The Sanctuary's beginning (book II)

Meeting Forest and Attlus

Venus
I open the door to the house and walk inside with Ares, as I learned, behind me carrying the cooler of half the blood I brought. He had tried to hold out until we got home, but I noticed him shaking so I told him to just drink. He did so, but upsettingly. "So," I start as I notice the house is quiet. "Lepple and Demy are the other boys here. Lepple is kinda like the other adult here. Demy is... well, he's like a rabbit. Any move can make him afraid. And well, he's really scared of being alone and has bad paranoia. So... don't provoke him." I watch Ares nod as he looks around. "I can show you your room where you can clean up and come down for diner. Or go to sleep, if you'd like. I stocked each room with clothes, soaps, towels, and so on. But if they don't fit you I can get some more for you."
"I don't want you to waste so much on me." I shake my head.
"I like taking care of people. And you boys are now my responsibility." He hums and follows me up the stairs. I see my door open and peek inside. My heart warms at seeing Lepple and Demy asleep on my bed. Demy, once again is covered in my hoodie with the hood up and surrounded in my blanket. He's laying against Lepple who's sleeping on his back with one arm around his shoulder and the other behind his head. "So, Lepple is the one with purple hair and Demy is the one in a cocoon." He nods silently. "Your rooms over here." I lead him to the room across from mine and open the door. "You should find everything you need. You can put the blood bags in that mini fridge over there. I'll send someone up to get you after for dinner soon. If you need anything, Ares, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you." He mumbles.
"You're welcome."
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"Stay calm." I tell Demy as he shakily cuts up a mango. "You're safe. It's not going to hurt you." Demy slowly cuts the fruit once before exhaling sharping. I rub his skinny shoulders softly as he focuses on cutting the fruit. A crack of thunder sounds through the house making him flinch with a whimper. "It's okay. It's just thunder." He shakes his head with his eyes screwed shut. I watch his bottom lip begin to tremble before he begins sobbing. I sigh and take the knife out of his hand. I gather him in my arms and hold his head against my neck to try to get him to breathe. He hiccups and grips my shirt in his hands tightly. I walk out of the kitchen and to the living where. I sit down and cover Demy up completely with one of the many blankets I bought. His breath slowly calms down as he's covered in darkness and my scent and warmth. I rub his back as I think over the information I got on him the other day.
Name: Demios Andrew Grots
Age: 16
DOB: September 19
Species: Dragon
Ancestor: Demios the god of paranoia, dread, and terror
Poor Demy hasn't had a break lately. He gets scared at every little thing. His paranoia and fear causes him to sob and hyperventilate. He's grown to be attached to me and is always with me. I don't mind it, I suppose. Though, I know Lepple is feeling left out. I look under the blanket to see Demy has fallen asleep. I stand up and walk to Lepples room. I lay Demy on his bed as Lepple walks over from his closet.
"Did he get spooked again, Sir." I nod,
"He did. We'll figure it out. I have to go into to town to get some food. We're almost out and if it storms too much tonight I might not be able to get out tomorrow. Watch him for me, please?" He nods,
"Of course, Sir." He leans up and kisses my lips. "See you later." I nod and exit his room with one last look at my sleeping dragon.

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As I'm walking back to my car I notice the boy from the other day limping his way into the woods near the parking lot of the grocery store. I frown and go to follow, but another crack of thunder makes me snap back to my mission. I need to get home to Demy. I sigh and get in my car.

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I open the front door as rain pours down outside. I close the door and take the grocery's to the kitchen. I am shocked to see Demy sitting at the island wrapped in my hoodie and a blanket as Lepple frosts some cupcakes. I smile and softly place the bags on the counter. Demy looks up at me with red eyes and cheeks. He smiles when he sees my and holds his arms up. I smile and kiss his head as I hug him. "I'm all wet, squeaks. Let me go change." He whimpers with teary eyes. "Hey, it's okay. I'll be back, I promise." He sniffs but nods and turns back to Lepple. I quickly go change before coming back down and putting the grocery's away. "How'd you guys get into making cupcakes?" Lepple chuckles,
"I wanted to distract him after he woke up. His stomach was grumbling and I asked if he's ever had desert before and he said no. So... cupcakes." He smiles and holds one up to me. I chuckle and take it. I hold it up to Demy's lips and watch as he hesitantly takes a tiny bite. His eyes widen and he leans in to take a bigger bite. I smile at his stuffed cheeks and frosting covered lips. I lean down and peck them making him gasp. He blushes before hastily placing a kiss on mine. I lick my lips free of frosting and ruffle his hair.
"You look adorable in my hoodie." He hums and leans up to throw his arms around my neck.
"Thanks, daddy." I bite my lip and hug him tighter.
"Of course, baby boy. Eat another if you like." He immediately nods and reaches for another cupcake.

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I light candles around the house since the power had gone out about an hour ago. Demy had immediately starting shaking and hasn't let me out of his sight since. He's following me around holding a flashlight. Lepple's trying to cook some real dinner for us. Ares, I believe, is sitting in the living room. I look at Demy as we hear a knock. He flinches and immediately hides his face in my side. I lead him to the kitchen. "Lepple, will you watch him while I got see what that is?" He nods and peels Demy away from my side who immediately whimpers and starts crying. I go to the front door as another knock sounds through the room. I open the door slowly and gasp.
"C-can you h-help us?" I look at the boy who I had seen earlier today in town. He's bleeding from his closed eye and holding a sack in his arms. I nod and immediately pull him inside. He gasps on breathes as I slowly sit him down on the stairs.
"What happened?" I ask and try to take the sack from his arms. He flinches and tightens his arms.
"B-be careful." I nod, thinking he didn't want his clothes to be ruined but am shocked when he pulls some of the blanket away and reveals a little deer who's head instantly pops up. I stare at it and look at the older boy. He points to his horns and then the little deer. "W-we are deer shifters." I nod. "We were out in the woods when w-we were shot at." I sigh and look at his head. "We're you shot... I-in the face?" He nods,
"I think I'm gonna pass out." He hands me the deer and takes a few deep breathes.
"Lepple!" I yell and watch the little deer look up at me. He makes a churr sound. Lepple arrives with Demy behind him and gasps.
"Oh god." He helps the older boy up and begins to take him to a spare room. I follow with the deer and Demy. The older boy looks at the deer in my arms.
"A-Attlus... y-you can shift now." I quirk a brow, "p-put hun down." I nod and set the deer on the bed next to him as Lepple races to get some supplies. The little deer slowly shifts into a small boy. His green doe like eyes look at me before turning to his brother. I watch his little deer ears lay back as he sniffs. I grab a spare blanket and cover his soft brown spot covered shoulders so he isn't bare to everyone's eyes. Lepple begins to patch up the other deer. He stays clear of the big antlers on his head as he cleans up his eye. Lepple stands back and asks him to open it.
"Can you tell me what number this is?" The boy shakes his head.
"I can't see out of it." He mumbles and looks at Attlus. Attlus shimmies down and lays his head on his brothers shoulder. Lepple comes back and wraps a bandage around his head before giving him some pain meds.
"We can help you change if you need be. But sleep for now anyways and we'll discuss more in the morning." The boy nods and slowly stands. Lepple helps him change before we leave the room once they're both under the covers. I pick up Demy as he reaches for me.
"Well... we just got three new boys. Your sanctuary sure is working, Sir." I smile,
"And I hope others hear about it as well."

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-Phoenix