Is Ned ready? This is a big step, one that carries a certain amount of risk, and it's this that has worried him. If he does this wrong, he could hurt Ned, badly. Ned trusts him; it would be a tragic thing for that trust to be misplaced in any way.

Daneel slides his hand through Ned's hair, kisses him deeply. The amount of lubrication he's used is sufficient, he's certain, but is Ned really ready? Does he really want this? They are past the point of no return. Daneel knows that. He wants, too, to bring Ned over the crest of orgasm into the hazy happiness that follows, to listen to every bubble of emotion in his mind in the process.

Daneel lets himself, then, grow hard and erect, a matter of will rather than arousal. He shifts, positioning himself behind Ned with his arms wrapped protectively around him, and slides inside -- slowly, slowly, so carefully.