Second Nature

Blake’s P.O.V.

I lay looking at Frank, taking time to study his features for the first time. I mean sure I knew he was handsome but I’d never fully looked at him with the intention of studying him. I noticed the way his eyes sparkled when he was looking at something he liked. The fact that they had flecks of lighter and darker shades in them, or the fact he had a chickenpox scar on the top of his nose or how sharp his jaw line was. I smiled to myself as I forced myself to blink.
“What are you smiling at loser?” He laughed gently as wiggled his nose which was touching mine causing me to giggle.
“Charming. I was just thinking how handsome you were but then you opened your mouth and that illusion was quickly shattered.” I smirked as he brought his hand up to stroke through my hair.
“So you liked what you saw then?” He smiled as his other hand sneaked its way around my waist resting on my bum.
“Maybe. Maybe not.” I laughed playful as he squeezed my bum. It fell silent again for a few moments, the both of us just smiling looking each other in the eye, until I felt his hot breath against my cool skin again.
“What did you and my mother agree?” He asked slowly, still stroking my hair softly.
“You know I can’t tell you that Frank. You’ve asked me every day for three weeks since the party. I’m not going to give in from you mithering me. I used to kill remember I’m deaf to pleas.” I told him truthfully.
“I’m just worried Blake. My mother can be a cruel women when she wants to be, especially in matters concerning family. I just don’t want you to get caught up in that and get hurt. Promise me you won’t get hurt.” He looked at me seriously before diverting his gaze down to look at the covers that were over the top of us.
“I can’t promise you I won’t get hurt Frank, you know that. I’ve pissed off a lot of people and a lot of people want my head. But I can promise your mum is doing everything she possibly can to protect you and me. We both want the same thing.” I stroked his cheek softly making him look at me. “Whatever does happen, know that it wasn’t your mums or Elena’s idea but my own. I’m prepared to do what is right, even if that results in the worst for me.” I whispered as I softly rubbed the side of my nose against his. “But you have to promise me something.” I looked at him as I noticed him nod. “If anything is to happen to me, whether I live or die, you are to protect Anna. Promise me Frank.” I told him sternly as he stared at me, nodding ever so slowly. “To quote Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises, there is a storm coming Mr Wayne.” I smirked as he laughed. He pulled me closer to him so our foreheads were touching, I was just getting ready to smack my lips on his as the bedroom door swung open.
“Found them!” Gerard’s voice rang out as the patter of human feet came from down the hallway. I rolled away from Frank and turned to face the door.
“What can we do for you both?” I looked at them as they just walked into the room uninvited.
“Well we’ve been thinking,” Anna spoke as she placed herself in between Frank and I, Gerard following suit, “well we’ve all had such a stressful time why don’t we all go on holiday?!” She screeched excitedly.
I looked over at Frank a small smirk playing on my lips, “you sure you want us both to come? Wouldn’t we me interrupting the honeymoon phrase?” I groaned as I received the pillow Anna had took from under my head and smacked me in the face with it.
“We’re thinking skiing in Europe, we can rent out the two lodges we always used and teach the girls how to ski?” Gerard looked over at Frank who smiled and nodded his agreement.
“Great! Gerard and I will sort everything out you don’t have to worry about anything guys!” Anna smiled excitedly practically dragging Gerard off the bed and out of the room.
“That is exactly what I expect children to be like.” I laughed as I rolled back over to face Frank.
“Tell me about it.” He smiled before sitting up slowly, the covers falling off of his naked chest. “You fancy some breakfast?” He looked down at me slowly.
“God yes!” I shouted jumping up out of bed in just my underwear and rushing over to grab a clean pair of pyjamas.

We got downstairs and Edith made us some pancakes whilst asking about the holiday.
“Hey maybe you could get Edith to come. She could bring a friend.” I smiled over at Frank who looked at me curiously. “What? I like her.” I smiled scoffing a forkful of pancake into my mouth smiling as he looked over at her.
“Edith, is there a significant other in your life?” Frank asked as I kicked him under the table glaring at him,
“In fact Mr Iero there is, I visit him on my days off he is so lovely.” She smiled as she finished pouring herself a cup of coffee.
“Well why don’t you and this chap come with us skiing? You deserve a holiday you’ve done nothing but look after Gerard and I, it’s about time we show you how much we appreciate you.” Frank smiled convincingly at Edith who looked unsure.
“I’m not so sure Mr Iero. I mean it is a lovely offer and I’m honoured to be asked but I can’t ski.” She stated nervously.
“Neither can I!” I smiled over at her, “I’m just going for the hot chocolate and to laugh at these losers falling over.” I smiled at her as she nodded her head.
“Thank you Mr Iero I would love to come.” And with that she scooted over towards the door. “The mail is here.” She smiled as she started to walk out of the door towards the front entrance.
“Here let me.” I jumped up quickly jogging my way over to her smiling as I made my way quickly to the entrance.
“There’s no need Blake it’s my job.” She eyed me suspicious as I just shrugged
“I fancy the fresh air.” I told her walking out of the door before she could say anything else.

