History Main / LetsWaitAWhile

* Virgil Hawkins of ''ComicBook/{{Static}}'' has actually refused to have sex with his then-girlfriend, after having a serious talk with his father about how it is a big step in responsibility for someone his age. Virgil ultimately decides he isn't ready for more than he already has with his life as a superhero and decides to wait.

* ''Webcomic/HetaliaAxisPowers'' fanfic ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11886910/1/Gankona-Unnachgiebig-Unità Gankona, Unnachgiebig, Unità]]'': [[{{Polyamory}} Germany, Italy, and Japan]] actually didn't do it until they got married after months of dating. Let's just say the [[ThePeepingTom Bad Touch Trio]] [[UnusualEuphemism announced the end of the waiting period]] while [[BlatantLies performing surveillance on the honeymoon ship]].
-->"The Axis Virgin Trio is no more!"
* ''Fanfic/ACrownOfStars'': Discussed. Asuka and her best friend Hikari talk about Asuka's love life, who has just recently hooked up with Shinji after several years of BelligerentSexualTension, UnresolvedSexualTension, misunderstandings, and a long forced separation. Shinji and Asuka started to have sex shortly after getting together, and Hikari -who has just hooked up with her high-school crush but has not had sex yet- is seeking advice about giving the next step or waiting a while, so she asks Asuka what she would have done when they were thirteen. Asuka replies that knowing what she knows now, she would not have waited.

* ''Fanfic/TheOneILoveIs'': Subverted. In an early chapter, Rei wants to have sex with Shinji but he backs out because [[spoiler:he can not stop to think about Asuka.]] Not wanting to hurt Rei he lies, saying he has stopped because he wants to make sure things don't go too fast.

* ''Fanfic/MyHeroPlaythrough'': Done by Izuku when [[Main/GladToBeAliveSex Tsuyu tries to seduce him after paired near-death incidents]]. He gives her a list of reasons why they shouldn't, but also a timetable to discuss it again. She agrees.
* In the ''Fanfic/EmpathTheLuckiestSmurf'' story "Monkey On Your Smurf", Empath and Smurfette are both induced into making out with each other while under the influence of microprobes that are in their bodies. When the microprobes are removed and Empath and Smurfette are back to normal, they both decide that they would rather wait until marriage before they have sex.

* ''Fanfic/MaybeSproutWings'' has Dean and Castiel living in the same house and falling in love, but due to the fact that Dean is technically Castiel's slave and has a traumatized history, they agree to wait until Dean is freed and they are on more equal footing.
* ''Fanfic/GoldPoisons'': Jin Guangyao has traumas around sex, so he tells Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen that he would like to wait a bit before moving beyond kissing. Mingjue and Xichen are fine with this.

* Hershel and Mary from ''Literature/SuperPowereds''. They are by far the least noticeable of the various couples in general, but they also seem to be the most stable. The situation is slightly complicated by the fact that thanks to Roy, Hershel has a huge number of ''memories'' of sex despite being a virgin.
* Literature/AnitaBlake didn't put out until the [[spoiler:sixth]] book in the series, due to a bastard ex-fiancé.

* In ''Literature/MachoMan'' by Moritz Netenjakob, the protagonist's girlfriend Aylin tells him she wasn't a very "traditional" Turkish woman but she does find it romantic to wait for the wedding night to have sex for the first time. [[spoiler: In the end, he seduces her when they get back together by showing how much he ''isn't'' a macho man after all by singing the smurf song to her.]]
* Don and Denise in ''Literature/WeCantRewind'' present a somewhat unusual case in that they're both somewhat sexually experienced already, he being a widower and she being a single mother. Since he's also a rather traditional religious conservative kind of guy and she's recovered from being a sexual abuse victim and AbsurdlyYouthfulMother, however, he has little trouble convincing her to save their first time with each other for the wedding night. [[InsatiableNewlyweds Once they get to the wedding night, however...]]

* Edward asks Bella for this in ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'', for a mixture of reasons boiling down to "I'm probably damned anyway, but you should have the best chance with whatever god(s) may exist." He would have actually preferred to wait until she's a vampire, [[ManOfSteelWomanOfKleenex for safety]], but they settle on marriage as a compromise.
* In ''Literature/WhereTheCrawdadsSing'', Tate refuses to have sex with Kya because he's legal and she isn't, and because he's afraid moving too quickly will damage her. [[spoiler:Later, Kya delays sex with Chase Andrews for a long time because she'd feel cheap if she gave in too soon.]]
* In ''Literature/TheEvolutionOfEmily'', Emily wants to have sex with August, but August wants to wait. He's the product of an accidental teen pregnancy, which he feels messed up his dad's life, and doesn't want to do anything that might result in a baby until he's ready to start a family.
* Logan from ''Literature/AlmostPerfect'' is reeling from his breakup with Brenda, his girlfriend of three years. She never let him get to second base, saying that if they waited, their first time would be so much more special. He believed her until he found out she'd cheated on him with a guy she'd known for a week.

