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orthodoxydaily · 4 years

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Saints&Reading: Thu., Aug. 6, 2020

Saint Christina of Tyre (300)

The Martyr Christina lived during the third century. She was born into a rich family, and her father was governor of Tyre. By the age of 11 the girl was exceptionally beautiful, and many wanted to marry her. Christina’s father, however, envisioned that his daughter should become a pagan priestess. To this end he placed her in a special dwelling where he had set up many gold and silver idols, and he commanded his daughter to burn incense before them. Two servants attended Christina.

In her solitude, Christina began to wonder who had created this beautiful world. From her room she was delighted by the stars of the heavens and she constantly came back to the thought about the Creator of all the world. She was convinced, that the voiceless and inanimate idols in her room could not create anything, since they themselves were created by human hands. She began to pray to the One God with tears, entreating Him to reveal Himself. Her soul blazed with love for the Unknown God, and she intensified her prayer all the more, and combined it with fasting.

One time Christina was visited by an angel, who instructed her in the true faith in Christ, the Savior of the world. The angel called her a bride of Christ and told her about her future suffering. The holy virgin smashed all the idols standing in her room and threw them out the window. In visiting his daughter Christina’s father, Urban, asked her where all the idols had disappeared. Christina was silent. Then, having summoned the servants, Urban learned the truth from them.

In a rage the father began to slap his daughter’s face. At first, the holy virgin remained quiet, but then she told her father about her faith in the One True God, and that she had destroyed the idols with her own hands. Urban gave orders to kill all the servants in attendance upon his daughter, and he gave Christina a fierce beating and threw her in prison. Having learned about what had happened, Saint Christina’s mother came in tears, imploring her to renounce Christ and to return to her ancestral beliefs. But Christina remained unyielding. On another day, Urban brought his daughter to trial and urged her to offer worship to the gods, and to ask forgiveness for her misdeeds. Instead, he saw her firm and steadfast confession of faith in Christ...keep reading OCA

St Declan bishop of Ardmore, Ireland ( 5th c.)_Celtic and British

If thou hast the right, O Erin, to a champion of battle to aid thee thou hast the head of a hundred thousand, Declan of Ardmore" (Martyrology of Oengus).

Five miles or less to the east of Youghal Harbour, on the southern Irish coast, a short, rocky and rather elevated promontory juts, with a south-easterly trend, into the ocean [± 51° 57' N / 7° 43' W]. Maps and admiralty charts call it Ram Head, but the real name is Ceann-a-Rama and popularly it is often styled Ardmore Head. The material of this inhospitable coast is a hard metamorphic schist which bids defiance to time and weather. Landwards the shore curves in clay cliffs to the north-east, leaving, between it and the iron headland beyond, a shallow exposed bay wherein many a proud ship has met her doom. Nestling at the north side of the headland and sheltered by the latter from Atlantic storms stands one of the most remarkable groups of ancient ecclesiastical remains in Ireland—all that has survived of St. Declan's holy city of Ardmore. This embraces a beautiful and perfect round tower, a singularly interesting ruined church commonly called the cathedral, the ruins of a second church beside a holy well, a primitive oratory, a couple of ogham inscribed pillar stones, &c., &c.

No Irish saint perhaps has so strong a local hold as Declan or has left so abiding a popular memory. Nevertheless his period is one of the great disputed questions of early Irish history. According to the express testimony of his Life, corroborated by testimony of the Lives of SS. Ailbhe and Ciaran, he preceded St. Patrick in the Irish mission and was a co-temporary of the national apostle. Objection, exception or opposition to the theory of Declan's early period is based less on any inherent improbability in the theory itself than on contradictions and inconsistencies in the Life. Beyond any doubt the Life does actually contradict itself; it makes Declan a cotemporary of Patrick in the fifth century and a cotemporary likewise of St. David a century later. In any attempted solution of the difficulty involved it may be helpful to remember a special motive likely to animate a tribal histrographer, scil.:—the family relationship, if we may so call it, of the two saints; David was bishop of the Deisi colony in Wales as Declan was bishop of their kinsmen of southern Ireland. It was very probably part of the writer's purpose to call attention to the links of kindred which bound the separated Deisi; witness his allusion later to the alleged visit of Declan to his kinsmen of Bregia. Possibly there were several Declans, as there were scores of Colmans, Finians, &c., and hence perhaps the confusion and some of the apparent inconsistencies. There was certainly a second Declan, a disciple of St. Virgilius, to whom the latter committed care of a church in Austria where he died towards close of eighth century. Again we find mention of a St. Declan who was a foster son of Mogue of Ferns, and so on. It is too much, as Delehaye ("Legendes Hagiographiques") remarks, to expect the populace to distinguish between namesakes. Great men are so rare! Is it likely there should have lived two saints of the same name in the same country!

