Soft metallic noises and the occasional curse were all the sounds Walter made while working intently on a gun repair. He could become completely absorbed in his work for hours if no one disturbed him; and many nights he practiced his craft in to the early hours of the morning.
He could hear someone's feet shuffling hesitantly in the doorway. " Do come in. You're beginning to annoy me standing at the door like that." He didn't much care for being spied on at a distance. He continued to work while his late night visitor walked slowly across the room.
" What is it? Rats? Blown fuse? Arthur fallen asleep at his desk?" He grunted attempting to dislodge a scrap of unwanted metal.
" Actually... it's a toothache." Walter jumped at the sound of the deep familiar voice. The younger man looked up to see the older vampire looking uncomfortable and embarrassed before him.
"... Your tooth?" Walter didn't believe that vampires were prone to; or could even have cavities. Alucard tossed his head in an embarrassed nod. The vampire could take great punishment without even flinching, so it surprised Walter that he'd developed an ache of any kind. Walter heaved a heavy sigh; he only hoped it wasn't anything serious.
" Sit."
Looking thoroughly shamed, the vampire sat and waited for his companion to return from washing his hands. He obediently opened his mouth when Walter reapproached him. Walter pulled one of Alucard's cheeks gingerly aside in order to get a better look. His jaw dropped when he saw what indeed looked very much like the degradation of two teeth in a mouth of otherwise immaculate bicuspids. Looking closer, he could see a metallic... something ... lodged between the two damaged teeth.
Instinctively, Walter reached for a pair of pliers. He barely noticed Alucard's eyes widening as he reached into the vampire's mouth.
Walter grasped the offending object and pulled sharply. With a grunt from both parties, the object ended its unwelcome stay in Alucard's mouth. Walter puzzled over the mysterious piece of metal while Alucard massaged the side of his jaw where it had been.
" Is this... piece of a cross?!?" The young butler exclaimed, looking up from the metal fragment. He growled and cursed. Alucard had left as soon as he was distracted.
He threw himself back in his chair. Walter reached for the gun he was working on, when a beautifully clean piece of paper caught his eye. Picking it up off the table, he found 'thank you.' written on one side; underneath was a beautiful and ancient coin.
The butler picked up the coin and placed it in the pocket of his waistcoat. Still smiling, he went back to work.