#the unmarked mixtape

[prettyboybyers]

I remember reading the red envelope for the first time and loving it (still do) and then i was so excited when i heard that there was a sequal so i read it and was like 😧

Its a really good story, but like the smut caught me off gaurd lmao

#Byler #The red envelope #The unmarked mixtape

[serendipitous-magic]

Firstly, I'm a huge fan of TRE/TUM. And, if you ever do write a part three, I'll be first in line to read. In the meantime, there's always been one thing I wanted to know. What was really going through Mike's mind when Will told him that he never really meant to give Mike the letter? I know it was kind of addressed in TUM, but it was written from Will's POV. We never got to see Mike's mind in the moment, if he thought about it later, etc. Could I trouble you for a few hundred words on it?

I put off answering this because I wanted to give you that little snippet, but honestly I’ve been busy enough and my brain has been busy enough with other things that I don’t think it’s gonna happen. :/ Sorry about that. But thank you for this!! TRE/TUM have been getting kind of an influx of attention lately and it’s a little mind-boggling to me, especially since they’re somewhat older fics of mine. 

What I can say is that I think Mike was definitely surprised, and he may or may not have had a moment of feeling somewhat lied to. But whether or not he went through that particular emotional process, I think he for sure would have landed in a place of feeling sorry for Will because of the intense anxiety he would have been feeling in that situation. At that point in the story, they were in a secure enough place in their relationship that I think they could have worked through that with minimal (for teenagers) drama if Mike did feel some negative emotions about it. It could have happened off-screen in that timeskip when they were trying to settle into living in the same house.

#asks #anon #tum #tre #the red envelope #the unmarked mixtape #byeler

[cleric-will]

Every few months over the last year, I'll start to think to myself, "What if I reread the red envelope duology?" And then I do. Probably gonna read it again soon.

#the unmarked mixtape might genuinely be my fave byler fic #it's so good

[bethanysnow]

Breakeven.

Prt 1.

Bang Chan X Plus Size Reader. Fluff mild angst. Slow burn?

The news broke that V from BTS's stalker was apprehended. The fact that someone got so close sent shock waves through the major companies to up security. Guards for even the groups that didn't have a major following, it felt incredibly necessary. Keeping the artists behind closed doors like hamsters in wheels and a very colorful and elaborate cage. The studio Stray Kids though did the majority of their work for their latest mixtape was across the street from a cafe. The road was mainly foot traffic and standing there on the concrete pavement was a woman with a guitar.

A foreigner. As divisive as that word is in South Korea, that's what she was...singing in English songs from a while back. Breakeven by The Script, Need You Now by Lady Antebellum. This heartache verbalized in the cry of the street. She bowed quietly with the smallest smile if people tipped her, that's at least what Chan noticed from his tower. Yes, the great tower of the unmarked building in the middle of the city. No one knew he was there, nor what the building was. Everyone below him just too busy with their own day to notice. He was grateful for that, but he found himself wanting to be amongst the people. Be there, go grocery shopping, go to a cafe. Exist in the cosmos of the cosmopolitin. So, looking out of the window of the studio he watched this woman. Living vicariously through her. He could hear her if he tried really hard with the window open, but most of the time it was when he snuck into the building he could hear.

Felix was setting down his things in a chair before seeing his friend deep in thought, not moving a muscle, just looking out the window. Walking beside him the blonde followed his eyeline to the girl.

"You know you can go say hi-"

Chan jumped not noticing the new presence slamming his hand over his heart. "Ah!-oh, hi...I dunno what you're talking about..." Brushing the comment off. Felix just raised a brow.

"You stand here and what...stare at her? Man, that's creepy- you wear a mask and a hat and go over. Say Hello"

Chan just shrugged. That was the thing with Bang Chan. With his life experience, the thing he never wanted was to be hurt like he was in the past. To suffer again the things he did getting here. There of course are other things, but when you are in this life it's far easier to make up stories about the driver, the barista, or grocery delivery person? Then to actually...know them. For then they could leave and you would be left alone. Parasocial relationships go both ways remember? So Chan for the first time in a while has had the time to look at the same girl and imagine. Imagine her life, why was she in Korea? Why did she always sing sad songs? Maybe she was a student and this is how she made extra money, or was stranded here and needed to find funds for a plane back home. Or just she liked singing.