The latest commentators on the question of St. Declan's period—and they happen to be amongst the most weighty—argue strongly in favour of the pre-Patrician mission (Cfr. Prof. Kuno Meyer, "Learning Ireland in the Fifth Century"). Discussing the way in which letters first reached our distant island of the west and the causes which led to the proficiency of sixth-century Ireland in classical learning Zimmer and Meyer contend that the seeds of that literary culture, which flourished in Ireland of the sixth century, had been sown therein in the first and second decades of the preceding century by Gaulish scholars who had fled from their own country owing to invasion of the latter by Goths and other barbarians. The fact that these scholars, who were mostly Christians, sought asylum in Ireland indicates that Christianity had already penetrated thither, or at any rate that it was known and tolerated there. Dr. Meyer answers the objection that if so large and so important an invasion of scholars took place we ought have some reference to the fact in the Irish annals. The annals, he replies, are of local origin and they rarely refer in their oldest parts to national events: moreover they are very meagre in their information about the fifth century. One Irish reference to the Gaulish scholars is, however, adduced in corroboration; it occurs in that well known passage in St. Patrick's "Confessio" where the saint cries out against certain "rhetoricians" in Ireland who were hostile to him and pagan,—"You rhetoricians who do not know the Lord, hear and search Who it was that called me up, fool though I be, from the midst of those who think themselves wise and skilled in the law and mighty orators and powerful in everything." Who were these "rhetorici" that have made this passage so difficult for commentators and have caused so various constructions to be put upon it? It is clear, the professor maintains, that the reference is to pagan rhetors from Gaul whose arrogant presumption, founded on their learning, made them regard with disdain the comparatively illiterate apostle of the Scots. Everyone is familiar with the classic passage of Tacitus wherein he alludes to the harbours of Ireland as being more familiar to continental mariners than those of Britain. We have references moreover to refugee Christians who fled to Ireland from the persecutions of Diocletian more than a century before St. Patrick's day; in addition it is abundantly evident that many Irishmen—Christians like Celestius the lieutenant of Pelagius, and possibly Pelagius himself, amongst them—had risen to distinction or notoriety abroad before middle of the fifth century.

Possibly the best way to present the question of Declan's age is to put in tabulated form the arguments of the pre-Patrician advocates against the counter contentions of those who claim that Declan's period is later than Patrick's...keep reading this riveting life

Luke 21:12-19 NKJV

12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will [a]answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or [b]resist.16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.

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Footnotes

Luke 21:14 say in defense

Luke 21:15 withstand

Roman 8:28-39 NKJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

God’s Everlasting Love

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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#orthodoxy #orthodoxchristian #firstchristian #sacredtext #scripture #spirituality #ancientfaith #apostles

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the-fiction-portal · 5 years

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A Dog’s Day

A/N: Yall I have no self-control I have a shit ton of stories I should be working on but I could not resist writing a Bucky fic. I just felt inspired after stumbling across this and I was like, ‘this sounds like a perfect au’ and was like ‘what if I used a dog’ and that's how I got a Modern AU w/Bucky and his dog.

Paring: Bucky x OFC

Word: 4419

Summary: Aria, a woman who spends her free time fostering kittens, has been noticing for the last week she’s been getting a dog visitor in her yard. Curious about who the owner is she writes a note and sticks it in the dog’s collar to alert the owner of the dog’s escapism. What happens when the dog returns with a new dog tag and a return note?

