#mike and will are endgame | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

snacksizedgates · 2 years

Text

Proof Mike Picked Up on What Will Was Saying in the Van Scene from the Very Beginning.

This is a pretty long post but there are some really interesting things I noticed while finally properly analyzing this scene. I breakdown all of Mike's facial reactions and even other visual clues in this scene that points toward Byler. Hope you enjoy!

Here's screencaps of when Will asks Mike if he can show him "something." He keeps glancing up and down between Will's face and the poster, indicating nervousness/curiosity. He does this because he recognizes the poster from the airport. He also knows Will was painting something and El heavily implied it's for someone he likes.

They didn't just throw these two scenes/lines in the season for no reason. They put them in there to set a precedent that Mike knows about the existence of this painting, not just through El but also by physically seeing it. This establishes that he knows what this painting is and what type of person it's for (a crush).

His reaction to the painting. He's happy as indicated by the open mouth smile instead of the more flirtatious close mouth smile. He's genuinely happy that Will made him this, because at this point that is what he's assuming. He believes what El said (the truth), so at this point he's thinking "he painted this whole painting for ME."

Then this scene. He definitely knows Will's lying. As soon as he starts saying it was El's idea, Mike get's confused and looks back down at the painting. Kind of like "there's no way he's telling the truth cus the math just dont add up." When he looks back up, his lips are pursed, in a disapproving way. He knows Will is lying to him. And then he looks back down to reexamine the painting again. He's perplexed.

Not only that but this part is seen through the perspective of Jonathan, who definitely knows Will is lying. So when they flip to Jonathan's POV we can assume whatever Will's saying, is understood by both Jonathan and Mike, because they're the only one's on screen beside Will and they're both intently listening to him. (by on screen I mean Jonathan was just previously on screen intently listening to Will, creating a comparison between Jonathan and Mike, that essentially they are the same in this scene. Quiet but intently listening and having at least an inkling of the truth) Plus we already established other reasons why Mike knows. So this shot just emphasizes that point even more.

So now, since Mike understands the El commission thing is a lie, and that this painting was made for him by Will, he can reasonably presume that other things Will is about to say are lies or taken out of context. He can assume when Will refers to El, he's referring to himself, because Will has already set that precedent and Mike picked up on it.

Now, since he knows Will is lying, he gets nervous. Will starts talking about heart and pointing to it drawn on Mike's armor and that's when Mike get's excited. At first he's gazing down at it with a happy and inviting facial expression . Then it cuts to Mike looking at Will explaining how "we'd" all fall apart without (mikes) heart and Mike literally takes a huge deep breath. You can kind of see it in the screencaps, but I would suggest just rewatching the scene after finishing the thread with everything I point out in your mind.

Anyway, his chest rises and his throat gulps. Nervous. His demeanor slowly changes from lighthearted and happy (when Will gives him the painting and he can easily assume its for him from Will and nothing else) to a more hardened, serious expression (when he realizes Will doesn't feel comfortable enough to say it's from him, he's lying to him and he realizes the implications that creates.)

He's overwhelmed with feeling in this whole entire scene, just like Will is. Except Will has better access to his emotions than Mike who represses his. So that's why he's so quiet/stunned and doesn't say anything. Not because he's clueless but because he has TOO MANY clues. Lol.

This is right after Will finishes talking about heart and for the first time since Mike understood he was lying under the guise of El, he references El. He says "Even El (needs your heart) Especially El." Mikes reaction is pictured above. His face changes from overwhelmed/nervous to a serious expression. Almost confusion but more like an epiphany, like he's thinking. When Will mentions El again, he immediately looks back down at the painting. Like he can't understand how what is being explained to him is true. Look at the eyes. In the previous pictures, his eyes are just ever so slightly squinted which gives off an inviting, warm expression. In the pictures above, his mouth closes and his eyes "harden." He's looking back down at the painting realizing that Will has feelings for him. He put a damn heart on Mike and only Mike. That's why he's looking at it seriously and intently.

Because either he realizes that wow, my internal feelings were being reciprocated this whole time and I didn't notice or he's just beginning to understand that Will is gay and likes him.

However, Will is basically telling Mike I Need You, something Mike always wants to hear, and it's throwing him over board with feelings, so I honestly think this scene is more about reciprocation. Mike's too mixed emotions for me to believe he's not having gay panic inside.

Now either he didn't think Will had feelings for him or he didn't think they were that strong. But this scene is essentially a wake up call for Mike.

