#anyway hopper has father figure potential for mike and I will die on this hill

[dilemmaed]

im breaking my silence: the whole "hopper would be fine with will liking boys until he realizes that means mike because he hates mike" is so unoriginal and not really true.

hopper and mike had a good relationship throughout season two. hopper saw how much mike cared for will (and he also saw it in season one, due to mike's annoying-but-persistent search for him) and how he stuck by him through his entire possession. he was even there for the shed scene where mike proclaimed that becoming will's friend was the best thing he's ever done. hopper knows how much will means to mike. he's seen how gently he treats him. he's witnessed their relationship for himself, and how devoted mike is to him.

when el returned, and mike learned that hopper had his her and lied to them, he confronts him. hopper says that it's fine if mike is upset with him, but to not blame el. ultimately, hopper just wants what's best for el. here, we begin to see that he isn't sure if mike is. in addition to this, we see their raw emotion and how he quiets mike by pulling into a hug and telling him "you're okay". he's displaying an almost fatherly comfort to this boy who is calling him a liar & a piece of shit and attacking him. nothing about this scene or this season insinuates that hopper hates mike. if anything, it shows that he cares for him.

season three is when their relationship changes. mike changes too. he's more of an asshole, not abiding by the rules hopper set for him and el, influencing her. hopper does not like how he's acting. he's doesn't approve of his relationship with el. it's nothing like how he used to be. their relationship is nothing like how he was with will. 

at the end of the season, when he says goodbye to el, hopper calls mike back and tells him to "be careful", somewhat reluctantly. mike nods. I viewed this as a reconciliation of sorts. I haven't watched season three for a bit, so correct me if I'm wrong about this.

​​​​​​​in summary, I feel like hopper knows how much mike cares for will and how it's completely unlike his relationship with el. hopper's main concern with mike was of his daughter. he would most definitely approve of will and mike. upon hearing about them and that he was gay, everything would make more sense to hopper. their relationship may return to that in season two.

#mike wheeler #jim hopper #byler #im even hoping for a hug between them that would parallel the one in season two #maybe mike apologizes for his actions in season three and hopper just pulls him into a hug and assures him that it's okay #anyway hopper has father figure potential for mike and I will die on this hill #him not accepting mike as will's boyfriend would make no sense and only happen for a joke that isn't even funny #argue with the wall #st