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cantstoptheimagines · 2 years

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Truce (Jacob Holland | The Sea Beast)

Summary — You and Jacob are forced to deal with one another for the sake of your respective crews’ sanities.

Requested by anonymous — I’ve done too much simping for Jacob and we need to turn the tables. Reader is a famous sea beast hunting captain and the Inevitable is in danger and Reader goes to help them cause of the code. They saves Jacob and he’s flustered about it and develops a crush on the Reader.

Warnings & Other Tags ➳ Fluff with a bit of steaminess (no smut though!); some cursing; (slight) enemies to lovers; flirtatious vibes, along with some friendly teasing; sailor slang; forced proximity (aka ‘There’s Only One Bed!’); mentions of alcohol (rum); a make out session; takes place ‘Pre-Red Journey’, so they’re still hunters; pirates, pirates, pirates, baby!

Notes ➳ Word Count is 3,365. ➳ Reader is gender neutral (they/them). ➳ Reader’s ship is named The Golden Plague. ➳ You can find a list of ‘Nautical Terminology’ at the end of this work.

Nothing made you smile more than Jacob Holland’s personal agony.

You couldn’t stop an arrogant grin from spreading over your lips at the sight of his crestfallen face, which was perfectly clear through the lens of your spyglass. Captain Crow’s ship, The Inevitable, was struggling to stay afloat in the distance. Despite being so close to a beast your crew had been tracking for weeks on end, you had quickly given the order to follow the Hunter’s Code and help Crow instead.

His crew cheered at the sight of you, relieved to finally have some help on the rough waves. You descended the quarterdeck as your ship eased to a stop. You finally settled against the wooden rail of the main deck, opposite of Crow, who had done the same in order to hold conversation between your respective vessels.

On his left stood his loyal first mate, Sarah Sharpe, who saluted you with the blade of her knife. Jacob Holland took up Crow’s other side with crossed arms and a scowl as he glowered at you. Next to him, you could just barely make out a small head of dark curls over The Inevitable’s railings.

“Got yourself into more trouble, I see,” you finally said.

“Aye,” nodded Crow, briefly glancing over his shoulder at the extensive damage on his precious ship. “Got into a nasty grapple with a terrible beast.”

You scoffed, rolling your eyes, “Wouldn’t be a Crustacean, would it? Purple?”

“The very same!” answered Sarah. “How’d you figure?”

“Been after it for almost two weeks now,” you shrugged, “but it looks like it found you first. Did it go down?”

“No,” said Crow, shaking his head. “Got away.”

“Good!” you exclaimed, grinning widely. “The bounty’s still mine for the taking then.”

Jacob finally made his presence known with a loud scoff, “‘O course that’s all you care about right now!”

“Jacob!” growled Crow. “Shut it!”

The man quickly turned away from his adoptive father, embarrassed at being called out so publicly.

“For your information, Holland,” you grimaced, “I came to help. Hunter’s Code, and all that. Though I’m sure you were too busy wetting yourself at the sight of the Crab to remember such things.”

He glared at you... and then at Sarah when she snickered in amusement. Crow shook his head with a smirk, and then said, “Think you could give us a tow in? It’ll be hard for us to make it to the nearest port without some help.”

“I can see that,” you said, looking down at a gaping hole that had damaged The Inevitable’s wooden hull. “That violet beast brought on quite a reckoning, didn’t it?”

“Oh, that?” chuckled Sarah, shaking her head. “That isn’t from our fight with the Crustacean.”

Your eyes widened, glancing between her and the ship’s hull, “The hell is it from then?”

“The Inevitable was bilged on her anchor after the beast left,” answered Crow. “Pierced straight through the hull.”

“Bilged on her anchor?!” you laughed. “Who was bringing it up?! Holland?!”

Jacob suddenly uncrossed his arms, pointed at you, and ordered, “Shut up, you knave!”

Sarah immediately scolded him, “Jacob! Keep quiet!”

