After Hawkins' greatest tragedy and triumph, Mike Wheeler is left alone in a pool of his own guilt and sorrow while the others in the party move on to a new life. Eleven's death and his role in it causes Mike severe mental pain. Meanwhile, Will goes to college in Milwaukee where he's made new friends, a boyfriend, and found peace yet never forgot about Mike. But when he visits Hawkins, he spends his time helping Mike become who he truly is. This story incorporates tough situations and traumatic statements. And more importantly...love.

In which Will has a huge crush on his straight, taken best friend Mike Wheeler. He wasn't planning on telling anyone about his feelings for Mike soon, Especially not Mike since he knew Mike would never like him back and it would ruin their whole friendship. But what if Mike did like him back? (WARNINGS: Swearing, Abuse and Homophobia. If any of these things annoy/trigger you, I recommend you to not read this). (Fanart on the cover isn't mine!)

What starts as a movie night becomes the point where Mike and Will can no longer ignore the truths about themselves and one another.

I've really been enjoying byler lately so I started this story! Fluff - ☁️ Angst - 🌧 Smut - 🌥 (Smut will not likely happen.) +* started - 12/25/22 *+ ended - 1/11/23

Drawing has always helped me and so did writing but why doesn't it help me when I write about you or even draw you?

One kiss can change everything.

College was supposed to be a fresh start. The Party is scattered across nearby campuses, close enough to pretend nothing has changed. Will is finally happy or at least trying to be with his new boyfriend, Carlton. Mike tells himself he doesn't care. He tells himself a lot of things. Between shared houses, crowded college parties, and a friend group that never really learned how to separate, they keep falling into familiar patterns: late nights, quiet check-ins, and Mike noticing things he probably shouldn't anymore. Everything Mike thought he understood about himself starts to unravel. Some realizations come too late. Some feelings refuse to stay buried. And some feelings don't fade just because you pretend they have.

The darkness does not disappear completely. It simply changes its shape. Mike tries to move forward, pretending the past is behind him, but fear, doubt, and unspoken feelings keep pulling him back. Will is there, too close and yet painfully distant, and that closeness frightens Mike more than any monster ever did. As the line between reality and nightmare begins to blur again, Mike is forced to face not only a new external threat, but the prison inside himself. This is a story about fragile love born in silence, about the fear of being seen for who you truly are, and about the choice between running away and telling the truth, when not only lives are at stake, but the heart itself.

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 ❤️

(This FanFic takes place in the 18 months before Stranger Things season 5, mentioned in episode 1, season 5) It's been two weeks since Hawkings fell. Will Byers is a shy, introverted, and nerdy boy who loves playing D&D with his friends. He and his family now live with the Wheelers, because their home was destroyed at the same time Hawkins was torn into four. This means Will has to live under the same roof as his crush, aka Mike Wheeler. How will he manage living with his crush without Mike discovering the dangerous truth? Mike Wheeler is oblivious, loyal, and a strong leader. He is happy that Will now lives with him, so they can spend more time together. He would do anything for his friends. Will Mike ever notice the way Will really looks at him, the way he truly feels?