Oneshots - Kayce Dutton

Get off the damn horse!

Request - The Reader is getting sick, but she pushes herself until Ryan tells her to stop and calls Kayce and Kayce physically lifts her off her horse and into the house.

Your lungs were screaming at you as you pushed another calf into the left shoot to be tagged. It was early springtime in Montana, so the chill in the air still presented some of the wranglers with colds...you are being one of them, even though you'd deny it.

Getting sick wasn't something you liked to admit and for the better part of the day you had been able to get by. But you were fading fast, and knowing you had two more rounds of calf dividing wasn't doing much to help you push through.

"Alright," Rip yelled from the top of his horse. "Ryan, Y/N/, Walker... go grab the next herd!"

You turned and headed over to where your horse was tied up, wincing as you got on top of your saddle. Ryan was watching you closely.

"What?" You snapped at him, but it turned into a coughing fit.

"You need to go lie down," Ryan frowned as you both walked your horses over to the corral on the far-left side of the barn.

"I'm fine," You huffed. "It's just a cold."

"You look awful," Ryan commented.

"Oh, thanks," You rolled your eyes as you waited for Walker to open the gate.

"Seriously, Y/N..." Ryan continued. "You're gonna make yourself really sick if you don't stop and rest."

"Shut up," You pushed your horse forward and after a few minutes, the three of you had the small herd moving towards the sorting unit created.

You felt lightheaded as you turned your horse around to tie him back up. Taking a few deep breaths, you tried to let the cold air chill your insides, but it only made your body ache more. Maybe you were worse than you originally thought.

When you made it over to the post to tie your horse back up you saw Kayce standing there with a frown on his face. He was supposed to be working with his dad today with purchasing some new horses for breeding purposes, so you were a little surprised.

"Hi," You said stopping your horse next to him.

"Feeling, okay?" Kayce asked, eyeing you from below.

"Sure," You shrugged, trying desperately to not sneeze or cough right now. "Why?"

"Heard you weren't feeling too hot," Kayce cleared his throat.

You looked back at Ryan who quickly turned around from your glare. "Some people need to learn to shut up and listen to me."

"You should learn to listen to your body," Kayce grumbled. "Get down and come back inside."

"I have work to do," You frowned.

"Get down and come rest," Kayce reached out and grabbed the reigns of your horse. "I'll walk you back up." 

"Kayce...I'm fine," You argued.

"You're not fine," Kayce snapped at you.

"Let go," You pulled back on the reigns.

"Get off the damn horse, Y/N!"

Before you knew it, Kayce had reached up and wrapped his hands around your waist, pulling you to the side and sliding your boots out of the stirrups. You reached out and held onto his shoulders as he maneuvered you down onto the ground, aches shooting through your body.

"Kace..." You groaned.

"Inside," Kayce grunted, pushing you towards the main house.

It was almost like you were in a haze as Kayce marched you up to the main house. Once he got you inside and up the stairs to the bedroom, you felt your eyes glaze over as you sat down on the edge of the bed.

"I'm fine," You whispered, making Kayce laugh at you.

"Sure darling," Kayce reached down and removed your boots. "Keep telling yourself that."

"Why are you being so mean?" You mumbled, leaning back so you were laying on the bed with your feet still on the floor.

"M'not mean," Kayce smiled, removing your belt from your jeans. "I just worry about you."

"Why?" You whined as you looked up at him. Now that you were on the soft bed, your body was screaming its thanks at you. 

"Why?" Kaye laughed as he held out his hand for you to take, pulling you back into a sitting position. "Because I care about your well-being."

"Oh," You frowned.

"What?" Kayce pushed your shoulder as he walked over to the dresser and grabbed one of his t-shirts for you to wear. "You don't like me caring about your well-being?" 

"Thought it was cause you loved me," You mumbled but started to unbutton your shirt.

"Well, that too," Kayce waited for you to remove your shirt before holding up the one he was holding so you could slip it on. "But I figured that was too cheesy to say."

"I like you cheesy," You smiled up at him. "You're so stern all the time." 

"Stern?" Kayce rolled his eyes at you. "You're just too stubborn for me." 

"You like that I'm stubborn," You sniffed loudly. 

"You need to get some sleep," Kayce leaned down, so you were eye to eye and helped you remove your jeans. "You're talking nonsense now."

"Nuh-uh," You shook your head, watching as Kayce put all your clothes into the hamper. 

"Bed," He pointed behind you to the pillows.

"You too?" You asked hopefully, even though you knew his answer.

"I've got to finish some things," Kayce gave you a sad smile as you crawled backward, falling down against your pillow. He walked around to the side and helped you get settled under the sheets and blanket. "But I'll try to come back early."

"I hear cuddling is the best medicine for a cold," You mumbled, tucking the sheets and blanket around you.

"Is that right?" Kayce smiled down at you, brushing your hair out from your eyes. He went to pull his hand away, but you reached out and held his fingers with yours.

"Be careful," You whispered, feeling sleep take over for you.

"Always am," Kayce leaned down and kissed your forehead. "Get some rest."

"I love you," You felt your eyes close, and you settled into the mattress finally.

"Love you too," Kayce whispered out before you felt sleep take over you.

A few hours later

You felt the bed dip from behind you and arms wrap around your body. Taking a deep breath, you turned slightly to look behind you and saw Kayce, dressed in his work clothes still in bed next to you. The sun was low coming through the windows, so it was probably closer to supper time.

"How are you feeling?" Kayce's warm caramel eyes held yours.

"Better," You answered with a smile. It was then you noticed a black bruise under Kayce's eye. "What happened."

"Just stupid people," Kayce shook his head.

You moved some to wiggle one of your arms out from under the covers. Reaching over you gently touched the skin under the bruise. Kayce turned his head and pressed a kiss against your palm.

"Do I need to go fight someone?" Your voice was rough due to the sleep laced within it. Kayce let out a chuckle, shaking the bed with you in it.

"I took care of it," He smiled at you, pulling you closer to him on the bed. "But thanks for defending me." 

"Anytime," You burrowed up next to Kayce, clearing your throat but not caring enough to save him from catching whatever you might have. His hand came up to run his fingers through your hair gently. "Did you really pull me from my horse today?" 

"You just now remembering that?" Kayce chuckled. 

"I remember calling you mean," You giggled. 

"You deserved it," Kayce mumbled against your forehead. "Stubborn woman..." 

You smiled and closed your eyes, listening to Kayce's heartbeat while you fell back asleep knowing he'd wake you when it was time.