Now in the top two screenshots, it's from Jonathan's perspective again. And once again, he's referencing El by using the pronoun "she" to describe his experience not hers. That's why it goes to Jonathans POV because Jonathan knows his secret (so he knows his lie) and it only goes there when he starts referencing El. Happening more than once indicates meaning to the shot, and that meaning is Mike knowing Will is calling himself different not El. And then he switches to "you" pronouns to make it more vague, but at least it's not lying. And it switches right back to regular audience POV - so he's being truthful now and Mike can discern between the two. Not to mention, Will has his faced turned away, indicating whatever he's saying now is emotional for him, and then he turns back around with slight tears in his eyes. Most people would pick this up in a best friend so it's safe to assume Mike does too. Also Mike's completely focused on what Will is saying, so it's very important to him. He's not even slightly smiling, he has a completely serious look on his face meaning he's really taking in what Will is saying and he knows the implications of everything Will is saying is serious.

This shot pretty much sums it up like lets be real. Will basically apologizes for being a douche/being distant (even though he never was, Mike was) and Mike looks guilty because he feels bad for doing this exact thing to Will in the beginning of the season. He realizes how similar they actually feel. And he starts smiling/heart eyes in the last frame because 1) Will's apologizing to him when he doesn't even need to making him so selfless 2) his feelings are being reciprocated. Notice "seemed like she was pushing you away" Mike now knows Will wasn't intentionally pushing him away and that also makes him smile. He breaks his serious expression once Will admits he wasn't intentionally creating distance between them, meaning this is something Mike cared or thought about. This is the first time he breaks his serious expression since Will started explaining the heart metaphor, which initially caused Mike to be nervous.

Not to mention if he didn't know before this, then he definitely knows at this point. Many people have pointed it out but let me reiterate it: El never acted distant towards Mike, until the end of season 4. In fact she was heavily concerned with Mike most of the time, wanting HIM to be less distant, so it's quite the opposite. This means he 100% knows Will is talking about himself.

They don't pull away to Jonathan's POV even though he's talking as if he were El here because 1) they want the close up reaction from Mike, meaning its IMPORTANT and 2) Mike isn't thinking about why Will is using El as a cover anymore. Jonathan may be but we've already seen his POV for the last time, so at this point that fact that he was lying about certain things has been understood and moved past by Mike, as conveyed by the different shots. He doesn't care at this point because he's too engrossed in what Will is saying. He isn't thinking in Jonathan's POV anymore that "Will is lying" because he realizes Will's being more honest than he ever has in the entire series. Jonathan stills cares about Will lying, and we know that from the last shot in this scene being Jonathan panning out of the frame looking slightly upset. But they didn't go back to the mirror POV to indicate Jonathan was worried about Will - meaning there was a specific reason they were using the POV shot (to indicate Mike knows Will was lying just like Jonathan).

This is right after Will saying the bandaid line. Mike gulps and breathes heavy. Since Will is in this scene and we've established Mike knows Will is talking about himself and that he reciprocates the same feeling, he gulps because he thinks about losing Will too. He remembers losing Will. He doesn't want to lose will.

Then we have the "El needs you Mike. She'll always need you" with Will's tears about to pour down his face. And I know I sound like a broke record, but Mike knows he means "I need you mike. I'll always need you."

Then the "Yeah" "Yeah" which mirrors saying I love you to someone because you typically repeat it back to each other. You can't compare it to hello, or goodbye, or good day because it doesn't fit in the context. So what other comparison is there? Not only that but they also say it in different tones. Mike says it in a slightly questioning way, like he's needs reassurance that its true. He still doesn't believe it fully. But also with a smile indicating he's happy with this. That Will (the protected) is never going anywhere because he'll always need Mike (the protector). He's smiling because of this. Once Will reassures him, Mike's face soften with adoration for him. There's no other way to describe his face than adoration. He also glances back and forth at Will which I think indicates nervousness, uncertainty, awkwardness. Regardless it indicates Mike is feeling a lot in that moment.

Will, on the other hand, says it with finality, like end of discussion it will never change. It mirrors their relationship dynamic because Will knows he's never going to not need Mike in his life but Mike doesn't know that... Until now. We assume he does know things like this because to us, the audience, it's obvious but Mike doesn't see Will the way we see Will. It also goes back to the connection between Will and El (read my theory about that here if you're interested). They mirror each other. And just a few minutes ago he was talking about how scared he is of El not needing him. Their scenes are so byler coded this season if you really look into them. Lowkey has me thinking this is the most byler-y season lol.

And really quickly back to Heart Eyes Mike Wheeler - he's smiling yet he doesn't say anything else. He returns his focus to the painting and stays quiet. This is very atypical of Mike who also usually has something to say.

This is because he just realized his feelings are reciprocated and he's overwhelmed with Will liking him back. He's literally holding his feelings in this whole scene between the deep breathes and serious faces and slightly opened mouths.

And lastly we have the crying scene. People say Mike just ignores Will and goes back to looking for El but that's not at all what happened here. Look deeper.

