Being a Sky
For Harry and Andromeda, it was a little mind-boggling to learn facts about powers out there they know not about.
The Seven Flames each have their own color, ability, resonation and even personality tendencies taken into factor. They have their personality quirks its easy to tell who's what, but there are those who are 'classical' and those who are 'polar' or worse, 'inverted'.
The Seven Flames of the Sky with Harry being a Sky powerful enough to rope in Renato.
Ohhh people TRIED. They were all too weak for him, that, and he didn't like them because of their personality and the fact that ahem, 'taking him' would mean bragging rights that their Famiglia's Sky is powerful therefore command respect from others.
Skies are akin to Royalty for what they give to Guardians, Harmony and a Home. But even then, its rare for Skies these days to achieve True Harmonization as organizations mainly use Skies as Political Match-Ups these days...they're either to be pitied to those who didn't want it or laugh at Skies to glare at them in disdain who treat having Guardians as 'mere collections', not the family they should be yet Guardians are forced to through underhanded means, effectively shackled.
Renato made it clear that he was glad his Sky was Harry who would be a Sky he would gladly stay with. It helps that he fell for the younger man hard BEFORE Harry slightly awakened his power! True Elemental Harmonization will happen if Harry has a complete Guardian Set.
His power as the Sun, is to Activate as well as Heal. Activating his body's power output was what everyone knows to make him temporarily strong but...
'Oh come on, surely you can activate anything that's dormant or even sluggish? Activate can do a lot of things, be creative, boy!' Andromeda snorted. 'How about activating an idiot's cancer to...'
'Andy!' Harry cried, horrified at the idea.
'Hey, its possible!'
'Humm...that sounds food for thought but I'll only do it if they deserve it.' Renato purred with a dark smile.
Indeed, they were lacking in creativity, he can admit to that...perhaps he should study human anatomy more...as well as technology he can use his powers on.
But while Renato wanted Harry to train, nobody would watch Teddy if Andy took over which was Harry's worry.
'Oh don't worry Harry, I got my ways.' Andromeda smiled. 'I'm a mother who's long known how to juggle family and job times. You need the training since goodness knows people are after YOU for money. Isn't that why you went as far as protecting Teddy and I so we're not used against you?'
One of these days, Renato thought, he'll get the full picture eventually.
Harry's godson Edward 'Teddy' Lupin is an orphan, parents murdered when he was just a few months old.
Andromeda is a widower who lost her family and son-in-law.
What the family had in common is that they lost family to terrorists that plagued England, their most notable action the destruction of the Millennium Bridge and disappearances. That was according to files he got on them that was among the paperwork when they filed for Italian Citizenship just to get away with what they had left.
And was Harry's money from Sirius so big he had a target on his back from those who want it?
Probably as Harry's Cafe is so classy it fits in well in Turin's Upper-Class area and the plates and silverware alone came from a famous brand that's commonly seen in luxurious hotels for the rich and famous. Decorated and furnished luxuriously in great taste with good Indoor Plants. Combine that with Harry's food, its no wonder that for all he spent on it, he gets it back in no time flat and starts earning.
The patrons with fat wallets frequent Harry's Cafe due to their taste and Harry's level in his drinks and snacks. He was also the only Barista who uses Spices in his wares that made him unique from a typical cafe. It also has beautiful cafe restrooms and employee bathrooms akin to that of a hotel! Just that, who cleans it...? He didn't hire a Janitor...
From his investigations, Harry spent a whopping amount in purchasing that property to his name, renovations, electronics and machines, the whole package and he effortlessly paid for it all. He was in fact, a memorable face since upon making purchases and hiring services, he dumps in cold hard cash in crisp bills instantly, and the contractors were paid generously than normal so he was THAT memorable.
Then again, this is someone who pays 14 an hour to his employees.
xxx
Outside Turin, in a very out-of-the-way place...
'Ren, are you in a military or an intelligence division of the government...to get all this?' Harry twitched as there's crates of bullets for handguns, shotguns, rifles, weapons a SOLDIER WOULD NEED?!
