#cause thats what mike does. he thrives in positions of leadership and nurturing and protection

[uris-stanley]

mike's "we're not kids anymore" line and his whole attitude to will in s3 is so ironically funny because he was the Exact Same Way in s2, which takes place less than a year earlier

mike wanted nothing to do with girls in s2, he just wanted to be hang out with will and the rest of the party and got so upset when lucas and dustin wanted to invite max

it's only when el gets back (aka the person he had traumatic experiences with, the first girl who ever treated him nicely and someone he literally saw die in order to save his life) that he suddenly cares about girls again.

it's like, is it just him growing up like he claims? or is it maybe because he's formed trauma bonds with el and is throwing himself into a romantic relationship (and trying to act all mature and not like a child) in order to try and escape that trauma, and pretend everything's okay?

#stranger things #mike wheeler #its just. its interesting #mikes change bewtween s2&3 is just so drastic?? #lucas and dustin don't because they showed interest in girls from the start of s2 when they both hd crushes on max #and then in s3 theyre in relationships and it feels normal and shit #but mike goes from being anti mx and soending his time trying to care for will to a romantic relationship and refusing to play dnd and stuff #cuase 'oh were not kids will' but YOU ONLY DECIDED THAY WHEN THE GURL U TRAUMA BONDED TO CAME BACK #if el Hadnt come back you know damn well that he wouldnt be all 'oh were grown up were gonna get girlfs' hed still be trying to protect will #cause thats what mike does. he thrives in positions of leadership and nurturing and protection #he jumped off a cliff for dustin in s1 and was insistent on looking for will #in s2 he sticks by wills side ever second that he can and is the onky one there for him #s3? s3 els back and he throws himself into the relationship and just. refuses to be who he was in s1&2 and so he's completely chabged #his relationship with el just screams trauma response on both ends. he has. little crush on her in s1 sure but then he watches her Die #and like. that ucka him up and hes traumatised but shes gone so he projects his need to protect onto will #and then ince shes Back theyre both just. trauma bonded. and push the relationship because its what they know and its 'safe' #idk man i just dint think tgeir relationship currently hs heakthy bond and foundation ls #i think he's protecting himself #mike #st