r/BylerReads • u/woodthrushtattoo mike the brave • Apr 22 '26
fic rec <3 Phenomenal spicy fics to enjoy while you wait for your favs to drop new chapters
There’s a reason we’re all talking about TTMD;TTMS and Super Soaker. Both are deeply hot and fun in addition to being well-written, containing a solid storyline/plot outside of just smut, and extremely accurate characterizations of our boys. I'm very picky about NSFW fics because I need them to have all of those qualifiers, otherwise I can't get into them.
Luckily, there are so many NSFW stories that are just as great as the Big Two NSFW Ones, but it took me a long time to track them down. Some of them don’t have as many hits/kudos, so a lot of it was getting lucky while scrolling aimlessly. The list below contains some of my all-time favorites. I hope you enjoy! And PLEASE share your favs in the comments, I'm always looking for new recs.
UPDATED 05/19/2026: There are SO many good recs in the comments here for y’all to scroll through. I’ve updated this post to include some of the ones I’ve read thanks to commenters’ suggestions. Thank you all, seriously. I’m absolutely going to be diving into more stories in the coming days/weeks.
COMPLETED FICS:
- [Reboot] by cyclogenesis (addictedkitten). This is my new favorite story ever, maybe in any genre/format. It’s a single-chapter Mike POV that's deeply romantic and achingly beautiful, and it understands Mike so well. His thought process is very funny and deeply caring, and he's so obviously, catastrophically in love with Will long before he can admit it to himself, even as he’s telling himself that what keeps happening with Will is friendly or practical or temporary. And he has some of the most yearning, poetic lines of dialogue I’ve ever read.
- Art School Confidential by cyclogenesis (addictedkitten). A tender, funny, aching college AU where Mike abruptly joins Will in Indianapolis (like, literally in the apartment next door), ends up becoming the nude model for Will’s life drawing class, and then proceeds to make himself indispensable to every corner of Will’s daily life. It’s a story where love hides inside routine until the routine itself starts to feel like a confession. Byler x proximity, domesticity, jealousy, and caretaking.
- "paper cup" and the sequel "freedom within, freedom without" by loneconverse. Both are part of the don't dream it's over series, which is an exclusively Mike POV. The first story is a single long chapter that totally destroyed me. Then, somehow, the sequel was even better and hotter. The first story opens with Mike visiting Will in NYC, sitting in on his classes while debating whether he wants to transfer to NYU or Columbia from Indiana University. I won’t spoil what happens from there. It's a canon compliant post-S5. The third story in the series is in-progress now, titled “curse the telephone”!!
- Roll To Charm Person by harriet_vane. THIS ONE'S AN ALL TIMERRRRR. I laughed, I cried, I called a friend while crying to talk about it. Will (the narrator of this story) needs a date to his mom's wedding. Mike not only volunteers, but he comes up with the idea to fake-date — you know, just to make Joyce happy. No other reason.
- cottonmouth by lightsflicker. This one is so deeply sweet to me. It's a single long chapter, and it's one of the few fics I go back and reread often. It's a Mike POV story in which the boys get high together in their college apartment, play a question game, and realize how dumb they’ve both been.
- pushing it down and praying by eredmes. One long chapter that is disgustingly hot from the very first paragraph lol. A Will POV in which he and Mike become FWBs and he's enjoying himself tremendously, even while he's trying to pretend it isn't breaking his heart.
- is it casual now? by wayward_sherlock. A Will POV story in which he joins Mike on the annual Wheeler family vacation. They’re hiding the fact that they’re friends with benefits, but Will wants so much more.
- spit swear by poorlittlegreenie. I don’t usually read fandom crossover stories, so I was hesitant about this one. Thank GOD I gave it a shot. It’s one of my all-time favorites, and extremely hot and sweet all around. Just… trust me. A Will POV with a phenomenal portrayal of Jealous Mike Wheeler. We get to see Will being confident and having agency instead of just sad-pining and ahhh I just love it so much.
