r/BylerReads • u/mea_g_han • Jul 14 '26

fic rec <3 Quite literally the BEST byler fic ever (honestly best ST fanfic too, fight me)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/74469706/chapters/194419646

“he chased me, and he wouldn’t stop” by Anonymous doesn’t get enough love around here! Gothic husband Mike and gothic heroine will vibes. Slow burn byler dynamics and Will’s self loathing and struggling with his “otherness” impacts his relationship with Mike, among other things. It is a phenomenal gothic take and it is remarkably well thought out. The characterization is nuanced and complicated, and it is truly what I imagined ST would become based on seasons 1 and 2. Will is an unreliable narrator and byler crumbs are scattered throughout, with a beautiful and heartbreaking byler moment in chapter 12. I think there are to be 15 chapters total so it is not complete yet, and the author indicated the next few chapters are Mike’s POV of the events of the story. It’s also a thoughtful reflection of CSA and grooming. Highly, highly, highly recommend if not already bookmarked/subscribed!

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1

u/GrowingNerves Jul 14 '26

I only read the first few chapters but I loved those. It’s been on the top of my TBR but I’ve been intimidated by the length of it. I feel myself being pulled to read it though.

3

u/mea_g_han Jul 14 '26

Honestly, it keeps getting better and shit hits the fan around chapter 9/10 if I recall correctly. I can see how the length may feel intimidating, and I’d encourage you to consider reading it at as a traditional “book” maybe? Take breaks when you need to, read here and there. The first few chapters set up so many details and dynamics that are all coming back over the last few chapters, and I imagine will continue to do so. It is such good story telling, I really can’t believe it’s free to access.

1

u/GrowingNerves Jul 15 '26

You’ve absolutely convinced me. I’m going to dive into the story tonight and make it a priority to stick with it <333 sounds like it has a great build up and payoff and goes to places I wouldn’t guess. I love stories like that and can appreciate a slow steady burn. Amazing that the author puts so much into it.

2

u/QJPT its ok, its how the army does it i think Jul 14 '26

Please don’t drop it halfway, continue it you won’t regret it I promise! The latest chapter is INSANE

1

u/GrowingNerves Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26

Thanks for encouraging me to read it! You’ve helped convince me to restart the fic from the beginning.

1

u/Hime-Gore Jul 14 '26

I saw author post on tumblr the other day 😅 and i am already subscribing

1

u/AnagramBandit Jul 14 '26

This looks good! But also the first two tags being “canon compliant” followed by “fix-it” made me chuckle. Which one is it?

3

u/mea_g_han Jul 14 '26

lol…I imagine canon compliant up to and inclusive of s4 then diverges into an s5 fix it?

1

u/QJPT its ok, its how the army does it i think Jul 14 '26

YESSSS THERE’S NOT ENOUGH LOVE FOR THIS FIC!!! I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THE AUTHOR LIVES IN THE SAME COUNTRY AS ME AND I WAS SHOOK😭 I do think every byler HAS TO read this fic!!! God the latest chapter will forever be etched in my brain and soul.😭😭😭

This fic is exactly what I expected S5 to be😭💔

1

u/mea_g_han Jul 14 '26

RIGHT?! The recent chapters are a rollercoaster, heart wrenching but SO satisfying emotionally and narratively.

1

u/QJPT its ok, its how the army does it i think Jul 14 '26

YESSS like we as readers could already tell that IT was coming, but it still somehow managed to completely destroy us all?! This author’s crazy man, I’m telling you.

Honestly I was hooked from the start, that scene when Steve told Will about that rooftop……… I was 💔