The thing that gets me about Andrew Minyard is … at the beginning of The Foxhole Court I really really didn’t like him. He was an asshole, he didn’t care about anyone (so I thought) and he was just … I just didn’t GET him. And that’s where the Upperclassmen still are, because they don’t care or don’t want to look further (plus: Andrew doesn’t care for anything that would make it easier to approach and understand him). That’s why they still think he’s a soulless monster (EVEYRTIME someone calls Andrew a monster I wanna yell “HE’S NOT!!!!!”).
But we get Neil’s pov. We get to know Andrew better, to get to know him AT ALL basically, and to understand him because Neil does. Because Neil is the first one to care enough and to be curious and persistent enough to do so. Having Neil’s pov gives us the opportunity to read one of the most amazing character arcs/character developments/character designs I ever came across in literature (simply because there is somone who makes the effort to LOOK).
I think I love Andrew Minyard so goddamn much because Neil does. Because I think it’s absolutely impossible to not-love Andrew when you see him through Neil’s eyes – the only eyes that see Andrew for who he really is. And I think this is beautiful.
You know? I didn’t realize until my sister read the books that Wymack must’ve carried Neil up to his apartment.
Do not imagine Wymack, his face a thundercloud, opening the passenger door and easing Neil out with the gentlest hands, the duffel slung over his shoulder and Neil’s face tucked into the crook of his neck.
Even passed out, Neil is hissing in pain and trying to curl in on himself for protection.
Do not imagine Wymack whispering reassurances in his gruff voice: “it’s ok Neil, it’s just me, it’s Wymack, you’re safe, you’re with me, I got you.”
He doesn’t know if it’s helping, but Neil quiets down and lets him carry him inside.
Do not imagine how small Neil must look, like a broken child, in Wymack’s arms, those same arms that have pulled his Foxes together and held them steady over and over, and will continue to do so as long as they need him.
Wymack’s heart is shaking with barely restrained fury but his hands are careful as he lays Neil out on his couch, cradling the back of his head as he sets him down.
I got the lyrics from here. They aren’t mine, but the breakdown for which singer is singing what parts is. 🙂
Blue = male singer, Pink = female singer, Purple = both
And now we can all collectively cry about how this song is basically Yuuri and Victor making love through skating.
ANALYSIS TIME GUYS!
So, looking at these lyrics more closely they’re actually SO INCREDIBLY RELEVANT.
We start off with just the male singer, who I am going to associate with Victor. He is alone, feeling abandoned, and sees an equally upset individual (the one he is singing the song to/with, who I am going to say is Yuuri). “I hear a voice crying far away” “Have you been abandoned as well?” The first time Victor notices Yuuri (and commits him to memory) is after the medal ceremony at the GPF. He sees Yuuri obviously upset. It’s easy to see how he could have made a connection to himself in him.
“Come now, let’s empty this glass of wine soon” can easily be a reference to the banquet. Equally as important for setting a timeline are the next two lines.
“I’ll start getting ready” “Now be silent.” There was a 3 month space after the GPF banquet in which Victor was mulling over the prospect of moving to be with Yuuri (whether that’s in the capacity of a coach or otherwise isn’t important). The second line can easily be Victor just asking for the space to think through his decision.
Then we get the main lines. It’s very important to note that these lines are sung TOGETHER. “Stay close to me” “Don’t go” “I’m afraid of losing you”. All of these lines apply to both of them. Also, they both skated to the song who’s name is both the title and the first line of this section, Stay Close to Me. This is what brought them together.
The next lines are interesting. “Your hands” and “My hands” are sung by Victor while “your legs” and “my legs” are sung by Yuuri. Why is it that way when they could have assigned each person to 1 viewpoint? I believe it’s because of the coach/skater dynamic they have. Victor uses his hands to mould Yuuri (coach him) and Yuuri uses his feet to communicate back (his skating).
The next 2 lines are sung together. “The heartbeats” “Are fusing together”. Victor and Yuuri are becoming one in their desires, from all levels; their careers, their relationship, their roles. They really are fusing their hearts together.
Then the last section. “Let’s leave together” is sung by Yuuri. Yuuri is asking Victor to be with him, he is taking the lead, holding out his hand like at the end of his free skate, and showing Victor the way. And Victor responds with “I’m ready”. Together they leave “Now”.
To add a couple last notes to this analysis, it’s been shown throughout the series that piano is Yuuri’s instrument and violin is Victor’s. The first time we heard Aria it was a large mixture of instruments, mostly strings. Very much Victor’s song. But this time it’s ONLY piano and violin. It’s definitely playing towards their musical motifs.
And last tiny comment: does the first note of the duet sound familiar? It’s the second last note from the ep 9 airport reunion scene. Do with that what you will.
Nothing but My Aching Soul 