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10 New Beginnings
🕑 Added 2024-07-26 18:15:01 +0000 UTCHarry woke up to the soft light of the early morning filtering through the curtains, casting a gentle glow on the room. The warmth of Natasha's body cuddled closely to his was a comforting reminder of how their relationship had grown. It had been a year since they had moved to the United States, a year filled with changes and new beginnings. Natasha had dived headfirst into her role at S.H.I.E.L.D. like a fish to water, travelling to various corners of the globe to dismantle terrorist cells and thwart warmongers. Despite the gruelling nature of her work, Harry could see the satisfaction in her eyes, the way her spirit seemed lighter as the guilt she once carried began to fade.
“What are you looking at?” Natasha asked groggily, giving a light yawn.
“Just looking at my beautiful girlfriend and thinking how lucky I am to have you in my life,” Harry replied softly, his eyes filled with warmth and love.
“You say that, yet you rejected Fury’s offer to join the Avengers Initiative,” she replied with a playful pout, though her eyes held a hint of genuine concern.
“Hey,” Harry said, brushing a strand of hair away from her face, “if there is a global or extra-terrestrial threat that you need to save the world from, don’t worry. I’ll be there with you side by side as we take on the legion of enemies and kick ass.”
Natasha raised an eyebrow, sceptical but touched by his words. “And how do you expect to be there if the threat is on the other side of the world in a country like Nepal? Do you plan to take a flight or something while the invasion is happening? It’s a landlocked country with hilly or mountainous terrain on the other side of the world with one international airport and no direct flights from the US. The flight itself will take 24 hours if not more. By the time you get there, the action will already be over.”
Harry smiled mysteriously, his eyes twinkling with a secret he wasn’t ready to reveal just yet. “You don’t worry about that. Getting there is my responsibility. I will be there with you, and we will kick ass together,” he said confidently.
Natasha sighed, shaking her head with a small smile. “Hmm,” she murmured, leaning in to give him a tender kiss.
Their quiet morning together was abruptly interrupted by the excited shouts of two young voices as two kids burst into the room.
"Uncle Harry! Aunty Nat! When are we going to the beach today?" Cooper and Lila chorused, bouncing up and down on the bed with boundless energy.
Natasha groaned softly, but Harry chuckled, ruffling the kids' hair affectionately. "Good morning, you two," he said, his voice warm and indulgent.
A moment later, Laura entered the room, her brown hair framing a kind, slightly exasperated face. "Cooper, Lila, behave," she admonished gently. "Let your aunt and uncle freshen up before disturbing them."
"It's fine, Laura," Harry said, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and effortlessly scooping up the two children, one in each arm. "We were already awake when these two bundles of energy decided to join us."
Laura gave Harry a fond smile, her eyes twinkling with sisterly affection. "You're too good to them, Harry," she said. "But thank you."
Harry winked at her. "It’s nothing" he replied, carrying the giggling children out of the bedroom and towards the kitchen. He placed them gently on the floor and began to prepare breakfast, a daily ritual he enjoyed with this new family that he had formed.
Natasha and Clint followed shortly after, taking their seats at the kitchen table. Clint immediately started playing with the kids, who responded enthusiastically to their father's antics. Meanwhile, Laura moved to the stove, gently nudging Harry aside.
"Go freshen up, Harry," she said with a smile. "I've got breakfast covered."
The five of them sat down at the table for breakfast. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air, creating a cosy, homely atmosphere.
“Are you sure you won't need any of our help, Harry?” Laura asked with concern. “You just opened the café a week ago, and the initial rush isn't going to die down anytime soon.”
Harry smiled reassuringly. “It’s going to be fine. It’s a quaint little artisan café on Santa Monica Beach. I’m sure I can handle the customers. Plus, I have Felicia as a barista and waitress. That should be enough for now.”
“I still feel bad that we’re leaving just a week after you opened the café,” Laura fretted, her brow furrowing.
“It’s fine,” Harry insisted. “Natasha and Clint need to get to Sao Paulo the day after tomorrow. This is their first mission together as Strike Team: Delta. They need a proper briefing to ensure everything goes smoothly.”
“But why does Natasha have to leave with you guys? She can meet Clint directly in Sao Paulo,” Laura protested, shooting a pointed look at her husband.
“We need to review the information before heading to Sao Paulo. Dropping you off is just a small detour,” Clint replied casually. “Honestly, I thought Harry would be the one to drop you off in Iowa while Natasha and I head to D.C. It’s his café—he can open it whenever he wants. But no, he’s not going to close it or leave Felicia to run it on her own because that would inconvenience me.”
