#don't answer that

4x03 // 6x18

And it isn't, and Mike continues to make excuses instead of saying "sorry." (El's face is so real, that's me)

Sure, we all see that, but I want to give one thought!

Mike has trouble apologizing to others, for example to Lucas in season 1

But there is one person with who he has no problem doing that.

William "it's fine" Byers!!!

Will who's also known for being someone who forgives everyone quickly (whether genuinely, to avoid problems)

Will, who even if he argues with Mike, forgives him without the need for a formal apology (and still he always receives one)

Will Byers, who would forgive his boyfriend with just a kiss

If there's anyone who would forgive Mike without needing a long, revealing explanation an apology, it's Will. Even taking it in a platonic way, is an amazing and beautiful thing that really shows the level of communication and understanding between them.

But it stops being platonic when we come back to Mike and El

We know that El and Will are very similar, in more ways than one but also they are different people, who have a different relationship with Mike.

So I find it curious that Mike projects one of Will's traits onto Eleven. And of course it doesn't work for him, because in the end, however similar they may be, Will and Eleven are different.

Here's a bit more of my interpretation:

I think this is one of the moments where Mike manages to see the differences between El and Will. Logically, we know that Mike knows they're not the same, but I think that internally he was looking to find Will in El

Because remember I the start:

Days were much shorter here, due to the planet's size. So, their "calendars" were very different from what you'd imagine.

The end of a week is marked by a full solar eclipse, weeks are much longer than just seven days. Working here full time would be hell, you think, as your PDA beeps in protest.

Months are counted by tides. The second, much larger moon, has a strong gravity pull, so a lot of animals feel the seasons change. Moon says you can feel it even deep underwater. You can't, really, but you take his word for granted, updating your data as he explains.

And finally, years. Just as on Earth, as the planet fully orbits the star, they count it as a year.

And for the first time since your arrival, a year later, they decide to celebrate your "birthday" on this planet. And since you couldn't calculate when exactly your real birthday would be you couldn't say no either, but it spiked the curiosity in you. You decided to count.

Approximately, one year here, is counted as three Earth.

Oh, you've been here for a while huh.

And so, it breeds questions in your head as fast as peepers do in your aquarium.

For how long do mermaids usually live, you decide to ask one day. They seem confused, at first, but their answer makes your jaw clench.

"For as long as you can grow."

It makes you shiver, thinking of the beasts in the Void. Would Sun and Moon grow that large one day?

Right, but how about numbers? Years.

They shrug, and your body tightens further.

Eclipse has been there since they remember, they say. The Sea Emperor outlived two different civilisations, you recall.

They really don't know. The harsh, aggressive environment could kill one in a day but it's...

It's in thousands.

Do they know humans don't live that long?

Do you have a heart to tell them?

...

They seem quite puzzled when you come up to them and ask to celebrate every seven months, instead of a full twenty one. Their eyes squint at you, trying to gain answers but you are unmovable.

You don't want your life to be divided by three.

You want them to remember every "year" celebrated, and have as many of these moments as your human body allows you.

A celebration of sharing your much shorter life with them.

Brennan - Great Horned Owl