#italy work visa agent

[edugoabroad]

Want to Study in Italy? Apply for Study In Italy with Edugo Abroad & get admission to Ranked Universities without any hurdle. Best Italy Study Visa Consultant In Ahmedabad. ✅

Read more:-https://www.edugoabroad.com/study-in-italy/

[srldesigns6277]

If the kids family entered the country illegally then yeah, they should get deported?? Lmao??

There's only so many people a country can sustain. Every country worries about its citizens first and foremost. The obligation of a country and the politicians is to take care of their own FIRST. Everyone else is second. If you want to move someplace else then fucking do it legally and see if they let you in. You don't get to just jump the fucking border and rub your hands like a shitty little fly.

I am going to break this down point by point.

Your first statement: One that's fucking appalling since I know people who have seen the inside of those fucking facilities. I have seen the cages they have put children in before. No one. NO FUCKING PERSON should be put in a fucking cage. Many of the students I know and see have entered the country on visas and do work, but many American students I know won't. Many of them also have experiences that would make your head spin, from either their home countries or Border Agents. My community is better off with our immigrant population. We have construction workers, plumbers, thriving restaurants, and community groups. Many of the immigrant students and their parents have entered the healthcare industry here, too. They are integral to our community.

Your second statement: Did you know our country pays farmers to burn their crops or to not plant them at all? We often have overproduction in certain cash crops like corn and wheat. Most homes in the United States are owned by corporations rather than individual citizens, which has led to more homelessness, especially as those corporations tend to increase rent exponentially each year, often pricing people out of being able to afford rent. If the country truly cared about its citizens first, wouldn't it do something about the corporations?

Third statement: Similarly to what I just stated, If the obligation of Congress, the President, and the Judiciary, wouldn't they want to lower the infant mortality rate? Wouldn't they want to lower the pregnancy mortality rate? Wouldn't they want your prescriptions to be lower? Wouldn't they work with veterans to ensure they had easy access to healthcare and homes? Wouldn't college be cheaper or at least more accessible? Wouldn't they care about climate change since, as we just saw this past week(Jan 2025), the deep south has been under snowfall, the last time being the 1890s? Wouldn't they want to protect the rights of citizens since CITIZENS are you claim they want to help over immigrants? Wouldn't a government that cared want to have affordable homes for people?

Fourth statement: What ever happened to the poem on the Statue of Liberty?

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Or does that just matter if you are European? My family went through Ellis Island, where all they had to do was present their names and what they brought with them. But they were from Italy, so they were deemed okay, right? Or my family from Germany immigrated in the 1840s and were just allowed to move and create their own farms in Western Pennsylvania or Ohio. Or even still, the individuals who come on work or college visas, the H1B visas, are deemed perfectly fine. What's the difference there?

Your fifth statement: Our families probably did that, from the boats of Ellis Island in the East and Angel Island in the West. Plenty of people have been allowed to stay after doing similar things in the past, so why is it different now?

Next time just say your racist and move the fuck on.

[mhgrf]

Our country's regional visa-free policy for foreigners mainly includes:

Hong Kong and Macao foreign tour groups to enter Guangdong 144-hour visa-free policy. Citizens of countries with diplomatic ties with China holding ordinary passports may visit the nine cities in the Greater Bay area and the Shantou Bay Area without the need for a visa after entering the region through a group of Hong Kong and macao-registered travel agents, activities will be held in the cities of Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhaoqing, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Shantou, group in and out, stay less than 144 hours.

Visa-free entry policy for tour groups from ASEAN countries to Guilin, Guangxi. Group tours (2 or more) from ASEAN countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia) , with an ordinary passport, you can enter or leave the country visa-free through the Guilin Airport and travel agencies in Guilin, stay no longer than 144 hours.

Visa-free entry policy for foreign tour groups by cruise. Foreign tour groups (2 or more persons) on cruises and received by travel agencies in China, visa-free group visits are available from 13 cruise ports in Tianjin, Dalian, Shanghai, Lianyungang, Wenzhou and Zhoushan, Xiamen, Qingdao, Beihai, Haikou and Sanya, the tour group shall travel with the same cruise to the next port until the departure of this cruise, activities for Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan and other 11 coastal provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government) and Beijing, stay no longer than 15 days.

4th, 59 countries personnel entry Hainan 30 days visa-free policy. Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Italy, Austria, Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Monaco, Belarus and 59 other countries hold ordinary passports, for short-term reasons such as tourism, business, visit, family visit, medical treatment, convention and exhibition, sports competition, etc. (except for work and study reasons) , visa-free entry to Hainan may be granted, the scope of activities shall be within the administrative area of Hainan province, and the entry and exit ports shall be all open ports of Hainan province, and the stay time shall not exceed 30 days.

Visa-free 144-hour entry policy for foreign tour groups from Hong Kong and Macao. Citizens of countries with diplomatic relations with China who hold ordinary passports and visit Hong Kong and Macao may visit Hainan visa-free if they are in a group of two or more members of a travel agency legally registered in Hong Kong and Macao, activities for the administrative area of Hainan province, the entry and exit ports for all open ports in Hainan province, the use of group entry and exit mode, stay less than 144 hours.

[europeincoming-24]

Shaping the Future of Travel: FIT Tours, MICE Corporate Travel, and B2B Tour Operators

tour operator b2b: Partners in Travel Success

In the highly interconnected travel industry, tour operator b2b act as vital partners, providing services to travel agents, corporate clients, and other operators. They focus on backend operations to ensure seamless travel experiences for customers.

What Makes tour operator b2b Essential?

Scalability: B2B operators can handle large-scale bookings, making them indispensable for group travel and corporate clients.

Specialized Services: They offer niche expertise in areas like luxury travel, adventure tourism, or destination weddings.

Cost Efficiency: B2B operators negotiate competitive rates for accommodations, transport, and attractions, passing the savings on to their partners.

Global Reach: With partnerships in multiple countries, B2B operators provide access to a vast network of destinations and services.

Key Offerings of tour operator b2b:

Tailor-Made Itineraries: Designed for travel agents to offer their clients unique packages.

Logistics Management: From visa assistance to airport transfers, they handle all travel arrangements.

White-Label Solutions: Allowing travel agents to rebrand packages as their own.

Example of B2B Tour Operator Services: A travel agency in the U.S. might collaborate with a B2B operator in Europe to create customized group tours for American tourists. The operator handles everything from local transportation to guided tours, ensuring a smooth experience.

How These Segments Work Together

The interplay between FIT tours, MICE business travel, and tour operator b2b highlights the travel industry's diversity:

FIT travelers may turn to tour operator b2b for local expertise and exclusive deals.

MICE organizers often rely on B2B operators to arrange transport, accommodation, and event venues.

tour operator b2b create opportunities for travel agencies to offer both FIT and corporate travel packages.

For instance, a business event in Dubai organized by a MICE planner could include optional FIT tours for attendees wishing to extend their stay and explore the city.

Whether you're an independent traveler, a corporate organizer, or a travel agent, the services offered by FIT tours, MICE business travel, and tour operator b2b cater to diverse needs. They ensure seamless, personalized, and memorable travel experiences, each tailored to specific goals and preferences.

If you're looking to enhance your travel journey or business event, partnering with experts in these fields is the key to success. The future of travel is here, and it's all about flexibility, innovation, and collaboration.

How These Services Work Together

Imagine a school planning a trip for its students to Europe. Educational tour operators could design an itinerary focusing on art, history, and culture, while travel packages ensure affordable pricing. Together, these services create a seamless, cost-effective, and enriching experience.

For example:

A high school group might embark on a 7-day European trip covering Italy and France.

The educational tour operator organizes guided visits to the Vatican Museums and the Palace of Versailles, ensuring the itinerary aligns with the students’ curriculum.

Meanwhile, the travel package includes discounted group flights, hostel accommodations, and local transportation.

This collaboration ensures that the trip meets both educational and logistical needs.

[cruisesfares]

How Can I book Queen Mary 2 Cunard Ship?

Planning a weekend getaway or, say, you want to celebrate the New Year– then Queen’s Marry 2 Cunard Ship is the best option to start with—only an exciting endeavor.  And by booking the cruise line, you will only make the best of your holiday time. Expect the expected ones with the Cunard cruise lines. With booking, the last thing that one feels overwhelmed before planning the itinerary is going through this guide to help yourself have that confidence. 

Booking a  cruise on the Queen Mary 2 is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:

1. Start with the Research and Plan

Visit the Cunard Website: Go to www.cunard.com.

Select a Cruise: Browse itineraries for the Queen Mary 2 (e.g., Transatlantic crossings, world voyages, or themed cruises).

Choose Travel Dates: Select your preferred dates, destinations, and voyage type.

2. Create an Account with the Cunard Cruise 

Register on the Cunard website to save your preferences and receive updates.

3. Select Your Stateroom

a). Choose from stateroom types: Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, Princess Grill, or Queens Grill Suites.

b). Look at deck plans for an overview of cabin locations.

4. Check Pricing and Promotions

Look for special promotions, discounts, or inclusive packages that might include drinks, dining, or excursions.

5. Book Online

Add your selected cruise to the cart.

Fill in passenger details, including passport information, special requirements, and dietary preferences.

Make a deposit or full payment to confirm your booking.

6. Book via Travel Agent (Optional)

If you prefer personalized assistance, contact a travel agent specializing in cruises.

7. Confirm and Manage Your Booking

After booking, you’ll receive an email confirmation.

Use your Cunard account to manage your trip, book excursions, or make dining and spa reservations.

8. Prepare for Your Cruise

Travel Documents: Ensure your passport, visas (if needed), and travel insurance are ready.

Packing: Check Cunard’s dress code and pack accordingly.

Camera: Make lots of space in your camera or phone to get lots of photos clicked. 

To truly experience life on board, try choosing a somewhat longer stay, even though a short voyage could sound enticing to first-time cruisers. A variety of five- to seven-night cruises are available, providing you with the ideal chance to fully engage in both port exploration and the daily activities aboard. Enjoy a well-rounded combination of leisurely days at sea, taking advantage of everything your Cunard Queen has to offer, and visiting fascinating locations where you can take in the stunning scenery, mouthwatering food, and local customs. 

Go with a week in the Norwegian fjords, a stay in the Mediterranean, or even a transatlantic crossing aboard our renowned flagship, Queen Mary 2, for first-timers sailing from Southampton.

Shore Excursion Works Shore excursions, sometimes referred to as Shore Experiences at Cunard, provide you the opportunity to fully enjoy the distinctive pleasures of your cruise destination. Imagine sampling wine in Italy's verdant vineyards, admiring the splendor of marine life while sailing a catamaran in the balmy Caribbean Sea, or admiring the breathtaking panoramic views of the Canaries from Mount Teide's volcanic summit.

Conclusion

Refer to the above-discussed information to help yourself book to know in detail about the Queen Mary 2 Cunard Ship deals. If you have any doubts, then feel free to connect with the cruise liner itself and get your doubts cleared, as there are various ways to reach them–choose according to your preferences. Having a good time with your loved ones is all that the Queen Mary 2 Cunard Ship cares for and works for the same from time to time.

[travelmd]

Unlocking the Secrets of Schengen Visa Acquisition in Bangalore

Navigating the complexities of obtaining a Schengen visa can be a daunting task, especially for residents in Bangalore. With meticulous documentation requirements, varying application procedures, and ever-changing regulations, individuals often find themselves overwhelmed in their pursuit of securing this essential travel document. However, fear not, for we, as seasoned experts in visa facilitation, are here to guide you through the labyrinth of requirements and streamline your journey towards obtaining your Schengen visa seamlessly.

Understanding the Schengen Visa

What is a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen visa is a travel document that permits its holder to enter, freely travel within, and leave the Schengen Area. This area encompasses 26 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. These countries include popular destinations such as France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and many more.

Types of Schengen Visas

There are several types of Schengen visas tailored to accommodate different travel purposes, including:

Uniform Schengen Visa (USV): Issued for short-term stays, allowing holders to visit the Schengen Area for tourism, business, or family visits.

Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV): Grants access only to specific Schengen countries as designated by the issuing consulate.

National Visas: Granted by individual Schengen countries for long-term stays exceeding 90 days, such as for work or study purposes.

Navigating the Schengen Visa Application Process in Bangalore

Finding a Reliable Visa Agent

Choosing the right Schengen visa agent in Bangalore is paramount to ensuring a smooth application process. Look for agents with a proven track record of success, comprehensive knowledge of visa requirements, and a commitment to personalized customer service. Our agency prides itself on these attributes, offering unparalleled assistance to individuals seeking to obtain their Schengen visas hassle-free.

Document Preparation

One of the most crucial aspects of securing a Schengen visa is meticulous document preparation. From valid passports and visa application forms to travel itineraries, hotel reservations, and proof of financial means, each requirement must be fulfilled with precision. Our expert agents meticulously review each document, ensuring compliance with Schengen visa regulations and minimizing the risk of application rejection.

Appointment Booking and Visa Submission

Navigating the visa appointment booking system can be challenging, especially considering the high demand for appointment slots in Bangalore. Our agency employs advanced scheduling techniques to secure expedited appointments, allowing our clients to submit their visa applications without undue delay. Additionally, our experienced agents accompany clients to their visa appointments, providing invaluable support and guidance throughout the process.

Overcoming Common Challenges

Language Barriers

For many applicants in Bangalore, language barriers pose a significant challenge during the visa application process. Our multilingual team of experts is fluent in several languages, including English, Kannada, Hindi, and more, ensuring clear communication and eliminating misunderstandings throughout the application journey.

Financial Documentation

Demonstrating proof of financial means is a critical requirement for Schengen visa approval. Our agency assists clients in compiling comprehensive financial documentation, including bank statements, income tax returns, and sponsorship letters, to satisfy visa officers of their ability to fund their travel and stay in the Schengen Area.

Securing a Schengen visa in Bangalore may seem like a daunting task, but with the right guidance and support, it can be a straightforward and stress-free process. Our agency stands ready to assist you at every step of the way, from document preparation and appointment booking to visa submission and beyond. Trust in our expertise to unlock the doors to your European adventure with confidence and ease.

[martinesabroad]

Slomading with kids, FAQ

I posted this elsewhere, which is why I reference the fam the way I do.

-------

My wife, two boys, and I have been "slowmading" since July 2022.

We've been to 14 countries.

Here are the most common questions we get about how and why we're doing this:

First: what is "slowmading"?

Digital nomads work remotely while traveling the world.

We're doing the same, but because we have kids, we have a base during the school year - that is, moving slower, hence "slowmading".

We make a base for 9 months, travel all summer, each school break, and many weekends.

Where have you been based?

In 2022-2023 we were based in Zagreb, Croatia.

In 2023-2024 we're based in Valencia, Spain.

Where else have you been?

U.S., France, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Austria, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, Portugal, Spain, England, Switzerland.

Isn't it expensive to do this?

Our biggest splurge has been the schools. Aside from that, it costs us less to live here than our US life.

Our living expenses AND travel living this way add up to about the same as our non-travel living costs at home.

How much stuff did you take?

We each brought one bag.

We've acquired some things: clothes, Lego, yoga mat, but not much.

Does it feel safe?

Everywhere we've been has felt incredibly safe, save for a recent evening in London.

What do you do for schooling?

We have been putting the boys in international schools. This has been our splurge, but it's worth it, as the schools have been incredible.

How do you decide where to go?

In choosing where to base ourselves, it's been quick and casual, we don't overthink it.

We look at places that offer a digital nomad visa, then narrow it down to parts of the world we want to explore more, and that aren't far from the coast.

We had never been to Croatia, or Valencia, before committing to going there, and that was intentional. We decided on these in a matter of hours. We're in it for the adventure.

As far as choosing where else to go, we all just toss out ideas, or if someone has a strong opinion, we do it if it's within reason.

How do you make friends?

We've made friends through the schools, and language classes, and I have found local founder friends through communities I'm in such as MicroConf and on X.

How old are your kids?

9 and 11.

How do the kids feel about it?

They miss their friends at times, but they're having a blast, and have made a bunch of new friends from around the world.

If they had their way, we'd keep doing this, but have a couple of their best friends and family come along :)

What about language?

The kids are in international schools, so those are in English.

We do our best. My wife is great at and loves languages and has been immersing herself.

The kids are learning a ton of Spanish and German and some French and Croatian.

Don't you think your kids should have more stability?

We feel they have stability.

Being based in places for the school year, they adapt and make friends quickly. It can be hard at the end of the school year and the start of the new one in a new place, but again, they adapt quickly, and we aren't doing that their whole childhood - we're only in year 2.

Facetime changes the game too - as they can keep in touch with friends and family around the world so easily.

The biggest hurdle is timezones, which they figure out.

How do you find places to stay?

For the places we rent for 9 months, we find them with local agents.

For weekends and our summer travel, it's usually Airbnb or Vrbo.

Where do you work?

I work at the dining room table, or the local Starbucks (I know, but it's reliable). My wife works at the dining room table, a coffee shop, or a co-working space.

Do you get visas?

Yes, we had a digital nomad visa in Croatia for the first year and then one in Spain.

What's your favorite place you've been?

So hard to say!

Sarajevo surprised us in the best way.

Korçula, Croatia is hard to beat for ocean swimming.

Venice in the off-season will always be special.

What do you miss most from home?

Friends and family.

Have people come to see you?

Yes! All four of our kid's grandparents have come to visit, and a handful of the kids and our friends have met us somewhere along the way. It's a great excuse for others to go abroad!

What's the best part of living this way?

So many new adventures, not every day feels the same.

We've all been exposed to so many new cultures. The kids in particular have made friends from so many parts of the world. There's even a large group of Russian and Ukrainian kids together in their school which is beautiful, considering the current events.

The kids have found immense curiosity about the world (as have we), and desire to see so much more.

Our 11-year-old now watches Flight Radar as much as he can get away with.

[afflatusglobalvisadelhi]

Navigating the Italian Work Visa Process: The Role of Visa Agents in Delhi

The attraction of working in Italy is a dream for many individuals seeking international employment opportunities. Italy offers a vibrant culture, picturesque landscapes, and a rich history, making it an attractive destination for professionals from around the world. However, the process of obtaining an Italian work visa can be complex and daunting. This is where the expertise of Italy work visa consultants in Delhi comes into play. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of the Italian work visa process and highlight the valuable role that visa agents in Delhi play in facilitating this journey.

