The increased pressure against the soft flesh of his throat prompted Walter to tense, his fingers curling deeper into the faux clothing of his partner's knees as a grunt passed from his lips.

The tension only grew as Alucard voiced the very question that ran through his mind. Why did he turn her? What exactly was so special about her that drew his partner to the girl? Why did the Alucard of the future seem to favour her over him?

And yet, even as his partner voiced his secret insecurities, he at the same time whispered what Walter wanted to hear most. He was wanted. His partner wanted him. But he wasn't going to jump on the offer. As much as his jealousy and relief pulled at him, something in the back of his mind told him to stop. Why? Because Alucard had been acting queerly? Because Integra had been acting queerly?

Integra... He had raised her as an old man, hadn't he. He was supposed to grow tall, eventually grow out his hair, develop the wrinkles to mark his advanced age...

"Let's... Let's just go to bed. I'll clean up the mess here later."