11 Bookmarks by swirlstar
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“You’re not boning, though, right?” he says, suddenly. He doesn’t know why he feels such an urge to bring it up again, as if the thought of Mike boning is not something that is CODE RED #1 at the top of Will's list of things to absolutely never think about. But also. Look–
“What? No, of course I’m not boning,” Mike splutters, turning a violent shade of scarlet, “how would I even hide that from you, I’m with you all the time–”
And then he falls silent, so fast that Will gets tonal whiplash from how fast Mike just went from saying boning over and over again to just clamping his mouth shut and staring at the wall across from them.
Will's trying his hardest to make it through fall semester in one piece. Unfortunately for his degree, he's being haunted by maybe-feelings for his best friend (metaphorically), and also a maybe-ghost with rather abysmal fashion sense (literally).
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 53,522
- Chapters:
- 4/4
- Comments:
- 294
- Kudos:
- 4,133
- Bookmarks:
- 1,001
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- 61,811
Bookmarked by swirlstar
07 Aug 2026
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Mike didn’t have any plans for his future apart from following his best friend to college so that everything could stay exactly the same between them.
But when it doesn’t, when Will meets new people, or more specifically, a new person, Mike realises just how far from okay he is with that. And it may just lead to him realising some other things that he’s feeling too…
Or
Mike and Will move to College, Will gets a boyfriend, and Mike gets very, very jealousBookmarked by swirlstar
15 Jul 2026
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“We haven’t done this since middle school,” Will says, voice barely above a whisper.
“Huh,” Mike whispers back. “Yeah, guess not.”
A couple years ago, Mike read a National Geographic article about a phenomenon called the polar night. In the farthest north and south regions of the globe, there are weeks, sometimes months depending on how close you are to the poles, where the sun does not rise above the horizon, plunging the world into a perpetual nighttime. Living in such conditions, the article had explained, can affect one’s circadian rhythm, heighten issues with concentration and energy levels, and cause a spike in depressive symptoms among local populations. Some resort to using light therapy lamps to mimic the daylight.
It was only after the Byers moved away, all those years ago, that Mike began to understand what the prolonged absence of the sun can do to a person.
The Upside Down is gone, and everyone has made it out unscathed. In the aftermath of the not-so-end of the world, snowballs turn into avalanches. Sometimes it just takes time.
or: Mike gets into Brown, Will gets into RISD, and the friends-to-???-to-lovers slowburn that ensues.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 160,586
- Chapters:
- 12/12
- Comments:
- 305
- Kudos:
- 692
- Bookmarks:
- 252
- Hits:
- 23,027
Bookmarked by swirlstar
03 Jul 2026
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Letters to Will (Live from New York) by sofishortcake
Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
02 May 2026
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“Thanks for taking care of me, Mike. I didn’t mean to drink this much.” Mike locks the dorm door behind him with a quiet click. “I could’ve had Carlton walk me back. If you wanted to stay at the party.”
Mike rolls his eyes, taking a deliberate step closer. “Yeah, I bet he would've loved that. And, please... stop saying his fucking name, okay?”
Will swallows. “Sorry, I just meant…I’m so happy you’re here, but I know you’re not just here to see me, and you probably want—”
Mike cuts him off without a second thought. He grabs Will’s arms, and shoves him lightly but firmly against the wall. Their chests collide. Will freezes—but Mike doesn’t back down. “Will…you have no idea what I want,” he whispers, eyes dropping to Will’s lips. Every shred of control he’s ever clung to around him melting.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 206,196
- Chapters:
- 12/16
- Comments:
- 816
- Kudos:
- 1,184
- Bookmarks:
- 388
- Hits:
- 52,447
Bookmarked by swirlstar
19 Jun 2026
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One fateful October night in 1995, Will Byers is dragged by his step-sister, Jane, and her best friend to a rock concert. That was just the beginning...
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Or:
A much needed byler enemies to lovers 90s rock band au.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 163,010
- Chapters:
- 31/31
- Comments:
- 1,684
- Kudos:
- 8,421
- Bookmarks:
- 1,769
- Hits:
- 188,690
Bookmarked by swirlstar
10 May 2026
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dear will, (and all the things I'm too much of a coward to say) by Aloyx
Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
01 Mar 2026
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Summer of 1989. Before the group splits up for college, they plan one final camping trip in the woods.
Trapped in a tent with Will, Mike is writing an apology letter that gradually turns into a heartfelt confession as he comes to terms with his true feelings. He has one week to find the right words, or he'll lose the love of his life forever.
