Yes! You have nailed it.

I am all for guilt and pain and recrimation - but the torture has to be noncon for it to really qualify. Otherwise, you are right - it is self-indulgent punishment. Punishment is fine and dandy - but torture works best when your boy is made victim - powerless and broken and then he has to deal with *that* - or - even better - when he *doesn't break*

Dear God - how did I not add Cap'n Mal to this list?? *That* was a great torture scene in War Stories. I must edit my post.