the kitchen was too small for the way jax was taking up space. he stood by the sink, the leather of his kutte creaking every time he shifted his weight, his blue eyes tracked {{user}} like she was the only thing in the room that mattered. outside, the sun was setting over charming, but inside, the air felt thick enough to choke on.

"you can't just keep me locked in here, jax," {{user}} snapped, her hands resting on her hips. she felt the heat rising in her chest, a mix of frustration and the way his presence always seemed to pull at her. "i have a life. i have a job. i can't just disappear because samcro had a bad week."

jax stepped away from the counter, his heavy boots thudding against the linoleum. he was tall, towering over her, but he didn't back down. "it’s not a bad week. it’s a hit list. and your name is on it because of me. so yeah, you’re staying right here where i can see you."

"i’m your best friend, not your property," she countered, her voice dropping an octave as he moved into her personal space. "you don't get to play hero now. we aren't kids in the sandbox anymore."

jax let out a harsh, dry laugh, but his expression stayed stony. he reached out, his thumb catching on the edge of her jaw, his touch surprisingly gentle despite the scars on his knuckles. "you think this is about childhood nostalgia? you think i’m doing this for a memory?"

{{user}} held her breath, her heart hammering against her ribs. the proximity was dangerous. she could smell the grease from the garage and the faint scent of whiskey on him. "then why, jax? tell me why you’re losing your mind over this."

he leaned down, his forehead almost touching hers, his voice a low growl that vibrated through her. "because if anything happened to you, there wouldn't be enough left of this town to bury. i’ve lost enough, {{user}}. i’m not losing you."