Before I analyze the actual actions in the scene I first want to point out how this shot references Will's Boys Don't Cry poster, because it's very important and is more queer coding for Mike. Basically, boys crying = accepting of their feelings, boys dont cry = repressing their feelings, toxic masculinity etc. So while Will is accepting his feelings and having less shame about them, Mike is repressing his. Or at least has been. That's why he's rigid. He's not moving and only just glances at Will. He's feeling a lot too. Furthermore, the poster is yellow and blue, with blue in the bg and yellow in the fg, along with a pyramid in the sunny desert with three trees. Mike in the bg with a blue shirt, Will in the fg with a yellow shirt. The pyramid represents the Love Triangle between Byler and Mileven and the three trees represent each one of them. They're also in a sunny desert and majority of that time they're by themselves until they find El. After that, they're in a nightime desert along with El and we don't get to see them in the sunny desert again I believe (don't quote me on this). Mike went from being in the light with Mike to being in the dark with the both of them. The visual references are actually insane once you start looking into them. A lot of thought was put behind this.

But let's get to analyzing the actual scene.

Firstly, he's staring down at the painting.. They never moved it off his lap so he's literally in silence, kind of stunned just looking at Will's painting. All he said was "You painted this? It's amazing" and "Yeah?" the entire conversation. He barely had a response. To me that indicates nervousness/being overwhelmed. To Will this probably indicates his feelings aren't reciprocated :(

Secondly, he glanced at Will for a second. This doesn't show he's "ignoring" him; if anything the opposite. He most likely heard him sobbing quietly and was checking on him because he cares about him. He can't resist taking a glance at Will. But he knows how Will is, and the fact that they're not alone, so he just lets Will cry quietly.

Thirdly, he's most likely dealing with his own feelings in this scene internally. Mike and Will are queercoded very differently (as I have mentioned in my other posts). Mike represses, ignores his feelings, hence why he is shown just staring at the painting in silence not moving. Will accepts his feelings but letting them out both relieves and upsets him. It's overwhelming but he had to finally say it.

So, imo, Mike's glance at Will wasn't judging or ignoring, he looked over and saw exactly how he wanted to react but couldn't because he's still scared of the repercussions of being gay/dating Will. As seen by the his heavy breathes and mixed facial expressions.

Lastly, why would any of Mike's behavior be appropriate if he thought Will was talking about El by the end? It wouldn't. How would any of Will's behavior be appropriate if he were really talking about El? It wouldn't. There's no need to cry over someone else's relationship and Mike knows this. He saw Will with tears in his eyes and then breakdown. Those have PERSONAL implications. If he thought Will were really talking about El, it would've been a discussion not a Will speech. He would've chimed in like "yeah but I don't know if I actually believe she needs me" "im nothing in comparison to her" or SOMETHING because this is typically what people do when they're being praised, especially someone with low self esteem.

So the fact that Mike lets Will ramble about "El's" feelings completely uninterrupted, with comments that are praising him, is sus on it's own.

The fact of the matter is he recognizes that Will is way too emotionally attached to what he's saying.

And that's the end. This is soooooo much longer than I thought it was going to be. Mike Wheeler is definitely gay. And no one can tell me otherwise.

#byler #byler is real #byler is endgame #stranger things 4 #stranger things gay #mike wheeler gay #mike and will are endgame #will byers #will byers is gay #byler truther #mike wheeler queercoded #queercoding #be gay make byler canon #MIKE WHEELER I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BOY #byler theory #byler theories #stranger things theory

1K notes · View notes

nilemar · 2 years

Text

HELLO?

Mike told them that he has a girlfriend? I mean, he couldn't have said that his girlfriend is Eleven, bc they know about her in S1 and they thought she was dangerous etc.

I mean, Ted could be talking about a girlfriend that Mike told them, but it's stupid bc Mike is going to California bc of the BYERS. The most realistic thing is that Mike asked if he could go to California in spring break to see the Byers.

So, who is this sweetie pie? Even Mike has this confused face. And this scene there is Mike with the pop tarts (@causeineedu has an analysis about them). Is Ted talking about Will? Is he? Bc why is saying that comment? I

#stranger things #byler #will byers #stranger things 4 #mike wheeler #stranger things 5 #byler endgame #st v2 #byler is real #byler evidence #mike and will are endgame #byler is canon #byler s4 #byler theory

249 notes · View notes

starry-clown · 2 years

Text

If byler is one-sided, why on earth is Mike so heavily queer-coded in season 4 volume 1? I’ve noticed things… my queer lenses do not deceive me.

