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Mar 23

~Byler Fic Recs!~

So a while ago I made a fic rec list for another fandom, and it's probably my most popular post by far [this is my art blog :')]

So I thought I would make a post with all my byler fic recommendations as well!

Please read all the tags on the fics before reading.

Enjoy! :)

you took my heart (i was sleeping) by lameparties (52k, Teen and Up)

It’s winter in Hawkins, and Mike and Will aren’t speaking anymore. Living in Mike’s house, Will tries to be invisible, spending most of his time in the basement. Then the power goes out — and if there’s one thing he dreads more than facing Mike, it’s the cold. or Seven nights in which Mike and Will have to sleep in the same bed, even though they’re barely friends anymore.

This is a classic byler fic, and currently the second most kudosed fic on Ao3. Also the fic that introduced my to byler.

April Showers (Bring May Flowers) by thehouseisglass (70k, Teen and Up)

When Max is sent away for a month for advanced out of state hospital treatment, Lucas is left with way too much time and way too many feelings. So when he notices the unresolved tension simmering between Will and Mike, he decides to do something about it. But before he can even process what that truly entails, he’s already knee deep in secrets, feelings, and “friendships” that are a lot more complicated than he signed up for. OR: What starts as a distraction from missing Max turns into the most complicated plan of Lucas’s life as he shifts from helping Will get over Mike to setting them up together (because he’s the bestest, most supportive friend ever, obviously!)

This is probably my favourite byler fic of all time. It's from Lucas's POV, and that's probably what sets it apart from the rest. The way that Will and Mike are written feels so in character to me. If I could only recommend one fic out of all of these, it would DEFINITELY be this one.

the night is long but you are here by IrisCandy (87k, Teen and Up)

“I want you to tell him why you're so upset," Vecna says, and Will swears he sees the curl of a smile in the webbed scars of his face. “I want to watch you lose him.” (Or, Will is forced by Vecna to confess his feelings to Mike, with a slow burn aftermath. Alternate Season 5.)

I really like Will and Mike's dynamic in this one. Another of the earlier fics that I read and this one really stuck with me to be honest. It's just so good.

friend of my brother is my enemy (or something like that) by rosesgf (5k, Mature)

Jonathan would never hear the end of it if Will found out what he’s doing, so he needs to be subtle. Just enough to get Mike to treat him better. Just enough to redirect things. He settles on a stern, “Mike, I think we need to have a talk.”

I love seeing Mike and Jonathon interactions, and this fic did a great job of exploring Mike's internalised homophobia.

At least I got you in my head (in my head) by alyb97 (52k, Teen and Up)

There was a post that went "Mike has his own sexuality journey separate from realizing he's in love with Will" so I took that and ran with it Starts right after s3 -> Mike has his "oh shit im gay" moment -> pines after Will -> major miscommunication and gay stupidness ensues

What it says on the tin. I really liked the deep dive into Mike's thoughts and struggles. Having Mike struggle with his sexuality before crushing on will really sets it apart from almost all other fics I've read (which pretty exclusively have Will causing Mike's gay crisis). I actually cannot believe this fic doesn't have more hype around it. Probably in my top 5 favourite byler fics of all time.

is there something on your mind by tellthatbrokebitch (18k, Teen and Up)

“-make any sense, Mike!” Max said, looking like she was on the verge of punching him again. “Even if any of the members were romantically involved, that wouldn’t be enough to make him decide to leave the band-” “Okay, but what if it was a polycule situation, and he wanted out? It’s possible, and if you say it isn’t, that’s legally a lie and Byers can arrest you-” “You seriously think Zayn left-” “Are you two arguing about One Direction?!” Will interrupted, his inner turmoil temporarily forgotten in light of this disturbing revelation. “You’re actually middle schoolers.” Max scowled. “Take it back, Byers.” “I refuse. Also, lying to someone isn’t a criminal offense, Michael.” “Are you sure? Because Stevie threatens to throw me in jail every time we see each other.” Will sighed. “Pretty sure that’s just because you piss him off.” - psych au! featuring police detectives steve and will, "psychic" duo mike and max, and the murder that finally brought them together

The Psych!Au I didn't know I needed but now consumes my mind. Please Please Please Ao3 writers if you have any other Psych!Au fics please comment them.