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“You’re doing such a good job, Frodo,” Aria coos at the tri-colored corgi who was playing gently with some of the kittens she was fostering. It warmed her heart to see her dog being so gentle with the kittens and it was especially nice because the kittens would have experience with dogs when getting adopted out.

The kittens were nestled against the dog as they sought out the warmth. The dog in question was resting happily beside the kittens, his little nubby tail wagged at the praise.

Eventually, the peace in the house turned into chaos as it was time to feed the animals. Having a home full of animals at any given time made scheduling very important. If they were newborn kittens that needed to be fed near constantly she fed all animals roughly the same time every day 8am was breakfast, 12 was lunch, and dinner time was 6.

“What is it Frody?” she calls to her dog who was sitting patiently by the door leading to the backyard. It would be that Frodo had to go outside, the only task that she hated as a dog owner. Going outside in the cold was the last thing she wanted but she had no other option

“Alright, Frody. Let’s go,” she grunts as she gets up from the couch sounding very much like a middle-aged lady even if she is only 30.

Unlocking the screen door she lets her corgi run free trampling into the first snow of the season. It wasn’t a lot but it was enough for Sophie shut the door and watch her dog safely from the inside.

“He’ll let me know when he’s ready,” she reasons out loud knowing the dog well enough to where he’ll scratch at the glass to be let in so she heads back to their couch to watch a little tv. That is until she heard Frodo’s excited barking.

She hurries to grab a coat and opens the door to see a very familiar dog climbing her fence. She didn’t consider putting a privacy fence mainly because Frodo was so short and she herself didn’t see herself using the backyard as often. But with recent events it almost made her want to consider it. After all, what if it wasn’t a cute mischievous dog who climbed her fence but an intruder?

“Well hey, Ninja dog,” she slides the door close and walks over to the dogs who were running around the yard. For the past week, every day like clockwork, this dog has snuck into her yard. It was always after lunch and she couldn’t resist giving the young dog a treat before he went on his way.

The dog stops and bounds over to her, tail wagging excitedly as she goes in to pat the dog’s head Frodo was hot on their heals. “Who do you belong to?” she asks the dog as if it would suddenly start talking. Judging by the coat and the blue collar the dog was obviously a cared for dog. She was quite charmed by this dog, it was a beautiful husky, with black fur and piercing blue eyes and he was very energetic so she was sure it was still pretty young.

“Alright, alright,” she giggles when the dog jumps up excitedly and whines for food. She didn’t think to grab any treats before coming outside.

“Stay,” she held her hand out to the dog who waits patiently while she ran inside for snacks. After feeding them some jerky snacks they start excitedly running and playing with Frodo. She was happy the ninja dog got along with Frodo and perhaps this is why she didn’t try to do anything to keep the dog out yet.

‘Dear owner, Are you aware of your ninja dog wandering the neighborhood? They’ve been coming in my yard every day for a week. They have a collar but no way to contact you. I decided to voice my concern because they could stumble into a yard where they’re not welcome. Please give your dog a tag and keep them safely inside.

From, Friendly Dog Lover’

As the dogs played she took the time to write a note to the owner of this husky and by the time both dogs were panting it was easy for her to slip the folded note into one of the loops in the collar. Eventually, the dog makes their daring escape and scuttles over the fence and just like that they were gone.

“Well, Frody. Let’s get going before the kittens destroy the house,” she tells her dog.

It wasn’t exactly true, the kittens were maintained in a smaller room in the house and every day they got time to explore the rest of the house, it was the only way to contain the chaos. After Frodo actually went potty, she enters the house with the dog.

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Aria loved working from home. Once she did what she had to do for the day she had some time to focus on the kittens. She had recently uploaded new photos of the kittens on her blog and links it directly to the website of the local shelter she was fostering for. They were big enough to be adopted out now as she only ever tended to tiny or sickly kittens that the local shelter didn’t have time or resources to tend to as closely. Soon, she’d have to say goodbye to these little kittens and receive someone new.

