“Empathy” - Jacob Black x Reader

A/N:I’m being nice to my Jacob friends today, but don’t count on this to be a common theme– he’s still my favorite angst character

I pressed my ear against the creaky bedroom door, trying to make out the the short-winded breathing on the other end.

Poor Jacob.

Standing there for a moment, I wonder if he really wants me to come in, to see him in this state.

I knew he didn’t, he neverdid. Whenever I would check on him, it was him instantly hiding any hints of sadness. Wiping the tears away, sniffling, and quickly standing up to greet me. Wondering if he even knew of my presence, I decide it’s best I try yet again– even if I fail.

“Jacob…” I whisper from the doorway.

“(Y/N)!” He jumps up in shock; again quickly wiping the tears that fell from his eyes. “Hi! When did you get home?”

Though, that didn’t hide the lament that shone right through those chocolate brown orbs.

“Jacob, please.” I begged, walking over to the bed. I ushered for him to sit back down. “Please, let me be here for you.”

“What do you mean? I’m fin-”

“No, Jacob. You’re not fine.” I sigh. “You hide your feelings from me. It’s torture knowing that you’re suffering; suffering in silence.”

“(Y/N), I’m- I’m ok-” His breathing cuts his sentence off, his eyes filling to the brim with tears.

“Please.” I whisper, placing my hand over his own.

His sobs returned once again, uncontrollable breathing racking through his body as he laid his head on my chest. His arms crushingly tight around my body.

“I just, I don’t want to be this way.” He whimpers.

“What do you mean, Jake?”

“I’m a monster, (Y/N). Don’t pretend you don’t know.”

“Jake, you are nota monster. You’re everything good in this world.” I soothe, slightly scratching his scalp.

“No, I’m not.” He huffs, pulling away to look into my eyes. “I can’t give you a normal life, a normal life that you deserve. At least, not for a very long time.”

“You give me everything I could ever want and more.”

“No, you deserve a safe and normal life. A life where your boyfriend doesn’t fight off vampires. A life without worrying about if something will happen to you. You des-”

“Stop, Jacob. Stop it right now.” I look at him sternly. “You protect me, you protect everyone. You do more for me than I could ever ask. You make me feel safer than anyone else ever could.”

“I shouldn’t have to. You don’t seem to understand.” Jacob’s eyes close as he lets out a large sigh.

“I don’t understand what?”

“You don’t understand that I just wish things were normal for you. For us, for me.” His eyes meet mine once again. “I just want to live a normal life, I want to go back to how things were. When I didn’t have to worry all the time, when I didn’t have to patrol for vampires. When I didn’t have to worry about what would happen if I messed up.”

“You’re right.” I rib small circles into the back of his hand, meeting his gaze. “I’ll never understand the sacrifice you’ve made. I’ll never understand how you feel. But I can empathize, Jacob.”

“Thank you.” He whispers, pulling me into a tight hug. “I love you.” His hot tears leave a trail down my back as he buried his face in the crook of my neck.

“I love you, Jacob. I’m always going to be here for you.” I promise. “Please, talk to me more. Please don’t suffer in silence.”