From Siberia to Fandom's Causeway, Sometime Friday

[weirderthanthou]

The last couple of days had been eventful.

But the moment they spotted an opening to leave, Jesse and Bucky took it. Jesse's first instinct had been to walk until they found the nearest Portalocity station, but somehow the universe - or the Oldest House - had intervened.

They walked, and the world slowly warped around them. The smell of pine trees permeated the air, hot coals and warm coffee. For a moment, it was as if the ocean itself lapped gently through the skein of the heavens around them, washing away the taste of rough and jagged Russia.

Then that, too, faded.

And suddenly there was asphalt under Jesse's feet, the school's spire towering not far from her view.

"Huh," she said quietly. "Thanks, Ahti."

[[ for him, and nfb ]]

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[weirderthanthou]

"Called in some favors," Jesse said, reaching up to massage her shoulder now that she had nothing else left to do with her hands. "Spent a lot of time in a lot of Portalocity offices. And... Polaris... helped."

He had met her by now. Might as well bring it up.

[shapethecentury]

"Polaris?"

Of course he would ask. Quietly.

[weirderthanthou]

"The, uh..." Jesse gestured at her head. "The psychic resonance that lives in my head. You met her yesterday. In a way."

[shapethecentury]

It took a second for Bucky to figure out what she meant. To remember.

But, oh.

"Is that what you used to... bring me back?"

He remembered something feeling like a ray of light, streaming in.

[weirderthanthou]

A cautious nod. "She's very good at... clearing people's minds," Jesse said. "She's kept mine safe for a long time."

[shapethecentury]

Bucky's nod was less cautious, but it was small.

"She helped."

There was no other word for it.

[weirderthanthou]

"I'm glad," Jesse said softly.

Some of the awkwardness had slipped out of her expression.

"She's-- she's a very good friend." And I'm glad you get along.

[shapethecentury]

Bucky's gaze fell to the next spoonful of soup.

"Glad you can trust your head."

He really meant that.

(He could not.)

[weirderthanthou]

"How's yours?" Jesse asked.

Edging towards the door, but subtly.

[shapethecentury]

The best, most reassuring thing Bucky could offer was a shrug.

He'd just leave it at that.

[weirderthanthou]

Jesse nodded slowly. "Well, I'm going to let you rest for a while," she said. "Let me know if you need anything, okay?"

[shapethecentury]

Bucky nodded.

"Okay," he said again. Hesitated - or just went quiet for a second before speaking again. You decide. "Thank you."

It didn't cover it, but it'd do. For now.

[weirderthanthou]

Jesse managed a little smile. "Thank you for coming back with me," she said softly.

She reached for the door handle.

"Good night."

And closed the door.

[shapethecentury]

Bucky looked at the door for a long moment, after. And then he made himself finish the soup.

And wondered whether he would actually sleep.