I was dying when we first met. I mean, I looked well enough, just got out of rehab and all that. Thought that I knew everything, but I didn’t. I didn’t realize how much work I would have to put in and how much time it would take. But most of all, I didn’t realize that things could get better. And that I could actually be… Yes, I was dying. And no one could see it but you. You saved my life, Joan. We’re partners. No, we’re much better than that. We’re two people that love each other. We always have been.
when some fans ask arthur for a selfie while he’s at a bar, drinking with his dad, he agrees–even though he doesn’t really like people
whenever arthur saves people, he takes the time to address them in their language
when mera eats a rose, thinking it’s human food and offers one to arthur, rather than correct and embarrass her, he eats a flower too
when arthur sees his mom for the first time in decades, he doesn’t blame her for being gone, he embraces her and talks about how much his dad still loves her
when arthur retrieves the trident–finally becoming aquaman–he doesn’t fight his way through the guardian, he talks to her and it’s the first conversation she’s had in eons
and his reply to the guardian’s accusation that he’s unworthy, is that he doesn’t want the trident to prove his worth, but to protect the people he loves
the one time when arthur is not kind, when he lets black manta’s father die, he acknowledges that it was a mistake, and it comes back to haunt him in a very real way
and the climactic battle against his brother ends with arthur letting him live. he lets orm reunite with their mom because he knows atlanna loves both her sons and that orm loved their mother too
and he tells orm, who openly hates arthur, that whenever he’s ready to talk, arthur will be there
aquaman is a brash, unabashedly fun movie but it’s also very kind too
