Page 3 of Sanctuary After Dark

"Oh! What's your name, sir?"

Pushing his hands into his pockets, he just smiled at me for a moment.

"I'm Jack."

Chapter 2

Stepping out of Alec's car after he parked in front of the club, my eyes were wide as I took it all in. It was huge. Larger than I had imagined, and it was intimidating. A large beige stone mansion with large black-trimmed windows and a gray roof stood in front of us. The driveway was long and lined with trees; it ended in a circle around a water fountain that had lily pads and fronds inside. I bet it even had some fish, if I got close enough to look. Alec parked in front of the stone steps that led to the black double doors.

We were outside the city limits, and you could tell from all the land and trees. The house sat within a small forest. It was quiet and peaceful as I looked around and listened to the birds in the trees. I wondered what the backyard looked like. If it was open or all wilderness. Either way, I wanted to see it. I had always loved the outdoors, and this place seemed like a little paradise while still being close enough to the city to go in.

I had no idea a place like this existed right outside of Pittsburgh. I had grown up here. I thought I knew the city like the back of my hand, and yet it still surprised me with its hidden treasures. That's why I loved this city so much. No matter how much you thought you knew about it, it always ended up surprising you with something new.

Pulling the strap of my backpack higher on my shoulder, I swallowed nervously as I just stopped and stared up at the large house. It was a gorgeous house, and I could tell that it was designed to seem welcoming. With the stone's warmer colors and the landscaping around it, the area was designed to welcome people in and make them feel comfortable. But I knew I was going to struggle here. I knew I'd have to put in a lot of work, and I was nervous and scared. But I was also ready for this step and to try to get back to the boy I used to be before I went through hell.

"Ready to go in, Elias?"

Blinking for a moment, I turned to Alec, who was holding my duffel bag in his hand. Since he was a member here and was going to be working with me here, he naturally offered to drive me. It was nice because I felt comfortable with him and had a friend with me when I took this step in my recovery. I nodded and followed him up the steps to the front door. Alec opened it and let me in, and my eyes took in the entryway. Oh, wow. It was just as warm and inviting inside.

The beige stonework followed us inside, on the walls. Looking up, I noticed brown beams on the high ceiling. The floors were warm brown hardwood, with a soft cream rug in front of the door that matched the theme of the walls and beams. Next to the door was a desk with two doors behind it. I gathered that this was the reception area where people signed in.

Through an arched doorway of the same stone, the ceilings opened up even more, and there was a staircase curving up to the second floor made from the same hardwood flooring. Walking through with Alec, I turned and saw that the second floor was open as well, with a black wrought-iron railing that matched the one on the staircase. Large windows let in natural light, and the warm colors flowed throughout with more runner rugs and potted plants. Tilting my head back, I noticed the ceiling was the same wood that was on the floor, while the walls that weren't stone were a light beige. The house was gorgeous and I could already feel myself relaxing a bit.

Alec stood off to the side and let me take everything in. "It was designed to promote warmth and comfort. So that everyone who walked in knew this was a safe space for them."

Smiling a little, I nodded. It made sense, and it was a lot different from other kink clubs I had been to before. Everything in those was dark and intimidating. Usually, with red lights mixed in. It always made me feel as if we had to hide in the shadows. Like we couldn't live our authentic lives in kink out in the open. That we had to hide it away in the dark. It never made sense to me and always irked me a bit. I appreciated the route that they had taken with this one. Focusing on comfort to put people at ease when they came in. Letting them know they didn't have to hide who they were.

"Hence, the name The Sanctuary. My brother and I wanted anyone who walked through our doors to know that they were safe here to explore whatever they wanted."

I turned at the voice and watched as two identical men walked down the staircase. Well, identical was a stretch. It was their faces that were identical, not their style. One was more casual, in a black Henley shirt that hugged his muscular arms, dark-wash jeans that fit him perfectly, and black boots. While the other was wearing a pair of dark-gray slacks with a black belt, and he had on a white button-down shirt instead with black dress shoes.