So many questions and thoughts and contemplations on the idea of a person, a person he didn't know. While he and Felix went actually into the studio to work he couldn't get her off his mind.

~~

Y/n though was very busy at work. It was hard to get people to notice you when you're in a larger body. At least notice you for the right reasons, notice the voice, the talent (as if). Southeast Asia had the beauty standard of a pin and people paid millions of dollars to fit it. The clothes, the almost infantilization of women? 'Cutesy' shit that made her skin crawl, she could dress like an idol, speak the language fluently, get her hair done at those fancy salons that give you tea; wouldn't be enough. So Y/n decided not to participate. She would sing, play guitar, and let that be the reason she was content. Be understood and heard through music. A couple months out of the year she visited a cousin who lived in Busan for work. Taking a week or so to visit Seoul it was her mission to live. Experience everything she could. That included what she normally did back home, just...here. Where Y/n would sing in front of a Starbucks or a dunkin, or dutch bros really whatever mall adjacent location would allow her to get a set in. Finding a cafe who agreed to let her perform on their property she set up. She just knew this wasn't a hot spot for tourism so felt comfortable in her ignorance if someone made comments she wouldn't super be able to understand them.

So she sang. Song after song not noticing at all the peering eyes from the man a floor above her.

Where Chris was watching. Dreaming of what she sounded like when she laughed, if she had a boyfriend or if he really should say hi to her...fate would have to decide as the rest of 3racha filed into the studio.

And so.....fate did decide.

~too be continued

#stray kids #bang chan #bang chan x plus size reader #works by me #breakeven #felix #skz

[taleah-bonnick]

byler fic recs - all completed

i'm tearing you asunder by smoosnoom (moonsooms) - honestly one of the softest fics ever, it's so sweet and i literally couldn't breathe during some scenes. set towards the end of season 4 and onwards, will is acting quite distant with mike (which is fair) and mike can't understand why their relationship is still so tense if he's apologised, it gets to the point where mike breaks and asks why will keeps leaving him, they have a super angsty and cute moment and from then on it's just mike putting all of his energy into his relationship with will. it has an incredibly romantic ending, 100% recommend. please read this.

help me hold onto you by scorchstorm - this fic has one of my favourite byler confession scenes ever. i re read the scene an insane amount of times before i even scrolled to the next part because it was so sweet, and one of my favourite things in the world is a 'fight turned love confession'. i also quite enjoyed another work by this author, it's called 'break their bounds', you should all definitely give it a read.

the red envelope and the unmarked mixtape by midnighteverlark - a two fic series that starts off with will writing down everything he feels for mike in a letter, a letter which mike was never meant to read, but does. mike has a crisis, will freaks out, they drift and come together again. the sequel is about them figuring out the ropes of their relationship and growing together, it's really sweet, the sequel is definitely my favourite. would definitely read again.

jealousy (turning saints into the sea) by wasabi8ooo - this is a short and sweet fic about mike being jealous when will flirts with a boy at a gas station. it's pretty funny and i really enjoyed it, would read again. i think it's one of those fun fics that you can always just go back to when you need something soft and want to have a laugh.

a game of truths by romeowrites - a really sweet fic that focuses on the relationship between will and mike throughout the years, starting with the words "tell me something you've never told me before." it's a super cute story and it's got some solid humour in there too. i'd read it again.

everything changes, what a shame by andiwriteordie - this fic does a really good job at allowing us to see more of how mike's life was going after will and el had left. it gives us an impressive inner monologue for mike and also gives us a glimpse at what his relationship with eddie could've been like. it then continues on showing us mike's perspective of the events of season 4 (if byler had been made canon by then) and i really enjoyed it, it was really sweet but also quite intense? i loved how natural the development was between mike and will and how we got to see mike's inner struggles as he comes to terms with his feelings for his best friend. highly recommend.

more to come! enjoy <3

please check out my other fic recs on my page!!!

click here for part two of my byler recs :)

#byler #byler fic #byler fanfiction #byler fic rec #will byers #mike wheeler #mike and will #will and mike #will byers/mike wheeler #read on ao3 #ao3fic #ao3 works #ao3 #archive of our own #fic rec #fic recommendation #stranger things #stranger things 4

