A/N: New to this fandom, hope I do it justice.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
WARNING: Spoilers for episode 02x11, Forging Bonds. You won't really get this fic unless you've seen it, either.
He hadn't drawn the comparison then, too high on his victory over the three year game of cat and mouse he'd played with Neal. It didn't connect over the last year either, not when he knew Fowler had to be absolutely crooked to play with the lives of his best friend and his girlfriend.
It doesn't hit him until that night, over shared beer and wine, when Neal finally reveals his past with the man they now know as Vincent Adler.
Neal was always searching for Kate, while she remained hidden from his sight. Twice she had disappeared, and both times his consultant had destroyed his life to find her. Both times he could only look on for brief moments, and he held her only once.
Peter didn't think about it then, but it's on his mind far too often nowadays. What makes him so different from Adler and Fowler? He had used her – Neal's love and devotion for her – to put the man behind bars. A brilliant but simple con to manipulate a genuinely good (if not honest) person and in the process ruin him for years.
The next day Peter apologizes; it's not something he's used to and he hates baring himself like this. But he knows Elle would be proud of him for the effort, because he's never been good with emotions. Even if Neal hates him when he realizes the similarities between him and the men who had made his limited freedom hell, Peter feels he can be proud of himself for that instant alone.
Blue eyes blink once in surprise before a soft, genuine smile graces his lips. "Peter," he says simply, "that day I thanked you for a reason. Remember that." There's none of the usual teasing or banter, and Peter understands that Neal is serious.
The agent watches him thoughtfully. "A few weeks ago, when you were answering that class's questions, you said that you practically turned yourself in." He shrugs then, a little helplessly. "That was truer than I was willing to admit." He hesitates, not quite sure how to continue.
"I loved Kate. Maybe I never wanted to go to prison – who would? – but that last moment was more than I dared hope for in years. And what you did, you did for the right reasons. That's more than I can say for myself. You're a good man, Peter. Fowler tried. Vincent is not. So don't compare yourself to them."
There's silence for a solid minute before Neal adds, "But yeah, I totally turned myself in. You get no credit."
Peter grins. "You wish, Caffrey."