Oh man…I feel a little guilty tacking so much onto this original post but…
1. Analogical: Logan’s hand is higher up than Virgil’s, which suggests he’s reaching further from his side to hook Virgil’s pinky. This makes sense, because Virgil’s a bit insecure. You can also see Virgil’s insecurity in the way his hand hangs limp–he allows Logan to hold his pinky, but his fingers and thumb are relaxed, whereas Logan’s curl up decisively and confidently. The text, “I’ll always be there,” is spoken by Logan in the video, which ties this together nicely as a picture of Logan reassuring and comforting Virgil.
2. Royality: The hands are tucked together in a mirror fashion, equals in confidence and secure in their hold. They’re also very intimate, palm-to-palm and fingers laced together. They’re just a little bit Extra: the handhold is not terribly practical, but it is terribly cute, and it brings to mind puppy love and sweet crushes and first dates with shared milkshakes and walks in the park. This is emphasized by the (slightly modified) quote from Roman: “You’re the sweetest little puffball we got.” It’s a sugar-sweet pairing of giggles and fluff and the picture captures that perfectly.
3. Logince: Both hands are facing up–this is less hand holding and more a battle. There’s conflict here. Logan’s fingers, still upright, are caught off-guard, while Roman’s are curled over victoriously, having won this particular battle of wills. But there’s gentleness there, too–and playfulness. Roman’s fingers curl possessively but not painfully tight, and Logan’s quote, “What a visual…” was a moment of bemusement but not outright antipathy. These two challenge each other, but they keep each other fascinated and there’s never a dull moment in their relationship.
4. Prinxiety: God, this one. Roman’s upturned hand–so gentle and sweet, his thumb just barely laid over the top of Virgil’s pinky. Virgil has an escape, if he wants it: he’s not tied into this interaction, and Roman wants him to know it. He’s treasured, but not trapped. He’s been hurt enough times–often at Roman’s hands–and Roman’s extra reach and effort is apology and adoration in one. Look at the way his wrist is curled upward, the way the tendons in his hand are straining a little. Holding his hand this way isn’t comfortable and relaxed, it takes effort, and that’s the point: Roman’s making an effort. He wants Virgil to learn to trust him. And from the way Virgil’s hand sits heavy in Roman’s, the wrist relaxed, I think Virgil’s starting to believe it, when Roman tells him: “You make us…better.”
5. Logicality: This one is the traditional hand-hold. This is the handhold of couples who have been together for years. It’s practical and sweet; a perfect marriage of form and function. Their fingers are partially laced, but not completely. Logan’s fingers curl just a little tighter than Patton’s, perhaps to reassure himself of the solid reality of the other. Patton seems to need no reassurance, but takes comfort in the sweet, firm presence of his stoic other half, reminding him: “With you I’m always home.”
6. Moxiety: Of all of them, this one strikes me as more paternal than romantic, but either interpretation is gorgeous. Patton’s hand is more straight up-and-down: he is pushing Virgil’s arm up, supporting him, insisting that he raise himself (and Patton) UP where he belongs instead of putting himself down. They’re making a heart together, something Patton probably insisted upon, because he wanted to prove to Virgil that he is important–a necessary half of the whole–and wanted him to really believe it, when he told him, “You only help to lift me up.”
7. Polyamsanders: And now we have the whole picture: 4 parts of a whole, surrounding one another, keeping each other safe. They’re all taking an equal part of the formation, no one hand or arm more important than another. Yes, they each bring in different ‘accessories’–they all have different talent and skill–but in the end, none is valued any more or less than any other. Virgil’s hoodie, a place of comfort and security; Logan’s watch, keeping them accountable to schedule and routine; Patton’s bracelets, representing the family he holds so dear; Roman’s frilly sleeve, his tendency toward excess; they all blend perfectly, to form the exceptional being that is Thomas, and the beautiful relationship that is Polyamsanders.
I am done, I’m leaving these alone before @maya-tl decides to press charges. LJ out!
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