Page 17 of Sanctuary After Dark

"Breathe, sweetheart. Watch me. Match your breaths to mine. In, hold, out. Good. Good boy. Again."

I can't help but suck in a shaky breath and follow his instructions. My mind was going all staticy and fuzzy. I follow what he says, and soon he gently grabs my hand and pries my shirt from my grasp. Pulling my hand down, he lays it against his chest so I can feel his heartbeat and his lungs expanding with each breath. Before I know it, the panic has passed and I feel better.

"There we go. That's such a good boy. You're doing so well for me, sweetie." Lucas speaks gently, and his thumb brushes across my knuckles while he holds it against his chest. I look up and notice that Lincoln had come closer and his hand was on my back rubbing soothing circles. The concern is evident in their eyes.

"We don't expect anything from you, sweetie."

I look back at Lucas as he speaks.

"We just want you to feel comfortable while you heal. Caring for you gives us all the pleasure we need. Up here." He points to his temple, and my eyes follow the movement as I take in what he's saying.

"R-really?"

My voice sounds so small as I look between them both. Lincoln smiles softly at me and nods.

"Really. While we find you adorable and under different circumstances, we would have tried to pursue you, you're here to heal, Elias. The only thing we expect from you is to be honest with us about what you need and to do your part of the work in your therapy. You don't ever have to worry about someone pressuring you or coercing you to have sex. If that happens, you tell us and we'll take care of it."

Lucas nods along to what his brother is saying, and I can tell that they're telling the truth. They expect nothing from me but honesty and communication, and it has my shoulders sagging as I calm down fully.

"Th-thank you."

Lucas squeezes my hand to get me to look at him, his other hand falling from under my chin to rest on my knee.

"You don't need to thank us. Not for basic human decency, sweetheart. How about I get you something light to eat, huh? Oatmeal with berries sound good?"

"Yes, sir. That sounds really good."

The honorific falls from my tongue instinctively. But I know it's because I can trust them. At least I can start to trust them. This act may seem small, but to me it's huge. My ex always expected me to give him something when he did something for me. If I didn't, then I was ungrateful. I just started expecting it from everyone.

"Good boy. I'll be right back. If you're comfortable, why don't you cuddle up with Linc while I make it. I think you need a good cuddle session. No pressure, though. It's your decision."

I look over at Lincoln and smile shyly. He tilts his head in question, and I find myself nodding, which makes him smile, and I can't help the way it makes my stomach flutter some. He leans back and gets comfortable before holding his arm out. Setting my Kindle down, I slide over to sit next to him and cuddle up to his side. His strong arm comes around me and pulls me closer. I squeak a little when he does it, which makes a laugh rumble through his chest.

As I get comfortable in his arms, I lay my head against his shoulder, and he grabs the remote. After turning on the television, he finds a movie for us to watch, and I grin when I see that he chose Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It's always been one of my favorite movies. I watch Lucas for a moment as he gets up and heads to the kitchen, and I fully relax against Lincoln while he laughs at the movie with me.

Chapter 7

It had been a few days since I arrived at The Sanctuary. Alec said that they would give me the rest of the week to get settled in and to get my bearings before we started my exposure therapy sessions. During that time, I organized my room, met some other members, filled out the application to become a member, and filled out the kink and limit list with the application.

Once that was filled out, I sat down with Alec, Lincoln, and Lucas to go over it and discuss everything. I was still a little emotionally exhausted from that conversation, but I knew it was necessary, and no matter how difficult it was and how uncomfortable it made me, I was completely honest with them about it.

Every morning, I had coffee and some breakfast with Lincoln and Lucas. We all seemed to be early risers, and while I had been nervous the first morning, I was starting to look forward to them now. They were really nice and had a great sense of humor. I was comfortable with them already, which I suppose was the point of them spending time with me, since they would be with me for these exposure therapy sessions.

Usually, I would make coffee for us, and Lucas would make breakfast. By the time we finished eating, I was cuddling up to one or both of them. I couldn't help it. I was so touch starved and they were warm and comfortable, and I knew they wouldn't hurt me.

I knew it was contradictory of me to want to be cuddled up with them when I didn't like people touching me at all, but this was different. I was choosing this touch, and I knew it was because I was starting to trust them.

It was Friday now, and the house was busier than it had been throughout the week. Members were already showing up to check into their booked rooms, hang out with friends, or do a scene. It was overwhelming to have so much activity around me, but it was interesting as well to see all the different dynamics.

Making my way downstairs, I gripped the sleeves of my white long-sleeved shirt, looking around at everyone. Lincoln and Lucas told me to meet them in the living room at noon, and I didn't want to be late, so I came down early.

Moving off to the side while a pair of human puppies ran towards the back doors barking and chasing one another, I blinked as I watched their owners trailing behind them and telling them to heel. It was adorable, really. I stood there and looked out the backdoors as they rolled around in the grass and their owners just shook their heads and laughed at their antics.

"Hey, sweetheart."

I looked up and saw Lucas coming in from the backyard after the pups and their owners had headed out, smiling when I saw him come over in a grey button-up and tan slacks. He always dressed so nicely, even when he was just hanging out around the house. I only saw him in casual clothes when we were having breakfast or lounging around at night. Stepping away from the wall, I walked over to him with a smile.

"Hi, Sir."