[newronantic]

BYLER FICS

ayo its been a while but we got a new hyperfixation + covid is kicking my ass so lets fucking do this also this was supposed to be general stranger things fics but i have byler brainrot lol youve been warned

let’s hear it for the boys by andiwriteordie

mama said you can’t hurry love - Will and Mike throughout the years, told through the eyes of Joyce Byers

the winner takes it all - Robin and Steve start a betting pool on when Will and Mike will finally get together, and it eventually spreads to the entire party

rule of threes - Four times the members of the Party realized they were Mike and Will's third wheel, and one time Mike and Will realized it for themselves.

a very murray mistletoe - The one in which Murray finally has a chat with Will and Mike.

don’t you forget about me - The members of the party go to college, and Mike struggles with change, being away from everything he's ever known, and the fear of losing the people he loves.

and i get the joy of rediscovering you - how Mike falls in love with Will over the years.

so i showed up at your party - Mike throws Will a birthday party while their friends are home on spring break. Naturally, drunken shenanigans occur.

The Red Envelope by midnighteverlark

When Will needs to get his thoughts out of his head, he writes a letter he never intends to send. He addresses it to Mike, and tells him everything. He forgets all about the letter, and the distinctive red envelope he stowed it in, until he turns around to find it missing. Now, Will has to think of some way to stop Mike from reading that letter - or should he wait at Castle Byers on Saturday at 2:00pm and pray for a miracle?

The Unmarked Mixtape by midnighteverlark

The impossible happened: Will asked Mike to be his boyfriend. Even stranger? Mike said yes. That's how it started. A letter, an accidental confession, a Saturday afternoon. And that? That was the easy part. Now, what they do - what they are - is secret. Because if anyone finds out... they don't even want to imagine. But they try not to focus on that. They're busy, after all, trying to navigate this new relationship. Kisses, dates, prom, couples' quarrels. And in the meantime, Will has a problem on his hands; a power he needs to learn to control, before it blows up in his face. It's a crazy end to their school year - but there's more going on behind the scenes than they realize.

It’s just polyester. by mayfixlds, okwillthewise

Will gets a boyfriend and Mike gets jealous.

You gave me your sweater. by mayfixlds, okwillthewise

Two boys navigating their way through life and love.

Come to California, Be A Freak by crow_of_crimes

Mike and Max run away to California together in hopes of finally confessing their feelings to Will and El.

The 5 People Will Byers Came Out To by soidade

Five separate scenes of Will coming out for the first time.

Another Love by Youngcreature28

Volume 2 fix-it fic including the one-bed trope, Will getting Vecna’d and a rain fight & kiss.

Argyle’d by whyamistillwritingpages

You’ve heard of Byler getting Murray’d, now get ready for an extremely high Argyle who doesn’t realize the two aren’t already together to do the exact same.

darling, you got to let me know (should i stay or should i go?) by andiwriteordie 

Mike gets Vecna’d

oh can’t you see you belong with me? by andiwriteordie

Mike gets Vecna’d (again)

sleepless nights, losing ground, i’m reaching for you by andiwriteordie

Ok ok but this time Mike and Will BOTH get Vecna’d

the first. by andiwriteordie

A series of "firsts" in Mike and Will's friendship, over the years.

Mike Wheeler and the Laws of Motion by queer_we_are

Will comes out as gay, and this is a surprise to no one except for Mike. Mike deals with his myriad of thoughts and feelings about this shocking revelation mainly through math metaphors, because of course he does.

Two Idiots Take Way Too Long to Get Together: A Story in Letters by queer_we_are

A week after their wedding, Will and Mike Wheeler-Byers are opening their wedding gifts. They open one present that has them taking a trip down memory lane...

i think we’re alone now by friendstolovers

In which Will has a love bite, the Party freaks out about it, and Mike is jealous of himself.

break their bounds by scorchstorm

Several snapshots of mike and will’s relationship, through the good and the bad.

can’t hold out forever by scorchstorm

Five times that others noticed how mike felt + the one time that will did.

help me hold onto you by scorchstorm

mike falls apart one drunken night. will helps piece him back together.

