Monday, November 7, 2011

"You know this isn't a punishment, right?"

I was bent over the bed with his belt being applied to my ass at the time those words were spoken.

But he was right, and i did know it wasn't a punishment.  It was a re-set though.  And i needed it.

I had been increasingly cranky over the day.  Not snarky.  He knows that if he ignores that, it dies pretty quickly from a lack of attention.  But i was moody and withdrawn and pouting and rebuffing his attention, which he hates much more than smart-assed or even snarky.

I know he has learned how to spank me in a way that cuts through the foul mood.  It's not erotic and it's not taking me off to a happy place.  It starts out harder than a long session of impact and pain would, but never moves into that kind of intensity either. He stopped - i thought too soon. I wanted it to ramp up and go on a much longer time.  But that wasn't the purpose this time.   And he was right.  I got up mellowed and happy to be close to him.  I apologized and thanked him.

I think this kind of pain gives me something to be pissed and cranky at:  it lets me build up those emotions, focus them at something, then release them altogether.  It also greatly reassures me that he wants me a certain way and cares to help me be there.

I know the topic of punishment, especially using pain as punishment in a D/s relationship, is debated and is unique to each set of people involved.  I know it is possible to produce an altogether different type and level of pain than would happen during play, enough that it would be punitive and cause aversion.  I am certain he could do this.

But i also know that i have a relationship to pain that i don't comprehend at all and am only beginning to see the shape of.  And i know there are a lot of switches in his head (good ones) that get flipped in inflicting pain on me, but i won't even try to guess at the overall lay of the land in there.  I have no idea if his view on punishment is a philosophical thing, or a desire not to complicate an already complex use of pain between us, or something else, or a combination.....

Whatever i think or guess might be good for me or that i think i want doesn't matter.  He doesn't use spanking or other real  pain as punishment.  He may tweak or swat or pinch or bite to get my attention or emphasize a point, but as a consequence or a deterrent or retribution, no.

In the end, it probably doesn't matter what you call this kind of spanking - punishment maybe, reminder, re-set, attitude adjustment, maintenance.... in the end (yes - a pun) it works.  And, contrary to how i've approached everything else, I haven't felt compelled to understand and label and second guess this.  I've been able to go along and even be thankful that he seems to have figured out what works for us.

7 comments:

  1. It works for us too, whatever you want to call it. Although we DO have punishment in our dynamic, it is less and less, and more and more TTWD involves this way of using pain (a good way to put it, I think). It's a tool for us to get through whatever we need to.

    Sara

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is the key...it works. We call it maintenance, and it works for us. Good for you for accepting that it works. abby

    ReplyDelete
  3. What ever you call it, it sounds like exactly what you needed. Glad it made you feel better! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. And, contrary to how i've approached everything else, I haven't felt compelled to understand and label and second guess this. I've been able to go along and even be thankful that he seems to have figured out what works for us.

    Wow, look at you accepting his control so gracefully. If I do say so myself, what a good girl!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yep, what MagnusCattus said - only I'll add, for those of us who tend to overthink it all, isn't it nice to realize that He's doing what needs to be done and all we have to do is accept it?

    It's real new for me. Still exploring the idea. But I think I might like it.

    aisha

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's a delicate balance or maybe it's a dance; they see more of us and we are open. It's nice and when it all comes together, it's like home.

    Hugs,
    mouse

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sara,
    There is punishment here - although it's - subtle - if that makes sense. Getting me out of this kind of mood is a huge benefit for him - for both of us really - but i think he is very happy to have a way to do this.

    abby,
    Welcome - that is exactly the key - and probably a big part of why i can accept it.

    Serenity,
    Thanks. It did make me feel better - which makes him happier too.

    MC,
    Thank you sir. That made me smile.

    Aisha,
    Thank you. I am i think - against all odds - actually growing into some of these things. You sound as if you like it very much - i'm so happy for you.

    mouse.
    That's a great way of putting it, thanks.

    ReplyDelete