(new byler varient? :3)

The Red Envelope by midnighteverlark (45k, Teen and Up)

When Will needs to get his thoughts out of his head, he writes a letter he never intends to send. He addresses it to Mike, and tells him everything. Feeling lighter than he has in weeks and buoyed by the adrenaline of writing it all out, Will acts on an impulse and ends the letter with, "If you’d be willing to give me a chance, I’d be really happy to date you. If you’re open to trying it, please meet me in Castle Byers this Saturday at 2:00pm. I’m not asking for any promises, I’m not asking for forever or anything like that; all I’m asking is that you give me a chance. Come if you want; if not, I completely understand, no hard feelings, and I’ll never, ever mention this again." He forgets all about the letter, and the distinctive red envelope he stowed it in, until he turns around to find it missing. Now, Will has to think of some way to stop Mike from reading that letter - or should he wait at Castle Byers on Saturday at 2:00pm and pray for a miracle?

OOOHHH this one is SO good!!! It's alternating Mike and Will POV, and it's just really well written! I also really like the sequel The Unmarked Mixtape, but be warned that it is Explicit.

don't go where i can't follow by MakairaFlower (69k, Teen and Up)

Will tried to swallow down the last of his fear, but his throat felt like sandpaper. “Take me.” Those milky eyes fixed on him, and a warped brow lifted, as if asking him to repeat himself. Even though the cold seeped into him, like he was drifting backwards into a freezer, Will didn’t take the way out. “Take me,” he repeated, his voice still shaky, but he held Vecna’s gaze. “Take me instead of Holly. I’ll come to you. I won’t fight. Just finish it already.” Vecna was silent for a long, agonizing moment, but then, a smile curled across his twisted face. “Deal.” --- Will offers himself to Vecna in exchange for Holly’s safety. Mike takes this about as well as can be expected.

This one is what it says on the tin. It could be considered a season 5 re-write, although it was written before season 5 dropped. We also have some steddie!

a body in motion by astrobi (77k, Teen and Up)

Will raises his eyebrows. “Is that why you came in here?” he repeats, looking back down at the blue flannel. “To ask me about the weather in Lenora?” “Kind of,” Mike says, and then, “well no, not about the weather specifically. I just– I wanted to talk to you.” “Oh.” And Will looks a lot more surprised at this, actually, than the idea that Mike might have just wanted to come to his room to make small talk about unseasonably frigid California winters. “Okay. What about?” “Anything.” The response is embarrassingly immediate. “Everything. I don’t know. I missed you.” Hawkins, 1986. The world is ending, there are too many people in Mike's house, and to top it all off, he and Will have some things to talk through.

Another post season-4 byler get together fic! This one is a nice read, gives me similar vibes to you took my heart (i was sleeping). I also recommend checking out astrobi's other works, because if I listed all of theirs that I liked this post would be way too long.

i know the end (series) by bookinit (548k [currently], Teen and Up)

Stranger Things re-telling, but make it byler.

Absolute MONSTER of a fix it fic(s). The first four fics are re-tellings of seasons 1 through 4 but with a byler tint. The fifth is bookinit's season 5. They are also currently re-writing season 5, but it's currently incomplete. Really good read, it's worth it!

Operation: Best Friends by gaysforbyler (7k, Teens and Up)

The very foundation of the universe has cracked. No, not the Upside Down; something even more catastrophic. Something so unbreakable that its destruction can lead to the end of life as they know it. “I just can’t believe they’re fighting,” Lucas muses with a sigh. “This is a bad one,” El emphasizes. “They fought in California too, but it wasn’t like this.” “In the ten years I’ve known them, I’ve never once seen them sit more than six inches away from each other. This is worse than the summer of ‘85.” — When Mike and Will get in an argument, the Party comes up with a plan to get them back together again (as purely-platonic friends, of course).

