In response to one of the latest condescending Byler screeds:
Um...yes, Mike's love interest in all four seasons was pretty clearly El.
Their relationship was built up in every episode in S1. What difference does it make that they were working on "finding Will"? People can't fall in love working together?
They both spent the entirety of S2 obsessed with each other and heartbroken over their separation. Even your precious "crazy together" line was prompted by Mike's feelings for El. Who cares that they were only physically in the same room for a few minutes? What does this have to do with their feelings?
Only in Byler dreamland is making out a sign of an unhealthy relationship. They broke up in S3 because Hopper forced Mike to lie to El, and the next time they get to talk alone he tries to tell her he loves her. Yes, he was shocked at her love declaration, because he had no idea she had actually understood what he was trying to say to her in the "it makes you crazy" scene.
Mike's love declaration pretty clearly saved both El and Max, as El didn't have the strength to break through until he started talking to her. This is not up for debate, it is literally canon and was released in the official script! The script flat out says "it's working" in regards to Mike's monologue. And yes, El talked to Mike afterwards, he was the only person she opened up to at all before Hopper's return, and about something truly personal and traumatic (Brenner). Why do you people have to lie constantly?