wtf is Byler and why do so many ppl believe it??

HEAR ME OUT. Byler made sense. I also thought it was reaching but then I start looking at Mike’s behavior through all the seasons and it just makes sense.

Reason 1: Mike has only ever cared about Will the most throughout all the seasons. Rewatch S1 Mike and think about it. Him and Joyce were the only ones who actually pushed to search Will. Everyone else just accepted that he’s dead. This may not scream romantic love yet but this establishes he cares a lot about him and love him a lot at least as a friend.
Reason 2: S3 and 4 are the biggest establishing seasons of Mike’s weird behavior. In S1 at the school gym, Mike always fights back when ppl bullied will for being potentially gay. But starting from S3, he acts weird around will and eleven. He starts treating both of them like shit. And the fight scene, he didn’t do anything about el when she said she’s breaking up but the moment will gets angry at him he immediately bikes to his house and apologizes. S4 is the most incriminating season. They obviously made a big deal about Mike not being able to say I love u to el. Yea it makes sense that he might’ve lost feelings for her along the way but the most important part is he’s also acting weird around will. Like he has nth to do with their relationship. Why’s he acting distant. And the skating ring fight. Even though will is just tryna be his close friend and fix what’s wrong, he says “ we’re friends” TWICE. To me this sounds like he’s trying to convince himself that they’ll only ever be friends.
And the painting.. omg the damn painting. El wrote to Mike that will is making a painting which could potentially be for his crush. This means he knew what that painting meant when will gave it to him. But notice his reaction? If he was just straight up homophobic, he would’ve had that disgusted reaction like he did when el dump his ass. BUTTT he looks so happy in that scene. Which means will’s feelings make him happy.

There are so many other reasons but it’ll be too long here. There’s so many amazing videos on it.

Why do ppl care sm??
Well this is the first time where the series isn’t focused on characters being queer and has such a large general audience. Mike is one of the main characters. If he had been queer, this would’ve been the best queer representation ever.

As a queer person myself, his behavior seems like internalized homophobia since he starts “having problems” with will’s potential sexuality only starting S3. I am more concerned about mileven shippers cuz they’re toxic af. He only cared about her in the beginning cuz he thought she knew will. He was legit ready to send her to an orphan home with zero hesitation. He treats her like shit when he doesn’t get what he wants. His I love u speech is mostly a lie. He can’t even say it again.

Which is why people are so disappointed about S5. They did a half-assed coming out scene that is guaranteed to make everyone pissed off at the queer community even more. We can all agree that there were soooooooo many things wrong with S5 regarding plot holes. Unfortunately, byler was one of them. I’m guessing the duffer brothers gave into pressure from some people. Idk what happened or who made it like this but smth happened. Mike’s behavior is never addressed or explained and his POV of what he thinks of will is not shown.