#also mike

what kills me about this season is that every time the dusty brothers write platonic relationships (like friendships and family), it's better than when they write romantic relationships. like yeah, ships are great, but you know what hits the hardest? what hurts my heart every single time?

the way steve and robin are stupid idiots who are just friends but love each other unconditionally. robin told him something that season one steve would never have accepted, she rejected him after he indirectly confessed, and it doesn't matter. it doesn't change them at all. they still banter and are a team and will do anything for each other. steve is still the first person robin calls for when she gets grabbed by the vines. steve is still the person who tells robin that she is incredible and shouldn't change for anyone. robin is still the person who wants him to be happy, and who always has his back.

the way jonathan has always thrown everything he has and everything he is into being will's brother. he blasted music to drown out their parents fighting. he knew that will was "different" and has spent his entire life trying to make will understand that it's okay, it's wonderful. he tries so hard to make will, who never feels deserving, understand that he is worthy of love. the way that will trusts jonathan to be there for him when things get darkest. the way there is never anything that can keep them from knowing they love one another.

the way both steve and eddie see something in dustin that makes them better, that makes them heroes, caregivers. the way they would do anything for him. eddie deciding to sacrifice himself, but first making sure dustin can't follow him, and will be safe. him making sure that lost and lonely kids have a place to go and feel seen. steve always complaining about babysitting, but always putting himself in front, to take the brunt of whatever hurt is coming.

the way joyce all but drives herself crazy trying to save her son, again and again and again, no matter what she's facing. she refuses to believe he's gone, she knows what his breathing sounds like and won't let anyone tell her she imagined it. she is willing to destroy her own life if it gives her a chance to talk to him again. the way she faces down horror after horror because nothing she faces could be worse than losing him.

the way hopper learns first to value someone other than himself, and then to value himself again, because of El, because of his daughter. he's focused on the fate of the world, but still panics when her realizes he's late for movie night, and tries to fix it. he works so hard to keep her safe, and eventually just as hard to make her happy. he'll do anything to get back to her. and the way that she is stronger than him, but learns that it's okay to get help. it's okay to rely on someone else. it's okay to let someone else carry the burden sometimes.

the way that el and max have something that is silly and fun and deeply meaningful that neither of them have with anyone else. el couldn't lose her, and rediscovered her strength just to save max. she chose to forget saving the world for a moment, and to save someone she loves instead. max was entirely helpless, but picked up a broken piece of wood to try and stab vecna when he tossed el aside. she must have known it would do nothing, but had to try.

the way that mike, lucas, and dustin spent a week doing everything in their power to find will. the way mike never believed he was gone, and refused to stop looking for him. when will was possessed, he could tell something was wrong, and always wanted to protect him. he was always ready to apologize for any hurt he caused. the way the will felt safe with him, and told him about the presence in his mind, and the way mike made him feel powerful enough to use that connection to help everyone else. the way all three of them waited at the hospital for will to wake up, and excitedly told him everything that he'd missed.

the way eddie's uncle never doubted his innocence. not for a minute. the way he was going to keep looking for him forever. the way he wept when dustin said he was gone, and that he'd died for a town that would only ever hate him.

the way will and el hung onto each other for so long after they found her. the way he said "we're her brothers. we're family." the way it hurt him so much to watch her getting bullied, and the way he wanted to help, but couldn't find it in him to stand up for her. the way he offered what he could, which was helping her fix what was broken.

the way all of these are unselfish and unconditional love just as much or more than any of the couples in this show. love is more. it's steve staying behind to hold the door so dustin and erica can escape, and robin not leaving him behind. it's eddie play-fighting dustin and telling him not to change. it's joyce tearing the walls of her home apart to follow will's voice, and jonathan telling him it's going to be okay. it's hopper telling el he stole her look, and max trying to kill a dark wizard with a stick. it's three twelve year old boys who want to save their lost friend. it's all of this.

Embarrassing Dads™