Withered webs || marvel

23. build-a-body

The U-GIN genetic research facility in Seoul South Korea was a long ass flight away.

10 hours to be exact, even with the unnatural speed of the Quinjet, which scratched off roughly 10 hours.

When the plan was formulated after Bruce brought up Helen Cho, it was decided that Tony would go to the NEXUS facility in Norway, Bruce would leave with Fury to stay at the tower, Natasha, Clint, and Steve, - and after much arguing, Irena, would head to Seoul, and Thor was still MIA.

Last night, Bruce came up with the idea that Ultron was building a body to house himself in—an android designed by a robot. Tony immediately said that if he succeeded, the android would be stronger than all of them combined.

Meaning an end to the planet if not even Earth's mightiest heroes could defeat it.

At first, Irena was supposed to go with Bruce and Fury to the tower and stay there until further notice but 1, Irena was not in any way familiar enough with the world to be left alone for what could be weeks, and 2, she made it very clear she didn't want to be anywhere Natasha wasn't.

After much arguing and the okay from Natasha and Fury, Irena would be able to check another country off her nonexistent passport.

Irena was lucky enough to get around 5 hours of sleep the night before they left. She had gone to bed a bit earlier than everyone else after she heard the time they needed to rise, even if she could sleep on the Quinjet.

She was so tired that despite her nap earlier, as soon as her head hit the pillow her eyes were closed.

She only woke up an hour later when Natasha crept into the room as quietly as she could not to wake her. And Natasha succeeded, Irena didn't hear her Russian-trained light footsteps creep into the room while she slept. What woke her was more of a feeling.

When forced to sleep with one eye practically open her whole life, Irena seemed to have developed a 6th sense for such things.

For example, Irena didn't know Natasha was in the room because she was asleep. But she was able to feel her. It's easy to say Irena has most likely never had one normal night of sleep in her life.

While she was still in her half-asleep groggy state, Natasha asked how she felt about staying with the Bartons instead of going to Seoul with the group.

The thought immediately made Irena panic as she thought Natasha had changed her mind and worst of all, would make her stay with people she barely knew. It wasn't that Irena didn't like the Bartons- she thought they were great. It was that she had just met them and she didn't fully trust them.

Not after Laura's falter when she introduced herself earlier that morning. Someone who was telling the truth wouldn't have slipped up the way Laura did. It was like a flash of recognition shined in her eyes for only a second and not any longer.

Irena immediately turned down the idea and began to quickly rant about why she was opposed before a noticeably tired Natasha simply took the girl's worried frame in her arms and scooted a tad bit closer to hold her after she assured her it was just a thought.

Irena hadn't slept that comfortably in a long, long time.

When morning arrived they rose before the sun did.

The sky was light with the essence of the moon despite the darkness that surrounded it. Irena caught herself staring at it for long moments as she stood out on the porch while everyone said their goodbyes inside, it gave her an odd sort of comfort.

She was dressed back in her suit that she came with and left Laura's clothes out on the bed she and Nat had slept on.

Lila and Cooper were both asleep so Irena essentially had no one to say goodbye to besides the cordial wave she gave to Laura before she stepped out. She wanted a moment alone before the storm and she found that the tranquil landscape of the Barton's farm was the most calm she'd get for a while.