'Well, I'm a Mercenary to be exact.' said Renato as Harry went white.
'M-Mercenary?!' Harry squeaked. 'And you told me we're family! What if I lose you to a job?!' he cried frantically. 'I already lost a lot, please!' he choked in dismay.
Renato's eyes softened. Harry indeed lost what mattered that all that's left to him, were wannabe-leeches to his dismay. And losing him was Harry's primary concern, not what he's done to sully his hands and what crimes he may have committed for a living for his clients. However, while Harry made it clear he does NOT approve of his job, he also didn't ask him to change his jobs and such since freedom was his personal landmine. If he wanted it, he wouldn't restrict others' freedom either as long as they don't bite the dust and leave him bereaved and grieving.
Child Abuse and Exploitation, PTSD from it as well as losing the people who actually cares for him...he was who he was that he was no typical male his age. Its safe to say but Renato would keep to himself to avoid offending Harry terribly, that he's got no manly bone whatsoever even if he dresses like and behaves like one, but no spine and typical manly desires and wants. He's perfectly happy where he is. Due to that, it was easy to have Harry as a boyfriend who's perfectly OK with being the sub(not that he knows what's normal is). Normally in such relationships, the desire to..ah, dominate will occasionally rise...
'Its what keeps me alive while on a tightrope, tesoro.' he said, placing a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. 'Dangerous it may be that I had to become the cream of the crop to live this long.' Renato told him. 'Most Mercs don't make it to late-20s.'
'Why?' Harry gasped out.
'For being idiots wanting to become famous in the Underworld which would mean bigger-paying clients.' said Renato. 'My sole concern is having food, ammunition and equipment and a roof over my head. With that in mind, I'm the least likely to be an idiot in line of fire.' he explained. 'Ironically, I got what these idiots wanted and died for for being hot-heads; the Confidence of my clients and I deliver perfectly. I'm pretty wealthy enough to afford all these.'
'...'
'So my dear, while we can keep this a secret, the fact that I bonded to a Sky WILL come out and news will spread. They will look for you and put you in a gilded cage while seeking your family for their own benefit.' Renato warned. 'Its always best to prepare for the worst while its still calm, not days away to a storm.' he advised.
'...just how strong are you exactly that they'll go the underhanded route just to have you?' Harry asked him anxiously. 'And apparently I'm as strong as you albeit a still-shut tap?'
'Well, we're far enough to let you have an idea...' Renato smiled. 'I deliberately drove far away into the mountains for this.'
He flared out full force Harry felt Renato's immense strength.
'A-are you kidding meee?!' Harry gasped out, feeling this terrifying weight of power. And he's strong enough to bond with Renato at that? Hah?!
Renato instantly stopped flaring.
'Yup. Its why I'm wanted.' Renato said ruefully. 'Shall we start?' he asked his boyfriend who was clinging to a tree.
'Y-yeah...as soon as my legs stop feeling like jelly on me...'
Renato was quite the taskmaster with high standards as '-its what kept me alive.'
Physical Conditioning for acrobats, and Renato easily figured he's the speedy type with great reflexes. It helps that as a Sky, he is capable of moving faster than normal humans as Sky Flames have natural propulsion abilities thus they can jump higher than humanly possible even for the world's best athlete and can fly. The only ones who can outjump a Sky, are Clouds but Clouds cannot fly. Suns can too but needs some effort...
Harry's expression when he got wind of it...Renato quickly grabbed a camera to keep it to memory forever. Apparently that was Harry's appeal...to fly.
Harry juggled Culinary Academy in Florence, and training...while occasionally checking in on Andromeda's reports on his cafe performances...and makes sure he was always present for Teddy's birthday and Christmas.
Living alone with Renato in hidden places far away from most people to evade detection. He taught Harry how to fight and endure pain, and comfort him lovingly at night because really, Renato hits hard...that, and what to expect when caught, and interrogated. And know what drugs are and how to know if Mists are around.
Every night, Harry would be in his boyfriend's arms as they sleep. They touch and kiss, but not all the way yet...
