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It was another normal night in the Decker household. Xandra and Theo’s father were off, probably at some casino, Popper was sprawled out on the couch, and Theo and Boris were lying outside on the pool deck passing a stolen bottle of vodka back and forth.
Boris took one last swig from the bottle and stood up, Theo following after him and into the kitchen. He watched as Boris rummaged through cupboards until he found what he was looking for, a half a package of crackers. He shoved a few in his mouth then walked into the living room and plopped down on the couch next to Popper. Scooping Popper into his lap, Theo sat down next to the dark haired boy and snatched a cracker from out of his hand.
“Hey! I was eating that! Go get your own food.” Boris shouted, more teasing than actually angry.
“This is my food dumbass, you’re in my house. Plus I’m giving it to Popchyk.” Theo responded, offering the stale cracker to the dog. Popper slightly lifted his head at the smell wafting in front of him but made no move to actually take the food.
“Go on Popchyk, take it.” Theo encouraged, but Popper made no move to even acknowledge him again.
“What’s wrong with him? He’s never turned down food before.” Concern etched into Theo’s voice as he spoke.
“Maybe he’s just not hungry.” Boris suggested.
“No, his bowl is still full from this morning. Do you think something is wrong?” Theo asked.
“You worry too much Potter. Look at him, he’s fine.” Boris responded, and reached over, ruffling the fur on Popper’s head.
It was around three in the morning when Theo startled awake. The room faintly lit by a mix of street and moon light shining in through the window. Boris was sound asleep next to him, soft curls falling over his face. It all seemed so peaceful. Except that there was a nagging feeling in his gut that something was wrong.
Crawling out of bed, he walked down the stairs, and over to the fridge to grab a glass of water. However, as he rounded the corner into the kitchen he saw Popper lying in the middle of the floor. He ran over to him, dropping to the floor and trying to shake him awake but to no avail. His nose was still wet, but there was no rise or fall of his chest.
Theo’s eyes started to blur as he continued to shake Popper and started shouting for him to move. Thirty seconds went by before he completely broke down, tears spilling onto the floor and into the fur beneath him. He sat there on the floor, arms cradling Popper and repeatedly sobbing that he was sorry until a hand grabbed his shoulder. Boris was there, crouched down in front of him talking.
“You have to calm down Potter. You will pass out if you keep breathing like that.” He was using the same tone he spoke with whenever Theo would have a nightmare. It was comforting and grounding.
Quick, gasping breaths slowed till he was no longer hyperventilating. His head hurt and his chest felt tight.
“I’ll be right back. Okay?” Boris stood and walked out of the room. He returned a minute later with one of the pool towels. Reaching out, he tenderly took Popper out of Theo’s arms, covering him with the towel.
“Go back to bed Theo; can wait until morning. It will be okay.” Too upset and tired to argue, he complied, making his way back up the stairs and slumping into bed.
He lays there, trying to fall back asleep and hoping that he will wake to this having been another nightmare. But his tears are relentless and it isn’t till he feels the bed beside him dip and a heavy arm wrap around his chest and shoulders that he manages to calm down enough to drift to sleep.
The next morning, Theo wakes with swollen eyes and the blurred memory of what feels like a fading dream. Boris was no longer next to him in bed, so he grabbed his glasses and began down the stairs into the main room.
Outside, he could hear the faint sound of metal scraping against rock and dirt. Pulling on his shoes and a coat, he fumbled out the front door and around to the side of the house where he found Boris next to a pile of dirt and a shovel.
His eyes began to well up at the realization of what Boris was doing settled in and the reality of the previous night became aparent. It was then that Boris looked up and spotted Theo standing there staring at him. He stopped what he was doing, dropping the shovel and walked over to Theo.
“I don’t understand. What did I do wrong?” Theo cried out.
“Is not your fault. Was probably Xandra leaving him outside so much and not feeding him well. Not you.” The words were promising as they left the Russian's mouth.
“Here, this will help dull everything.” Boris said, pulling two small white pills out of a plastic bag that had been in his pocket.
He cupped his hand under the other boy’s chin, pulling his mouth open and placing one of the pills on Theo’s tongue. Theo swallowed the bitter tasting drug and watched as Boris did the same.
They both stood there waiting until the edges of their vision started to cloud over and a haze pulled over their thoughts. Then, placing a hand on the small of Theo’s back, Boris led him over to the pile of dirt that was sitting next to a little hole in the ground.
The rest of the day felt miserable. Theo couldn’t stand walking around the house without the soft patter of Popper trailing behind him and the occasional yipping. So, he elected to stay up in his room with Boris.
He felt pathetic and overdramatic as tears silently and uncontrollably dripped down his face. But there was no judgement from Boris as they spent the rest of the day watching movies in bed. Theo curled up against Boris’ chest with a comforting arm holding him close.