20 Bookmarks by aar83
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Coming back from the Upside Down doesn't mean Will Byers fully left it.
(stranger thing season 5 rewrite !)
☠︎︎ ⋆₊ ♱ ‧⁺⋆ 🪦 ‧⁺
Bookmarked by aar83
04 Jun 2026
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Will could still feel it. The storm. Feel the way it moved, fast and endless and alive, spreading through everything; through him. Black clouds twisting in impossible shapes, something enormous shifting inside them, something that saw him even when he couldn’t see it back.
He jerked upright with a gasp and the room slammed back into place around him.
The dorm he shared with Mike. The single beds they'd pushed together to make one. The faint glow of the lamp on the other side of the room – always left on for Will. The low, distant hum of the city that never slept.
New York. 1992.
Not there.
But the feeling didn’t leave. It clung to him, cold and heavy.
The lamp flickered.
He froze.
The light stuttered once, dimming and snapping back so quickly it barely resisted. But he felt it, the drum of energy, like a pulse.
Will’s stomach dropped.
Bookmarked by aar83
28 May 2026
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when i've been smothered in the sympathy you bleed by girlgbtq
Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
11 Jun 2026
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"Sullivan's pace quickened as he strode down the halls of the lab in the Hellish dimension, the last thirty minutes stuck in his mind on a loop. Some trouble makers breaking into the base, a swarm of those vile undead monsters, a demon shooting his hand through the face of Ramirez-
And a boy, snapping the limbs of one of those monsters without even breaking a sweat- a brand new variable that Sullivan hadn’t predicted discovering."
— — —
When Joyce, Mike, and Will leave the MAC-Z after discovering Will's powers, they assume that the only enemy they have left to deal with is Vecna. However, they fail to notice that Lieutenant Jack Sullivan wasn't killed in the massacre- and that he saw Will using his newfound powers. Once Sullivan informs Dr. Kay, it doesn't take too long for the military to set their sights on a new target, one that has powers that they would love to get their hands on...
Bookmarked by aar83
23 May 2026
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“Mike?”
He hadn’t heard Will Byers say his name in four years.
Mike Wheeler thought going to Briarwood University would give him a clean slate, a chance to start over somewhere far away from Hawkins and the friendships he let fall apart.
Instead, the first person he sees when the door to his dorm opens is Will.
His old best friend.
His new roommate.
And the one person he never really managed to leave behind.
Bookmarked by aar83
28 Apr 2026
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They've been meaning to see each other more after graduation, but it never quite happened for one reason or another. And when it finally did, it was during the worst of circumstances. Now Will is broken and Mike feels needed.
AKA Mike and Will (re-)fall in love during a road trip.
Series
- Part 4 of Stranger Things comics-art
Bookmarked by aar83
22 Apr 2026
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Five years after the fall of Vecna, in 1992, Mike is left behind, unraveling under the weight of grief, guilt, and the lingering sense that something feels...off. As he obsessively rewrites the story of what happened, searching for meaning in forgotten details, cracks begin to form in his memory, and in his reality itself.
Back on November 6th, 1987, after Will’s attempt to tap into the hive mind leaves him comatose, Eleven dives into his subconscious to save him—and discovers secrets he never meant anyone, especially her, to know.
But Vecna sees them too. This time, he uses it to break them.
As past and present blur, and Mike and Will become entangled in ways neither fully understands, the truth begins to emerge: nothing is as it seems, and the story is far from finished.
Or,
A S5 V2 rewrite told from the POVs of Mike, Will, and Eleven. Featuring a slow-burn that aches, mutual pining so infuriating you’ll want to scream (cuz how can these idiots not see they’re in love?), and eventual sweet, fluffy moments that’ll leave you grinning ear to ear, this story rebuilds the ending from the inside out.
It takes its time, but promise. It’s worth it.
Bookmarked by aar83
18 Apr 2026
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After everyone else leaves Hawkins, Mike stays because he can’t face a world without Eleven.
Will stays because he can’t face a world without Mike.
