#bylerficrecweek

[bylerficrecweek]

BYLER FIC REC WEEK 2023

Calling all Bylers! There are so many talented and amazing creators in our community, and it’s time to show them some love! There are quite a few fics and authors that are very beloved by this fandom, and while they absolutely deserve all the hype they get, there are so many other amazing fics and authors out there waiting to be discovered! We want to help you shine the spotlight on your underrated faves and share the love.

How it works:

Byler Fic Rec Week will last from Friday, 3rd of March to Thursday, 9th of March. Each day will be themed around a different genre of Byler fanfic for you to rec your personal favourites of. Don’t be shy, share as many fics as you want that fit the day’s theme— the more the better! We’ll be reblogging all the recs that get shared to this account as an archive of hidden gems, and using the tag #BylerFicRecWeek2023. The specific genres for each day can be found here.

All you need to do to rec a fic is to share its title, the name of the author, and a link to it (You can embed hyperlinks to the fic and the author’s AO3 profile by highlighting the text, choosing the infinity symbol, and pasting in the URL). If you want to you can also add the AO3 summary, your own description, how it makes you feel, or anything about the fic that you think will make people interested in reading it. If the author has a Tumblr and you know the @ you can also tag them, so they know you like their fic enough to recommend!

You can share your rec lists by:

Posting them to your own blog. Make sure to tag #Byler so more people have a chance to discover your recs! Also use the tag #BylerFicRecWeek2023 so we can definitely find your lists to reblog!

Submitting them to this blog. Don’t feel comfortable making posting a list to your own blog for whatever reason? No worries, we’ve got you covered. Submit a list to us and we can post it for you. Note that posts you submit will include your username.

Sending them in as asks. If you’d prefer to use asks over submissions or you want to remain completely anonymous, feel free to send your recs in to us as asks! You can’t embed hyperlinks into asks, so please include the full URLs of any fics you share like this.

Other ways to get involved:

If you feel extra motivated, you can show your appreciation for your favourite fics with fanart, edits, gifsets, moodboards— however you like! If you tag fancontent for a fic you’re reccing with #BylerFicRecWeek2023 we’ll be sure to reblog it! Make sure to tag the fic’s author when you share your creation, because they’ll definitely want to see it.

Rules/FAQ:

NO NSFW. This blog will not post or reblog any submissions, asks, or posts made with the #BylerFicRecWeek2023 tag that contain NSFW fanfics. if you post a list containing multiple recs and only one of them is NSFW, we will still not share it.

Byler should be the MAIN pairing of any fics you rec for this event. Any side pairings are fine, but the fic needs to be centered on Byler.

There is no hard limit on how popular fanfics you rec for the event can be, but the main purpose of this event is to bring attention to smaller works and their creators. If you can, try to share recs for fics you haven’t seen talked about or that you feel deserve more attention than they get. Well-known writers and their stories are fantastic, but we want to help uplift other authors too.

Fics don't need to be completed for you to rec them! There are a lot of great ongoing stories that deserve to have more people on the hype train for new updates. That being said, please don't rec fics that have been confirmed  to be abandoned, or that haven't been updated since 2020. Anything that's received an update since then is fine to rec, as fics can come off hiatus at unexpected times.

Don't worry if you don't have fics to rec for each genre; you don't need to participate in every day to get involved.

Blog run and moderated by: @apatheticlexicographer , @willelfanpage , @ice-sculptures , @aceoflanterns , @miwism , @super-nova5045

#BylerFicRecWeek2023 #BylerFicRecWeek #byler #byler fanfic #byler fanfiction #byler fic #byler fic rec #byler rec #byler fanfiction rec #byler fandom #📌 #🗞 #byler tumblr

[dinitride-art]

Byler Fic Rec Week Day Two: S5 Speculation. Okay, so I missed day one because I was busy but. I’m gonna do todays! Also, some of these have longer descriptions than others and that is solely because I can figure out how to describe what’s going on with some of these fics more than the others. They’re all fantastic. I’m the problem here lol. (and all of these are byler. I swear. It’s just that sometimes the plot of the story is just as important as Mike and Will.)

1. The Secret to Being Unlucky by  lovetriangled 

So, Will’s POV, cool exploration of powers and plot stuff, angst/Will isn’t okay in the slightest, 13k, established byler, and I have read this fic multiple times. 

2. whispers by  dahlia_04, EmeraldTulip

Mike and Will’s POV’s, plot heavy, Will Byers is very not okay, Mike’s going through it too, 9.7k, and it’s got some neat formatting. I’m weak for anything that explores powers/supernatural/sci-fi stuff and this fic has a bit of that going on.

3. heat the pins and stab them in by  clearskiies

Mike’s POV, 13k, and he’s going through it. Get’s targeted by Vecna. You know how it is. A fair amount of Mike thinking about Will too.

