Swing set boy

Musical inspiration

Wedding songs

Counting stars by OneRepublic: So this song for me was one of the first songs I put on the Swing Set Boy playlist. This and the next song were really for me to help envision there wedding, and how much Mike had changed since he's been with Will.

Thunder by OneRepublic: This was the official first song on their playlist, but it comes second in the soundtrack list. Because this song is where Max, Lucas and Ari "met" AKA Max and Lucas basically crashed into the song with Ari Will and Mike. Purely so they can dance with Ari.

Attention by Charlie Puth: This was another song that Max and Lucas more interrupted during the wedding. As it was originally supposed to be only Ari and Mike performing this song. This song was particularly for Max and Ari as Lucas and Ari's song was the next one.

Firework by Katy Perry: So this song was played as Ari, Max, and Lucas were flirting with each other. This one in particular is made for Ari and Lucas like I said previously.

Teenage Dream by Katy Perry: This is the official song that Mike and Ari did together. Which was made for Mike to reveal the "Will" tattoo on the left side of his pelvis. He had gotten the tattoo three weeks prior to surprise Will with. Unknown to him that Will also had a trick up his sleeves.

One more night by Maroon 5: This was the "Ari and Will song". Which also happened to be the song where Will shocks everyone except Ari with his more feminine outfit change mid song. That definitely made Mike's jaw dropping to the floor.

Silence by Marshmallow and Khalid: This was the last song Mike, Ari, and Will sang together. Which really shows the trauma they all went through. With Ari feeling as though she couldn't be loved romantically by anyone. Due to past experiences not said in this book. While Mike and Will's were both attempting to hide and keep quiet about who they were. And Will having to face physical abuse from his father as well.

Character and Event Vibes

Mike:

The one who got away by Katy Perry: This song was how Mike was feeling as soon as Will left to Chicago. He was lost, he was hurt, and he desperately wanted to turn back the clock to somehow fix things with Will.

Small Town boy by Bronski Beat: This was the song Mike had listened to on his mother's Walkmen in the second to last chapter. Which if you are a Mike/Byler nerd like me, you'd know that this song is also on Mike Wheeler's official playlist. Which is called "Mike's basement beats" on Spotify. I love this song and I'm so glad I got to include it the way I did.

In the name of love by Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha: This song for me screams Mike in a way that's hard to understand. Other than he was with very unloving parents growing up. His mom loved him to death, and adored him severely but she didn't love his father, and his father couldn't love anyone. Not in the way he's supposed to. Which left Mike to question if he and Will would love each other like his parents do.

Will:

Should I stay or should I go by The Clash: For obvious cannon reasons this is Will's favorite song. He often played this song in Chicago when he was homesick without Mike there. Which after a while had Ari complaining after the third time listening to it on repeat.

Last Friday night by Katy Perry: Now, this song is definitely the song Ari and Will, would dance the fuck to in the bars in college. They also definitely brought back this song and dance they did for the wedding as a one time deal. Which left Will exhausted afterwards, since he hadn't done that number in years.

Tiny fun facts: Mike can rap, no one knows where he got the skill from. But he can rap better than anyone in the friend group including Ari. Mike can also like my other main characters, dip someone (Will) while dancing with only one arm. Using his forearm to support their back, and hand to support his head and neck.

Notes and goodbyes

Hello everyone! Taleya here, sadly yes this is the end of Swing set boy. I absolutely loved this book, and I enjoyed writing in Mikes perceptive. I think as Byler fans it can be frustrating to understand how Mike is feeling. I myself was incredibly frustrated and upset with how much he was hurting Will, and others around him. Until I was able to see things from his perspective.

Which led to the creation of "Swing Set boy". I also want to thank everyone for their love and support of this book. It truly means more to me than I can ever express. This is my most popular book to date, so thank you so much for your love and support. I really hope I can continue to make you guys happy with my work, so again thank you so much. Let me know if there's any other part or details of this story you'd like included. I'd be happy to add to some here and there! Goodbye see you soon everyone. Love you all! <3