Close Call

It was about a year when Harry felt it.

SOMEONE intruding on HIS bond with Renato!

He forced his magic into awakening his Sky Flames to save Renato from being Poached and he doesn't take kindly to ANYONE stealing HIS boyfriend from him!

Harry went full-force brutal on this...INTRUDER while protecting Renato was his sole focus.

That on the Fated Day...something happened.

Luce who was conspiring with Kawahira to keep the System intact did not foresee this happening.

They thought that even if Renato Sinclair was already bonded, being an Arcobaleno will override that 'weak bond' in favor of the Arcobaleno Sky Bond with Luce.

However, just as how Colonello protected Lal Mirch despite how futile it was, Renato was also protected...by his pissed-off Sky. He could tell judging by the flooding of Harry's flames and something else into their bond, pushing out the intruding force forcing its way into him AND his bond with Harry.

His Sky saved him from this...this betrayal.

However, because the Curse was linked to ALL of them...the results...were interesting to say the least.

'W-what...Renato?' Luce gasped out as she felt it.

They ALL felt it.

An angry force of combined Sky Flames and something else poured from Renato, protecting him from whatever hell was unleashed on them.

It had the effect of protecting the others as well...except for Luce.

The consequences was that while they ARE Arcobaleno, they weren't babyfied nor Harmonized to Luce by force. Rather, they remained free elements! Luce was the only one babyfied among them.

'W-what just happened?' Skull croaked dumbly. 'Not that I'm complaining, but I'm thankful.' he said, glancing at what happened to Luce that coulda happened to HIM too!

Renato wisely stayed silent, for Harry. He sent a wave of gratefulness to his lover who comforted him back, but made it clear he wasn't too happy about the intrusion.

'Whatever this is, I'm outta here before whatever that is tries again!' Viper spat as he quickly fled.

They didn't need telling twice, despite Luce's protests of 'Wait! Come back!'

Like hell they would!

'...this wasn't what's supposed to happen...' Luce croaked out as Kawahira appeared behind her.

'I don't know who interfered...but what matters is that they are Arcobaleno still.' said Kawahira. 'They can still play a role in maintaining the System that kept us all alive. But you'll have it harder as that interference prevented Harmonization.' he warned her. 'Your own Guardians are not sufficient in helping you maintain the strain.'

'I know...but what will happen now?'

'I have to investigate this. The key is clearly the Greatest Sun. For now I will escort you to town so your famiglia can pick you up. I'll track down Renato to fix this mess.'

xxx

'Fuck. Fuck this all!' Colonello snarled as they all ran down the mountains. 'The fuck was that shit?!'

'Like hell we know, we were told to go up there to get treasure for a client!' Skull gasped out. 'We didn't expect white light from the sky and cause whatever that intrusion is on us!'

'It's clearly a trick, someone's out to get us but why? Luce's clearly in on it.' Viper snarled, enraged by this as being a Sorcerer, he does NOT appreciate being cursed himself! 'She tried to get us to stay for Round 2, only, we clearly will not stick around.'

'Renato, what did you do? That saved us all actually while Luce's the only one that's cursed.' Fon pointed out.

'Its not me actually...its my very-pissed-off Sky who does not take kindly to Poaching.' said Renato dryly. 'He saved me and by connection, all of you from being babyfied and forcefully-Harmonized to Luce because of how this works since all of us are affected at the exact same time so it ended up spreading to you as well.' he explained. 'He meant to save only me but his power wound up spreading to you guys too without harmonizing with you so you guys remained Free Elements.' he said. 'But we still got cursed but the rather safe kind.'

As of now, they walk Out of Time, while the Pacifiers keep themselves lit by taking in their Flames and gaining knowledge of what the Arcobaleno are in the process. That was it.

'Is that right...I would love to thank this person myself.' said Lal gratefully and relieved.

'I'll thank him on your behalf.' said Renato dryly. 'My Sky isn't an affiliate so he's very anonymous for his own good and no Mafia will ever even get to look at him.'

