under the bridge

37, female, Byler enthusiast, Mike's advocate, Will's protector. Survived season 5.

[jovialpenguinfox]

It's time for an introduction.

It's been a few weeks.

@lestatlinconcourt kind of inspired me to do that.

So, here goes.

I'm Irene, I'm 37, I use this account to talk about Byler, but also to hold on to the part of my identity that mostly stays hidden in my everyday life.

You see, when you're bi it doesn't feel like you fully belong at the table, and if you're a dorky quirky woman, who randomly bursts into songs, and suddenly marry a guy you love very much, somehow you are pretty much straight for the rest of the world.

I mean, I'm monogamous, still it doesn't mean I don't remember how it feels to know "the love that dares not speak its name". I remember how I used to read Oscar Wilde in front of my mom just because I could (very stubborn Mike Wheeler energy).

English isn't my first language, but I used to be an English teacher for a while.

I don't want to say where I'm from, because look what people do to Noah (and I'm not even from there). And because I'm pretty much not allowed to voice my opinions where I live, I prefer to stay hidden, even if it's in plain sight.

I want to hold on to this part of my identity and to blabber about my hyperfixations.

I used to translate a lot of stories into my native language. Especially 15 years ago.

My favorite shows are HTGAWM, Anne with an E, Stranger Things, Desperate Housewives, The New Girl and Modern Family.

My favorite writer is Michael Cunningham.

My favorite poet is Walt Whitman.

I love musicals (I always cry when I hear The Kindergarten boyfriend in Heathers the musical, because it reminds me of my childhood).

I should totally sing it here, once I learn to upload my own audios.

I sing psalms at church every Sunday, I do believe that Love will never fail me.

I grew up listening to Radiohead, Tori Amos and Placebo, to name a few.

My profile pic is actually my wedding picture, duh.

I really like it here. I go here when I'm anxious and I find someone to talk to.

Hope we can be friends.

[ssentinl]

[mikewheelerisaqueerler]

mike talking about will to everyone literally all the time in college and he's like 3 months in and then finally one of his friends is like "wow you must really love your boyfriend" and mike just shuts up and stops like a deer in headlights because "what no he's my best friend" and then he's like 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩 and that's how he realises he's in love with will byers

[jovialpenguinfox]

I know, many people are watching Heated Rivalry now, and that it is oh so sexy and all the rage.

But I can't move on from byler.

I don't want to watch another show.

Even if the creators of ST betrayed their own characters, and weren't brave enough, or just simply didn't care, I still do, and can't imagine the time I won't.

I'm still at the restaurant.

Everybody moved on

I-

[lost-in-golden-light]

So did the duffers just forget that they made Mike canonically in love with Will’s feelings or what

[faguettism]

probably

[miwiheroes]

"will so got the ick when mike roleplayed in his dnd campaign" tell me you dont know will byers without actually telling me

watch season 3 when he woke up lucas and mike and roleplayed in his wizard costume and brought out music and told them to call him by will the wise. watch season 4 when he painted mike and the party in their dnd personas as a way to tell mike he loves him. watch season FIVE when will got all giddy as soon as mike flirted with him using dnd speak like bruh you can be serious they are both cringe4cringe and corny4corny

[thebrokengate]

The look of dudes who got the ick during a D&D game where they were basically flirting the entire time.. apparently

[asserting-my-dominance]

blasting normal thing and thinking about finale/epilogue byler

[arstoryels]

y'all ever think about the soft "mike" Will let out in Ep 6? coz I do a lot

Chapter 8 is (finally) out. Link:

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Taglist: Taglist: @zombiecleric @ohfallingdisco @thefandomfanaticfreak @rocksandboulders @idlsicaraiaige @ohshc-trash-14 @leosworlds-world @moonlitxashes @lemonnaises @mmmsoggy-cereal @michaelqueerlerreincarnated @spookytreerebel @mike-wheeler-offical @momentaryl0ss @e4tmygutzzzz @elarasart @addiesdreamspace @youfoundheavenn @ainm-dom-alex @mikequeerlersleftsock @dramaticinlyf @paperbackwriter-kat @rjc1993 @sycamoresayshi @palo-diaz-18217 @addictedtohotchocolate @gabthehistorysimmer @letterzmakewordz @cantaestopbeingsocute @arabella-g-a-dr @fttwyx @solo-walker @storybookbyler @ruptupable @theresafungusamongus @rana-sentimental @roryrocksbyler @raedaism @miwisclouds @bylerragebait @strangrthngs @mad-ikee @iridescentcorvid @emms8789 @theyshoulddkiss @ihateshawnlevyandtheduffers @username0204 @justlikeheavenbyler @selfdiagnosedpotato @goober-goose @starzby @aliaselisa @the-aricher @cciammi @aliaselisa @ellamenopp

[jovialpenguinfox]

Drop everything and read it, you guys, it's perfect post-canon byler!

[your-ivy-grows13]

this is INSANE

[mlchaelwheeler]

the fact that it's not even "will's epilogue boyfriend" but instead "will's possible boyfriend mike made up in his own mind"

[significant-ace-nnoyance]

they genuinely had to massively sideline will-mindflayer-vecna arc despite all the narrative set up because all roads led to mike being the only one to save him… right right

[surferboymike]

yall remember when "i miss clouds, i miss you" was national groundbreaking news

[monsterkill--er]

snl needs to recreate the final d&d game with it's cast members asking mike/finn if conformitygate and byler is real as he denies it but keeps winking at the camera more aggressively until he french kisses will's binder at the end

i believe 🙏🏻

[the-lost-seven-7]

Byler should have happened.

In my head, the puzzle pieces fit together such that Leigh Janiak clearly helped write Volume 1. That's why we saw such good development of the characters' relationships and their conflicts. And we also saw the tension building right up to the end of episode 4. Special thanks to Paul Dichter for such a wonderful episode 4.

Then the divorce happened, and the script wasn't finished, as we learned from the documentary. I don't know why the Duffers suddenly decided to write the script if they never enjoyed doing it. Nevertheless, the script was written on the fly, and it all turned out horribly rushed and disjointed.

And whatever anyone says, Byler SHOULD have happened. As I wrote earlier, Volume 1 built up tension and developed the characters' relationships. And for Will and Mike, that relationship reached a new level, which was immediately noticeable. Its further development should have continued to grow until it reached its climax - a confession of feelings. It would have been the most beautiful story of relationship development, but since the good writers couldn't write the finale, we got this bullshit.

In short, I absolutely love Stranger Things and always have. The real canon ends with Volume 1 of Season 5; after that, it's just regular headcanon written by two white men who didn't even delve into their own show or their own characters.

BYLER ENDGAME

[crispynosferatu]

So many strange hills to die on but at least their careers are bleeding out

[hiddlesdweeb]

Stucky fans 🤝 Byler fans

[jovialpenguinfox]

I'm both. Don't get me started on Steve in the endgame.. I swear

[cleradinheartz]

will being mike’s light what if i cry