When I talk about spanking and discipline specifically, I often talk about how I want to feel vs what I want, physically. Yes, the hairbrush, uniform, and the ritual and all the other stuff is important, but ultimately the goal is to achieve a specific feeling. One of being seen and held and cared for – and not just physically, but emotionally as well. This is definitely an oversimplification and the folks I’ve talked about play with get the deeper dive, but I digress. In my recent deep-dive into classic spanking fiction, I was reminded of Larrkin, who was known for his LOTR M/M spanking AU. Much of this wasn’t my thing back in the day to be honest, but is now. Also, I use past-tense not because I know anything you don’t, but because Larrkin hasn’t updated his website or blog in a few years and may not be known by many who read my blog. That said, his stories are still easily accessible.
On his intro page for new readers, he talks a bit about building his AU and why and what it means to him. I know this quote of his has floated around the spanking community for many years so I am not sharing anything groundbreaking, but I think a lot of especially newer spankos probably haven’t seen it. These are words that speak to me, make me feel seen. They just make sense and when I read it, I think “yes, exactly like that”. A few pieces of writing have engendered this feeling in me – several of my favorite stories of course, but also some I have saved on my hard drive that are only archived in the Wayback Machine. But when I think of how I want to feel when it comes to discipline, maintenance, and the like, Larrkin’s words capture it beautifully.
A spanking is not meant to diminish. It is meant to nourish. The unspoken message conveyed to anyone over my knee, hobbit, elf, or man is, ‘I care about you. I am not indifferent to your need, your guilt, your loneliness. I will not walk away. You will not be passed over or ignored. I see you, and I care enough to discipline you.’
It’s a loving act, a trust, and a bond. Indeed, who among us does not suffer the worst anguish possible when our pain goes unheeded, or worse yet, when it is seen, yet dismissed? And who does not need a little attention sometimes simply because they do?
Nourish, care, not being indifferent to need, guilt, or loneliness; how one might feel when these needs are seen, yet dismissed. The acknowledgment that spanking can meet the need to have our pain noticed and handled with care by someone who cares. And perhaps especially that last line, who does not need a little attention sometimes simply because they do?
Who could say it better than that?
-M
