but they'd both know that he didn't really know anything like that

Yes. And even after it was all over, and Bear was gone, it would still haunt Peter and make him wonder if maybe Jared really had seen something in Bear. Maybe while disposing of Bear Peter has a moment where he almost thinks Bear narrows his eyes at him. But then Peter throws Bear on the fire... (see, I imagine he's burning Bear to get rid of him.)


(...maybe Jared's love of Bear make him real... like in the velveteen rabbit. Except creepy.)