For day 1 of @jancyweeks 2025 the theme: New. Here's a little drabble set post main s2 story (before epilogue) on Karen finding out about Nancy and Jonathan's relationship and being delighted since she loves Jonathan.
Read on Ao3 or FFnet!
Preview:
“So, this is new?”
Nancy and Jonathan spring apart as if they’ve been burnt when she gleefully cuts in, interrupting them on the porch. Slightly cruel to the teenagers maybe. But considering Nancy disappeared on her all weekend again, even if it was for a worthy cause, helping the Byers as Will got seriously ill, she thinks she’s earned the right to mortify her eldest just a bit.
the crazy parallels between s2 jancy and s4 byler i havent seen anyone talk about??
okay so i’ve been rewatching and something hit me like a brick: season 2 Jancy and season 4 Byler have WILDLY similar emotional arcs, and honestly it kind of blows my mind that more people haven’t pointed it out.
so here’s my attempt to break it all down before my brain explodes 😭
the whole “you’re shutting me out” thing:
in s2, jonathan is lowkey offended that nancy keeps pretending everything is fine even though they both know it’s not. she’s literally drowning in guilt about barb, pressured by steve, and stuck in this cycle of saying she’s “fine” when she’s absolutely not.
NOW LOOK AT WILL IN S4.
the entire first half of the season is this boy trying so hard to pretend he’s okay, pretending he’s over mike, pretending he’s fine with being sidelined, pretending he’s not hurt. he’s basically walking around wrapped in emotional duct tape.
the parallel?
both of them are lying to protect their hearts, not because they don’t care enough — but because they care TOO much
2. the best-friend-turned-love-interest who is completely oblivious:
jonathan starts the season fully believing nancy is still with steve. he literally assumes she doesn’t want him. he doesn’t realize she’s actually miserable until their big heart-to-heart moment.
sound familiar?
MIKE WHEELER EVERYONE.
mike is so convinced that will has “moved on” or doesn’t need him anymore that he misses every single emotional cue will drops. he’s blindfolded. with noise-canceling headphones on. in a dark room
3. the emotionally charged argument where everything spills over:
s2 jancy:
nancy finally snaps during the murray dinner scene and admits she’s been lying to herself and everyone around her. she finally tells the truth and breaks the cycle.
s4 byler:
will’s van monologue. THAT WAS HIS CONFESSION without it being a confession. it’s the same structure — the character who’s been bottling everything up finally cracks and says the truth through metaphor or misdirection.
both scenes are heart-shattering because they’re basically saying, “i can’t keep pretending anymore.”
4. the third party who pushes the relationship forward:
jancy has murray.
literally sits them down, calls out the tension, and says what everyone else is too scared to say.
byler has… EL.
her letters, her distance, and the way she unintentionally forces mike and will to confront their real feelings. she’s basically the emotional catalyst without even realizing it.
5. the shift from “we’re drifting apart” to “i actually need you”:
both dynamics start with distance.
jancy feels weird around each other.
byler feels off and awkward.
but by the end?
jonathan realizes nancy brings out his courage
nancy realizes jonathan actually gets her
mike realizes will is the one who’s been holding him together emotionally
will realizes mike is the center of the way he loves
it’s the same emotional formula, just with different intensities.
6. and finally… the tragedy of timing:
jancy in s2 weren’t ready when they first started reconnecting. there was too much going on — monsters, trauma, secrets, everything.
byler in s4?
HORRIBLE TIMING. apocalypse-level bad timing.
both pairs are stuck in this almost-but-not-yet space that’s so frustrating you want to throw your laptop at the wall.
in conclusion
s2 jancy is basically the emotional blueprint for s4 byler:
two characters hurting in silence → miscommunication → one emotional breakdown → one oblivious best friend → a catalyst pulling them closer → a relationship defined by timing and honesty.
it’s the same arc. just sadder. and gayer.
okay i’m done rambling now. if you read all this ily 😭💙
#staticinmystereo Accepting questions for Jonathan Byers have something you’ve been dying to ask him? Now is the time, whether it’s something about the character, series, ship or completely random, send them in. All answers will be answered in character.
Just head on over to the profile click the button that says Ask Away and drop those questions in.
For day 2 of @jancyweeks 2025 the theme is Reconnection. Kind of finagling this in, it's not a reconnection between Jancy but an unwelcome one from the past.
Nancy Wheeler protecting the Byers family from an unwelcome visitor. Byers family bonding (with the best in law). Set between s2-s3.
Read on Ao3 or FFnet!
Preview:
A sudden pounding on the door catches them by surprise.
“I’ll get it!” Will calls out, bouncing up from the couch.
“Did you invite Hopper over?” Jonathan asks his mother as they both come out of the kitchen.
“No, he’s working.”
It’s not Hopper. It’s someone who makes her angry by simply existing.
“Hey there son,” Lonnie greets Will with a smile.
Will visibly recoils from his father. She’s the closest to them, so she hurries to step forward and putting herself between Will and his father, moving Will back with a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“What are you doing here?” She spits out.
“What a welcome. Could ask the same about you, who the hell- oh… the Wheeler’s eldest, right? Boy, you grew up nicely. What are you doing here, slumming it?”
She crosses her arms over her chest, Lonnie’s leering gaze making her skin crawl.