The Italian Work Visa Process

Acquiring a work visa for Italy requires several steps and adherence to specific regulations. While Italy is a member of the European Union, it still maintains certain guidelines for non-EU citizens seeking work opportunities within its borders. The main steps in the Italian work visa application process include:

Job Offer: To begin the visa process, a prospective employer in Italy must provide a job offer to the applicant. This offer should detail the nature of the job, contract terms, and other relevant information.

Application Submission: The applicant then submits the work visa application to the Italian consulate or embassy in their home country. The application should be accompanied by required documents such as a valid passport, passport-sized photographs, a valid employment contract, proof of accommodation, and evidence of sufficient financial means.

Visa Type: Depending on the nature of the job and the length of stay, different types of work visas are available. These may include temporary work visas, self-employed visas, or long-term work visas.

Visa Processing: The consulate reviews the application and supporting documents. This can take several weeks, during which the applicant might be required to attend an interview.

Approval and Entry: Once the visa is approved, the applicant can enter Italy and begin their work. After arrival, additional processes, such as obtaining a residence permit, might be necessary.

The Role of Visa Agents in Delhi

Given the complexities and nuances of the Italian work visa process, many individuals turn to visa agents or consultants for assistance. Particularly in Delhi, where a large number of people aspire to work abroad, Italy work visa consultants play a pivotal role in guiding applicants through the journey. Here's how they contribute:

Expert Knowledge: Visa agents possess up-to-date and in-depth knowledge of the Italian work visa requirements, processes, and regulations. This expertise helps applicants avoid common mistakes and ensures the application is correctly filled out.

Document Preparation: Visa consultants assist in gathering the necessary documents and ensure they are properly organized and submitted. This minimizes the chances of delays or rejections due to incomplete paperwork.

Application Guidance: Navigating the Italian work visa application can be overwhelming, especially for first-time applicants. Visa agents provide step-by-step guidance, ensuring that applicants understand each stage of the process.

Interview Preparation: If an interview is required, visa agents prepare applicants by conducting mock interviews and offering tips on how to present themselves effectively.

Efficiency: Visa consultants streamline the process by minimizing errors and preventing unnecessary delays, helping applicants secure their visas in a timely manner.

Conclusion

Obtaining an Italian work visa is a significant undertaking, and the guidance of Italy work visa consultants in Delhi can be invaluable. By leveraging their expertise, applicants can navigate the complexities of the application process with confidence. As individuals take steps towards realizing their Italian work dreams, these visa agents serve as trusted allies, supporting them every step of the way.

[dichvulamvisatnm-blog]

Get Vietnam e-visa very fast and easy

We provide Vietnam e-visa service from 1-2 working days for foreigners who want to enter Vietnam. Vietnam e-visa applies to 80 countries.

Currently, Vietnam is applying Vietnam e-visa (Vietnam e-visa) issued to foreigners in the list of 80 countries. Citizens of these 80 countries can apply for a Vietnam e-visa easily online. Duration of stay of Vietnam e-visa is 30 days, 1 time and cannot be extended.

In order to develop tourism, the Government of Vietnam has agreed to increase the duration of Vietnam e-visa from 30 days to 90 days, valid single or multiply. This regulation is effective from 15/08/2023.

We are a travel company in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, providing Vietnam e-visa services for foreigners who want to enter Vietnam with travel and business services. We help customers complete the Vietnam e-visa application procedure according to regulations. Customers receive Vietnam e-visa via email.

https://dichvuvisagap.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/vietnam-evisa.jpg

*Newyouth Tourism Co.,LTD is a travel agent in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam is providing Vietnam e-visa fast track services:

- Normal services: Get Vietnam e-visa in 5-7 working days; services fee is USD 50 (including stamping fee USD 25)

- Urgent services: Get Vietnam e-visa in 1-2 working days; services fee is USD 80 (including stamping fee USD 25)

- Rush services: Get Vietnam e-visa in 1-2 hours; services fee is USD 190 (including stamping fee USD 25)

- Length of stay: 30 days 1 time, not extension. (From 15/08/2023, it is 90 days, single or multiply)

*The documents include:

- A photo of passport ID page by scan or your phone.

- 1 photo 4cm x 6cm

- Information: hotel address or temporary address in Vietnam, date of entry to Vietnam, arrival airport, ....

* You send your resume via email: thanhnienmoi@gmail.com

* Vietnam e-visa services for 80 country: Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bruney, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China (Including Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR passport holders, Not apply to Chinese e-passport holders), Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea (South), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The former Yugoslav of Macedonia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia Federated States of, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Myanmar, Nauru, Netherland, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, ,Romania, Russia, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor Leste, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela.

- Get Vietnam e-visa for US passport: Americans are not exempt from Vietnam visa, must apply for Vietnam e-visa

- Get Vietnam e-visa for China Passport (Including Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR passport holders, Not apply to Chinese e-passport holders)

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for Australia

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for Austria

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for Belgium

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for Canada

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for Czech Republic

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for Denmark

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for Estonia

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for Finland

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for France

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for Germany

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for Greece

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for Hungary

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for India

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for Italy

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for Japan

- Get Vietnam e-evisa for Korea (South)

- And more

And get Vietnam Airport pick-ups services (Fast track services) at Tân Sơn Nhât Airport. Our staff will meet you at the aircraft gate with your name on the welcome board and assist you to get visa stamp and visa sticker without getting line as other. Just 5-10 minutes you will at the luggage lounge to wait for your belonging.

AIRPORT PICKUP SERVICE FEES:

- Fast-track services at Tan Son Nhat airport: USD 25.

- Fast-track services at Noi Bai Airport: USD 35.

PLEASE CONTACT WITH US

NEWYOUTH TOURISM CO.,LTD

Address: 212/29 Nguyen Thai Binh street, Ward 12, Tan Bin district, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

- Zalo app: +84.988.512.577 or https://zalo.me/+84988512577

- Viber app: +84.988.512.577 or https://msng.link/o?84988512577=vi

- Email: thanhnienmoi@gmail.com

Thank you verymuch.

[aurumacadicus]

The Proposal AU

Y’all this is 14K I die. Watch out for under the cut!

--

Tony is not an American citizen—Howard had moved to Italy because Maria had refused to leave her family mansion home, so he’s an Italian citizen. Which isn’t a problem! He’s got a work visa to live in America, and he works very hard at his job as a book editor in California, because he’d wanted to escape Italy and his memories there and it was as far away as he could get. His assistant, Steve, works perhaps even harder—while Tony thinks he simply has high standards, Steve thinks he’s really just a difficult, hard-to-work-with, perfectionist asshole. He would have quit, except getting into the industry is hard, and he didn’t want to have to start all over under someone else.

So when Tony is informed that he’s broken the terms of his work visa and he needs to leave, he panics and convinces Steve to marry him. Steve’s not entirely enthused, but Tony reminds him of what he already knows—this business is cutthroat, and he wouldn’t want to have to start all over again with a new editor. Besides, they have a system, and while Steve may hate Tony’s guts, what they have is dependable. So being fake-married so he doesn’t have to restart his career from scratch is fine.

“How… convenient,” Agent Coulson says when they meet him to inform him of this. “That your—” He glances down at the paperwork they’ve handed him. “…Secretary—”

“Assistant,” Steve and Tony cut in at the same time.

“My secretary is Ms. Potts. You’ve met,” Tony adds.

Agent Coulson doesn’t shiver visibly, but Steve and Tony can sense it—Ms. Potts inspires that reaction in a lot of people. “Well. As I’m finding the circumstances very suspect, I’ll be questioning you both to make sure there is no fraud here. You will be asked separately. And I’m sure I don’t need to remind you that if this is proven to be fraud, you, Mr. Stark, will be deported.”

“Remind,” Steve repeats faintly.

“And you, Mr. Rogers, will be convicted with a felony punishable by a two hundred and fifty-thousand dollar fine and five years in prison,” Agent Coulson continues.

“Five years,” Steve repeats, voice growing fainter.

“It’s not fraud,” Tony says, reaching out to take one of Steve’s hands, which he only grips back because suddenly what they’re doing seems very real, both the marriage and the consequences of its failure. “We’re in love.”

“We’re gonna go visit my family in New York,” Steve adds, more on instinct than anything else, because if he’s in trouble he wants to go home. “To let them know. That I’m marrying someone. They have to meet him before we get married, after all.”

Tony turns to give him wide eyes, then looks back at Agent Coulson with a practiced, plastic grin. “Yes. We’re going to visit Steve’s family in New York. I’ve always wanted to visit the east coast.”

“You’re not going to see your family?” Agent Coulson drawls.

Tony’s plastic grin drops, and he looks down, and his voice as he murmurs, “I don’t have any,” makes it clear that it’s probably the only word of truth uttered in the entire meeting. At least Agent Coulson looks uncomfortable enough that he lets them go.

“I can’t go to prison,” Steve says once they leave the office. “Tony. I’m not going to prison for you.”

“You’re not going to prison because he’s not going to find out,” Tony assures him, stepping out of the building and onto the sidewalk. “It’ll be fine.” When he notices that Steve isn’t following, though, he stops, frowning at him. “Steve?”

Steve says nothing for several minutes, lifting a hand to cover his mouth as he frowns at the ground. Finally, though, he lifts his head, saying, “You’re making me an editor.”

“What?!” Tony balks.

“If we do this, you’re making me an editor, and you’re publishing the book I’ve kept trying to get you to read for the last seven months,” Steve repeats. “I’m doing this for your sake. So you’re going to do this for me.”

“Wh—Steve,” Tony begins, laughing nervously. “You can’t just—”

Steve steps up to him and points directly into his face. “Five-year prison sentence, Tony. A quarter of a million dollars in fines. I’m doing you the favor here. So you’re going to do this for me.”

“I—” Tony begins, but the expression on Steve’s face is kind of scary, and it is true that Steve’s doing him this favor, so… he sighs, and crosses his arms, and mutters, “Fine.”

“Fine,” Steve says.

“Fine!” Tony exclaims angrily.

“I’ll see you on the plane,” Steve says, sweeping past him.

Tony spins around to stare after him, horrified. “You mean that wasn’t a—”

“I’m not getting married without my family even if it is a sham wedding,” Steve snaps at him, and then he’s gone, turning the corner and storming away.

--

The plane ride to New York is tense, mostly because Tony had upgraded them both to business class and it had annoyed Steve. Finally, Tony can’t keep quiet, and he pulls out the sheaf of paper that they’re going to be quizzed on. “We should probably go through all of these questions, so we know the answers.”

“I know everything he wants to know,” Steve answers stiffly, pulling out a sleep-mask.

Tony whips his head around to glare at him, squawking, “No you don’t!” He ducks his head when he gets shushed by a flight attendant and three other passengers. Once he’s certain they’re not paying attention to him anymore, he turns back to Steve, hissing, “No, you don’t!”

Steve sighs, adjusting the straps on the mask. “Try me.”

Tony scowls at him a little longer before looking at the papers. “Okay, you probably know my birthday—”

“I know your social security number, too,” Steve adds, putting the mask on.

Tony opens his mouth to insist he doesn’t, remembers all the paperwork he’d neglected to fill out that Steve had done, and closes it again. He scans the papers with dismay. It looks like a lot of questions that Steve knows and he doesn’t—what his favorite meal is, his typical workout routine, how he likes his bed made. He doesn’t even know how Steve likes his coffee, because apparently, he just gets the same thing Tony gets in case of an accident like the one of the day this whole mess had started.

Finally, he says, “Tattoos. Do I have any tattoos?”

“Two,” Steve says, arms crossed over his chest.

Tony jerks his head up to stare at him in disbelief. “Wh—you don’t know that!”

“You have the Big and Little Dipper over your heart,” Steve says, and Tony’s hand flutters up to cover it. “And a bunch of circles with a heart in the center on the inside of your left ankle.”

Tony stays quiet for several minutes, then mumbles, “It’s an atom. Rutherford’s model.”

“There’s a heart in the nucleus of it then,” Steve says, and Tony sets the papers down on his lap, frowning. He should probably ask Steve some so he can find out his answers, but Steve very obviously doesn’t want to be bothered, if the mask and closed-off body language is any indication.

--

There’s a brunet and a redhead waiting for them when they step off the plane. Steve rushes over to grab the brunet up in a hug, thumping him on the back, then turns and picks the redhead up to spin her in a circle. Tony hovers behind him, uncomfortable, especially when he notices the brunet giving him a long, skeptical look instead of anything welcoming. He reaches out for Steve’s bag. He doesn’t reach out for Tony’s.

“Bucky, Nat, this is Tony,” Steve says, wrapping an arm around Tony’s shoulders. “Tony, these are my friends, Bucky and Natasha.”

“Your parents named you Bucky?” Tony can’t help but ask, and then immediately regrets it when Bucky scowls at him.

“The name grows on you,” Natasha cuts in, before anything bad can happen, like Bucky punching him in the nose. “There were three other Jameses in his class, apparently, and with a middle name like ‘Buchanan,’ he had to work with what he had.”

“Your parents named you James Buchanan?” Tony blurts out, and then yelps when Steve starts walking. “Steve!”

“Keep walking, keep walking,” Steve says with a warning tone, and Tony obeys, because he’s here to fool Steve’s family and friends into thinking they’re in love, not to get murdered. He gets shoved into the back of a rather nice town car, but doesn’t get much time to appreciate it, because then Bucky is getting in the driver’s seat, and his grip on the wheel is tight enough that his knuckles turn white. He decides to keep his mouth shut around Bucky, forever if it came down to it.

As they drive toward Steve’s family home, though, he notices that a lot of the buildings have the name ‘Rogers’ attached to them in some way. He may not know much about Steve, but he does know his last name is Rogers. “Are these all—yours? Your… businesses?” he asks softly, waving his hand at a small grocery store as they pass.

“Ah, well, hmm,” Steve says, uncharacteristically at a loss for words. Finally, he says, “Well, my great-grandparents came over from Ireland with her own grandmother’s silver, and she sold it for cash, and became sort of a lender, so she made a lot of money, and then she just… bought up all the real estate around her? We don’t own all of the shops,” he adds hastily when he notices Tony staring at him. “But we’ve definitely… footed the loan for most of them at some point or another.”

“You didn’t tell Tony you were rich?” Natasha asks, tipping her head back so she can look at them upside-down. “Wow, Steve.”

“You know how I feel about the money,” Steve says immediately, and she shrugs.

Tony doesn’t know how Steve feels about the money. He doesn’t know how Steve feels about most things. He keeps his head down as Bucky finally loosens up to chat about the party that Steve’s mother planned to welcome him home, and how it’s supposed to be a secret, except he knows that Steve reacts to surprises with punches and he doesn’t want anyone to go to the hospital today.

--

Sarah Rogers is beautiful, and her smile is kind as she takes the bottle of wine Tony offers her. “Oh, how lovely! Thank you, Tony. You didn’t have to do that.”

“Mama would have dragged herself from her grave to beat me if I didn’t bring you a hostess gift,” Tony tells her. “You know Italians. It’s not right to snub the matriarch, and in return, you get fed your weight in pasta.”

Sarah’s gaze softens even more as she lifts a hand to touch his cheek. “Thank you,” she repeats, more sincerely this time, and then gently places her hand on the small of his back to give him a tour of the grand old house, which she apparently shares with Winifred Barnes now that they’re both widowed, and their children are out on their own.

“What the hell, Steve?!” Bucky asks after he’s finally gotten him pulled aside. “All you ever do is bitch about Stark, and suddenly we get a call saying that you’re dating and you’re bringing him to meet the family?!”

“Tony’s not that bad,” Steve says, even if it isn’t true and Tony is that bad. He still remembers Tony’s soft ‘I don’t have any’ in response to a question about his family, and it isn’t an excuse for why he is the way he is, but it certainly explains a lot about him.

“Steve, the first month you worked for him, you called me in tears every night because you hated him so much,” Bucky points out, glaring at him. “And you still bitch about him to me whenever you call! And you didn’t think to maybe mention you were dating?!”

“Maybe I realized that you wouldn’t believe me after all my bitching,” Steve begins.

“Are you sleeping with him so you can get a promotion?” Bucky cuts in.

Steve stares at him, struck stupid. Then he’s immediately furious. Bucky knows his character. That he could even think that Steve would try to get ahead by using his body like that is so offensive that it’s a miracle he doesn’t pitch Bucky out the window then and there. “Fuck you,” he tells Bucky, voice quiet because the other option is to just scream obscenities at him, and even that seems enough to make Bucky realize he’s made a grave mistake. Then he turns, and he opens the doors to the room they’d been in, and he says, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to make an announcement. Tony and I aren’t visiting just so he can meet my ma. Tony and I are visiting so my ma can meet her future son-in-law. I asked Tony to marry me right before we came on the trip.”

Tony looks like he’s been shot, and Steve will apologize for throwing him into the deep end later, especially as Sarah, Winifred, Natasha, and Bucky’s sisters all descend on him with questions.

“So how did Steve propose?” Sarah finally asks above the din, and everyone quiets, eager for the answer.

“I—well, he,” Tony begins uncertainly, looking from face to face, before he finally murmurs, “You’ll be disappointed.”

Steve has one moment to think that Tony’s going to spill. It’s terrifying, not just because it would break his ma’s heart, but also because Bucky would never let him forget it.

“I’m sure I could never be disappointed in a story about Stevie,” Sarah assures him.

Tony frowns up at her, then scratches his cheek nervously, not meeting anyone’s eyes. “Well, I—I was in my office. At home. Office at home. And he brought over some take-out from the Chinese place I like. I let him pick the TV program while I was getting some last-minute work done on a draft, and he chose—he chose—” He pauses, struggling to figure out what sort of TV show Steve would like, especially considering his TV hadn’t been on for the past seven years.

“It was heist film,” Steve cuts in quickly. “And we got to talking about art. I mentioned that I used to paint in my free time. He asked me why I didn’t anymore.”

“He told me I overwork him,” Tony continues, and he manages to make it sound more like a joke than a reminder of an argument they’d once had. “But he’d been working on something off and on over the past few months. I asked him if I could see it, and he said it was a wedding present. And I said, whose wedding? And he said ours, once I finally agree to it.” He smiles down at his feet, small and sweet and utterly charming. “He’s asked me before, but I always said no. I was always afraid, because I’ve been on my own so long, I was afraid to be vulnerable with him like that. But something about this time… I had to say yes.” He laughs, breaking the spellbound bubble everyone had been in, hanging onto every word he said. “I decided I was more afraid that he’d stop asking me!”