This one actually made me cackle- very funny, cute and fluffy fic. The description sounds a bit angsty, but trust me- you will figure out what's going on real fast. Always a good read.

beep beep (so let's ride) by Anonymous (977, Teen and Up)

So this one isn't a byler fic, but let me tell you, there were tears of laughter in my eyes while reading this. Just if you need a good laugh.

everything changes, what a shame by andiwriteordie (62k, Teen and Up)

“And us?” Will challenges. He looks Mike directly in the eye, nearly taking Mike’s breath away once again. Mike’s heart races inside his chest. “We’re friends,” Mike says defensively. The implications of Will’s words aren’t lost on him, so for good measure, Mike emphasizes, “We’re friends, Will.” “Yeah well, we used to be best friends, Mike!” Will shouts, and his voice cracks again. Or: In the aftermath of the Battle of Starcourt, Owens immediately sends the Byers and El away from Hawkins with specific instructions to not contact anyone until things have cooled down. Now, nearly two years later, Mike finds himself in California for what will either be the best—or the worst—spring break of his life. (Aka my season 4, Mike-centric, Byler rewrite)

This is pretty much everything I wanted when I was searching for byler fix-its. The sequel is i'll find a new place to be from (82k, Teen and up). Andiwriteordie also has a few other byler fics that I enjoyed, so you should check them out!

Dropped Halfway Down to Hell by ashandeofgreen (56k, Teen and Up)

Will raised an eyebrow at his friend's antics, then dropped his eyes to where he knew Dustin had reached a hand out towards him. “This summer, we stick together. You and me, Byers.” Will grinned, taking Dustin’s hand and shaking it. “You and me, Henderson.” A rewrite of S3: The night Dustin gets back from Camp Knowhere, he brings the Party up to the highest point in Hawkins to set up Cerebro. He thought that his friends would be excited to have him back-- even if it wasn't the most entertaining to sit on a hill and talk into a radio with no response, he thought they would at least wait for him before going home. He thought it was going to be the best summer ever. Instead, he finds himself and the one friend that didn't leave him, Will Byers, intercepting a weird Russian transmission. And, well... if he couldn't have the best summer ever, at least he and Will would have an eventful one.

I really liked this fic and have come back to it multiple times. It's definitely one of the few fics that I re-read regularly. Also linking this art made by klowtales because it really captures the spirit of the fic well.

So I do what I do to get back to you by Bonfirefly (34k, Mature)

Now, Mike had almost three extra years' worth of memories, including the revelation and inevitable acceptance of his feelings for his best friend and the subsequent aftermath of said best friend’s heroic sacrifice. “No, no, no, NO! I just got you back! Please, please, Will, please–I can’t lose you, not again! WILL–” He remembered the two girls placing their hands on his shoulders, Kali’s sympathetic grip and El’s agonized clench as they gazed down at their adopted brother. Now, here he was, the summer it all started going too wrong to right. ~~~ After Will sacrifices himself to defeat Vecna, Mike is sent back in time to the beginning of season 3 to prevent any more tragedy Now, he'll do whatever it takes For Will.

A time travel fic! I feel as though there is a critical shortage of time-travel fics within the byler fandom, so finding a fic as well-written as this one was great! A bit similar to dropped halfway to hell, but also distinctly different.

talk to me dirty; talk to me sweet by thesweetestdream (68k [as of posting], Explicit)

Will and Mike accidentally overhear a couple talking dirty over the walkie, and start repeating some of the filthy phrases to each other for shits and giggles. What starts as a joke, soon turns into something they can't stop doing – and can’t tell anyone about. Or: Mike and Will start talking dirty to each other for fun. What they don't consider is that it would accidentally turn them on.

(OP note: someone please remind me when this fic is done to update this post!)

ttmd;ttms is the second most kudosed stranger things fic on Ao3 for a reason! This is the only Explicit fic I will be recommending here (There are some Not Rated fics here, but none have smut) but BY GOD what writing! Kicking my feet and giggling as I wait for the new chapters :3

I also feel that I should mention that thesweetestdream has been receiving hate and harassment, which is NEVER OKAY. Please always remember that Ao3 writers are real people who are spending their free time creating and sharing their work. Just because there is a screen in between doesn't make words less harmful. Be kind y'all <3

There Is A Season by ghostlin (66k, Not Rated)

After Vecna's curse is unleashed onto Hawkins, the town has been placed under government lockdown as the contagion continues to spread. Everyone’s been forced to the margins as they try to pick up the pieces. Maybe it's the swirling spores in the atmosphere or the grief that seems to linger everywhere, but it feels like everyone's haunted by something. Everyone except Mike, that is. He's the heart, right? He's keeping it together. He's the only one acting normal.

Just going to leave it at this: Peak.

