Raising a Seraphim

Clint Barton stood in a hospital room with an angel-like man. Fury had contacted him about a mission, except, this wasn't a mission. Not one he was wholly prepared for.

"Thank you for seeing me Mr. Barton," the man's voice was weakened, and every instinct told Clint the man was dying, and dying fast.

"How can I help?" Clint kept his voice low, afraid to sound like he was yelling. He watched as the man gestured to a nurse posted at the door who disappeared and then reappeared with a gently wrapped bundle.

"With this... My treasure," it was more like a breath. The man's strength seemed to wane, his eyes lowered to stare at the baby and a ghost of a smile appeared as he removed the blanket showing a newborn with teeny wings. "I don't have long as you can see..." Clint glanced around them room he gestured to. The spy merely waited for him to continue.

"I am not human. I'm not even a mutant. My kind come from Seraph, and we have soulmates. When our soulmate dies, we die soon after," for the first time Clint could see deep pain in the dull eyes. "That means Alexis is going to be alone... Her mother's family did not approve despite it being our creators will. I also know the state of your world and how they view mutants but... I've heard of you Clint Barton. I have written you a letter, and my greatest treasure one for you to give later. Will you take her? Raise her as your own?"

Clint was still young, newly married, had no plans for kids. However, looking into the man who looked as though the weight of the world was on his shoulders alone. "Yes, I will raise her as my own."