Page 23 of Sanctuary After Dark

"Yes, Sir. It's really loud, though."

I hummed in affirmation as I looked around at everyone. At people getting food or lounging in the daybeds and chairs around the patio. Some people who had stayed in the pool to relax in floaties. The music was coming through the speakers as well, filling the backyard with the sound of Lady Gaga. I guessed that Lucas had gained control of the playlist now.

"It is loud. If it's too loud, we can go inside?"

I looked over at Elias and watched as he thought about it. I loved being around people and being the center of attention. Hanging out with my friends was where I thrived the most. But if it was too loud for him, I would gladly go inside and curl up in the movie room where it was quieter.

Elias shook his head as he smiled over at me.

"No… it's alright. I like it. Everyone seems so happy and like… like a..."

"A family?"

Blinking his two-toned eyes at me, he nodded slowly and looked around the pool again, and how everyone seemed so comfortable with each other. I could see the longing in his eyes as he took everyone in and how they all fit together. I wondered when the last time was that he felt like he belonged somewhere. It made my heart ache as I thought about everything he had gone through.

I wanted him to realize that he could belong here. That it didn't have to be just for therapy. He could find a home here and a family.

He could belong with us.

"We are a family here, Elias. One that Luke and I built because we didn't have one of our own."

Elias's brows turned down a little as he looked over at me. "You didn't?" His voice was soft and curious.

"Nope. Our parents kicked us out once they learned we were in love with each other. Well, a little after that, actually." Sighing, I cracked my knuckles a bit. "It was twofold, really. Not only did they find out we were pansexual, but that we loved each other more than brothers should. Our dad is a minister in a really conservative church. They tried everything on us. Praying, religious classes, literally beating us with the Bible. Even conversion therapy. None of it worked, obviously. We weren't giving each other up and we weren't changing. Eventually, they told us either we changed or we weren't their sons anymore. We were eighteen by that time, and we left. Haven't talked to them since."

Elias was quiet while he took in everything that I said. Luke and I didn't talk about it much, about our family and how we grew up. But I wanted Elias to know why we had started The Sanctuary.

"Wow… that must have been hard."

Humming a little, I nodded and looked over at Lucas, who was getting three plates built for us. I smiled softly as I watched him cutting the chicken up for what I assumed was Elias's plate. He was such a Daddy, and I loved it. I loved seeing him take care of someone.

"It was. But thankfully, I was already talking to some companies about signing with them for MMA as sponsors. Lucas had always been interested in photography too, so he took pictures while I trained or fought. We got a shitty studio apartment, and we had each other. That was all we needed. Once I made it big and had enough money, we started saving for this place. It was always our dream to have a place like this, and when I retired, it became reality. We built a family out of misfits, and we wouldn't have it any other way."

Elias smiled and nodded as I nudged him a little. I could see that he was thinking of something after I said all of that, so I let him decide if he wanted to tell me or not.

"My parents were really religious too. They kicked me out when I was eighteen after they found out that I'm gay. I haven't spoken to them since."

My heart broke for him when he said that. I would never understand parents who disowned their children just for who they loved or how they identified. Unfortunately, there were a lot of stories like Elias's here with other members.

Wrapping my arm around his waist, I pulled him close and kissed his temple gently.

"I'm sorry, Elias. It's their loss, though. They don't get to see the amazing man you've become."

Elias looked over at me and smiled sadly. I could tell that it still bothered him, but he had done nothing wrong. Some people just couldn't accept that they had to reevaluate their entire belief system for someone they loved. It was amazing when people did put the work in to deconstruct, but most people refused to.

"Hey you two. Come eat before it gets cold. And Elias, sweetheart, we need to put more sun block on you. Your nose is getting a little red."

Both of us looked up when Lucas called us over. Leaning over, I planted a kiss on Elias's freckled cheek, which was indeed turning red. I wasn't sure if it was a blush or from the sun.

"Let's go, little one."

"Yes, Sir."

Before

Gritting my teeth to keep the whimper in, I closed my eyes for a moment and breathed through the pain. My knees hurt. They hurt so bad, but I knew that if I complained, I would get hurt, and I was already hurting so badly already. I didn't want to add to it. It was always a toss-up as to how he would hurt me if I complained. Usually, it was a smack to the face. Sometimes, a punch to my stomach. With me kneeling, I figured it would be the former. Maybe a split lip to match my black eye. Complete the set.

Glancing over at Jack as he laughed at something his friend said, I quickly averted my eyes back to the floor when he glanced back at me. My heart raced for a moment as my stomach swooped at the sudden rush of fear.