4. moth to a flame (or a lightbulb) by  ApatheticLexicographer

Okay, Mike’s POV and my god does he get hit hard with this one. 7k, lots of character exploration and a fair amount of plot in there too, technically like one scene? But it’s really cool. Oh, also, this ones got some horror elements in it. 

5. These feelings are not my own by  Corvi_dae524

Will’s POV, cool power stuff/mechanics, and a funky little accidental emotional mind meld. 4k.

6. Wrong by  jenlouniverse

Multi-chapter, Mike’s POV, Mike really REALLY goes through it, 21.4k, and basically is about Mike not being able to tell what’s real. Which is like plot stuff, but also interesting to see how it all plays out. 

7. Tough tied and oh so squeamish by  Cocalolhh

The POV flips around a bit, 8k, and it’s two chapters and mostly about exploring selective mutism through Mike. It’s not all s5 speculation, but most of it is in a setting that could technically be s5 speculation. But mostly focused on Mike.

8. you were bigger than the whole sky by  delusionaltogether (Whyyyyy)

Mike’s POV, 28k, has a long time skip but is still directly dealing with s5 problems so I think this counts. There’s a lot of plot with sci-fi and at times almost fantasy elements to it. Mike is struggling a whole lot. And it explores hope, love and grief. 

9. The End of the World by  eagle_ace

Mike’s POV, 8.3k, focused on the Party and everything falling apart after season four. The writing style and formatting is also really neat. 

10. I grieve in stereo by  ferngreen

26.2k 1/2 chapters, Mike’s POV, Mike isn’t having a good time but hey. At least he’s got Will. Also a fair amount of plot with this one too, and mostly uses Stranger Things canon sci-fi elements, but along with an exploration of Mike’s character. 

Alright, those are all the fics (most of them, there’s always more hiding somewhere that I’m probably subscribed too but forgot to bookmark lol) I’ve got for this category!

#byler #bylerficrecweek2023 #bylerficrecweek #fic rec #byler fic #i feel like this has way too many tags but half of those are for my own tagging system lol

[notebooknonbinary]

Byler Fic Rec Week - Day 1: Post-Canon

These are all lovely post-canon fics, ranging from just after the hypothetical end of the series, to far off into Byler’s adulthood.

No particular order to be had sorry lol

(if I've mistagged anyone please let me know! I'm sure some of the writers on here that I haven't tagged have tumblrs but i don't know/remember them sorry)

The Tweets of Mr. & Mr Byers - by @mrhalloween2ficpage

The Paladin's Promise - by @starsarefire824

i'll be your first, i'll be your last - by agustplz (shout_out_lou)

dance with me while everybody's watching - by @itsromeowrites

It Takes Two - by Turning_tides

i'd rather lie (tell you i'm in love with you.) - by genevievive

you felt enough - by delusionaltogether (Whyyyyy)

friday (i'm in love) - by fizzseed

it's such a feeling, my love I can't hide - by @strangeswift

cheer up, baby - by @perexcri

Bring Your Roommate(?) to Work Day - by sarah_tonin_on_the_rocks

i just haven't learned to be human as you are yet - by adankrivervalleynearyou

let our walls cave in - by @andiwriteordie and @kidovna

make a move - by @astrobei

#bylerficrecweek2023 #byler #bylerficrecweek #byler fic rec week #day 1 - post canon #me: I’ll probably be late posting this. also me: #I wanted to write little blurbs about how much I enjoy reading each one but uh the aforementioned reason I Thought I’d be late..still exists #long post #and now I go back to bed

[byierficrecs]

❝ dustin henderson, the scientific method, and homosexuality ❞ author: @crimetimecrow

link: archiveofourown.org/works/39912366

personal blog || submit a story || support me on ko-fi 💐

#📚 #✨ #byler #byler fanfiction #byler fic rec #will byers #mike wheeler #stranger things #r // general #r // one-shot #r // finished #r // 1-5k #t // outsider pov #t // post-canon #t // highschool #t // friendship #bylerficrecweek #bylerficrecweek2023

[apatheticlexicographer]

BYLER FIC REC WEEK 2023 DAY 5: FULL AU recs

breathe (in the air) by clearskiies

mike-centric; no plot. 1970s AU, the party are in their 20s. mike and will’s friend groups meet at a music festival and they spend the whole time attached at the hip. there’s a lot of internalized homophobia angs,tbut mike doesn’t lash out at will over it and their flirting is sweet. elumax are going through their own shit in the background too. multichapter, ongoing

wheeler news by solarhazard

will-centric; some plot. social media fic where mike is a famous musician and will runs a stan twt account for him. his world gets flipped upside down when mike notices him and they start becoming friends. it’s so dumb but so fun. multichapter, hasn't updated in a while but it hasn’t been officially discontinued to my knowledge