* In ''Literature/LoveOverGold'', Diane and Katrien agree to delay sex until their third date so it will be meaningful. Diane thinks that if they had sex earlier, they wouldn't be able to build a real relationship.
* ''Literature/ReignOfTheSevenSpellblades'': Oliver and Nanao's first attempt to consummate their romance in volume 10 gets scuttled by [[TraumaButton Oliver's PTSD]] from his RapeAsBackstory, so while they spend the night naked together in bed, they don't get as far as intercourse. They agree to try to take it slow and work their way up to "getting the pole in the hole", as Nanao bawdily puts it.
* ''Literature/TheSunneInSplendour'': Richard of Gloucester rescues his childhood sweetheart Anne Neville from her hiding place as a kitchen maid and takes her into sanctuary, intending to marry her. They spend time together at her sanctuary house but resist consummating their relationship as they both fear for Anne's reputation, should she become pregnant. Additionally, Richard's more worldly brother, Edward IV, recognizes Anne is suffering from trauma as a result of her brief first marriage and has advised Richard to give her time to heal.

* The "engaged couple agreeing to wait until their wedding day before they do it again" happens on ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'' with Turk and Carla. It lasts less than an entire episode; by the time Turk comes around to the idea as being romantic, Carla has had such a rough day that she needs some loving affection and changes her mind. Turk is happy to oblige. In season 1, Carla mentions to Elliot that she usually waits a month to sleep with new boyfriends. As she puts it, she likes to make them wait until they think they are ''never'' going to get in her pants, and then jump them like an animal (which usually takes about a month).
* Spoofed in French series ''Series/LazyCompany'' with Henry and his wife, who decided to "wait" before having sex... even ''after'' their wedding.

* ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'':
-->'''Ann''': And then that first time, after waiting and waiting, it's gonna be so awesome! Because it's not just going to be my love and George Michael's, but God's love, as well. God, it's gonna be incredible!
* On ''Series/FridayNightLights'', the first time Julie and Matt attempt sex, they realize they're doing it just because they each think the other is "The One." They're ''correct'' about that, but decide there's no rush to have sex and that they'll wait until it feels right.

* In ''Series/GreysAnatomy'' Erica and Callie agree to wait before having sex because they both think they aren't ready to have sex with another woman. A few dates later, they consummate their relationship.
* Provides lots of humor in ''Series/{{Girlfriends|2000}}'' when GoodBadGirl Lynn starts dating a celibate man. He initially refuses to date her due to her...reputation, but she convinces him that she can wait. She's...not very good at it.
* ''Series/TheGoldenGirls'':
** Blanche dated one man like this -- she was so confused by the idea she misinterpreted it as him not finding her attractive.
** Inverted in one episode with Sophia. Despite both of them being in their eighties, she decides to jump into bed with a man quite quickly.

* ''Series/GeneralHospital''. Jagger agrees to this when he and Karen begin dating, as she's a virgin. She's finally ready by prom night but sadly ends up freaking out (she's dealing with repressed memories of having been molested as a child).
* ''Series/TheEndOfTheFuckingWorld'': For much of the first season, Alyssa is, by James' description, "a bit of a [[AllWomenAreLustful nymphomaniac]]," and on multiple occasions tries to initiate sex. Over the course of the season, as James begins to fall in love with her, he becomes more receptive to kissing and holding hands, but it's not until Episode 8 that he initiates a makeout session and indicates that he's ready to go further. However, before anything can happen, Alyssa has a flashback to her [[AttemptedRape near-assault that occurred a few days earlier]], and quietly asks James if they can wait for at least a few days, admitting she isn't ready. He immediately stops kissing her, says that's just fine, and lays down next to her so they can [[SleepCute hold hands and sleep]].
* ''Series/{{Friends}}'': Chandler and Monica decide to do the "engaged couple" version of this in the weeks leading up to their wedding. After a few days, they're both getting frustrated so Chandler starts a fake argument so they can "break up" for a few hours and have sex. Monica's willing to go along with it until she remembers her cousin is staying in their spare room and will hear everything.
* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'': In "[[Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS3E10Amends Amends]]", Willow and Oz get back together after breaking up because he caught her kissing Xander. On Christmas Eve, Willow attempts to seduce him as an apology for her behaviour. Oz gently turns her down because he wants their first time together to be because they both want it and not because she's trying to prove something to him.
* ''Series/{{Intergalactic}}'': Drew says he's been with other women before, but Genevieve is the most special to him, so he prefers waiting before the pair have sex so they can build up their relationship.
* ''Series/MohawkGirls'': Anna has a rule about not having sex with her boyfriend for three months, so she's certain he really likes her rather than simply wanting this. She breaks it with Thunder though, afraid other women will lure him away otherwise.

