LuNa/NaLu analysis: playing devil's advocate

Potent pairings often have some moments that stand out more due to their significace or their impact. While most haters and detractors are prone to ignore those scenes or act like they don't exist, some question or downplay such moments for the sake of other premises or mere spite.

Here, we're going devil's advocate for famous hug scenes to see if the context favors supporters or detractors

Let's start with Fairy Tail. I think most fans are familiar with this scene...

...a detractor could say this isn't a NaLu moment because she's not crying for Natsu, instead she's crying for Éclair.

Is that argument correct? Let's break down the context surrounding the scene. The guild had to destroy the phoenix because it's too much of a threat for the world. But, destroying the phoenix meant Éclair's death too, who at that point was a dear friend to Lucy.

After saving the day at the cost of Éclair's life, Lucy tearfully mourns her death. But, who's the person she goes to for comfort? Who did she go to in hopes of finding some relief?

Natsu is the one who offers her the relief and comfort she needed during that moment.

Needless to say, later scenes show a far more cheerful Lucy later. Showing how the emotional support Natsu gave her had a positive effect on her.

And of course, there's another detail some people missed; nearly the whole guild is present there when Lucy was crying, and while they kept a respectful silence, only one person did the part of emotional anchor for her, Natsu. The person she approached out of every guildmate present there

So, even if she was crying for Eclair, the fact Lucy gravitated toward Natsu; the fact she chose to go to the person  who consistently gives her emotional support, and the fact she got calm and more collected afterwards partly because of Natsu's touching gesture, makes this scene a NaLu moment

...

Now we move to One Piece, and this scene...

Detractors say this isn't a LuNa moment because Nami was crying for Sanji. Once again, we have to take a close look to the context.

Before Luffy and the rest of the crew arrived to Zou, Sanji was kidnapped and taken to the territory of a very dangerous pirate to deal with his family and an arranged marriage

By the time Luffy arrives, Nami was peacefully sleeping until Chopper announces Luffy and the rest are back. She gets up with clear joy in her face...

...and goes to reunite with the rest of her crew, running straight into Luffy's arms. Then she softly cries about Sanji's fate. This is reminiscent of Water 7, the moment she spots Luffy before the Aqua Laguna strikes, she bravely runs toward him, and as soon as she got there she tearfully dropped what she had in her chest because of Robin's sacrifice.

In Zou, she could've ran to Zoro or Robin and expressed what she felt there. But, the one person she chose to run to was Luffy. 

Someone who had provided her with relief, comfort and strength in the past...

...someone who could play with the role of emotional anchor now that she needs it. Later scenes that, after sharing that moment with her captain, she no longer shows sadness or anxiety.

So, even if she wasn't crying for Sanji. The fact she chose Luffy for this; the fact she went to the person who consistently provided her with the emotional support she needed; and the fact she could be calm and collected after their reunion hug, prove this is a LuNa momen

So, the point here is: context makes or breaks a moment, and some of the most powerful scene are the ones that show emotional chemistry in action. Such is the case for these potent relationships