Will Byers hasn't seen all of his friends in the same room since 1995, and he hasn't spoken to Mike Wheeler since 1996-the year he told him how he felt and watched their friendship fall apart. But when Max and Lucas buy their first house, they throw a Y2K New Year's Eve party, dragging everyone back together for the first time in years. Mike and Will are older now, different now, but when they see each other again-all sharp edges, awkward tension, and a lifetime of unresolved feelings-it's like nothing ever changed. Except everything has. One too many glasses of champagne, one impulsive kiss at midnight, and suddenly, the distance between them feels impossible to ignore. But Will still lives in New York, Mike is still in Chicago, and Will is fresh out of a three-year relationship he never fully gave himself to. They tell themselves they'll take it slow, see where it goes, but Will has loved Mike Wheeler since he was twelve, and Mike has never been the best at waiting. ❤️ART BY 4rt_sgr on instagram ❤️

highest rankings: #8 byler [6/12/2022] #1 lucassinclair [9/3/2022] #1 byers [1/5/2023] #1 elmax [5/7/2023] tw: mentions of homophobia Will realizes his feelings for Mike and tries to get Max's advice on how to get over him. While trying to do so, he develops a close friendship with Eleven and a new kid at school, whose open sexual fluidity gives a great opportunity for advice. But when guilt and jealousy take over, things don't go smooth for either of them. (slowburn) (ALSO THERE IS NO SMUT IN THIS BOOK) takes place after the plot of s3 just in case you're here after s4 🤞