I Never Find Out ‘Til I’m Head Over Heels by orphan_account

Wherein Mike believes he’s being obvious, Will doesn’t know what he believes, and the pair of them could use a lesson or two in effective communication. Somehow all of this has both nothing and everything to do with five years' worth of school dances.

Love, Mike by Youngcreature28

Or the one where Mike is a jealous, clingy, horny little shit the whole time, has to watch as Will is taken by Vecna, twice, and comes to realise that he may have been in love with his best friend the whole time. It sure would explain a few things.

i ain’t gotta tell him, i think he knows by nxncywheelcr

The “Get Mike and Will Together Mission.” The Quintessential Quartet (another Dustin nickname) had finally decided enough was enough, and planned to get them the fuck together.

Will’s not so Secret Admirer by lgheartofglass

In which Will keeps getting flirty notes from a secret admirer...

Will’s not so Secret Boyfriend by lgheartofglass

Mike and Will decide to keep their relationship a secret... But it doesn't go as planned.

a game of truths by RomeoWrites

“Tell me something that you’ve never told me before.”

a three-step plan to make will byers fall in love by RomeoWrites

The party concocts a three-step plan to get Will Byers to fall in love assuming, of course, that he hasn’t already.

The Screw Ups - Byler by zombiewheeler

We follow mike wheeler and will byers through friendship, love and hurt.

Jealousy (turning saints into the sea) by wasabi8000

The one where Mike finally gets jealous.

Pair of Abnormalities by AwkwardDinosaur

After having combatted Vecna and the Upside Down, Mike Wheeler assumed that his emotional turmoil would finally be put to rest. However, with Will wanting to be more open about their relationship with their friends, where does that leave Mike? Is his fear of telling others rooted in a closeted mindset, or does it come from something far deeper than that?

i’m tearing you asunder by smoosnoom (moonsooms)

The world ends, and then some. Mike and Will find each other again, amidst the debris and distance.

Camaraderie and Catharsis by Dragonboy7

After a year of his friends constantly asking Will about his secret “girlfriend,” Will decides to finally say something. He’ll gladly tell everyone - if they agree to help him set up a surprise for their one year anniversary. What Will does not mention, however, is that this mysterious “girlfriend” is not exactly a girl. Oh, and he’s in the Party.

Prompts by teej_318

A bunch of short one-shots that i’m too lazy to link individually

the worst thing about being honest by quietforasecond

Mike keeps falling asleep, Will can’t stop hacking up flowers, and everyone is suddenly great at giving advice.

#stranger things #byler #mike wheeler #will byers #eleven #jane hopper #lucas sinclair #dustin henderson #max mayfield #nancy wheeler #robin buckley #jonathan byers #steve harrington #eddie munson #erica sinclair #joyce byers #jim hopper #ao3 #fanfic #fic recs

[lordystrange]

BYLER FIC-REC TIME!

I've wanted to do this for so long and now I finally have time so here we go! (Remember to read the tags before the fic)

One-shots

Home to your sweet nothings by Andiwriteordie

The story of seven sleepless nights Mike shares with Will

Words:5140

We stumble, snowblind by RomeoWrites

As Mike and Will slowly stumble towards Christmas, they also stumble towards each other

Words:12399

Baby, we're perfect by Bookinit

Senior year in Hawkins. Will and Mike figure some things out.

Words:16772

I'm tearing you asunder by smoosnoom

The world ends, and then some. Mike and Will find each other again, amidst the debris and distance

Words:21204

More chapters

I'll find a new place to be from by Andiwriteordie

In the direct aftermath of his return to Hawkins, Mike and the Party find themselves in the midst of a war against One and the forces of the Upside Down. As life as he knows it changes, Mike must find a way to navigate his friendships, his relationship with Will, and most importantly, his understanding of himself

Words:82610

Chapters:10

(Read everything changes, what a shame first)

Risk by Nowmemoriees

The group is now facing the beginning of the end. Vecna's plan is taking everyone to their biggest crisis. Will is still connected to Vecna, so Mike is completely determined to protect him over anything.

