#he’s still grieving her ten yrs later

[velvees-archive]

Dual Destinies spoilers (5-3)!

How this short exchange between Phoenix and Athena nails Phoenix’s characterization absolutely boggles my mind. His cageyness masked by his warm expression, the wistfulness and exhaustion behind his every word. His devotion to the friend he wanted to save, his admiration for Mia Fey, and the sting of betrayal come together in just two screens of dialogue + minor shifts in his expression, and somehow he manages to suppress the memories with a cheeky “it’s complicated.”

Phoenix is so profoundly human.

Screen recording I took if anyone wants to see the interaction, music, sound effects, and all.