The Prince's Prisoner

Now.

Chapter 11 - Now. Enjoy!

Aria stormed down the stairs, leaping over the last four steps. Skidding across the floor in her fox printed socks, she giggled childishly to herself.

"Take your time, kiddo" Tony joked, sipping his coffee at the breakfast table.

She took her seat, thanking Pepper when she placed the bagel and eggs in front of her. Everything seemed so suburban, routined and natural. Aria felt relaxed and content, spending the last year and a half hiding out in a small English town. Tony felt restless of course, but a SHIELD headquarters nearby were happy enough to accept his expertise.

"You heading to work?" Pepper asked, sitting next to Tony.

"Yup" Aria grinned, grabbing her barista apron off the back of the chair. "Come in for a coffee later, Pepper."

She wanted to offer the same to Tony, but being a multimillionaire, playboy made him a little more noticeable. Sometimes he borrowed some gear from Natasha and went under disguise, but he spilt his midnight coffee on it the other week and it was being repaired.

"See you later, chick" Tony called as she darted out the house, earning himself a wave in return.

Plugging her headphones, Aria grinned as 'Heavydirtysoul' blared through her ears and people strolled passed unaware. She had always found listening to headphones in public thrilling, debating what music taste would be expected of each person, and hoping the piercing-clad teenager was listening to Instrumentals and the old guy who hung out in Wetherspoons was listening to the new Katy Perry album.

Arriving to work just as 'Semi-Automatic' closed off, Aria tugged the headphones off and tucked them behind the counter.

"Hey Ri" Gareth greeted, appearing from the back. "How's things?"

"Alright, thanks Gaz" she greeted, wiping the side down. Gareth tried, but he always missed those little spots tucked under the till or underneath the tip jar.

"You got close or 1?" He asked, clearly not having checked the rota recently.

"Close, i'm determined to get my own car by fall" Aria explained, taking a customer order before continuing. "Been saving all spring."

"Well, i've got a Metallica concert to waste my money on in 2 months" they both chuckled, before falling into work routine.

The radio continued to play the recent hits. Being midweek, the coffee shop was at a simplistic pace, never falling silent, but not too rowdy.

Gareth was also on close, so it was just the two of them for the whole day, which was always calmer. They could handle things well together.

"Breaking News" the radio blared during the Newsbeat segment. A couple people requested the radio be turned up and Gareth went to comply.

The shop fell silent and frozen as everyone avidly listened to the announcements.

"King Loki is to be set to visit the Greater United Kingdom within the next week to commence the gift of three African Countries to the British Empire" the announcer commented.

'Gift' Aria scoffed to herself. More like going back to Medieval times. Gifting other countries to each other like a gambling board.

"King Loki intends to spend 2 months in Greater United Kingdom, travelling to every major city to greet every citizen. The King has already done this 3 other Continents over the past two years" they continued.

He's still looking for me, Aria panicked.

"Insane isn't it?" Gareth commented, turning the radio down again when the music returned, the cafe going up in murmurs about the announcement. "Thinking someone that powerful has times for day rides around the English Countryside"