Phoenix in The Marvel

As Tony's finger touched the feathers, the little creature suddenly opened its eyes.

Those eyes...

They were bright, golden, and had a depth that was hard to describe. It felt as if an ancient being was looking at him, not a bird.

At that moment, an instinctive alarm went off inside Tony. "Yes, now it's my turn to die."

Reflexively, he quickly tried to pull his hand away, but just as he was about to do so -

The little creature grabbed Tony's finger with both of its wings.

Yes, it literally grabbed it.

And then... it gently poked Tony's finger with its little beak.

Tony froze. "Uh... Jarvis?"

Jarvis' voice echoed with his usual calm. "Sir, I continue to assess the organism's level of consciousness... However, its current behavior is similar to the bonding behavior of offspring with their parents."

Tony frowned. "Wait, what? You mean... this thing thinks it's my baby?"

Just then, the little disaster rubbed warmly against Tony's finger and made a little 'squeak' sound.

But it wasn't just a squeak.

It was a sound that literally meant, "If you think I'm a baby to be taken care of, you're right."

Tony narrowed his eyes. "Jarvis, if I'm interpreting this level of depravity correctly... This little thing doesn't treat me like a parent, it sees me as its parent."

Jarvis replied. "I can't argue with your data, sir."

Tony watched as the tiny creature looked at him with big eyes. Its small, fluffy feathers were still warm, its wings fluttered slightly.

And then...

A diabolical idea popped into his head.

Tony coughed slightly. "So, little one... If I am to be your father, what is my first duty as a father?"

The little bird studied Tony.

Then, determinedly, it spread its wings... and pulled Tony's finger to its head.

Obviously it wanted to scratch.

Tony opened his mouth. "Really?"

Jarvis' voice sounded. "Looks like it needs care."

Tony shook his head from side to side, sighed, and ran his finger over the little creature's furry head. He stroked it gently.

The little creature immediately closed its eyes, purred happily and leaned further into Tony's hand.

"Wonderful," Tony murmured. "I'm one of the richest men in the world, a technological genius... and now I'm a bird's personal servant."

Jarvis' voice echoed sarcastically. "Congratulations, sir, looks like you got promoted."

Tony rolled his eyes. "Very funny, Jarvis."

But then he saw the little bird close its eyes in satisfaction, lean against Tony's hand and make a little grunt...

He felt a strange warmth inside.

As if he was really... looking at his own baby.

And oddly enough, it wasn't a bad feeling.

Tony looked at the little bird that was snoozing on his hand, humming. It was strange.

Normally he wasn't very good with birds. Not that he didn't like them, but... well, they didn't interest him. But this little thing?

This thing was problematic.

As he watched the peaceful breathing of the tiny creature, a strange feeling came over him. Perhaps for the first time in his life, someone didn't seem to want anything from Tony. Money, fame, technology... No. The only thing this little disaster wanted was for Tony to be there.

But Tony had to go.

He stood up, shook his hands in his pants and took a deep breath. "All right, kid, this has been fun, but I've got work to do."

And just as he was about to step back -

"CIIIC!"

Tony jumped in place.

The little creature suddenly flapped its wings and let out a high-pitched scream. It made such a sound that Tony involuntarily rubbed his ears.

"Wha...? Jarvis, does it always sound like that?"

Jarvis replied with his usual calm. "Sir, I'm analyzing the sound level of the organism and the current frequency indicates a panic and stress response."

Tony narrowed his eyes. "Panic?"

The little bird flapped its wings slightly and looked at Tony. Then it sang again.

Tony frowned. "Is there a reason for this?"

Jarvis' voice echoed. "Sir, I think it doesn't want you to go."

Tony looked at the tiny creature with a blank face. "Wait, what? You mean... he doesn't even want me to leave?"

The little disaster spread its wings at Tony and shouted 'Ciiik!

Tony took a deep breath through his nose and put his hands on his waist. "All right, little trouble. So we're going to be glued to me, are we? You're a furry little criminal now."

Jarvis' voice came in again. "Interesting description, sir."

Tony rolled his eyes. "All right, enough drama."

The tiny creature squawked again, fluttering its wings slightly.

Tony shook his head from side to side and grunted. "Oh, great! Now I have a melodramatic bird."

But with a sigh, he slowly reached out his hand and took the bird in his palm.

And that was the moment...

Something happened.

Tony's entire body was enveloped in a strange but familiar feeling of warmth.

It was as if a peace had come over him, but this peace was... different.

Without saying anything for a few seconds, Tony felt the warmth of the little creature in the palm of his hand.

The little disaster wiggled a little in Tony's palm, then turned on its axis and settled down, pulling its legs in.

It was as if it was safest there.

Tony sighed. "Okay, kid, you're the boss."

Jarvis' voice took on a mocking tone. "At this rate, he might as well take over your company."

Tony frowned. "Don't, Jarvis."

But then, as he watched the tiny creature close its eyes peacefully...

A faint smile appeared on his face.

Everything was strange. But it didn't feel bad.

And maybe, just maybe, this little thing coming into his life -

It might not have been such a bad thing.

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