Mike isn’t slick…

Mike is obviously jealous over a painting that Will made because he thinks it’s for a girl that Will likes…

Mike won’t even write or say the words “I love you.” To his girlfriend, El…

Mike finds it so simple and easy to apologize only with Will…

Mike doesn’t open up about his feelings to El but he will however share his feelings about how Hawkins wasn’t the same without Will…

Mike stares so longingly at Will like he’s trying to look into his soul or something… but he’ll look away as soon as Will catches him…

Mike smiles with full on heart eyes to Will that lasts a while until they’re interrupted…

Mike fumbles and awkwardly moves his body and frantically blinks when he’s caught staring or is even close to Will…

Mike doesn’t know what personal space is when it comes to Will…

Mike uses a soft voice whenever speaking to Will, it’s basically a special voice for only him…

Mike keeps and hangs up all of Will’s drawings on the walls of his basement or inside a binder but doesn’t keep the last letter El wrote him. A letter that could be the very last thing she writes him and he just tosses it in the trash…

There’s so much to Mikes body language whenever he’s around Will, the glances, the small touches, the soft smiles, the gleam in his eyes… no matter how many times I rewatch this season I catch things, even the smallest of details. Mike really cares about Will… and there’s more there that he isn’t showing Will, but omg I see it. And I wholeheartedly believe the one he honestly loves more than anything is Will…

…Mike loves Will… it’s always been Will… one-sided my ass.

NOW CUE THE TENDER, EMOTIONAL MUSIC! ♡٩( ᐛ )و

#faith is restored 🖤….#i really hope the duffer brothers don’t mess this up…#it’s would make my gay ass heart so happy if Mike loves Will back… I’d sob so hard and scream about it for years…#no seriously… byler would make history!#anyways… how are we feeling byler shippers?#byler #byeler #mike and will are endgame #byler is canon #byler is real #byler is endgame #also I’m not saying Mike doesn’t love el he might just love her only in a platonic way like how Steve loves Robin platonically

277 notes · View notes

love-bylerstuff · 2 years

Text

Okay so hear me out, mike went to go see his “girlfriend and best friend” right. Well when their all getting their bags ready before the shoot out, we see mike come into wills room with his bag and will asked if he’s all packed. Shouldn’t he have been staying in wills room with him if their best friends just like in season 2. Unless mike didn’t feel comfortable sharing a room with him, and why would that be if their just friends. So the only explanation is mike felt something for will(we all know will would share a room with mike) just something I saw. I might be thinking about it to much.

#byler #byler is real #mike and will are endgame #byler st4 #byler is endgame

62 notes · View notes

oursonwithagirl · 2 years

Text

people have been saying this already, but i’ll repeat: the moment we hear a thunderstorm in s5 e5, we will have won 🥇

#byler #byler nation #byler theory #byler is canon #mike and will are endgame #duffers are you listening #shawn levy i don’t have to worry about you

43 notes · View notes

1989byler · 2 years

Text

mike wheeler was the one who cared about will in his darkest moments, he was the one who held his hand and said "this will take a toll, but let's do this together". but then eleven came along and mike began to see himself more as a solo, someone performing alone, as if he was then "pulling off the band-aid". will meanwhile held on to the pieces he had, chasing shadows and looking for the attention that mike once gave him. all that attention is now for eleven and the van scene was the checkmate moment for will. mike took off the band-aid a long time ago, he just needed to do the same for both of them to move on.

#im not ok lol #i’m just a delusional byler shipper #i need them to be happy #mike and will are endgame #be gay make byler canon #byler script #stranger things

12 notes · View notes

bylerisc4non · 2 years

Text

He turned away in an attempt to collect himself. Was Mike Wheeler flirting? He couldn’t help the warm blush that invaded his cheeks. It really felt like flirting. Of course, Will wouldn’t let himself dwell on that thought for long though. He only let his fantasies go so far. Inhaling deeply, he faced Mike again, who was still grinning at him.

But then his face fell and was replaced with something else. Fear? Alarm? Surprise? And he was just staring at him. Will was confused until he felt it; something dripping down his top lip. He slowly reached a hand up to touch it and when he looked at the tips of his fingers he found- to his horror- crimson.

---

Will gets his main character arc and Mike is more protective, flirtatious, and dramatic than ever.

#mike wheeler is gay #will byers is in love with mike wheeler #will byers #mike wheeler #mike x will #byler fanfic #byler #byler season 4 #will byers gets his main character arc meanwhile mike is in love with him but they suck at communication #will better be more of a main character is s5 #byler fanfiction #mike and will are endgame

4 notes · View notes

mokurono · 6 months

Text

hey byler tumblr/st tumblr !!!!!!!!!!

i, in fact, finished this before stranger things day ended (okay i finished it like 5 min before it ended)!!! ANYWAY. i saw this tweet and i just HAD TO draw it. so heres my version of how i see this scenario happening! hope you like it <3 (haha funny i drew byler art back to back)

2K notes · View notes

michaelwheelerapologist · 2 years

Text

so thats why it's called the rainbow room...

