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Operation Matchmakers by midnighteverlark for paladinscleric
Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
19 Oct 2021
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Summary
Mike teaches English in room B207.
Will teaches art in B213.
And they clearly, clearly like each other.
Their students hatch a plan to get them together.Gift fic for paladinscleric! Happy birthday!
(Not a text/chat fic! It just has elements of that from the students' POV. Don't be put off by the first bit, it's not all chat.)
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 14,368
- Chapters:
- 3/3
- Collections:
- 4
- Comments:
- 200
- Kudos:
- 3,215
- Bookmarks:
- 531
- Hits:
- 28,356
Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
26 Jan 2026
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Looking at them all, he relises this is the most at home he’s felt in a long time. Catching up with Joyce, telling her how his family has been— asking Jonathan how college is going. Even cracking jokes with El, it all comes easy.
When he looks at Will, though— laughing radiantly from across the table and smiling over at Mike before looking back down to his food, almost as if he’s shy— he feels different.
For some completely unfathomable reason, he gets the overwhelming desire to kiss him.
Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
24 Jan 2026
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After the final battle, it's just Will, Mike, Max, Lucas and Dustin, it's November 6th, 1988, everyone is bored, until Lucas proposes to play "seven minutes in heaven", those seven minutes turn into hours for Will and Mike.
OR
mike and will get paired up (not fairly) for the game, having to spend 7 minutes together in a very tiny closet.
(kudos and comments appreciated!! tiktok: w.by3rs)
Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
19 Jan 2026
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Mike is on Reddit.
He needs to stop oversharing online.
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we all have a hunger (tell me what you need) by papenathy
Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
03 Jun 2025
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“Looks like I bit you.” Will tilts his head to get a better look. All Mike can do is stare at him. His fluffy hair at the front, clumped pieces at the back where he’d slid his fingers in a mere few minutes before. His pretty green eyes that look hazel or even brown in this light, the dark circles he gets when he drinks framing them like intricate paintings. A satisfied, bloody smile.
Mike isn’t satisfied. He swallows thickly, choking down the words 'don’t you want more?'
Or: Will dresses as a vampire for a college halloween party, but Mike thinks his costume isn’t bloody enough. Will lets him fix it. Mike goes into a crisis.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 34,403
- Chapters:
- 3/3
- Comments:
- 1,247
- Kudos:
- 31,572
- Bookmarks:
- 6,878
- Hits:
- 472,531
Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
17 Jan 2026
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If anyone had asked, Mike would always say his favorite season was fall.
Could you blame him? There was just so much to love about it – the shifting hues of amber, bronze, and ruby that adorned the falling leaves in Central Park; the dwindling temperatures that brought relief from the sticky summer heat; the feel of a new knit sweater against the fresh gales of fall breeze. The gloomy sky and crisp air perfectly synthesized into the type of atmosphere that let Mike justify another cup of coffee, and hell, he’d take that over the glaring sun and thick humidity of New York summers any day.
What was there to not love about fall? Honestly, he couldn’t think of one thing even if he tried his hardest –
Oh. Right.
His boyfriend hated the fall.
OR: With the upcoming anniversary of Will's disappearance, Mike hatches a plan to make the next two days a little more tolerable.
OR OR: Will, entirely from Mike’s eyes, and the love he knows will never fade.Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
16 Jan 2026
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bury me in metamorphoses (with galatea, my sweet) by hiscleric
Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
10 Sep 2022
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It’s been seven years since Will Byers vanished from Hawkins for the second time; seven years since he picked up his life, moved across the globe, and finally settled. He had found himself in a small town outside of Dublin with no desire to be anyplace else. He was happy. Ireland was great — beautiful sights, decent weather, and it was far. So, so far.
But when past feelings bubble from under the surface and start to poison his creative endeavors, he doesn’t think things could get any worse.
Seeing Mike Wheeler at his local grocery store quickly proves him wrong.
OR: Running away and the reunion of a lifetime.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 32,333
- Chapters:
- 2/2
- Comments:
- 416
- Kudos:
- 4,030
- Bookmarks:
- 1,196
- Hits:
- 74,805
Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
16 Jan 2026
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Summary
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!)