'Hey, I'm just like him then, a Civilian.' Skull croaked out. 'I'd want anonymity too.'

'Like hell you are, you're a Stuntman in America.' Viper scoffed. 'Famous there, and you've gained notoriety in your year with us.' Skull grumbled at that.

'Fine, I'm hiding!'

'We better change our addresses and identities so Luce can't find us because her finding us means we'll get another attempt on us and I wouldn't want that.' said Fon with a cold glare on his eyes. He was restraining himself otherwise the whole forest will be atomized in his anger and goodness knows nature didn't deserve it. 'We trusted her and she does this?'

'Right...and we have to go more Underground than Underground...she fucked up our lives with whoever wants us cursed.' Colonello scowled.

Emotions of anger running high, they all agreed on that notion and split-up.

xxx

Turin...

Renato poured his tale of rage to Harry in their shared apartment together.

'...so yeah, I'm glad you saved us all.' said Renato in a blender of emotions, anger being the dominant one.

'I knew there was something wrong when you left home.' Harry told him. 'They put emphasis on seven strongest in flames, not seven best in their fields...it was for this all along wasn't it?'

'Aa. I'll be in hiding for now so I guess at least for a year I'm not leaving our flat.'

'Oh boy...'

'By the way, your flames aside, something else joined in...can you tell me about it?'

'Well, I can no longer keep it secret if only for you...at least if I told my side, no Vindice-like entities will show on me.' said Harry in relief. 'My sort are kinda...lax.'

Needless to say, Renato got the full degree on what his boyfriend was...and his past.

His mind went on a whirl, especially as Harry swore a magical oath with his wand.

'Oh hell...I guess we both have messed-up secrets, tesoro?' Renato could only blurt out as Harry looked exhausted by the end of it.

'Yeah. Thanks to you I was able to truly live.' said Harry gratefully. 'I was planning my Trattoria out when I felt someone trying to poach you from me.' he scowled. 'They sure got a lot of nerve...'

Renato chuckled fondly, wrapped his arms around Harry and kissed him.

'At least I know I got you.' he said as Harry's scowl changed to a wistful smile.

'Oh, hush...I'll keep you hidden with magic, don't you worry, Ren.' he said, snuggling into his boyfriend.

"Thank goodness for powerful boyfriend Skies," Renato thought as he enjoyed Harry's presence as his younger boyfriend doted on him in a bid to calm him down because of a fatal near-miss.

He was able to successfully hide for years...but because Harry attached himself to him, Harry opted to open an Underground Trattoria for the Mafia to hide the fact he stopped his aging just to be with him as being an Arcobaleno...he is out of time, thus stopped aging since that day, remaining physically 27 until his lover's time as an Arcobaleno is up, to which he would start aging again or die, it depended on Renato's situation. But that does not mean both are invincible...they CAN be killed, hence they stay in shape even by simply cooking and cooking is a physically-demanding job that constantly works the body head to toe.

Renato helped him make things legal and Harry made his place a Neutral Diner. Organizations and Factions don't matter, here, you're just another face, another customer. No brawls because of where you're from and no murders allowed either.

With Renato's guidance, Harry had to get help from the Vindice to make his Trattoria a neutral place just like Mafia Land.

Renato never dreamed he'd had to ask help from THEM just for Harry to operate stress-free. They now work together in Trattoria 'Elysium'. Renato works in the kitchen to hide from Checkerface as a precaution even if his very existence was under the Fidelius with Andromeda Tonks as Secret-Keeper, becoming a good cook just like his boyfriend but limited to what's on the menu while his boyfriend was the actual cook...and the Trattoria gained such infamy because the Cuisine is International with Fast Service to boot. Made possible with just a two-man team because one of them can wash the dishes and make Food Prep with a wand wave before aiding his boyfriend in cooking. Mafioso praised the Fast Service and how it just has all beers, coffee and wines available. Harry had hired a Bartender, and ten waiters. Between the two floors is a single elevator just for Waiter use!

