"Why do you keep talking about the ceil..." ...and then the rest of what she'd said sunk in, and he hesitates for a brief second. "...oh. Um... okay."

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"You seemed more interested in the ceiling back in my quarters. It's not bugged if you were looking for any surveillance."

The hesitation was...well, don't think about that. "I'm kidding, Qamar. You don't have to do anything you don't want to. We're having a good time and I like spending time with you."

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He breathes out. "It's not that at all. I mean... you're incredibly beautiful, and, well..." His voice drops to a hissing whisper. "And you were naked."

His voice returns to normal, though there's definite blushing there on his cheeks. "I just wanted to... respect you."

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"The towel covered more of me than my swim suit," she pointed out. "But, I wouldn't change anything about you, so I do apologize for making you uncomfortable. I didn't think there was anything questionable about my boyfriend waiting in my quarters while I finished getting ready for a date. I should have asked if you were all right with it."

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He blinks. "I just..." He thinks for a moment. "It's not that it's questionable, or that I was uncomfortable. I just wouldn't want you to think I was trying to take advantage of you."

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"That is one thing I'm not worried about with you," she said simply.

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"Oh," he says quietly.

"Then... next time I won't try hard to not look?" he says, as if asking for permission.

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"The next time you won't try hard not to look," she said with a firm nod. "I like that you don't assume but maybe communication is something we should work on?"

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"Okay," he nods. "So... when should we discuss barriers and limits?"

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A slow smile appeared. She decided it was a good thing they were in public right now because she was tempted to indulge in a public display of affection just for that expression alone.

"Later, when our date is over. Otherwise I'll be too distracted by your barriers and limits."

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He considers. "Alright. Though I am left wondering how much of this is cultural."

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"Possibly quite a bit. Although if you tell me that my father hasn't been a barrier, I'll say you're hedging."

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