#platonic elmike is superior

[eclipsebyler]

Will and Mike’s relationship has everything El and Mike’s relationship lacks.

Meeting El in the woods isn’t fate nor destiny, because it’s just simple dumb luck — Mike doesn’t only think that, he believes it. It’s the truth. 

In Mike’s perspective — they only met by pure chance, by accident. They aren’t meant to be together in the long run. Or maybe they weren’t meant to be for each other at all, because he thinks El just needed someone, not him specifically.

And then you got him declaring a love confession to El by the end of the season, saying a completely different narrative:

Doesn’t sound so convincing, does it? (It looks like El doesn’t believe it herself.)

Ironically, the only flashback we see of Mike and Eleven's "love" throughout the monologue is that exact moment: their meeting in the woods — a scene full of contradictory statements from Mike. 

On one hand, he says they just met out of pure dumb luck. And then he turns around and says his life started that moment. Which is the truth? Well you can scroll back above or rewatch it. Because it's right there.

Mike isn’t alone in these thoughts, however, about their relationship.

El doesn’t see herself with Mike and their relationship to last in the future. It’s implied when she pertained to him as her first boyfriend, meaning she could meet more people: 

She also questioned whether Mike still loves her or not. Even with Mike sending her a bunch of letters and focusing on her when they reunited at the airport and spent the day in Rink-O-Mania — she picks up on his lack of affection.

In El’s perspective — Mike doesn’t love her for who she truly is, that he just sees her for her superpowers. And when she lost it, that’s where their love ends. This letter is explanatory in itself. From, El. Not Love, El.

Mike and Eleven’s relationship throughout the seasons has developed to the both of them thinking the other doesn’t love and need them anymore. To them not seeing their relationship to last in the future. To them doubting their own self worth because of each other. And you expect me to believe a love confession full of contrasting statements would just fix all of that? 

It’s so easy to just let El hear the word I love you from Mike, and Mike hear El say she needs him, and for them to communicate to resolve that. But the show had to go through all these lengths only for it to be resolved by one person: Will.

Mike heard El needs him from Will. El heard Mike loves her because of Will. Will’s love for the both of them is what fixed their problem. 

And interestingly, comparing from the points above - Will and Mike’s relationship has everything Mike and Eleven’s relationship lacks.

Approaching Will in the first day they met, in their kindergarten’s swings, was Mike’s choice. It’s not by chance or fate. He went to him by himself, asked him to be his friend and to him   — meeting Will is the best thing he’s ever done.

Will on the other hand, who’s canonically in love with Mike, sees himself with him not just on a certain period of time - but also in the future. 

Loving Mike and spending time with him is something he would do for the rest of his life. It’s not just a childhood crush that he can get over with so easily. Especially considering they’ve known each other for 10 years and are best friends. He will always need him. And without him, he would feel lost.

And Mike feels the same way. He couldn’t lose, Will. Home isn’t the same without him. 

They both canonically make each other feel like they’re better for the way they are. Will doesn’t feel like a mistake when he’s with Mike and he makes him feel better for being different. And Mike is the heart of the party and he’s not someone who should feel useless because there will always be people who needs him. Will’s painting had made him realize that. 

In good days and in bad days, Will and Mike will always be together.

Them being endgame and canon is going to close both of their arcs beautifully, and it’s not just because they’re a gay ship, but because that’s literally what the show has been building up to. I don’t think the writers put so much effort in their bond only for it to amount to nothing and waste all of it. Remember when they took most of the day filming the van scene? And literally how every scene of them has such beautiful cinematography and dialogue? 

Yeah. We are so getting that Byler endgame (and Milkvan bones) in Season 5.

#byler #byler is so endgame coded #platonic elmike is superior #you all will see the light soon #can't wait to get out of this messy love triangle #willelmike moments in s5 where they all coexist peacefully

[beaulesbian]

Everyone’s here.

#platonic elmike #is the superior way to watch vol 2 tbh #byler #elmike #willel #stranger things #strangerthingsedit #mine #gif:st #el hopper #eleven #mike wheeler #will byers #the way she holds both mike and will head or hair the same way #and mike having the forehead touch instead of any kiss makes me think.. platonic #it just adds to my headcanon that after the elmike fight in 4x3 they didnt think of each other as bf/gf #and it was actually will who asked el if shes okay hmm

[byersfanclub]

i legit just don’t understand the appeal of milkvan 🫤 it’s nothing to do with it being straight because there’s plenty of straight ships that i enjoy but it’s because there’s chemistry and substance there between the characters and idk how ppl look at two 12 yr olds who barely knew each other and one was raised in a lab and didn’t even understand they were allowed to have their own interests and wear what they wants and have a real friend (max) and the other is a boy who doesn’t know wtf he’s doing and it just trying to fit into society and wants to be seen but not even having a girlfriend helps him fit in. in fact he can’t even tell anyone abt his girlfriend and he’s also losing his best friend simultaneously because of it.

slow burn and unconventional romances are great… when they’re written well and written in a way for people to actually enjoy. i’d say most st audience members outsides of milkvan shippers themselves care a lot more about jancy lumax and jopper than they do milkvan which should be the “main” ship of the show. but it’s not because it’s literally just a bowl of plain ass bran flakes compared to bowls of sweet, sugary and tasty cereals.

sorry not sorry 🤷

#byler #anti milkvan #platonic elmike #is superior

[bylerisc4non]

willel & byler > everything else

chapter 5 out now~

spoiler alert: my excuse to ramble about how much i love willel

#byler #willelmike #platonic elmike #enemies to lovers #new byler fic chapter!!! #byler tumblr #stranger things #wonder twins are superior

[alex-the-bringer-of-chaos]

We're Good by Dua Lipa is a milkshake song El/Jane's pov and I'm right!