The Trattoria was huge. 30 solo tables(for mostly Clouds), 30 tables for two, and 30 tables for four in the First Floor alone, and 30 tables for seven on the second floor incase a full set ever paid a visit. But even then, the second floor was more classy and comfortable in appearance. Both floors have eight bathroom stalls for each Gender as well as two shower stalls incase accidents happened. The cuisine is separated into soups, rice dishes, meat, fish, pasta, salads and desserts. And cuisine was pretty much, worldwide but only the most filling meals were on the menu. Portions were that generous as its a Diner, NOT a Restaurant. And there's even baby food selections incase they brought a baby along!

And it's closed on weekends.

It became a huge hit among Freelancers and even those who belonged to organizations already.

Since its a free land, there are NO reservations. Everyone comes and goes, first come first serve. No Special Treatment and the sole exception was if and only if you have food allergy, that's it. If you dare make demands like you own the place, its two owners are more than free to kick you out or kill you.

Safe to say Andromeda now works full-time in Harry's Cafe and Teddy joining in as well to help out as a family income source. Renato hid in the Trattoria for ten years, before going active again under a different identity this time, calling himself Christopher Eclair. But when he has no hits, he helps Harry run the Trattoria.

But one day, when they were in their forties, a woman came along with two people in suits and one dressed like a nun. She was Japanese. They were also accompanied by a notable mafioso.

But she came on the day that the Trattoria is closed. A Sunday.

'Welcome.' Harry greeted with a smile. 'Table for five, this way upstairs.' he led them to nearest the counter. 'Has Signor informed you what sort of place we are?'

'Yes, its a trouble-free place in a place like this.' said the blonde Japanese who spoke like a Queen. 'But upstairs is all tables for seven...'

'Yes...with good reason but I cannot explain as we don't want trouble, so just overlook the tiny details.' Harry chuckled with a handwave as he took them upstairs.

The group looked at the first floor with intense scrutiny before following him upstairs.

'For a Trattoria, this is incredible...this should be a Ristorante, Signor Potter.' said the elderly nun.

'Heheh, this place is Neutral Grounds, hence I made it a Trattoria despite how it looks. We cater to everyone and nobody will dare start trouble here. Here, everyone regardless of rank and status can come and go. Restaurants can choose to be picky with their clients by appearance and costs alone. They are also more suited for reservations for private meetings and such and here, we don't cater to that.' Harry explained. 'This place is this way because we cater to the Underworld who belong to many wealthy organizations. Upstairs is for 'Family Only' that all tables here, are always tables for seven people.'

The group noted that its all a round table with table settings, but what made it unique, are the comfortable-looking elegant wooden-carved chairs with comfy-looking paddings for a backrest and seat. However, six chairs look the same while a single chair looks like a throne. These thrones are all orange in color, while the six other chairs are in colors of purple, blue, red, yellow, green and indigo. The orange chair will always be between the purple and red chairs. Beside the purple was green. Beside the red was blue. Beside the green was yellow. Beside the blue was indigo. In that order.

'So what will your orders be?' Harry asked, handing them all a Menu.

'We will order but we will look at the entire place with kitchen for last and how you work as well to make our ratings.' said the Japanese Lady. 'Its just you here today?'

'Well, just me and my husband.' said Harry, flashing his ring on his right hand that contained an orange and yellow gem in a gold ring as the group did a double-take. 'My husband is on a lookout as a Sniper to keep trouble away, you see?' he said jovially. 'Everyone knows we are closed on weekends yet I opened today solely to be rated by the WGO so there will be curious onlookers we cannot allow right now because we have civilian clients, so for your sake, a few heads will go boom for being curious kitties!' he chimed cheerfully, using his hands to gesture the 'boom' part.

'I-is that right...' the sole male who looked like a middle-aged butler choke out while the others looked disturbed by the notion and their mafioso escort just shrugged it off. People will die today just for being curious?!

Then again, this is a Mafia-Run Restaurant...