Not So Bad by outofmygourd (43k, Mature)

Vecna is dead. It's the summer after the party's freshman year. Steve Harrington spends it in the Family Video Store, and Eddie Munson is spending post-graduate life bothering him. And maybe Steve isn't as bothered as he used to be.

Now, this is a steddie fic with a side of byler, but I liked it a lot and wanted to put it in here anyways, because this is my fic list and I can do what I want.

Landslide by hopelessromanfic (40k, Teen and Up)

Will wakes up to find Mike Wheeler sleeping on his floor, only four years younger. Now it’s up to the Party to get him back to his own timeline.

Another fic that was found while on my quest for time travel byler fics. A healthy mix of angst and fluff (often at the same time!) and a very amusing fic.

birds of a feather flock together by Bundibird (1.9k, General)

"You know," Robin tells Mike, her voice low and calm and soothing. "You can like both girls and boys." Steve jerks in his seat like someone slapped him. "What!?" he splutters, and it comes out as something halfway between a yelp and a squawk.

Or: Mike and Steve co-opt a bisexuality crisis.

what the living do by percyandthepen (9k, Not Rated)

It hits him when he’s packing her lunch. Its not the first time he’s done it. It’s the fourth, actually. She’s been here, with him, a little over a week. Nancy, his mom, and his dad have been dead a little over a month now. Holly wants peanut butter and nutella on her sandwich, and he knows for a fact Mom never let her have peanut butter and nutella. Too much sugar. Mom is dead. He spreads peanut butter on one side. A little less nutella on the other. Wonders if he’s doing this wrong, if Mom had a special way of making sandwiches that he suddenly can’t remember. Something drips off of his chin. Hits his wrist. Itches a little. Dries there. Oh. He’s crying. OR Mike takes custody of Holly after the death of their parents and older sister. He, Will and Holly are all just figuring it out as they go.

Was NOT expecting to get sucker-punched in the heart with this fic. 10/10 recommend.

i know, i know, i know by aude_sapere (32k, Teen and Up)

“We are more similar than you realize, Will. Both of us were...sensitive children. We were different. Seen as freaks. But we are special. You are special.” Will takes a shallow breath, tries to swallow his nerves. He speaks flatly. “And?” Henry blinks, seemingly surprised by Will’s coldness. “I chose you that day, you know.” And Will sees himself, small and alone, riding his bike through the darkness. He sees the silhouette of something tall and not-human. He sees himself crashing his bike. Running home. But the creature unlocks the door. It follows him into the shed. It gets him. “It was you,” Will whispers, a hand coming up to the back of his neck. The monster that took him. The possession. The visions. “It’s always been you.” (or the one where will’s connection to the upside down is a crucial part of season 4 instead of him getting sidelined, and how it changes everything)

Will Byers gets vecna'd fic! A good mix of Will angst and BAMF!Will in my opinion :)

dear will, (and all the things I'm too much of a coward to say) by Aloyx (55k, Teen and Up)

Summer of 1989. Before the group splits up for college, they plan one final camping trip in the woods. Trapped in a tent with Will, Mike is writing an apology letter that gradually turns into a heartfelt confession as he comes to terms with his true feelings. He has one week to find the right words, or he'll lose the love of his life forever. Or: after s5, Mike Wheeler writes a love confession he’s absolutely not ready for.

This fic felt like it really captured Mike well (read: Mike as a pining loser who manages to come off as a massive asshole anytime he expresses his feelings). Aloyx's other byler fic, I just need a quiet place, where I can scream how I love you, is also really good.

i’m gonna wade out past the shadows by bluebears (43k, Teen and Up)

There were vines growing underneath his bed and no one else could see them. It sounded crazy, he’d been to enough therapy to know that. But there was no other explanation. Just last Tuesday, Dustin had climbed under there to reach his pen and when he popped back out he was completely oblivious to it. Almost as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

This fic is a bit more on the weird side, but I enjoyed reading it, so I thought I would put it here!

How many secrets can you keep? by Rainy_Rayne (3k, Not Rated)

The car door opened, dome light flicking on, casting a harsh yellow glow. Will and Mike were looking at each other with panicked stares, dread etched on their features. Hopper stared, the image conflicting with the silhouettes he saw earlier, pressed close against each other. The look on their faces finally tipped Hopper off. He’d just caught something he definitely wasn't supposed to catch, something no one was ever supposed to catch, and pieces were falling into place. Or On a slow patrol night, Hopper catches Will and Mike parked on the side on road, making out in Mike's car. His reaction is far different than Will expects, and together they confront what it would mean to not date in secret.

