🌀Byler variants: a guide🌟 (edition 2.0)
Hello! This guide is an updated version from my previous one, which comprises all the byler variants mentioned in the first one in a more organised way, as well as some links to some fanfics/hcs/moodboards that created certain variants. Enjoy and happy inspiration bylers! 🩵💛
(Last edited: 250526)
🌀 Baseline variants 🌟
Byler: OG term, but can also refer to teens & up Will and Mike
Miwi: s1-s2/pre-canon Will and Mike (fic recs here)
Lesbyler: genderbend byler, but can also work as an umbrella term (fic recs here)
WillMike: platonic Will & Mike
Lawless byler: adult byler in +18 scenarios (fic recs here and here)
Evil byler: the actors' variant, also known as Foah
🌟 D&D-related variants 🌀
Cleradin: cleric!Will x paladin!Mike (fic recs here)
Lescleradin: genderbend cleradin
Calidin: California!Will x paladin!Mike
Clewadin/Miwiseheart: miwi cleradin
WiseHeart: byler with the (tentative, in Mike's case until s5) names of their D&D characters
BraveWise: updated version of WiseHeart
Bravebyers: paladin!Mike x Will (fic recs here)
Wisewheeler: cleric!Will x Mike
Eyeheart: cleradin/sorcadin variant where Will has one eye missing
Hellwise: Hellfire!Mike x cleric!Will
Sorcadin/Sorcererbrave: sorcerer!Will x paladin!Mike
Sorcererwheeler: sorcerer!Will x Mike
Sorcererheart/Sorcehell: sorcerer!Will x s4 Mike
Wheelerwise*: reverse au created by @sayu-nari in which Will is the paladin of The Party, instead of Mike (other iterations can also include Mike being a magic user, like a cleric or a sorcerer)
ArmouredHeart: another way to call Wheelerwise, with the added layer of Will's D&D name not being Will the Wise, but one that alludes at his paladin class and his position as leader
CursedHeart: cleradin au created by @rikyberryohyea where Will gets cursed as a kid and Mike is deadset on helping him
Clerfrog: cleric!Will x frog prince!Mike (fic here)
Hexadin: paladin!Mike x warlock!Will
🌀 Monsters / Mythical creatures variants 🌟
Alienbyler: alien!Will x human!Mike or viceversa
Angelbrave: angel!Will x human!Mike
Angelbyler: angel!Will x angel!Mike
AngelSword: archangel!Mike x fallen angel!Will
Angelwise: angel!Mike x human!Will
Bloodlust: incubus!Will x vampire!Mike (fic here)
Clericorn/Uniwise: cleric!Will x unicorn!Mike. Created by @loserrsquad & @starrywiwi (fanart here)
Demonbrave: demon!Will x human!Mike
Demonbyler: demon!Will x demon!Mike
Demonwise: demon!Mike x human!Will
FallenHeart: paladin!Mike x fallen angel!Will. In this au, Mike is a paladin that breaks his oath in order to pledge a new one to Will, an angel that was casted out of heaven. Unbeknownst to them, their meeting was prophesied eons ago as a catalyst for a war in between a great evil, who plans on using Will as a weapon to shape a new world, and earth. Created by @vanished159
FairyMoss*: fairy!Will x dryad!Mike. Created by rikyberryohyea (fanart here)
FireHalo*: angel!Will x devil!Mike or viceversa
Ghostwheeler: ghost!Will x (ghostbuster) Mike
Ghostwise: (ghostbuster) Will x ghost!Mike
GrimDemon: grim reaper!Mike x demon!Will
IneffableByler/Fallenbyler: angel!Will x fallen angel!Mike. Created by @prettiestpatrick
Jackawolf*: jackalope!Will x werewolf!Mike. Created by @iridescentdingleberry
Loserlover: cupid!Will x loser!Mike (fic here)
Merbrave/Bravesiren: siren/mermaid!Will x human!Mike (fic recs here)
Merwise: mermaid!Mike x human!Will
Purefire: unicorn!Will x dragon!Mike (© unicornbyyers on tiktok)
ScaleHooves*: mermaid!Will x centaur!Mike. Created by rikyberryohyea
ScytheLove*/DeadLove*: cupid!Will x grim reaper!Mike
Sirenbyler: siren!Will x siren!Mike
Unibrave/Palacorn: paladin!Mike x unicorn!Will. Created by starrywiwi
Unicornbyler: unicorn!Will x unicorn!Mike
Vampbyers: vampire!Mike x human!Will
Vamphare: bunny/hare hybrid!Will x vampire!Mike
Vampwheeler: vampire!Will x human!Mike
Vampwise: vampire!Mike x cleric!Will
VeilWitch: medium!Will x witch!Mike
VirginHound: hellhound!Mike x (virgin) human!Will or viceversa
Werebrave: werewolf!Will x human!Mike
Werebyler: werewolf!Mike x werewolf!Will
Werehare: wolf hybrid!Mike x bunny/hare hybrid!Will
Werevamp: werewolf!Will x vampire!Mike
Werewise: werewolf!Mike x cleric!Will
Werezombie: werewolf!Mike x zombie!Will
Witchiliar: witch!Will x familiar!Mike (fanart here)
Zombieboys: zombie!Will x zombie!Mike
Zombvamp/Deathbite: zombie!Will x vampire!Mike (fanart here)
Zombyler: zombie!Will x human!Mike (fanart here)
Zombwise: zombie!Mike x human!Will
🌟 Media-related variants 🌀
ArtThrief*: Tangled! cleradin au with Will as Rapunzel and Mike as Eugene (fic here)
Bearler: Care Bears! byler au