Words:22416

Chapters:16

The Red Envelope by Midnighteverlark

When Will needs to get his thoughts out of his head, he writes a letter he never intends to send. He addresses it to Mike, and tells him everything. He forgets all about the letter, and the distinctive red envelope he stowed it in, until he turns around to find it missing. Now, Will has to think of some way to stop Mike from reading that letter - or should he wait at Castle Byers on Saturday at 2:00pm and pray for a miracle?

Words:45878

Chapters:10

(The sequel The Unmarked Mixtape is also amazing, but read the tags before the fic!)

AUs

That's how you get the boy by Andiwriteordie

It's the beginning of a new school year, and Dustin Henderson has a new mission: To get his coworkers, Mike Wheeler and Will Byers, to fall in love with each other.

Words:6761

Chapters:1/1

Force of Gravity by Oceanfruit

Will loved ordinary things, an uneventful existence was something he craved. Sadly, when Mike Wheeler walks into his life, Will’s easy going path snaps right in half. A passion he could never imagine overtaking his whole being. It was too bad their friend groups hated each other and his sister had a huge crush on the musician. Off limits. Fantastic.

Words:167080

Chapters:46

Long story short by OctopusQueen

Will is going on a date, and his best friend and roommate, Mike, could not be more jealous, even if he can't bring himself to tell Will how he feels. When the date takes a drastic turn, and Will calls Mike in tears to come pick him up, will Mike finally be able to say what's in his heart?

Words:10420

Chapters:3

Authors

I just wanted to give extra attention to andiwriteordie and RomeoWrites, because you can just write their username to Ao3 and start reading!

Hope I did all the links right!

#byler #byler fanfic #byler fanfiction #byler ao3 #byler fic rec #byler fic #fic rec #byler tumblr

[winged-wolf-dreamer]

Hello, since the byler tag has so many new people, I would like to recommend to you all The Red Envelope by midnighteverlark, aka @serendipitous-magic. It's a Byeler fanfic written pre-S3 set in high school when Will writes a letter to Mike that he never plans to send where he confesses his feelings for him except oops, Mike finds it. Shenanigans ensure.

It is, in my opinion (and the opinions of a lot of other shippers, it shows up in plenty of recommendations and if it doesn't, it's usually because it's assumed you've already read it), THE long-form Byeler fic, the yardstick all other long Byeler fics measure up to, the milestone all other Byeler fics try to surpass. It is a classic, and for good reason. Good character development, good exploration of Mike and Will's relationship, an agonizing slowburn that somehow is less than 10 chapters long. It's amazing, if you haven't read it yet, do so.

And if that's not enough for you, there's a sequel, The Unmarked Mixtape! Will and Mike are together (spoilers, they get together in TRE), now what? How do they handle this new aspect of their relationship? How do they handle being together in smalltown America in the 80s? How do they handle keeping it secret from their friends and family? What's with all the electrical problems going on? You can find out all this and more in the sequel! But be warned, it is rated E for Explicit and for good reason, so if that isn't your thing, fair enough. TRE works perfectly as a stand alone fic, but TUM is just as good.

And they have plenty more Byeler fics, all excellent. You'll have plenty of reading material before and after Volume 2's release. So do yourself a favor and read those fics. Thanks for your time.

#byler #byeler #stranger things #mike wheeler #will byers

[rindecisions]

Stranger Tales: Part 8

A poll based Stranger Things fanfiction

Read the previous parts on AO3

Lee Aaron - Metal Queen

Joan Jett - Bad Reputation

The Runaways - Cherry Bomb

Patty Smyth - The Warrior

---

Robin rolled her eyes and made a seventh mark on the ‘You Suck’ side of her tally board as Steve flopped with yet another group of girls.

“Do you really have to keep count?” Steve complained.

She shrugged with a smirk. “Keeps me entertained, and trust me, you don’t want to see me bored.”

“Whatever,” Steve sighed. “Just come take over. I’m going on break.” He beckoned her with his ice cream scoop.

Robin laughed and swapped places with Steve. He sat in the back room, glaring at the empty ‘You Rule’ half of Robin’s board. What was he doing wrong? The women used to throw themselves at his feet. He groaned when he realized he’d never really had to hit on women before. They came to him because of his reputation, and after everything that happened with Nancy and Billy, that reputation had gone down the drain. He sighed, took his hat off, and walked out of the parlor, deciding to at least get some food other than ice cream and bananas.

