To ask whether my cat has a new friend or a tormentor?

[Evaka]

We've had our cat for almost three years. He was six when we got him, semi feral and a nervous wreck. He had been sent back to the shelter by a family who rejected him because he was too nervous and didn't like being handled.

With much love and care he's now a cuddly lap cat with me and DP.

Lately there's been a large tomcat in our garden. Our boy was wary of him but they never fought that I'm aware of.

Last night the two of them came in together, into the living room and the imposter started eating our boy's food. Our boy jumped up onto a table and watched him eat.

DP is worried our boy is being dominated/bullied and I'm hoping he's made a pal at last. The shelter told me he loves other cats and I've felt sorry for him as it's generally not a cat heavy neighbourhood.

So cat lovers of MN, is this a friendship (yanbu) or hostile takeover (yabu)?

Do they play in the garden together?
does your cat seem content to have the other cat around?

Thanks for answering :)

They sit close to each other but I haven't seen them play. No fighting either.

My boy overgrooms when he's worried and no sign of that at the moment.

I think they’ll be fine then
a playmate!😁

Sounds like a friend to me! My cat hates other cats and one day did the same, brought a random cat home with her and let her eat her food whilst she stood and watched and then the cat left and we've never seen it since!