You, however, grinned widely when you realized that your joke had struck a nerve. Leaning further over the railing of your own ship, you continued, “Well, Holland, if I’m such a knave, I guess you don’t need my help after all.”

Crow couldn’t stop himself from rolling his eyes, sharing an exasperated look with Sarah. This happened every single time your crews met on the waves. Whenever you or Jacob caught sight of one another, it was over. Neither of you could resist the chance to poke and prod at the other.

While it left the two of you with some sort of sick satisfaction, it left your respective crews with nothing but moans and groans of annoyance.

“Jacob,” sighed Crow, rubbing his furrowed brow tiredly, “apologize, so their crew can tow us in.”

“What?!” exclaimed Jacob, looking at him with an appalled expression. “I will not!”

“Jacob, please!” groaned Sarah. “Call a truce for once! If you don’t, they’ll leave and we’ll sink. D’you feel like sinking today? Because I don’t!”

Jacob huffed loudly. He tightly crossed his arms once more, contemplating his options. He glanced over his shoulder at The Inevitable’s crew, each of them hard at work to keep their beloved vessel from sinking.

Turning back, he almost wished The Inevitable would sink when his eyes met yours. You waved at him, wiggling your fingers playfully. With an expectant grin, you then leaned your cheek against your palm, and said, “I’m waiting, Holland.”

He closed his eyes with a dramatic sigh, only opening them when his father nudged him harshly with a sharp elbow. Kissing his teeth, he huffed once more, and muttered, “I’m... sorry...”

Your smile widened, “For?”

Sarah snorted at the sight of Jacob’s frustrated expression. He ignored her, however, in favor of sneering at you, “I’m sorry... for calling you a knave...”

“And?”

His nails were practically digging into his skin as he continued, “And... Can you help us...?”

“By?”

He gritted his teeth, “Towing... Us...”

“Into?”

“Port,” he growled, and then quietly muttered, “obviously.”

Despite his efforts, you could still make out his irritated tone. You gave him a once-over, and then licked your lips with a wild grin, “Can I help you by towing you into port...?”

In the blink of an eye, Jacob had uncrossed his arms and tightly gripped The Inevitable’s railing, leaning forward until he nearly fell overboard, “All right, now you’re just havin’ a laugh, you little—!”

“Jacob!”

He fell silent at the sound of Crow’s voice. Looking over his shoulder, he met his father’s harsh glare. Jacob conceded, his head falling forward. He then straightened his posture, grimacing at your smug face, “Can you help us... by towing us into port... please...?”

You bit your bottom lip, tilting your head back and forth dramatically as though you were trying to decide whether or not such a favor was worth your time.

It was.

You knew that.

Jacob knew that, too. He resisted the urge to call your bluff, deciding it would probably be best for him to stew in angry silence instead, lest he face his father’s wrath. Or worse, Sarah Sharpe’s.

Finally, you paused with your head tilted to the left, slowly nodding, “Well, Holland... since you asked so nicely... why not?”

You then turned to face your own crew, and loudly exclaimed, “Drop the gangplanks! We’ve got guests aboard!”

Both crews cheered loudly. The Inevitable’s hull was quickly repaired with a makeshift patch for the journey ahead. And after Crow’s ship had been securely attached to your own so it could be towed into port, those aboard the damaged ship crossed over the gangplanks to their new, temporary vessel.

As they crossed over, you shook hands with Sarah Sharpe. You then gave Crow a pat on the shoulder when he nodded in thanks. However, you didn’t have time to greet any other crew members before you felt something — or someone, rather — become attached to your legs.

Looking down in surprise, you were greeted by the starstruck face of a young girl. Her brown eyes gazed at you with a wondrous expression, and she muttered, “Wow! You’re even more incredible in person!”

You laughed, “Why, thank you, lass! I thought I had noticed someone small over the railings.”

“I may be small,” she said, “but I’m as good as gold when it comes to—”

“Talkin’ people’s ears off,” interrupted a deep voice.