Not sure if you can tell, but I really enjoy reading fics with Mike and Will interacting with characters I feel like they didn't get to interact with much in the show. This is one of my loved Will and Hopper fics, but probably one of my favs.

You are the Heart by TouchTheSky (138k, Teen and Up)

Slow-Burn, canon-compliant and set after season 4. Will Byers & Byler centric. If you like lots of feels and pining, a nice dose of spooky beasties, some silly character moments and seeing our boy Will kicking ass, taking names and coming of age, you're in the right place. Premise: It's two weeks after the fall of Hawkins and the Party are trying to figure out how to move on, find Max and stop Vecna. Will's heart is still breaking over Mike and El, but when those emotions awaken something decidedly more otherworldly and powerful he, and a strange new friend, have to confront what really happened in Hawkins on November 6th 1983 and what side Will himself is really on. A fever-dream, mucho-feels, super long, semi-fix-it, version of Season 5.

Wow. Just, wow.

you looked back at me once (but i looked back two times) by IIBreathlessII (85k, Teen and Up)

After everything that they had been through together, Will Byers is sure one thing remains unchanged: his feelings for Mike Wheeler are one-sided. Though he's living in the Wheelers' basement, he tries his best to get over Mike and fully accept himself with the help of Robin Buckley. Mike, meanwhile, is struggling with emotions he doesn't yet understand and a twisting feeling in his stomach at the thought of Will and Robin getting close so quickly. Misunderstandings grow, jealousy simmers, and buried feelings refuse to stay quiet as the boys figure themselves out.

A good ol 'Mike What The Fuck Did You Do gate' fic. I really liked this one :)

Be the Boy by blueremedy (17k, Teen and Up)

“Jonathan…” His voice was high and resigned. “You know there’s no way I could do that. There’s no point—he likes girls. Plus, he’s going through a break up. And all this Vecna bullshit…” He sighed heavily, voice crumpling up like a tin can the more he spoke. “The last thing he needs is me burdening him further with my lame crush.” In a blink Mike snatched up the walkie with trembling hands, shoving the plastic brick’s speaker hard against his ear. So. El was right. Will did have a crush after all. In which Mike hears something he shouldn't.

Miscommunication!!! Honestly, I really like this one mainly because I could see byler playing out this way in the show. It feels very in line with Mike and Will and how they would act.

The Sky Opened Up by algeadee (66k, Teen and Up)

Time doesn’t move the way it used to. When the world falls apart, when it really goes to shit, three months should feel like nothing. Most people are too frantic to notice what Will can only describe as an ascending horror movie soundtrack narrating his every move. A part of him must still be pinned to the rotting wall of Hawkins library, conscious of every second in every day, desperate to be rescued from something only he can see. or A hypothetical Season 5, from Will's perspective.

Oh Wowee. Another Season 5 prediction fic, and this is up there as one of the best I've read. Seriously- this fic is criminally underrated (in my opinion at least).

i'm so sick of myself by honeymooney (18k, Teen and Up)

“He really does look like Mike,” Lucas breathes, as he gives Mike’s twin a scan, head to toe. “Yeah, if Mike were way hotter and a knight?” Max chips in, and Will can vaguely hear Mike muttering again. “He looks so medieval, like he’s from Camelot or some shit.” “I am Michael,” the knight begins to plead again. He turns his doe eyes back to Will, returning to his side like a diligent guard, even going as far as to reach out and take his hands. “Please, you have to believe me. I would never lie to you. Have I ever broken our oath? Let me prove it.” Will was a bit preoccupied with gazing into the knight’s eyes, his cheeks flushing under the intense stare and the way his hands were held so gently. Mike had no issues ruining their moment. “And he’s weirdly obsessed with Will.” Mike sounds even angrier than he did in the woods, and his sharp tone is enough for Will to snap out of his hand-holding to step a respectable distance away from the knight. “We need to send him back to wherever he came from.” or Mike the Brave ends up in Hawkins and sweeps Will off his feet. Mike has a lot of Feelings™ about it.