#talk papa!#ally!#papa #stranger things #stranger things lgbt #gay monster show #gayer things #byler #ronance #elmax #will byers #mike wheeler #byler endgame #byler tumblr #lesbian el #steddie

26K notes · View notes

filmnardo · 11 months

Text

Judgemental boyfriends 💛💙

5K notes · View notes

snacksizedgates · 2 years

Text

idk if anyone pointed this out but "boy" is written between them the entire time in this scene +++more.

First I want to start off with the most interesting one, which I have not seen anyone point out yet. If you have, you're just like me fr. But look at this parallel and tell me that's not intentional.

There's not much to say besides they're both thinking about boys. El's looks just like a thought bubble and it's the same exact frame for Mike so... Maybe El is thinking about just Mike but I think she suspects Will likes Mike at the very least. She is not as naïve as people think she is, imo. + There are two boys in El's thoughts whereas there is just a boy in Mike's thoughts.

The next most interesting part to me is:

It doesn't just say boy. It says "for boy" (really fer boy but its in cursive so it could plausibly be for). Again, call me delusional, but I think stuff like this is intentional. For boy between them in a scene where Will gives Mike a special painting and confesses his love vicariously... almost like a letter.

And on the side of Mike there is consistently a "boy" somewhere. So far as to when the "boy" starts panning out, they are panning it back in. Watch the sequence of these frames:

Notice that when Will is turned away getting the painting, the "boy" is coming out of the shot. But by the time he hands Mike the painting the "boy" is fully back in the shot. It's easier to see in the actual video, so I would go rewatch. It looks like they're playing with the lighting to make it seem like the car is moving but they still want to keep that boy in. I could be wrong cause idk how they film stuff like this but still lol.

So Mike is definitely thinking about SOMETHING boy related because why is there all that imagery?

Like give me a heterosexual explanation please??

And last but certainly not least seeing as it ties the whole situation together:

First note Mike still has boy written next to him. It's out out of focus along with Mike but it's still there, conveying he's still thinking about a boy, boys or whatever.

But for Will there is no solo boy imagery, just coupled with Mike. What Will has is the word "surfer" which is one letter away from suffer and he's crying in the foreground 😞😐 Again it's also in cursive so it can easily look like suffer especially backwards, so it's purposely put there.

It doesn't have to be that deep and they could have just thrown the boy in there to hint at their queerness over all but...

It could also indicate Mike recognizing his true feelings for Will and/or understanding what Will is saying. Regardless if he reciprocates I think he understands what Will is trying to say in this scene. His facial expressions give it away. But the ton of boy imagery, and especially "boy" not "boys" could definitely indicate he's recognizing his feelings for a boy.

Idk, maybe maybe not. But why.

#byler #byler is real #byler is endgame #mike wheeler #will byers #mike wheeler is gay #mike queercoded #queercoded #stranger things #stranger things 4 #mike and will are endgame #mike and will

207 notes · View notes

nilemar · 2 years

Text

The Van Scene

Very detailed (And a little delulu xD)

I'm going to apologise in advance, my english it's not the best and i have difficulties to explain myself. But, I'm going to try to explain my analysis and why the van scene it's so important.

First things first, we have to understand that we can not trust what we see in S4. When Will is in any of the scenes, it's his POV. So, everything that we are seeing in S4 is through Will's eyes. (I don't think we are going to get anything from the script from Mike's POV, bc thats not what they want. I really think that Mike is going to be really important in S5, just bc we're going to finally know him).

For example, Will believes that Mike and Eleven are okay and they don't have any problems, that they are happy and in love. We can see this in Rink O Mania or when all of them are reunited again. But, we, as the viewer, know that is just not true. We have seen their fight and Mike's emotions when he reads Eleven's letter (the one that ends -From El).

So thats why I truly believe there are 3 POVs in the van scene. Will's, Mike's and Jonathan's. (I'm sorry, but i can't figure out how people make screenshots in netflix, so i don't have any photos)

With Will, it's just the current situation, Will talking about his own feelings that are covered by beeing Eleven's, and Mike's expressions. But at the same time, it's really confusing bc everytime Mike is on focus, only him, we don't see Will that crearly and he is, most of the time, looking in another direction, away from Mike's eyes. So Will's POV it's really uncertain.

Then we have Mike. Why, EVERY TIME, Will is on the screen, he has thIS BEAUTIFUL light, making the scene so bright and unreal? Will couldn't be looking at himself like that, is just, idk... But thinking that is how Mike sees Will, hits completely different. And also, it hints us more about Mike's character in the situation.