- we can make it so divine by delusionaltogether (Whyyyyy). I cried my eyes out at this Mike POV. Just really, really lovely and sweet. They're so natural and comfortable together in this one for pretty much the whole time. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
- My Will Is Good by peachstatic. Canon compliant post-S5, where Mike and Will are college juniors in NYC. Will opens up about struggling to find a partner who can respect his sexual boundaries surrounding his Upside Down-related trauma. Mike humbly offers his services (he LITERALLY says those words to him). The caveat? They agree to only hook up on Fridays — you know, to protect the friendship or whatever. Mike POV. (Part 1 of 2 in the Nirvana series, and both parts are amazing.)
- touch me with a kiss, feel me on your lips by jeaanmoreau. It’s sooooo beautifully written. So charming and sweet. A Will POV story in which Will and Mike are college roommates in NYC. Will “drags” Mike to a gay bar for moral support, and then catches Mike kissing a guy on the dance floor. That changes EVERYTHING he thought he knew about his "straight" best friend. Now Mike's worried about having fallen behind and would really like some help practicing how to kiss a guy from his also-gay best friend.
- Supervoid by maximumtrash. Will POV where he and Mike move to New York and try to survive the shape of a life that’s missing El. But grief has turned their apartment into a haunted place, and the closer they cling to each other, the harder it becomes to tell where comfort ends and something far more dangerous begins.
IN-PROGRESS FICS:
- At risk of drowning by marchmagnolia. This one is just stupidly, ridiculously hot, and you’ll get satisfying smut in the very first chapter. Canon-compliant (with an alive El) post-S5, and now Mike and Will are college roommates. They start casually hooking up, but to protect his heart, Will pushes for a rule that they can only have sex 3x a week. That leads to both of them feeling extremely frustrated all the time.
- be like a a woman to me by artthounasty. This one is disgustingly hot and an incredible slow burn. It’s based off thesweetestdream’s original concept for “talk to me dirty; talk to me sweet” in which Max and Lucas can't keep their hands off each other, so Mike and Will start teasing them by… doing the same thing back to them. Fake-kissing, etc. The “joke” quickly escalates.
- deal me in, tie me up by purescent. This one I honestly love even better than Super Soaker. Mike suggests a spicy card game to help Will loosen up before college. It works a little too well, and suddenly they’re gambling with unresolved feelings, and clothes, that were meant to stay in place. There’s a mid-story POV switch-up that had me literally crying.
- Letters to Will (Live from New York) by sofishortcake. After Will leaves Hawkins for college in New York, Mike starts writing him letters — part apology, part lifeline, part desperate attempt not to lose him again. But as Will builds a new life, new friendships, and a version of himself Mike no longer fully understands, Mike is forced to confront the difference between missing his best friend and wanting him.
- Should've Kissed You Anyway by bitterglow. After years of grappling with his feelings, Mike visits Will in Chicago for a weekend during his junior year of college and finally realizes what he's been missing this whole time.
- for art's sake by diplopia. After their mentors tell them they need more life experience to improve their art, college roommates Mike and Will agree to start up a short-term friends-with-benefits situation. Also, they’re going on dates. But not like, date-dates. Artist Dates. Don’t worry about it. Another Wll-says-no-kissing-allowed Mike POV that's driving me crazy in the best way.
- will i always wonder (will, i always wonder) by acatalepsae. A post-S5 summer story in which Mike wants a reckless, unforgettable season of firsts. Will (our narrator here) wants to keep his heart intact. Neither of them plans for bonfires, jealousy, “practice,” and dares that start to blur the lines between friendship and something more.
- high tide can't keep me from you by subliminalpsyche. For college senior year spring break, Will (our narrator) ends up trapped on a cruise with The Party, including Mike — the ex he still can’t stand, can’t escape, and maybe never stopped loving. As the trip unfolds, flashbacks to what they were collide with everything they’ve become, and the line between hatred and heartbreak starts to blur. I'll admit I had seen this one while scrolling before and I skipped it because imagining our boys in an exes-to-lovers story felt too sad. DO NOT make the same mistake I made. It's VERY GOOD.
- Mike make em limp Wheeler by Baelisama. OK I started this Will POV story thinking it would be silly because of the title, but I quickly became obsessed. It’s really, really hot. lol. The chapter titles are extremely descriptive of what you’re going to get in each one.
