My Dom that is. This interview was inspired by a chat conversation I had with a fellow sub and as we got to talking about her recent punishment session and how it made her feel after, the topic moved towards doms needing reassurance. She suspected, correctly, that there would be a post on the topic - in which Fondles interviews BIKSS in the hopes of getting proof that doms (or at least this dom) need the reassurance of aftercare as much as subs do.

After a punishment (or conflict resolution as is the case in our relationship), the "aftercare" session is the time when a dom can shower love and re-establish a connection, and reassure the sub that there is no more anger / hurt / disappointment - that all is fine between the two and the balance of their relationship is once again restored.
However I also firmly believe that it does more than that. Does the sub's acceptance of this provide reassurance to her dom that she will continue to accept his guidance and/or punishment and is ready to continue on the same path? Is it instrumental in indicating to her dom that she does not resent his leadership?
(While for many, spanking is part of correction / punishment, do note that in our case it is part of aftercare.)
Here's BIKSS:~
1) Why do you think aftercare is necessary?
BIKSS: To provide you with the understanding that u belong to me : to spank, to play with, to love, to keep that connection between us.
2) After an emotionally distressing episode where a conflict has been resolved, what does a typical aftercare session look like?
BIKSS: A tight cuddle, a cry from you, soothing words from me, more cuddles, a hand stroking your face to reassure you that all is forgiven, a kiss...oh, and apologies where necessary. Then leading you to where you are to receive your spanking - probably a hand-spanking cos it is a reconnection spanking - then more cuddling, kisses and stroking.
3) How would you describe the way you feel during the whole aftercare session (from the cuddling to the spanking and then back to cuddling after)?
BIKSS: I want you to remember that I DO love you. That you still belong to me, that everything is forgiven. Like a Daddy comforting his little one.
4) How would you describe my demeanour during this time?
BIKSS: Hopeful, wanting. After said spanking you curl up into me, bury yourself in my arms, pushing yourself as close to me as you can, and I pull you in. The look in your eyes and the pushing into me says you want me to still accept you for whatever has gone on. When you look at me the look says, "Please say everything will be OK again." I see hope from your actions, from the look in your eyes. Then I see happiness when the realisation hits - when you realise I'm not leaving; that everything is past and everything begins anew and there really IS nothing to worry about.
5) So far this has been very sub-centred. What about you, though, as a dom? Does an aftercare session affect you emotionally?
BIKSS: Seeing the hope and happiness in your face as you lie in my arms tells me I'm not wasting my time. That this (taking the time to clear the air and resolve the problem) is worth it - for the both of us. Satisfaction from doing what is good for the both of us; happiness that you are back to a good place.
6) Do you ever feel you might have been too harsh? Expected too much / been unrealistic in your expectations of me?
BIKSS: No, I've always tried to be careful in what I say, given how particular you are about the nuances of words. But as I've said before, over texts and messengers, those subtleties are lost and misunderstandings occur.
7) You mentioned that you feel you're not wasting your time, that taking the time to solve our issues is worth it. But on the flip side, do you ever think that I may get tired of 'listening to you and doing as you say'? Do you ever wonder if I might pull the plug and say "I've had enough of you controlling me"?
BIKSS: There is always the possibility of you saying, "Bugger off, I'm doing this MY way!" Are you going to do it now? No. Could it happen? Yes. Would you do it? If a tipping point came you would - but that point remains a mystery. I think that would be the case with almost anyone in this sort of relationship or any relationship for that matter. I don't think I've been enough of a hassle for you to want to pack up and leave.
8) You seem certain that I'm "not going to up and leave" anytime soon. How do you know I'm prepared to carry on?
BIKSS: The same way I know you love me. I just know.
9) Do you think the way I react and behave during aftercare impacts how you proceed? For example, how would you feel if I didn't want the aftercare, if I didn't 'curl up into you', as you said? What if I was passive, allowing you to cuddle me and spank me etc, but if I myself seemed distant / neutral?
BIKSS: I'd feel rejected. Disappointed. In myself as well.
Fondles: That's an interesting choice of words. Rejected?
BIKSS: Yes. It would be a rejection of us in my eyes. Even with the spanking over, the reconnection should be ongoing. But a distant or neutral look means there are lingering issues. Ones you haven't told me about. That would also be disturbing, especially given how you usually talk about everything. Having you harbour thoughts without sharing them would be worrying.
Fondles: You also used the word "disappointed". Care to elaborate?
BIKSS: ... that I haven't managed to bring you back into the fold, back to a place where you are once again a happy sub.
[edit : Said passivity would also cause him to question my desire to continue to be his sub.]
10) Aftercare is very reassuring to a sub. It tells her she is loved, she is valued. And that the relationship meter is once again in the "we're all good" zone. Would you say that as a dom it provides you with reassurance as well?
BIKSS: Acceptance of the aftercare provides me with the reassurance that you believe that everything starts afresh and that you still believe in the relationship (and in me). I cannot move on until this is clear to me.
[edit : In further discussion BIKSS added that it also reassures him that I don't think badly of him.]
Q. E. D.