WistfulWheeler
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Summary
Mike Wheeler is thirty years old, three years married, and incredibly unhappy. After an unexpected AOL Instant Messenger group chat with the Party, Mike reconnects with Will after several years and realizes that maybe his life doesn't have to be so bad.
Or: A 2000s epistolary fic in which Mike falls in love with his childhood best friend and cheats on his wife.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 151,782
- Chapters:
- 7/12
- Comments:
- 2,340
- Kudos:
- 5,844
- Bookmarks:
- 1,596
- Hits:
- 159,445
Bookmarked by WistfulWheeler
29 Jun 2026
Bookmarker's Notes
genuinely my FAVORITE byler fic EVER!! So beautifully written and incredibly complex.
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Summary
“No. No, Mike, can you hear me?” He nods, ever so slightly. It’s enough for Will. If he’s dying— if these are truly the last words that will ever be spoken between them— there’s only one thing he can say. “I love you. I’m in love with you, Mike, please. You can’t go. I love you so much,” Will whispers, cradling his body to his chest.
—
Will confesses his feelings as Mike takes his last breaths— and then Mike decides to be a stubborn asshole about it and survives. Will is left to deal with the aftermath of his choice, navigating an awkward new friendship.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 36,317
- Chapters:
- 10/10
- Comments:
- 471
- Kudos:
- 6,677
- Bookmarks:
- 1,519
- Hits:
- 99,651
Bookmarked by WistfulWheeler
28 Jun 2026
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Summary
Will Byers was raised to have the only correct opinions on music ever, actually, and he’s proud to show this off in the music review section of his university's queer student artists’ collective’s relatively popular zine, zine of the times. He actually really enjoys this position–that is, until the president of the zine informs him that he has to review his least favorite band on this earth: The Fellowship of the Ring.
At least his incredibly attractive neighbor in his U.S. history class is gonna go with him on the assignment, right?
Or: A music snob and the frontman of his most-hated local band walk into a bar for a date. It’s either the beginning of a really good joke or a really shitty love story.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 54,518
- Chapters:
- 4/4
- Comments:
- 190
- Kudos:
- 1,207
- Bookmarks:
- 440
- Hits:
- 23,971
Bookmarked by WistfulWheeler
28 Jun 2026
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Summary
In the end, it doesn’t matter. None of it fucking matters. Because what’s really in control is the tension. This elusive string tied between their chests that’s always changing length. Right now it’s so short and taught and strong that Will can’t imagine resisting it. So really, it was never a matter of if he would. Just when. When will he fold? When will he let go and let himself follow Mike into the water?
He dares to glance down at his knees, where he can see Mike’s fingers peeking out from behind his calves (as if he needed that visual reminder that they’re touching), and then back up to meet Mike’s expectant gaze.
He’s going to do it. He’s such a fucking idiot.
OR
Mike & Will have a long overdue conversation on the way back to Hawkins— by, in, and around a random motel pool.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 30,013
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Comments:
- 151
- Kudos:
- 3,932
- Bookmarks:
- 1,314
- Hits:
- 70,443
Bookmarked by WistfulWheeler
28 Jun 2026
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Summary
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.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 170,879
- Chapters:
- 46/46
- Comments:
- 6,910
- Kudos:
- 26,880
- Bookmarks:
- 4,887
- Hits:
- 762,414
Bookmarked by WistfulWheeler
28 Jun 2026