You looked up to find Jacob standing on the gangplank, arms crossed once again, waiting to come aboard. He spared you a brief glance, and then said, “Off you get, Maisie! You need to find a bunk for the night!”

She immediately let go of you, gave him a small salute, and smiled, “Yes, sir, Captain Someday!”

As she disappeared within the crowd of chatting pirates, you chuckled, “‘Captain Someday’?”

Jacob turned his attention to you, tilting his head and rolling his eyes, “Don’t.”

You scoffed, “Get off the gangplank so we can get moving, Holland.”

Gritting his teeth, he begrudgingly followed your demands. He watched as you hauled the gangplank back onto the main deck of your ship and held it by your side. He almost groaned in disgust when you gave him another smug grin, and said, “Welcome aboard, Holland! Enjoy your night on The Golden Plague!”

“‘The Golden Ass’ is more like it,” he muttered, turning away to join his crew. “Ow!”

He turned back in a flash when he felt the gangplank in your hands hit his side with a WHACK! He still had a fresh wound there from The Inevitable’s encounter with the Crustacean.

“Sorry,” you breathed, though he could tell that you were anything but apologetic. “My hands slipped.”

“Would you stop running a rig for once in your life?!”

“Oh!” you exclaimed, finally setting the gangplank aside. “But it’s so much fun!”

“It won’t be fun anymore when I—!”

“Avast ye!”

The two of you paused in your exchange, instead focusing on your conjoined crews. Crow and Sarah stood at the front, arms crossed and backs straight as they glowered. You could see Maisie trying her best to peep through the enormous crowd of hunters.

“That’s enough of that!” demanded Crow. “Just because you lot don’t get along doesn’t the rest of us need to suffer! Call a truce now! If not for your own peace of mind, then for our sanities!”

Your attention returned to Jacob. The two of you had moved closer to one another during your spat. You took the first step, holding out a hand with a cavalier smile, “I’ll agree to a ceasefire if you will... until we reach port, at least. Then you’re mine, Holland.”

For some reason, your words, specifically ‘mine’, set off an alarm within Jacob’s mind. He could feel warmth creeping along his neck and cheeks. His face fell into an expression of curiosity. However, it changed to one of indignation when, as he reached out to shake your hand, you quickly pulled it away before he could do so.

“Too slow,” you whispered, winking cockily, “as always!”

He frowned deeply, “Now you’re just being—!”

“Oi!”

Sarah slowly approached the two of you with a menacing look in her eyes. Shivers went down your spines at the sight of her. She was much more intimidating than Crow.

“End this,” she commanded, pulling out her knife, “or I will.”

“Yes, Ms. Sharpe.”

She grinned when the two of you suddenly shifted from your usual arrogant attitudes to something far more demure. Jacob avoided meeting her eyes while you toed your boot into the wood of the main deck. Like children, thought Sarah, amused by your actions.

“Good,” she said. “Now, how about some rum for your guests?”

Your eyes met hers, and then you smiled at your awaiting crew, “Well? You heard the woman! Bring out the drinks!”

The crowd of hunters burst into another round of cheers as barrels upon barrels of rum were rolled onto the main deck. As soon as Sarah turned her back, however, you nudged Jacob to catch his attention, and whispered, “You’re still too slow, Holland!”

He reached out to grab your arm, only to miss as you disappeared into the celebratory group of pirates. Not one to back down from a fight, especially if it was with you, he quickly followed.

Crow and Sarah watched with amused gleams. Crow took a drink of his rum, and then said, “Still don’t understand how you can quiet them down like that. They never listen to me.”

Sarah shrugged with a cocky smile, “Perhaps you need to work on your glare.”

“I’m missing a deadlight, Sharpe!”

You weaved through the group of sleeping pirates. With so many people aboard, you were bound to run out of hammocks at some point. Extra blankets had been strewn about the main deck for those who volunteered to sleep beneath the stars. The others had filled the primary cabins to the brim.

