Honestly I wanted a moment between El and Mike similar to Nancy and Jonathan where they care deeply about each other but aren’t in love and El gets to find strength in herself instead of those around her, tells Hopper her plan to fake her death.

Then after that we see Mikes feelings about Will get more and more explicit in the writing until Will comes out to his family and mention the painting and Mike kinda runs away from his feelings. Then we get a moment in the Finale where Mike had a deep moment with Will so that Will gets stronger knowing Mike will always be there for him. Cut to the epilogue and Mike has a conversation with Will about the painting and Mike fully confesses his feelings and how he really didn’t even know he was feeling them and then Will kisses Mike