“How can you say that?” Laura exclaimed, her eyes flashing with annoyance. “The café has just opened, and Felicia started only a few days ago. This is her first job, and she’s not experienced enough to run the shop on her own.”
“I thought you were on my side,” Clint muttered, looking aggrieved that his wife was supporting Harry and not him again.
“I am on your side,” Laura replied, her voice softening slightly. “But I don’t like how you keep antagonizing Harry whenever you get the chance. Harry has been a great help with the kids while you’re off gallivanting around the world. The least you could do is appreciate the effort he puts in.”
“That’s low,” Clint grumbled. “You know what my job entails, and you were part of this world before we had kids. I think I do a better job than anyone else at being there for my family. Plus, taking care of the kids is the least he can do while freeloading in our house.”
“Yes, and I appreciate everything that you have done,” Laura said sincerely. “What I don’t appreciate is you bullying Harry. Both Natasha and Harry are guests. They could have easily found an apartment for themselves in the year that they’ve been staying with us, but I asked them to stay because it made our home livelier and gave me a few extra pairs of hands to help with the kids.”
Natasha and the kids were thoroughly enjoying the show. This had become a daily source of entertainment for them. Clint would do something to inconvenience Harry, but it would be Laura who got aggrieved, leading her to scold Clint. Harry would then try to be the perfect gentleman and ease Laura’s worries, which only made her angrier at Clint.
“Uncle Harry, can we have pancakes for breakfast?” Lila asked innocently, trying to divert the attention from the brewing argument.
“Of course, sweetheart,” Harry replied with a smile, grateful for the distraction. He stood up to head to the stove.
Clint rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips as he watched his family interact with Harry. Natasha nudged him playfully. “You know you love it, Barton. You wouldn’t know what to do without Harry around to keep you on your toes.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Clint muttered, but he couldn’t hide the fondness in his eyes as he watched his wife and friend.
Once breakfast was finished, Laura, Clint, and Natasha efficiently packed everything into the car while Harry took charge of dropping them off at the airport. It had been a crazy year since Harry and Natasha had moved to the United States, graciously hosted by the Bartons at Laura's insistence until they could settle into their new lives.
The Barton family embraced Harry and Natasha wholeheartedly, swiftly making them honorary godparents to their children. With their military backgrounds, Harry and Natasha offered an added layer of protection against any potential threats targeting the Barton family, which only deepened their bond. Natasha and Harry, who had always craved for having their own families all their lives were like dry sponges in water, soaking up the familial love they were getting from the Bartons.
Natasha's frequent travels to various SHIELD bases for testing and training left Harry at home with the Barton family, where he developed a strong bond with Laura. They often found themselves bonding over the challenges of being partners to elite special agents and on their own past; Harry's experiences with the SAS and Laura's own history with S.H.I.E.L.D.
During one of these conversations, Laura suggested to Harry that he consider opening a café to occupy his time and alleviate any feelings of loneliness while Natasha was away "galivanting around the world to save it," as she jokingly put it. Recognizing Harry's culinary skills honed during his time working for the Richards at the Rustic Hearth, Laura's suggestion resonated with him. Initially, Harry considered staying closer to Laura in Iowa, but Clint's concerns about security protocols for having Clint’s and Natasha’s safehouses near each other led them to try and find another place. After a lot of lengthy discussions among the four of them, they decided that Los Angeles would be an ideal location. Especially because S.H.I.E.L.D. was willing to give them a house that Natasha could use as her primary safe house and base of operations when not deployed on the field.
The Barton family had all tagged along with Harry and Natasha during their move to Los Angeles, planning to stay for a month to help them settle into their new home. It was during one of their family outings at Santa Monica Beach that Harry spotted a "For Sale" sign on a small, cosy shop nestled in a prime beachfront location. With Clint's assistance to leverage S.H.I.E.L.D. resources, Harry was swiftly able to become the proprietor of what would soon be known as "Lily's Artisan Café." Specializing in tea, coffee, sandwiches, and burgers, the café quickly became a local favourite.
However, their trip was cut short because Clint and Natasha were to be deployed on their first mission together as a strike team called Strike Team: Delta. The kids were difficult to deal with on a good day. All four of them loved the kids but they were mischievous and were a handful to take care of. That’s saying something considering all four of them were highly trained special service agents. So, Clint didn’t want Laura to travel alone with the kids. Hence Clint had to drop them off at Iowa before going to D.C.