Nocturne by lilacline

mike-centric; plot. mike rescues a small brown bat from a weirdly evil plant and nurses it back to health, befriending it in the process. side note: bats aren’t supposed to understand human speech, mike. that’s not normal. that’s not a normal bat you have there, mike. considering it’s tagged as a vampire AU, i’m sure u can see where this is going. mike is a mess (affectionate) and he’s filled with Queer Terror. will has only just appeared as a character (...officially) but he’s already melting all 3 of mike’s braincells. mike is actually the best brother ever to holly and i would die for her. multichapter, ongoing

A New Fight by Tea_For_One_Please, and both of its sequels

alternates between mike-centric and will-centric; plot. a star wars fusion AU where will is a stormtrooper who defects to the rebellion and becomes a member of mike’s crew. el escaped the jedi massacre and teaches him to wield the force. the first fic takes place about a year before episode IV, the second concludes directly before episode IV, and the third is set in the gap between episodes VI and VII. since this is a fusion AU the canon events of the star wars timeline happen as usual, with the party’s story taking place in the background. you could probably read this without having seen star wars, but it wouldn’t make much sense. i was so engrossed that i read all three 30k~ long fics in one sitting. multichapter, all entries complete

with honor, we hound by hiscleric

mike-centric (so far, may have will POV); plot. as of now there’s only been one proper chapter of this, not including the prologue, but i can already tell it’s gonna be sooo good. it’s a fantasy/cleradin AU which is always a win, and the writing is lyrical. will was the youngest prince of the kingdom, who mysteriously vanished one day. mike is a knight and the heir to a noble family, but secretly wished to be a scholar. there’s a prophecy, a quest, and what seems like it’s gonna be a secret identity plot with will. literally what more could you want??? multichapter, ongoing

ground control to major tom (your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong) by andthentheybow

alternates between mike-centric and will-centric; plot. another star wars AU!!! there’s only one chapter out so far, but it’s the setup for a heist story so i just know it’s gonna slay. this one is set several centuries after episode IX, rather than in tandem with star wars canon. mike is a bounty hunter and will is very… mysterious ;))) i can’t wait to see what comes of it!!! multichapter, ongoing

A Flower That Resembles You by perexcri

will-centric; plot. a byler fantasy AU that’s not cleradin??? gasssp :000 i won’t spoil to much but it’s got childhood friends to strangers to friends to lovers, really pretty depictions of magic, hella quantities of angst and yearning so sweet and tender it makes even my aro heart ache. the mortifying ordeal of allowing yourself to love and be loved… effervescent. multichapter, complete

Ley Lines and Shadows by Aabh

will-centric; plot. fantasy AU! will is a baker who lives in a tiny town. the town was cursed years ago by a now-dead witch. he helps a stray cat after it gets attacked, but as he spends more time around it it becomes clear that it's not a normal animal. the ominous dreams that plague will's sleep only add to the feeling that something is…off. the writing is flowery and fits the fairytale setting nicely. there's a mild sexual content tag on the fic, but i believe that refers to a single paragraph. there's nothing explicit and they're adults. multichapter, complete

another one bites the dust by losingcontrolnow

will-centric; not really plot. high quality zombie apocalypse content!!! i like more hardcore apocalypse stories than the stuff you usually get in s5 speculative fics, so this AU makes me very happy. the contents of the fic itself don't make me happy because, duh, it's a zombie apocalypse AU, but it's soooo good. oneshot, complete

didn't i (blow your mind this time) also by losingcontrolnow

mike-centric; no plot. you know spiderwill, you love spiderwill, but for your humble consideration: spidermike!!! featuring yearning (both), pining (both), oblivious idiots (both), and sudden onset superpowers (just mike). mike is exactly as much of a mess about, well, everything as you would hope and he is so so dear to me. longshot, complete

#byler #bylerficrecweek #bylerficrecweek2023 #late again but i got it in B))) #i'm to tried to try tag ppl

[yellow-n-blue-hyperfixation]

eyecatcher, by smoosnom (moonsooms)

While volunteering at the Hawkins' help center, it seems like every girl around has a newfound interest in Will Byers, and Mike doesn't know why he feels the way he does.

~~

difficultly easy, by quietforasecond

Mike opens his eyes against the water droplets hanging off his eyelashes. Will hasn't stopped walking away from him, and he’s far enough now that Mike can no longer really see the details of his jacket. The rain feels like needles against his skin, and a frustration builds in his gut. Mike can't stand this anymore.

He breaks off into a run.

or Mike and Will finally confront each other about everything. It's raining, and things get messy.

~~

Basement Noise, by GrasshopperKatie

Will spends a lot of time alone. Even when he’s with everyone else, it feels like there’s a static feed running in his brain that makes him feel like the only person in the room. He’s not sleeping well and has dark circles forming under his eyes. While moving to California wasn’t fun and has clearly caused a strain on the party’s dynamic, he would take that over the endless nights of no sleep and the complete terror he felt when they drove back into Hawkins and that prickling sensation on the back of his neck started again. He always knew getting a whole year without dealing with this shit was unrealistic.