Bloodyheart*: Ghostface!Will x Mike (fic here)
Bloodyphone*: Ghostface!Mike x Ghostface!Will (fic here)
BlueLight: Last Twilight! byler au with Mike as Mhok and Will as Day
BookBeast: Beauty & The Beast! byler au with Beast!Mike x Belle!Will
Bojackbyler: Bojack Horseman! byler au
Bravefire: The Hunger Games! byler au
BraveSwan: Swan Lake! byler au (© cool_bear267 on tiktok)
Bycerulean: The House in the Cerulean Sea! byler au with Will as Arthur and Mike as Linus
ByDarcybeth*: Pride & Prejudice! byler au with Mike as Mr. Darcy and Will as Elizabeth
ByDeathNote: Death Note! byler au
Byklance*: Voltron Legendary Defender! byler au with Mike and Will as paladins, paralleling Keith and Lance (+ Jane as Allura). Created by mollyollypuddingpolly
Bylarcane: Arcane! byler au
Bylerghoul: Tokyo Ghoul! byler au with ccg!Mike x artificial ghoul!Will
Bylerhearts*: Kingdom Hearts! byler au. Created by @skysmadness (fanart here)
Bylering: LOTR! byler au, with Will as Frodo and Mike as Sam
Bylermiraculous: Miraculous Ladybug! byler au with Will as Marinette and Mike as Adrien. Created by skysmadness (fanart here and here)
BylerPoet*: Dead Poets Society! byler au with Mike as Neil and Will as Todd
Bylerpunk: Cyberpunk 2077! byler au
Bylerquestria: Equestria Girls! byler au with Mike as Winds Curls and Will as Widz Kid (background characters in the EG movies)
Bylerton: Bridgerton! byler au (fic rec here and fanart here)
Bylerstopper: Heartstopper! byler au
Bylertown*: Hadestown! byler au (fic here)
Bylerzilla: Monsterverse! byler au where both Mike and Will either exist in a world where kaijus exist, or are kaijus themselves. Created by @dumbass-activities
Bylouran*: Ouran Highschool Host Club! byler au (© maKo_Uw0 on twitter)
Bylock: BBC Sherlock! byler au with Mike as Sherlock and Will as Watson. Created by @the-lost-seven-7 (fanart here)
ByMerPrince: Mermaid Prince! byler au, with Mike as Mugi and Will as Matori
ByNottingHill: Notting Hill! byler au with Mike as William and Will as Anna
Byshadow: Shadowhunters! byler au with downworlder!Will x shadowhunter!Mike
Bystucky: Captain America!Will x Winter Soldier!Mike
Byreylo: Star Wars! byler au with Mike as Kylo Ren and Will as Rey. Created by aloyxwrites (moodboard here)
Byvatar*: Avatar! byler au (fanart here)
Cherryler*: Cherry Magic! byler au with Mike as Adachi and Will as Kurosawa. Created by @pendragonstarz
Cometbyler: Your Name! byler au with Mike as Taki and Will as Mitsuha
Corabyler*: Coraline! byler au
CrossroadsByler/StyxByler/PomegranateSkull/PomegranateStyx: Stories from Styx! byler au with Will as Persephone and Mike as Hades. Created by @123alexis-is-lost (moodboard here)
DarkSun*: Camp Halfblood! byler au, with Mike as the son of Hades and Will as the son of Apollo
Deadbyler*: The Walking Dead! byler au (hcs here)
Demabyler*: Twenty One Pilots! byler au set in the fictional world of Dema, with Will as Clancy and Mike as the Torchbearer (+ The Party as part of the Banditos). Created by @meetmeinmontavk (idea/drabble here)
Demo-Doo: Scooby-Doo! byler au with Mike as Fred, Will as Daphne, Lucas as Velma and Dustin as Shaggy + D'art as Scooby Doo. Created by solisevart
DerryByler: IT x Stranger Things! byler au where Richie and Will are childhood bffs, and one summer Mike, Richie's cousin, goes to visit him (or, alternatively, Will joins Richie at a family get together) and both connect immediately. Created by nevyobjects11
Dinobyler/Jurassicbyler*: Jurassic Park/Jurassic World! byler au. Created by dumbass-activities
Duneler*: Dune! byler au. Created by aloyxwrites (moodboard here)
EldritchHeart*: The Summer Hikaru Died! byler au with Will as Hikaru and Mike as Yoshiki. Created by rikyberryohyea
Factionbyler: Divergent! byler au. Created by kaliprasad
FNaByler*: Five Nights at Freddy's! byler au where Will and Mike were childhood friends until Will disappears at a local pizza place with animatronics. Years later, Mike lands a job there, desperate to know what happened to him. Bonnie!Will x night guard!Mike. Created by aloyxwrites (moodboard here)
Forgefoam: another Camp Halfblood au, with Will as the son of Aphrodite and Mike as the son of Hephaestus. Created by kaliprasad
ForgePoet: another Camp Halfblood au, with Will as the son of Hephaestus and Mike as the son of Athena
Frankenwise: Frankenstein! byler au
Fredbyler: FNaF! byler au where they work together as the nightshift guards at Freddy's. Created by kaliprasad
FrozenHeart: Frozen! byler au with Will as Anna and Mike as Kristoff (+ Jane as Elsa, Chance/Carlton as Hans and Papa as Duke Weselton). Created by glitteringonion
