there's a bit in the commentary for COTBP where keira knightley is like "look jack! it's the only time you get to hug me or touch me or cuddle me :)" and it is, in fact, the only time in the movie norrington and elizabeth touch, save for a bit in one (1) deleted scene where she takes his arm for 10 seconds.
jack [sparrow] knows that norrington will catch elizabeth rather than chase him, so he aims tactfully when he tosses her back to the navy:
and like. i just think it's nice that neither of them acknowledge this moment at all: elizabeth isn't pulling away and norrington isn't interrupting the action to notice that it's happening, despite all the complicated feelings that would otherwise arise. there's a certain—i don't think comfort is the right word here, but trust that they know each other well enough that it's not worth reacting to? i know there's a lot going on in this scene, but it's coming on the heels of a dreadfully awkward proposal AND an exposing swim in the harbor, and it's still not uncomfortable.
they're out of society's clutches in DMC, but i do really like the physicality of how elizabeth does not help to toss norrington into the muck, but gently helps him up and turns him over rather than just offering her hand
and in AWE after a year (or more?) apart, not really knowing who is alive or dead, when elizabeth trusts him the least, her instinct when trapped in a bad situation is still to rush for him—and norrington replies in kind by pulling her immediately into a hug.
and it's this (+ the mention of her recently deceased father) that makes elizabeth remember "oh right, i can't believe this guy actually". the idea that norrington=safety in some deep part of her mind, despite how little they touch, despite all the circumstances that changed, is very special to me
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