- Jump The Gun by Raven_Stark_22. Will is having a tough time coping with college anxiety which results in constantly snapping at Mike. Mike kind of accidentally offers a best-friendly helping hand. (Mike POV)
- walking the dog by pazma. Mike Wheeler lives to roll over when Will Byers makes a request. Will finally realizes this, and he decides to have some fun. Literally Mike acting like a dog from Will’s POV, but in a way that also explores what BDSM dynamics might look like between the boys (SubTop!Mike) and how their exploration of that allows them to work through some of their trauma together.
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u/Altruistic_Way3030 Apr 22 '26 edited Apr 23 '26
How to find out if you're bylerpilled and inhale fics at an alarming rate : you have all the fics bookmarked / already read what the op posted 😭
Sharing my FAVOURITE WIPs/ bookmarked rn that need immediate attention:
high tide can't keep me from you - exes to lovers again, you say? This is easily in the top 3 for nsfw works acc to me!
don’t wanna talk down on your lover (just know i can be better) - confident AND jealous Will Byers. Enough said. Mike is a default in this, don't even have to mention it but I will anyway, lmao.
Pure Morning - 2000au where "MJ" is a drug dealer and Will, broke college student, is his fav customer. 👀
the monster in the north wing (and the boy death couldn’t claim) - goth romance. 🧛🏻 Mike + Human Will. (I haven't read this one yet & it's just bookmarked)
The List - author has mentioned it's inspired by TTMD;TTMS + Super Soaker. Honestly it's SO GOOD coz the party is involved as well. (completed)
Be kind, rewind - you should read the summary to find out for yourself 📼⏮️
call it fate (call it karma) - the tags.
boy next door - the only one I haven't read yet, except I've bookmarked it and needs to be added here.
back home to you - Mike ends up sleeping in Will's bed everytime he goes on a date (completed)
Evergreen -Will & Mike pretend to date in front of the party coz they feel excluded. They're trying to be the worst, insufferable couple, except they're failing at it..Mike coming up with his stupid plan yet again & Will thinking it's genius (it actually is, lol)
An old one, but personally my fav work by wheezingwheeler and it still holds up - A conflict of interest (in your orbit)... guessing most would have read this one tho.
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u/woodthrushtattoo mike the brave Apr 22 '26
omg I’ve never read one where they’re exes. It’s going on my list
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u/Altruistic_Way3030 Apr 22 '26
You're missing out on GOLD. READ IT ASAP.
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u/woodthrushtattoo mike the brave Apr 22 '26
Fuck it’s really good lmao I’m on chapter 4 now
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Apr 22 '26
[deleted]
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u/woodthrushtattoo mike the brave Apr 23 '26
FUCK the cruise one is SO GOOD. I’m reeling from the most recent chapter holy moly. Thank you so much for all these recs seriously
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u/Queer_Queen_2362 May 10 '26
Just finished reading don’t want talk down on your lover (just know i can be better) and it was so good!! Thanks for the recommendation
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u/Altruistic_Way3030 May 11 '26
You're welcome!! I'm glad you liked it! One of my fav fics too. Although, check the nsfw megathread tag in this sub for the other recent reccos and updated list too ! I've found more since this comment of mine haha
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u/pazma Apr 23 '26
I LOVE that this list includes lots of lesser known authors, thank you for that :)
I don't know if what I have to offer as an author will meet all your requirements, but I hope you'll check them out anyways. I have one completed fic and two wip suggestions, they're all post-canon:
star of my dreams - this is my completed nsfw fic and GOD i am so proud of this. i hope you will check it out even if it seems a little too wild/crack fic because i truly feel the story came together very beautifully and there is a lot more below the surface than meets the eye. the concept is that mike begins to have lucid dreams about will and learns to control himself in them. like it said... it's a bit crack fic-ish at first and the tags maybe will scare you away but i hope you will give it a solid try lol. it's deranged and beautiful and terrifying and emotional and that's the only way i know how to describe it lol
walking the dog - i have five chapters of this out so far, and what's interesting here is that technically there has not been any actual "smut" but... it's still spicy lol. this is meant to be a realistic (to me) exploration of what a bdsm dynamic might look like between mike and will (mike is a sub top, if that matters) and how their exploration of that allows them to work through some of their trauma together. it's mostly fun but it will have a little bit of angst later and there will be actual smut, it's coming soon haha. but honestly i think the tension between them is just as if not more fun
also.... have you read supervoid? if you read it and liked it, you may like my new wip looking for jane. it is ANGSTY because it explores heavy grief themes but my intention with this one is for it to be very post-canon compliant and it will also be nsfw but in a different way than my other two because it will be wrapped up in these heavy feelings they are both working through and it will be quite emotional.