Ghostbyers: Ghostface!Mike x Will (fic rec here)
Glowbyler: I Saw The TV Glow! byler au with Will as Tara and Mike as Isabel. Created by kaliprasad
Goldbyler: Outsiders! byler au
GoldenWisdom: another Camp Halfblood au with Will as the son of Apollo and Mike as the son of Athena. Created by 123alexis-is-lost
Gossipbyler: Gossip Girl! byler au. (© willbyersass on twitter)
GrimWitch: Soul Eater! byler au, with Mike as the son of the Grim Reaper/Lord Death and Will as a Black Blood user (paralleling the character Crona)
Hannibyler: Hannibal! byler au. Created by @amvthea (fanart here)
HamiltonByler/UnsatisifedLetters/GoldenInk: Hamilton! byler au with Mike as Alexander Hamilton and Will as Angelica Schuyler. Created by 123alexis-is-lost (moodboard here)
Harler: Gotham/Batman! byler au with Will as Harley Quinn and Mike as the Joker (© writerofgaymen on tiktok)
Hellbyler*: Hell of a Summer! byler au. Created by @hazaddd1223 (fanart here)
Hijackbyler: byler au that parallels the crackship of Jack Frost and Hiccup Haddok
Hollabyler/Rivalbyler: Heated Rivalry! byler au
Hunterbyler: Supernatural! byler au, where both Mike and Will come from hunter families. Created by kaliprasad & @subject013
Icebergler/Cruiseler*: Titanic! byler au where they're random passengers who survive the sinking. They do not parallel Jack and Rose. Created by @thebeatlessbeatle
Indie Demogorgon Hunters: K-pop Demon Hunters! lesbyler (inspired) au were Michelle and Willow are popstars with a secret life being hunters of demogorgons and monsters. Created by 123alexis-is-lost (moodboard here)
ImmortalSunshine: A Date with Death! byler au with Mike as the Grim Reaper and Will as the MC (Sunshine). Created by 123alexis-is-lost (moodboard here)
LostHeart: Peter Pan! byler au with Peter Pan!Will x Wendy!Mike. Created by @part-time-byler (idea/hcs here)
Lostkings: Descendants! byler au. (© forevrnats on tiktok)
Loyalwit: Hogwarts! byler au where Will is a Hufflepuff and a muggleborn, while Mike is a Ravenclaw and a pureblood (© strawberryhas3rs & gxne_g1rl on tiktok)
Lucabyler: Luca! byler au with Will as Luca and Mike as Alberto
Mabukibyler: another Soul Eater au, with demon weapon!Mike (a sword) x demon weapon!Will (a rifle). Mike's meister is Max, while Will's is Lucas
MasonCovey: another The Hunger Games au, specifically with career tribute!Mike x covey tribute!Will (© jjmeiotii on tiktok)
Mazebyler: The Maze Runner! byler au with Will as Newt and Mike as Thomas
Meisterbyler: another Soul Eater au, with meister!Mike x meister!Will. Mike's weapon is Max, who is a sword, and Will's is Jane, who is a multiform weapon
MeisterGun: another Soul Eater au, with meister!Will x demon weapon!Mike, who turns into a rifle
MeisterSword: another Soul Eater au, with meister!Mike x demon weapon!Will, who turns into a sword
MeisterWitch: another Soul Eater au, with meister!Mike x witch!Will, whose soul Mike's set to hunt
MHAByler/BNHAByler: MHA/BNHA! byler au where they're both Heros in training at UA. Created by 123alexis-is-lost (moodboard here)
Medbyler: House MD! byler (+ the party) au (© wheeleria on tiktok)
Monsterbyler: Monsters Inc! byler au (© wencleradin on twitter)
Narniabyler: The Chronicles of Narnia! byler au
NeuroPulse: Grey's Anatomy! byler au, with aspiring neurosurgeon!Will x aspiring cardiologist!Mike (© jjmeiotii on tiktok)
Officebyler: The Office! byler au. Created by kaliprasad (drabble here)
PaintWriter/TypeBrush/PaintWords/ColourWords: Date Everything! byler au with Will as paint brushes and Mike as a typewriter. Created by 123alexis-is-lost (moodboard here)
PearlQuartz*: Steven Universe! byler au with pearl!Mike x quartz!Will. Created by @juljwoo
Phyler: Dan & Phil! byler au, with Will as Phil and Mike as Dan
Pittbyler: Pitt! byler au. Created by kaliprasad
Ponyler: My Little Pony! byler au (© wencleradin on twitter)
RebelDuty: Not Me! byler au with Mike as Dan and Will as Yok
RoseTea/RoseHat: Alice in Wonderland! byler au, with Alice!Mike x Mad Hatter!Will
RoyalApple: Snow White! byler au with Snow White!Mike x prince!Will
Royalrags: Cinderella au! with prince!Will x Cinderella!Mike or viceversa. Created by @zeuscansuckmydic
Saltangel: Supernatural! byler au with hunter!Will x angel!Mike. Meant to parallel either Destiel or Sastiel. Created by kaliprasad & subject013
Saltdemon: Supernatural! byler au with hunter!Will x demon!Mike. Created by kaliprasad & subject013
SBGByler/SleeplessSniper: School Bus Graveyard! byler au. Created by 123alexis-is-lost (moodboard here)
SeaCurse*/RoyalSea*: The Little Mermaid! byler au with Mike as prince Eric and Will as Ariel. Created by dark-vader28 (moodboard here)