A scratch at the window startled her and Frodo who jumped to investigate. Aria goes over to the blinds and slides them open to reveal the husky was back. She’d not seen them in a few days she thought the owner got the hint but now the dog was back she got mixed emotions. She was happy for Frodo who seemed more than happy to see his friend again but sad because the owner was careless again. Still, she grabs her usual treats and notices two things immediately. One the dog had a tag, two there was a note attached to the dog.

She kneels to pet the dog who licks her cheek happily making her smile and pet the adorable pooch and she notes the tag again and it was a lot of writing on it so she takes the time to read it, maybe she would know what to call them other than Ninja dog.

“Hi, I’m Luca. I’m not lost, just visiting,” she reads out loud and grins. Luca was a pretty name.

She turns the tag over and was surprised to see more than just contact info. “If I look hurt or scared, call James Barnes,” she reads out loud and underneath was what appears to be a phone number. Finally a somewhat proper tag, she could sigh in relief.

Luca whines and shuffles his feet as he sniffs for the treats.

“Ok, Luca. Here you go,” she tosses it and the dog catches it in his mouth, crunching excitedly. Not to be left out she gives Frodo some too.

‘Dear Friendly Dog Lover, I am so sorry about Luca. I had just moved a week ago and I did not think to check the fencing in the yard before I let him out. It was a great place for him to roam and play while I attempt to slowly unbox my house. Apparently, there was a loose panel in the fencing where he was able to wedge himself through. He’s still a pup so I guess it’s no surprise he’s slim enough to fit. The fence is fixed so the little escape artist shouldn’t make any surprise visits I let him out on purpose so you can see his tags. Also, I’d like to meet at the nearby park to meet you officially to say thanks, I don’t know many people so meeting a fellow dog lover is top of the list. The number on Luca’s collar is my cell, if you’re interested, text me with a day and time that works best for you.

From, James Barnes’

She had read the letter twice over and eyed the dog who had dropped in a playful crouch. Since the snow had long ago melted and the grass is dry she adds to their fun by tossing a ball around and watching the dogs zoom up and down trying to catch the ball first. She praised Luca when he came back with the ball but it was a 50/50 shot of him actually letting go of it. Frodo had to correct the younger dog a few times whenever Luca got the ball and eventually both dogs were playing nicely.

Eventually, the ball no longer amused them as Frodo laid out in his tired sploot and Luca was panting beside him. She gives the dogs water before Luca makes his move to go home.

“Well…guess I better give Luca’s dad a text,” she answers as she heads back to her home. She had saved the number as ‘James Barnes: Luca’s Dad’ and was able to find it with ease.

Hello. This is the friendly neighborhood dog lover. I received your message, I’d love to meet you and Luca officially. He’s a very good boy and enjoys playing with my dog, Frodo. So if you don’t mind I’ll bring him with me. Also, any time on Saturday I’m free.

James Barnes (Luca’s Dad): I’d love to meet your dog especially if they get along. Is 1pm Saturday okay?

Sounds great. See you then.

With the date and time set the only thing Aria can do is wait. It was only Tuesday, she had a long week yet to go.

Aria spent the rest of the week wondering what James was like in person. With a name like James she had to assume he’s a guy, she's never gone out of her way to meet up with a guy that wasn’t business related in a long time. She hoped he was nice, especially if he’s in the neighborhood. She kinda just politely greet the neighbors when she saw them outside, but having a genuine friend in the area would be a new experience.

Saturday morning she awakens as usual with a storm of emotion shuddering through her. She was excited because the kittens were graduating to their new home. Or rather only two of them were going to be adopted today, the other two will be going to the shelter where they can be given the chance to interact with more cats and get adopted from there. Being the prime kitten age, they won’t be there too long.

“Well, guys. Let’s have a light breakfast,” she says out loud knowing that it’s best not to have animals full before traveling. Meanwhile, Frodo gets his meal as usual and as he’s in the corner munching away she monitors each kitten. Each kitten had a breakfast theme, there was Egg a white and ginger girl, and Bacon a ginger boy. They were actually litter mates. Two abandoned kittens that eventually joined them were Waffle, a white and tabby boy, and Bagel a tuxedo boy. The two that were going home together are litter mates Egg and Bacon. Their owner will be here in another hour.