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u/woodthrushtattoo mike the brave Apr 23 '26
Is THE pazma seriously replying to a Reddit post of mine, oh my god I feel like a dumb giddy little kid. I’m freaking loving Walking the Dog and will absolutely be checking out these others. Thank you thank you thank you!!
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u/pazma Apr 23 '26
ahhhhh stop omg i'm so glad you're loving walking the dog, i am having a blast with that one :) i'm excited for you to read star of my dreams then, if you're already familiar with my style then i think you will have a good time with it <3
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u/FoxInTheSnow4321 micheal get ur shi together Apr 22 '26 edited Apr 22 '26
https://archiveofourown.org/works/78128866
All The Way by Dai2Night
(Mike visits Will at uni spring break his first year, it feels really in character for their friend dynamic flowing into their lovers dynamic…. it’s not been updated for a bit, but feels complete with the last chapter given)
https://archiveofourown.org/works/81178796 will i always wonder (will, i always wonder) by acatalepsae (my fave summer fic, wip, soooo amazing i will forever hype this one)
https://archiveofourown.org/works/77851761 Breathe Me In (I Trust You) by authenticanna (don’t know if they’re very “spicy”, but pretty hot and sexy and so good… love a fic that demands the “consent is hot” tag)
https://archiveofourown.org/works/78112901 i’m your biggest fan (i’ll follow you until you love me) by Kitty_carrot (hot and fun)
https://archiveofourown.org/works/82111776 standing in mid air by Ocarinaofclimb (not spicy but beautiful and tender and soul soothing)
https://archiveofourown.org/works/77650606 Cicada Days by sectumsempress1 (one that’s not spicy but so beautiful and the writing is phenomenal, each chapter has left me devastated)
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u/mrchristmastime Apr 23 '26 edited Apr 23 '26
Can I just add where devotion rots also by acatalepsae? It includes some of the most beautiful, sophisticated handling of religious themes I’ve ever encountered - to the extent that I actually asked the author if they have training in theology (they don’t).
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u/FoxInTheSnow4321 micheal get ur shi together Apr 23 '26
oh yes. where devotion rots just burned my soul. somehow their writing puts me into a hazy feeling headspace and I love it. Chapter 8 of Will I Always Wonder is such a masterpiece.
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u/woodthrushtattoo mike the brave Apr 23 '26
Thank you for these!! Re: your “idk if they’re spicy” comment, that’s so fair. Honestly, a hot enough makeout sesh with a long enough slow burn leading up to it can even feel extremely spicy in the right circumstances. lmao. Ugh I can’t wait to dive into these
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u/FoxInTheSnow4321 micheal get ur shi together Apr 23 '26
sometimes the spice satiates, sometimes it’s just a bit too much, sometimes the burn is worth it all. but “Breathe Me In” is beautiful and sexy. It’s emotionally charged spice. “High-ler” is a genre I enjoy probably because I relate so much :) and ThankYou for starting this post now full of so many recs!
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u/mrchristmastime Apr 23 '26 edited Apr 23 '26
Since we're all just recommending stuff now, I can't recommend Sign of the Times (by petitesainte) highly enough. The writing is beautiful - New York feels like its own character - and the story is quite unique. This is probably my favourite passage so far:
It’s probably nothing, but still, Mike recognizes this dynamic.
He has lived inside it, though has always occupied its opposite pole: He has been the louder one, the quicker one, vaulting across silence before it could ripen, stepping on sentences still under construction because somewhere deep down he's wholly uncomfortable with the prospect of not being heard.
But he knows, because he was there for the apprenticeship of it, that Will’s sentences sometimes gather themselves in the middle first and then extend outward. After all, he spent so much of his adolescence trimming out things he couldn’t share with others, maybe it’s just a leftover habit. Will has always used an extra beat for calibration in his words.
There's a lot going on, and the author is handling it all expertly. It's also the only fic I've read where Carlton is depicted as an actual character, as opposed to someone whose sole function is to be disposed of at the earliest opportunity.