SilentHeart: A Silent Voice! byler au with Mike as Shoya and Will as Nishimiya
Spellbyers: Hogwarts! byler au without house and bloodline specified
Spiderbyler: Spiderman!Will x Mike "MJ" Wheeler (fic recs here)
Spideypooler*: Spiderman!Will x Deadpool!Mike (© izotblec on tiktok)
Spideystormler: Spiderman/Marvel! byler au with Will as Spiderman and Mike as Johnny Storm. Created by kaliprasad
Spywheeler: Transformers! byler au (© bellowbyler on twitter)
Starler: Star Wars! byler au with jedi!Will x sith!Mike (© writerofgaymen on tiktok)
SteelNews: DC! byler au with Superman!Will x Lois Lane!Mike
Stegolatte/PaleoCoffee*: Dinosaur! byler au with paleontologist!Mike x barista!Will. Created by nevyobjects11
StormHeart: HTTYD! byler au (fic here)
Sunfoam: another Camp Halfblood au, with Will as the son of Aphrodite and Mike as the son of Apollo. Created by kaliprasad
Sunstorm: another Camp Halfblood au, with Mike as the son of Zeus and Will as the son of Apollo (© writerofgaymen of tiktok)
SuperBatler*: DC! byler au with Superman!Will x Batman!Mike
TatteredHeart: The Nightmare Before Christmas! byler au
TeenBeachler*: Teen Beach! byler au with Will as Mac and Mike as Brady. Created by @strangerthingshappen
Toybyler*: Toy Story! byler au. Created by @froggyjuanessa-arts (fanart here)
TwstByler/KnightDeer: Twisted Wonderland! byler au, where Mike is in Diasomnia House and Will is the prefect of Ramshackle Dorm, aka the MC (Yuu). Created by 123alexis-is-lost (moodboard here)
Twyler: Twilight! byler au with Mike as Edward and Will as Bella (© pacetcch on twitter)
Wednesler: Wednesday! byler au with DaVinci-Hyde!Will x werewolf!Mike
WhisperingHeart: Whisper of the Heart! byler au with Mike as Tsukishima and Will as Amasawa
Wildwise*: Wild Child! byler au with Mike as Poppy and Will as Freddie (© bylerbyerss on twitter)
Wishbyler: inspired by Conan's Gray album 'Wishbone' and the mv trilogy This Song/Vodka Cranberry/Caramel
Wolfdragon*: Game of Thrones! byler au (hcs here)
Wonderheart: another Alice in Wonderland au, with Mike as the son of the Queen of Hearts and Will as the son of Alice. Created by @dark-vader28 (moodboard here)
🌀 Subculture-related variants 🌟
Gothbrave: goth!Will x Mike
Losergoth: goth!Will x loser!Mike
Gothwise: goth!Mike x Will
Gothnerd: goth!Will x nerd!Mike
Gothbyler: goth!Will x goth!Mike
Punkwise: punk!Mike x Will
Punkbrave: punk!Will x Mike
Punkbyler: punk!Will x punk!Mike
Gothpunk: goth!Will x punk!Mike
Gothgyaru: lesbyler variant with goth!Michelle x gyaru!Willow. Created by pendragonstarz (moodboard here)
Emocake: emo!Mike x birthday boy princess!Will
🌟 Season & Lore-oriented / Canon divergence variants 🌀
Ghostbyler*: s1 canon divergence au were byler are ghosts, with Will dying in the UD and Mike committing at the quarry. Often depicted roaming the UD together (fanart here)
HellCali: s4 byler (Hellfire!Mike x California!Will) (fic rec here)
LetterWise: post-s2 canon divergence au where Bob survives and the Byers move to Maine to have a fresh start. In this au, Will and Mike keep in contact via letters and slowly start developing a more intimate relationship after the summer of '85 when mileven breaks up, until Will comes back at the end of the events of s4. Hopper doesn't have a fake death in this au, and thus Jane never becomes part of the Byers family
Partyler: alternate epilogue where byler (+ the party) attends Stacey's party (fic rec here)
TravelerHeart*: post-s4 canon divergence fix-it with time traveler!Mike (fic here)
Vanbyler: byler au that focuses on the days Mike and Will spent on the back of the pizza van. Alternatively, a canon divergence fix-it where the painting scene ends with a mutual confession
Wheelby: TFS but with byler instead of creelby
Zombiefrog: specifically school/s2 Byler
ZombieHeart: Will-never-gets-found au where Will survives in the UD for years, usually by being half-possesed/flayed, and with his memories partially/fully tampered by either Vecna or the Mind Flayer (fic recs here and here)
🌀 AUs 🌟
AerialFortune: circus au with trapeze!Mike x fortune teller!Will. Created by @romanticwheeler
AerialTamer: another circus au with trapeze!Mike x tiger tamer!Will. Created by romanticwheeler
AltNails: nail tech!Will x client!Mike. In this au, Mike decides to get his nails done in order to finally stop his habit of biting them until bleeding. Will starts encouraging him to try more colours than just black, and even makes him some designs
Amishler*: Amish byler
Angreekler*: set in Ancient Greece, with poet!Mike x sculptor!Will
