Warning! SPOILERS for Stranger Things season 4.
It's made fairly obvious in Will is frequently sidelined in Stranger Things. However, more needs to be done with Will and his feelings for Mike in season 5.
Following up on a mostly abandoned storyline from season 3 where Will seemed to feel left out by Mike and Lucas having girl troubles, Stranger Things season 4, volume 1 heavily hints that Will has feelings for Mike. This is confirmed by a conversation the two of them have in Stranger Things season 4, episode 8 "Papa." Will extols Mike's virtues after Mike is being down on himself and feeling like he's not enough for Eleven. As he continues, he grows more and more specific and becomes increasingly emotional, until he can't look at Mike any longer and has to look out the window to hide his tears.
Will Byers never explicitly comes out in Stranger Things as gay. It's clear he loves Mike, but it's not yet clear exactly how he identifies or what he wants. His confession is heartfelt and feels real, but it's made to a completely oblivious Mike, which robs it of some of its impact. It's also clear that Jonathan has an idea of what's going on with his little brother as the two have a conversation where Jonathan essentially lets him know that he wants to listen, understand, and help him. These are great steps, but more needs to be done to give Will the opportunity to grow into who he is.
How Stranger Things 5 Can Improve The "Will Is Gay" Story
Will's confession scene is sad. The context is lost on Mike, who doesn't even see Will cry, but it's clear that Will is speaking from his heart. Even so, it seems like Will might not be ready to tell Mike how he feels. While it's clear Will loves Mike, he might not have truly even come out to himself yet. It's altogether possible that Will isn't entirely sure about his own sexuality. Is he gay? Is he bisexual? Being a teenager can be confusing and coming to with one's own identity is a process that can take a lot of time and nuance. If he has come to with himself, he might still be exploring exactly what his feelings mean and what he intends to do about them. Focusing on these ideas is one big way Stranger Things season 5 can improve Will's story.
It's wonderful that Will has so much love and around him in the form of the Stranger Things cast. Jonathan is willing to show up for his little brother and accept him exactly the way he is. While Mike has been an absent friend for the last while, it's clear that he also truly cares for Will. Eleven has grown to love Will as a brother and treats him accordingly. Having these characters love and him as he comes to with his identity and how it all fits together inside himself is one of the best things Stranger Things season 5 could do for Will's character. Steve's of Robin and acceptance of who she is has deepened their friendship immensely, making both characters better.
Stranger Things season 5 will bring many complications into the lives of its many characters. There's no telling now just will end. With all these external factors, there's still hope that some time and care are given to the internal struggles of its characters — especially Will, given how much there is still left to address. Stranger Things' writers will begin writing season 5 in August, hopefully meaning that audiences won't have to wait too long to see what happens with their favorite characters.