'Let's check the whole trattoria out then, we want to explore the whole space.'

xxx

Kitchen...after liking the whole place due to how classy it looked, and how there are no blind spots from how CCTV Cameras are all angled.

'...I've never seen a kitchen so...clean.'

The tiles and every surface, even the tools and equipment GLEAMED. The cabinets of diningware are top-class. The ingredients are in a separate room in a controlled environment in various temperatures the next room was basically an extremely large fridge separated into many compartments!

'Our menu is seasonal, based on Ingredients Available so you'll probably come back to taste our menu three more times.' said Harry, putting on his apron and taking off his ring to put it in his breast pocket, all the while gunshots are fired.

'...that's normal here?' the nun choked out.

'That's normal.' said their escort. 'This is neutral ground. Those who dare start trouble here are disposed of and everyone knows that, so only the stupid ones die.' he said.

Harry then began cooking their requests in speeds befitting a professional. He was even skilled with unusual knives and tools that are NOT kitchen staples but it gets the job done.

So once the meals are ready, they wanted to taste it in the kitchen on the spot, so Harry had to clean up a counter for their use and prepared drinks of their choices after washing his hands.

So upon tasting...

Harry watched the Japanese Lady, Mana Nakiri.

She was from the affluent Nakiri Family that's a big-time renowned name in the Culinary Industry. Her family has a rare genetic trait called God's Tongue and its a trait gained since birth. This grants the user superhuman levels of taste beyond those of even the most seasoned food and ingredient experts, and detect differences and flaws easily.

While a powerful tool, it is a double-edge sword, as this woman could not taste food normally, becoming physically and mentally disgusted with tasting food to the point that even odors were repulsive enough for her. This broke her as she despaired at being unable to find food that could satisfy her, when everything else she tasted made her regurgitate. As a result of this depressive state, she left the Nakiri household, abandoning her still-young daughter who was a very young child as of four years ago and she should be ten years old now.

With magic, he knows how to exploit ingredients at their best and he can work creatively. The odors of his cooking did not make the woman puke. And now...she's scarfing down his food though she fell ill.

'Mm. For the first time in years, you are not disgusted with food, Signora Nakiri.' said Harry. 'However, you have not eaten food in several years, relying on IV Drips to keep yourself alive yet somehow miraculously avoiding Ulcer from medications no doubt. But your stomach hasn't had any occupant in years and you ate everything at once. You need to strengthen your organs more the natural way to eat this much again.' he told her. 'IV Drips can only keep you alive, but only just enough yet as years go by...you actually weaken. My husband has investigated your background thoroughly.'

'You knew then.' Mana chuckled weakly, but bitterly.

'Of course. I will whip up a medicinal menu for your sake as you clearly will not trust any other chef at this point.' Harry chuckled.

'Why not be my personal chef instead? You will be paid handsomely, befitting of a Bookmaster's Chef!' Mana gasped out.

'I cannot. I maintain Elysium. A safe place to eat and rest for people who dance on the tightrope on this side of society. Outside this trattoria, is bloodstained grounds.' said Harry with a chuckle. 'Here, you have a brief moment to eat in peace and quiet. A luxury one cannot afford in normal places where snipers can still kill you or a lady assassin dressed as a waitress stabbing your head with a knife when she's close enough. Here, everyone can eat safely as long as my husband and I keep it open and upon leaving, they have recovered enough to tango with a dog-eat-dog world again. This trattoria is thus held in high regard for that reason.' he told her.

'Elysium huh? What a place.' Mana mused, sad that she could not have Harry.

Trattoria Elysium.

It is a three-floored place. It is surrounded by a gorgeous garden and surrounding the Trattoria, is a ridiculously high wall to prevent Sniper Attacks. The windows enabled the diners to see the gardens. The parking lots are outside, but the Parking Lots are chock-full of CCTVs with no blind spots whatsoever. And since Harry and his husband runs the place, its safe to assume that the Third Floor, is their home.

Hell, Harry even has six guns on his person. Each leg holster, has three semi-auto handguns and around his waist, is a pouch...yeah.