When he graduated a Valedictorian with his employees at age 26, it was worth seeing the pride in his cousin and boyfriend's faces. And he's now a powerful fighter in his own right too, and mastered his firearms and bombs, many escape methods...things crucial to his survival. And he still cannot be awakened yet as its what keeps him safe. And for only his True Guardians to find him as his Guardians can and will find him despite being Dormant. That's up to luck though. Harry can then safely awaken his flames if he has a complete family of elements.
Back in his Cafe, he changed a lot. That much was clear to his employees.
He was a head taller but remained the slender boss they knew but he has a different air about him...
However, happiness didn't last long...
A year after graduation...
'Harry, I got invited to a year-long job.' said Renato, approaching him in his cafe in the morning. 'Assembling the seven most powerful elements by our client.' he said.
'Why is flames a factor when skills are more important though?' Harry frowned.
'Beats me. This weirdo in a checker-faced iron mask approached me last night while I was planning my next job.' said Renato. 'I have no idea what it'll be like...' he said, giving him a small notebook. 'But I'll definitely come back, OK?'
'You have better.' Harry made him promise, taking the notebook from him.
'Yeah.' Renato kissed his forehead. 'Be back in a year, alright?'
When Harry watched Renato leave...why did he feel that things will change for the worse...?
It scares him.
xxx
'A job that involves the gathering of the Strongest Seven, is it?' Andromeda frowned softly. 'Suspicious.'
'How suspicious Andy?' Harry asked him.
'I'm suspecting something is afoot since a Sky is in this team Harry.' said Andromeda. 'While you have Renato for yourself so he's your Sun, who knows about the five unwitting others who may have their own Skies or just as unattached? What if during this year, they end up bonding with this recruited Sky which is what their client wants for a reason? And as you're still inactive, getting poached from is a possibility as this active Sky will overwhelm your bond with Renato.'
'WHAT?!'
Now Harry worried.
"A year...huh?" he frowned.
He would make frequent trips to be sure.
He had tagged Renato on the times they slept under tents so he could track him down magically.
He'll go every month and booked VLs when he could on particular dates along with length.
xxx
Palermo...
Harry made sure to make it look like a coincidence, although he bumped into Verde instead, buying coffee.
'Oh, hey there Professor!' Harry greeted as Verde looked utterly...haggard.
'Oh, if it isn't Signor Potter.' Verde acknowledged.
'You doing OK? Haven't seen you lately.' Harry commented in worry since Verde looked tired.
'Well, went on an all-nighter last night and for the life of me WHERE in Italy do you buy Galangal?' Verde griped, 'Nobody else serves Galangal Tea but you!' he complained. 'I can't function without it!' he exploded in a dramatic wail, making Harry sweatdrop.
'I order it from a company in Thailand in Powder Form you know...' Harry said sheepishly. 'You won't find any European Store selling it. I tried that years ago.'
'Thailand?!' Verde freaked out, his ghost effectively leaving his body.
'Professor? Ooooi? ...I think he's into withdrawal...'
Harry thus dragged him to an inn and put him there, bill paid.
While Renato saw Harry who was buying souvenirs, he didn't show but let him know he was there through their bond and Harry replied back in kind.
Palermo, Hideout Cabin...
Verde was all gloom and doom when he got back.
'Oh, I take it your shopping was a bust?' Fon asked Verde who went out in search of an ingredient.
Actually he's searching ever since he was with them.
'Turns out no shop in Europe sells it.' Verde griped miserably. 'I have to get it imported from Thailand according to the Barista.' Renato's ears perked.
Harry is the only Barista ever to serve spiced cafe drinks in Italy. He's known to any Food Critic for that.
Harry and Verde met here in Palermo when his Sky is here on business, shopping. Thus only Harry would know that...
'Well, we'll be moving soon so setting up a post box to get it shipped to would be impractical.' said Renato. 'Unless Luce knows where we're moving next to set it up in advance...you're THAT addicted to that drink? Harry swears you're too young to worry about memory issues by age.'
'It keeps me running.' Verde sighed. 'Coffee puts me to sleep instead.'