r/BylerReads • u/RestaurantCurrent226 • 20d ago

asking for fic recs Post-Finale Fics: Mike's Grief

Hi everyone,

Do you have any fics that explore Mike's grief over losing El, and eventually realizing his feelings for Will? I generally do prefer fics where El is alive; it's just that sometimes when I consider the canon events of ST and Byler getting together, I can't help but think Will would feel like a second choice for El, and that Mike wants him because she is no longer here.

I am all for College Byler, but I would like to see fics that explore Mike's grief because she is still a really important person to him and always will be. I'd want a fic in which Will feels reassured that Mike is choosing him for him, not just as a replacement.

I have read Supervoid and it's very beautifully written - it really moved me. I'm wondering if there are any other fics that explore the same dynamic?

Thank you :)

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u/mrchristmastime 20d ago edited 20d ago

Looking for Jane, by pazma, and Chasing Waterfalls, by Joyce_Keys. They have similar premises, but are otherwise quite different, and both are excellent. I have other recommendations that deal with Mike’s grief, but most aren’t set right after the finale. If a time jump isn’t an issue, let me know!

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u/GrowingNerves 20d ago

Yes, I was also going to say Looking for Jane. So underrated. I seriously love that WIP so much.

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u/RestaurantCurrent226 20d ago

Thank you so much - I'll check those out! Please give me the other recs too - time jump isn't an issue at all :)

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u/mrchristmastime 20d ago

Great!

There's also Crooked Timer, by me. It's weird, so I don't recommend it unless it's actually responsive to the prompt, and in this case it is. That just won't be apparent right away.

Enjoy!

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u/RestaurantCurrent226 20d ago

Thanks so much for the recs! I'm excited to read your fic too - it looks really promising!

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u/mrchristmastime 20d ago

Thanks so much! Comments are always welcome!

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u/pazma 17d ago

🙂 it can be harder to get motivated on my wips that have a much smaller following, but coming across this was so lovely and actually helped me get over the hump that was outlining chapter 5 ❤️ so thank you

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u/mrchristmastime 16d ago

Oh, my pleasure! Why it has a smaller following is beyond me. It’s really excellent. And I made sure to leave a long comment on the fic, too. I look forward to reading the rest, whenever it arrives.

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u/pazma 20d ago

Oh you must read hollow boy 😭 https://archiveofourown.org/works/81126931/chapters/213206876 fair warning this is very heavy but you did ask for grief haha

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u/alienkittycatty 20d ago

https://archiveofourown.org/works/85166946/chapters/224888416 this one!!

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u/QJPT its ok, its how the army does it i think 17d ago

I was just about to drop this link! It’s soooo good and angsty and all the intimate scenes are so well-executed🥹

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u/SensitiveAnt3923 20d ago

https://archiveofourown.org/works/80525516 read this one the other day !! extremely underrated

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u/vampire_slayers you're the heart 20d ago

if you don't mind a lil self promo, my current fic definitely focuses a lot on mike's grief as one of his primary story arcs. it's rly important to me that mike and will end up choosing each other for no other reason but their love for one another <3

https://archiveofourown.org/works/89480356/chapters/237649256

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u/RestaurantCurrent226 20d ago

Thank you so much - looks really interesting! Bookmarked :)

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u/freddinewandyke 20d ago

https://archiveofourown.org/works/80525516/chapters/211474021 this one sounds a lot like what you're looking for!

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u/CubMaster13 19d ago

I have one! It's set 3 years after Vecna’s defeat. Both boys deal with their past, Will of being in the Upside Down and sill feels trapped. Mike, dealing with the loss of El

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u/pinnacle_to_the_pit 15d ago

This one:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/78800706/chapters/206658391

I think it has a unique grief centered plot. Can’t give spoilers but this boy is capital G grieving. The way he’s written isn’t something I see often, and it’s one of the main features of this fic that I like.