~~

outlined in guilt, my portrait stares (in a gallery where the walls lie bare), by catboy_cabin

Though Mike hasn't seen many of Will's paintings – not recent ones, at least, and especially nothing like this – there isn't a doubt in his mind that this is one of them. It has all the hallmarks of Will’s style, in the depth of emotion displayed by the eyes alone; in the way Mike's freckles are much more visible than they have any business being; in the dark lighting and drab colors that Will always uses to depict the landscape of his trauma, when he just needs to get all the horrific images immortalized by his brain out.

(It hurts, to find himself rendered like some monstrous thing straight out of the Upside Down.

Mike probably deserves it.)

or: vecna has a tempting offer for mike.

~~

i has a dream (i got everything i wanted), andiwriteordie

“No.” The word escapes Mike’s lips, and it’s barely a whisper. Tears blur his vision, and he turns back around to El, trembling. “N-no, that… that can’t be right… Will… he-he can’t be gone, El; he can’t be dead—”

“Oh, Mike,” El whispers. She reaches up, wiping the tears from Mike’s eyes, and there’s a look on her face—so tender and so, so kind. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”

Her words hit like a bucket of ice water being dumped on him, and Mike recoils, staring at his girlfriend—no, wait, his wife—in horror. “W-what? How… how could you say that, El? How could you say that?!”

Or:

An encounter with Vecna forces Mike to reconsider just what it is he really wants in his life.

~~

I Wish I Knew You Wanted Me, by FoodieHoodie

It may be the end of the world, but Mike's too busy being distracted by Will, especially since he's using the excuse of being a team to keep Will close and share his room.  ~~

i keep my distance (but you still catch my eye), by andiwriteordie

“I don’t want to lose you,” Mike says suddenly, because screw it. Screw it. He’s going to say exactly what he needs to say—all the words that have been too messy and too difficult to articulate for the past couple of years, for reasons Mike doesn’t fully understand.

~~

no takesies-backsies, by AttaBoyLuther

"Why did you lie?"

Will felt gravity leave him, felt his body untether itself from this mortal realm and float directly into the setting sun. The room was casted in a yellow-gold, beamless and directionless - and because Will was a sinner, he replied, "About what?"

Mike's face creased. He shook the rolled up painting, tightening his fist around it. "About this, Will. Don't play dumb."

(AKA: Oh, you know - just your standard Mike-finds-out-about-the-painting confrontation.)

~~

so, for once in my life, by MeltingSnow

“Mike?” Dustin’s words interrupted Mike’s thoughts. He simply hummed a reply, still looking at Will. God, why was he so obvious?His eyes just couldn’t seem to pull away from him. There was just something so captivating about Will. How could one ever look away from him? Ever look away from the living embodiment of a star at the centre of its own solar system? Such great gravity, you couldn’t help but be pulled towards it. It wasn’t Mike’s fault. It was only natural– a force of nature. One of Newton’s laws or something along those lines. He couldn’t really remember.

or

My take on post-painting reveal byler and how they deal with their emotions.

~~

what a match: i'm half-doomed and you're semi-sweet, by perexcri

One month ago, if you had asked Will Byers what he’d do if Mike Wheeler threaded his fingers through his hair, looked him dead in the eyes, and started leaning in for a kiss, he wouldn’t have said this.

He wouldn’t have said he’d be staring right back into those yawning dark eyes, one hand on Mike’s waist, the other against his cheek. There wouldn’t have been any lightning in his veins or blood rushing in his ears.

He wouldn’t have said that Mike Wheeler would be tilting his head in the opposite direction, eyes widening just the slightest as if asking permission, his mouth slightly parted.

He wouldn’t have imagined it at all.

~~

baby, we’re perfect, by bookinit

Mike grabs Will’s hands and tangles them with his own, blinking up at him through his long, dark lashes. His eyes are endless. Solid black, like the night above them. So shiny that Will can see himself, tipsy and happy, in the reflection. “I want to be stuck with you,” Mike whispers, like it’s a secret. “I don’t ever want to leave.”

Will sucks in a sharp breath, squeezing his hands. “Then don’t,” he whispers back, punched-out and honest. “Stay.”

—

Senior year in Hawkins. Will and Mike figure some things out.

#byler #bylerficrecweek

[pearyaoki]

byler fic rec week 2023 (day seven: free day)

A Darker Timeline: egg98 (T, 33k, incomplete)

canon divergent, slow burn/build (heed tags!)

