The Mighty Belthazor

"He was still on record as my guardian," Bel said. "It's my fault -- I never told the school to change it. Raynor -- he's my foster father. He's the leader of the Brotherhood of the Thorn, the elite servants of the Source. My mother gave me over to him when she brought me to the Underworld. He raised me...protected me from the other Brotherhood trainees. Mostly."

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Uh boy.

These were the sort of psychological bonds and threads that could be even more damaging than openly abusive relationships because there was always the struggle of if I'd been better then he wouldn't have...or would have.

Sharing a quick look with Phale, Wilson began to clean up the worst of the damage on Bel's face. He couldn't do anything about the bruises but at least the bleeding cuts would be minimized.

"How much trouble, is this likely to cause you, Bel?" He asked quietly, pleased when the scent of warm brandy hit his nostrils along with the tea.

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Taking a seat nearby, Aziraphale watched Wilson doctor up Bel's injuries. He didn't have anything against demons as a general rule, but it wasn't the being a demon that angered him about Raynor. It was the manipulation, and the way he obviously only cared about Bel for what the young man could do for him and his cause, whatever that might be.

"You know we'll be right there beside you, to help if there is trouble," he added quietly, to Wilson's question.

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Bel flinched at the sting of the antiseptic as Wilson dabbed at his face. "I don't know," he said. "Raynor will tell the Source I'm alive. Either they'll want me back or they'll want me dead. They could send bounty hunters after me."

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"Definitely should have killed him." Wilson said softly, even though he knew that would have only delayed the inevitable.

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Not that he was necessarily the bloodthirsty type, but Aziraphale found himself still agreeing with that assessment. "I know that it's not what you want to hear, but...perhaps, in a way, that might be the best thing. For them to send someone after you. I mean, I certainly don't want anything to happen to you, but now that we know, and can be prepared and keep our eyes open, perhaps a bit of a confrontation to prove that you won't be taken back and that you are capable of standing up to them, is what's needed."

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Bel looked down at his hands. "If they want me back, I don't know if we can stop them," he said. "All my life Raynor...made me do things I didn't want to. Any time I disobeyed he or one of the others made me regret it."

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Finished with the cleaning of the wounds, Wilson did reach for a butterfly bandaid for one cut.

"Bel, is Phoebe worth those regrets?" He asked softly.

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"I don't know for certain that we can stop them either, my dear," Aziraphale said firmly. "But I do know that I'm willing to try. And I'll bet so are quite a few others."

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"I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me," Bel said. He looked at Wilson. "Especially Phoebe. She's got a big enough target on her back on her own. I'm adding to it."

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Wilson took a breath then stopped himself and sat back.

"No sudden decisions tonight. Let's just get some tea and some sleep and we'll talk about it in the morning."

Pausing, Wilson reached for his tea.

"Anyone want to watch Iron Sushi? The original? With the bad sub job?"

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Agreeing whole-heartedly about not making sudden decisions, Aziraphale smiled and reached for the remote. "I think that sounds like a lovely idea," he said, turning on the television. "There's a bed all made up for you, Belthazor, in the study. For whenever you feel you want some sleep."

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"I'm pretty worn out," Bel admitted, rubbing the back of his head. "I hit the wall pretty hard. I should probably get some rest."

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Wilson looked at Bel and then nodded, giving Bel a warm smile.

"Rest well, Bel and don't hesitate to make yourself at home. There are extra towels in the linen closet. Also Don't mind me if I pop in to bug you a couple of times in the night. It's a doctor instinct, want to make sure you don't slip into a coma."

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"It's not a doctor instinct, it's a mother instinct," Aziraphale corrected teasingly, with a wink for Bel. "Feel free to raid the kitchen as well, my dear, if you like."

Standing, he leaned over and gave Bel a very quick gentle around his shoulders, quick enough that hopefully the young man wouldn't be too much bothered by the contact. "Anything at all you need, you just say so."

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