I truly believe the audience is Jonathan. Bc we are seeing the scene through the rearview mirror, not in the privacy of their conversation, and the scene it just fits... right. A clue may be the Pizza letters behind them, bc we can finally read them (but I'm not gonna go into that very much) and Mike's pocket points towards Will... something that is not happening in the other POVs. (And this is bc BOTH are clueless about the others feelings). I want to point out that Mike looks at Will, in this POV, really different than in the other POVs (this is more explained in another point).

Now, let's talk about the scenes.

First of all, we can not unnoticed that Mike has a Will voice. This has been analysed, so I'm not going saying much about it. But when his voice changes, it's bc he is really paying atention to Will and Will only. Then, Will talks about this (pretty smart) plan, saying:

``we can just play D&D and Nintendo for the rest of our lives´´

And Mike: ``Yeah. Totally´´

This sentences are actually really important to understand how their current situation is. Let's remember S3. Will was constantly asking if they could go and play D&D. And in their rain fight, Mike was hinting that playing was ``not maturing´´ (something that he thinks he needs to bc of the pressure of having a gf and the people around him). But Will really thought that they were going play together for the rest of their lives (Will basically saying that he pictured his future, all his life, with Mike it was just so cute omg). Then, we saw that in Luca's book, Mike was moping and he was all the time in the basement playing Nintendo, when El and Will moved out... In this scene we are basically seeing that Mike no longer thinks that playing was inmature and that maybe, just maybe, he really likes the idea of playing D&D for the rest of his life, with Will. (we can see that he smiles at the idea when the scene focus on Will ->Bc, Mike's POV).

Before going farder, i really want to point out how Mike ONLY trusts Will to open up, in all their scenes Mike talks about his toughts and feelings, bc 1.- he doesn't trust anyone that much and 2.- It's Will's POV (i'm going to point out the POVs a lot so it's easier to understand)

I want to point out too that when they are really talking about Eleven, and what she could be thinking or feeling, we don't have close ups of their faces. When Will's or Mike's feelings are involved, even if it stills being surrounded by El, is there when he can see their facial expressions. Bc it's really IMPORTANT to know how they feel, and them only.

Mike is afraid that Eleven wouldn't need him anymore, bc Mike likes to be needed, to help. Eleven only needed his help in S1, and when she started being herself, powerful and independent, we can see that their relationship started having problems. (But i don't really think this is really accurate, bc then he should have know how to help her when Vecna traped her, but he didn't to anything until Will encourage him. I have an explanation for this, but then i'll start with the speech analysis and that could be for another post)

Will is really speechless when Mike talks like that about El, refering to the dumb luck, bc he didn't know that Mike thought that way about El ( Will's POV.) He thought everthing was okay, but it wasn't. He was seeing that Mike had a lot of insecurities with his relationship AND himself. And this is what encourage him to give the canvas, he wanted Mike to see how Will sees him, how important he actually is.

My favorite character is Will, but omg, I'm a Mike apologist (i just don't like the hate he has over things that he can control on himself, and well, I see myself in him too much). I say this bc Mike, thinking about the situation, he backs up, and basically says that his insecurities don't matter, saying it's stupid, giving everything that was going on. And is just... sad, he doesn't want to worry anyone with something so ``stupid´´ as his feelings.

The Duffer brothers said that Mike wasn't all clueless about the van scene, that he got some of the parts. For me, that's a half lie. Bc right in the moment when Will says: ``You're scared of losing her´´, the next scene we have is Mike's face realizing where that sentence came from and where the conversation was going.( I really think Mike knows from the begining, he was just confused in some parts of Will's speech, and that is the clueless part that the Duffers talked.) And with that face there is the [tender, emotionial music playing], like omg.

I'm sorry, but why is Mike looking at Will when he's reaching for the canvas, instead of looking towards the thing Will is getting, like? (and then they call Mike straight when he is so obvius and the most queercoded...)

How happy both are when Mike sees the painting. Mike for the detail and Will bc Mike is happy and he likes it. Mike loves Will's art, he's being so suportive and proud of Will ( the book of drawings that he owns). He has more drawings than the rest of the Party, and he has a lot of them hanged on the walls. It's so funny (and sad Eleven u deserve the best) that Eleven's room is full of Mike's photos and cards, but Mike doesn't have anything from El (and we know that she sent him a lot of stuff) but he still has a lot of Will's drawings.