He hated the stupid sailor suit; he hated that he had to work this dumb job, but most of all, he hated that his parents could have been right. Maybe he did throw it all away because he didn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps. He glanced around the food court and a cute blonde girl at Hot-Dog-on-a-Stick caught his eye. It’ll work. Steve walked in that direction and tried to be smooth as he made his way to the counter. The girl was already smirking at him and his uniform. He sighed and dropped the ruse. He ordered the first thing he saw and walked back to Scoops as a group of cute giggling girls walked out. Robin had a stupid grin on her face as Steve walked past. “What the hell are you smiling at?”

She held up a folded piece of receipt paper. “Guess who got a number while you were gone?”

“No!” Steve whipped the paper out of her hand and unfolded it. There was a phone number on it and a name: ‘Sam’. “How the hell did you get a number before I could?”

She shrugged and took the paper back, tucking it into her pocket. “It’s called being real. Unlike you and your need to be a perfect macho man, I show the real me.”

Steve took a bite of his corn dog and spoke with his mouthful. “Trust me, no one wants the real me.” He swallowed. “The real me is a fucking loser.” He sighed and walked into the back room.

Robin shook her head and gave him a sympathetic stare before the counter bell made her jump. One of her least favorite regulars had shown up. A small, sassy girl with her posse. Robin closed her eyes, bracing herself for at least five minutes of torturous sample serving.

---

Eddie scoured through all of his cassettes looking for anything that could work. He’d seen enough of their shows to know he should choose something by a woman. He didn’t have many of those, so his choices were luckily limited. He could narrow down his hundreds of albums to just a dozen or so. He was able to find cassettes of Girlschool, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Warlock, Rock Goddess, Lee Aaron, The Runaways, and a few unmarked mixtapes. Wayne was asleep, so he grabbed his Walkman and listened to the tapes one by one, keeping notes of the songs that stuck out to him. Eventually, he got his list down to four possibilities.

#Poll #Stranger Things #Eddie Munson #Steve Harrington #Robin Buckley #Scoops Ahoy #Starcourt Mall #LGBTQ #Drag Queens #Music #Fanfiction #Vote #Fanfic #Choose your own adventure #Polls #CYOA

[foresttoffee]

The Unmarked Mixtape

Fandom: Stranger Things Pairing: Mike/Will Word Count: 120k Rating: E Link: -> Read Fic ->

Summary:

The impossible happened: Will asked Mike to be his boyfriend. Even stranger? Mike said yes. That's how it started. A letter, an accidental confession, a Saturday afternoon. And that? That was the easy part. Now, what they do - what they are - is secret. Because if anyone finds out... they don't even want to imagine. Lonnie would kill them both on sight. Mike's parents would send him away to some boarding school. They'd never see each other again. They'd be marked forever. Everything would come crashing down around them. But they try not to focus on that. They're busy, after all, trying to navigate this new relationship. Kisses, dates, prom, couples' quarrels. And in the meantime, Will has a problem on his hands; a power he needs to learn to control, before it blows up in his face. It's a crazy end to their school year - but there's more going on behind the scenes than they realize.

Link to the Previous Fic

#stranger things #mike wheeler #will byers #byler #ao3 fanfic #a03 fanfic #long fic #fanfic #fanfiction recommendation #fic rec #top fics #one of my top fics for byler #but i like me a long fic #stranger things day

[prettyboybyers]

fav byler fics ???

Uhh probably the red envelope and the unmarked mixtape.

They are both by the same person and the second one is a sequal to the first one.