You had allowed Maisie to take the private guest’s quarters on the other end of the ship. She had been ecstatic at the thought, claiming that she felt like ‘the most distinguished guest to ever sail on The Golden Plague’. Not to mention, it had been rather amusing when she slammed the door in Jacob’s face after sticking her tongue out at him.

A few hunters, including Sarah and Crow, had been welcomed into your personal quarters for the night. The floor, similar to the main deck, had become the temporary bed to a huddle of pirates.

Crow slept on a hammock that gently swung back and forth next to a porthole. Sarah had taken up the seat at your private desk, hat over her face and feet propped up as she leaned back in a plush chair.

You quietly stepped over Ms. Merino, nearly tripping when she rolled onto her side during her sleep. It felt like a relief when you finally reached your own bed. You unlaced your boots and quickly changed into something more comfortable. Just as your shirt had slipped onto your body, the door slowly creaked open.

“No room for me?”

You smiled to yourself, pulling back the blanket on your bed. You spared at glance at Jacob as he examined your cabin, taking in every last detail.

“Well, considering that my bed is the only spot left on the entire ship,” you said, “I suppose you could try the crow’s nest. If you’re afraid of sharing, that is.”

You listened to his indignant scoff as you took refuge in your bedsheets. Facing the wall, you closed your eyes, listening to the soothing sounds of the waves crashing against the hull of your ship. However, your peace didn’t last long.

Your bed suddenly dipped. Furrowing your brows, you looked over your shoulder, and asked, “What d’you think you’re doing?”

Jacob’s eyes were slightly hazy from the rum he had partaken in earlier. He was, however, sober enough to offer you a smirk as he removed his heavy boots. After tossing them aside, he shrugged, “I ain’t afraid ‘o sharing.”

You grunted when the weight of him caused the bed to shift. Along with a large wave rocking the ship, you were nearly knocked into his side as he made himself comfortable next to you. Rolling onto your back, you glowered at him, “You’ll be afraid soon enough if you get too close.”

With closed eyes, Jacob chuckled tiredly. He was on his back as well, one arm bent to place a hand beneath his head. The other rested against his stomach.

“Why’s that?” he asked, finally looking over at you. “Are you afraid that you’ll like me being close?”

He nearly burst with laughter at your reaction. Your face twisted and you quickly sat up, “In your dreams, Holland!”

Jacob quickly shushed you when he heard someone else shift in their sleep. He reached out, grabbed the back of your shirt, and pulled you back onto the sheets. You glared at him again when you landed against your pillow.

“D’you ever shut up?”

He was partially leaning over you now, balancing on his hand as he looked down at you. Your imagination got the better of you when his eyes seemed to glance fleetingly at your lips. In my dreams, maybe, you thought.

Your personal sentiments might have surprised others, but you had no gripes with admitting to yourself that Jacob Holland was a handsome man. However, life on the high seas left no time for such things, so you had resorted to... well, pissing him off.

It was rather entertaining, after all.

Unbeknownst to you, Jacob felt the same. He hated you for being so infuriatingly attractive. Especially now as he gazed down at you, looking so sweet as you lay beneath him. He failed in stopping his eyes from glancing at your lips.

“We hunters always want what we can’t have,” as Crow had always put it. “It’s the briny deep’s greatest curse.”

His father had been right, of course. Like always. Jacob wanted you, despite the fact that such a thing seemed impossible. But still, he couldn’t help it.

“Perhaps I’d shut up if you’d—! Mmph!”

The rest of your sentence was cut off. Jacob’s hand pressed against your cheek. He was barely holding himself up with the other as he shoved his lips against yours. Meanwhile, your arms quickly wrapped themselves around his shoulders and your fingers weaved into his thick, blond locks.