Then, it changes to Jonathan's POV (our's) and we see that Will is looking through the window, being uncomfortable by lying to Mike (and thinking about how to lie about the situation). Will doesn't like lying to Mike, and we know this from the first 10min of S1 ep1; And Mike is sad, dissapointed, bc he really wanted to be from Will's. He even looks again towards the painting, he is not truly believing him. (Idk if this is really accurate, i just like reading and investigating the body lenguage, but my resurces can be fake, so, I'm giving my thoughts in that, but don't relay on them too much)

The little and proud smile that Mike has when Will says: ``You're guiding the whole party, inspiring us. That's what you do´´ Mike feels valued. After long time not giving the Party what it needs, and stoped being the leader that he was, Mike really needed to hear Will's words. (Even bc he thought that he really was being an idiot for focusing ONLY in El. He apologized for that) Especially him bc he once said that Mike was ruining the party, and when Will moved out, Mike was afraid that Will would join another party.

Omg, I'm so sorry that i don't have any photos, but pls, stop the times that u need and focus on Mike's face when Will says: ``Even El. Especially El´´. Mike knows. He has this SO LITTLE smirk. (Finn's acting skills are fucking amazing...) Is really little, is so discreet, but is there. And Mike is not loosing eye contact, bc he is trying to look through him (the eyes are the window of the soul).

Then, at that moment, he looks again at the painting. I don't think he is truly believing that the paint (where Max and Eleven are missing) was commissioned by El.

``This past few months, she's been so lost without you´´ In Jonathan's POV, Mike is focus on Will, and he is smiling. Bc Mike and Will felt the same, they both felt like their were losing each other.

Mike right now is only focus on Will, like fully. The intensity of the stare, but we don't know what is he thinking, bc is Will's POV and he is looking away, so Mike is blurry. But we know he is there and he is LISTENING to every single word.

When you're different...´´ Mike looks away, for a second, I think is bc he knows how it feels to be different, and knows how ``El´´ (Will, just in case) is feeling.``...you feel like a mistake.´´ Mike swallows. Bc those are harsh words, and they're dificult to process.

The next moment it's just soo uuggghhh... ``If she was mean to you or she seemed like she was pushing you away, it's because she's scared of losing you , like you're scared of losing her¨ I think Will slip there that he was actually talking about himself and it's really big information. Will didn't know exactly where Mike's and Eleven's relationship currently was. Yes, he knew about the fight (only what Mike told him) but he didn't know what the fight was about. And then, Mike just told him that he was afraid that Eleven would never need him again. Not losing, need. Mike never told Will that Eleven was mean to him and their never talked about being afraid of losing each other. Those were Mike and Will. The miscommunication that they had, Mike trying to reach and talk to Will but the telephone line was always busy bc of Joyce's work, and Will didn't want to push to much so he didn't call. Both waited the other one to call. And they both now when they talked in Rink O Mania. Then, Mike was the one saying to Will that he was afraid of losing him, bc both were being pushed away.

``And if she was going to lose you, I...I think she'd rather just get it over with quick. Like ripping off a Band-Aid.´´ Eleven, when she felt like she was losing Mike, she tried to talk to him (Their Fight). She didn't want to just get it over with quick, bc se really wasn't afraid of losing Mike. She would have understood. Will is afraid of what Mike would think or say about him if he knows his true feelings. Will is saying that he prefers to know the answer so he can get over it and stop thinking about it.

Mike, after Will says that, he looks concern about how Will could be feeling and thinking that way, bc it's sad. (the eyebrows and those eyes are the hints. Then Mike swallowing dry it's just...he's overwhelmed)

And that ``Yeah?´´ from Mike is what made me believe that he knows that Will is talking about himself. How he says it, with that smile, with the Will voice, with those bright and watery eyes and not losing eye contact. Then, after Will answers, Mike still has this soft face, like really happy, smiling at Will.

Before getting into the cry scene, I really want to point out that the body lenguage for both parts indicates that they are talking about themselfs (Will AND Mike are using El to talk about their own feelings). I talked about this before, but i'm going to get detailed in here. When u are talking with someone about a situacion that u are not involved with, is rare to hold the eye contact with the person that u are talking with about that.

If your friend is telling u how they feel towards another person, and the one talking to is u, u are possibly going to look at another spot in the room where u are (or place) and try to think or feel what the other one is explaining. Bc there is no conection between u and the person u are talking to. Less if u can't relay in anything. U would be thinking and imagine.

If u are in some way in the situation, it would be putting less efort to try and understand the situation, bc u were there. You'll be still strying to understand bc those emotions weren't yours.

Okay, now think about a situation where both of u were talking about both of your feelings. U will try not to lose eye contact bc u want the other one to feel what u feel and to see you. There will be physical aproximity and the tension will be palpable. If you are attracted to each other, there will be physical contact and u will look at the others persons lips or any feature of their face.