Or: after s5, Mike Wheeler writes a love confession he’s absolutely not ready for.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 55,344
- Chapters:
- 9/9
- Comments:
- 451
- Kudos:
- 1,878
- Bookmarks:
- 602
- Hits:
- 47,243
Bookmarked by swirlstar
07 May 2026
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LONG fic charting the marauders' time at Hogwarts (and beyond) from Remus' PoV - diversion from canon in that Remus's father died and he was raised in a children's home, and is a bit rough around the edges. Otherwise canon-compliant.
1971 - 1995This IS a wolfstar fic, but incredibly slow burn. Literally years. Long build up but worth it I promise!
PLEASE DO NOT COPY TO WATTPAD. SERIOUSLY, WHY??
Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/user/htl2006/playlist/3z2NbLq2IVGG0NICBqsN2D?si=Liyl_JKJSx2RUqks3p50kg(Compiled by amazing reader, JustAnotherPerson)
DISCLAIMER: I do not support JK Rowling's disgusting transphobic views.
NOTE: I AM NO LONGER READING OR REPLYING TO COMMENTS ON THIS FIC
Series
- Part 1 of All the Young Dudes
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 526,969
- Chapters:
- 188/188
- Comments:
- 50,106
- Kudos:
- 319,297
- Bookmarks:
- 56,508
- Hits:
- 20,515,814
Bookmarked by swirlstar
10 Apr 2026
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In a desperate, last-ditch flail of an effort to salvage the situation, Mike grabbed Will’s arm.
The silence veered from heavy to charged. All of Mike’s attention surged into his hand. He felt like the entirety of his consciousness was suddenly located in the place where his skin touched Will’s.
What the fuck, thought Mike for the second time in ten minutes.
Or,
After first using his powers, Will falls unconscious—and stays that way. Refusing to leave Will's side, Mike reflects on the last year and a half while he waits for Will to wake up.aka mikewhatthefuckdidyoudogate, FEATURING: wound cleaning, bed sharing, disco, Jealous!Mike, queer literary analysis, & the most horrifying eldritch specter of all (gay panic). Canon compliant through S5 Vol 1.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 35,769
- Chapters:
- 10/10
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 794
- Kudos:
- 3,218
- Bookmarks:
- 981
- Hits:
- 60,541
Bookmarked by swirlstar
05 Apr 2026
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October 31st, 1987.
Holly and her friend kick Will out of the basement for one night, leaving him to share a room with his best friend—whom Will has decided that his feelings are definitely not returned for.If you asked him, he’s completely normal about the situation. Really. It’s fine, he’s casual—he can be casual.
(Could count as a mwtdydgate fic)
Bookmarked by swirlstar
07 Mar 2026
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The feeling of being wanted is a powerful drug. Being wanted by the one you want is incomparable.
"Mike," Will says lowly. "You’re— You’re so close."
Too close, his brain supplies, a little hysterical. Too much.
Mike doesn’t pull away. "I know."
"Why?"
"Keeping up…" Mike exhales a short laugh that Will feels on his neck, "appearances."
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A guy hits on Will at a party, Mike leaves with a hickey, and by morning everybody thinks they're dating.
Will knows it’s supposed to be pretend. He just doesn’t know how to act like he hasn’t wanted this for as long as he can remember.
Bookmarked by swirlstar
06 Mar 2026
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a cruel summer with you by andiwriteordie, astrobi, wiseatom
Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
15 Mar 2026
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Summary
“Oh, come on,” Will says, struggling to keep his voice neutral in a different way. His mouth is dry, and he hates Mike for it even more. “Is this what it’s going to be like this summer?”
Mike looks back at him, considering, lips pursed in an effort to shut down the smirk that Will knows is fighting to break free. Will doesn’t dare to let his gaze catch there, focusing instead on holding Mike’s stare, because this, too, is a game.
Five years into a rivalry with bittersweet origins, the only thing Mike and Will want is to beat each other at this summer’s camp counselor competition. But being back at camp is dredging up old memories, and as Mike and Will lose momentum and gain something else entirely, it becomes increasingly clear that one summer can change everything.
Series
- Part 5 of in the quiet of the night
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 371,633
- Chapters:
- 13/17
- Comments:
- 1,458
- Kudos:
- 9,902
- Bookmarks:
- 2,691
- Hits:
- 522,795
Bookmarked by swirlstar
01 Mar 2026