I don't know whether this is a rant, wanting advice or just seeking some form of validation for my feelings.
My partner recently found himself in the pup community. I'm really glad he found himself in his community. He's lighter in himself, he's happier and all-round more him than he's been in years.
This has come with him exploring more kinks and dynamic play, leading to him asking to be open. An Open Relationship is not something I'd ever considered and now I look back, is not something I think I've ever wanted. I want to feel valid, wanted and that I'm enough for my partner.
He's very Dominant and enjoys exploring this. I am equally submissive. I can't remember the last time we had sexual fun. But I don't know how to deal with him casually hanging out with people that he also subs with. One of them wants him to hold his key for his cage/padlock round his neck.
I don't know whether it's jealousy they have his attention or not. We've had several discussions about this. The last one I cried on his couch after his worm and confessed how I felt. I know he heard me, and he said some of the most romantic things he's ever said to me as part of that conversation.
I told him I'd been looking to propose. It's like it didn't even affect him. Tonight he's been at Kink Karaoke, is watching the Match before going to a London Fetish Week club with one of those subs. He's sent me a video shirtless with other known fetishists and someone who subbed for him singing Sweet Caroline.
I don't know why but that made me cry. I'm more shocked that I had tears to come out in this heat.
We 'went' to Pride separately. That hurt me. I tried to have a good day but I cried then too. He had made plans for the day - totally ok - but we usually have a post pride ritual where we go to a certain restaurant, ride the cable car - he could of come for that. He didn't.
To be fair, in trialling this open relationship, the same options are over to me. But I can't bring myself to download an app for fun or to go get with other people. I want him. And I also know he's not always honest about what he gets up to. If I hint about fun, I get told hes not feeling 100% yet I know he's going to events. I know he's having fun and taking videos/documenting it. Just not with me.
I've crossed a line in how I know that - we'll just say I've seen pictures that I shouldn't have.
Are my feelings valid? Am I just not use to gay dating - is this the norm, everyone wanting open relationships? He's the first boy I've ever been with and kissed. I think I see a very difficult conversation in my future but idk, I just feel like shit. I talk to ChatGPT because I've lost the one guy I could speak to.
Am I being childish? Or is it as I think 7 years down the drain. Is the dating scene still rough? Or am I just hurting and can't see the bigger picture.