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. Is It Better To Speak Or To Die? by rainywheeler

   Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)  

   • Mature
   • Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Graphic Depictions Of Violence
   • M/M
   • Work in Progress

   12 Mar 2026

   Tags

   • Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
   • Graphic Depictions Of Violence
   • Will Byers/Mike Wheeler
   • Maxine "Max" Mayfield/Lucas Sinclair
   • Jonathan Byers/Nancy Wheeler
   • Will Byers & Maxine "Max" Mayfield & Lucas Sinclair
   • Will Byers
   • Mike Wheeler
   • Maxine "Max" Mayfield
   • Eleven | Jane Hopper
   • Lucas Sinclair
   • Dustin Henderson
   • Steve Harrington
   • Robin Buckley
   • Nancy Wheeler
   • Jonathan Byers
   • Troy Walsh (Stranger Things)
   • Jason Carver
   • Joyce Byers
   • Jim "Chief" Hopper
   • Lonnie Byers
   • Chance (Stranger Things)
   • Post-Canon Fix-It
   • Siblings Will Byers & Eleven | Jane Hopper
   • wonder twins
   • Protective Mike Wheeler
   • Will Byers Has PTSD
   • Mike Wheeler is a Mess
   • Mike Wheeler is Bad at Feelings
   • Mike Wheeler Has PTSD
   • Internalized Homophobia
   • Will Byers-centric
   • Implied/Referenced Child Abuse
   • Implied/Referenced Self-Harm
   • Lonnie Byers Is His Own Warning
   • Eleven | Jane Hopper Lives
   • Will Byers Needs a Hug
   • Mike Wheeler Loves Will Byers
   • Eventual Happy Ending
   • Heavy Angst
   • Post-Apocalyptic Hawkins (Stranger Things)
   • The Party are Little Shits (Stranger Things)
   • Lumax especially
   • Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault
   • Period-Typical Homophobia
   • some canon divergence

   Summary

   Will Byers had never had time to dwell on the cards he was or wasn't dealt. It didn’t matter. The truth was ugly - monsters, mind invading demons, and crushes alike.

   His senior year was going to be different. No more bleeding heart, even if it was still beating for someone he couldn't have. He was fine, good even. Will was embracing what his father had always told him — life isn’t fair.

   Although Mike Wheeler, stubborn as ever, has a different idea.

   Language:

   English

   Words:

   22,190

   Chapters:

   4/?

   Comments:

   24

   Kudos:

   55

   Bookmarks:

   25

   Hits:

   1,191