Paladin!Mike and Mike absolutely HATING each other my goat!!!!

Wise Up by meganthedissapointment (17k, General)

The Upside Down isn't the only alternate universe the party has to worry about it seems. When something inexplainable happens during a game of D&D, Will is replaced by... Will? Will the Wise appears before everyone, confused on why his friends are wearing such strange garbs and what dungeon he has stumbled into. Meanwhile, Will finds himself surrounded by fantastical versions of his friends clad in armor and robes somewhere far, far from Hawkins. The party now has a new mission to figure out how to get their Wills switched back around, and Mike needs to figure out what this feeling in his chest is all about. Or If Will had a nickel every time he was transported into an alternate reality that had some similarities to his normal reality, he'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but its weird that it happened twice, right?

I see a lot of Paladin!Mike interacting with Will fics, but not many where Cleric!Will gets to interact with Mike. This fic has both! And ofc byler gets together. A nice, fluffy read :)

80mph by cypherballed (18k, Teen and Up)

Every evening, Mike Wheeler drives down the highway and tries to get his best friend back.

A bit more of a character study of Mike and Will, but still definitely byler and a good read.

the worst thing about being honest by quietforasecond (20k, Teen and Up)

Will coughs violently when the lack of oxygen creates a ringing in his ears, and then he’s leaning forward and gagging. He fully expects to see a squirming veiny worm hit the sink like one had two years ago after his encounter with the Upside Down, but instead, he’s met with petals. Will watches in more fascination than horror as they slowly float down to the sink. Or the one where Mike keeps falling asleep, Will can’t stop hacking up flowers, and everyone is suddenly great at giving advice.

Hanahaki Disease my beloved!!! I really liked how quietforasecond worked hanahaki in with the stranger things universe. Do not fear; I am not a fan of fics without a happy ending, so like all other fics listed, there is a happy ending!

Purple Rain by jessescreations (32k, Teen and Up)

Up there,” Will said, glancing toward the sky. “If something goes wrong. If he takes over me and uses me—” He inhaled sharply. “Kill me." As Mike’s fingers closed around Will’s arm, the skin felt unnaturally cool, the pulse beneath it slow and rhythmic—entirely unlike the frantic, nervous heartbeat Mike knew by heart. This was not Will. After 'Sorcerer' Will Byers risked everything to save Max and Holly, but Vecna doesn't allow him to leave without a mark.- Mike accidentally overhears a heavy confession meant only for the Byers family, and Will requests him to do something impossible. --- A world where Will comes out to his loved ones only, Will gets true freedom, Eleven lives, Byler is endgame - Finale Rewrite with a good (better) Ending while staying canon connected!

Couldn't summarize it better myself, honestly. Check out jessescreations' other works as well!

i think there is someone (you love) by fireflywitch (22k, Teen and Up)

“Do people act crazy when they are in love?” “Oh,” said Will. “I—I don’t know.” He shrugged his shoulders, and El realized she had no idea if Will had ever been in love. If he’d ever looked at the girls in Lenora—El knew they looked at him, but that was a different question—or if he felt crazy. “I think—I mean, people say that you act different.” His voice was halting, stilted. The cassette tape stopped. “Different,” he said again. “Crazy. Weird.” “Weird,” repeated El, and Will nodded, closing his eyes against Madonna’s syrupy sweetness. They sat there, the two of them, two weirdos, and something filed itself away in El’s brain, something she wouldn’t make sense of until later. Much later. -- El thinks Will’s been acting weird. But he’s not the only one. Featuring excessive 80s pop synth, secret dance parties, the sick, ruinous embarrassment of existence, blue paint spills, motel room realizations, dictionary definitions, and that four letter word.

Will and El sibling dynamic!!! Will and El are another duo that I really want to see more of in fics. I especially love the trope of Will coming out to El, who does not understand the concept of homophobia.

Little Glances by DragonBoy7 (9k, Teen and Up)

Something has gone terribly wrong. Without realizing it, Mike has slipped into a dark and horrifying pit, one that Karen is all too familiar with. This happens to boys sometimes; it’s been that way since Biblical times. Thankfully, it can be cured, and Karen loves her son too much not to help him. Unfortunately, the temptations are strong, so there’s a long road ahead. Karen constantly asks herself where she went wrong, and the answer is clear - it’s that damn Byers kid. A look at Karen Wheeler and her relationships with her son and the Byers family throughout the years.

