[ He shivered at those particular implications, and tangled one ankle around Peter's, because that was one way that he could get closer, and he needed to be as close as possible to Peter for this. It wasn't that it'd change his life--it wouldn't. But it could change Peter's, and he already had a lot to struggle with. ]

If you want to tell them in a few days, then I'll support you. I won't make you lie for me any more if that's not what you want. But it won't be easy. If we admit what we have, then they'll paint you in the same colours as me. Or worse. I'm happy to fight for that, but that's not what your life is; You have friends, and if pretending to fight with me now and again is what it costs to keep that, then maybe it isn't so bad.

Is it really what you want, Peter? To stand beside me like that? No matter what?