☆one of my absolute personal favorite on-going fics, a raw look into Will's mental health after being left in the Upside Down

Love, Mike: nfna118 (T, 12.7k, complete)

internalized homophobia, pre-relationship

☆this fic does include age-appropriate discussion of masturbation/sex

What will you do now, Will the Wise?: RainbowNixie (G, 11.5k, complete)

fluff, post s4-v2

conversations we had in hell while the world was ending: iry (T, 11.5k, incomplete)

s5 speculation, post s4-v2

☆a biased recc but my personal favorite cin fic, everything i could possibly want in a s5 speculation fic

the darkest hour: AmberEyedFox (T, 44k, complete)

slow burn, angst with a happy ending

Only A Dream: Chaser_Of_Stars (M, 86k, complete)

psychological horror, aged-up characters

i hit my peak at seven: blackdeathmamba (T, 77k, incomplete)

fix-it fic, canon rewrite

Little Glances: DragonBoy7 (T, 9.1k, complete)

character study, internalized/externalized homophobia

☆Karen 3rd person perspective, deals very heavily with homophobia

pink & black: queer_we_are (G, 1.1k, complete)

implied/hinted byler, queer community & mentorship

☆a fantastic fic where byler is not the main focus, and instead a mentor-like relationship between Eddie & Will

yesterFriday: nbfutureboy (T, 19.2k, complete)

time loop, psychological horror

☆a very early byler fic. the first byler fic i ever read, i HAD to include it!

i know, i know, i know: aude_sapere (T, 33k, complete)

alternate universe - canon divergence, fix-it fic

see, I've already waited too long (and all my hope is gone): Leodine (T, 12k, complete)

will has powers, light angst

what if our dnd characters got married (and we did too): joyfullyrissa (T, 14k, complete)

modern setting, fluff

☆my fic, shameless self promo: a fun dnd adventure fic

#byler #byler fics #bylerficrecweek2023 #rec list #bylerficrecweek

[sparks-olivarpente]

Day 7: Free day

Here's my list of underrated fics for #BylerFicRecWeek2023, day 7: Free day!

A Happy Ending was Imperative by @waroftheposes : Will reads Maurice and pines. I read this fic today, on the bus, and it was so good I forgot to get car-sick. Thanks to whoever recommended it on tumblr ^-^

are there still beautiful things? by @aceoflanterns : Will attends an open mic poetry night at a local cafe, invitation courtesy of one Max Mayfield. This turns out the unexpected effect of seeing one Mike Wheeler again… and maybe also sparking a conversation long overdue.

feedback loop also by @aceoflanterns : Other words begin to enter the feedback loop. The world is still a hazy thought, just a distant memory, but new things enter your mind—it’s not, it’s not my fault, it’s not my fault you don’t like girls! or, the destruction of castle byers.

and if I get burned, at least we were electrified by @blackdeathmamba : He presses his lips together and tries to figure out a subtle, non-funny way to say it, but he comes up blank. Fuck, whatever: “I almost kissed Will. Again.” A fun fic full of byler tropes!

The Pact by @starsarefire824 (JustMyName) : A pact between Max and Mike gone wrong gets them both unanimously voted out of the Party and they find themselves stuck with each other the summer after Graduation.

Valentine's Day by Nymphadoragreenleaf : 5 Valentine's Days in Wills life + 1 perfect one.

7. träumerei by @tenderforgs (inblue) : In the Byers household they count the years, not in pencil marks, but by the height of the apple tree outside the house… On memories and growth and mirrors and separation.

I Don't Think I'm Faking Anymore by @existingonanotherplane : With no more super-natural evils left to fight what better else is there to do than to play a game of truth or dare? or, Byler fake dating AU

#BylerFicRecWeek2023 #bylerficrecweek #byler #byler fic #byler fic recs

[morganee]

Byler Fic Rec Week - Day 1: Post-canon

stare at pictures of you 'til i'm blind by agustplz (shout_out_lou) (@wheelerstrange) (14k, complete)

Mike gets into the habit of pulling his hair up. And it drives Will crazy. It opens up an entirely new perspective on a face he thought he had memorized, softening his profile and placing his features in new angles that Will had never considered. He looks pretty. He’s never thought about it before, but once he starts putting his hair up, Will can’t think of him in any other way. He looks soft and open and inviting, all of which is a dangerous combination for a boy with a hopeless crush. Even worse, it makes him want to sketch him constantly. He keeps a sketchbook under one of his floorboards just for portraits of Mike. He tries not to do it often, but sometimes his want threatens to overtake him and he has to put it somewhere. Soon enough, the sketchbook has every angle imaginable of Mike he can recall without having him model for him. It’s possible that the sketching has greatly improved Will’s skills in a short time; they might even be his best work. But he can’t be sure since there’s no way they can ever see the light of day. If he’s going to lose his mind over Mike for what is apparently going to be the rest of his life, the least he can do is keep that insanity to himself.

so why don't we go (somewhere only we know) by sterrenhemel (3k, complete)

