[ His first time too, though the being Victorian thing is a big reason for that... he might get the occasional distant, under-exposed picture sent to him of Dabi napping under the cherry blossom tree at Sanctuary when he sneaks in at night and Allen manages to catch him, so Shouto knows he's still doing alright. What Dabi doesn't know won't hurt him... "him" being Allen. But tea, jam, and pastries together on the engawa--

If you aren't careful he's going to end up half moving back in before either of them realize it. Do you know how happy even the idea of spending time like that would make him. Dumb happy, like legitimately stupid-happy. He might not even feel the need to put a ridiculous amount of sugar in his tea. ]

I... didn't think to ask. I don't think so though, I didn't get the sense he was. [ It was strange, there are some things he seems so hardened to, and others where he isn't. Though perhaps that's not unlike Allen himself, it's just over different things. The bleakness with which he spoke sometimes though, the adamant stance against hope... in retrospect that makes him wonder if Shouto might be onto something. Because that's an attitude he saw in some other Exorcists who had seen too many lost battles.

And-- hit his ice? Good, even if it feels a little silly maybe to be relieved this much later. Allen lets out a small breath anyway and gives a nod at that answer, before continuing. I'm glad. ]

He is someone who fights, though. [ Their battle against the Unsnakely proved that much, and even if it hadn't the other boy's instincts in life or death situations scream someone of someone used to putting their life on the line, especially when their age. (Mostly? He kind of figures Megumi is older.) ]