Sleuth

ghost of the past/glimpse of the future

I left the fandom for YEARS and now I am dragged back kicking and screaming by the most gut wrenching animation of a ship I've never interacted with back then but fuck man this is so beautiful it hurts

did you at least kiss the brick before you threw it??

I've never considered their dynamic before this, but everything about this is so tragically beautiful and captures such a fascinating dynamic

also their art is amazing, I want to gnaw on the fabric folds. The animation is so smooth and graceful rahhhhh it is incredible

there's the fact Keith is being contrasted with his happier younger self and James is being contrasted with his future tired self (perhaps to represent the differing first time they truly came to understand the other? I'm not sure but it strikes a chord regardless). Keith trying to look on but eventually receding into himself? James being angry but eventually looks down in shame for being so before looking back at Keith with sorrow???? I CANT

the difference in how the two sit in their garrison days with James's confidence in his place within the hierarchy and Keith's uncertainty of his place anywhere let alone the garrison after everything he's been through by this point. the innocence of their childhood interaction (plus the implications of how their relationship has changed over time wHOAH)? The way James can't stop looking at Keith back then (with some severely unresolved emotions) is just so heartbreaking

Then there's young James staring at a resting Keith (who was surely beyond exhausted by the life he lived prior to the garrison) with a mildly concerned (or contemplative?) expression as they remain at a distance and both of them cross their arms to show that they're closed off OHMG). This then contrasted to the adult versions of them closer, but with reversed roles? Keith can hold onto James as he rests, but damn does he look pained

James was bitter but he still cared about Keith deeply and it obviously was hard for him to deal with his conflicting emotions and his guilt over having them. This portrayal of Keith nails how I think about him so well too

everything about this is beautiful and tragic and god damn I've been thinking about it for hours