Adult Content Warning

This work could have adult content. If you continue, you have agreed that you are willing to see such content.

• Yes, Continue
• No, Go Back

If you accept cookies from our site and you choose "Yes, Continue", you will not be asked again during this session (that is, until you close your browser). If you log in you can store your preference and never be asked again.

1. The Changing of Will Beyers (For Mike Wheeler) by Birdiehugs

   Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)  

   • Not Rated
   • No Archive Warnings Apply
   • M/M
   • Work in Progress

   17 Jan 2026

   Tags

   • No Archive Warnings Apply
   • Will Byers/Mike Wheeler
   • Will Byers
   • Mike Wheeler
   • Lucas Sinclair
   • Dustin Henderson
   • Eleven | Jane Hopper
   • Maxine "Max" Mayfield
   • Joyce Byers
   • Jonathan Byers
   • Jim "Chief" Hopper
   • Steve Harrington
   • Lonnie Byers
   • I Will Go Down With This Ship
   • Mike Wheeler Loves Will Byers
   • Will Byers Loves Mike Wheeler
   • Gay Will Byers
   • Will Byers Needs a Hug
   • Will Byers Deserves Love
   • POV Will Byers
   • Insecurity
   • Insecure Will Byers
   • Background Lonnie Byers
   • Self-Esteem Issues
   • Self Confidence Issues
   • Self-Doubt
   • Self-Worth Issues
   • Emotional Hurt
   • Non-Sexual Intimacy
   • Angst
   • Heavy Angst
   • Angst with a Happy Ending
   • Angst and Feels
   • Comfort/Angst
   • Teen Angst
   • Internalized Homophobia
   • Homophobia
   • Implied/Referenced Homophobia
   • Period-Typical Homophobia
   • Homophobic Language
   • Neck Kissing
   • First Kiss
   • Mike Wheeler Being an Idiot
   • Mutual Pining
   • Emotional Hurt/Comfort
   • Emotional Baggage
   • Fear of Rejection
   • Emotional Intimacy
   • Emotional
   • Scars
   • Post-Vecna (Stranger Things)
   • Lonnie Byers Being an Asshole
   • Bad Parent Lonnie Byers
   • Soft Mike Wheeler
   • Bisexual Mike Wheeler
   • Protective Mike Wheeler
   • Body Dysphoria
   • Body Image
   • Haircuts

   Summary

   Mike Wheelers laugh. That's what startled the life ending realization that he was in love.
   But how could Mike ever like him back? He was just...Will. Just Will. So, Will being convinced his existence isn't something that someone else would want, tries to change the things he hates most about himself.
   This results in a shopping trip for new clothing, a haircut done by Steve "the hair" Harrington, and a draw back from his friends so he can learn to be less dependent on them.
   The only issue with his plan is that his skin stops feeling like his own, and Mike Wheeler is getting really tired of Will pulling away at such an alarming rate.

   Language:

   English

   Words:

   34,781

   Chapters:

   10/?

   Kudos:

   13

   Bookmarks:

   6

   Hits:

   307