Oh my goodness that achingly beautiful. Raw in introspection and quiet in dignity. Thank you for such a wonderful story!

Ahh, sweet.

Truly a great story, thanks for sharing it!
Neal feeling like he has no value as a person but only as how many results he delivers is truly heartbreaking, Peter not aware at all and in full rightful anger mode when he realizes how things went and then in ‘i’ll make it right’ mode is ...endearing like Peter can be! El is just amazing...
Great job!

I'm not crying you're crying get out of my face

Ah! So lovely. Thank you!

Great story set in those early days of their partnership. Sad and full of hope for the future at the same time. Very fitting for the characters. A glimpse in how an unlikely friendship began...

Awe Poor Neal at first Agent Carter was an Ass. To bad Peter couldn't do anything to him or about what he did. But once Peter did find out. He made sure Neal knew he had no idea. Good thing for that. But so nice the Burkes made it up to him. Then had him become part of there family the next year for Christmas.

This was just wonderful, I was almost in tears by the end! You presented Neal's vulnerability and lonliness perfectly, without it being OTT or mushy, and that just made it all the more impactful to read! Brilliant fic, and I loved the ending - a much-needed, Christmassy dose of fluffy comfort which made my day. Keep up the great work and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year! :)

Poor Neal, he's so oblivious...of course Peter cares about him. I loved the story, a perfect fic for Christmas!

Thanks! That was sweet!
Liked the Neal's only POV, he is so heartbreaking when he tries to hide he is hurting or feeling alone and he's so ..Neal when he schemes to re-direct a situation, and he's definitely so vulnerable when he's afraid of being tossed back to prison..
Loved really Neal trying to reassure Peter and to make him feel better when he finally finds out that Peter is not the one who left him at house arrest on Christmas and new year eve!

A wonderful happy ending with hope and friendship. I was so sad for Neal at the beginning as he listened to everyone else's awesome holiday plans and learned he couldn't have plans because he couldn't go anywhere. He works so hard to present this image to the FBI because he's been so heavily judged. I was disappointed Peter didn't know until after New Years, I think Peter judges too. And the broken leg, the failed con, that just added to Neal's problems.

The holiday did have the friendship of the people that matter to Neal. And the next year, when Neal really needed Peter and El. Thanks for writing, this was very good.

What an absolutely wonderful story. One minute my heart was aching for Neal and the next it was rejoicing for him. You did an amazing job. I'm sure I'll be re-reading this story many times over. Great job!

What a wonderful story! Enjoyed it very much. Thank you!