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 70,021
- Chapters:
- 16/16
- Comments:
- 978
- Kudos:
- 6,155
- Bookmarks:
- 1,460
- Hits:
- 97,948
Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
12 Jan 2026
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you're stuck in my brain by delusionaltogether (Whyyyyy)
Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
19 Mar 2023
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Summary
Kelly’s grin widens, and Will, vaguely, feels a bit afraid. “Dude, this is so great,” she says, and Will- he agrees , but he’s failing to see why she would think so, because she’s not the one who gets to be all insanely into Mike Wheeler all the time. That’s just for him, the possessive part of Will thinks, and immediately feels guilty about. “We’ve all been dying to find out who this guy is.”
Will blinks. “I- huh?”
“Your muse,” a voice from behind Will says, and Marcus Jacobs, Will’s roommate and Kelly’s- well, Kelly’s something , judging by the look he gives her, grins at them both as he steps over to wrap an arm around Kelly’s waist. “That guy you’re always drawing?”
Will may or may not have a muse. Mike may or may not be thrilled with this information.
Series
- Part 2 of the start of forever
Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
12 Jan 2026
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In a Normal Life, I Want To by hurricanelilies (porridgemilk)
Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
11 Dec 2025
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Summary
Sometimes, even this close, always in the same space, Mike feels like there’s a want inside him that aches so much, like Will is somehow going to drift away if he doesn’t reach out and latch onto him. He’s clingy, he’s gross, and the world has already ended and somehow pieced itself back together.
Maybe Mike deserves to be clingy and gross and a little, a lot, in love.
--
Or, Mike and Will have their first kiss during the end of the world. Kissing a second time, when everything is finally back to normal, takes a lot more courage.
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she's got you mesmerized by delusionaltogether (Whyyyyy)
Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
08 Dec 2025
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Summary
This is what Mike’s been thinking about, in between worrying whether they’re all going to die, which definitely suggests that his priorities are a little out of whack, but he can’t help it. The past year has been bizarre, to put it lightly, but he thought that one of the better things to come out of it is that he and Will are friends again, like, real, close friends. He’s wondered, once or twice, in the midst of his own relationship’s crumbling status, whether Will has ever had any romantic entanglements, whether he plans to. Previously, Mike had ruled it out, because he thought if Will was interested in someone that he’d tell him about it, or at least not hide it. But Robin mentioned a date, and Will’s the only guy she’s been around lately except for Steve, who’s pretty obviously still hung up on Nancy (ew), so, like, what else is Mike supposed to think?
Will has made a new friend. Mike feels normal about it, really.
Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
10 Jan 2026
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would you like to stay a while by delusionaltogether (Whyyyyy)
Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
21 Dec 2025
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Summary
It’s quiet for a few minutes, long enough for Will to think that Mike’s fallen back asleep. But then he speaks again, his voice a low, conspiratorial whisper: “Hey, Will?”
Will hums absently, half asleep himself. He’s always more tired after he gets emotional, and Mike’s so warm.
“I know it’s, like, not the greatest circumstances,” Mike says, “but I like this. Being- there for each other, I guess.”Maybe Will's crazy, but he's starting to think Mike might like him back.
Series
- Part 2 of darwinism
Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
10 Jan 2026
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Summary
@byerseason: ok the concept of secret relationship byler and will starts getting impatient bc mike keeps making the campaign longer when they promised to be alone after it ends Oh okay
Except I made them reallllly gay
Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
09 Jan 2026
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if everyone has someone (then the math just isn't right) by delusionaltogether (Whyyyyy)
Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
22 Aug 2025
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Summary
El’s mouth twists to one side, the way it does when she’s about to deliver bad news. Mike’s gut sinks further. “Will’s bringing Andy home for the holidays to meet everyone.”
Logically, there is only one possible context behind all of this, but that does not mean Mike is willing to believe it before he has to. “Right,” he says, feeling vaguely on the verge of hyperventilating, “and- El, who the fuck is Andy?”
At this, El’s expression of thinly veiled pity shifts into proper shock, her eyes going wide and round. “Oh,” she says, “oh, dear.”
Mike comes home from his first semester at college with a plan: to make Will Byers his boyfriend. Unfortunately, it appears someone else has already beaten him to it.
