Reminder that Julian and Garak literally went on lunch dates for years and at these dates they debated about literature in a way that we know is confirmed to be Cardassian flirting in canon. Also, they gifted each other chocolates. That really happened. They make use of Cardassian and Human romance conventions. And they’ve been doing this for years.
“I’ve known fear. It’s a very healthy feeling most of the time. You warn us of danger, remind us of our limits, protect us from carelessness. I’ve learned to trust fear.” – Captain Kathryn Janeway