bdsm and squick

[kaizoku]

I posted this as a comment and then realized it sums up very well how I feel about bdsm in fanfiction.

Personally, I am not so much squicked out by what instruments are used as by the emotional tone of the story and the beliefs that the writer and/or the characters espouse. A lot of the time I will skip stories where there is "harder" BDSM (whipping, caning, etc.) because more often those kinds of stories tend to have relationship dynamics that squick me. (And b/c of it, I'm sure I've missed things I would have enjoyed.)

It also depends on how the dynamic is treated - e.g. if the story is non-con, is that seen as perfectly fine (because it's John and Rodney and they love each other, awww) or as something fucked-up (Kolya/Rodney for example)? If it's seen as something fucked-up, I probably will like the story. If not, well, there's the back button. If it's somewhere on the edge, I may or may not like it (Stockholm syndrome, yes; abusive relationship fic, no; "Oh, he was really jealous so it's okay", no.)

On the other hand, I have a secret love for (involuntary) sex slavery fic where the "master" ends up falling in love with the slave who hates him/her and they eventually establish a consentual relationship. A good example is Beauty and the Kitsune by Eternal Treasure (which Gundam Wing, Heero/Duo - I haven't read many of this type lately.)

Of course, as always, Your Kink Is OK, It's Just Not My Kink.

Comments

[kaizoku.livejournal.com]

Xanthe's stories (and also Mithreon's to a degree) have been quite inspiring for me and I've been toying with an idea for a John/Rodney lifestyle BDSM fic that works for me personally (which is really full of compromises, because I tend to see John more as a sub, but Rodney as Dom is an absolute no-go for me, at least in a full on lifestyle BDSM fic, where he's not just faking his way through a scene for John's sake).

That would be really interesting. What kind of compromises do you see happening? If you don't mind talking about it, that is.

I can see Rodney as a Dom in some ways, in his having some desire to be in charge. He's usually so vulnerable that I can see someone else's vulnerability (especially John's) being a revelation to him. And also, I admit, competent!Rodney get me hot.

I see John as more of a sub too. I think he consciously lowers his status a lot. He "plays low" whenever he has power. (It would be interesting to see him playing low as Rodney's top actually - I'm not even sure that would work. Like making Rodney do all the work. *g*) On the other hand, I think if someone tries to get John to submit, he's going to resist, which could be very neat. Though I'm not sure how that would work outside of bed, when they're working, and with the other power diferentials of the military and the team.

One of my favorite stories, both for the treatment of Xanthe's BDSM universe and the inability of either Rodney or John to really get what they want is Take Clothes Off As Directed by Helenish. (Also one of the first stories that comes to mind when I think about writing in-depth BDSM recs.)

I have a bit of a kink for sleepy-sex.
Oooh, I've actually written that. Here.

You have made my day! Will read later (must go write now.)