Series
- Part 1 of darwinism
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 44,085
- Chapters:
- 7/7
- Comments:
- 345
- Kudos:
- 2,618
- Bookmarks:
- 608
- Hits:
- 53,640
Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
09 Jan 2026
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Summary
To be fair, Will’s costume is great, now that Mike knows what it is. And, okay, wait-
“Oh, this is so good. This is so good.” Max points at Mike, wheezing. “Because you’re dressed as-”
Will’s still looking straight up at the sky. The length of his neck is very, very flushed. Mike can feel his entire face going redder than Vader’s lightsaber. He clenches his hands into tiny little fists, and says, around a groan: “I’m not Han Solo, guys.”
In which Lucas has a thing for Bowie, Will has a thing for Han Solo, Mike has a thing for Will, and El should never be allowed to watch Star Wars again.
Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
08 Jan 2026
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That’s What You Get For Falling In Love by harriet_vane
Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
25 Aug 2022
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Summary
After they save the world, Will gets a boyfriend and a haircut. Mike loses his mind.
A bunch of random words and feelings flash through Mike’s brain but they won’t settle down to form a sentence. He just can’t fathom the idea of Will…with a boyfriend. Will’s boyfriend. A boyfriend who is Will’s. It won’t make sense no matter how he squints at it. “Dudes kissing or whatever is cool,” Mike says eventually. “It’s just… Will…”
Will picks up a pillow and throws it at Mike’s face. Mike catches it. “That’s not fair,” Will says. “Dustin has Suzie, and Lucas has Max.”
“But you’re Will,” says Mike. Doesn't everyone else feel this way, too? Dustin and Lucas are looking at him with twin expressions of horrified fascination, like Mike is some kind of slow-motion train wreck. “I mean– I mean, you’ve always been–”
My Will, Mike’s brain finishes. Shit, he’s not saying that out loud.
“The baby?” asks Will, glaring at him. “Shut up, Mike.”
“No,” Mike says again, miserable, but he can’t say I don’t want there to be some other guy you like more than me out loud where god and Dustin can hear him and never let him forget it as long as he lives.
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Summary
He’d stared at Will without really seeing him, so caught up in his own thoughts—a constant, monotonous beat of oh my God, I’m alive. Oh my God, Will has powers. Oh my God, he saved me.
And then—
Oh my God, he’s beautiful.
The thought had stopped him short, had landed with a soft and devastating clarity.
Beautiful.
That single word had broken something open within him, something he’d spent years reinforcing with lock and chain and prayer and denial.
After Will saves Mike from the demogorgon at the MAC-Z, Mike finally lets himself acknowledge a truth he's been running from for years:
He is in love with Will Byers.
Now all Mike has to do is come to terms with that truth—especially when Joyce sees it too.
Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
06 Jan 2026
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Summary
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.
Series
- Part 1 of eye of the beholder
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 34,883
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Comments:
- 1,012
- Kudos:
- 11,595
- Bookmarks:
- 3,169
- Hits:
- 195,955
Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
06 Jan 2026
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“How long have you even known?”
Jonathan’s mouth opened, closed, then opened again. “Known?”
Will’s sigh was sharp, frustrated. “You know what I’m talking about, Jonathan.”
Jonathan’s brows raised slightly. They were really gonna talk about it. “Okay, fair enough. You’re right. I think I have a pretty good idea.”
Will’s attention snapped to him, surprised at his quick admission.
Jonathan lightly brushed Will’s watch that he knew matched Mike’s. “But I want you to say it, in case I’m wrong.”
OR: The drive back to Hawkins we never saw pre-S4 epilogue, in which Jonathan and Will talk for real
Bookmarked by Exploring_theStars
05 Jan 2026
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Summary
Their shoulders brushed again, slow and equally savored. The kind of movement you couldn't pretend was an accident.
So Will brushed back, just barely. Testing. Flirting. Mike inhaled softly, the faintest noise escaping him. And then he spoke like he was physically unable to stay silent any longer.
“Will? If… if that boy you like…” he was standing so close that Will could feel the warmth of him against the cold air. “…If you ever wanted to tell him…”
Will felt his breath stop.
“…I think he’d want to know.”
OR: Yet another buzzy post vol 1 fic where Will grows more confident, Mike short-circuits over it, and they save the world together !!
**Can be read as a vol 2/3 fix-it fic post-finale