ArtFossils: paleontologist!Mike x art curator!Will
Astralcharge: vessel!Will x human battery!Mike. In this au Will has a near death experience, which turns him into a "vessel": a 'door' that allows ghosts and spirits to posses him to either talk through him or get exorcised; however, everytime it happens his vital energy drops dangerously. Mike, on the other hand, is a human battery, which means he naturally overflows with more vital energy than he needs. Just by being close, Mike stabilises Will, and in turn Will soothes Mike's restlessness caused by the excess of said energy
Astrobyler: byler au where they're both astronauts. Created by @ieatstarsanddirt
Astrolien: astronaut!Mike x alien!Will (© editxs_360 on tiktok)
BloodFlower*: hanahaki disease! byler au (fic here)
Bloombyler: au where every person has a flower. Once they adapt to change, they'll be able to unlock their inner potential. Will's flower is yellow primroses and Mike's is blue irises. Created by 123alexis-is-lost (moodboard here)
BookCover*: bookstore worker!Will x writer!Mike
BossCall*: boss!Mike x secretary!Will
Bylarchive: fanfic writer!Mike x fanartist!Will meeting and collaborating on the same fandom community on Ao3. Created by @stitchworker
Bylex: fanfic writer!Mike x fanartist!Will meeting and collaborating on the same fandom community on Twitter/X. Created by stitchworker
Bylerneers: 1800s byler au where they set off to explore America and fall in love in the process (© laylie_toofyneee on tiktok)
Bylr: fanfic writer!Mike x fanartist!Will meeting and collaborating on the same fandom community on Tumblr. Created by stitchworker
Bymcyts*: byler au where both of them are Minecraft youtubers, with the show being the plot of their smp to. Created by nevyobjects11
Byslash*: slasher horror! byler au (fic here)
By2k: byler in an early 2000s au. Created by subject013
Camvas: artist!Will x photographer!Mike
Campbyler: au where they're both Mike and Will are summer camp counselors. Created by wiseatoms, andiewriteordie & astrobei. Official tumblr: @campbyler (fic here)
Cannibyler: cannibal byler, which can pair with a Hannibal or a Yellow Jackets au, but not necessarily (fic rec here)
Citytown: city boy!Will x small town boy!Mike
CoffeeLeaf: botanist!Mike x barista!Will
ColorBoard: science teacher!Mike x artist!Will
ColorBook: English teacher!Mike x Art teacher!Will (fic recs here and fanart here)
Cowboyler: cowboy!Will x cowboy!Mike (fic here and fanart here)
Countrychaser: storm chaser!Mike x small town motel worker!Will. (© marssxbbarss on tiktok) (fic here)
CurseBreaker*: byler au where Mike is cursed with the inability to get touched, for the consequence would be his death. Meanwhile, Will is the only one that can break Mike's curse and save him (© sharedlooks7 on tiktok)
DadNanny: au pair!Will x single dad!Mike
Donorbyler: vampire!Mike x blood donor!Will. In this au, vampires are recognized by society and government bodies, but aren't treated as worthy of protection, unlike humans. They need blood to keep themselves fed, but most of them'll refuse to feed on humans out of fear of hurting someone or going too far. Too long without proper sustenance make vampires feral and unable to control their actions, which is why blood donors for vampires exists. Each vampire's venom has different effects on a person (some make you sleepy, energized, feel sick, crave certain foods, etc.). Created by kaliprasad
Dramabyler*: theatre kid!Will x theatre kid!Mike
Eclipse*/MoonSun*: moon!Mike x sun!Will. Created by rikyberryohyea (fanart here)
Explorecerer: byler au where Mike runs away and decides to travel his country in hopes of finding a new place to call home, just to stumble across a magical being who reminds him too much to his childhood friend, Will, who went missing when they were 12. Created by @nevyobjects11
Fameguard: popstar!Will x bodyguard!Mike
Firecross*: firefighter!Mike x paramedic!Will (© thebravethewise on twitter)
Flowerbook: gardener!Will x writer!Mike
Flowercake*: florist!Will x baker!Mike
FluffDoc: Build-A-Bear employee!Will x Pediatrician!Mike
Ghosthunterbyler: Ghosthunter!Will x Ghosthunter!Mike
GhostTrail*: ghost!Will x investigator!Mike. In this au, only Mike can see Will, for reasons unknown to him (© sharedlooks7 on tiktok)
Glamwise: makeup artist!Mike x model/actor!Will
Glitterpaint: makeup influencer!Mike x artist!Will
HeartPaw: vet!Will x dog owner!Mike
Heartstrings*: socmed au created by @zazzazyy where both Mike and Will are set to tour together with their respective bands, but they're not exactly on good terms after an incident years ago