I rushed over to the mail box and unlocked the little catch pulling out the envelopes addressed to a Mr Way or Mr Iero that was until I came to the padded brown envelope addressed to myself. I quickly ripped opened the seal and took out the vial that was inside. The deep blue liquid filling a personal sized vial that fitted inside the pocket in my pyjama pants before walking back into the house where Frank, Gerard, Anna and Edith were all excitedly talking about the holiday that we was going on. It was Frank who noticed me first, looking up at me with a perfect smile on his face.
“Hey. Here’s the mail” I smiled putting them down on the breakfast bar in two neat piles of addressees.
"I’m going to go get a bath yeah? Is that ok?” I looked over at Frank smiling, ignoring Anna’s frown of doubt.
“That’s fine, you do not have to ask permission you do know that right?” He laughed at me.
“Yeah I know, just wanted to check.” I smiled before walking out and making my way up to my bedroom. I started the taps running before going through my wardrobe to pick out a suitable outfit. I opted for tight black jeans, calf high boots, a tight black v neck top and a leather jacket before going back into the bathroom. I pulled out the vial from my pants pocket and held it up to the light, to notice it was thick and gloopy from what I could tell. I just popped the cork out of the bottle when there was a knock on my door. “One minute I’m a little naked.” I laughed as I reached for the dressing gown hanging on the back of the door, never reaching it as the door opened.
“You are a terrible liar you know.” Anna smirked staring at me. “So going to tell me what you’re up to?” She looked at me questioningly, popping her hip out with her hand resting on it.
“Anna I can’t. For your own safety just trust me.” I looked at her pleading a little, just as she opened her mouth. “No Anna please don’t shout him.” I rushed over to her. “If I tell you, you have to keep it to yourself and not try to stop me ok?” I looked at her quickly as she nodded, coming into the bathroom and closing the door, locking it behind her. “Ok Gerard’s grandma has sent me this.” I held up the vial for her to look at, “it gives me the powers of a vampire for a certain length of time, meaning I can appear and disappear.” I checked to see she was following it. “I’m going to Zachary’s office to obtain the files about why and who was trying to kill Frank.” I looked up at her slowly.
“How long will you be gone?” She questioned softly.
“The substances lasts about half an hour so that long.” I told her slowly, “I have to swallow the full vial and then fill it with my blood so that Frank will still be able to smell me. Once the substance takes effect I won’t have any human cells that a traceable to a vampire, meaning I can get in and out of Zack’s office without my scent being recognised.” I told her truthfully, half expecting her to stop me.
“What do you need me to do?” She questioned further, surprising me to the core.
“Keep Frank away. When I’m ok and back to myself I’ll knock something off the shelf and say I passed out or something ok? Then and only then can he come in.” I told her smiling as I squeezed her arm, my way of thanking her as she nodded. I quickly got the scissors from the beauty cabinet in the bathroom and sliced the palm of my hand a little before knocking back the contents of the vial and refilling it with my bright red blood.
“Blake.” I faintly heard Anna’s voice as blackness started to fill my vision. “Be careful please.” She squeezed my hand as I perched on the bath edge. I thought about where I wanted to be and next thing I knew there I was.
“Hi welcome to Zachary Quinn’s office, I’m afraid he’s running a bit late today, do you have a…” I just looked at her taking the coffee from off her desk that I could smell was his and placed it in her hands as she focused her whole attention on me.
“We’re going to go to your boss’s office. You’re going to use your ID and retina scan to gain me access and you are going to wait outside whilst I go in. When Zachary Quinn arrives you are going to be going into his office with his usual morning coffee and to discuss his schedule for the day.” I spoke slowly in order for her dazed state to understand me, as she followed me down the hallway and swiped her ID card whilst staring into the scanner. Next thing I knew the door pinged open.

Notes