Their days blur into a routine that is comfortable, suffocating, and the only way they know how to survive.
So when Will starts coughing, he calls it a cold.
He calls it a cold when it turns deep and violent.
He calls it a cold right up until he’s bent over the bathroom sink with blood on his hands and the truth staring back at him.
As Mike watches Will’s body unravel, the truth he’s been running from since they were kids finally catches up to him.
But some words come too late.
And some endings can’t be fixed.Bookmarked by aar83
07 Apr 2026
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Summary
His other eye held a sense of familiarity to Mike. The color a soft green. He looked at his nose, at his mouth, at the mole over it.
Wait.
...What?
He looked back up into his eyes. The same eyes he had looked into on their last day together.
His stomach dropped. He was going to be sick.
He traced his face yet again as his mind simultaneously remembered every picture of Will.
Pictures Mike had been studying meticulously ever since he died.
That’s right, Will died.
Will is dead.
He's supposed to be dead.
He kept repeating the sentiment in his head, but it didn't matter. All the details matched. Sure, his features had become older, but it was still him. It was still-
"...Will?" Mike whispered, terrified the sound of his voice would somehow make him disappear, make this not real. Instead, it appeared as if Mike speaking awoke something in Will as Will’s emotionless eyes suddenly shot up along with the shotgun flying back up into his hands, shooting right past Mikes head, straight through the tree he was still leaned against.
Or: A Will Byers was never found AU, until he was
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 121,501
- Chapters:
- 12/35
- Comments:
- 206
- Kudos:
- 385
- Bookmarks:
- 107
- Hits:
- 10,452
Bookmarked by aar83
05 Apr 2026
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But it wasn’t a monster that came out of the trees. It was a person. A boy.
Mike froze.
Then he was spotted, and the boy stopped in his tracks; with skillful movements, he quickly slung the rifle off his shoulder and pointed it at Mike’s chest. Mike raised his hands while trying to keep most of his weight on his left leg.
“Whoa. Hey,” Mike said, his eyes wide as he stared at the tip of the rifle. “Just hold on. I’m not—I’m not going to hurt you.”
Or: A crawl gone wrong left Mike stranded in the Upside Down. Hurt and alone, Mike stumbles upon someone everyone told him was dead.
Will Byers was never found Au
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 154,503
- Chapters:
- 23/23
- Collections:
- 2
- Comments:
- 4,310
- Kudos:
- 11,522
- Bookmarks:
- 2,563
- Hits:
- 329,362
Bookmarked by aar83
06 Mar 2026
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Being away at college is easier than Will expected in some ways, and harder in all the others. As old wounds from the past resurface and familiar routines fall into place, Mike becomes the person he keeps turning to without meaning to.
It's probably nothing.
Until the lines between friendship start to look a little blurred.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 107,185
- Chapters:
- 37/37
- Comments:
- 471
- Kudos:
- 294
- Bookmarks:
- 104
- Hits:
- 10,766
Bookmarked by aar83
02 Mar 2026
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“I want to try something but you can’t freak out.”
Mike didn’t like the way Will wouldn’t look at him. “That’s not exactly comforting.”
Will let out a shaky sigh and hesitated with his next words, “Hold out your hand with your palm facing up.”
“Wait, what?” Mike was lost.
“Just do it.”
Mike slowly put his hand out towards Will, curious to see what he’d planned.
Will breathed out through his nose heavily. “Okay, just keep still.” He reached out with his trembling finger and moved it towards Mike.
There was a rule in Hawkins: You don't touch Will Byers. Mike follows it better than anyone.
Bookmarked by aar83
02 Mar 2026
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Summary
Will Byers has slowly lost his memories over the years due to the lingering effects of Vecna. So Mike Wheeler, the storyteller, reads to him, hoping that their story, might guide Will back to himself. Back to him.
or: A slow burn friends to lovers that starts in college and follows them through the years, with kicking your feet and giggling moments, angst that burns your chest, and yearning that will have you taking a lap around your room.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 184,538
- Chapters:
- 43/?
