[ There's the anger he had been expecting. There it always is, just under the surface, just waiting, because everyone knew he'd make a misstep one day. Her words bore into him, nearly burn his ears, his skin and he sinks back away from her, pressing his back to the wall of Loki House. ]

I...

[ How could he take the mark? It was easy. Easier than he suspected it would be, because he wanted to mean something, be someone for once who everyone turned to and said, "Oh, well done Peter, you were brilliant, you saved us. You. But now he won't have that, none of that, and he keeps his gaze leveled at the ground. If she wouldn't hear him, if she, of all people, couldn't look past the obscure mark on his arm, why would the others?

He's too numb to feel the hot tears on his face, too numb to feel the beating of her words, to hear the thrumming of his heart, and the shaking of his hands. ]

I didn't switch.

[ But how could she understand? How could she even begin to grasp the desperation he's felt his whole life to be a part of something, to be more than stupid, gullible, ridiculous Peter. Wormtail. Rat. ]

I'd never do anything to hurt you! I meant what I said, I mean that. I was looking out for you and Prongs and Padfoot and Moony. I wouldn't have done it if I wasn't, but -- I thought if I could do that then --

[ He takes a deep, choking breath, fighting back a sob. He finally looks up at her, and the sight of her crying, her balled fists and her clenched jaw makes him ache. ]

I'm not foolish! [ He yells, and he doesn't mean to, but Merlin he wanted her to hear him, wanted her to stop looking at him as though he's slayed them all with that news. ] I won't let him do anything, and I never will! I don't -- ah, Merlin -- I thought -- it doesn't matter now, does it? I'm just the rat now, I can tell. I can see it in the way everyone looks at me? As though I've committed some terrible crime. I got the mark, but I can leave. I can still stop and it's -- I just thought if I was there, if I pretended long enough, he wouldn't touch you or James or anyone. That I could be the good guy for once. That I could be something else instead of Just. Peter.

I wouldn't be Wormtail, I wouldn't be the rat, I wouldn't be that stupid boy, I'd just. I'd fit in, and I'd have saved my friends and --

[ He's sobbing now, and he sinks to the floor, his back pressed into the wall and he presses his face to his knees. ]

It's fine. [ His voice is small, too weak. ] I'm used to this. I made a bad choice, not even one I particularly like, and just --

I should go. So you all can forget I'm even here.