Steve remembers that night. It didn’t go like that. He’d brought over take-out because Tony had ordered him to, and then he’d been so frustrated by Tony’s immediate brush-off that he’d sat down and turned on the TV just to annoy him, and some slow-moving heist was on and he’d left it there to make Tony’s eye twitch. Tony had been the one to start talking about art, an offhand comment about how Pepper—Ms. Potts—was regularly spending his money on art to decorate his spartan apartment because she didn’t like how impersonal it was. ‘I guess I like the portraits from the romanticism era,’ he’d said, which at that point had been the most he’d ever said about himself out loud. He wonders if that’s how Tony remembers it. Wonders if Tony wishes he’d really gotten a proposal like that.

But before he can dwell on it too much, he finds himself being drawn into conversations about his faux-posal, and he allows it, taking his mind off of how vulnerable Tony had looked for a moment.

--

At the end of the night, there’s a moment where they struggle with bedding arrangements. All of Bucky’s sisters are home, and a couple of them could double up, but Steve and Tony have a hard time saying that they sleep separately, especially with both Sarah and Winifred raising their eyebrows at them in disbelief. Eventually they accept a room together. Tony grabs a blanket and a pillow and starts to set them on the floor.

“What are you doing?” Steve asks, surprised.

“…Bedding down?” Tony replies hesitantly. “We locked the door, so they have to knock first. I’ll just wake up and climb into bed with you if we need to.”

“Tony,” Steve sighs. “You don’t have to sleep on the floor. It’s a big bed.”

Tony looks unconvinced. “I still think it would be better if I…”

“Tony,” Steve says sharply.

“Fine,” Tony answers, sour-faced, and throws his pillow back onto the bed with a little more force than necessary.

“Fine!” Steve sighs, exasperated, and crawls in on the opposite side.

--

When Steve wakes up, Tony is curled up against his chest, and Steve has his face tucked into Tony’s hair. He smells nice, like coconut. He tries to move back, but Tony makes this soft, wounded noise and moves after him. He wonders if this was why Tony had tried to insist to sleep on the floor—wonders if he puts off the impression of someone who would be disgusted by it, if Tony was prepared to sleep on the floor to avoid it.

Then there’s a knock on the door, and Tony wakes up with a start, clawing at anything he can reach.

“Ow fuck!” Steve exclaims, trying to bat him away.

Tony’s struggles slow to a stop, and he utters an anxious, “Steve?”

“Yeah,” Steve mutters, trying not to be too angry. It’s a new house. He doesn’t know anyone. It’s probably just a fight-or-flight response to the knock on the door.

Tony, realizing what happened, looks miserable. “This is why I wanted to sleep on the floor.”

“This is how you always wake up?!” Steve sputters.

The knock comes again, and then Sarah’s voice calling out, “Rise and shine! We have a lot to do today!”

“Do?” Tony asks. He looks scared.

“I brought pancakes and coffee!” Sarah adds.

Steve hops out of bed and goes to the door to unlock it. “Morning, Ma.”

“You know, Bucky’s sisters are adults now. They’re not going to come barging into your room like they did as children,” Sarah says, amused, then frowns, reaching up to touch his neck, where there are three reddening lines from Tony’s clawing. “Honey, what—”

“I’m sorry,” Tony exclaims immediately. “I got—I wasn’t—”

“We’re not used to being around a lot of people, so he was startled awake,” Steve cuts in. Before his mother can get guilty, he adds, “I usually just waft coffee in his general direction until he wakes up.”

Luckily, she buys it, offering him a rueful smile as she says, “I hate to think how many alarm clocks he goes through.” She taps at a rolling cart she’d brought with her. “I saved some from Natasha. I’m almost certain she has a black hole for a stomach. Eat up before she sniffs them out, and then Natasha and I are taking Tony out.”

“Out where?” Steve asks suspiciously.

“Just out,” Sarah replies.

They stare each other down long enough that Tony comes over and fixes himself a plate of pancakes with jam and start eating it. Finally, Steve sags. “Okay. Don’t scare him.”

“I would never,” Sarah gasps, offended, and turns to look at Tony. “Tony, you believe I wouldn’t—Is that all you’re eating? Two pancakes? Honey.”

Tony’s eyes dart between them in confusion, because even Steve looks dismayed. “…I don’t eat much in the mornings? It makes me feel queasy. I eat big dinners.”

“You should have told me, Steve! I could have made something lighter!” Sarah exclaims.

“You don’t have to put yourself out for me,” Tony assures hurriedly. “I usually just have a yogurt or fruit. If we’re going out, I can pick some up—”

“Nonsense. I’m your hostess,” Sarah scoffs. “I’ll send one of the girls out for it. Natasha and I have big plans for today. Steve can go hang out with Bucky. I know he’s missed you while you were gone,” she adds to Steve.

Steve remembers Bucky’s accusation and has to keep from scowling. “Of course,” he says instead, because he doesn’t want to tell her that he still very much wants to punch Bucky in the face.

--

They take Tony to a strip club for a ‘bachelor party,’ since last night he’d mentioned that he probably wouldn’t have one.

“I’m not dressed for this,” Tony squeaks, and doesn’t know why that’s his first complaint. He’s mortified. Sarah and Natasha just tease him and say he’s not supposed to be the sexy one there, and he doesn’t really feel like he can say no, so he lets himself be dragged inside. He figures after fifteen minutes, he can fake a headache from the music and they can leave.

It’s a male strip club. He doesn’t know why he’s surprised. He would like the exotic dancer giving him a lap dance to stop giving him bedroom eyes. Luckily, he can escape when the dancer gets called over to someone else, and he rushes outside for some fresh air while Natasha goes to get them more drinks.

“You doing okay?” Sarah asks gently, coming up beside him.

“It’s… a lot,” Tony has to admit. “I don’t—I’m a homebody. I like to read. It’s why I like my job,” he adds quietly. “I can stay at home and read, and everyone thinks I’m just extremely dedicated. I was alone a lot growing up, so I don’t really… socialize well.”

Sarah hums thoughtfully, reaching out to pat his hand. “That must be why you and Steve get along. He’s so outgoing and friendly, I think it’s good for him to have someone to be tethered to. I think you ground him.”

“Or stifle him,” Tony can’t help but mutter, thinking about how he’d blackmailed Steve into this in the face of her kindness.

“No, you’re good for him,” she says firmly. “He’s never been the type to settle down. I think he only had one serious girlfriend besides you, and their relationship… it fizzled out when she turned down his proposal.”

Tony feels his heart sink down to his toes. “Oh.”

“Steve always wanted to break out into the editing business and make his own life, but New York was so competitive, and the one job that he was offered, they told him it was because of his father’s name,” Sarah continues. “So he decided to move to California to do it, and Sharon… she loves New York. She didn’t want to go. So she turned him down.”

“Sharon,” Tony repeats. “The, um—the blonde lady. She said she worked for a government agency, I think? She didn’t really—want to talk about herself. Wanted to talk about me and Steve.”

“Yes. And I think she’s happier, that she turned Steve down,” Sarah replies. “She had her own dreams of working for the federal government. She wasn’t going to be able to do what she wanted in California.” She turns to give him a gentle smile. “And Steve found you. And you’re good for him.”

“I guess,” Tony says, feeling vaguely sick to his stomach.

--

“Uh oh,” Sarah and Natasha murmur when they get home and find Steve chopping wood.

Tony frowns at them in confusion. “Uh oh?”

“Steve’s chopping wood. He and Bucky must have gotten into a fight,” Sarah sighs.

Natasha groans and pinches the bridge of her nose. “Okay. I’ll go talk to Bucky.”

“Should I go talk to Steve?” Tony asks Sarah in concern.

She immediately shakes her head. “No. He needs to work his anger out before he can talk. We’d just upset him more. I’m going to go get started on supper.”

“Oh,” Tony says. “I think… I’m going to go wash the glitter off of my body.”

Sarah lifts her hand to cover her smile. “Of course.”

The shower is nicer than even the one he has, and Tony spends a half an hour just standing under the spray, trying to ease his stiff muscles. Finally, though, he has to get out, and he realizes with dismay that he’d forgotten to grab a towel. “Fuck,” he whispers, with feeling. Maybe there’s some in a cupboard in the room, or he can dry off with a blanket and then admit to Steve why they needed a new one. Maybe he’d find it comical enough to forget whatever had made him mad.

So of course he comes rushing out of the bathroom just in time to smack face-first into Steve’s naked chest and go toppling to the ground.

It takes a minute for them to realize what happened, and Tony is the first to snap to attention, getting to his feet and shouting a frantic, “Why are you naked?!?!”

“Why are you wet?!” Steve shouts back, grabbing a throw pillow off of the chair to cover himself as Tony quickly covers himself with a blanket from the bed.

“I was—showering off all the glitter!” Tony exclaims defensively.

“Glitter,” Steve repeats, clearly not understanding how that could be a sensible answer. Then he throws his hands up. “Whatever! I’m getting in the shower.”

Tony shouts again and ducks behind the bed to keep from staring at the full view of Steve’s exasperated expression (and his very, very muscular body, who knew he hid that under his suits). “Where are the towels?!”

Steve walks over to the cupboard to grab one, and also chucks one over the bed to where Tony is. He knows he’s hit his mark because there’s an offended squawk and a thud. “There you go,” he deadpans, then turns and heads into the bathroom. “Do you need help with your clothes, too?”

“Go shower! You stink!” Tony snaps at him.

“Fine!” Steve snarls back.

“Fine!” Tony shouts, then sits back, scowling. He rubs the spot on his head that thunked into the wall, then reaches out to pick up the towel, quietly adding a mulish, “Asshole.”

--

Dinner that night is a much quieter affair… kind of. The Barnes girls chatter with Tony about wedding plans (he has none and they have many ideas) but Bucky and Steve are very carefully silent, even with Sarah, Winifred, and Natasha trying to urge them into talking to each other. Tony wonders what he should do. Sarah had said that the Rogers and Barnes had been very close growing up, so much so that all of the children will react to an angry first-middle-last from both mothers, and Steve and Bucky had been thick as thieves. Now they can’t even look each other in the eye.

Tony insists on sleeping on the floor that night, and Steve, exhausted and still faintly angry at Bucky, just lets him, even though they hadn’t locked the door. He forces another blanket on him when Tony only takes one, then flops back on his pillow with a long, slow sigh.

Tony is quiet for a moment, then cautiously asks, “Long day?”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Tony,” Steve says sharply.

“Okay,” Tony answers, going quiet again. He fidgets, staring up at the ceiling, then says, “It’s not the Big and Little Dipper, by the way.”

Steve tips his head, then lets his eyes dart down to the foot of the bed, which is hiding Tony from view. “Oh?”

“I mean, I guess it is, technically,” Tony says, shrugging. “But the Big Dipper is just a piece of the whole constellation. My tattoos are of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.”

“A mama bear and her cub,” Steve murmurs.

Tony nods, swallowing thickly. “Got it and the atom after the accident.”

“Accident,” Steve mouths to himself.

“I figured, what better way to remember her? She was so protective of me. She wasn’t always the best mother, but she was when it counted, and that’s what mattered to me.” His smile gets a little more wistful. “Your mom is really great. She’s so kind to me. I think I’m gonna miss her, after this is all done.”

Steve swallows thickly, then says, “Maybe. Maybe the divorce will be amicable. And you can still hang out with her.”

Tony takes a moment to feel endlessly grateful for Steve, then says, “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Steve.”

“We’re going to be married for at least a few years. That’s enough time for that to look normal,” Steve insists.

It reminds Tony all over again that this is a sham, and they’re tricking all of Steve’s family and friends. “Steve—”

“It could,” Steve says firmly.

Tony feels suddenly, endlessly tired. “Fine,” he sighs, knowing it won’t.

“…Fine,” Steve agrees when he doesn’t say anything more.

--

Sarah doesn’t knock the next morning, but she does tap her fingertips softly on the door until Tony snuffles awake, rubbing his eyes and looking around blearily.

“Tony, get in the bed,” Steve hisses at him.

“Hmm?” Tony says, then realizes where he is and grabs his blankets and pillows and launches onto the bed.

He elbows Steve in the stomach with almost all of his weight, but Steve still somehow prefers this to the morning before, when Tony had tried to scratch his face off. “Oof!”

“Sorry,” Tony mumbles, punching one of the pillows and then flopping down on it.

“’s okay,” Steve grunts, then calls out, “Come in!”

Sarah opens the door a crack and peeks into the room and, seeing both of them awake, smiles and opens it the rest of the way. “Good morning, sleepy heads!”

“G’morning,” Steve begins, and then squawks when he realizes Winifred and Natasha are following her in, throwing an extra blanket over Tony protectively as he yelps, “Ma!”

“I’m wearing clothes,” Tony says in confusion.

“Steve’s always been a bit possessive,” Natasha says, smirking, and raises her eyebrows in challenge when Steve scowls at her.

“Children,” Sarah sighs chidingly, and both Steve and Natasha duck their heads.

Tony just blinks at everyone, bewildered. “Um. What’s the party for?”

Sarah perks up, and she beams as she tells him, “Winifred and I were talking, about how it’s been so long since we’ve seen Stevie and what a nice boy you are. And we thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful if you got married here?”

“Ma,” Steve says again weakly.

“Here?” Tony repeats breathlessly.

Winifred puts her hand on Sarah’s arm before she rockets herself up into orbit from glee. “We thought it might be nice, while you’re here,” she says. “Everyone is in town, and you’ll be here until the end of next week, right? That’s plenty of time for you to invite your own friends and family. We’ll pay for anyone who can’t afford to come on their own, of course—we understand it’s short notice—”

“That’s so—sudden,” Steve chokes out. “Ma, Winnie, it’s sweet, but—”

“I only have three friends,” Tony cuts in. “And one can’t come. He’s deployed.”

The room quiets, and even Natasha looks struck speechless. Finally, Sarah asks, “Sweetheart, you have no family at all?”

“No,” Tony says firmly, in a way that makes it clear he doesn’t want to talk about it. “I’ll text Pepper and Happy. I think they’ll be able to make it, even if it is short notice.”

“We’ll cover their flights,” Sarah offers again breathlessly.

“Thank you. I think they’d appreciate that,” Tony says.

“Um. Just let us know the details,” Winnie adds weakly.

“We brought you yogurt,” Natasha blurts out.

Tony pops to his feet like he hadn’t just admitted his social circle is Steve and three other people, making grabby hands.

Steve waits until everyone has left, and Tony has stuffed his face with two spoonsful of yogurt before he states, “Pepper’s your secretary.”

“She’s my friend sometimes, too,” Tony mumbles, scowling. “Steve. I’m eating.”

“Happy is your driver,” Steve adds.

“And?”

“They’re your employees, Tony,” Steve sputters in disbelief.

Tony stares at him for a moment, silent, then sets his bowl of yogurt and fruit in his lap. “Steve,” he says seriously. “Just because they’re my employees doesn’t mean they’re not also my friends. Besides, I wasn’t going to tell your mother that I’m too abrasive for friends. You’re already stuck with a workaholic asshole. I don’t want them to think I’m a sociopath, too.”

“They don’t think you’re a workaholic asshole,” Steve begins weakly.

“I was working during our fake proposal, Steve,” Tony points out, and then returns his attention to his food, effectively ending anymore conversation about it. “Anyway, we should get together so I can learn the answers I need to know about you. I’ve been trying to guess at your favorite food, but mostly it just looks like you inhale everything.”

“Tony,” Steve tries.

“I don’t need to hear how pathetic you think I am, Steve,” Tony snaps, finally looking back up at him to give him a glare. “I don’t have any family, and I don’t have any friends because all I do is work, and I had to blackmail you into marrying me so I don’t get kicked out of the fucking country. I’m well aware that of the two of us, you’re getting the short end of the stick, so can you just leave it?”

“I’m not—” Steve begins, offended, but Tony is already up and walking into the bathroom. He doesn’t slam the door, but he thinks that’s only because Tony doesn’t want to draw attention from the rest of the house.

--

“Where are the Mas?” Steve asks, having looked all over the house for them and Tony. “I wanted to talk to them about Tony.”

Natasha shrugs, carefully pressing herself down into a yoga pose that looks, quite frankly, painful. “They said something about getting him fitted.”

Steve has the thought ‘Tony in a wedding dress’ and then immediately has to forget it. “Oh. Well, if you see them before I do when they get back, will you let them know I’m looking for them?”

“Sure,” she replies, shrugging. “Did you wanna talk about why you and Bucky aren’t talking? Or are we ignoring that, too.”

Steve scowls. “I don’t want to talk about Bucky.”

“He’s your best friend,” Natasha begins.

“Best friends don’t accuse you of sleeping with your boss for a promotion,” Steve snaps, cutting her off. “Sure, I complained about Tony to him a lot, but that was seriously his first thought?”

Natasha finally looks up at him, raising her eyebrows. “…You complained about Tony,” she finally says slowly. “To your overprotective best friend. And then expected him to like Tony. After hearing every bad thought you had about him.”

Steve takes a deep breath, then lets it back out slowly before he says, very coldly, “I’m not mad about him not liking Tony. I’m mad that he accused me of sleeping with him for a promotion. And if you think I’d do that, then fuck you too.”

“I don’t think that,” Natasha answers. “But Steve, did it ever occur to you that Bucky was trying to hurt you? You left for six years and never came back, and when you finally did, you brought someone that you’ve spent the last six years complaining about. Did it ever occur to you that, after feeling abandoned for six years, Bucky might be angry that the only reason you came back was not to actually visit your family, but to introduce them to your beau?”

Steve considers this, then quietly replies, “It doesn’t make it right. I’ve worked hard. I always planned on transferring back to New York once I got a position as an editor and had the leverage to do so. I’m so glad that all of you had the time to stew in your hurt and not consider that maybe staying here was hurting me.”

“Steve,” Natasha begins.

“Steve Rogers, I knew your father,” Steve barrels on angrily. “Steve Rogers, not Sarah’s son by any chance? Steve Rogers, whose family basically owns its own town? I was never just Steve. I was always an extension of someone else.”

“You know we never saw you like that,” Natasha says, voice soft.