* The TropeNamer is Janet Jackson's song "Let's Wait Awhile".

* Jermaine Stewart's "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off". The lyrics can be summed up as thus: "Don't move so fast and try to get to the sex right away, it's insulting and unclassy -- let's just have fun and enjoy ourselves before we go any further." Interestingly, the POV character who wants to wait is male.
* Music/AvrilLavigne's "Don't Tell Me".

* The Lovely Lacey, who treated Wrestling/JimmyJacobs like crap for as long as she knew him, decided to award him with sex after he finally fulfilled her desire to remove BJ Whitmer from Wrestling/RingOfHonor with an injury. Jacobs, who had been courting Lacey in spite of her mistreatment, turned her down. They did end up having sex later, but only after Jimmy saw that Lacey had become as dedicated to Jimmy as he was to her. Also, [[MyGirlIsASlut Jimmy let Lacey have sex with other men]], [[KnightTemplar so long as it supported his radical social movement]], to prove sex wasn't the reason he had fallen for her.[[/folder]]

* ''VideoGame/BaldursGate II: Shadow Of Amn''

* ''VideoGame/StoryOfSeasonsTrioOfTowns'': The game actually has two occurrences of this, surprisingly enough. But due to its rating, the game pulls off more child-friendly versions.
** [[DoesNotLikeMen Kasumi]] mentions in her penultimate love event that she isn't comfortable enough to kiss the farmer yet, but that holding hands is alright. Her final love event then has her try to kiss the farmer, but she stops herself and says that they'll wait until marriage.
** Yuzuki gives the farmer a kiss on the cheek in his final love event, saying that a kiss on the lips will have to wait for another day.
* ''VideoGame/MassEffect'': If you romance Liara, she asks to wait because she wants it to be special. She then approaches you [[PreClimaxClimax just before the final battle.]]
* In ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', a romanced Garrus asks to wait until [[PreClimaxClimax just before you start the Suicide Mission]].
-->'''Garrus:''' You know me. I always like to savor the last shot before popping the heat sink ({{Beat}}) [[ThatCameOutWrong Wait, that metaphor]] went somewhere horrible.
* ''VideoGame/{{Slammed}}'': Non-sexual example; Ecstasy will ask you this the first time you pursue them, because they aren't ready for a relationship. [[WillTheyOrWontThey Later, the PC can do the same to]] ''[[WillTheyOrWontThey them]]'' for the same reason.
* Another Creator/{{Bioware}} example is in ''Videogame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'': during the [[BadassBookworm Jedi Consular's]] romance path with Nadia, [[spoiler:he turns her down the first time she propositions him for sex, telling her that she's acting out of fear, grief, and desperation, not love. Her pleading with him to acquiesce and eventual admittance that she does fear losing him at any moment just cements this as the right decision in his mind. And it is--Nadia later thanks him for it, apologizes for her behavior, and agrees to take things slowly, so they can truly appreciate what they have instead of rushing it.]]

* [[Webcomic/DominicDeegan Dominic and Luna.]] Dominic learns that Luna's first time was an (intentionally engineered) utter disaster, so she developed some serious hang-ups about intimacy on top of her pre-existing self-esteem issues. It works out in the end, though (Three words: "Worth. The. Wait.)

** Played for drama in the Marks' other comic, ''Webcomic/YouSayItFirst'': It was assumed earlier on that Kimberly wasn't ready for intimacy beyond hugging and kissing. When Kimberly tries to go further in Chapter 38 ("Date Night In"), Brisbane panics and begs off. leading to a fight that causes them to split for six (in-story) weeks. They talk things out in Chapter 51 ("Good Morning"), both explaining why they acted how they did, clearing the way for them to actually take that next step.
* ''Webcomic/{{Walkyverse}}'': Joyce and Walky, due to Joyce's near-psychotic aversion to "pre-marital hanky-panky." Eventually, facing the imminent EndOfTheWorld battle and having already gotten engaged, they [[PreClimaxClimax go for it]] and (being mildly super-powered individuals) cause some [[DestructoNookie serious structural damage]] to their hotel room in the process.

* ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob'' obliquely addresses this [[https://bobadventures.thecomicseries.com/comics/581 here.]]
* In ''Webcomic/MenageA3'', Gary said this a couple of times when his then-girlfriend Yuki attempted intimacy. How much of his motives were being a gentleman and how much was due to concern over the [[GroinAttack violent]] [[HollywoodPsych psychotic breaks]] male genitals caused her is up in the air.

* In ''Webcomic/NineteenNinetySomething'': In a pre-reboot, no longer canon storyline, Joel and Michelle attempt to have sex, but a lack of condoms led to a mood-breaking sequence where they realize they weren't actually ready. Unfortunately, Joel's ultra-conservative mom Tina catches them getting dressed and assumes the "worst". HilarityEnsues.
* In ''Webcomic/TinasStory'': Kendo tells Felicia that he believes in waiting until marriage. Felicia, who until recently had considered her sexuality her one and only asset, but was looking to change her ways, agreed. Though subsequent appearances showed that neither one was above [[TechnicalVirgin "working around the edges"]] of that vow.
* In ''Webcomic/EverydayHeroes'', in a flashback during the "The Talk" arc, we see a younger Marko (Mr. Mighty) and Jane, who hadn't even kissed yet before Marko popped the question. Marko was (very) old fashioned and was most comfortable with taking things slow and traditional. Jane, who had some trust issues due to her past as a villain, was okay with this. Though the genuine love and trust in her he showed when he proposed inspired her to [[TheirFirstTime change her mind on the whole "waiting" thing.]]
* In ''[[https://noheroes-comic.com/comic/page504/ No Heroes]]'', Jester and Katharina start to indulge in some GladToBeAliveSex after a dungeon escape. But they don't get further than her hand inside his vest before Jester begs off, saying he's too tired and sore to keep going. Katharina understands and says they'll talk later - about ''everything.''
* ''Webcomic/BooItsSex'': Christine and Ansh are ''very'' into each other, but they want to hold off on (penetrative) sex until they both feel ready for it. They still enjoy other acts like sexting and handjobs.

-->Ann: And then that first time, after waiting and waiting, it’s gonna be so awesome! Because it’s not just going to be my love and George Michael’s, but God’s love, as well. God, it’s gonna be incredible!

* In ''Webcomic/NineteenNinetySomething'': Joel and Michelle attempt to have sex, but a lack of condoms led to a mood-breaking sequence where they realize they weren't actually ready. Unfortunately, Joel's ultra-conservative mom Tina catches them getting dressed and assumes the "worst". HilarityEnsues.

* ''Fanfic/GhostsOfEvangelion'': Shinji and Asuka argue about their sex life several times: both are attracted to each other, but their many psychological issues -which include Asuka being mentally and physically raped several times in the past- keep in the way of a healthy sex life. Sometimes Asuka just wants to have sex so the matter is settled, but Shinji argues he's afraid of hurting her and they shouldn't force themselves.

* In ''Manga/GirlFriends'', due to both sides mistakenly assuming that their still virgin partner already had sex with somebody else, [[spoiler:[[LipstickLesbian Mari and Akko]]]] have a very awkward first attempt that ends with this.

* Provides lots of humor in ''Series/{{Girlfriends}}'' when GoodBadGirl Lynn starts dating a celibate man. He initially refuses to date her due to her...reputation, but she convinces him that she can wait. She's...not very good at it.

* Parodied in ''WesternAnimation/CloneHigh''. Everyone expects to "go up a base, sex-wise" on Prom Night, which for Gandhi would mean going from ADateWithRosiePalms to dry-humping a girl through their clothes, a prospect that excites him to the point that he becomes fixated on it. After some false starts, he finally gets together with a willing partner in Marie Curie, only to stop abruptly and say that they're so young, maybe they should wait. She replies that "I guess the driest love of all is abstinence."

* The TropeNamer is Janet Jackson's song "Let's Wait A While".

* Music/AvrilLavigne's "Don't Tell Me."
* Music/LadyAntebellum's ''Just a Kiss'' goes, "So baby I'm alright, oh, let's do this right, with just a kiss goodnight."

* Common in [=TheNovelArtist's=] stories, but ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/14878527/chapters/34453056 Second Chances]]'' is notable in that Marinette is recovering from the tragic death of her husband just a year earlier. Dating at all is something she has to work her way up to, working through the nagging sense that she's betraying Nathanael. [[spoiler:By the time of her wedding to Adrien, she's ready, but she wouldn't have been okay with physical intimacy before making that commitment.]]