- Comments:
- 2,073
- Kudos:
- 2,632
- Bookmarks:
- 645
- Hits:
- 88,301
Bookmarked by aar83
09 Feb 2026
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No matter how dark the world got -- Mike was a shining light. No matter how bad things became -- Mike always had hope. No matter what happened in his life -- Mike always had Will. Or at least, he thought. Will once told Mike he was the heart -- and Vecna was determined to break it.
Series
- Part 2 of The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Bookmarked by aar83
05 Feb 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:
- 6,887
- Kudos:
- 26,591
- Bookmarks:
- 4,820
- Hits:
- 752,802
Bookmarked by aar83
22 Jan 2026
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Summary
Will looks down at the sheet, fingers worrying the edge. “I thought we were being careful. Taking our time.”
Mike swallows. “I thought I was too.” He lets out a small, sad breath. “I was wrong.”
Will looks back up. “So what are you saying?”
Mike’s chest tightens. This is it. The place where he either steps back—or finally names the truth.
“I’m saying I need something to change,” he says. “Or I’m going to break.”
The words hang there, bare and undeniable.
Will’s eyes flicker. “I don’t know if I can give you what you’re asking for. Not yet.”
Mike nods. He’d known this answer was possible. Knowing doesn’t make it hurt less. It reminds him of the same words he said in that coffee shop three years ago.OR: A post-canon, slow-burn Byler story about growing up unevenly, loving at the wrong time, and finding your way back to each other once you’ve learned how to stay.
(Title from the song Nauseous by Conan Gray)
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 103,236
- Chapters:
- 37/37
- Comments:
- 206
- Kudos:
- 448
- Bookmarks:
- 99
- Hits:
- 10,012
Bookmarked by aar83
20 Jan 2026
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Summary
What happens when Will Byers feels his vision and conscience be slowly syphoned by Henry to be solely used as his spy? How Will his feelings and relationship to Mike develop as he is driven to sacrifice half of his vision to break free from the cruel purpose Henry has decided for him?
This is my very first fic ever! English is not my first language and do have dyslexia so any and all support is much appreciated! <3
Bookmarked by aar83
20 Jan 2026
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Summary
Will Byers is not a wizard. He’s a sorcerer.
Unfortunately, sorcery comes with side effects — nosebleeds, power surges, and a cold that refuses to go away.
As Will catches a mysterious cold after unlocking his powers at the MAC-Z, Mike Wheeler steps in to take care of his best friend. Because that’s all they are. Just friends. Obviously.
A post–Season 5 fix-it bringing back THE REAL Mike Wheeler (aka the one in season 1 and 2) complete with caretaking, slowburn Byler, mutual pining, and the kind of love that flickers the lights.
Bookmarked by aar83
20 Jan 2026
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Summary
It's been 25 months since the Upside Down was destroyed.
Both Will Byers and Mike Wheeler are trying to move on with their lives. But, as it turns out, the Upside Down isn't done with them.
And perhaps more importantly, Will and Mike aren't quite as done with each other as they thought.
Bookmarked by aar83
20 Jan 2026
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Summary
It turns out, Will Byers is a bit more than he appeared to be.
Everyone has some opinions on that, especially Will himself.
<><><>
The first 40-ish chapters were written between Volume 1 and Volume 2, so this is NOT Volume 2 compliant. Oh well!
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 76,898
- Chapters:
- 65/?
- Comments:
- 1,075
- Kudos:
- 3,243
- Bookmarks:
- 607
- Hits:
- 86,595
Bookmarked by aar83
20 Jan 2026
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Summary
It’s been years since they’d seen each other. Will’s kept his head down, drifting in an invisible existence when an old friend slams back into his life. Tragedy strikes, again, and they’re forced to work through the scars of the past in the company of a cramped car.
Will must look his own pain in the face before he loses Mike all over again.
Before he loses himself.
Bookmarked by aar83
19 Jan 2026