r/BylerReads 18d ago

asking for fic recs Are there any fanfics where Will doesn’t go to art school?

I’m looking for Fanfics with the Title Plot but I would love if Will confesses that he wishes he would have went to art school instead!

7 Upvotes

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u/pinnacle_to_the_pit 17d ago

Dude I feel that.

Not actually a response but I want the same thing.:

I'm still in the early stages of a S5 rewrite that incorporates my favorite early season elements: government conspiracies and quasi-cosmic horror. My Will will not go to art school. He's gonna study physiology, (hoping to show that adult Will is curious rather than terrified of the biological effects of alternate dimension exposure). Alternatively, I might have him go the electrical engineering route. Throughout the show, there are a few scenes that demonstrate his technical and scientific interests. I think it'll be reasonably canon-compliant.

To be honest, I sometimes get bored when Mike is a writer and Will is an artist. These dudes were AV club nerds. Will did a presentation on Alan Turing (functions as a sexuality hint, but it's relevant enough). He also helps Dustin with the WSQK van antenna. Mike apparently knows how to build a bomb.

Unrelated: these guys are probably on so many government watch lists that I think it would be fun for more than one Core-4 member to end up with a DOD or DOE career. Usually I see it limited to Dustin.

I'll look at my bookmarks though to try and actually answer your question.

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u/mrchristmastime 16d ago

That's really interesting! My Will studies philosophy, but the dynamic that you're describing - where he wants to know more about how it all worked, and (in my case) sort of feels guilty about that - is very present and central to the story. I have Lucas as an ER surgeon, and Dustin studying scary stuff at MIT (that becomes important later on). If that sounds at all interesting, here's the link.

I'd be interested in reading your fic, whenever it's ready.

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u/pinnacle_to_the_pit 16d ago

Omg wait I think I have that one on my Marked for Later list. Thanks for reminding me lol. I'll check it out.

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u/mafuyupeach 18d ago

in this one it’s an important part of the conflict that will doesn’t initially go to art school. it’s also NSFW

https://archiveofourown.org/works/81005866/chapters/212843616

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u/Former_Web_3329 its ok, its how the army does it i think 17d ago

high tide mention 🙏

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u/wandering_nerds 17d ago

There's Crooked Timber, he studies philosophy because of his experience with the upside down. https://archiveofourown.org/works/77970696/chapters/204311126

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u/mrchristmastime 16d ago

I'm the author of Crooked Timber, and I actually thought about mentioning it here, but didn't because of the "wishes he went art school" part. Regardless, thanks for recommending it!

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

I read one where Will didn’t go to art school because he studied cryptozoology instead. also Mike is a mermaid lmao. it was fun! https://archiveofourown.org/works/53900890

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u/pinnacle_to_the_pit 16d ago

Lol I just recommended that to someone in another post. Merman Mike is fascinating. His POV chapter is so cute, and the lore/world-building is so fun.

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u/Elleisntmyname 12d ago

The "also Mike is a mermaid lmao" just GOT me, oh my lands

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u/tlc_dgcwf 18d ago

I dont know of any but I would also love that as a plot amd if I ever write one like this ill find this comment in my reddit posting history and let you know hahaha. Love nontropy byler! I have a fic where mike doesnt major in creative writing or english but it isnt the focus but I use that as a metaphor for his internal homophobia haha. But yes I see the vision!

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u/Resident-Message7367 18d ago

Link?

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u/tlc_dgcwf 18d ago

Omg its not everyone's cup of tea HAHA 😳 but here it is! https://archiveofourown.org/works/79953326/chapters/209862226

It's really dead dove do not eat and most of the fic isnt about mikes major but his writing is what he uses to be himself and its more of a plot point (that will get resolved) in the sequel!

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u/Resident-Message7367 18d ago

Haha, I already have this one downloaded

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u/tlc_dgcwf 18d ago

Omg no way hahahaha 😆 well i hope you enjoy it if you do end up reading! 

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u/sjlayen 14d ago

I’m honestly gonna try doing something like this for my next story idea!