The Weight of Duty and Desire

I've been married to my military husband for five years now. We moved around quite a bit during those years, Germany, Virginia, North Carolina, and finally back to Texas where we are right now. Each time, it was like starting over again with new friends, new routines, and new challenges. I thought our marriage could withstand any test the military would throw at us, but something has changed recently that worries me deeply. It all started when he came home from a six-month deployment last year. He seemed distant at first, but then one night about three months ago, he asked if we could role-play as parent and child while we were alone together at home. Initially, I was taken aback because it's not something we've ever discussed before, but there was an intimacy to his request that intrigued me. We agreed on boundaries, like no physical harm or any actions that wouldn't be consensual, and dove into our dynamic with open hearts. Initially, I found myself really connecting with the role of being his 'child.' It felt safe, comforting even, knowing we both consented to it fully. However, as time went on, I noticed a shift in him, a change that wasn't exactly what I expected. He seemed happier, more at peace when playing this dynamic out. But there was also something unsettling about the way he looked at me sometimes, almost like I was just a character in his own life story. I've been struggling with whether this new dynamic is harmful to our marriage or not. On one hand, it has brought us closer in a unique and profound way. On the other, there's an underlying fear that maybe he sees me less as his wife and more as a character I'm playing for him. Am I overthinking things? Or should we talk about setting new boundaries to ensure our real relationship stays strong while still allowing us to enjoy this playful dynamic? What do you think? Would love to hear thoughts from others who might be in similar situations or have insights.