Herovillain*: villain!Will x hero!Mike
HitFawn*: assassin/hitman!Mike x chosen target!Will (© sharedlooks7 on tiktok)
HolyHell: demon!Will x priest!Mike
HolyLust: incubus!Will x devotee!Mike
HolyVeil: exorcist!Mike x medium!Will
IcedHearts/FrozenBeats: figure skater!Mike x ice dancer!Will or viceversa
InkFlower*: tattoo artist!Will x florist!Mike. Created by @kidovna (fanart here)
Krockpop: modern au where Will likes kbands like Xdinary Heroes, The Rose and Dragon Pony, while Mike loves boygroups like Stray Kids, P1Harmony and xikers. Both have very popular twitter fanaccs, and are constantly bickering to the point their followers think they have some kind of beef with the other. They're actually dating
LeadArt: rockstar!Mike x tattoo artist!Will (© juneclouds7 on tiktok)
LiftYoga: calisthenics boy!Will x yoga boy!Mike (lesbyliftyoga idea here)
LiminalDream*: dream walker!Will x insomniac!Mike (© sharedlooks7 on tiktok)
LockStripes*: prison guard!Mike x prisoner!Will. In this au, Mike falls in love with Will and helps him escape (© sharedlooks7 on tiktok)
LooseRopes*: kidnapper!Mike x "you're so bad at this"/overconfident victim!Will (© sharedlooks7 on tiktok)
Loserpop: popular!Will x loser!Mike (© cool_bear267 on tiktok)
LoveCruise: modern au where Mike and Will meet at a 3-month-long cruise and have a summer fling that slowly becomes something more
LoveLanguage: interpreter!Will x businessman!Mike
Mangabyler: modern au where Mike and Will are big fans of manga. Will loves all of Junji Ito's work, while Mike prefers shonens like Kaiju no.8 and My Hero Academia
MarbleSpice: private chef!Will x old money!Mike
Marinevet: vet!Will x marine biologist!Mike (© rowanewheeler on tiktok)
Medicop: paramedic!Will x (Hawkins') police officer!Mike (© bleebleblue_illust on tiktok)
Metabyler: au where Mike writes him and Will as self inserts on his novel, so heavily queercoded his fandom ships them. This either causes to Mike realizing his feelings for Will, or said characters to become a version of Byler written by fanfic writers. Created by kaliprasad
MilkyWay/MilkyWayler: astronaut!Mike x space engineer!Will (© editxs_360 on tiktok)
Moonfly/Bugler: butterfly!Will x moth!Mike or viceversa. Created by @omegaspeaking (fanart here and here)
Musicbook: byler au where Will works at a music store and Mike works at a bookstore. Created by @bylerbean
Mythocler: greek god!Will x gladiator!Mike
NatureLover: byler au where Will is a Boy Scout guide and Mike meets him when Holly's first Jamboree in 1995 in the Netherlands forces him to step up as her guardian for the trip
NerdJock*: nerd!Will x jock!Mike (fic here)
One Wheat Mark: a famous byler parody fancomic, originally posted by Truckstoptiger05 on Instagram on 2022. Now an orphaned series, you can read the full re-uploaded comic here
PaperFlame: writer!Mike x firefighter!Will
Patroquiller*: Patroquilles! byler au
Perfectempo: ballet dancer!Mike x pianist!Will
Picjournal*: Hawkins Post writer!Mike x photographer!Will
Pictureperfect/Perfectpicture*: photographer!Will x model!Mike, with Perfectpicture being its reversed version. (© ericaframed on tiktok)
Photosimp*: college byler au where Mike starts modeling as a side gig. Will's poor heart isn't taking it easy. Created by deyageka
Podbyler: byler au where they're both podcasters. Created by @silvercloudsxx
Princeknight/Royalheart: byler au with prince!Will x knight!Mike. Created by @and-you-said-yes and @hafuckthis
Puzzlepiece: kindergarten teacher!Will x single dad!Mike
Pyromedic: reversed Firecross, with firefighter!Will x paramedic!Mike. Created by @arikakari (moodboard here)
Racketbeam: tennis player!Will x gymnast!Mike
Renaissancebyler*: set in the Renaissance era, with rich writer!Mike x poor artist!Will. Created by @lindseyjane864
Rockinbyler: band member!Will x fan!Mike (+ single dad Mike)
Rockstarbyers: rockstar!Mike x backstage boyfriend!Will. Created by @deadlycrystallineclarity
Rolebyler: roleplayer!Mike x roleplayer!Will that get to meet on Discord. Created by kaliprasad
RoyalCrown: prince!Mike x prince!Will
Royaljest: prince!Will x jester!Mike. Created by @itsartbybea (fanart here)
Royalwise: guard!Mike x prince!Will. Created by @thetreeswillbewatching (moodboard here)
Scienruss: Hawkins scientist!Mike x Russian soldier!Will
SevenMiles: runner!Will x 7-Eleven cashier!Mike. Will goes for a run around the same time 3 times a week and always stops at the same 7-Eleven under the pretense of having a water break. He actually wants to see Mike, the cute cashier who also might or might not get excited every time he sees Will enter the convenience store
