Ned knows that aesthetic judgments aren't really Daneel's strong suit, feels a quick twinge of regret for phrasing it the way he did. Of course, he thinks, Daneel probably still has a sense of beauty, but one that operates in a different way, and in response to different stimuli, than a human one. There's nothing wrong with that, as far as he's concerned. But he worries, on occasion, that careless talk like that from him will make Daneel feel self-conscious and insufficient, the way it has in the past. He's not forgotten all the times Daneel has let his insecurity show: even if he wouldn't call it by that name.

Which is why when Daneel says he's concerned, Ned takes it seriously. He scoots a bit closer to Daneel, shaking his head and smiling. It's a brighter smile than Daneel has seen from him since before their housemates vanished.

"No concern necessary. I'm perfectly comfortable." He tilts his head, brushing his cheek against the hand that Daneel put in his shoulder, a small gesture of affection. Then, because he insists on treating Daneel as his equal, even if he knows the power outage doesn't effect him in quite the same ways, he asks, "You?"