On time, the family came to meet their new additions. The brother and sister were each holding a kitten, smiling as their parents affectionately pet the kittens. She placed them in the carrier and placed some of the joys they loved playing with.

“Thanks so much for choosing these two. They will be the light of the house I just know it,” she tells the parents, mainly the mother as the father was holding the carrier cooing at them gently.

“No, thank you for taking such good care of them,” the mother said back making Aria smile. It was all worth it seeing the small or pathetically sick kitten grow and play and be happy and healthy.

She waves off the family and soon after she drops off Waffle and Bagel to the shelter who were happy to receive them, they would be placed in a kitten room where a few healthy kittens were.

“Okay, I have plenty of time before our meeting,” she looks at the time, it was only 10.

By the time she cleans out the kitten room, gets rid of the litter, and vacuum the rest of the house to be rid of access hair it was nearly noon. She still had to shower and get dressed.

“Argh,” she lets out Frodo to use the bathroom before getting that well needed shower. It was sunny but chilly. However, it was not freakishly cold so she was able to wear an undershirt under a sweater and a pair of skinny jeans and her walking shoes. The day was nice to have a bit of a walk, what else would a couple of dog owners be doing?

She knew which park James had referred to and it was either a nice walk or a quick car ride to it. Since today was a nice day she decided on a walk.

However, the moment she grabbed the leash to attach to the harness Frodo became excited, wagging his nub tail so hard he was practically wagging his butt.

“Alright, Frody, we can’t go unless you sit still,” she said as the dog was too excited for a walk. While his puppy years are long gone, he was a healthy adult who had plenty of energy to spare. In fact, it was important he was well exercised when dealing with tiny babies.

When the leash was attached, the walk began. Frodo knew what to do, he stayed at her side while they walked. Aria knew where to go as well guiding her companion to the park, soon as the sounds started of other people started making its way to their ears Frodo became excited again, he knew where he was.

“Alright, don’t pull. Frodo, heel,” she commands giving a tug on the lead before Frodo could go any further and the dog stops trying to pull and stood beside her.

“Good dog,” she praises and pulls out her phone to message James.

Hey, I made it to the park. If you see a goof wearing a light blue sweater with a very excitable corgi that is me. Look forward to meeting you.

She sends the message and makes a way to the bench. Frodo whines, no doubt because this wasn’t the walk that was promised.

“Don’t worry, Frody. We’ll get our walk in, don’t you want to see your friend Ninja dog? Wanna see Luca?” she asks her tone shifted and the Corgie turns back to her, little butt wagging. She wondered if he understood but he still seemed pretty alert, looking around so maybe, just maybe he did.

James Barnes (Luca’s Dad): Sorry, we’re late, we’re looking for you right now.

She looks at her phone, it was only 5 minutes after. Sure it was late, but it wasn’t like she was waiting long. It was a nice day after all. She stands to look out for the husky pup and see the human attached to said pup. But then Frodo jumps up and lets out an excited bark eagerly starts to go in a direction. Perhaps he’d picked up the scent of a friend.

“Alright, alright Frodo. Heel,” she commands and the dog was bounding in excitement as she finally takes notice of the only Husky in the park. She walks a little closer and she takes note of the human and was stunned. Dark brown hair that fell around his jaw, said jaw was defined and was peppered in a tasteful amount of stubble, lastly, his eyes were a stunning icy blue, kinda reminded her of Luca.

When they got close enough she lets go of the button, allowing the dogs to meet first. Frodo greets Luca with eager sniffing, both sets of tails were wagging happily.

“So, you’re the Friendly Dog lover?” James asks with a voice so velvety smooth she was almost speechless.

“Oh, um. Yes, name’s Aria. And I would assume you’re James?” she answers back.

“Yeah, I’d prefer if you called me Bucky though,” he answers sticking his hand out.

