"They hit him." Barty said it straight up, no hesitation. He crouched down so he could draw Aziraphale into his arms, so he could pull him close against himself. "They punished him because he was playing. Like a child is supposed to do. They will do it once, they will do it again. Until the light is burned out of him."

Obviously they would. They had all been there. But Aziraphale was so young and always such a good boy. It was unfathomable that it should happen to him. "I won't let anyone hurt him again. I can protect him. I have evidence and documentation of all the abuse. They can't take us back."