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1. We might learn how to forgive him. by explicit_slug (big_slug)

   Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)  

   • Explicit
   • Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
   • M/M
   • Work in Progress

   29 Mar 2026

   Tags

   • Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
   • Will Byers/Mike Wheeler
   • Will Byers & The Party
   • Jonathan Byers & Will Byers
   • Will Byers
   • Jonathan Byers
   • Mike Wheeler
   • Joyce Byers
   • Lucas Sinclair
   • Maxine "Max" Mayfield
   • Dustin Henderson
   • Henry Creel (Mentioned)
   • Martin Brenner (mentioned)
   • The Party (Stranger Things)
   • Robin Buckley
   • Sam Owens (Stranger Things)
   • Murray Bauman
   • Original Characters
   • Nancy Wheeler
   • Hurt/Comfort
   • Whump
   • mentions of child abuse
   • mentions of torture
   • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD
   • Healing
   • Mentions of conversion therapy
   • Angst
   • Fluff
   • Friendship/Love
   • Mentions of Rape
   • Religious Guilt
   • Religious Fanatism
   • Good Friend Mike Wheeler
   • Gay Will Byers
   • Gay Mike Wheeler
   • Self-Loathing
   • Internalized Homophobia
   • Self-Hatred
   • Nightmares
   • Night Terrors
   • Panic Attacks
   • Flashbacks
   • Gay Mentor Robin Buckley
   • Conditioning
   • or undoing past conditioning
   • Touch-Starved Will Byers and Mike Wheeler
   • Underage Drinking
   • Underage Drug Use
   • Mike Wheeler is a Mess
   • Traumatized Mike Wheeler
   • Traumatized Will Byers
   • Depression
   • Boys Kissing
   • Fluff and Angst
   • Cuddling & Snuggling
   • Boys In Love
   • Sleepy Cuddles
   • Sharing a Bed
   • Coming Out
   • Good Parent Joyce Byers
   • Good Parent Jim Hopper
   • Sharing Clothes
   • Making Out

   Summary

   Of the few things Will knows, he is certain about only one thing; He is broken. His mind is twisted, bent, the wrong way around. Despite Jonathan telling him he's fine, Will knows the truth. His time in the clutches of Martin Brenner and Henry Creel only made it worse. What hope is there for him? And why are there so many people suddenly on his side?

   Or: Will's slow and difficult road of recovery after escaping a conversion therapy camp.

   Series

   • Part 2 of The things people do to each other...

   Language:

   English

   Words:

   99,347

   Chapters:

   52/?

   Comments:

   774

   Kudos:

   653

   Bookmarks:

   62

   Hits:

   16,498