Thanks for the advice, both of you.
@Eliotlover You know, what you said reminds me of a conversation between my smuggler and Akaavi. Here's the gist of it,
Akaavi: I'd greet you with a coy comment, but I cannot. I see the games of fliration you play, but I can never take part.
Smuggler: You don't have to. I like the way you are.
For me, it seems that my smuggler was drawn to her by the fact that she wasn't like anyone he had ever met. She also helped him realize a few things about himself.