“But not everything is about you guys,” Steve snaps. “And that’s why I left. Because none of you took the time to understand why I was so frustrated, why I wanted to do things on my own. You acted like this was just a job, that I could always get another one doing something else if this didn’t work out, but I was clear at the beginning that I wanted editing to be my career. None of you took my dreams seriously, and that’s on you guys. Not on me.”

Natasha stares at him, quiet, then reaches out and very carefully takes his hands. “I’m sorry, Steve,” she finally says. “It’s just that, your mother has been so lonely—”

Steve lifts his hand to cut her off. “And you guys honestly think that I would have left my mother without her blessing? You think I didn’t sit down for hours with Ma and talk about the pros and cons before I left? You think that just because I’m not here physically, I don’t have any contact with her? She told me to go. I call her every Friday night, and on Sundays we video chat. I don’t just FaceTime you guys for the holidays. I talk to my ma a lot.” He scowls. “I don’t talk to you guys as much because you always ask me ‘when are you coming home.’ You say it with a joking tone, but we all know it’s not really a joke.”

She stares up at him, quiet, considering. Finally, though, she simply says, “I miss you, Steve. Do you miss me?”

“I miss all of you, every day that I’m away,” Steve answers immediately. “I love you. You’re my family. But if you ever decided that you wanted to leave town to try and strike out on your own, I’d support you. It hurt, that you guys wouldn’t do the same for me.”

“I’m sorry, Steve,” Natasha says again. “I’ll try to do better.” She lifts her hand to cup his cheek. “But maybe… maybe you and Tony can visit more than once every six years.”

Steve manages a smile. “I think that can be arranged.”

--

“A suit will do,” Winifred and Sarah finally decide after having a twenty-minute argument about it.

Tony doesn’t know why they were arguing about it. They were agreeing with each other. Maybe that’s just something he doesn’t understand though. They’re a very close family. He doesn’t really know what that’s like. Howard had only had his parents, and they’d died when Tony was still a child. A majority of his mother’s family had been fractured by the war, and the only survivors had been a handful of cousins who she didn’t seek out, but if they met on the street, they’d talk for hours.

They’d offered condolences at the funeral. Hadn’t looked shocked when he said he was leaving Italy. Probably knew he was doing it to escape the memories.

Steve’s family is close—he’s heard Steve talk about Sarah before, at the office, when he’d been talking to Pepper about what to send her for Christmas. The Barnes and Natasha are close, too—apparently Natasha had been orphaned young, and Sarah had taken her in so she wouldn’t be sent away to family she didn’t know, and she and Bucky had fallen in love in high school, and now they were playing proposal chicken.

Tony thinks that Natasha likes him, probably. She’d been really nice at the strip club, and then at the coffee shop they went to afterward. Maybe… maybe she can put in a good word with Bucky. At least so they can be civil. Tony can continue to keep his head down and his mouth shut, and Bucky can just… ignore he exists. He’s used to that, unfortunately. It’ll only be for a few years—after all the time Steve’s missed out on with his family, he can suck it up long enough for him to get citizenship.

“Now, I know it’s probably too soon to be asking,” Sarah says, breaking into his thoughts. “But you know, seeing Steve in person after so long, it’s made me realize how much I’ve missed him. And I was thinking, maybe I could come visit for the holidays. If that’s not too much to ask.”

“Oh,” Tony says, surprised. “Oh, that—yes, that would be nice.” He remembers how happy everyone had been to see Steve. “Or—maybe, we could even come and visit you again.”

Sarah blinks at him, mouth opened in a little ‘o’ of surprise, before her eyes go a little misty and she reaches out to give his hand a squeeze. “I’d like that very much, Tony.”

--

“Ma,” Steve says as soon as she gets home, and then adds, “Winnie. Ma, I wanted to—where’s Tony? Isn’t he with you?”

“I think he got a bit overwhelmed with all the wedding plans,” Sarah admits, frowning. “We got his suit, we picked out flowers for centerpieces, and we snuck in to try cake flavors at the bakery even though we know you’ll just want chocolate, and—”

“Ma, that’s a lot,” Steve cuts in. “Where is he?”

She waves her hand back out the door awkwardly. “Well, he said you looked like you enjoyed chopping wood, so. Please go get him.”

“He’s chopping—he’s chopping wo-? He’s gonna cut his fucking leg off,” Steve mutters, rushing out the door.

Luckily, Tony hasn’t chopped his leg off, but he has gotten the head of the ax stuck in a log and looks like he is clearly considering chucking the entire lot of it.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Steve says hastily, grabbing the ax handle before Tony can lift it back up and pushing it away from him. “Hey. What’s wrong?”

“I don’t—Steve, your family loves you so much,” Tony chokes out, hands shaking. “And Sarah’s so kind, and Natasha likes me, I think—”

“She does,” Steve assures him.

“—And the Barnes are so nice, and everything is so loud, and—”

Steve reaches out to grab his shoulder, but Tony ducks his hand, shivering, as he begins to pace. “Tony, come on.”

“I’m wasting everyone’s time,” Tony bursts out. “I’m wasting your time. You shouldn’t have to be stuck with me when you could be trying to woo the person who you’re going to spend the rest of your life with. I should have just stayed alone.”

Steve approaches him cautiously, because every time Tony notices, he skitters away from him again, like he’s going to burst out of his own skin. “Tony, what are you talking about? What’s wrong?”

“I forgot, okay?!” Tony shouts, and Steve jerks back in surprise. “I’ve been on my own since I was sixteen years old and I forgot what a loving family is supposed to feel like! And then we came here, and everyone loves you, and I’ve kept you from that! I’ve kept you from that for six years! But they don’t even care! They just want me to be included, and I forgot what that was like!”

“Tony,” Steve says firmly, advancing on him. “Look at me.”

“No!” Tony exclaims, and jerks his gaze to his feet as he backs up. “You’re gonna do that thing where you make me feel like I’m wrong but I’m not this time! I’m not! I don’t deserve their kindness! I’m using you and I’m using them and I don’t deserve any of—”

“Tony,” Steve snaps, grabbing his face and forcing him to look up at him. He only feels slightly guilty when he sees tears gathered on Tony’s lashes. “Tony,” he repeats, softer, loosening his grip. “You deserve kindness.”

“I don’t,” Tony croaks.

“You do,” Steve assures him, using his thumbs to carefully brush the tears away before they have the chance to fall. “You deserve kindness.”

“Not from you,” Tony whispers, lifting his hands to grab Steve’s wrists. “Not after all I’ve done to you.”

“Tony,” Steve says seriously. “You haven’t done anything to me. I chose to stay. If I was really put out by the long hours and being ordered around and called in at all hours of day and night, I easily could have found a different job, because I know, down to my bones, that if they called you for a reference, you wouldn’t sabotage it, and someone with a recommendation from Tony Stark? They would have snapped me up.”

“Then why did you stay?” Tony croaks, brows furrowing together in confusion.

“Because you gave me a chance to work for you even though I didn’t have any experience, and I see things through,” Steve answers, voice firm. “And I’m going to see this through too, Tony.”

“Steve,” Tony whispers, and finally ducks his head with a sniffle.

Steve brushes his hair out of his wet eyes, then curls his arm around Tony’s shoulders to gently lead inside. “Come on.”

Tony sniffles and motions at the wood. “But I told Sarah I’d chop some of this.”

Steve laughs a little. “Tony. She never actually expected you to do it. If I hadn’t been looking for you, she would have come told me to collect you before you hurt yourself.”

“I wouldn’t have-!” Tony begins, scandalized.

“You got the ax stuck in the wood,” Steve points out, and then laughs again when Tony crosses his arms and pouts.

--

Pepper and Happy arrive the next day, and they look politely bewildered. “I didn’t have time to get you guys a gift, so I’ll have to get one when we go back to Malibu,” Pepper says as they put their bags in the trunk.

“My presence is your present,” Happy deadpans, and both Pepper and Steve are offended until he also pulls a box of chocolate out of his suitcase. “This is for Tony. He can share it with you I guess,” he adds to Steve.

“If I don’t eat all of them first,” Tony agrees, already reading the back to see what kind are in it.

Pepper glances between Tony and Happy, then reaches out to grab Tony’s wrist and very sweetly asks, “Tony, I think I might need some feminine products. Would you mind if I ran in an—”

“I’ll grab them for you,” Tony cuts in, handing the box of chocolates to her and striding back into the airport.

They watch him leave, waiting until he gets through the doors, before Pepper turns and deadpans, “Say what you need to say, gentlemen.”

Steve pauses, awkward, then says, “Not that I expected a gift, but…”

“I don’t care for you, Steve,” Happy tells him flatly.

Steve gapes back at him. “What the hell?”

“Do you think I don’t know what’s going on?” Happy snaps. “Tony told me and Pepper as soon as it happened. We know what this is. And I’ve heard the things you’ve said to people while we were waiting on Tony to go. Don’t think I’m going to forget them just because you’re doing Tony a favor.”

Steve frowns at him, then ducks his head. “Yeah. I wouldn’t expect you to. For what it’s worth… I’m sorry. I’ve learned a lot about Tony, and… and I’ve come to realize that I was really unfair.”

“That’s big of you, Steve,” Happy answers. “I still don’t care.” Then he opens the back door to the town car. “Get in.”

“Ma’s gonna throw a fit if she sees I’m not driving you,” Steve says.

“I will bodily heave you into the back of the car,” Happy replies.

Pepper grabs Steve by the arm and drags him into the back seat with her, hastily saying, “Don’t test him, Steve. One time I tried to get in the front seat during working hours and he actually got out of the car, pulled me out, and put me in the back seat.”

“This is supposed to be a vacation for you,” Steve says.

“I still don’t care,” Happy tells him, and then waits patiently for Tony to come trotting back out of the airport. “Took you long enough.”

“They didn’t have Pepper’s brand,” Tony complains immediately, and then slithers up to him to get him in a hug. “Thanks for coming, Hap.”

“I wouldn’t miss your wedding for the world,” Happy says, and somehow, he looks like he means it, even as he gives Steve some lethal side-eye.

Tony crawls into the car after Happy gives him one last thump on the back, placing his hands on his knees as he looks between Steve and Pepper. “So, what was that all about?”

“Just a pissing contest,” Pepper replies before either Steve or Happy can respond.

Tony doesn’t look surprised. “Oh. Who won?”

“Me,” Pepper says pleasantly.

Steve and Happy both give her some side-eye, but neither of them try to deny it, because they both know she would have left them bleeding by the side of the road if it came down to it.

“Anything we should know before we get there?” Pepper continues.

“Everyone likes me except Bucky,” Tony answers immediately. “So be nice to everyone.”

Pepper turns to look at Steve, and Happy glances at him in the rearview mirror. Steve sighs, then shrugs helplessly. “He’s got issues that are bigger than Tony and I being together.” Suddenly, he brightens. “Do you think we could get Bucky and Happy in a room alone together and—”

“Happy, if you punch anyone at this wedding, I’m breaking up with you,” Pepper says quickly, before Happy can look too excited.

Happy sags, disappointed, but mutters a petulant, “Fine.”

Steve sags as well, crossing his arms with a pout.

“Ugh,” Pepper says, disgusted. “I hate men so much.”

“Have a pecan cluster,” Tony says, offering her the box of chocolates, and she plucks it out with more force than really necessary.

--

Natasha and Pepper immediately get along as thick as thieves. Tony looks mildly concerned by this. Steve is half-tempted to tell Pepper that Bucky is Natasha’s boyfriend, but decides that the fireworks when Pepper finds out that Natasha’s boyfriend is the-Bucky-who-dislikes-Tony will be spectacular and well-deserved.

“Steve,” Bucky says quietly when everyone’s distracted. “Can I talk to you?”

Steve turns to look at him. “Are you going to apologize for what you said?”

Bucky sucks in a slow breath, then says, “I guess I can do that, too.”

“So it’s an afterthought?” Steve asks. “Then no. No, I’m not going to talk to you.”

“Steve, it’s important,” Bucky insists.

Steve raises his eyebrows at him. “Oh! It’s important. So important you can’t be bothered to apologize to me for that absolutely vile thing you accused me of. Hmm.”

“Steve,” Bucky sighs, frustrated.

“Get fucked,” Steve hisses, and then turns his back on him before he can try to convince him. “Ma. I’m sure Pepper and Happy are famished.”

“Oh, we ate on the plane,” Pepper begins.

“Yeah, and it was shit,” Happy finishes. “I will literally just take a box of cereal.”

Sarah scoffs at him with all the derision of a hostess who loves hosting can. “Absolutely not. I’ve made mutton stew! And have several vegetarian sides in case you don’t like meat.”

--

Bucky manages to corner them the next day when they come back from cake tasting again (Sarah was right, Steve had wanted chocolate cake, but Tony had convinced him to try a lemon chiffon so moist that it melted in his mouth, and with a white chocolate frosting, it was heavenly). “Steve. I want to talk to you,” he says, in a tone that brooks no argument. His eyes land on Tony hovering at Steve’s side, and his voice is flat as he adds, “You, too.”

Tony grabs Steve’s arm and clenches down tight. Steve puts his hand over his, then sighs, because apparently they’re not getting out of this. “Fine,” he says. “But make it fast.”

Bucky leads them into one of the outhouses, and Tony nearly leaps onto Steve when they find someone else in there. “Oh holy shit.”

“Mr. Stark,” Agent Coulson greets. “Mr. Rogers.”

“What the actual fuck,” Steve breathes, then jerks the arm Tony is still clutching so he’s behind him. “What are you doing here?!”

“Mr. Rogers, Mr. Barnes expressed concern that your marriage seemed out of place, considering some of the things you were saying to him even a week before you flew home.” Agent Coulson raises an eyebrow, unimpressed. “And now I hear that you’re getting married in… two days? This is all moving very fast, considering that Mr. Stark found out he would be deported a week ago if his marriage status didn’t change.”

Tony frowns, brows furrowing together, and looks up at Steve. “What were you saying about me?”

“Tony,” Steve says stiffly. “Go stand by Agent Coulson.”

Tony’s eyes go big and hurt. “Steve…”

“Go.”

Tony sort of shrinks as he takes a step toward Agent Coulson. “Okay.”

Once Tony has gotten clear, though, Steve lets out roar and lunges at Bucky, who goes down with a yelp.

“STEVE OH MY GOD WHAT THE FUCK!” Tony shouts, rushing to stop him.

“Get off me, Tony!” Steve snaps, trying to pull his arm free of Tony’s grip.

“Steve, stop, stop,” Tony says frantically. “Stop!”

“GET OFF ME,” Steve finally shouts at him, and Tony skitters back in terror.

Agent Coulson grabs Steve then, face thunderous, and says, “Knock it off, Rogers.”

“This isn’t about you,” Steve snaps.

“Knock. It. Off,” Agent Coulson repeats, and he tightens his grip on Steve’s arm.

Steve glares back at him for a moment, then directs his glare to Bucky. “You were supposed to be my best man,” he hisses, and then his face crumples, and his voice cracks as he repeats, “You were supposed to be my best man.”

“Steve,” Bucky breathes, shocked, as Agent Coulson heaves Steve to his feet.

Steve sucks in a deep, shuddering breath, lifting a hand to wipe his eyes, then looks at Agent Coulson and says, “Get off my property.”

“You’re not going to murder him as soon as I leave, are you?” Agent Coulson asks, raising an eyebrow skeptically. His eyes dart over to Tony, then back to Steve, expression going stern. “I’ll leave in a minute.”

Steve doesn’t even have it in him to fight it, just nods, exhausted.

Agent Coulson eyes him a moment longer before turning and going over to Tony, who is curled in on himself and shivering. “Mr. Stark,” he asks softly. “Are you alright?”

“I—” Tony begins helplessly, eyes darting between Steve and Bucky nervously. “I—”

“I’ll take you up to the main house,” Agent Coulson decides, placing a hand on the small of Tony’s back and gently easing him toward the door. “We’ll give Mr. Rogers and Mr. Barnes a moment.”

Steve watches them go, stunned, then lifts his shaking hands to run them through his hair. He feels a hand on his arm and can’t help but flinch away, spinning around.

“Steve,” Bucky says, holding his hands up placatingly. “I don’t want to fight.”

“Well, you could have fooled me,” Steve snaps, turning his back on him again.

“Steve,” Bucky sighs. “I didn’t do this to hurt you. You have to believe that.”

Steve whips back toward him. “You’ve been hurting me since the day we got here, Bucky.”

“Because I was worried!” Bucky bursts out. “Because you spent six years complaining to me about how much of an asshole your boss is, suddenly you’re dating him, and then you’re marrying him?! Steve. Tell me how that looks. Tell me how it would look if I showed up to Malibu with Rumlow on my arm, saying I was going to marry him.”

Steve swallows thickly, then croaks, “That’s different. He literally tried to kill you.”

“It’s really not,” Bucky counters. “Because to me, it sounded like Tony was sucking the life out of you, too. And then you called to say you were coming, and you didn’t mention anything to me. You didn’t tell me anything.” He sags, just as exhausted as Steve. “Did you think I wouldn’t have supported you if you just told me the truth? That I wouldn’t help sell the lie? If you’d just told me the truth from the beginning, I would have helped you, Steve.”

“It happened so fast, and I was so focused on what needed done,” Steve says, voice soft. “And he’s… He’s not so bad, Bucky. I’ve learned so much about him since this started. And he told me—” He sucks in a wet breath. “Bucky, he’s been alone for so long. He doesn’t even remember what being in a family is.”

Bucky scrubs his hands over his face, then sighs, letting his hands drop to his sides. “You always were such a hopeless romantic, Steve.”

“Yeah,” Steve admits, hunching his shoulders.

“Let’s go back up to the house,” Bucky mutters. “And I’ll—I’ll apologize to Tony. He looked real shaken up.”

“He saw me like that,” Steve whispers. “And I yelled at him.”

“I’ll tell him that I drove you to it,” Bucky offers, rubbing the back of his head. He sighs quietly when Steve just covers his face, reaching out to grab his shoulder. “Come on, Steve. It’s getting cold.”

--

Agent Coulson isn’t there when they get to the house, but Sarah, Natasha, and Pepper are wide-eyed as they watch Steve and Bucky come in.

“…Where’s Tony?” Steve asks tiredly.

Sarah wordlessly points toward the room they’re staying in. “Steve,” she says as they begin to walk past her. “I know things between you and Bucky have been strained, but getting into a physical fight? Unacceptable.” The ‘we will be talking about this’ goes unspoken, but it is very, very clear.