She grasps it gently in a handshake, she tries to ignore the warmth that resonated from the moment they touched. “So, this little escape artist is named Luca?” she asks looking down at the dog who had stopped to sniff her.

“Yeah, my god. I hadn’t the slightest clue he was getting out this whole time. So the note was very alarming, to say the least,” Bucky answered.

“That’s right, you moved recently. I don’t think I noticed any moving trucks,” she answers.

“Oh, it’s because I had a little help,” he answers.

Soon, they start walking the path around the park as they talked about him just moving to be closer to the people he considers family. She listens how he got Luca as a gift from his best friend Steve and how the past couple of months having him was amazing.

“He’s a little shit, but I love him,” Bucky answers fondly looking at the dog who was walking happily beside Frodo.

“Aren’t they always? I love my dog too,” she answers.

“You said your dog’s name was Frodo? Fan of Lord of the Rings?” Bucky asks making her whip her head towards him.

“Oh? You enjoy it too?” she asks in surprise, it’s such an old fandom that it’s not talked about much.

“A few friends have seen the films. One of them calls another friend of mine Legolas because he did archery as an elective in school,” Bucky answers watching her eyes stare back at him in wonder. “Though, I haven’t exactly gotten into them myself,” he adds.

“Fair enough. And, well my boyfriend really loves the books, and I originally got Frodo for him since he really loves Corgis,” she answers and then looks down at the dog who seemed happy with his walk.

“But, life happened and well, I ended up with Frodo. He’s been a joy for 5 years,” she adds trying to brush off the negative feelings that came with talking about Frodo’s origins, all she knew is that she loves her corgi.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

“Oh no, it’s okay. It's an innocent question that is a little loaded from time to time. I mean his name is actually funny. Frodo is a hobbit and corgis are short-legged dogs. I think it was the funniest thing,” she answers with a small chuckle.

After a lap around the park, she notices Bucky was looking at his phone and ran his hand through his hair nervously.

“Oh, sorry for keeping you. Saturdays are usually reserved for people who have things to do,” she answers feeling bad for keeping him all day.

Stunning blue eyes looks from his phone back to her, captivating her with ease once again.

“No, it’s not that. I’ve…well…” he hesitates a moment.

“I wanted to thank you and maybe let the dogs hang out before going. But…well I really like having your company and I’d like to invite you to lunch or coffee,” he states.

Her heart leaps in her throat, she’s never been asked out before, not in a long while. She hadn’t the slightest idea what to do with herself.

“The dogs can come of course. There’s that one place in town that has an area where people can sit with their dogs,” Bucky adds noting her hesitation.

“Oh, I know which shop you’re talking about. Sure we can go,” she answers now that she had something to focus on.

“I brought my car here so we can go together. Unless you brought yours of course,” Bucky replies, guiding Luca out of the park.

“I walked, and sure…if you don’t mind,” she checks with him, though before she had time to regret asking and say she’d meet him there he had already given the go-ahead, his smile was so bright she hadn’t the heart to change her mind.

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“Woah, you’re a teacher? How do you have time to foster?” Bucky asked sounding stunned to have been told of her profession.

“I limit it to only a few kittens at a time now. Before I had a house full,” she answers with a shrug.

“But…you’re an English teacher. You have to actually grade papers,” Bucky adds making her giggle at how big his eyes looked.

“I mean…you’re not wrong. I do have to read quite a bit. But I only have a few online classes for now. That way I don’t actually have to leave my house. I can’t actually leave newborn kittens alone, you have to feed them every couple hours,” she explains and ends up going on a rant about the latest kittens she’d nursed from the time they were days old till now.

“Today, they graduated and I feel like a proud parent and—” she stops when she sees him smiling softly at her, his coffee remaining mostly untouched.

“S-sorry! I just…go on tangents about my—”

“I think it’s neat. You look really passionate about it, it’s a good look on you,” Bucky answers with a grin, making her face flush instead.

“Y-you don’t have to indulge me…” she answers taking a nervous sip of her cup.

