[ HEALING THE KING! ]

Prologue

Let Her Go

[ Pre-Season Four ]

" I love you, Alu. More than anything. That's why I'm letting you go. "

~ JAX TELLER to ALU ORTIZ

☆《》¤

THE STERILE SCENT OF BLEACH AND STEEL CLUNG TO THE ROOM, a constant reminder of where they were. The bed was small, barely big enough for two, but Jax and Alu managed to fit as if the universe had carved out this fleeting space just for them. The sheets were tangled around their legs, damp with sweat from stolen passion. Jax traced slow circles on her bare back, memorising the feel of her skin, even as his chest tightened with the weight of what he had to say.

Alu rested her chin on his chest, her dark eyes soft and filled with contentment, "I missed you so much," she whispered, her voice thick with the remnants of their shared intimacy.

Jax tilted her chin up, brushing a kiss across her lips, "I missed you too, baby girl. Every damn day."

For a moment, they lay there in silence, her fingers idly tracing the name tattooed on Jax's chest as his gaze drifted to the ceiling. The weight of the room pressed down on him harder than usual today, the walls closing in, reminding him that this—this fragile happiness—wasn't real. Not for her.

"Alu," he said quietly, his hand stilling on her back.

She immediately froze, sensing the shift in his tone, "What is it?"

He swallowed hard, his jaw tightening, "This...us...it can't keep going."

Her eyebrows knit together in confusion, "What are you talking about?" She sat up slightly, the sheet slipping from her shoulders, "Kimchee was able to get us monthly visitation. We can make this work, Jax."

"Yeah, and what kind of life is that for you?" he said, sitting up and running a hand through his hair. His blue eyes locked on her brown ones, a mixture of pain and determination shining through them, "Visiting your old man in prison once a month, sneaking moments like this between locked doors, while guards stare at your ass?"

"Jax, I don't care about all that," she shot back, her voice rising. "I care about you. Being with you makes me happy. That's all that matters."

He shook his head, his expression hardening even as his heart broke, "You think this is happiness? Alu, you deserve more than this. More than me."

Tears welled in her eyes as she grabbed his face, forcing him to look at her, "Don't you dare tell me what I deserve. I decide what makes me happy, and it's you. You're it, Jax. Don't push me away now after everything!" 

He closed his eyes, leaning into her touch for just a moment, savouring the warmth he knew he'd miss. Then, gently, he pulled her hands away, "You've been through hell already. You've got Moss to think about now. I could be in here for three years, Alu—" 

"Stop it," she pleaded, her voice breaking. "I don't care about the time. I'll wait for you."

His throat tightened as he cupped her face, his thumb brushing away the single tear that rolled down her cheek, "Darlin'...is this really how you see your life? Coming to visit me in prison? Raising your son on your own while I rot in here?"

"Please..." she argued weakly, her voice trembling.

He kissed her again, soft and lingering, a goodbye disguised as a promise. When he pulled back, his eyes were a flood of tears, "You're stronger than you think. You've got a life to live out there, and I'm not gonna let you waste it waiting for me."

"But I love you," she whispered, sucking in a shaky breath, while tears streamed down her face. 

But he was already standing, pulling on his clothes as if the distance between them could make this easier, "I love you too. More than anything. That's why I'm letting you go."

Her sobs echoed in the tiny room as he walked to the door, the guard's keys jangling on the other side. 

Before he left, he turned back one last time, his voice breaking, "Be happy." 

And then he was gone, leaving her alone in the suffocating silence, tangled in the sheets that still carried his warmth but none of his presence. 

***

Words: 740