After dropping the Barton Family and Natasha at the airport, Harry headed to Lily’s Artisan Café. Nestled on a bustling corner of Santa Monica Beach, Lily's exuded a cosy charm that attracted both locals and tourists. The café's large windows let in natural sunlight, casting a warm glow over its wooden tables and mismatched chairs. A chalkboard sign greeted patrons with handwritten specials and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
Inside, the ambience was lively yet relaxed, with soft jazz tunes playing in the background. The walls featured local artwork and beach photographs, adding to the cosy vibe. A small bookshelf offered well-loved novels and board games, inviting guests to linger a bit longer to relax away from their daily schedule.
The counter, decorated with potted plants and jars of artisanal cookies, showcased freshly baked pastries and sandwiches. Shelves behind it held loose-leaf teas and locally roasted coffee beans. At the heart of Lily's was Harry's pride and joy: a gleaming espresso machine. The menu featured Harry's signature creations, from gourmet sandwiches to hearty burgers, each dish reflecting his culinary expertise and passion for comforting meals.
Patrons from surfers to business executives, found solace in the café's welcoming atmosphere and warm staff. Whether looking for a quiet spot to read, catch up with friends, or savour a moment of solitude with a perfect cup of tea or coffee, Lily's felt like home.
As the day had turned into night, Harry was wrapping up the final tasks of closing Lily’s Artisan Café. Just as he was about to lock up, the door chimed, and two men walked in.
“Is this still open?” asked the dark-skinned man. Harry, about to head out from the kitchen to inform them that they were closed, recognized him and his companion.
“Hey, can we have two cheeseburgers with a large side of fries and beer?” the other man ordered arrogantly, clearly unaccustomed to being refused.
“Colonel Rhodes,” Harry said in a surprised voice. “What are you doing here?”
“Captain Harry? I'll be damned! I haven't seen you since our joint operation in Afghanistan,” replied Rhodes, his face breaking into a wide grin.
“And I see you two know each other. Very good. But I'm hungry. I want two cheeseburgers and a large side of fries. Thank you,” Colonel Rhodes's companion added impatiently.
Harry chuckled, both of them completely ignoring the third person in the room. “I know, it's been so long. I thought you were still on a mission. How come you are in Los Angeles?”
“I'm here for work, liaising between Stark Industries and the United States Armed Forces. We just wrapped up the formalities, so I’m here with Tony to celebrate.” Colonel Rhodes replied.
“Umm, food, please. If you don’t serve me in the next 10 seconds, I’m going to find somewhere else to eat,” Tony said, his whining falling on deaf ears as the two old comrades continued their chat.
“I thought you preferred fieldwork. Since when did you become a desk jockey?” Harry teased.
“This is a special case. I handle acquisitions from Stark Industries because of my relationship with Tony,” Rhodes explained.
“Perks of having friends in high places” Harry chided causing Rhodes to chuckle however, the third wheel of the conversation had reached a tipping point.
“Alright, enough!” Tony shouted, startling the other two. “If you don’t want to serve me, fine. Rhodey, if you want to sit here and chat, go ahead. But I’m hungry and I need some cheeseburgers, so I’m leaving.”
“Is he always such a drama queen?” Harry asked Colonel Rhodes.
“You don’t know the half of it,” Colonel Rhodes replied with a sigh.
“Would you be angry if I said we’re closed for the evening?” Harry asked.
“I wouldn’t be angry, but highly inconvenienced. Tony's quite famous, so it's hard to find quiet place for us to hang out without drawing attention. The last thing I need is public scrutiny over an army colonel living the high life with a friend he just gave millions of dollars in military contracts to,” Colonel Rhodes replied.
“It's fine, I understand. Give me a few minutes, and I'll get the cheeseburgers. Any dietary concerns I need to know about for either of you?" Rhodey shook his head in reply. "Why don’t you take a seat somewhere?” Harry instructed and headed to the kitchen to prepare the food.
As Colonel Rhodes and Tony Stark sat down, Tony started, “Rude.”
“What?” Rhodey retorted.
“As soon as you saw that hunky Brit, you completely forgot about your best friend. If we had gone to the place I suggested, instead of this random spot, we wouldn't have had to wait an hour for food.”
“Hey, watch it. The places you frequent are too high profile for me. I don’t like the type of attention you crave. This place seems nice. It’s not the Ritz-Carlton, but it’s homely and charming.”
“You just say that because you took a liking to that hunky Brit,” Tony retorted.
“Did you hear a single word we said?” Rhodey asked exasperatedly
“No, why would I want to hear you flirt with a man?” Tony quipped
Rhodes huffed. “First of all, I don’t swing that way. Secondly, Captain Harry is a friend.”
“A friend?” Tony asked.
