diff --git a/src/fiddledyn/parser.py b/src/fiddledyn/parser.py
index a25bd38..12dfcdc 100644
--- a/src/fiddledyn/parser.py
+++ b/src/fiddledyn/parser.py
@@ -52,6 +52,11 @@ def _parse_recursive(d: tp.Any, ctx: ParserContext) -> tp.Any:
     # C. Defer Resolution
     return DeferredReference(ref_id)
 
+  # Handle _pause_ token
+  if "_pause_" in d and d["_pause_"]:
+    del d["_pause_"]
+    return d
+
   # 4. Recursive parsing of children (Copy dict to avoid mutating source)
   parsed_args = {}
   for k, v in d.items():