#the latter. right after s2 aka the mike being fucking batshit devoted to will and his number 1 indomitable defender and protector refusing

[bylertruther]

mike telling will it's not his fault he doesn't like girls and will destroying castle byers to symbolize the loss of not only childhood innocence and what was but also the loss of his most treasured safe space. mike threw that back in his face—his biggest, most sacred and unspeakable truth; the one that's haunted his entire life and damned him to this—and he specifically ripped their photo down the middle while calling himself stupid and tore everything down because god dammit he WANTED to play dnd with mike forever and never get girlfriends because they were supposed to go crazy TOGETHER and being friends was the best thing they'd EVER done and now castle byers can't be his safe space anymore because it's been tainted. there's too much mike. there's too many reminders of his stupid, stupid dreams. it's no longer a safe harbor—it's just a reminder of his naivety, his childish dream that someone like him could ever get what he wants. and he's clearly still hurt by that because we knew previously that will trusted mike more than any other party member and even his family. he told him first about everything with the upside down and he was there through every part of his possession. will loves mike more than anyone, but after that rain fight he just doesn't trust him with that stuff anymore. "because what if they don't like the truth...?" with that knowing, searching glance. because he WANTS to tell mike. even now, after everything, he still wants to be honest with him. to be himself with him again. he's DYING to and we know that because will doesn't like to lie, least of all to mike, but he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't so he rips the band-aid off and confesses under his own sister's name. an ugly compromise because he can't keep lying and he can't keep listening to mike think so lowly of himself but he can't be honest either. because he doesn't trust that mike will still like him afterward. if mike said that to him before he knew, what would he say after will confirmed it? like. GODDDDD THE ANGST OF IT ALL.....