“Look,” Will says again, showing Mike the table he crafted to go in Castle Byers. “Oh! Cool,” Mike answers, although Will can tell his mind is elsewhere. “You alr—" "Who is "M"?" Mike suddenly asks, interrupting him. Will’s eyebrows shoot up, confusion written all over his face. "Huh?" Turning around, he realizes that Mike is holding something. A piece of wood in an odd shape. He steps a little closer, squinting his eyes. The capitalized M + W, bluntly carved in the wood, is impossible to miss.  And Will's heart drops to his stomach. Because he knows that piece of wood. Of course he knows it, he goddamn carved that himself years ago.  "Uh, I—," Will says.  Or, the fic where Will and Mike rebuild Castle Byers and Mike figures something out (but it takes him a while, obviously.)

wish you were here by sheriffandsteel (5k, complete)

"You promised you'd write!" Will snaps, jumping to his feet and nearly slipping in the snow. Mike grabs his elbow to steady him and can't hide his flinch when Will shakes him off. "It's just like California all over again. You know you get mad when people break their promises but you break promises all the time!" "I didn't break my promise!" Mike defends himself before he can think better of it. "You never even wrote me one letter!" "No," Mike shakes his head and sets his shoulders back. His heart is beating as fast as a hummingbird's as he forces the words past his dry throat. "I never sent one letter."

i get drunk but it's not enough by delusionaltogether (Whyyyyy) (5k, complete)

Mike gets drunk at a party and Will takes care of him against his better judgement.

will-they-won't-they by orphan_account (5k, complete)

Mike ignores the bilious feeling that swims in his gut as he scoops fruit punch into their cups, his mind tortuously replaying that girl’s hand sliding over Will’s shoulder while he does. He shoves the mental image away.  Steve’s words ricochet in his mind. Carpe diem. Seize the fucking day. So stupid.  Then again… (Or: Mike and Will have always walked the thin line between friendship and something more. A little encouragement goes a long way.)

#byler #bylerficrecweek2023 #bylerficrecweek #byler fic #byler fic rec #will byers #mike wheeler #stranger things

[perexcri]

day 5: full au

this is the day i’ve been looking forward to most for this event!! i’m so excited to share a few au recs :D

first of all: Tip-toeing on Lily-pads by my beloved @cherryisgone!! it’s a lovely little fantasy au where Will’s a prince, Mike’s a knight, and El likes to curse Mike by turning him into a frog. i bet you can guess the only way the curse can be broken, right? >:) anyway, this is so well-written, it’s 7k words of Will pining, and it’s got all the things i could ever hope for out of a fantasy au: two people being held back from each other because of politics and duties to one’s nation :’D i mean, yes, it was a birthday gift to me, so in a lot of ways, it was tailored to my tastes, but it’s got such a fun vibe and beautiful descriptions that i think it can be (and should be) enjoyed by all. so, yeah, take some time to spend with a princess and the frog-esque au written by one of my dear friends 💜🐸

then: A New Fight by @tea-for-one-please! i was out of town all last week, and even though i brought a couple of books with me to read, i spent all of my free reading time with this lovely trilogy. it’s a fantastically imagined star wars au, and while byler is a big focus of it, i truly enjoyed how the author integrated all of the party members into the story in such a natural way. i wouldn’t say i’m the most die-hard star wars fan - in fact, i probably could only barely describe the plot of any of the movies - but the franchise does hold a special place in my heart for personal reasons, so it was so enjoyable getting to read about some of my favorite characters from st being thrown into the rebellion!! seriously, if you have some time, definitely spend it with this series

Warm by @notebooknonbinary! this is just a quick little d&d au that’s so cute and sweet. as my beloved Vee says in the description, it’s nice to see that Mike has the self-preservation skills of a lemming in any universe lol. of course he put himself in harm’s way to save Will!! and now we get to see the aftermath of it with Vee’s lovely writing :]

Daydream by disaster_energy! another d&d au, but this time, Will gets chosen by the moon goddess, and Mike decides to pledge his allegiance to that paladin order. it’s really sweet, and the universe the author built was also super fun to see!! it kind of reminded me of the world-building in percy jackson, so if you liked those books, definitely check this one out!!

The Trees Are Growing Restless by @light-lanterne!! this is a super interesting groundhog day au with a specific focus on Mike’s unresolved trauma. i still need to read the latest chapter because i am nothing if not behind on reading, but i’ve been so excited for this one and can’t wait to see where it goes. Angel’s writing is amazing, and he’s got Mike’s character down so well :]

that’s all for now, i think!! i’ll be back tomorrow with more~ :]

#byler #bylerficrecweek2023 #bylerficrecweek #fic rec #if disaster_energy has a tumblr pls let me know so i can tag them :]

[bylerslair]

day 6 of @bylerficrecweek! canon divergence, a.k.a. one of my favorite things to explore 😊

☆ come hell, high water by naiesu

☆ i think there is someone you love by fireflywitch

☆ let's exchange the experience by smoosnoom

☆ you wanna be friends forever (i can think of something better) by wheezykaspbraks

☆ 75 days by clericrivals

☆ yesterFriday by nbfutureboy

☆ it's a choice (getting swept away) by wiseatoms

#mine #byler #byler fic #fic #byler fanfic #BylerFicRecWeek2023 #BylerFicRecWeek #all of these are So Good #come hell high water broke me as a person i wish more fics existed like this

[bylerficrecweek]

The themes are out! As a reminder, the event will be running from the 3rd of March to the 9th of March, so you have plenty of time to get lists together or go searching for that one fic you forgot to bookmark. Since the titles are a little vague, there's an in-depth explanation of each below the cut.

