A Hunter's Treasure

The Bet with the Royals

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Third Person P.O.V

The rest of the night was a blur, laughter and cheers along with music still ringing in Jacob's head as he begins to awaken with a grumbling sigh. He peeks an eye open, the sunlight above making his head sting painfully as he winces.

Groaning, he sets a hand over his eyes, dragging it down his face as he takes in his surroundings. He was sitting in the back of a wagon with Sarah besides him, her hat tilted over her face as she rested. The brickleback's horn was strapped to the wagon behind them, Crow sitting upfront and flicking the reigns as the horse nickers softly and tugs them along.

(Y/N) was sitting in front of him, leaning against the back of Crow's seat with her leg outstretched and the other crossing over it as she looks over her dagger.

"Good morning, sunshine!" (Y/N) greets cheerfully when she notices he was awake, a musing smile on her face as Jacob looks to her with a tired frown. "Had a bit too much to drink, dummy?"

Jacob only grumbles in displeasure at this, stretching his arms out before sighing in relief as his bones crack a bit.

"Grumble grumble to you, too. You should've known better than to challenge Sarah to a drinking contest," (Y/N) scolds in a light tone, shaking her head as she tucks her dagger away and lowers her crossed leg. "Everyone told you you'd lose, and what did you say? 'We'll see about that!' Honestly, Jacob."

(Y/N) chuckles quietly towards the end of her sentence, fondly smiling with an exasperated eye roll. She glances back over her shoulder, spotting the castle coming into view past the brush of the forrest.

"Was tryin' to impress you." Jacob mumbles under his breath, his nose scrunching up a bit as he sighs.

"What was that?" (Y/N) questions as she looks back forward, tilting her head with a small smile.

Jacob shakes his head, clearing his throat as he sits up a bit. "Nothin'. Just... said you were heartless!" he jokes, pouting a bit as he crosses his arms over his chest.

"Heartless?" (Y/N) repeats in disbelief, a short laugh escaping her.

"Aye! Instead of scolding me for havin' a bit of fun, you should be comforting me aching head!" Jacob childishly responds with a firm nod.

"Jacob," (Y/N) snickers, shaking her head in amusement. "It's not me fault you drank your weight in ale."

"Coddle me!" Jacob whines, leaning forward and dramatically draping his body onto her as she exclaims in protest at the weight.

He could hear her heartbeat against his ear over her protests, his brows furrowing a bit when it picks up speed.

"All right, I've had my fun," Jacob says, preparing himself to push off of her and freezing in surprise when he feels her hand run through his hair in a comforting manner.

He tenses up a bit, caught off guard by the pleasant sensation as his cheeks slowly heat up with a blush.

"What-- What are, uh, you doing?" Jacob stammers a bit, blinking owlishly as he remains rigid in his spot.

"You told me to coddle you, so I'm coddling you," was all she replied in a neutral tone.

"Oh."

(Y/N) watches the trees pass by as she rubs Jacob's head, Jacob relaxing a bit as he sighs contentedly. He hears a quiet snicker, making his eyes dart over to Sarah. She was watching the two with a raised brow and a knowing smile, Jacob huffing and turning away from her as his eyes fall shut.