#So I'm left to wonder how aware Boris is of that.

[typinggently]

I was thinking to myself "I wonder whether Theo would try to babytrap Boris" - because, you know. He's very possessive and jealous, a move like that wouldn't be that surprising. Considering we know that Boris might have children of his own (if we choose to believe him) that he gives MAYBE a vague fuck about (not enough to know their names though), he'd have to let himself be babytrapped, of course. However, I truly don't think Theo likes children all that much, either? He doesn't come across as the type. If we add his general discomfort around (most) women to that, I think that even if he suddenly found himself presented with a recently orphaned young girl, his mind wouldn't jump to the Lestat/Hannibal conclusion of "wow, perfect set up to guilt trip my gorgeous dark-haired boyfriend into staying in this toxic relationship!"

Anyhow, I was thinking about this for a while before I realised that Theo literally did that. With Popchik. It's the first thing he does when they meet again. And I'm still not entirely sure why - he's clearly still wary around Boris, yet he packs him up and brings him to meet their senior citizen dog. I'm tempted to think that this is a moment in the book where Theo-the-narrator is blurring things a little, or not letting himself admit how he felt, seeing Boris again. The feelings he has for Boris are always somewhat bittersweet, which seems to impact the narration at times. That (him at the time genuinely being happy to see Boris, despite not wanting to admit it to himself at the time OR looking back) would explain him insisting on doing something that he knows would make Boris very happy. However, I do think his vibes must've been off all night because Boris clearly thinks he's going to get axe murdered. But no. Popchik babytrap.