Both Steve and Bucky wince, and utter ashamed ‘yes ma’am’s, and then make their ways to Steve and Tony’s room. Steve considers just going in, then thinks better of it and knocks. There’s no answer, so he peeks inside, wincing a little when he sees Tony frantically throwing blankets and a pillow back onto the bed. “Tony, it’s us,” he says gently.

“Oh. Do I need to call Sarah?” Tony asks, twitching toward the door before very deliberately going still.

“No,” Steve answers hastily. “No. Please don’t call Ma.”

Tony’s eyes dart between them, and he takes a careful step back. “Okay,” he says, unconvinced.

“We wanted to apologize,” Steve begins, and then sighs, shoulders sagging. “I wanted to apologize to you.”

Tony’s eyes dart between them again before he hesitantly asks, “Um, okay. For what?”

“For what,” Bucky repeats in disbelief, as if Tony had personally just reached out and punched him in the gut.

Steve can’t say he doesn’t know the feeling. “For yelling at you when you were trying to keep me from pounding Bucky’s face in. It looked like I really scared you.”

“Oh. I—well. It’s fine. It’s fine,” Tony says, trying not to fidget too much. “Nothing happened. It’s fine.”

“…I,” Bucky begins, then crosses his arms uncomfortably when Tony’s eyes land on him, somehow resigned and terrified at the same time. “I’m sorry. For making things difficult on you. You an’ Stevie.” He works his jaw when Tony says nothing, then adds, “I’m sure you’re not that bad.”

“I am,” Tony answers quietly.

Bucky’s face goes through a series of feelings at the admission. Steve can’t help feeling a tad smug, even if it does break his heart a little.

“Are you… um,” Tony begins, playing with his fingers. He looks down at his feet. “Should I pack?”

“We’re still getting married,” Steve cuts in, taking a step toward him, but thinks better of it and eases back, because Tony still looks a little anxious.

Tony looks back up at them, frowning. “That’s okay?”

“…Why wouldn’t it,” Steve begins.

“It’s okay,” Bucky cuts in quietly. “If Steve is sure, you’re both adults. I trust Steve to know what’s good for him, even if it doesn’t always seem like it.”

Steve takes a deep breath, then lets it back out slowly, feeling as if a weight has been lifted off of his shoulders, even though he also still feels guilt sitting heavy and solid in his gut. “Can I talk to Tony alone, Buck?”

“Yeah,” Bucky answers immediately, lifting a hand to rub the back of his head. “Yeah.” He gives Tony one last look before he turns and leaves the room.

Tony watches him go, then hesitantly looks back up at Steve. “What is it?”

“Agent Coulson, he—you looked really shaken up,” Steve sighs, fighting the urge not to flush in shame. “He brought you back to the house. Did he… say anything?”

“He said your mother has a lovely home,” Tony answers immediately.

Steve frowns at him, disbelieving. “That’s it?”

“I—he asked if I felt safe here,” Tony admits, looking back down at his feet. “He seemed worried. I told him this was the first time I’d seen you like this. He still looked concerned, but he did end up leaving after that.”

Steve had never thought he’d feel so low. “I’m sorry,” he says quietly. “That I shouted at you. That you had to see me like that. Please know, Tony, that that actually had nothing to do with you. Not really. It’s been bubbling up ever since I left six years ago. I’m sorry, Tony.”

“It’s fine,” Tony says again.

“It’s really not,” Steve begins.

“It’s fine,” Tony repeats, steel in his voice this time.

Steve sucks in a sharp breath, then decides he’s in no position to push, at least not right now, when everything is so raw. “Fine.”

--

The next day is spent with last minute fittings and rehearsals, to the point that they don’t get a chance to talk about what happened. Even if they did get a moment alone together, it didn’t last long, with other people bustling in to ask a question or make sure they knew something about the ceremony, or just to remind them to take a break. Luckily, everyone in town is very excited about Steve being home and getting married, so they’re happy to make sure that things go as smoothly for the wedding as they can.

Steve notices Agent Coulson lingering at the edges of the crowd whenever they’re in town, and he scowls at him every time. Somehow, Agent Coulson doesn’t look perturbed in the slightest. “I can’t believe you called that guy,” he mutters to Bucky as they go to pick up their suits.

Bucky blinks at him, bewildered. “I didn’t call him. He called me.”

“What?!” Steve exclaims, but then he’s pulled into a discussion about corsages, and he doesn’t get a chance to question him further.

Sarah and Winifred (and literally every other woman in their family, at least Bucky had rolled his eyes) insist that Steve and Tony sleep apart the night before their wedding, because neither of them may be a bride, but it would still be bad luck if they saw each other. Luckily, they do allow them to say goodnight to each other, and Steve finds himself smiling as Sarah and Winifred giggle over the timer they’ve set for him.

“—my apartment? Yeah, I won’t—” Tony is saying into his cellphone when Steve walks into the bedroom, and then his eyes go big and surprised. “Uh. I have to go.”

“I can come back,” Steve offers, because Tony actually looks sorry about having to get off the phone.

“No, I can pick this up later,” Toy hurries to assure him, then scowls, offended, and says, “Platypus! I’m going to call you right back!”

“Platypus,” Steve repeats, mostly out of surprise, then frowns. “Ah. Your friend. Colonel Rhodey, you said?” He’d heard about him—he was the only person Tony ever smiled on the phone for, and if he hadn’t known that the Colonel had a long-term girlfriend (because Tony talked about both of them), he’d have assumed that that was who Tony was in love with.

“It’s Rhodes. I just call him Rhodey,” Tony admits, then tips his head. “Yeah, I’ll call you back soon. Steve needs to talk to me. Bye.”

“I guess we are gonna have to figure out where we’re going to live when we go back to California,” Steve muses. “How’s the amenities in your complex?”

Tony blinks at him, surprised, then admits, “I’ve never used them. People try to talk to me.”

“Ah,” Steve says, trying not to sound like an asshole, because… yeah, Tony avoided socializing even at work with his colleagues. “Well. We can figure that out after the wedding, I guess. Anyway. Ma and Winnie are timing me, so they know when to come in and roust me out if I take too long. I just wanted to say goodnight, and I guess… see you tomorrow?”

Tony frowns, considering, then manages a small smile. “I want to see your mother pull you out. She’s so tiny and you’re so big.”

“No she grabs my ear,” Steve whines immediately, then scowls when Tony laughs at him. “You laugh, but once you feel those nails digging into your ear, you’ll learn my pain.”

“I don’t know, I don’t think it can really compare to a wooden spoon,” Tony muses, and looks pleased when Steve actually starts to fret about which is worse. “See you tomorrow, Steve.”

Steve opens his mouth to say goodnight again, then pauses, squinting at Tony skeptically. Something doesn’t sound right in the way he says it, but he can’t really put his finger on it. Finally, at a loss for anything else, he repeats, “See you tomorrow.”

Tony reaches out to pat his chest before lifting his phone again. “I’m trying to work out a video call so Rhodey can watch me get married. I’ll go to bed soon,” he assures, misinterpreting Steve’s response.

“…Okay,” Steve says somewhat reluctantly. “Maybe let Natasha know tomorrow, so that you don’t have to worry about it when we’re actually doing the vows and everything.”

“Sounds good. Thanks, Steve,” Tony adds, patting his chest again, before returning his attention to his phone.

Steve stares at him for a long moment, then takes a step forward, opening his mouth again.

“Time’s up!” Sarah exclaims cheerfully, popping into the room like a jack-in-the-box and latching onto his ear.

“Ma no please,” Steve chokes out, but she’s got a vice grip, and Tony is laughing at him, so he lets himself be dragged willingly. He doesn’t think too much about the fact that Tony has a nice laugh.

--

Steve is just unzipping his garment bag when his mother bursts into the room. He blinks at her ashen face in surprise, but it quickly fades into concern. “Ma?”

“Steven,” Sarah whispers, and he knows from the use of his full first came that things are bad.

“…What’s going on, Ma?” he asks.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” Sarah says, lashes growing wet.

Steve stares at her, confused, then rushes past her to get to Tony’s room. It’s telling, that everyone he passes stops talking when they see him and rush to clear a path for him. Even Happy looks a little sorry for him as he yanks Pepper out of the way. He doesn’t bother to knock, just shoves the door to the room open, Tony’s name dying in his throat when he sees the room is empty. The pillows are perfectly fluffed at the head of the bed, extra blankets folded at the bottom. Tony’s toiletry bag is gone from the bathroom, and the laptop he’d had on the night table is gone, alarm clock and book back in place.

It’s like Tony had never been there at all, except for what looks like a manuscript on the desk. Steve swallows thickly and walks over to it.

Thank you, Steve. And thank your family for being so kind and welcoming. But I can’t do this to you, or to them. You all deserve so much better than that. I’ve talked to Agent Coulson, and told him that it was all my doing, that I was blackmailing you. You won’t get in trouble, a note on top of it says. I read the book you wanted to publish, and I’ve pushed it forward. I’m sorry I didn’t take you seriously sooner. When you get back to work after your vacation, you’ll be a full-fledged editor. I hope that makes up for the way I’ve treated you for the last six years. You’ll be able have coffee you actually like in the mornings, now. Goodbye, Steve. Good luck.

“…What the fuck,” Steve chokes out, reading and rereading the note, as if it might have some sort of secret message hidden in it. “What is—Tony, what—”

“Apparently he hadn’t talked to Jim about this at all. He knew Jim would tell him it was a bad idea,” Pepper explains quietly from the door.

Steve turns toward her, confused. “Why?”

“From what I can gather, Tony got into America from Italy with a student visa. He met Jim at MIT,” Pepper says. “And the Rhodes family took him in. Then Tony got his job in the publishing industry, and it became his life, and he forgot that work wasn’t everything.”

“It was what kept him in the country,” Steve argues. “His work visa. He needed—”

“Steve, if Tony hadn’t been panicking, he would have gone to HR for a lawyer from the beginning,” Pepper sighs, lifting her hands to rub her temples in an attempt to stave off a headache. “He was one of the people who started our west coast branch. He was invaluable to the company. They would have made sure his visa got back in order. Marrying someone was the first thing that came to mind, so he kept up with it. Jim was the one who pointed out that he didn’t need to do that, and that was he was doing was awful to you. Even if he did have feelings for you, it was clear that you wouldn’t return them. So he had to do what was right.”

Steve stares at her, then asks, “How did he know I wouldn’t return them? How do you?”

Pepper blinks at him in confusion. “Steve, what are you saying?”

“He’s a fucking dumbass and fell in love with him,” Bucky says, and they both jerk to find Sarah, Winifred, Bucky, Natasha, and Happy hanging in the door.

“What,” Pepper says, horror coloring her voice.

“Steven Grant Rogers, you are so fucking stupid,” Sarah hisses, coming into the room to cup his cheeks.

Steve drops his gaze to the floor with a wince. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. You haven’t disappointed me yet. You can still go get your boy,” she tells him.

Steve meets her eyes hesitantly. “That’s okay?”

“Steve, when I asked to come visit for the holidays, he offered for you two to come back instead,” Sarah whispers. “He wants you to be happy.”

“Yeah,” Steve agrees helplessly. “Yeah, he does.” He swallows thickly, then clears his throat, standing up straight again. “Happy, how’s your New York driving?”

“I can get you on the next plane to California,” Happy says, determined, so Steve sprints back to his room and grabs his wallet, and he runs out of the house just as Happy is pulling up the car.

--

Steve misses him. He fucking misses him.

He should have known it wouldn’t take Tony long to pack up. He’d mentioned how the apartment had come fully furnished, and he didn’t cook much, and Pepper was the one decorating his place. Even his office at work was pretty spartan, except for a bowl chair in the corner and a lamp for when he was working late and wanted to be comfortable. Even those are gone, carefully packed into neat boxes and left in the corner of the main floor, waiting for a shipping company to come pick them up.

Agent Coulson is there, too, and it takes everything in Steve not to walk over and punch him in the mouth. “You.”

“Mr. Rogers,” Agent Coulson replies mildly, jotting something down on his clipboard. “Mr. Stark has done his level best to make sure no blowback falls upon you. I’d still suggest you’d do well to keep your head down—”

“Joke’s on you, asshole,” Steve snaps, pointing directly in his face. “I’m going to marry Tony if it’s the last thing I fucking do, and you’re not gonna stop me.”

Agent Coulson stares at him for a moment, then lets out a long sigh. “Are you telling me that you actually fell in love with him over a week and a half?”

“I’m an idiot,” Steve tells him. “But that’s okay, because Tony’s an idiot too.”

Agent Coulson takes in a deep breath, then lets it out with a hissed, “God damn it Fury I know you did this to punish me specifically.”

Steve is big enough to admit that he’s a pretty excellent punishment for people even as he tries to finagle Tony’s forwarding address from him.

--

The Carbonell estate is a beautiful thing, Steve thinks, sucking in a startled breath as he lets his gaze travel past the villa. There are a few acres of grape vines behind it, and giant olive trees in the front yard. Apparently, the Carbonells were known for growing grapes and letting the locals come and take some to make their own wine. They’d used to own a larger expanse of vineyard, but they had downsized after The Accident.

That’s how all the locals refer to it, anyway. Maria Carbonell had been a well-loved local figure, and her husband was charismatic enough for his rough edges to be overlooked as he tried to assimilate to their culture, and then one day a tourist had been driving recklessly while Howard and Maria had been driving home from a local festival, and both cars had gone tumbling down a hill. “Antonio had been sixteen then,” they whisper, and Steve feels his heart leap into his throat, that he’d been left alone on this big estate.

He’d been told he could just go up to the door and knock, but he still feels weird about it.

The door opens just as he’s considering knocking again, and Steve opens his mouth to tell whoever answers who he is, but his voice freezes in his throat when he actually registers who he’s looking at.

He looks like Tony, but older—same sharp features, same facial hair, same hair curling at his ears and nape like Tony’s does before a cut, even if it is more gray than black. Steve had no idea what to say. Tony had said he had no family, but if this man isn’t related to Tony in some way, he’ll eat his fucking ballcap.

“Papa,” a familiar voice says, more gently than Steve’s ever heard it. “Papa, please. You were eating. You’ll waste your lunch.”

The man continues to stare at Steve, and it’s only then that he realizes the man’s gaze is vacant, like he’s not really seeing Steve at all. He motions at the door.

“Yes, you’ve gotten the door, Papa,” Tony agrees. “Thank you. Please go finish your lunch. Then we’ll go out on the balcony and have some wine.”

The man stares at Steve, then scowls and mutters ‘blond’ under his breath like an insult before he turns and leaves back into the house. Steve watches him go, stunned, even as his hand flies self-consciously to his hair.

“…Sorry,” Tony says, sniffing awkwardly as he comes to stand in the doorway. “He has nothing against blonds, really. We think he’s looking for Mama’s hair and is always upset that it’s not her.”

“Oh,” Steve replies, lump forming in his throat. “That’s sad.”

“Yes, well,” Tony says with a shrug. “Traumatic brain injuries are sad.” He blinks up at Steve for a moment, then asks, “What are you doing here?”

“I came to get you,” Steve says. “So we can get married.”

“We have civil unions in Italy,” Tony answers immediately, before the words catch up with him and he stares up at Steve in confusion. “What?”

“I love you,” Steve says. “And I know you probably don’t believe me, but it’s true. I love you, and I want to be with you, and I came to the office to stop you but you were gone. So I came all the way over here.” Steve pauses, then looks over Tony’s shoulder, adding, “I, um. I didn’t know about your dad. Should I get a hotel?”

Tony blinks at him. “Um. No, we have the room. Dad mostly keeps to himself, and he typically has a carer nearby. I just… wanted to spend some time with him when I got home, so I told Carmella to take the afternoon off.”

“I can come back,” Steve offers. “If you want to be alone with him.”

“Come in, Steve,” Tony orders, and opens the door further for him.

--

Steve understands why Tony went into the job he did as soon as he follows him out onto the balcony with Howard. Howard sits, and he stares out at the vines, holding a glass filled with ‘wine’ that’s really just grape juice. Tony sits down across the table from him and opens a book, and he starts to read.

It’s Dune. Tony reads it like an old friend, eyes casually sliding from the pages to his father every few minutes without a single stutter. Steve remembers, suddenly, that a copy of it had been laid out on the coffee table whenever he had to go to Tony’s apartment. Was this what Tony did, read Dune to his father? How often? When?

“Mr. Stark,” someone says softly, and Steve turns to see an older woman coming out onto the balcony. “It’s almost time for your father’s nap.”

Tony tips his head, acknowledging her, and finishes up the page he’d been reading before he turns to his father and says, “Papa, how did you like it?”

Howard says nothing for a long moment, then manages, “Fine.”

“I’m glad, Papa,” Tony says, smiling sadly. “Carmella says it’s time for your nap.”

“You’ve had a lot of excitement since Antonio came home,” the woman, Carmella, adds gently. “You’ll want to be refreshed for supper.”

Howard somehow conveys that he doesn’t believe her even as he allows her to ease him out of his seat and take his glass. He pauses in the doorway to turn and give Tony a minute wave. Then he narrows his eyes at Steve, mutters to himself, and turns his back on them both, allowing himself to be led away.

“…Is this why you said you didn’t have family?” Steve asks softly.

Tony sighs, shrugging one shoulder. “For the most part, he died in that accident with my mom. You wouldn’t know it from speaking to him, but he was a world-renowned scientist before the accident.”

“That atom with the heart,” Steve realizes.

“Yeah. Both of my parents effectively died in the accident,” Tony says with a shrug. “They left a sizeable inheritance, and I was able to save a lot from my job, so I’ve been paying for someone to care for him.”

“And you’ve been alone since the accident,” Steve adds. “Except for the entire Rhodes family, Pepper, and Happy.”

“The Rhodes have their own lives. Rhodey’s always deployed or his girlfriend is, and I don’t want them to waste their leave coming to visit me,” Tony explains, shrugging again. “And his parents took custody of their granddaughter. They don’t need to worry about me and my problems.”

“And me,” Steve says.

Tony opens his mouth, then closes it again, turning to frown at him. “What?”

“And you have me,” Steve repeats.

Tony stares at him a moment longer, then smiles a little, confused. “Steve. I’m back in Italy. There’s no reason to pretend anymore.”

Steve reaches out to take his hand. “You’re right. There isn’t.”

