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1. PAINTED by ficsbydarienjay

   Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)  

   • Explicit
   • Major Character Death
   • M/M
   • Work in Progress

   06 Jun 2026

   Tags

   • Major Character Death
   • Will Byers/Mike Wheeler
   • Will Byers
   • Mike Wheeler
   • Jonathan Byers
   • Horror
   • Psychological Horror
   • Childhood Trauma
   • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD
   • Heavy Angst
   • Substance Abuse
   • Will Byers's Painting
   • Hurt No Comfort
   • Whump
   • Erotic Horror
   • Ghost Sex
   • Suicide
   • Suicidal Mike Wheeler
   • Dead Mike Wheeler
   • Dead Eleven | Jane Hopper
   • Grief/Mourning
   • Loss
   • Post-Canon
   • Childhood Friends
   • Childhood Friends to Lovers
   • Angst with No Happy Ending
   • Bittersweet Ending
   • Body Horror
   • Painting
   • Magical Realism
   • Suicidal Thoughts
   • Depression
   • Internalized Homophobia
   • Mike Wheeler Has Internalized Homophobia
   • Bottom Will Byers
   • Service Top Mike Wheeler
   • Extended Metaphors
   • Agoraphobia
   • Artist Will Byers
   • Jealous Mike Wheeler
   • Dacryphilia
   • Emotional Sex
   • Choking
   • improper use of paint
   • Masturbation
   • Masturbation in Shower
   • Painting As Self Harm
   • Implied/Referenced Self-Harm
   • Ghost Mike Wheeler
   • Lettergate
   • Sexual Overstimulation
   • Anal Sex
   • Anal Fingering
   • Multiple Orgasms
   • Blood and Injury
   • unreality
   • Doomed Relationship
   • Not Dead Dove But Read The Tags

   Summary

   "Last night, the painting... it came to life! He spoke to me and... it was his voice. It was his voice, Jonathan."

   It's 1999, and Will Byers is a successful artist in NYC, making ends meet despite the difficulties his lifestyle presents. Only problem? He's out of inspiration and running low on funds, having sold the last of his paintings at a charity auction he didn’t even want to be a part of. So his therapist suggests he paint the thing he can’t seem to let go of, and with that homework he decides to paint a portrait of the One That Got Away.

   It's fine, and somewhat cathartic... until the painting starts speaking with the voice of his deceased childhood love. His best friend, painted in the colors that hold all the words and thoughts he could never say.

   Language:

   English

   Words:

   15,246

   Chapters:

   3/7

   Comments:

   18

   Kudos:

   28

   Bookmarks:

   6

   Hits:

   445