Esssly
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Summary
In the summer of 1989, the Byers family moves to Montauk, cutting short Mike and Will's last summer together before college. Certain he'll never see his friend again, Will confesses his love on their last night together, rocking Mike's world entirely. As the tear-filled goodbyes draw to a close, however, Mike is suddenly offered the unexpected opportunity to travel with the Byers family and help them move.
They have five days out of state together to address Will's confession, learn to communicate, and maybe, just maybe, say a few things they should have said all along.
Bookmarked by Esssly
16 Jan 2026
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Summary
“Will, wake up, baby, please.”
The pressure vanished. Will jolted awake, gasping, sweat-soaked sheets clenched in his fists as the unfamiliar ceiling swam into focus. Someone hovered over him—dark curls, blue eyes, worry written plain.
“Mike,” he breathed, the name instinctive, reverent.
The illusion broke. Not Mike. Eliot.
“That name again,” Eliot said gently.
Will didn’t look up, shame burning as Eliot added, “You’ve been calling for him in your sleep, too.”
_________________________
Or: An unexpected commission. A number left on a note. And Will has to decide if he's ready to answer more than just the call but things aren't quite as simple as it seems.
Series
- Part 1 of Spotless Mind (Nothing is Eternal)
Bookmarked by Esssly
08 Jan 2026
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I found my way back to you (but took a long time) by Archraven
Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)
08 Jan 2026
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Summary
On his fortieth birthday, Mike gets an invitation to Dustin’s wedding. ‘Can’t get married without you there, man. Come on. For me?’
He goes in a suit that fits poorly and a tie that sits crooked. The others greet him with warmth, but he feels like a stranger, and when Will finally arrives, Mike cannot breathe. The passing time has only sharpened Will’s cheekbones, coaxed his softness into something more assured. Mike had forgotten how beautiful he was, hadn’t realised how thoroughly he had filed Will away in the back of his mind, as if memory could be boxed up and stored like Christmas lights.
Then, he sees the arm around Will's shoulders.
In a world where Vecna won, life continues much the same, and Mike and Will slowly—very slowly—find their way back to each other.
And maybe even manage to stop Vecna for good this time.
Bookmarked by Esssly
02 Jan 2026
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Summary
A distant gaze forms on Nancy’s face, and she turns to look at Mike with those watery, haunted eyes. There’s something about the look in Nancy’s eyes that is so eerily familiar, and Mike shudders as his brain makes the connection as to what.
“And he’s not going to stop, Mike. Not until… until he’s taken everything… and everyone.”
“You… you don’t understand,” Nancy whispers, her voice cracking. Never once do her eyes leave Mike’s, even as they fill with fresh tears. “It’s already begun… The… the beginning of the end.”
Or:
In the direct aftermath of his return to Hawkins, Mike and the Party find themselves in the midst of a war against One and the forces of the Upside Down. As life as he knows it changes, Mike must find a way to navigate his friendships, his relationship with Will, and most importantly, his understanding of himself.
(Aka my season 5, Mike-centric, Byler fic)
Series
- Part 2 of cause i've built my life around you
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Summary
Mike looked at him unimpressed. “See you say that. You say that. But you never actually mean it.” He flung his hands out, gesturing at him. “You’re always making stupid promises that you can’t keep.”
Will gaped at him. This was ludicrous. “Name one promise that I haven’t kept!”
“You keep leaving!” Mike burst out. He practically shouted it. If the outburst took him by surprise, he didn’t show it. “Everytime I just get you back you end up leaving again. And it was fine at first, I guess. With the Upside Down and the MindFlayer. Like at least then we knew how to bring you back. But now there’s nothing taking you away but you still aren’t here. And I can’t figure out why. I’ve racked my brain trying to understand what’s going on with you but I just don’t get it! We’re supposed to be best friends but lately it’s only felt like that on my side of things.”
____The Upside Down is gone. Or so everyone keeps telling him. But Will knows the truth. You can burn all the vines and close all the gates. But you can’t flush out a virus once it’s already been spread. After all, how do you kill something that’s intertwined with the very root of Hawkins without affecting the real world?