Karen Wheeler POV! This is a really good fic that explores the homophobia in the 80's.

deep blue, but you painted me golden by andiwriteordie and kidovna (7k, Teen and Up)

Will’s voice trails off, and he runs a hand over his face. Mike waits a few moments to see if he’ll say anything else, but when Will doesn’t, he takes a shaky breath and tries to find his own courage. “And you thought, what?” Mike whispers. “That - that it wouldn’t mean as much to me if it came from you?” Will flinches. He’s still turned away from Mike, and there’s a desperation in his voice when he whispers back, “Mike, please…” Or: After returning to the Wheeler house, Mike finds out the truth about Will’s painting.

Short but sweet!

NOTE:

Unfortunately, I do in fact have a life outside of Ao3, so I have many Byler fics that I have not yet read. But I'm still going to put them on here! I plan on editing and updating this post as ttmd;ttms updates (it's the only incomplete fic in here) and moving the unread fics once I finish them and update their comments.

We can be heroes (just for one day) by winterswife87 (174k, Teen and Up)

Will's a true sorcerer. Right after the truth comes to light in the middle of a battlefield, Mike Wheeler finds himself more amazed and enamored with Will than he'd like to admit. However, they don't have time to celebrate the peace, because not much after that, Vecna comes back, determined to take what Will loves the most if he isn't by his side in this war. The Demos try to take Mike, but right before he enters the Upside Down, Will jumps and goes with him. They're together now. In the Upside Down. But they're alone too, with a long journey ahead of them. Mike knows nothing can go wrong. After all, the only thing Will has accepted is that now he has powers, right? or, Mike and Will end up alone in the Upside Down, and Vecna targets both of them. (Complete rewrite of Stranger Things' ending).

This is the fic I am most eager to read. Frothing at the mouth to read this.

eye for an eye by ileikbees (34k, Mature)

There’s something wrong with Will. It started three weeks ago, almost four. Will had woken from some sort of nightmare and, instead of seeking comfort in Mike the way he usually would, he’d rolled out a sleeping bag from the closet and chosen to sleep on the floor. No one believes Mike, except for Joyce. But even she doesn’t understand the full extent to which something is wrong with Will. Mike understands, though. Mike has been paying attention.

This fic is widely recommended, just please read all the tags carefully. The gore-y elements put me off this one, but if you can stomach that then this is a great read.

Sincerely... by HunnyDreams42 (94k, Teen and Up)

While looking through Mike’s bedroom for an extra sleeping bag, Dustin stumbles upon a box of unsent letters from Mike to Will. Not knowing why they were unsent, Dustin decides to take them to Mike’s basement to read. or The Party and Company read Mike’s unsent letters to Will.

This seems like a great concept and a good read- This has been in my Marked for later list for quite some time.

Force of Gravity by oceanfruit (170k, Mature)

Will loved ordinary things, an uneventful existence was something he craved. Sadly, when Mike Wheeler walks into his life, Will’s easy going path snaps right in half. A passion he could never imagine overtaking his whole being. It was too bad their friend groups hated each other and his sister had a huge crush on the musician. Off limits. Fantastic.

Modern AU! Another popular fic, one that I hope to read soon!

Our Jagged Edges Align by gaysforbyler (179k, Teen and Up)

“You want us to foster a kid?” Mike finally asks, disbelieving. Will is half convinced that El will laugh in their faces, clearing up the misunderstanding with a, “No, silly. I want you to water my plants.” “It doesn’t have to be forever,” El says. “Just until I can find another home for him. I can’t stand him living in the shelter anymore. Not right now. He needs emotional support. And don’t lie to me— I know you two have been wanting kids. This can be a trial run.” — Will and Mike are tasked with fostering an emotionally distant, judgmental, sassy twelve-year-old boy from El’s shelter. As hard as they try to win his heart, they seem to be making no progress. After all, how could two strangers earn the trust of a boy who’s been hurt time and time again?

AAAHHHH BYLER DADS <3 <3 <3 MY HEART

And thats all of them! (for now) If anyone has any fic suggestions then feel free to comment it!

Happy Byler-ing!

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