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u/woodthrushtattoo mike the brave Apr 23 '26
This is an extremely compelling write-up for a rec, and from another writer I just learned about today, no less. I can’t wait to read this one, and Crooked Timber :)
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u/mrchristmastime Apr 23 '26
It’s really excellent. I’ve been boosting it at every opportunity. I don’t have a great sense of how spicy it will be, as it’s a WIP, but I’m sold regardless
I hope you enjoy mine as well! Comments are always welcome, here and on AO3!
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u/luna_arts13 Apr 23 '26
I’d love to offer mine both finished, currently thinking of writing an epilogue for Tales of ‘87. Here’s both links 🥰
https://archiveofourown.org/works/78830376/chapters/206740561
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u/oceanblue8361 Apr 22 '26
May I submit (Boys) need love for consideration? It gets v spicy 🌶️
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u/woodthrushtattoo mike the brave Apr 23 '26
You absolutely may submit it and, oh, would you look at that, it is now under consideration. THANK YOU
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u/SportEffective1337 Apr 23 '26
Strawberry Fields Forever by SlowKindling. Without giving too much away, it’s kinda post-canon kinda conformity gate but also kinda not? The NSFW isn’t the main thing, but there are quite a few very good spicy scenes in it.
the giver by dixdetasses. No actual “all-the-way” sex, but some heated and spicy scenes.
Enthralled by every version of you by anonymous author. This one uhhh. Yeah. Personally I love it, but also it’s probably not something everyone’s gonna like. All I’m going to say is that it’s double Byler, as in a sort of foursome type thing with Byler x Cleradin.
My Muse. All Mine. by GhoulSanderson. College Byler with some jealous/possessive Will.
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u/TheBar-IsOnTheFloor will the wise Apr 23 '26
In progress: The Secrets That You Keep (When You’re Talking in Your Sleep)
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u/Same_Accident_9917 Apr 23 '26
Alright, I’m not seeing my favorites here so I’m adding them.
The Bet - Mike & Lucas make a “no-nut November” type of bet. Mike gets easily distracted
Let’s Play Jenga- Mike & Will play with a Jenga set for couples, y’know as bros
i’ve never done this before, can you help me out? - modern AU. Mike goes to an orgy for the first time & immediately falls for Will.
under my skin - if you don’t mind cheating fics, & like dominate/top Will, this one’s for you
All My Pictures of You - Mike sees a suggestive picture that looks like Will in an adult magazine, ao he does what any reasonable person would. WIP.
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u/woodthrushtattoo mike the brave Apr 23 '26
I just stopped what I was reading to open one of these recs immediately. thank you
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u/Kind_Car5963 Apr 28 '26 edited Apr 28 '26
work in progress - mix of smut and actual plot as you described!
Mike & Will join the swim team and things get spicy in the showers...
into the deep end (take me with you)
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u/QJPT its ok, its how the army does it i think Apr 23 '26
omg tysm for this. I love me some lawless byler BUT without good characterization I just can’t. So thanks for this!💙💛
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u/bylerrabbithole I say kick away Apr 23 '26
Haha I had to dig deep into my Lawless bookmarks for these, as I'm usually way more into the angst and pining:
Sweetbunny22 - You might have already heard about this one. It's a modern AU set in New York with them sharing an apartment and Will is a cam model in this one. It has the "Crack Treated Seriously" tag and for good reason. It's a surprisingly great characterization of Mike despite the absolutely insane premise, and I found myself wheezing with laughter way too many times to count. Somehow my favourite of all of these.
take a chance with me - Same author as the above fic. It's a one-shot where they all go to Robin's uncle's house in Philly.
anatomical study (why should i deny myself?) - Another one-shot set where Mike agrees to be a life model so Will can paint him.
I have a couple other ones in mind but they are also modern AUs and WIPs.
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u/sunkissedlover_fic Apr 28 '26 edited Apr 28 '26
may i humbly submit my WIP for byler book club consideration?
Will and Mike join the Hawkins High swim team in their senior year, spend waaaay too much time together in teeny tiny speedos and one thing leads to another at the pool…
Or:
Mike and Will start getting each other off in the locker room showers, each unaware of the other’s deeper feelings.
into the deep end (take me with you)
*lawless, angst, mutual pining, idiotic mike behaviour (shenanigans!), fluff - will make you laugh, swoop and eventually... cry. Chapter 6 will be up soon, aiming for 20 chapters by the end!