Sevenspins/IceBlade*: figure skater!Will x hockey player!Mike, with IceBlade being its reversed version. Created by @cleraviv (fic rec here)
Sharknilla: socmed au with streamer!Mike and youtuber!Will (© inhunnedd on twitter) (fanart here)
Showbyler: indie artist!Mike x theatre kid!Will (© bruisedneezz on tiktok)
Sleepyscrubs: asmrtist!Mike x nurse!Will
Snowbyler: byler au where one is a snowboarder and the other is a skier. Created by @potatohehehohoh
Stegobrontosaurus: Mike as a brontosaurus and Will as a stegosaurus. Created by ieatstarsanddirt
Surfscale: surfer!Will x mermaid/siren!Mike or viceversa
Spinart: figure skater!Mike x costume designer!Will. Created by arikakari
Stageshot: popstar!Will x photographer!Mike (fic here)
Stagewheeler/Techstar: theatre kid!Will x backstage techlight!Mike. Created by @hit-my-peak-at-seven-13 (hc here)
Surfcamp: surfer!Mike x summer camp counselor!Will. Created by aloyxwrites
Swimdive: swimmer!Will x diver!Mike. Created by @dizzzyedge
SwirlGlass: ballroom dancer!Will x ballroom dancer!Mike
TechSet*: set designer!Will x tech crew!Mike
TherapyBook: school counselor!Will x English teacher!Mike
VampCross: vampire!Mike x vampire hunter!Will. In this au, vampire hunters wear silver grills on their teeth to bite back as another mean to defend themselves. Created by 123-alexis-is-lost (moodboard here)
Vampgoth: vampire!Mike x goth!Will (fic here)
Volleybasket: basketball player!Mike x volleyball player!Will
WeddingCrash: au where Will is a wedding planner and Mike is the heir of a prestigious law firm, trapped in an arranged marriage
Whimsygrunge*: grunge rockstar!Mike x whimsical indie boy!Will. Created by @zigggyxxx
Wheelpointe: ballet dancer!Will x skateboarder!Mike (© b00_ple on tiktok)
Wheyers: byler au where they're both actors working together, and end up falling in love over the course of filming. (© laylie_toofynee on tiktok)
Wisewheels/Hotwheels: F1! byler au (© peanxtpie on tiktok)
WorldNews: social activist!Will x journalist!Mike
Yansimbyler: yandere!Mike x Will (fic here)
— Umbrella AUs
» CMBYN byler: umbrella-like au where Mike and Will get lost in each other's existence. Can be metaphorical (Will turning Will the Brave, Mike turning Mike the Wise) or literal, with bodyswaps a la Freaky Friday. Created by @permanentlyinspired
» Blustar: au that proposes the existence of two universes— one where they became a couple in between s4 & s5 (universe #1), and the canon, where Mike and Will aren't together (universe #2). Mike from #2 gets paired with Will from #1. Created by @beavininabean (fic rec here)
» Goldstar: reversed Blustar, with Will #2 x Mike #1, with all other byler variations also possible. Also created by beavininabean
🌟 Slice-of-life variants 🌀
Bysummer: byler exploring a new dynamic the summer before college, tiptoeing the line of friendship and something more. Centred around romantic/sexual exploration and—in case it follows canon where Jane dies— grief
College byler: byler in college
Cheating byler: byler cheating on their significant other(s) with each other. Often used in the context of Will cheating on Carlton/Epilogue boyfriend with Mike
Dadler*: byler as dads, either by adoption or one of them being the biological father of the kid(s). Omegaverse/mpreg elements can be included, but they're not a must (fic rec here)
Husbyler: married byler
GLB Byler: adult byler au where Mike listens to 'Good Luck, Babe!' by Chappel Roan and has a revelation towards his feelings for Will and/or finally confronts his internalized homophobia (fic rec here)
HoliByler: byler goes to a trip to India and experience Holi, the festival of Colours and Love. Created by 123alexis-is-lost (moodboard here)
🌀 Employed variants 🌟
(note: unless marked with a * or stated otherwise, every employed variant is credited to kaliprasad)
Arcadebyler/Bylercade: byler working at Palace Arcade together
Arcadomania/Palacemania: Palace Arcade!Mike x Rink-O-Mania!Will (© madvvise on twitter)(moodboard here)
ArcadeScoops: Palace Arcade!Will x Scoops Ahoy!Mike or viceversa
BoyScoops/SurfsAhoy: Surfer Boy!Will x Scoops Ahoy!Mike. Sometimes in the context of (post) s3, with them aged up (+ platonic MadWheeler working together in Scoops Ahoy)
Byikea: byler working together at IKEA. Created by @aloyxwrites
ByPublix*: byler working together at Publix
ByStarbucks: byler working together at Starbucks
BySubway: byler working together at Subway
Bylercheese: byler working together at Chuck E Cheese, with Mike as the mascot and Will at the prize counter
Bylermania: byler working at Rink-O-Mania together
Bylervalds: byler working at Melvald's together