“If I can listen to my friend go on and on about art, which I have absolutely no knowledge about, I can listen to a cute girl talk about animals,” Bucky answers, brushing off her apology.

“Wha?” she squeaks out, not used to such forward language directed at her. He just called her cute without batting an eye. She feels Frodo sit up by her feet, perhaps because of the awkward noise she just made. She pats him on the head to assure him she was fine.

“I’d apologize, but I think it’ll do you a disservice. Also, I’d really love to know more about how you decided to name a cat Egg and Bacon,” Bucky answered shifting the topic back to the familiar.

Even as flustered as she was, she was able to quickly recover when her cats were involved. Other than apparent flirty comments, which were out of her element, she felt really comfortable around Bucky and could see them hanging out in the future. Maybe even without their dogs as buffers.

Enjoyed his company so much she followed him to a safe spot to let the dogs off leash to run, agreeing the dogs did not get any exercise and that Luca, as a working dog, required a lot more activity.

“Oh, wow. I didn’t realize how late it was getting,” Bucky looks at his phone.

Suddenly Aria realizes that the sun was going down. In another hour it would be dinner. She calls back her dog who stops in mid-play and turns around to book it. She glances over to Bucky who had called out to his dog, but he used a strange command instead of the usual ‘come’ the pup managed to follow behind, and eventually passing her short-legged dog to make it back to his owner.

“What was that command?” she asks once she got back to the car.

“Hm?”

“The command to call back Luca, it was something I haven’t heard before,” she answers.

“Oh, Veni. Means come in Romanian,” Bucky answers.

“Oooh, you’re one of those. Like cops who train the German Shepherds German commands,” she answers but still thought it was cool, she didn’t even know where Romania is.

“My friend is a cop. Suggested it to me,” he answers with a grin.

“Well damn,” she laughs at how close she was. “You’re gonna have to tell me about why of all the languages you chose Romanian,” she adds knowing there was an interesting story just waiting to be told.

“Unfortunately we are arriving back to our neighborhood. We can go out some time and I’ll answer all your questions,” he answers.

“Oh damn…I just realized we hardly talked about you at all. I probably sound like some kind of narcissist or something. Geeze,” she groans realizing it immediately. “Also make a left here…” she adds realizing her house was coming up.

“It’s not a big deal. I asked because I was curious, I wanted to know the woman who’s kept such a close eye on my dog for me. I can’t thank you enough,” he tells her and at her instruction came to a stop in front of her house.

“No problem. Luca is a swell dog and I just wanted to make sure he’s safe. He can have a supervised visit anytime though,” she replies, she liked having Luca around.

“Is it safe to assume I’ll see you around?” Bucky asks as she gets Frodo leashed and out of his car.

“Yes I’ll be seeing you around,” she smiles and she actually believes it. Bidding him goodnight, she goes back into her house.

Later that evening as Aria sits watching Netflix on her tv with her dog resting on his comfy dog bed her phone chimes beside her. She grabs it and looks to see who it could possibly be.

James Barnes (Luca’s Dad): Hey, Aria. I’d like to get to know you more. Would you like to accompany me to lunch or even dinner?

She looked down at the message for a while. Was it a date? She notes that he didn’t specify but he didn’t indicate anything about the dogs. She held the phone in her hand for a while, stomach clenching nervously.

“Gee, how did I even date before?” she asked herself out loud remembering a time where she felt freer. She met her ex-boyfriend in college and had several classes together it was only a matter of time before she talked.

“This isn’t necessarily dating. He did say he wanted to make friends. Friends go to lunch or dinner all the time,” she reasons with herself.

I’d like to go to dinner. How is next Friday sound?

If it’s a date or not she decides to take a chance. At best Bucky can be a reliable friend in the neighborhood. At worse, she would just avoid him like she avoids all her other neighbors, and Frodo will have lost a friend. A part of her, deep down, wanted to take a chance on the not so stranger named Bucky Barnes.

AN: S/o to the one Romanian word, I did a google and this is what it gave me. I apologize in advance. Stay tuned for a Christmasy themed one.

#bucky barnes #bucky x ofc #modern au #bucky fic

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