Also anything by "byliever" on ao3

#Byler #Byler fics

[sophie0197]

I want to print out The Red Letter and The Unmarked Mixtape, bind them into a book and keep it forever and read it over and over it's LITTERALLY SO GOOD

#No wonder everyone keeps talking about it #Litterally the best byler fic out there #Also it lowkey PREDICTED some of season 4 dynamics so it's canon to me idc

[mp-buezo]

Okay so, I reached chapter 10 of the Unmarked Mixtape and I know I’m about to lose the little mental stability that I have left so, wish me luck

#byler #spoilers I think? #i don’t really know

[fakeboitherottengirl]

Is it news to lolcow that gore used to be circulated on shady unmarked VHSs back in my dads generation or is that just local I assumed it was one of those blue collar cliches but maybe just in major cities? Also read my fucking post I said I wanted people to STOP contacting me about mixtapes and trying to sell me gore not inviting them to the reading comprehension is shameful how did y’all pass 3rd grade

[serendipitous-magic]

i have no clue if you respond to these or even like getting them (I apologize I'm new to your Tumblr) but I really just wanted to say that I love your work on AO3. your work means more to me than I could ever fully articulate. I don't know why I became so attached to punch drunk but it is one of my favorite fics I've ever read and I love it a stupid amount. I just find your writing so stunning and really meaningful to me as a trans guy who doesn't get to experience that type of love often. there was this one night where I read punch drunk with my friend who I had a huge crush on and then later into the night we got drunk and they made out with me and gave me hickeys and told me they were trying to replicate how it was done in punch drunk? it was a wild night and one of my best days of the summer. and the partnership plan, roll for strength, the roof on a summer night, geography notes and doodles are all so wonderfully done. I reread the unmarked mixtape more than I'd like to admit and the art of living your (second) life is so fucking good (even in it's unfinished state) I think it altered my brain chemistry. you write these characters so well and the way you describe settings makes them stick in my head forever. (whenever Im in a bathroom in winter I think of punch drunk. I also associate that story with walls covered in fake wood paneling even though I don't think that setting ever shows up in the actual fic?) anyways, sorry if this is weird I just really love your work and your such a fantastic writer. your stories mean more to me than I'd like to admit and I just needed to scream into the void about it, so thank you :)

First of all, I adore getting these 🥺 I do respond (eventually), I just haven't been on Tumblr a whole lot lately and also I've been in a whirlwind of busy weeks and months. I'm sorry I haven't answered this (and a few other asks) promptly! It really really made my day when I got it and it means a lot to me to know that my writing has made a real impact on your life, that's honestly unbelievable and so cool. ✨💛✨

And it really hit me what you said about reading about stuff that queer people might not get to experience IRL - like relationships in high school. I'm a cis lesbian / cis queer woman so obviously my life experience isn't the same, but god I know the feeling of not having the life experiences with romance that cishet people take for granted so often.

Also the fact that Punch Drunk was the catalyst for an actual makeout session in real life?? I'm?? Like I'm truly honored, that's like the highest compliment ever 😂 💯💯💯 Amazing. Love.

And I'm touched that you like my older works too! I'm always surprised when people bring up works I did years ago because like... it was years ago. (God I feel old.)

I also have a soft spot for Second Life so 💙🧛🏠🌈

That's so cool to know about those associations! The funny thing is, I also associate a warmly lighted bathroom in a blue night with Punch Drunk. I don't know about the fake wood paneling? I don't remember if that was in there but I can absolutely see why that aesthetic fits that story.

I don't think it's weird at all, this was beyond lovely and amazing!! Thank you so much for saying something💛💛💛 Comments like this are so much of why I have motivation to write. Like, here are the reasons I write:

I love stories and I tend to write stories because I want to live them out and creating them in a solid way on the page is the best way I've found to solidify them out of my mind

I want to give people a genuine, emotional, psychological, even physiological experience. Not just an escape, but an experience. It's the only thing that we really take with us, imo. Your life experience is like. The only and the most important thing you have. And I want people to have the life experience of riding a dragon, crashing a spaceship, leading an army, taking bloody revenge, having a healthy relationship with a SO, fighting epic battles, taking back their power, etc. etc. And the better my writing is, the closer a reader's experience will be to a concrete experience. So I want to be the absolute best I can be.

So in short, thank you so much, I really really appreciate every word of this. I hope you have motivation to do all your to-do list, that you have inspiration for your projects, that you have an unexpected windfall and that your mental health is smooth sailing this week.

#asks #anon #my writing #i'm 🥺 #thank you

[tsugarubecker]

omg that feeling when a song on the “the unmarked mixtape” playlist is also from the soundtrack to “the skeleton twins” and now you just wanna watch that movie 🥺

#the unmarked mixtape #byler fanfiction #the skeleton twins #skeleton twins