Your eyes closed as you pulled Jacob almost impossibly close. He grunted, falling onto his elbows when you did so. His heavy chest was flush against yours. There was hardly any room to breathe as his other hand made its way around your hips. The one on your cheek slowly shifted to the back of your neck.

His lips slowly trailed away from your own. He pressed open-mouthed kisses against your skin on his journey to your neck. You sighed at the feeling, biting your lip as you tried coming to your senses. Your eyes darted across the room when Crow shifted in his sleep.

When Jacob abruptly dug his nose against your jawline and roughly bit at the skin of your throat, you gasped, “Holland!”

At first, it seemed as though he didn’t hear you. Either that or he just didn’t care. Only when you muttered his name a second time did you receive a deep hum in return.

“Holland!” you groaned, tugging at his hair. “Considering that there are about fifteen other people in this room right now, I don’t—! Ah—!”

He chuckled at your sudden cry, which had been due to him slipping his large hand beneath your shirt and digging his nails into your side. He continued his ministrations, which still included kissing, biting, and tugging at you, as you let out another groan.

“You don’t...?” he muttered. “What is it, love?”

You almost smiled at the nickname. That is, until the realization of his mockery from your earlier interactions suddenly hit you, “Only I’m allowed to do that.”

“Suppose that means that I’m the only one who can do this then.”

Before you could question him, your mouth fell open with a whine. Jacob’s hips ground heavily against yours. He chuckled against your shoulder, only to release a deep moan when your fingers sharply dug into the space between his shoulder blades. When your head tilted back, he took the opportunity to surge forward. He harshly bit your throat once more, both of hands moving to the back of your neck in order to pull you closer.

“Holland!” you mewled. “I don’t think it’s the right time for this... especially not when your own father is asleep just across the way.”

Jacob paused at your words. He panted heavily against you, slowly pulling away. His head turned to look at the sleeping hunters around the room. You could’ve sworn he had a glare on his face as his eyes landed on Crow, who was snoring away in his hammock, unaware of the mischief his son was currently up to.

Jacob let out a deep sigh, and then he muttered, “Damn cockblocks.”

He smiled down at you when he heard you snicker in amusement. His hands moved to rest against your jawline and the pads of his thumbs gently traced over your cheekbones. Groaning with a happy grin, he allowed himself to finally return to his original position of lying next to you. This time, however, he brought you with him.

Resting on his back, Jacob’s hand went beneath his head as he stared up at the ceiling. His other arm tucked you tightly into his side. His fingertips gently caressed your clothed hip, repeatedly trailing up and down.

“I take it this means you’re enjoying your stay on The Golden Plague?”

Jacob tilted his head to look at you with an amused smirk. You quietly gasped when his hand suddenly shifted to your behind.

“It’s like I said before, love,” he chuckled. “‘The Golden Ass’ is more like it.”

Nautical Terminology ➳ Avast ye! — Phrase used to call for someone’s attention. ➳ Bilged on her anchor — Phrase used when a ship is caught on, or pierced, by its own anchor. ➳ Bounty — The reward for a deed, usually something of monetary value. ➳ Briny deep — Phrase meaning “ocean” or “sea”. ➳ Ceasefire — A discontinuance (either permanent or temporary) of hostilities between parties; another word for “truce”. ➳ Crow’s Nest — A small platform near the top of a mast, where a lookout could have a better view of the seas. ➳ Deadlight — Another word for “eye”. ➳ Gangplank — A removable board or ramp used to travel between ships or between ships and piers. ➳ Hull — The body of a ship; the watertight enclosure of a ship, which protects cargo, machinery, and accommodation spaces. ➳ Knave — A dishonorable person. ➳ Main deck — The uppermost complete deck extending from front to back. ➳ Porthole — A small exterior window in a ship. ➳ Quarterdeck — A raised deck behind the main mast, usually from which the captain commands the ship. ➳ Rum — A pirate’s favorite drink! ➳ Running (or, run) a rig — Playing tricks. ➳ Vessel — Another word for “ship” or “boat”.

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