Nah that's right. also, beforehand Mike only knew about the painting through El, and she mentions in a note that not only has she not seen what the painting looks like, but also thinks it’s for a girl. Then when they see each other, Mike immediately asks what is it, and is avoidant. It kind of sounds like Mike is jealous. And then when he gets the painting, he’s so happy! I think it’s because he is the usual one that gets all of Will drawings and paintings the most, besides Joyce. He has a full binder of every drawing Will has given him for God's sake! Then he gets confused because Will keep on talking about El‘s feelings, when El doesn’t even like DnD, has said nothing about needing him, and she doesn't make him feel really loved. in my opinion, I think he accepts that it’s El's painting even though he logically knows it isn’t because he’d like the easy way out, and uses some of that dialogue in his "I love you" speech to El. I also love whenever any Byler fic mentions or includes part of the dialogue in that speech. Mike saying to El, "my life started when I met you in the woods" or smth like that. That would emotionally devastate me, and Will should be rightfully more upset about that. Not only is that hurtful in a friendship way, and in an intimate way, but it’s the greatest source of his trauma, and Mike just ignoring that in favor of El is just so cruel. I get that Mike is troubled because in my opinion, he’s a comphet, closeted gay. However, that line is insane to me and I need more people to see that and get upset about it!