“Yes, he was part of the 22nd Regiment of the SAS. We worked together in Afghanistan on a joint operation.” Rhodey explained
Tony whistled. “A captain in the British SAS? What's a guy like that doing working in a café in Los Angeles?”
“Last I heard, he quit after coming back from Afghanistan last year.” Rhodey replied.
“Court-martialled?” Tony asked
“He may have had some disagreements with his superiors, but nothing to warrant a court-martial. He's always been an upstanding guy, one of the few people I hold in high regard.” Rhodey replied.
Their conversation was interrupted by Harry, who brought over the fries and some beer. “I don’t serve alcohol, but I had a few bottles left behind by a friend. The grill's still heating up, so the burgers will take a bit of time.”
As Harry went back to the kitchen, Rhodes shared a few war stories about Harry with Tony. A while later, Harry returned with the burgers.
“Why did you leave the British Army? I mean, with Rhodey fawning over you, there must have been a reason. You can tell us if you got court-martialled. We won't tell a soul,” Tony said, miming zipping his mouth.
Harry chuckled at Tony’s antics. “Honestly, I got tired,” he replied. Rhodey looked shocked while Tony just nodded.
“Really?” Rhodey asked.
“After five years on the front line, the deaths start haunting you more and more, and your priorities change. For me, getting everyone home safely became more important than completing the mission. So, before things got more awkward with my superiors, I quit.” Harry explained
“Well, it’s a shame we don’t have you on the front lines anymore,” Rhodey said.
“Thank you for the compliment,” Harry replied.
“I don’t think it’s a shame at all,” Tony interjected, his mouth full of the burger Harry had just served. “Oh my god. This is the best cheeseburger I’ve ever had. I’m so glad you left the army and opened this café. I would have missed out on the best burgers in the world if not for you. Rhodey, you’ve got to try this. Can I have two, no, three more of these?”
Harry always enjoyed it when his customers loved his cooking from the bottom of their hearts. Each compliment was a balm to old wounds. When he cooked for the Dursleys, no matter how good a job he did, there were never any compliments. He would toil in the kitchen for hours, only to receive grunts of acknowledgement or, worse, harsh criticism. The lack of appreciation from them had left a deep scar, a yearning for validation that he carried with him into adulthood.
Now, at Lily’s Artisan Café, every kind word from a customer was a small victory. It was as if each compliment chipped away at the bitterness left by his past, replacing it with warmth and pride. Harry would often find himself beaming with joy when someone praised his food, his heart swelling with a sense of accomplishment and contentment. It wasn't just about the cooking; it was about being seen, valued, and appreciated for his efforts.
As he watched Tony Stark devour his burgers with genuine delight, Harry felt a rush of happiness. This was why he loved cooking—because it allowed him to connect with people on a deeply personal level. Each satisfied customer was a reminder that he was capable, that he was good at something, and that his talents were worth celebrating.
The café had become his sanctuary, a place where he could pour his heart into his culinary creations and receive the recognition he had always craved. It wasn't about the fame or the accolades; it was about the simple joy of knowing that he could bring happiness to others through his food. And in doing so, he found healing and a sense of belonging that had eluded him for so long.
“Wow,” Tony said, nursing his beer after having three more of Harry’s cheeseburgers. Rhodes was on his fourth. “By the way, I forgot to introduce myself.”
“No need, Mr. Stark. Your reputation precedes you.”
“Please, call me Tony. Any friend of Rhodey’s is a friend of mine.”
“Then please call me Harry.”
With formalities out of the way, the three of them continued to talk late into the night over beer and stories. They ended up so drunk that they slept in the café itself.
Harry was used to waking up at 5 AM, so by 8 AM he was fresh and ready to start his day, thanks to a generous application of personal hygiene and hangover charms. However, he wasn't expecting the door of his café to be opened by a strawberry blonde woman in a business suit, her face betraying a panicked mood. Harry guessed she was a secretary for someone important.
“Good morning, how may I help you today? I'm sorry, but we’re not open just yet if you want to order something. However, we do have coffee ready if you’d like.” Harry greeted.
“I am so sorry to disturb you, but I’m looking for my boss, Tony Stark,” she said hurriedly. “His driver said this was the last place he dropped him off, but after that, we lost contact with him.”
Harry chuckled and gestured to a table. “Please, take a seat, Miss…?”
“Potts, Virginia Potts,” she replied.
“Ms. Potts, please have a seat. No need to worry. Your boss, Mr. Stark, and his companion, Colonel Rhodes, did spend the night here. The three of us had a wonderful time talking with each other. They should be making their way here after freshening up. I was about to serve breakfast, so if you give me some time, I’ll hand them over once they’ve eaten.”