Detailed explanations of each theme

Day 1: Post-canon

Fics set after the hypothetical events of S5, where the canon plot has already been resolved. Examples include stories about their late highschool years post-Vecna, their college experience, and their lives in the current day.

Day 2: Season 5 speculation

Fics that follow on from the end of s4, where the canon plot has not yet been resolved. They can pick up directly after the final scene of s4 or be set after a timeskip. Examples include apocalypse Byler fics, some gate fics, and Vecnafication fics set after s4. The focus doesn't need to be on wrapping up the Vecna plot, as long as it's part of the setting.

Day 3: Written pre-season 4

Fairly self-explanatory. Since the popularity boom Byler experienced when S4 released, most of the fandom's older fics have been buried beneath all the new content and can be quite difficult to find. The plotlines and backstories they show won't necessarily match up well with the current canon, but that doesn't devalue them as stories. Examples include any fics that began before Volume 1 released. Longfics that started before S4 but are still ongoing count for this category.

Day 4: Friends & family

Fics with a strong focus on the party, the Byers' family, the Wheeler family, or any other platonic relationships. Other ships still can't be a central focus, but it's okay if Byler takes a backseat in fics that fall under this category so long as it's there in some capacity. Examples include coming out fics, outsider POV fics, and sibling bonding fics.

Day 5: Full AU

Fics that place the characters in a completely different setting to canon, rather than adding AU elements to the canonverse. Their setting s and storylines are either completely original or follow the format of another piece of media. Examples include fantasy AUs, SpiderWill AUs, and historical AUs.

Day 6: Canon divergence

Fics that follow canon up to a point, before splitting. Examples of this could include S4 rewrites, fics based on popular theories and gates, Will/Mike gets Vecnaed fics... Fics that include an element of AU while still following the structure of canon, such as soulmate AUs or time travel fics, also fall under this genre.

Day 7: Free day, post anything you haven't already or self promote

Anything goes. Any fics that you want to rec but didn't think matched any of the other categories can go here. Alternatively, if there's anything you meant to rec on a previous day but forgot, then now is your chance. If you're a writer yourself, this is also the day to post your own works and have them shared by the blog.

Exceptions

There are plenty of stories out there that could fit the criteria for multiple categories. If there's a story you want to rec that fits the criteria for more than one day, just use your best judgement about what category it's the most like. For example: a full AU fic written pre-s4 is going to be much more focused on the AU elements than the time that it was written, so it's best to rec it on day 5. If you just can't make up you mind about what day you should rec a fic, either rec it on day 7 or shoot us an ask for advice.

#📌 #🗞 #byler #BylerFicRecWeek2023 #BylerFicRecWeek #byler fanfic #byler fanfiction #byler fic #byler fic rec #byler fanfiction rec #byler rec #byler fandom #byler tumblr

[untitled-byler-blog]

Byler Fic Rec Week Day One

like real people do -- by octopusoptimusprime on ao3

<1k -- one-shot -- established relationship

a cute little date night; perfect if you're looking for a cute, wholesome and feel-good quick read <3

#Lilly having read something that's not angst? novel !! #this week is chaotic for me so if I don't get around to posting something every day that's why <333 #let's chat #byler #also. most of the time i don't read logged in so i kind of don't keep track of things that i've read oops #but scouring the tag trying to find things i've read only introduces me to more things i haven't so ☺️☺️ #bylerficrecweek #bylerficrecweek2023

[notebooknonbinary]

Byler Fic Rec Week - Day 2: Season 5 Speculation

Some wonderful wonderful fics set during Season 5! The Byler community is filled with so many talented writers!! I'm excited to see what everyone else is reccing for this day!

As these are Season 5 speculation fics (which is likely going to be very violent), beware of potential triggering subjects--some of these are rated M. So please remember to read the tags!

