I used to hate him at 1st, but he became my favorite character. He's really the reason I read the manga. Not that it's bad. The story and characters are all great, but I am more invested in Cross.
After re-reading the manga, it helped me see Cross' character better. At first, he comes off as a complete jerk-like Allen describes. But, in the manga we see he's actually a conflicted and caring guy. He's called a
womanizer, but it seems he actually does respect women, and cares for his lovers,
You must be registered for see links
, rather than trashing or selling them. He protects Lenalee on the ark, and despite Klaud's cold treatment of him, he still says she's a nice woman, and always is. I don't see Cross as a womanizer or player, like most describe. He seems polyamorous really. Or what tvtropes would call
You must be registered for see links
. And his character info says he likes "good women." If he was just someone that saw women as something to be slept with, I don't think he'd care what kind of woman it was.
And of course there's him staying at the Order simply because Lenalee asked him to. He was investigated, interrogated, guarded, and demoted. That's alot of crap to go through for a girl you aren't involved with-romantically or sexually.
People hate the way he treated Allen, but he does love him, and was just more tough love to make Allen stronger, and to bring out his true nature, which is why he likes dark Allen. Also to keep their relationship superficial, as he didn't want to care about him. And if he has to actively try to keep from caring for someone.......seems he's not as heartless as he'd have you think.
Backed by his excessive drinking, which he does when he feels bad, since his character quote in the fanbook was "Sake is the best medicine." Medicine is taken when someone feels bad. And given
You must be registered for see links
was in Cross' old room, he feels bad alot. And the face he has drawn on his wall seems rather odd, which may hint to more trauma than we know. And then there's the
You must be registered for see links
where Allen has fallen asleep on Cross. Given Tim's relaxed position, Cross apparently let Allen nap there, rather than throwing him on the floor, or shoving him off. Though given the dots, Cross is a bit speechless lol
Also like how Cross comes off as having many different sides. He can be irresponsible, temperamental, obnoxious, and an ass, but also, wise, cunning, intellectual, inspirational, and kind. While he doesn't know everything, as even he has his moments of confusion or doubt, and being human in not handling things in the best of ways. And apparently, he isn't above making mistakes, since he made one with Allen, going on 203, which I have theory on. He's the protagonist's master, but he's not perfect. He has a nice balance of good and bad qualities, but most only focus on the bad.
So, he seems like one of the more conflicted characters, but also the most misunderstood, given how many times I have seen fans say he's heartless, sleazy, has no redeeming qualities, or is just awful. Then the number of fanfics where he's a rapist, molester, abuses Allen for no reason, and is as evil as the Earl.