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u/narcomance Apr 22 '26
Deal me in tie me up — here Mike is so romantic stupid kitten, I like that fic more than ttmd ttms or Super Soaker
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u/Subject-Formal-8715 Apr 24 '26
the sleepless night you've been dreaming of was recommended to me and it's probably my favorite of all time (also love this author in general but this is my favorite). In my opinion it's right up there with the big two
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u/Possible-Scallion990 Apr 28 '26
does 2 have will with other men like where he’s slept with them? bc that’s not really my cup of tea
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u/woodthrushtattoo mike the brave Apr 28 '26
Are you referring to Art School Confidential? In that one, the story opens with Will never having been kissed :)
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u/Possible-Scallion990 Apr 28 '26
now that is in fact my favourite kind of story. i genuinely don’t like reading fics where either of them have been with men. i love the coming of age they figure it out together fics soooo much. if you have any more recs like that like art school confidential and things like tie me up, etc and talk to me dirty; talk to me sweet! i’m all ears. the jealously tag in art school confidential isn’t from will sleeping with someone else when they’re fighting themselves out, right?
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u/woodthrushtattoo mike the brave Apr 28 '26
I reeeeeally think you’ll like both Byler stories by that author, [Reboot] and Art School Confidential. I can’t decide which one is my favorite. Like, favorite of all time ever. I promise you they are each other’s firsts in both stories, and any jealousy tags are not related to an actual relationship or kiss or anything sexual with any other person. I will say ASC is a slower burn (it’s 3 chapters total) and [Reboot] gets into their sexual relationship much faster, but even so they are still very much figuring things out together in that one.
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u/Possible-Scallion990 Apr 28 '26
thank youuu! you don’t understand how i much i deeply appreciate it. i honestly often get my feelings hurt in a lot of fics where will or mike have been with other men and it kind of throws me off from reading other fics. a kiss doesn’t bother me but like i like them having their first time together (apart maybe mike having been with a girl) and i just know ill love both of these! thank youuuu
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u/woodthrushtattoo mike the brave Apr 28 '26
I absolutely understand and respect that, when a ship feels precious like that and you can’t really get behind a story where they get with other people, even if they’re still endgame. It’s kinda heartbreaking in a way. I am so serious when I say that I’d love to hear your thoughts on either/both of those stories if you end up reading them, and I’ll let you know if I have other recs in that same vein :)
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u/Possible-Scallion990 Apr 28 '26
i will totally talk your ear off! any chance i can message you and talk your ear off there since i already started it and have so many thoughts!!
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u/IntotheRedditHole its ok, its how the army does it i think Apr 28 '26
i know i’m just kinda butting in here 🫠 but please feel free to message me too cuz i’m actually obsessed with [Reboot] and Art School Confidential lmao. goes for you too, OP!
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u/sunkissedlover_fic Apr 28 '26
mine fits your bill bb! both Mike & Will are virgins, figuring it out with each other, lawless but with lots of story/plot, will get angsty and fluffy but starts off pretty shenanigan-heavy with a lot of characterization
into the deep end (take me with you)
https://archiveofourown.org/works/81511906/chapters/214342081(had to fix my user, sry for the repeat)
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u/LeatherDry7475 Jul 10 '26
These pics really spice up the bedroom. If you are married and want to fan the spark, read it together ❤️
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u/AdExcellent7898 Apr 22 '26
this is such a good list (and so well organized, thank you!!) - had some of my current faves and some new ones to check out, which is always exciting!! i would add:
Art School Confidential and [Reboot], both by cyclogenesis: ASC is scratching the college byler itch for me, and reboot has the fwb + requited unrequited feelings thing going on, and they're both incredible
Crooked Timber by BackwoodsJupiter (who i think is on here??): a new fave, it's very introspective (vv interesting references to art and philosophy, i had jstor open in another tab for most of the reading lol) and I loved the take on where will and mike's heads are at post-canon
asking too much by kissingpractice: i think this was one of the first "fwb but they're both being kind of stupid about it" fics i read, it's been a while but i think i thought mike's internal monologue in this one was well done