If this theory is true, it would add so much more meaning to all of mike and will’s shared looks post the mindfight in vol. 2 - especially all the moments when mike tries to make contact with will.
let’s explore these!
where else to begin than the sheer anguish of this scene? there’ll be top-layer meaning to all of these scenes, but byler has always been told mainly through subtext so far, and this continues into vol. 2, giving every scene with mike and will a double (or triple, or quadruple) meaning. if there is only one way (ahem) to describe their relationship in s4, it is that they are hyperaware of each other. yes, love… yes, romance… yes, attraction… but all that is to come in earnest in s5. s4, with its attention and hidden looks, is all about the hyperawareness of the beloved, if not the self.
so what is it that vol. 2 does specifically? what is special about vol. 2 in byler terms? what separates it from vol. 1 thematically? there must be a difference, elsewise there would not be a divide of volumes. for each character arc, vol. 2 brings new changes, just like acts in a play. and vol. 2 for byler begins with the van scene; a scene of that establishes and clarifies. and then its all torn away in the monologue - but just imagine that mike’s look to will in sbp is one of surprise and confusion.
why are you saying this? his face appears to scream.
there is understanding beneath the pain. and what if… what if he and will actually WERE on the same page, from the van scene right until the end on the hill? is there anything that supports this idea?
ACTUALLY I CHANGED MY MIND IN THIS HOUSE WE SUPPORT TALLER HARRY AND IF YOU SPECIFY IN YOUR FIC THAT DRACO IS TALLER REST ASSURED MY MIND IS EDITING!!!!!!
Guys. I think this is the best fanfiction I have ever read. It felt more canon than the actual 5th book. Dear god I wish this could be canon. Here are the details; main ship: drarry. Rating: teen. Content warnings: blood, self inflicted wounds for rituals, bullying. Word count: 222,435
I don’t even know where to start. Ok, Harry has a relationship with the dark arts in this fic. It’s basically what influences him to accept being resorted into Slytherin. The author invites a beautiful sub-lore to the fandom. And believe me when I say it is well described and detailed. The author does an amazing job explaining Slytherin prejudice and wizards hatred of the dark arts. It’s si profound because it’s never touched on in the books cause JKR kinda hated Slytherins herself. It’s just amazing what this author does for the slytherins. They handle pure blood prejudice very well and show the house as willing to grow and change. Overall, the dark and misrepresented slytherins and given their time to shine in this book.
Ok now Drarry! I wanted mooorrreee. This was the slowest slow burn I’ve ever read. And honestly that’s because the relationship wasn’t the main focus of the fic. In all honestly the main ship should’ve been Harry/ Dark Magic. That was the main cultivating relationship with drarry being minor. But it was still very very well done. Extraordinary. I suppose it’s good that it was a super slow burn because it fit the mood of the fic very well. Harry has to adapt to being in slytherin and being able to trust his peers, so it only makes sense that it takes a long time for him to cultivate a relationship with Draco. But it ends really well.
The plot of this fic is just astounding. Take the entire Order of the Phoenix and warp it to Slytherin Harry Potter and that’s this fic. Including the length and the detail. It was so moving I feel like I can’t even properly articulate it.
All I have to say is read it. That’s it. This is my favorite piece of HP fanfic I’ve ever read. Please, if you want to read a long fic, read this one. 10/10. I recommend to anyone in the HP fandom who needs more of the books without JK’s Slytherin prejudice. This is an amazing piece of literature.
I used to hate the ST subreddit, but I’m so confident in byler endgame now that looking through the comments on there is peak entertainment. They have no clue what they’re watching. Like absolutely no clue.
And same with byler doubt from literal bylers. I wish I still had doubt. Life was actually interesting back then when I wasn’t certain. Now it’s just so obvious to me that even watching s5 I know that I’m going to probably enjoy it slightly less than the people genuinely not expecting it… you guys don’t even understand the excitement in store for you… fuck u