“…You’re holding my hand,” Tony points out after a moment, at a loss for anything else. “Steve, what on earth are you—”

“I fell in love with you,” Steve says. “And I want to prove it to you. And what better way than now, when there really isn’t a reason to pretend anymore?”

“…I… I don’t understand,” Tony finally answers. “What could you possibly even like about me, after all I’ve done? You don’t even really know me.”

“I know you like yogurt in the mornings, but you’ll eat third helpings at dinner,” Steve replies, lifting his other hand to cover Tony’s. “I know that you don’t really get art, but you know it makes Pepper happy, so you let her purchase what she wants to put in your spaces. I know that you prefer red wine over white and any wine over beer, but you’ll accept any of it because you don’t like to make a fuss. I know you loved your job because you loved seeing people get wrapped up in a new story and I know that you wanted writers to succeed. And I know—” He hesitates, but Tony looks more overwhelmed than upset, so he forges on, “And I know that you must care about me, too, since you left instead of carrying through with the marriage. So. So please give us a chance. A real one, this time.”

Tony stares at him, clearly stunned. Finally, though, he whispers, “How can I face your family again, Steve?”

“Tony, they loved you,” Steve assures him. “They just want to make sure you’re okay. They really want to see you again. Ma mentioned us coming for the holidays.” He pauses, then adds, “Well. If we can get back to the States that soon.”

“We?” Tony asks, voice shaking.

Steve frowns. “Tony, I’m in love with you. I’m not going to just leave you here. Not unless you send me away.”

“Steve,” Tony whispers, leaning in to hide his face in Steve’s chest.

Steve pulls him closer, burying his face in Tony’s hair. “I want to really give this a try, Tony. Please say you’ll try, too.” Tony is quiet for a very long time, but Steve doesn’t mind. He’s been alone for so long, he’d give Tony all the time in the world. Instead, he strokes his hand up and down Tony’s back, basking in the fact that he’s allowed to hold him now, and there’s no reason other than that he wants to.

“Maybe…” Tony begins quietly. “Maybe your family would want to come visit us here. We’ve got room. Only if they wanted to, of course,” he adds hurriedly.

Steve snorts. “Yeah, I’m sure a picturesque villa in Italy will be a hard sell, Tony.”

Tony tucks his face into Steve’s chest again. “Steve?”

Steve looks down at him. “Yeah?”

“…I’m glad you’re here,” Tony admits, then hides his face in Steve’s neck, embarrassed.

Steve nearly glows with happiness at the admission. “I’m glad I’m here, too.”

“Stay?” Tony asks shyly.

“That’s fine with me,” Steve answers, smiling.

“Fine,” Tony agrees, and Steve swears he feels a kiss being placed to his throat.

[nevermindirah]

Ok it's Jewish Booker o'clock, I can no longer stop myself, let's do this!

Why Jewish Booker? Dude was born in Marseilles in 1770, which happens to be a FASCINATING time and place in Jewish history, and it adds ridiculous layers to his character (without excusing a damn thing). Alternately just because I think he’s neat :)

Jewish Booker headcanons that make me happy:

not to be all "real Jews do X" but Jews fuck with candles hard. Book of Nile thrives on old/modern analog/digital giggles. Booker lighting Shabbat candles, lighting yarzeit (memorial) candles for his wife and sons (sob), lighting a menorah, lighting candles just because he's feeling emotional even though it's not chag (a holiday) or a yarzeit and Nile thinks he's trying to be sexy but he's really just in his feelings. just like. so many candles.

maybe Booker was the person who punched Richard Spencer at Trump's inauguration, just bringing back that time somebody punched a famous neonazi in the street and said neonazi has all but stopped appearing in public after a few rounds of public punching

were the Old Guard in Charlottesville in 2017? how many times has Booker the Blond Jew infiltrated North American white nationalist / Klan type activities and then stolen their weapons and/or killed them? likewise there's plenty of horrifying white nationalist shit happening across Europe this century, how many Pim Fortuyn types has he been involved in taking down? (I Am Of Course Not Endorsing Violence TM ;) ;) )

SINGING. Mattias Schoenaerts sings in Away From the Madding Crowd but it's church shit, sigh, anyway he has a nice voice. a lot of Jewish prayer is sung/chanted (depending on when/where you are and the gender rules of the community you're in) and there’s been a lot of innovation to Jewish singing in Booker’s lifetime, and I just want Nile to overhear him singing to himself on Friday afternoons

Nile Freeman was four years old when The Prince of Egypt came out, she grew up on that shit, she would want to introduce her new family to that shit. Please join me in picturing Booker, Nicky, Joe, and Andy all shouting "that's not how it happened!!" throughout this beautiful nightmare of a movie with lovely animation and songs but where white people voice most of the Egyptian and Jewish characters, because Booker Nicky and Joe's religious texts all frame the Exodus story a little differently and Andy was probably there when it happened (except for how it didn't actually happen it's an important story but it's just a story pls just let me giggle about Andy being super old)

Read below the cut for sad Jewish Booker headcanons, French Jewish history (mostly sad), context on antisemitism (enraging/sad), and all the way to the very end for a himbo joke.

Jewish Booker headcanons, I made myself sad edition:

he is a forger. who was alive. in 1939. visas. VISAS. V I S A S. how many of us did he save? how many more could he have saved if he didn't sleep that night? how heavily does that weigh?

how do we think he BECAME a forger? most likely he was doing what he needed to do to support his family, which gets extra poignant if he was also trying to help his people, forging documents as well as money even during his mortal life

Booker raised Catholic by crypto-Jews adds ANOTHER layer to the forgery thing, no shit he'd get good at falsifying paperwork and coming up with plausible cover stories

do we know how Booker made it back home after his first death in 1812? his route between the Russian Empire and Provence in 1812 would've been a patchwork of laws about Jews, in case starvation and frostbite weren't enough for him to have to deal with, he's blond and could maybe get away with pretending not to be Jewish if he had to, alternately maybe synagogues and yeshivot took him in on his way home

the structural and sometimes-interpersonal dynamics of antisemitism cause many individual Jews to experience feelings of teetering on the fence between a valued member of a not-exclusively-Jewish community and a scapegoat/outcast/problem. HOLY SHIT BOOKER. "what do you know of all these years alone" is the most Jewish loneliness-in-a-crowd shit I've ever heard. fear that we're not wanted, or only wanted so long as we're useful — that's something that basically all people struggle with under capitalism, but it's especially poignant for many Jews because of the particular way antisemitism operates. (NOTE this can tip from a legit Jewish Booker reading to woobification of the sad white man who couldn't possibly be held responsible for his own actions because he's so sad, which, NOPE. it's very understandable for him to feel left out and misunderstood and not as wanted, as the youngest and not part of an immortal couple and maybe Jewish, but NONE OF THIS excuses his betrayal.)

Crusaders murdered a lot of Jews on their way to the ~holy land~. how many of Booker's people did Nicky kill on his way to kill Joe's people? has Booker ever actually talked to either of them about it?

I read this really beautiful fic about Joe needing to circumcise himself after getting run over by a cart (ouch) — this is a hell of a thing for Joe and Booker to have in common

just generally Jewish Booker adds more layers to him and Joe so clearly being such close friends, ugh that look Joe gives him when they're leaving the bar at the end of the movie, and I very much do not mean this in a gross Arab-Israeli-conflict way because Joe is Amazigh not Arab and Booker is Jewish not Israeli (and also a lot of Jews are Arabs) (but most importantly there's no ~eternal conflict~ between Muslims and Jews) (more about OP Is Not A Zionist below)

like, the UK and France (and to a certain extent Italy) carved up the former Ottoman Empire after WWI; among other things, the UK took Palestine, and they could've worked on eradicating European antisemitism so Jews wouldn't have to leave but instead they used their control of Palestine to encourage Zionist emigration of Jews out of Europe, and France took what is now Iraq, which has some pretty direct implications for US military involvement in that country in Nile's lifetime; France colonized Tunisia in the late 19th century and still held it during the Vichy era which means Tunisian Jews were subject to Nazi anti-Jewish laws which is just layers upon layers of colonial racist Islamophobic and antisemitic nightmares for Joe and Booker to live through

to be crystal clear before anybody gets ooh Muslim-Jewish conflict up in here, antisemitism is an invention of European Christians that they imported to the places they colonized, the European colonial powers encouraged Zionism because it was easier for them to encourage Jews to leave Europe and set us up as middle agents between the colonial powers and the ~scary brown people~, the Ottoman Empire and other Muslim governments historically have had a second-class citizenship category for non-Muslims that rankles my American first amendment freedom of religion sensibility but was very much not targeting Jews specifically, and these two men who've lived for a long-ass time through many varieties of geopolitical awfulness (and alongside a certain unwashed Crusader who has since learned his lesson) would have Things To Say about how our current mainstream discourses frame these things

getting off my soapbox and back to this action movie I'm trying to talk about, the ANGST of Booker's exile, which is simultaneously a very valid decision for Andy Joe and Nicky to make, an extremely long time for Nile who is only 26 years old to be separated from the one person on the planet in a position to really understand the crisis she's going through, and holy shit expelling a Jew from your group when he's already been expelled from mortality and his family and being expelled from places and continually having to start over somewhere new is THE curse of surviving through antisemitism, OUCH MY FEELINGS

Some French Jewish history:

France, like basically all of Europe, periodically expelled its Jews, but Provence (where Marseilles is) wasn't legally part of France during the expulsions up through 1398 so Provence had a continuous active Jewish community; about 3,000 Iberian Jewish refugees ended up in Provence after the expulsions from Spain and Portugal in the 1490s

the 1498 expulsion of French Jews DID apply to Provence but many "converted" to Christianity and reestablished a Jewish community when enforcement of the expulsion chilled out (which was in the government's interest because they were really into taxing Jews at higher rates, so much so that they taxed "new Christians" at higher rates once they realized expelling Jews meant they wouldn't be around to overtax, ffs) — by the mid-18th century Provence had notable communities of Jews and crypto-Jews (forced converts and their descendants who still kept some Jewish practices in secret)

Booker would've been 21 when revolutionary France granted equal legal rights to Jews in 1791 — his mortal life and first century of immortality happens to line up almost perfectly with the timeline of legal emancipation of Jews across Europe

the American and French Revolutions happened pretty much concurrently and took different approaches to religious freedom that make Book of Nile with Jewish Booker and canon Christian Nile extra interesting — French emancipation, at least from my American sensibility, is about secularism and religion not "interfering" (hence French Islamophobic shittiness about banning hijabs), whereas American religious freedom is more of "the government can't stop me from trying to evangelize / religiously harass people at my school/workplace/etc" — to be clear I think both countries' approaches to religious "freedom" are hegemonic as shit and have devastating flaws, but they're different models that emerged at the same time in Booker's youth and Christianity is clearly a source of emotional support for Nile and there's so much to explore here

Napoleon tried to ~liberate~ the Jews of places he conquered for his dumbass French Empire, but liberation from ghettos came with strings attached (like banning us from some of the only jobs we'd been legally allowed to have for centuries, and liberating us for the stated purpose of getting us to assimilate and stop being Jews) and many places that were briefly part of the French Empire reinstated their antisemitic laws after Napoleon was gone, can you imagine being a French Jew forced to fight and die in Russian winter for that jackass and then have to trudge back through a dozen countries whose antisemitism was all riled up by French interference?

Some facts about antisemitism:

antisemitism operates differently than many other oppressions, it doesn't economically oppress the target group in the same way as antiblackness or misogyny or ableism etc — the purpose of antisemitism is to create a scapegoat to blame when European peasants are mad at the king / the church / the people actually in charge, and structural antisemitism encourages a system where some Jews become visibly successful so that those individuals and our whole community are easier to make into scapegoats

one of the historical roots of antisemitism is stuff in the Christian Bible about moneylending as sinful — Jews in medieval Europe were often barred from owning land and Christians barred from moneylending, so some Jews found work in finance and some of us became very visibly successful for working with money — a few individual Jews running a particular bank or finding success as jewelry dealers turns into "Jews control global financial systems" scapegoating — a more recent example of this is the participation of nonblack Jews in white flight and the role of Jewish landlords doing the visible dirty work of non-Jewish institutions in American antiblack housing discrimination, Nile grew up on the South Side of Chicago and would have seen some shit along these lines and might repeat hurtful ideas out of a lack of knowledge, here's Ta Nahesi Coates on some of these dynamics

Booker canonically being a forger (specifically of coins in the comics?) needs a little extra care to avoid antisemitic tropes about Jews and money, I will happily answer good-faith asks about this if you want to check on something for a fic/etc

antisemitism in the United States where I live in October 2020 isn't institutional in the sense of targeting Jews for police violence or anything like that. it IS systemic, however, for example in all the antisemitic conspiracy theories the Trump administration and several other Republicans peddle (ie QAnon), and in how the Trump administration points to support for Israel as if that means support for Jews (it doesn't, it's evangelical Christians who push the US government to support the Israeli government because they think Jews need to be in the ~holy land~ for Jesus to come back that's literally why the United States funds Israel at the level it does). antisemitism also gets weaponized to encourage white Jews (those of us of European descent, who in the United States are definitely white because the foundation of US racism is slavery and antiblackness as well as anti-indigenous genocide, maybe European Jews aren't included in whiteness everywhere but we definitely are where I live) to side with white supremacy instead of building solidarity with other marginalized people (ie a lot of mainstream Jewish groups shit on the Movement for Black Lives because of its solidarity with Palestinians)

the Nation of Islam has a major presence in Chicago and its leader Louis Farrakhan who lives in Chicago has long spread a variety of antisemitic as well as homophobic bullshit but there are genuine good reasons many Black people find meaning/support in the Nation of Islam and Nile would've grown up with that mess in the air around her, this is a good take from a Black Jew about the nuance of all that

the way the Old Guard comics draw Yusuf al Kaysani is HOLY SHIT ANTISEMITISM BATMAN I hate it please summarize the comics for me because I DO NOT WANT to look at that unnecessarily caricatured nose why the fuck did they do that human noses are beautiful there is absolutely no need to draw Joe like a Nazi would

Jews for Racial and Economic Justice is a local NYC group that recently developed a fantastic resource for understanding and fighting antisemitism (pdf) 11/10 strongly recommend

Zionism disclaimer: A lot of Jews feel strongly that we need a Jewish-majority country in order to be safe from antisemitism. I strongly disagree with this idea on its merits (Jews disagree about who is a Jew and making Jewish status a government/immigration matter means some of us are going to get left out; also non-Jews aren't fundamentally dangerous and separatism isn't going to end antisemitism) but I have a lot of empathy for the very valid fear that leads a lot of my people to Zionism. Whether I want a Jewish-majority country or not, what Israel has done and continues to do to Palestinians is a deal breaker. Emotions run very high on this subject — I spend a lot of my not-Tumblr life talking to other Jews about Zionism and I'd rather not have this Jewish Booker headcanons post become yet another place where fellow Jews yell at me in bad faith. Block me if you need to, you're not going to change my mind. Call me self-hating if you want, I know I love us.

Racism in fandom disclaimer: I feel weird about increasing the volume of meta about Booker in this fandom. Nile Freeman is the main character and deserves lots of attention and adoration from the fandom — and she deserves emotional support from as many friends and orgasms from as many partners as she wants. I think Jewish Booker makes her friendship and potential romantic relationship with him even more interesting, hence this post. Ship what you ship, but be aware of the racist impact of focusing your fandom activity on, for example, shipping two white men while ignoring awesome characters of color especially the canon man of color one of those white dudes has already been with for a millennium. Please and thanks don't use my post for shenanigans like sidelining Joe so you can ship Booker with Nicky.

Oh and a non-disclaimer fun fact, Matthias Schoenaerts was born in Antwerp which apparently has one of the largest Jewish communities still remaining in Europe?? ~Jewish Booker headcanons intensify~

In conclusion: Jewish Booker! Just because it's fun! It exponentially increases the angst of his mortal lifetime and it puts his first century of immortality smack in the middle of the most intense changes to Jewish life since the fall of the Second Temple (aforementioned emancipation, also founding of Reform Judaism, the Haskalah, Zionism, and then of course the Holocaust). It makes his relationships with Nile, Joe, and Nicky more interesting and potentially angstier and with more intense commonalities and tenderness about their differences. It's very common for Jews to not believe in God (this confuses the shit out of a lot of Christians) and this would probably have further endeared him to Andy.

One more thing: Booker as golem. (A golem is basically an earthenware robot of Jewish folklore.) He's tall and blond and the most Steve Rogers-looking of all of them and from the Himbeaux region of France. THE trope of Book of Nile is he will do WHATEVER Nile wants or needs him to do. I was today years old when I learned that Modern Hebrew speakers use golem figuratively to mean "mindless lunk" and I'm choosing to squint and read that as "hot kind and dumb as rocks" because it amuses me.

[diarrheaworldstarhiphop]

The first significant wave of Chinese immigrants arrived in the industrial zone around Prato, a city fifteen miles northwest of Florence, in the nineteen-nineties. Nearly all of them came from Wenzhou, a port city south of Shanghai. For the Chinese, the culture shock was more modest than one might have expected. “The Italians were friendly,” one early arrival remembered. “Like the Chinese, they called one another Uncle. They liked family.” In Tuscany, business life revolved around small, interconnected firms, just as it did in Wenzhou, a city so resolutely entrepreneurial that it had resisted Mao’s collectivization campaign. The Prato area was a hub for mills and workshops, some of which made clothes and leather goods for the great fashion houses. If you were willing to be paid off the books, and by the piece, Prato offered plenty of opportunities. Many Wenzhouans found jobs there. “The Italians, being canny, would subcontract out their work to the Chinese,” Don Giovanni Momigli, a priest whose parish, near Prato, included an early influx of Chinese, told me.

“Then they were surprised when the Chinese began to do the work on their own.���By the mid-nineties, Wenzhouans were setting up textile businesses in small garages, where they often also lived. Soon, they began renting empty workshops, paying with cash. The authorities didn’t ask too many questions. Prato’s business model was falling apart under the pressures of globalization. As it became harder for Italians to make a living in manufacturing, some of them welcomed the money that the Chinese workers brought into the local economy. If you could no longer be an artisan, you could still be a landlord.

