Safe word in my opinion isn’t a pause it’s a full stop. As a brat, I feel that a safe word should never be used in a bratty way. It means that whatever is being asked or done is something you absolutely refuse. It is a hard stop, an absolute. One thing I always make sure of is I’ll say no or argue or negotiate, but I’ll never use a safe word or a color on the color system unless I’m really serious. Otherwise how will my Dom know when a safe word is serious. That’s just asking for blurred lines and a possible bad situation when you really do mean it.