Why I'm saying this? Bc Mike was ONLY looking at Will. Yeah, maybe he looked at the painting once or twice, but he was desperated to lock his eyes with Will's. He wasn't trying to think about El, bc he was IMMERSED in Will's words. He glanced at Will's lips a couple of times. Is the same as their heart to heart conversations that we have seen in S4. It was THEIR own bubble. Jonathan and Argyle disappear, and Eleven in that converstion too. It was just them. They had the conection bc they were talking (Mike more like thinking xD) about their own feelings towards each other. Not anyone else. Their feelings.

And that explains why Mike didn't do anything when Will cried. Their conection broke, but Mike noticed (he stared at Will more than 1s). There were two possible ways why Mike didn't do anything: 1.- There were more people in the van and he was used to have their own bubble alone, talking and helping each other alone. Or 2.- He knows Will, so maybe he thought that Will needed his space to break, to let the tears fall, bc, it will be stupid to be talking about someone with that intensity and nearly crying bc of other person's feelings. Mike comforming Will would have been a hint that Mike knew Will was talking about himself, and doing that, may could have been worst for Will.

So here I end. I know there more points to talk about, but right now i feel like a said everything i had to say. Idk if this has helped you, or if you enjoyed. I was really happy doing it bc i realized more things that i didn't know. Maybe all of this u already knew, and I'm sorry for that. I really wish that maybe there was information that is new for you.

If u want to ask me anything or to analyse other things, tell me, I enjoy writing and analysing this show haha. Thank u very much for reading thiiiis. Byeeee

96 notes · View notes

starry-clown · 2 years

Text

Here's my version of a byler love confession

What if it's Mike who confesses his feelings first and then it was Will who showed Mike that he's reciprocated those feelings for years.

(Mike has poured his heart out to his best friend, Will after they're alone together right after the stuff they go through dealing with Vecna's curse.)

Mike let's out a breath of relief after confessing and Will is speechless, staring wide eyed at Mike.

Mike feels a touch of regret and thinking, oh shit what did I just do? so he awkwardly backtracks his words and before he could take it back Will starts laughing to himself which surprises Mike.

"Will, why are you-"

"Mike," … "you have no idea how much I wanted to tell you what you just told me."

Mike slowly tries to put two and two together but he's so damn oblivious. Will makes it easier by reaching and grabbing something behind him and reveals the rolled up painting that he kept in his back pack.

"What are you doing?"

"Remember when you asked me if I remembered the day we first met?"

Mike slowly nods his head at the question. of course I do, but why is he asking me that? Will hands the rolled up painting to Mike. "Here," … "This is your answer…"

Mike is stunned and shocked at hearing Will's words. Confusion is all over Mike's face as he goes through a mental breakdown in his mind as he begins connecting the dots. wait this is for me? but I thought…

Will can't stop fidgeting as he watches in both fear and anticipation as Mike begins slowly unrolling the painting. Mike hold's in his breath after he's done and stares at what's before him.

[ tender, emotional synth music plays ]

It's as if time had stopped, Mike just stares in awe at the picture, noticing every brush stroke and color and detail from the sky, to the trees, to the swings and to the two boys… his heart skips. wait a second.

"Is that-"

"The day we met?" … "Yes it is." Will says softly, finishing Mike's sentence.

Mike look's up back at Will, and freezes once he see's the tears falling down his cheeks. Mike wants to ask if Will's okay, like he's always have. Until Will nervously laughs and says "I do remember… because meeting you on the first day of kindergarten, and saying yes to being your friend, Mike… I-It was the best thing that I’ve ever done."

Mike quickly looks down at the painting with an overwhelming sense of understanding, it was like the sun meeting the moon, a lunar eclipse revealing all the stars in the galaxy ever so clearly.

This painting is of a special memory of something that him and Will mutually shared.

This is what love looks like.

Mike can't hold it in anymore, Mike breaks down in tears, some water droplets fall onto the painting where the two little boys were. Will notices and hurries to comfort and reassure him. and with no hesitation Mike lets the painting fall to the floor and rushes to warmly embrace his best friend whom he's loved so dearly his whole life. Then it was Will's turn to break down, he sobbed harder than ever. desperately clinging himself on to Mike, and burying his wet face into mike's shoulder. Both boys share a moment of releasing all emotions that were filling up inside of their hearts and finally spilling out from there soul.

"I-I feel like… I'm going c-crazy…" Mike shakily says.

"Me too." … "Hey, well, if we're both going crazy, then we'll go crazy together, right?" Will laughs softly at the memory, causing Mike to laugh at Will repeating his own words back to him.

"Yeah, crazy together." Mike responds happily with a feeling of security.

#reposting cuz i needed to fix typos #hope this brings you bylers some comfort! ily! :)#byler #byler is endgame #mike and will are endgame

166 notes · View notes