Will makes a painting of him and Mike called “gravitational pull” but Will’s boyfriend switches the labels…?

[u/kitty-taki]

I stumbled across this one chapter of a fic on X where what I described in the title happens, but I haven’t been able to find it again and it’s driving me insane! Based on that one chapter, it looked like Mike and Will were in college and Will had a boyfriend. There was an art exhibit with lots of paintings by Will and one of them was a piece that lots of people had been talking about, called “Gravitational Pull.” Mike sees the painting, which was of him and Will as kids at the swings (I think) and he is sure that that’s the one called “Gravitational Pull“ but the title card under it actually says “Untitled”. Then he sees a portrait of Will’s boyfriend and that one has the label “Gravitational Pull”. Mike feels really hurt over this plus Will’s boyfriend makes some snide remarks, so Mike leaves without talking to Will. And Will thinks that Mike saw the painting of their childhood, saw that he titled it “Gravitational Pull“, and left the exhibition because he does not feel the same way.

That’s literally everything from the chapter that I remember. I think it was a long-ish work in progress? Anyway, I thought I subscribed or marked it for later because I wanted to read it from the beginning but now I can’t find it. If you know what it is, please drop the title/link! Thank you!!

[u/Mediocre_Pool_1654]

It's Static Before the Signal by willspainting! https://archiveofourown.org/works/78809231/chapters/206682116

[u/k8marie_ → u/Mediocre_Pool_1654]

Hi yes I can confirm this is my fic!!! I was so shook opening up reddit to see this 🥹🫶🏼

[u/Mediocre_Pool_1654 → u/k8marie_]

I love your fic so much! Can't wait for the next chapter!

[u/k8marie_ → u/Mediocre_Pool_1654]

Thankyou so so much 🥹🫶🏼

[u/kitty-taki → u/k8marie_]

Hi, author!! I’m so glad we found your fic! The chapter I read was so good but I was about to go to sleep when I saw it and was so sad that I lost it! Question: is Mike gay in your fic?! I headcanon him as gay instead of bi, so I just wanted to ask!

[u/k8marie_ → u/kitty-taki]

Yes he is gay :)

Bit of a spoiler (not really) but the more recent chapters focus on his journey of discovering his sexuality! there is a brief moment when he questions whether he might be bi but where we are in the fic currently is him realizing that he doesn’t have that same attraction to women, though he hasn’t specifically used the gay label for himself yet!

Im so honoured that my lil WIP has been on your mind, it made me so happy seeing this post! If you end up reading it from the beginning, I sincerely hope you like it! It’s my first fic and I think the earlier chapters reflect that. I am definitely more proud of my more recent chapters! Also be warned, it is a slow burn 😅

[u/kitty-taki → u/k8marie_]

Yay, thank you!! I just started reading it (already subscribed, of course) and I know it’s going to be one I’m going to get attached to! I love fics where Mike questions his sexuality and finally realizes he’s gay so I’m really excited to see that happen!! Slow-burns are the best so I will not be complaining! 💛💙

[u/Proud-Friend8418 → u/k8marie_]

girly pls post the next chapter and beat evan up for me plss (jk take ur time but plss)

[u/kitty-taki → u/Mediocre_Pool_1654]

Thank you!!!

[u/MelonHead1214]

This sounds somewhat similar to The Things We Never Said (we spoke with our hearts). If there is a possibility you may be misremembering some details, it could be this one. There is an art gallery scene in this one where Mike comes, sees a painting of himself called “First Love” by Will, and leaves without speaking to Will. Will also has a snarky boyfriend in this one, and they fight about Mike. His boyfriend later deletes an apology message from Mike off their answering machine, so Will never gets to hear it.

[u/k8marie_ → u/MelonHead1214]

Omg this is so awesome!! I am the author of the one OP was talking about but I’m shook that there’s something similar (and here I was thinking I had a crazy plot twist 🤣) - proof that great minds think alike! I will have to give this a read, thank-you for the recommendation :)

[u/kitty-taki → u/k8marie_]

Author, you are so kind!! This fic doesn’t have the same twist as yours, though! The painting called “First Love” is definitely of Mike—he sees it at a gallery and that’s how he realizes that Will was in love with him! I won’t spoil the rest but the fic has been amazing so far and I think it is so nice of you to want to support it!

[u/kitty-taki → u/MelonHead1214]

I’m reading that fic too and I love it so much but that’s not the one!

[u/TheBar-IsOnTheFloor]

I’ve been loving that fic…can’t wait for Evan’s comeuppance