As he spoke, the two men in question staggered into the room, looking hungover. Harry went to serve breakfast.
“Pepper,” Tony groaned.
“Thank God you’re safe,” Pepper sighed in relief. “Happy and I have been looking all over for you. The contract signing with the US Armed Forces is at 10 AM. We thought you had gone AWOL again.”
“Such a busybody,” Tony whined. “No, I made a new friend last night and was getting to know the man who makes the best cheeseburgers in the world.”
Pepper huffed, but before she could complain, Harry brought in four plates of English breakfast.
“For us Brits, an English breakfast is essential to cure a hangover,” Harry said. Rhodey and Tony eagerly started devouring their food without waiting for anyone else.
“I hope you enjoy the food, Ms. Potts,” Harry said, sitting down to start his breakfast.
“I am so sorry for the inconvenience, sir.” Pepper apologised
“Ah, you don’t have to call me sir. I’m just Harry.” Harry said.
“Just Harry, my ass,” Tony said with a mouthful of bread. “This here is Captain Harry Potter of the 22nd Regiment of the British Special Air Service. A decorated army vet who spends his retired life spreading joy to the world through his cooking,” Tony exclaimed, causing Rhodey to burst out laughing.
Pepper’s reaction was different from what Tony had anticipated. She stared at Harry intently, and like a light bulb going off in her head, her eyes lit up with recognition.
“Are you Captain Harry James Potter from Hereford, UK?”
“Yes,” Harry said, a bit confused.
“And you just finished your master’s degree in capital investments from the London School of Economics?”
“Yes,” Harry confirmed
“Pepper, you know Harry?” Tony asked.
“I don’t know him, but I know of him,” Pepper replied.
The other three men in the room stared at Pepper, confused.
“Captain Potter here has been purchasing a lot of shares of Stark Industries and our other subsidiaries over the past year or so. His acquisition rate has been such that we had to run a background check on him to ensure this wasn’t a hostile takeover by a rival or done by shady people like the mafia or terrorist organizations. I thought you would be stationed in London. A small café in Santa Monica Beach was not where I expected to meet you, sir.”
“How many shares does he have?” Rhodey asked out of curiosity.
“At the rate he’s acquiring shares, he should become a top 20% shareholder by the end of the year.”
Tony whistled. “That’s a lot of money you’ve bet on my company, Harry.”
“What can I say? After using the products your company supplied, I have no doubt in its potential,” Harry replied.
“You liked my guns that much?” Tony asked.
“It wasn’t the guns, Tony. It was the telecommunication and medical technology your company provided us in the field. Without those, I don’t think we would have achieved the victories we did.”
His statement earned puzzled looks from everyone. Stark Industries was renowned for its weapons, but here was an ex-soldier turned investor implying their non-military technologies were more impactful.
Harry leaned forward, his expression earnest as he elaborated on his reasoning. "Tony, think about it. Your medical technology—like those advanced field med kits and diagnostic tools—we saw how they saved lives on the front lines. Imagine making that available to hospitals, clinics, and even households. It could redefine healthcare accessibility and effectiveness."
He paused, emphasizing his next point. "And the communication tech? It’s not just about secure military communications anymore. Your advancements could revolutionize how people connect globally. From everyday smartphones to internet infrastructure, Stark Industries could set new standards, enhancing productivity and connectivity worldwide."
Harry's eyes gleamed with conviction as he continued, his belief in Stark Industries' potential palpable. "You've already proven your innovation in these areas. Now, by pivoting towards broader consumer applications, you not only open new markets but also lead in shaping the future of technology. It’s about leveraging what you’ve mastered in defence to empower everyday life."
Tony absorbed Harry's words, nodding slowly. "You're onto something, Harry. We've been focused on defence applications for so long, but maybe it's time to take these technologies mainstream. Pepper, get the R&D team on this. Let’s explore how we can adapt our existing tech for broader markets."
Pepper nodded, already mentally noting down action points. "I'll get right on it, Tony."
Rhodey grinned, impressed by Harry’s insight. "Seems like you’ve got a knack for strategic thinking, Harry."
Harry smiled humbly, grateful that his perspective resonated. "Just trying to see where good ideas can lead, especially when they come from companies like Stark Industries."
With plans and possibilities swirling around the table, Harry felt a surge of optimism. Here he was, in the company of influential minds, discussing not just business but the potential to impact lives on a global scale. As the conversation wound down and the morning sun filtered through the café's windows, Harry couldn't help but reflect on how far he'd come from his days at Privet Drive.
