I've heard this mentioned in a few threads recently and it got me to thinking. We talk a lot about events leading up to a session (how to find a dom, how to keep a dom, how to task a sub, ect), PLENTY about what to do during a session, but almost nothing at all about what happens after.

For me, at least, it is very, very important to show my sub deep affection afterwards. It doesn't have to be verbal, but he always curls up in my arms and I usually pet his head and tell him what a wonderful job he did until he falls asleep. And he'll usually mumble something that includes the word "love" in it, though he's not usually very coherent afterwards.

While the session itself provides sexual satisfaction, it's this after-care that provides the emotional satisfaction, the bonding of love that makes our relationship strong. It's even more important when something doesn't go well; he needs reassurance that though I might be disappointed with the moment or the evening, I'm not disappointed with him as a whole.

I wanted to know what other people do after the session (whether or not it included sex). Is aftercare very important to you, not important, or downright a burden to you? Do you need it, just like it, or don't particularly care?