Throughout the aughts, Chinese continued to show up in Tuscany. A non-stop flight was established between Wenzhou and Rome. Some migrants came with tourist visas and stayed on. Others paid smugglers huge fees, which they then had to work off, a form of indentured servitude that was enforced by the threat of violence. The long hours that the Chinese worked astonished many Italians, who were used to several weeks of paid vacation a year and five months of maternity leave. In 1989, the newspaper Corriere della Sera, using racist language still common among some Italians, published an article about a Chinese worker under the headline “YELLOW STAKHANOVITE ON THE ARNO.”

While Florence was celebrated for its premium leatherwork, Prato was best known for the production of textiles. The Wenzhou workers tacked in a third direction. They imported cheap cloth from China and turned it into what is now called pronto moda, or “fast fashion”: polyester shirts, plasticky pants, insignia jackets. These items sold briskly to low-end retailers and in open-air markets throughout the world.

The Chinese firms gradually expanded their niche, making clothes for middle-tier brands, like Guess and American Eagle Outfitters. And in the past decade they have become manufacturers for Gucci, Prada, and other luxury-fashion houses, which use often inexpensive Chinese-immigrant labor to create accessories and expensive handbags that bear the coveted “Made in Italy” label. Many of them are then sold to prosperous consumers in Shanghai and Beijing. It’s not just Italian brands that have profited from this cross-cultural arrangement: a Chinese leather-goods entrepreneur I recently met with just outside Prato was wearing a forty-thousand-dollar Bulgari watch. More than ten per cent of Prato’s two hundred thousand legal residents are Chinese. According to Francesco Nannucci, the head of the police’s investigative unit in Prato, the city is also home to some ten thousand Chinese people who are there illegally. Prato is believed to have the second-largest Chinese population of any European city, after Paris, and it has the highest proportion of immigrants in Italy, including a large North African population.

Many locals who worked in the textile and leather industries resented the Chinese immigrants, complaining that they cared only about costs and speed, not about aesthetics, and would have had no idea how to make fine clothes and accessories if not for the local craftsmen who taught them. Simona Innocenti, a leather artisan, told me that her husband was forced out of bag-making by cheaper Chinese competitors. She said of the newcomers, “They copy, they imitate. They don’t do anything original. They’re like monkeys.”

Although it could be argued that the Chinese have revived Prato’s manufacturing industry, there has been a backlash against them. Native residents have accused Chinese immigrants of bringing crime, gang warfare, and garbage to the city. Chinese mill owners, they complain, ignore health laws and evade taxes; they use the schools and the hospitals without contributing money for them. In the early nineties, a group of Italians who worked in areas with a high concentration of immigrants sent an open letter to the Chinese government, sarcastically demanding citizenship: “We are six hundred honest workers who feel as if we were already citizens of your great country.”

The strangest accusation was that the Chinese in Tuscany weren’t dying—or, at least, that they weren’t leaving any bodies behind. In 1991, the regional government began an investigation into why, during the previous twelve months, not a single Chinese death had been officially recorded in Prato or in two nearby towns. In 2005, the government was still mystified—that year, more than a thousand Chinese arrivals were registered, and only three deaths. Locals suspected that Chinese mobsters were disposing of corpses in exchange for passports, which they then sold to new arrivals, a scheme that took advantage of the native population’s apparent inability to tell any one Chinese person from another.

There was a note of jealousy to the Pratans’ complaints, as well as a reluctant respect for people who had beaten them at their own game. Elizabeth Krause, a cultural anthropologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has written about the changes in Prato. She told me, “While I was there, people would say to me, ‘Eravamo noi i cinesi’ ”—“We were the Chinese.”

Even as many Italians maintained a suspicion of Chinese immigrants, they still criticized them for not contributing fully to the wider economy. Innocenti, the leather artisan, claimed that “the Chinese don’t even go to the store here. They have a van that goes from factory to factory, selling Band-Aids, tampons, and chicken. And in the back of the van they have a steamer with rice.” The under-the-table cash economy of Prato’s Chinese factories has facilitated tax evasion. Last year, as the result of an investigation by the Italian finance ministry into five billion dollars’ worth of questionable money transfers, the Bank of China, whose Milan branch had reportedly been used for half of them, paid a settlement of more than twenty million dollars. Many of the transfers, the authorities said, represented undeclared income from Chinese-run businesses, or money generated by the counterfeiting of Italian fashion goods.

In Italy, these sorts of investigations are often more show than substance, and many Chinese residents see themselves as convenient targets. “We didn’t invent this way of doing business,” one mill owner pointed out to me. “If you go south from Rome, you’ll find people who are a lot worse than the Chinese.” He speculated that some Italians disliked the Chinese for working harder than they did, and for succeeding. In the Prato area, some six thousand businesses are registered to Chinese citizens. Francesco Xia, a real-estate agent who heads a social organization for young Chinese-Italians, said, “The Chinese feel like the Jews of the thirties. Prato is a city that had a big economic crisis, and now there’s a nouveau-riche class of Chinese driving fancy cars, spending money in restaurants, and dressing in the latest fashions. It’s a very dangerous situation.”

At a time when Europe is filled with anti-immigrant rhetoric, political extremists have pointed to the demographic shifts in Prato as proof that Italy is under siege. In February, Patrizio La Pietra, a right-wing senator, told a Prato newspaper that the city needed to confront “Chinese economic illegality,” and that the underground economy had “brought the district to its knees, eliminated thousands of jobs, and exposed countless families to hunger.” Such assertions have been effective: in Italy’s recent national elections, Tuscany, which since the end of the Second World War had consistently supported leftist parties, gave twice as many votes to right-wing and populist parties as it did to those on the left. Giovanni Donzelli, a member of the quasi-Fascist Fratelli d’Italia party, who last month was elected a national representative, told me, “The Chinese have their own restaurants and their own banks—even their own police force. You damage the economy twice. Once, because you compete unfairly with the other businesses in the area, and the second time because the money doesn’t go back into the Tuscan economic fabric.” He added that he had once tried to talk with some Chinese parents at his children’s school. “They had been here six or seven years, and they still didn’t speak Italian,” he scoffed. “Because they didn’t need to!”

TL;DR: coronavirus is the ultimate globalism virus, where it’s direct access to and rapid spread throughout Europe is owed to a massive illicit Chinese textile industry in Northern Italy, where Chinese run manufacturing plants that have displaced indigenous ones filled with Chinese workers paid under the table for the “made in italy” label, is currently the hardest hit area of Coronavirus outside of China.

[dansedan]

digging through stuff to submit to a writing contest, so here are two original short stories written about a year apart which I’m still generally proud of!

That Which Flesh Is Heir To

Death

The word seemed funny, coming out of her dainty mouth. She seemed too small, her voice too high-pitched in attempted formality. Her German thick with effort. It was one of the major themes of religious art across Europe at the time, she said. She waved her thin arms around her with every word, a little too excitedly, as if using a conductor’s meter to elicit some response from our group. Fear of death was useful to the church: for the sake of convincing the uneducated masses to maintain faith, and to benefit from the guilt of nobles, since their main role then was still in warfare.

Our class was moving on, the teacher rounding up stragglers and signaling the entrance to the next hall. It was filled with statues and paintings and marble, floor to ceiling wrapped in colors much like this one. My feet refused to obey her order, standing instead unflinchingly in front of the statue. In front of her. I couldn’t bear to move my gaze from the figure’s eyes, blank and hollow, despairing. The world blurred around the single point of bitter fate ensconced in marble.

Do you want to see something interesting? I hadn’t expected her to address me. She had moved now- we were side by side- giving off warmth from the proximity of her bare shoulders to my arm. I forced myself to nod, and felt a movement, something stiff and hot against my ear- something plastic. I like to listen to it, sometimes, she was saying, so close to me. It reminds me of this statue. Her fingers brushed the shell of my ear. It was Mozart, and the soft wailing choral voices seemed to echo my emotions as her fingers wilted back into her hand and away from me.

We stood there for a moment, lost in the crowd of museumgoers. An island in their midst, and in that second all I could think was do not let this go. This feeling, this fire in the pit of your stomach, this hollow feeling in your chest that’s rising to your head do not let this go. The violins and chorus and the marble. The cherubs in the vaulted ceiling smiling down with knowing, cruel smiles. Her collarbone and silver band across her chest do not let them go. The chatter of the crowd- Italian and Spanish and Croatian or Dutch. Do not let them go. Not for one second of your life. Do not forget this.

And I felt her press into my side, and touch my shoulder gently. She was whispering into my chest it’s alright, let it out it’s alright I’ve done it too. It’s helped me too, I’ve done it too let it out. I’ve cried here too, I’ve done this too. I feel it too. And as she held me I was shaking. Please do not forget this. Do not let this go.

All that flesh makes willing

Our affair was brief- I was a tourist- but she was beautiful, and cold only in the literal sense common for women of her stature. A thin white thing, like the marble she’d been surrounded with at work. Chestnut hair draped across her shoulders, to the collarbone- I’d never till then comprehended why dress codes, in my country, called to cover the collarbone. I could (and often did) end up staring at her for hours, willing her to be my muse, to make me make something, but she was so pragmatic that she often ended all of these discussions by smiling (I could hear it in her voice, the smiling) and requesting some menial favor. “could you please buy cigarettes”, or  “pass me the salt-shaker”, or “isn’t it late now?”, anything. But she was beautiful, so I did it for her, anyhow.  And so it happened that by the end of the three months stay I’d agreed upon with my agent for the residence the only thing I’d made from her was a larger pile of laundry and a couple embarrassing purchases- underwear, linens, whatever. And even in the final moments, at the train station, she only smiled and said good-bye and told me not to drift off when I was travelling alone, that the front of the train was still dangerous. And she smiled small and nodded sternly as she walked away, foot over unbearable foot blending together in an undulating gesture. And I stood there, dumb and half-blind (the irony) with agony but not saying anything, and eventually I checked my watch and it said it was midnight when I’d almost missed my ticket and got stranded (sometimes I wish I’d allowed that, then. Walked back to her apartment and killed her with kisses, refused to leave. But I was too pragmatic and my rent was due a couple days and I never understood how visas worked) and I made it in by running and forsook her wisdom, sleeping straight to Britain with only a couple minutes of half-lucid awareness where I denied wet towels and assistance transferring train cars.

It was only several months later that I let myself remember her, thick on the tail of another woman as I usually was, reminiscing my journeys from that summer until I suddenly stumbled upon those moments where we’d pressed together, where her smallness met the empty vast of my own hollowed chest and we breathed light the night into the daybreak. And at this memory I at once ached, and softly sighed around my daily life for days again without reprieve, reprimanding myself for forgetting her so quickly, as one does when stirred from sleep when dreams handcrafted by your mind so soon escape you. When the London rain was blue and humid bog-warm I would pace around the city with my coat on wandering. As if I could find her this way somehow. After weeks then I resolved I’d make her- as I was still convinced she had been my muse then- and conscripted through some not insignificant haggling the help of a dear friend to trot to the museum one brief moment to peruse their own swathe of Roman marble as material.

“So you bedded some Italian and now you can’t get over it- what’s with the statues?”

“We met at the museum”

“’The Museum’,” she said mockingly. “You were in Italy, Eva, which bloody museum?”

“The statue-room at the Uffizi”

“there’s more than-“

“she’s the guide there- speaks ten languages. She’s so clever…” I wondered ‘round the room. Bright blue walls surrounded the bright stone figures, seeming almost like a classroom round. “She was beautiful, Hannah.”

She stood still by the entrance- we were alone, and it was all quite quiet, a weekday near the start of June drew little people here. For a few tentative steps, her boots clacked loudly on the tile.

“…how did you meet her anyway?”

“Well, she’s the tour guide.”

“Well most people don’t shag the tour guide, genius.”

We were standing, shoulder-shoulder facing Venus in the corner of the rounded hall. Rather striking, must be- pair of stone-hard lezzies facing just that goddess. Hannah’s fuzz-buzz haircut and her stiff-wool coverall next to my own shaggy hair and rounded shades indoors. My sight-cane stuck to my Martens, clacking with my tics and movements (base-floor-base-floor-base-floor-base-floor).

“Well there was this pair of wrestlers, and I suppose she pegged me just the type then, looking at them close.”

“ah. Gotta love the Romans.”  

“She’s so clever. Did you know she knew the story behind all the statues even, all about the burial sites and everything?”

“M’pretty sure they’re trained to do that”

“but she was clever. She’s really clever.”

“Jolly good then.”

I had to turn then- same comforting brown-orange smudge of longtime friendship as was usual- grab at her elbows till we were close enough to see the limits of her own round ruddy face.

“Hannah dear, I think I love her.”

“I think you’re spitting on me, Eva.” And she grabbed my shoulders playfully and pinched them tight within her plush palms. “and that you probably need to shag someone else and get back on your medicine.”

“you don’t get it, she was beautiful. She was-“ and here I very grandly gestured to the marble next to us, taking a risk and hoping we were still next to the Venus somehow since I’d lost my footing on how many steps inside I’d taken (and taking a risk that I’d maybe slap a piece of ancient history in the process). “prettier than this one, even.”

And Hannah was silent, because she knew better than to mention my blindness, and I dreaded to feel her being right about something I felt so strongly on.

“you don’t…her collarbone- she’s just. So pretty, so-” I hate my blubbering- this small pathetic schoolchild voice I make all suddenly- but soon her arm was back on my shoulder and she was moving close so I could see orange and grey in us fuzzing together, feel her strong arm on my back and nape. And she said “ alright, I believe you”  and “let’s just get you home now”  and we did, gone on the underground riding all the way together although she lived in Surrey and was supposedly only visiting for the day, and she sat in my apartment with the kettle on while I dragged a canvas out of the storage and started glopping color on it, thinking of the nearness of her face in the warm green summer nights of Florence then. Until I tired myself out at night and we just sat still staring at the wall with it, sharing cups of lukewarm grocery-bag tea with no sugar in and staring, staring, staring long and hard and in remembrance. And I wasn’t sure if that’s what she looked like because it had been so long and such a distance. And I felt then perhaps her smile sounded different to the painting, but Hannah spoke after a while of silence saying, “beautiful she is, then.” And that moment I felt fine and shut the door again on feelings- like at the train station back then- and melted into the naked brown of my friend’s shoulder, soft and dark and oaken-sure. And I willed me to forget myself.

[newstfionline]

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Fire Season Comes Early To California (CNN) Fire weather is coming early to California this year. For the first time since 2014, parts of Northern California are seeing a May “red flag” fire warning due to dry and windy conditions. The warning coverage area extends from Redding in the north to Modesto in the south, and includes portions of the Central Valley and the state capital of Sacramento. The warning also extends to the eastern edges of the Bay Area. A brush fire that started Friday in Pacific Palisades flared up Saturday due to gusty winds, burning more than 1,300 acres and threatening homes in Topanga Canyon. Topanga State Park in the Santa Monica Mountains is about 20 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. The Palisades fire caused about 1,000 people to be evacuated from their homes early Sunday, with other residents on standby to leave.

Pandemic Refugees at the Border (NYT) The Biden administration continues to grapple with swelling numbers of migrants along the southwestern border. Most of them are from Central America, fleeing gang violence and natural disasters. But the past few months have also brought a much different wave of migration that the Biden administration was not prepared to address: pandemic refugees. They are people arriving in ever greater numbers from far-flung countries where the coronavirus has caused unimaginable levels of illness and death and decimated economies and livelihoods. If eking out an existence was challenging in such countries before, in many of them it has now become almost impossible. According to official data released this week, 30 percent of all families encountered along the border in April hailed from countries other than Mexico and the Central American countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, compared to just 7.5 percent in April 2019, during the last border surge. The coronavirus pandemic has had far-reaching consequences for the global economy, erasing hundreds of millions of jobs. And it has disproportionately affected developing countries, where it could set back decades of progress, according to economists. About 13,000 migrants have landed in Italy, the gateway to Europe, so far this year, three times as many as in the same period last year. At the U.S.-Mexico border in recent months, agents have stopped people from more than 160 countries, and the geography coincides with the path of the virus’s worst devastation.

The U.S. conversation on Israel is changing, no matter Biden’s stance (Washington Post) In Washington, support for the Palestinian plight is getting louder in Congress. On Friday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wrote a widely circulated New York Times op-ed pulling the spotlight away from Hamas’s provocations to the deeper reality of life for millions of Palestinians living under blockade and occupation. He pointed to the havoc unleashed in recent weeks by rampaging mobs of Jewish extremists in Jerusalem, as well as the questionable Israeli legal attempts to forcibly evict the Palestinian residents of a neighborhood in the contested holy city. “None of this excuses the attacks by Hamas, which were an attempt to exploit the unrest in Jerusalem, or the failures of the corrupt and ineffective Palestinian Authority, which recently postponed long-overdue elections,” Sanders wrote. “But the fact of the matter is that Israel remains the one sovereign authority in the land of Israel and Palestine, and rather than preparing for peace and justice, it has been entrenching its unequal and undemocratic control.”      In another era, Sanders would have cut a lonely figure among his colleagues. But he is not alone. A number of Democratic lawmakers, including solidly pro-Israel politicians, issued statements indicating their displeasure with the casualties caused by Israel’s attacks in Gaza. Others were more vocal, accusing Israel of “apartheid.” Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-NY) tweeted: “This is happening with the support of the United States....the US vetoed the UN call for a ceasefire. If the Biden admin can’t stand up to an ally, who can it stand up to? How can they credibly claim to stand for human rights?” Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of J Street, a center-left pro-Israel advocacy organization that increasingly reflects the mainstream position of American liberals, said in a briefing with reporters last week that the “diplomatic blank check to the state of Israel” given out by successive U.S. administrations has meant that “Israel has no incentive to end occupation and find a solution to the conflict.”

Mexico City is sinking (Wired) When Darío Solano‐Rojas moved from his hometown of Cuernavaca to Mexico City to study at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the layout of the metropolis confused him. “What surprised me was that everything was kind of twisted and tilted,” says Solano‐Rojas. “At that time, I didn't know what it was about. I just thought, ‘Oh, well, the city is so much different than my hometown.’” Different, it turned out, in a bad way. Picking up the study of geology at the university, Solano‐Rojas met geophysicist Enrique Cabral-Cano, who was actually researching the surprising reason for that infrastructural chaos: The city was sinking—big time. It’s the result of a geological phenomenon called subsidence, which usually happens when too much water is drawn from underground, and the land above begins to compact. According to new modeling by the two researchers and their colleagues, parts of the city are sinking as much as 20 inches a year. In the next century and a half, they calculate, areas could drop by as much as 65 feet. Spots just outside Mexico City proper could sink 100 feet. That twisting and tilting Solano‐Rojas noticed was just the start of a slow-motion crisis for 9.2 million people in the fastest-sinking city on Earth. And because some parts are slumping dramatically and others aren’t, the infrastructure that spans the two zones is sinking in some areas but staying at the same elevation in others. And that threatens to break roads, metro networks, and sewer systems. “Subsistence by itself may not be a terrible issue,” says Cabral-Cano. “But it's the difference in this subsistence velocity that really puts all civil structures under different stresses.”

