Sign of Intimacy

Luffy and Nami actually have a nice section of scenes throughout the manga. Throughout the series, the manga gives the impression that Luffy and Nami trust each other, believe in each other, and most importantly, are comfortable with each other.

Don’t’ confuse intimacy with sexual tension and the like. Although Oda has provided us a few wonderful examples of it, intimacy also deals with communication. Luffy and Nami communicate well, so well in fact that it seems that they speak from their hearts instead of words, a suggested by the following SBS:

Quote:

Chapter 411 (Page 48) D: Blows shouldn't hurt Luffy, so why does he get bruises and swelling when Nami and the others beat the crap out of him?! Tell me!!! P.N. Zororin Love O: When the crew beats up on each other, it's always in admonishment with a strong sense of purpose, which is why it works so well!! It works on his HEART!! I bet Nami is thinking, "It's MY heart that hurts deep down!!" ...right? I guess not.

It’s the heart factor that allows Nami to effortlessly beat the living daylights out of Luffy’s rubber body.

Intimacy, the feeling close and connected to someone (developed through sharing and very good communications over time).

Intimacy is what makes you want to share and offer emotional and material support to each other.

The definition of intimacy

Byer & Shainberg, 6th edition, p.65, state that Sternberg identifies intimacy as containing the following ten elements:

1. Desiring to promote the welfare of the loved one.

• Check! Luffy does his best to make Nami smile and Nami knows that Luffy will never abandon her.

2. Experiencing happiness with the loved one.

• Check! Need I explain this? Without Luffy’s intervention, Nami’s life would continue to be sorrowful and miserable.

3. Holding the loved one in high regard.

• Check! On countless occasions, Nami has placed her life and future directly into Luffy’s capable hands, and Luffy has placed his complete trust, treasured hat, etc. into Nami’s capable hands. Neither person has ever regretted doing such a thing for each other.

4. Being able to count on the loved one in times of need.

• Check! Once again though, need I explain this?

5. Having mutual understanding with the loved one.

• Check! Luffy and Nami have grown from helping each other, trusting each other, and most importantly, understanding each other.

6. Sharing oneself and one's posessions with the loved one.

• Check! Luffy’s hat anyone?

7. Receiving emotional support from the loved one.

• Check! Luffy has helped Nami on several occasions overcoming her fear and the like. Nami, on the other hand, has had important talks with Luffy, like his duel before Ussopp.

8. Giving emotional support to the loved one.

• Check! Really, as I’ve already demonstrated, Luffy and Nami not only receive emotional support from each other, but give it as well.

9. Communicating intimately with the loved one.

• Check! Luffy and Nami understand each other like no other. Their relationship is a bit deeper than what they have with the rest of the crew.

10. Valuing the loved one.

• Check! Really? Must I explain this point as well???

Again and again, Luffy and Nami have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that they trust each other, that they care for each other, and they are comfortable with each other, and most importantly, love each other (remember, the crew behaves like a family after all).

When Nami is in tears, Luffy becomes upset and does his best to cheer her up. When Luffy’s ense of adventure gets the better of him, Nami is the there to calm him down and set him straight. Both Nami and Luffy not only balance each other out, but bring out the best, as well as the worst, aspects in each character. No other pairing between the crew members can possibly do such a thing because Luffy and Nami are emotionally entwined with each other, making their relationship hard to define at times.

I got this article from Kuroro, he's so detail when explain this Luffy x Nami hint.