#byler #stranger things #mike wheeler #eleven #jane hopper #yes queen dump his ass #independent el my beloved <3 #independent el #elmike #platonic elmike my beloved <3 #the superior #anti milkvan #anti m!leven #milkvan is bones #the scripts agree with me #el knowns she doesn't need him #and so does mike #they're just not compatible #and aren't meant to be #mike get your shit together #no need to hide it go get what you want (will) #this song is them! #song recs #we're good #dua lipa

[sophie0197]

Listen El being a lesbian and Mike being a gay boy make so much sense to me 🥺 like they found each other when they needed it the most, and growing up together has allowed them to experiment, make mistakes and figure themselves out in a world that thinks they shouldn't even exist, and their friendship actually starting to bloom stronger as ever once they both come out would be like the pinnacle of queer stories, you don't even know how bad I need this, I think it's beautiful and it's canon to me I don't care

#elmike #I will never stop loving this ship as platonic love it's so superior #Stranger things

[will80sbyers]

platonic Elmike would be so superior

#mike wheeler #byler #will byers #platonic elmike

[m1kedefendr]

i am teaching the tiktok and twitter bylers how elmike is the superior platonic name for mileven. i will make sure elmike is the ONLY name ever.

#byler #will byers #mike wheeler #elmike is better #elmike

[shreya11111]

I've seen people say "Oh, if they weren't best friends I would ship it" about Byler and like... isn't that... a good thing for a relationship? To be close beforehand?

why are they acting like byler invented the best friends to lovers trope- as if that hasn't been done a million times before by straight characters.

and yes, it is a positive thing to be close friends beforehand. not only does that mean you are more likely to be really comfortable with the person you start dating, but it also means you know more about them and can be on the same page more.

this is something midleven really lacks – they started dating way too fast and didn't even take any time to get to know each other. this is why there are so many platonic elmike believers – their dynamic would be so much better off if it was platonic.

knowing someone for years and years, like and mike and will have, allows you to know that person like the back of your hand, and even allows you to appreciate that person more because you know all the quirks about them, but still like them either way.

so yeah, byler is way superior in this sense. they have actual chemistry unlike midleven.

tysm for the ask!

#byler #shreya answers #byler tumblr #byler is endgame #anti midleven #midleven #anti m*leven #anti milkvan #milkvan #anon ask #st4

[eclipsebyler]

They were so tiny then and look at them now 🥺 El and Mike are the cutest, their bond is so precious to me. Platonic soulmates and best friends coded, so true.

(And if I'm being real honest here, I actually don't mind milkvan as a romantic ship. If only the show kept up their S1 and S2 energy... but it went downhill from there sadly. Plus their shippers ruined it for me. So anyways, platonic elmike superior and my beloved 💗)

#elmike #elmike appreciation post #el hopper #mike wheeler #I love milkvan sometimes #but they're still bones

[alex-the-bringer-of-chaos]

Okay gang, I've got another one for us: Elmax jamming to this after El dumps Mike 4 good

Obviously Mike isn't toxic, but they're relationship is and it brings out the worst in them since they're relationship is under romantic glasses.

After El has a girl's night with Max and she finds out Mike is gay and in love with Will and that shit is requited, mate she'll be one of their biggest supporter!

She'll still vibe with this song cause both her and Mike agree platonic elmike is superior.

the continuation/prequel is here

#byler #anti mileven #elmax #elmike #platonic elmike my beloved <3 #as i said mike isn’t toxic neither is el #but their relationship bring out the worst in one eachother #and their both miserable #the moment they are freed of the romantic chackles of their relationship #well friends and fam it'll all fit together #stranger things #eleven #jane hopper #independent el my beloved <3 #max mayfield #mike wheeler #will byers #stranger things s5 better be like this #good in goodbye #madison beer #willel #cause they adore each other #and el will absolutely support her brother in getting happiness #Spotify #song recs

[alex-the-bringer-of-chaos]

As a prequel to this, This song is how the mechanics break up went down and they evolved to platonic Elmike

Bea Miller is El's pov - embracing the fact she doesn't need no man and that their relationship is not okay - and 6LACK with Mike's both. They both realize they don't actually love each other, they're relationship is not good for either of them and in name of self love and being true to themselves they break up.

It brings them happiness and peace of mind, they love each other but not like that, so platonic elmike is superior. El doesn't blame him for not being compatible but she's not gonna stay in a relationship that makes her miserable - yes queen slay! And Mike, dear Mike, once he realizes he can still have El in his life without it being romantic, that'll lead him into accepting his feeling for Will and making a move.

They don't blame each other, El is the only one she needs and what Mike will never get the kind of love he craves and needs from her - but from Will. They learn that and they accept, because they care and love each other, they want the best for themselves, and if that will be achieved by breaking up then so be it!

#byler #let's go fam #elmike #anti mileven #eleven #jane hopper #mike wheeler #platonic elmike my beloved <3 #independent el my beloved <3 #will byers #mike wheeler loves will byers #will byers loves mike wheeler #byler my beloved <3 #it's not u it's me #bea miller #6lack #stranger things #stranger things s5 better be like this #Spotify #song recs