Allen Walker 01
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Life with Marion Cross isn't fun.
Not by the long shot.
In fact, referring to it as hell would be far more apt, in Allen's completely and utterly unbiased opinion. The man is a slave-driver and a monster, an evil demon disguised in a feeble disguise of human flesh, a malicious apparition with the sole purpose of making Allen's life a living nightmare.
But life with Marion Cross is safe ( relatively ) .
Although the man has not actually put himself out to teach him much, preferring the ' if you make a mistake now and almost die you won't make the mistake again ' approach, he has explained the basics. Allen now knows of Akuma, of innocence and even has some idea of the subtle intricacies and politics that make up the infamous black order.
Of course, Allen has a preexisting advantage.
He was born as freak, who became boy, who became Red and eventually grew to what he is now, Allen.
It is undeniable that before a certain mad clown, who swept in with his unconditional love and affection, Allen had survived, not lived. But it's thanks to his roots, thanks to his former occupation as a London street rat that he knows the rules of the world - dog eat dog if you will - and so he understands Cross's methods - in all of their simplistically brutal reality - but that doesn't mean he has likes them.
This, if for nothing else, is why when Cross announces he is going to the brothel, or his latest conquest's residence, Allen simply nods. Where others may have run away bemoaning of their master's sick ways, or given up assuming they would never learn anything Allen stays. When Cross leaves mid battle with an oveepowerwd level two akuma pleading boredom of all things; Allen remains silent, even as he pushes himself to move faster, to hit harder, think smarter.
Even as he pushes himself to survive.
In a way, this newfound independence from any form of responsible adult influence is liberating.
He enjoys it.
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Contrary to what others may believe Allen does not refer to Cross as 'master' because of their teacher student relationship. It's not even out of respect to be perfectly honest.
For Allen Walker 'Master' is a term of acknowledgement.
He is acknowledging his mentor's strength in both will and overall power. He is actually acknowledging and exampling his own admiration of the man, for all the faults he has, in one simple title.
Allen doesn't know whether or not his master understands the thought process behind the term he adresses him by.
He likes to think Cross knows.
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The gaping wound left from Mana's death and subsequent, if brief, re-animation is raw and aching. The words born of his foster father's second death are etched upon his heart, each word carved with needle precision and burning with cool realisation. Allen knows death and he hates it. The finality and the fact that sometimes you can't say goodbye.
Sometimes living with the reminders of what you have brought about is the true curse.
As such, for lack of anything better to do and in respect for the man who offered him a second option - even when he didn't, and still doesn't, deserve it.
Allen Walker keeps on walking.