okay let’s start at the beginning. we see here that mike is trying to establish a relationship with el by giving her a comfortable place to sleep, making an effort to get to know her, and even giving her a nickname. he was the first person to ever treat her like a human being.
this is one of my favorite moments. mike notices that el is struggling with her physical appearance and reassures her that she’s pretty with or without long hair.
i believe this was the first moment that mike realized he sees el as more than a friend. she’s become visibly attractive to him, he was simply mesmerized by her.
without hesitation, mike claims that his home can become el’s home as well. and while he’s struggling to express that he has feelings for her in a way that she would understand, he decides to clarify that by kissing her.
mike’s reaction to finding out hopper has been hiding el. the shock, the anger, the pain, it’s so obvious that losing her was the hardest thing he’s ever gone through. and learning she was right there felt like the ultimate betrayal.
here mike is pointing out how he believes everyone is exploiting el for her powers, and claims that he cannot bear to lose her again. this is the first time he says that he loves her out loud.
just look at his face when el walks in, literal heart eyes. the way that he immediately tells her she’s beautiful, and is willing to teach her how to dance. he is so patient with her.
mike has been contacting el for 352 days in a row. not only being extremely concerned for her well being, but reassuring her that he hasn’t given up (“i’m still here”).
this is one of the many moments where mike reassures el that everything is going to be okay, even if it doesn’t seem like it. all he ever tries to do is comfort her during the worst of times. if that’s not love, i don’t know what is.
here we see mike becoming more and more desperate to hear from el. his love for her has grown so strong, that he’s the first non-supernatural person that is able to sense her in the void.
mike owns up to his actions and apologizes to el for lying and wanting to keep her to himself. he is trying to tell her that he loves her so much it drives him crazy.
i’m going to conclude this thread once the highly anticipated love confession happens in volume 2. but for now, i hope this helps people gain clarity on the fact that mike certainly does love el.
+ + he knows he loves her, and he has said it. he just struggles with being direct, especially under pressure. he fears vulnerability more than anything, his love for el becoming something that can be taken from him.
this scene has been interpreted in many different ways. but i believe at the core of it mike is trying to reassure el that she’s so much more than her bullies. he’s trying to understand how she’s feeling and being incredibly patient with her. +
el has been publicly humiliated and all mike wants to do is be by her side and comfort her. he absolutely hates to see her upset and doesn’t care what anyone thinks when it comes to her.
here we see mike speaking to will about his fight with el, and how he regrets not telling her he loved her when he had the chance. but will reassures him that he can tell her when he sees her again, and mike takes comfort in that.
but guys fr we’re definitely getting the core four back (mike, el, dustin, and lucas) bc will is most likely gonna have his own storyline & max is well… in a coma