Today’s the day: British holidaymakers return to Portugal as travel ban ends (Reuters) Sun-hungry British visitors descended on Portuguese beaches once again on Monday as a four-month long ban on travel between the two countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic ended, in a much-needed boost for the struggling tourism sector. Twenty-two flights from Britain are due to land in Portugal on Monday, with most heading to the southern Algarve region, famous for its beaches and golf courses but nearly deserted as the pandemic kept tourists away. Visitors from Britain must present evidence of a negative coronavirus test taken 72 hours before boarding their flights to Portugal and there is no need to quarantine for COVID-19 when returning home. Back at home, most British people will be free once again to hug, albeit cautiously, drink a pint in their pub, sit down to an indoor meal or visit the cinema after the ending of a series of lockdowns that imposed the strictest ever restrictions in peacetime.

Afghans who helped the US now fear being left behind (AP) He served as an interpreter alongside U.S. soldiers on hundreds of patrols and dozens of firefights in eastern Afghanistan, earning a glowing letter of recommendation from an American platoon commander and a medal of commendation. Still, Ayazudin Hilal was turned down when he applied for one of the scarce special visas that would allow him to relocate to the U.S. with his family. Now, as American and NATO forces prepare to leave the country, he and thousands of others who aided the war effort fear they will be left stranded, facing the prospect of Taliban reprisals. “We are not safe,” the 41-year-old father of six said of Afghan civilians who worked for the U.S. or NATO. “The Taliban is calling us and telling us, ‘Your stepbrother is leaving the country soon, and we will kill all of you guys.’” At least 300 interpreters have been killed in Afghanistan since 2016, and the Taliban have made it clear they will continue to be targeted, said Matt Zeller, a co-founder of No One Left Behind, an organization that advocates on their behalf. He also served in the country as an Army officer. “The Taliban considers them to be literally enemies of Islam,” said Zeller, now a fellow at the Truman National Security Project. “There’s no mercy for them.”

A Desperate India Falls Prey to Covid Scammers (NYT) Within the world’s worst coronavirus outbreak, few treasures are more coveted than an empty oxygen canister. India’s hospitals desperately need the metal cylinders to store and transport the lifesaving gas as patients across the country gasp for breath. So a local charity reacted with outrage when one supplier more than doubled the price, to nearly $200 each. The charity called the police, who discovered what could be one of the most brazen, dangerous scams in a country awash with coronavirus-related fraud and black-market profiteering. The police say the supplier—a business called Varsha Engineering, essentially a scrapyard—had been repainting fire extinguishers and selling them as oxygen canisters. The consequences could be deadly: The less-sturdy fire extinguishers might explode if filled with high-pressure oxygen. A coronavirus second wave has devastated India’s medical system. Hospitals are full. Drugs, vaccines, oxygen and other supplies are running out. Pandemic profiteers are filling the gap. In many cases, the sellers prey on the desperation and grief of families.

Full-blown boycott pushed for Beijing Olympics (AP) Groups alleging human-rights abuses against minorities in China are calling for a full-blown boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, a move likely to ratchet up pressure on the International Olympic Committee, athletes, sponsors and sports federations. A coalition representing Uyghurs, Tibetans, residents of Hong Kong and others issued a statement Monday calling for the boycott, eschewing lesser measures that had been floated like “diplomatic boycotts” and further negotiations with the IOC or China. “The time for talking with the IOC is over,” Lhadon Tethong of the Tibet Action Institute said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press. “This cannot be games as usual or business as usual; not for the IOC and not for the international community.” The push for a boycott comes a day before a joint hearing in the U.S. Congress focusing on the Beijing Olympics and China’s human-rights record, and just days after the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee said boycotts are ineffective and only hurt athletes.

Grief Mounts as Efforts to Ease Israel-Hamas Fight Falter (NYT) Diplomats and international leaders were unable Sunday to mediate a cease-fire in the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel vowed to continue the fight and the United Nations Security Council failed to agree on a joint response to the worsening bloodshed. The diplomatic wrangling occurred after the fighting, the most intense seen in Gaza and Israel for seven years, entered its deadliest phase yet. At least 42 Palestinians were killed early Sunday morning in an airstrike on several apartments in Gaza City, Palestinian officials said, the conflict’s most lethal episode so far. The number of people in killed in Gaza rose to 197 over the seven days of the conflict, according to Palestinian officials, while the number of Israeli residents killed by Palestinian militants climbed to 11, including one soldier, the Israeli government said.

Israel, Hamas trade fire in Gaza as war rages on (AP) Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes on what it said were militant targets in Gaza, leveling a six-story building, and militants fired dozens of rockets into Israel on Tuesday. Palestinians across the region observed a general strike as the war, now in its second week, showed no signs of abating. The strikes toppled a building that housed libraries and educational centers belonging to the Islamic University. Residents sifted through the rubble, searching for their belongings.

Israel’s aftermath (Foreign Policy) In Israel, the aftermath of days of violence in mixed Arab-Israeli towns has led to a one-sided reaction from state prosecutors: Of the 116 indictments served so far against those arrested last week, all have been against Arab-Israeli citizens, Haaretz reports. Meanwhile, Yair Lapid, whose centrist Yesh Atid party’s chances of forming a coalition government has crumbled since the violence broke out, placed the blame on Netanyahu. If he was in charge, Lapid said on Sunday, no one would have to question “why the fire always breaks out precisely when it’s most convenient for the prime minister.”

Long working hours can be a killer, WHO study shows (Reuters) Working long hours is killing hundreds of thousands of people a year in a worsening trend that may accelerate further due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization said on Monday. In the first global study of the loss of life associated with longer working hours, the paper in the journal Environment International showed that 745,000 people died from stroke and heart disease associated with long working hours in 2016. That was an increase of nearly 30% from 2000. “Working 55 hours or more per week is a serious health hazard,” said Maria Neira, director of the WHO’s Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health. The joint study, produced by the WHO and the International Labour Organization, showed that most victims (72%) were men and were middle-aged or older. Often, the deaths occurred much later in life, sometimes decades later, than the shifts worked. It also showed that people living in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific region were the most affected.

[keenbeliever]

Traveling To America? New ESTA Registration Mandated?

What Countries Are in the Visa Waiver Program?

Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Travel Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

A website, operated by the American government, is where you register for ESTA: esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The ESTA information you submit via the computer is compared with certain American law enforcement databases and then either approved or denied. Foreign travelers will not be able to submit ESTA applications at American airports after arriving or at a U.S. Embassy in their country.

What if I Don't Have Plans to Travel to the U.S. Yet?

VWP travelers are not required to have specific plans to travel to the United States before they apply for an ESTA Travel Authorization. As soon as VWP travelers begin to plan a trip to visit the U.S., they are encouraged to apply for travel authorization through the ESTA website. Applicants are not required to update their destination addresses or itineraries if they change after their ESTA Travel Authorization has been granted.

An ESTA Travel Authorization only authorizes a traveler to board an airline or ship for travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. After they arrive, travelers who obtained an ESTA Travel Authorization may still be denied entry (also called "admission") at a U.S. port of entry, such as an American airport. An approved ESTA is not a guarantee of admissibility at an American airport. In all cases, the American airport officers make the final determination whether a foreign traveler can enter the U.S. or not. You still have to establish to the satisfaction of the inspecting officer that you are entitled to be admitted to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program.

Can I Change My Travel Itinerary?

It is possible to change an itinerary on an existing ESTA Travel Authorization; ESTA is designed so that you can update parts of it at any time. Travelers who did not get an ESTA approval may be denied boarding by the airlines, experience delayed processing, or be denied admission to the U.S. at the American airport.

What If I Already Have a Valid B1/B2 Visitor Visa?

While the ESTA Travel Authorization is completed online with no interview, there are Visas that require a U.S. Embassy interview. The Visa process has separate procedures, which generally require an appointment, travel to a U.S. Embassy, an interview with a Consular Officer, processing time, and the payment of an application fee. If a foreign national already went to the U.S. Embassy and has a valid B1/B2 Visitor Visa pasted in their passport it is not necessary to get an ESTA Travel Authorization because the traveler will be entering with a B1/B2 Visitor Visa and not through the Visa Waiver Program. Keep in mind that an approved ESTA Travel Authorization is not a Visa.

Can I Re-Apply for an ESTA Travel Authorization if Denied?

Yes, but you must wait at least 10 days to reapply and your circumstances must have changed. Unless there is a change in a substantive fact, re-application will not change the result. Keep in mind that applying for an ESTA Travel Authorization with false information can cause a foreign national to be permanently barred from ever entering America. The ESTA system is designed to try to prevent individuals from changing and manipulating an ESTA entry until they receive an approval.

What If I am Denied an ESTA Travel Authorization and Have No Changed Circumstances?

There are three types of responses to an ESTA application; approved, pending or travel not authorized (denied). Applicants who receive a "pending" response are advised to check the website 72 hours later. Applicants who are denied will be required to go to a U.S. Embassy to apply for a formal nonimmigrant visa, such as a B1/B2 Visa, which may take months.

Can a Traveler Find Out the Reason Why an ESTA Application was Denied?

The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security has stated that travelers may contact the DHS Travel Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP at dhs.gov) but there are no guarantees that information about a denial will be divulged. U.S. Embassies and Consulates are not required to provide details about an ESTA denial nor resolve the issue that caused the ESTA denial.

What If I Have a Criminal Record?

Only those qualified to travel under the VWP are eligible to pre-register through ESTA. Persons who have been arrested and/or convicted are generally not eligible for VWP and probably require a formal Visa, such as a B1/B2 Visa, to travel to America. If a foreign national has received tickets for speeding (which don't usually result in an arrest or conviction) they are probably still eligible for the VWP and ESTA. If a foreign traveler has been denied entry into or deported from the U.S., they require a formal Visa.

Do Any Other Countries Have a Similar Program?

Australia has a program called the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) that mandates travelers to submit an ETA application electronically through a website requesting permission to travel to Australia. Airlines may refuse to accept passengers who do not have either an approved ETA or Visa to enter Australia.

How Long Will the ESTA Application Data be Stored? Who Can Access It?

The ESTA Travel Authorization is valid for two years or until the traveler's passport expires, whichever comes first. The American government will maintain the information for at least 15 years to allow retrieval of the information for law enforcement, national security, or investigatory purposes. Information submitted through ESTA can also be shared with any U.S. government organization.

What Information Does the Airlines Get?

Airlines will receive confirmation of a passenger's ESTA status visa the "Advance Passenger Information System" (APIS) which shows whether the ESTA authorization has been granted for a Visa Waiver Program traveler. It is recommended that the traveler print out the ESTA application approval in order to maintain a record of their ESTA application number and to have confirmation of their ESTA status.

What About Children?

Accompanied and unaccompanied children, regardless of age, are required to obtain an independent ESTA Travel Authorization.

What if a Mistake was Made on the ESTA Application?

The ESTA website will ask applicants to review their application before submitting it. Also, there is an update function for certain information such as email address, telephone number, or flight information. If an applicant makes a mistake that cannot be "updated," he will need to submit a new ESTA application.

What if I Only Have a Connecting Flight Through the U.S.?

Visa Waiver Program visitors who have a connecting flight in the U.S. are required to either have ESTA Travel Authorization or a Visa from a U.S. Embassy in their passport to travel through the U.S. even for a one hour stop. If a traveler is only planning to stop in the U.S. en route to another country, the traveler should enter the words "In Transit" and his final destination in the address lines under the heading "Address While In The United States" on the ESTA application.

What Are the Questions on the ESTA Travel Authorization Application?

The traveler must provide (in English) biographical data including name, birth date, country of citizenship, country of residence, email address, sex, telephone number, passport information, destination address in the U.S., travel information (round trip airline ticket, flight number and city where you are boarding) as well as questions regarding communicable diseases (chancroid, gonorrhea, granuloma inquinale, HIV, leprosy, lymphogranuloma venereum, syphilis [active], tuberculosis [active], and others), physical or mental disorders, drug addiction problems, arrests, convictions, past history of visa cancellation or denial, and prior deportations from the U.S. The traveler will also be asked whether they are seeking work in the U.S., have ever been deported or tried to get a visa by fraud or misrepresentation. The traveler will be asked if they have ever detained a child of a U.S. Citizen granted custody of the child, and whether they have ever asserted immunity from prosecution.

Do I Select "Business" or "Pleasure (Tourist) at the Airport Port of Entry?

After the ESTA Travel Authorization is granted, the foreign traveler will be interviewed by government officers at the first American airport they land. The officer will ask what the foreign traveler will be doing in America and the questioning can take up to four hours in a detained setting called "secondary inspection." The officer may ask the traveler "what else are you doing in America?" repeatedly to try to get "the real" answer. If the traveler is only going to be a tourist, they are not allowed to do any business, including meeting with any attorneys, applying for a bank account, meeting with real estate agents, or other business consulting activities. Even though the traveler is going to conduct just one business meeting while in America, they are required to report it and enter as a business visitor. The business visitor is allowed to participate in tourist activities, but the tourist visitor is not allowed to participate in any business activities. Therefore, if any business might be conducted while in America, it is best to tell the government officers about it at the airport to avoid being accused of lying, put immediately on a plane back to your home country, and barred from America for life.

Can I Be Searched in the American Airport? Am I Entitled to Legal Representation?

While being interviewed at the American airport, all luggage (even locked bags) can be searched, as well as the traveler's body and his/her cell phone (including text messages and phone numbers) and laptop (including hard drive). The officers may "google" a traveler's name and check out their myspace, Facebook or hyves pages. The traveler is not allowed to be represented by an attorney or even call their attorney while in "secondary inspection." Bathroom visits, water and food may be limited, so it is best to prepare for such an occasion while still on the plane before landing.

Do I Still Have to Go Through the "US-VISIT" Program at the American AirportForeign travelers arriving at American airports and seaports must still be photographed and fingerprinted every time they enter the U.S Who Should I Ask For Help to Fill Out the ESTA Application?

The information a traveler provides on the ESTA application can remain in their file with U.S. authorities for a minimum of 15 years - probably longer. If a foreign traveler has some questions about how to answer the questions so as not to be permanently barred from America, it would be prudent to them to pay for a legal consultation with an American Immigration Attorney who is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Beware of unauthorized private websites that offer ESTA application assistance for $49.99 - they are usually not authorized to practice immigration law and are asking travelers to pay for a copy of the application questions, which are free on the dhs.gov website.If I Am Denied the ESTA Travel Authorization Will it Effect My Ability to Obtain a Visa at the U.S. Embassy?

When the ESTA Travel Authorization is denied, the foreign traveler must make an appointment at a U.S. Embassy in their country to apply for a formal Visa. The U.S. Embassy is operated by the U.S. Department of State and there are no expedited procedures for those who have been denied ESTA Travel Authorization. Because the ESTA program is so new, it is impossible to predict how badly a denial of the ESTA Travel Authorization will impact a traveler's application for a Visa at a U.S. Embassy or impact their future travel to America in general. American Immigration Attorneys are in close contact with their foreign clients and will share the denial information with each other starting in January 2009. Currently there are no government policies regulating this area of the law, or opportunities to appeal a denial.

When Is the a "New" ESTA Travel Authorization Required?

A new ESTA Travel Authorization is required during the two years if (1) the traveler is issued a new passport (2) the traveler changes his name (3) the traveler changes his or her gender (4) the traveler's country of citizenship changes or (5) the circumstances underlying the traveler's previous responses to any of the ESTA application questions requiring a "yes" or "no" response have changed (such as a new arrest).Can an American Immigration Attorney, Travel Agent or Employer Fill Out the ESTA Application?

A third party, such as a relative, travel agent or American Immigration Attorney, is permitted to submit an ESTA application on behalf of a VWP traveler. Be aware that the traveler is still responsible under the law for the answers submitted on his or her behalf by a third party.

[pastorcowboy]

Here we go again

Crossing over: here we go again

           I just keep learning. Recently, I am creating a cruise to Australia. It’s a test run on planning a trip over seas on a different cruise line. This has been interesting. First of all is the flights. Find a place you trust for flights. I have heard stories of trouble with cheap flight sites. I am not so sure? I have used Airline travel sites like Air Canada. They work but the price is usually bigger for some reason. I have tried my Mastercard travel and that worked really well. I have also gone the traditional route through a travel agent. This is what I think.

           Travel agents are good if you get a good one. Test out small trips on an agent. Be picky! I had a really good agent. We tussled over flights, times, and itinerary. She was good at listening and insisting. Unfortunately, the last time I phoned her, I found out she had died. I was stunned. Just make sure you use a place that will update you on flights. I have heard that some don’t. With that said, you can book quite a bit on your own.

           We have heard of Airbnb. It’s a cheaper way of finding places to stay that are off the grid like a condo. I heard they work fairly well. We are going to test that out in Australia. I have usually used Expedia. They work really well too. I have even phoned an airline on a flight change and they changed my flight to accommodate me. That was united airlines. I’m not sure if other airlines are that friendly and helpful. It’s just my gut feeling to stay closer to the popular mainstream sites for flights and hotels.

           I do find that the official tourism site for a city or country is very good. They want you to be safe. We just applied for the Australian visa. The confirmation came back to me within a minute. I was stunned. The Egyptian one made me nervous. You buy it when you arrive at a kiosk in the airport. I did not like that but it worked. In this last month I realized I should have picked my own flights. Travel agents are not always the best way. This Airbnb will be a test I will use in Italy if it works well.

           I say book things a head of time. Just make sure there are seats for planes, cruises, and events you want to see. Work on it. You don’t want to get there and find that things are sold out. I believe that you should plan a head about a year in advance. There is always room for last minute travel, but it’s not the norm. Plan it! Use trusted sites! Be picky! Keep record of it all!