Both were tall, well over six feet, and they clearly worked out. With how their biceps were filling out their sleeves, it made me wonder what the rest of them looked like. Did they have abs? Did they have chest hair, or did they wax? Their black hair was short, shaved close on the sides and back in a fade, with it left longer on top and styled to look artfully messy. Both had black stubble lining their chiseled jaws, and as I stepped closer, I saw their eyes were the bluest blue I had ever seen. Like sapphires surrounded by thick lashes. They were breathtaking, and I found myself swallowing a bit as my mouth went dry and I moved to stand closer to Alec. They both radiated dom energy, and it made me nervous while also making my stomach flutter with butterflies.

"Elias, may I introduce Lincoln and Lucas O'Neil. The founders of The Sanctuary, who are immense pains in my ass." Alec smirked at them while the twin wearing the button-down rolled his eyes, and the one wearing the Henley just laughed and moved to punch Alec's shoulder.

"Oh, shut up, dick. You love us."

Alec chuckled at him, "That's debatable some days."

I watched the exchange while I stood slightly behind Alec. I wasn't sure what to make of Lincoln and Lucas O'Neil. They seemed nice enough, but also intense, which made me nervous as I watched them. I clutched the strap of my backpack and wished that I had my stuffie in my arms that I could hug instead.

"Linc. You're scaring the poor boy. Tone it down." The brother wearing the button-down shirt spoke and stepped forward toward me. He smiled softly for a moment, and his eyes were gentle. I liked him instantly, and it had me stepping out from behind Alec a bit more. "Hello, pet. I'm Lucas. We're thrilled you're here. This loudmouth is my brother, Lincoln. If you can't tell us a part, just ask. We're used to it so you won't insult us or anything."

I eyed him for a moment before looking at Lincoln, who was smiling as well. Lincoln seemed to be the louder of the twins and the more boisterous one. He moved to crouch a little, so he was about my height. Like something you did for little kids, and it made me long to go into little space, but I pushed that feeling away before it sent me into a panic attack. Little space wasn't safe for me anymore, and I didn't need these men to see me falling apart over something so stupid when we had literally just met.

"Sorry if I scared you, little one. I tend to get too excited about things and have been told that I don't have an inside voice. Alec has told us a lot about you, and we're happy that we can help you find a safe place again. We have your room all set up for you. But if you need anything at all, you can come to us. Do you prefer Elias or Eli? And what are your pronouns? My brother and I go by he/him."

I blinked for a moment, caught off guard by the questions. The only one who had ever asked me that was Alec when we first started our therapy sessions. I wasn't expecting it from these two, but I couldn't deny that it put me a little more at ease. I appreciated they asked because I hated going by Eli anymore. It just made me think of the bad times and put a sour taste in my mouth. I had even gone back and forth about changing my name entirely. But in the end, I had just gone with Elias. It didn't erase the shyness I was feeling, but it let me step out from behind Alec.

"Umm… I like Elias now and… and my pronouns are he/him… sir."

Lincoln kept eye contact with me as I spoke softly to answer him. He smiled then, and I saw how it made his eyes sparkle more. They were so pretty and expressive. "Good boy. And you don't have to call me or any other dom here by a title if you don't want to. We're laid-back here, and you do what you're comfortable with. But we don't expect it."

I let out a little breath, thankful for that bit of information. Using honorifics with people still made me uncomfortable, but I assumed the kink club expected it. Finding out that it wasn't was a relief. I wasn't sure when I would be able to use honorifics again, but I wanted to. His praise had my stomach feeling warm, too, with tingles. I had a praise kink before, and that seemed to have not gone away as I smiled softly at him. Why did it feel so good to be called a good boy?

Lincoln stood up and clapped his hands together before nodding. "Alright, this way to your room. We gave you the best one from the lot, with all the fluffy blankets and pillows. It looks out onto the backyard with a small balcony and has an ensuite with a deep bathtub. Luke and I have the same type in our room, and it's heavenly. Especially when you turn the jets on." He looked at me and winked, making me blush before he and Lucas took the lead to walk up the staircase to the second floor.

While we walked, I looked around and took everything in. The stone seemed to have stopped on the staircase, and now the walls were a warm cream color. Along the hallway were doors that had what appeared to be screens on them. Lucas caught me looking at him and smiled.