ByMcKing*: McDonald's worker!Will x Burger King worker!Mike
ByMiniso: byler working together at Miniso
Byvideo: byler working together at Family Video. Created by @paladinsdiary
Generalmania: Melvald's!Mike x Rink-O-Mania!Will or viceversa
McByler: byler working together at McDonald's
Moviebyler: byler working at Hawkins' Movie Theatre together (fic here)
Moviecade: Hawkins Movie Theatre!Mike x Palace Arcade!Will or viceversa
Moviegeneral: Hawkins Movie Theatre!Mike x Melvald's!Will or viceversa
Moviemania: Hawkins Movie Theatre!Mike x Rink-O-Mania!Will or viceversa
Moviescoops: Hawkins Movie Theatre!Will x Scoops Ahoy!Mike or viceversa
Moviepool: Hawkins Movie Theatre!Mike x Hawkins Community Pool!Will or viceversa
Movieshack: Hawkins Movie Theatre!Mike x Radio Shack!Will or viceversa
Moviesquawk: Hawkins Movie Theatre!Mike x WSQK!Will or viceversa
Moviesurfer: Hawkins Movie Theatre!Mike x Surfer Boy!Will or viceversa
Movievideo: Hawkins Movie Theatre!Mike x Family Video!Will or viceversa
Palaceshack: Palace Arcade!Mike x Radio Shack!Will or viceversa
Palacevalds: Palace Arcade!Mike x Melvald's!Will or viceversa
Paperfilm: Hawkins Post!Mike x Hawkins Movie Theater!Will or viceversa
Papermania: Hawkins Post!Mike x Rink-O-Mania!Will or viceversa
Paperpalace: Hawkins Post!Mike x Palace Arcade!Will or viceversa
Paperpool: Hawkins Post!Mike x Hawkins Community Pool!Will or viceversa
Paperscoops: Hawkins Post!Mike x Scoops Ahoy!Will or viceversa
Papershack: Hawkins Post!Mike x Radio Shack!Will or viceversa
Papersquawk: Hawkins Post!Mike x WSQK!Will or viceversa
Papervalds*: Melvald's!Will x Hawkins' Paper!Mike. Created by @the-yappstronaut
Pizzapalace: Surfer Boy!Will x Palace Arcade!Mike or viceversa
Pizzasquawk/Surfersquawk: WSQK!Mike x Surfer Boy!Will (+ platonic MadWheeler working together w/Max as the host and Mike as her operator and van driver, WonderTwins working at Surfer Boy, and Lucas as a loyal listener to Max's radioshow always requesting love songs). Created by @nightnut
Poolbyler: byler working at Hawkins Community Pool together
Poolpalace: Hawkins Community Pool!Will x Palace Arcade!Mike or viceversa
Poolsurfer/Wavesurfer: Surfer Boy!Will x Hawkins Community Pool!Mike or viceversa
Radiobyler: byler working at Radio Shack together
Radiogeneral: Melvald's!Will x Radio Shack!Mike, paralleling Bob and Joyce. Created by @mollyollypuddingpolly
Radiosplash: Radio Shack!Mike x Hawkins Community Pool!Will or viceversa
Radiosquawk: WSQK!Will x Radio Shack!Mike or viceversa
Scoopsaboy: reversed SurfsAhoy (+ Wonder Twins working at Scoops Ahoy & MadWheeler working at Surfer Boy)
Scoopsafloat/Splashahoy: Scoops Ahoy!Mike x Hawkins Community Pool!Will or viceversa
Scoopsbyler: byler working at Scoops Ahoy together
Scoopshack: Scoops Ahoy!Mike x Radio Shack!Will or viceversa
Scoopsomania: Scoops Ahoy!Mike x Rink-O-Mania!Will or viceversa
Scoopsquawk: Scoops Ahoy!Mike x WSQK!Will or viceversa
Scoopsvalds: Melvald's!Will x Scoops Ahoy!Mike or viceversa
Shackomania: Radio Shack!Mike x Rink-O-Mania!Will or viceversa
Splashomania: Rink-O-Mania!Mike x Hawkins Community Pool!Will or viceversa
Splashvalds: Melvald's!Mike x Hawkins Community Pool!Will or viceversa
Squawkbyler: byler working at WSQK together
Squawkomania: WSQK!Mike x Rink-O-Mania!Will or viceversa
Squawksplash: WSQK!Mike x Hawkins Community Pool!Will or viceversa
Squawkvalds: WSQK!Will x Melvald's!Mike or viceversa
Surferbyler: byler working at Surfer Boy together
Surfermania: Surfer Boy!Mike x Rink-O-Mania!Will or viceversa
Surfershack: Surfer Boy!Will x Radio Shack!Mike or viceversa
Surfervalds: Surfer Boy!Will x Melvald's!Mike or viceversa
Videocade: Family Video!Will x Palace Arcade!Mike or viceversa
Videogeneral: Family Video!Mike x Melvald's!Will or viceversa
Videomania: Family Video!Mike x Rink-O-Mania!Will or viceversa
Videoscoops: Family Video!Will x Scoops Ahoy!Mike or viceversa
Videoshack: Family Video!Mike x Radio Shack!Will or viceversa
Videosqwak: Family Video!Will x WSQK!Mike (© byIersreddie on twitter) (socmed au rec here)
Videosurfer: Family Video!Mike x Surfer Boy!Will or viceversa
Videopool: Family Video!Mike x Hawkins Community Pool!Will or viceversa
Shout out to @kaliprasad for letting me borrow some variants for this guide, don't forget to check her guide too 💛🩵
*Personal suggestions to name this variants. If you know the "official" ones please let me know so I can edit it ^^
🩷Variants highlighted in pink were made by me🩷
Please let me know which ones I'm missing! I'll keep editing this post to add more variants as I find them 💛🩵
