN'T happen, and they drop a hint that might as well have been a Quest Marker above Will's head to show where the story's headed.

-teambyler

[carmenilla]

i miss mike and el being friends so bad. i miss seeing them genuinely connecting and not mistreating each other and being actually compatible as people

elmike please come back to me