Is Hell Cold - by @buck-yyyy

why you are always alone - by @willow-lark

crazier together - by transmascwillbyers

can you see me? im waiting for the right time - by wayward_sherlock

Letter to Will(y) - by DarkestNight84

haven't change my perception, i haven't lost my protection - by tobtea

The Hospital, Nancy and My Mom's Cardigan: All That's Left of My Family - by lookinghotwiththosewings

and all at once (you're all I want) - by Mayverix

it's like i'm frozen but the world still turns - by toes-ier (snowglobegay)

yesterday, we were just children - by @andiwriteordie

broken hearts can always mend - by sarol3

when everything's made to be broken (i just want you to know who i am) - by @hoteadepresso

Take care of Will - by getsalami

stars by the pocketful - by thesapphicbard

no proof, not much (but you saw enough) - by drabbish

Monday - by vanderloo

#bylerficrecweek #bylerficrecweek2023 #byler #stranger things #Day 2: Season 5 Speculation #i'm excited for the rest of the week bc i've got my lists set aside for AU and for family & friends #i'm sliiiightly worried for tomorrow's bc i joined the fandom relatively recently (as in within a year ago) so that list might be shorter #but i look forward to reading what everyone recs!! #I have once again Not slept (And getting a gd migraine again) so posting this and then going to try and sleep lol

[byierficrecs]

❝ cherry cola ❞ author: byers971

link: archiveofourown.org/works/44566102

personal blog || submit a story || support me on ko-fi 💐

#📚 #✨ #byler #byler fanfiction #byler fic rec #will byers #mike wheeler #stranger things #r // teen #r // one-shot #r // finished #r // 20-25k #t // 90s #t // aged up characters #t // arcade #t // pride parade #t // autism #t // strangers to lovers #w // internalised homophobia #bylerficrecweek #bylerficrecweek2023

[apatheticlexicographer]

BYLER FIC REC WEEK DAY 1: POST-CANON recs

All We Need Is Time by SlytherinsAndSnitches

will-centric; some plot. one of my favourites, it’s “friends to enemies to strangers to ???” will has depression, and in the three years since S4 he’s drifted from the entire party. he and mike had a bad falling out, but when they become coworkers at the record store they’re forced to reconnect. as if that wasn’t enough, will is starting to show the signs of vecnafication. the angst is deliciously agonizing and the plot is just starting to kick in. multichapter, just came back from hiatus a few days ago

the gaps and the silence by delusionaltogether

will-centric; no plot. the supernatural events of S4 never happened, but mike’s awkward visit was basically the nail in the coffin for their friendship. will never left lenora, and he’s now busy majoring in art and avoiding people as much as physically possible. he’s taken off guard when mike, who shows up in town with the sole purpose of reconnecting with him, casually admits he used to have a crush on him. the mutual pining is stronggggg and neither of them are smooth T_T longshot, complete

Lost Without You by Julia_Skysong

alternates between mike-centric and will-centric; some plot. will and mike are 26 now and haven’t talked in years, since mike disconnected himself from the entire party. will has a career writing comics based on their experiences with the upside down. mike surprises him when he brings his 7-year-old daughter to one of will’s signings, causing them to reconnect. this fic deals with a lot of heavy topics about homophobia, trauma and addiction but it’s not a constant misery-fest. will and mike’s reblossoming friendship is very sweet and mike’s daughter is adorable. the burn is slow but it suits the story perfectly and feels a lot more healthy and organic than rushing into things. love isn’t framed as a cure-all for their issues, and i really appreciate that. multichapter, ongoing

I’m a Wreck (Without You Here) by TalkingToTheLights @talkingtothelights

mike-centric; some plot. 33 year old mike has been distancing himself from his friends and family for years, but a tragic death forces him to return home and confront everything he’s been hiding from. the angst is strong and MCD is part of the core premise, but i promise it’s not will who died. mike is a mess for real. multichapter, ongoing

the darkest hour by AmberEyedFox

mike-centric; no plot. mike finally gets his head out of his ass after he breaks up with el. some of the headcanons in this fic aren’t what i typically gravitate toward, but it’s written in such a captivating way that i don’t care. the byler is soft as hell, what more do you want from me. long AF twoshot, complete

The Crossover by nbfutureboy

will-centric; plot. the party are all grown adults now. will writes horror comics and mike is in a band. they haven't talked in years, after an explosive fight. they're both slated to attend the same convention, but will's plans to avoid mike are derailed when he mysteriously vanishes. the mystery is so cool! multichapter, ongoing

Path of the Paladin by olliecoddle

mike-centric; sorta plot. 23yo mike has a terrible fuckin time! the fic. featuring ted wheeler's funeral, mike's very messy relationship with will, his even MESSIER relationship with his sexuality, and copious amounts of D&D lore as a thematic framing device. multichapter, ongoing though it's been a minute since last update

I Didn't Run, I Was Not Done by ryoukootonashi

will (and richie)-centric; plot. when will goes to college his assigned roommate is richie, who keeps overhearing will talking about the weirdest shit to his friends. richie is still suffering from clown-induced amnesia and would really like to know what the fuck is going on. another "can't believe it's not not crack!!!" fic lmao. multichapter, ongoing

#bylerficrecweek2023 #bylerficrecweek #byler #i said it was colour coded ToT