yall. don't worry. we have enough time in ep 8.
they are all going into the upside down, all together, but the likelihood they all stay together is low. mike and will go together.
now that will has came out, mike can very openly ask about the painting now. I genuinely think during will's coming out, mike was finally putting the pieces together (that will likes HIM) AND that seeing will being brave, makes mike want to be brave.
so he asks about the painting, will confesses the truth this time, and before we hear what mike has to say (tell will he reciprocates) BOOM! something happens to will - most likely vecna tapping into WILL and controlling him.
some crazy shit happens, and basically Will is like attacking or vecna-ring mike and that's when WE, the audience, are given a montage of all of these memories with will. and the main question of the show, 'can love overcome fear?' (which is YES), mike will monologue (because we have yet to see that) his feelings to will, snapping will out of his trance.
literally all we need is mike's pov and/or mike getting vecna'd and a montage, then we are fucking home free baby!!!
NEVER BACK DOWN BYLERS ππ