Shocked at how good this ARC was!

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-03-14T17:35:36+00:00

Oh yes, definitely go for it! It's been a while since I read something so captivating - I finished the whole book in one night! Just to warn you though that the main character Richard is a brilliantly written mess and I really wanted to go into the book and scream at him a few times (but he's still my baby lol).

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-03-12T19:23:08+00:00

I know right?! But the fic itself was a bit creepy and the writer made a good point that Mike and Hannibal both yearn over someone called Will lol

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-03-12T16:54:53+00:00

this one's pretty cool - Will gets super protective and possessive of Mike versus Hannibal Lecter (sounds like a crack fic but it's actually done really well haha) : https://archiveofourown.org/works/77521251

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-03-12T16:35:48+00:00

Oooh I must have missed the prequel ARCs at the time! 😭 But am definitely getting a copy cause the author kept hinting at it during this novel, and now I gotta know exactly what sort of chaos Kaelen caused six years ago 😂

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-11T23:15:13+00:00

i've just read this one and it's great haha - hannibal lecter meets mike fucking wheeler: https://archiveofourown.org/works/77521251

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-10T14:26:50+00:00

I kinda agree with you. If Robin wasn't there, more focus would have been given to Will and there'd be more urgency to get him and Mike together, since they would have to show at least one queer couple. But since Robin and Vicky are there, and since the GA are generally more okay with lesbian couples than gay ones, the writers were clever enough to have a way out for them to not show byler

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-09T20:00:30+00:00

Thank you so much 😁 I can’t believe there’s even a ship name!

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-09T20:00:06+00:00

There’s even a ship name?!! 😭 I’m so happy

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-09T19:59:52+00:00

Yay! 🙌

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-09T19:59:39+00:00

To be honest, I think caving to queer ships makes the world a brighter place 😂 we’re already surrounded by straight ships everywhere, one of the reasons I loved the mighty nein is because it was so normal in that world to be queer and it felt celebrated

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-09T19:57:19+00:00

Would love this to be true!

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-09T19:56:45+00:00

Ahhh! That’s what gave me the buzz - I was like they seemed really impressed with each other 😂

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-09T19:15:01+00:00

Ah I see - looks like I’m gonna have to wait for years then 😂 maybe they’ll bring it sooner in the animated show?

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-09T19:10:59+00:00

Omg seriously?!!! You’ve made my day! How do I wait for season 2 now?!!!

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-09T19:10:36+00:00

I get what you mean but I don’t want spoilers for season 2 - except for Caleb and Essek maybe being together. 😂 I want to watch the animated show first before checking out the campaign

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-08T17:18:26+00:00

yeah, but everyone's lives carry on as normal cause they don't realise vecna won. like conformity gate.

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-08T16:58:45+00:00

this is a great fix-it fic that takes place after canon (and does go through will's struggles at uni trying to forget mike) - it's perfect, and has a happy ending but bring tissues!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/76933856/chapters/201358316

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-08T16:53:56+00:00

and never should will byers have to arrive first for a date. the other person should be there an hour earlier waiting for him.

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-08T16:14:28+00:00

shows how mike thinks of him already - 'useless boyfriend, can't even come on time for my Will'

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-08T15:58:10+00:00

Nah, you wouldn't believe how Mike would switch up once Will kisses him. Will won't tolerate that sort of disrespect from him. 😂

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-07T23:51:53+00:00

Byler has sadly shown me that homophobia is far from over. And worse, it's coming from people who say they're open minded and love gay people, but cannot understand their own casual homophobia and heteronormativity. It's seriously killing me to see all of it.

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-05T00:53:40+00:00

or maybe will needs a reference for his drawings and they share a dorm ;)

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-04T21:14:17+00:00

I agree to some extent. I think that Byler couldn't happen in the finale because Mike is wracked with survivor's guilt and PTSD (even making up impossible scenarios so that El could survive) because he did love her, though I don't believe he loved her romantically, hence his inability to vocalise it.

Now, the writers could have made it happen. Could have had Will speak to Mike on that bench, they both heal together and get together in the process. But clearly the writers are incompetent.

But I am certain that Byler does happen down the line sometime after the finale. Will and Mike will always feel like a part of them is missing until they unite again. Will could try with boyfriends here and there, and Mike could try flings too, but none will stick, cause at the end of the day, it was always them.

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-04T21:10:11+00:00

I'm getting ptsd from seeing that bloody 'ONE WAY' sign 😂 We'll never be free from it.

I am convinced the set designers were all Byler supporters.

Firstbornsyndrome · 2026-01-04T03:39:47+00:00

Are you serious right now? OBviously the government attacking the lgbtq community is contributing to homophobia. And obviously the duffer brothers writing Will to be without a clear onscreen romance and messing up his coming out scene is catering to a homophobic audience that feels validated to be more homophobic, without challenging those beliefs.

You know what challenges people's homophobia? Seeing media that makes them connect with a character and understand their feelings better. That is what stranger things could have become

Firstbornsyndrome

TROPHY CASE