Oneshots - Kayce Dutton

Guitars in Barn Lofts

Request: The reader catches Kayce messing around on a guitar somewhere (maybe in a barn?) and she listens to him for a while, and he's really good. Eventually, he figures out she's watching him and stops playing so she tries to convince him to keep going, but he says "Baby, I only play for my son and my wife, and last time I checked you weren't the first one...but I can make you the last"

Author's Note – this...this is adorable in every way.

You hadn't seen Kayce since this morning when you kissed him goodbye as he left the bedroom to start work. His older brother Jamie was back on the ranch, and along with John, they were going to do some work around the barn. You hoped it would give them some bonding time they all so desperately needed.

You had spent the day keeping Beth Dutton away from the barn and had done a decent job. She had just driven off into town, doing God knows what, so you considered yourself off of Beth duty for the evening. You made your way down the dirt path to the barn, the sunset casting beautiful colors in the sky. Most of the wranglers were done for the evening, probably starting supper in the bunkhouse, so you made your way over to the barn doors.

You could see Jamie and John out in one of the corrals and didn't want to disturb them so you walked inside, your boots tapping on the wooden floors softly. Where could Kayce be?

You took a few more steps and stopped when you heard a guitar sound coming from the second-floor rafters. At first, it was just picking at the strings, but eventually, it turned into chords...and then a melody. It wasn't upbeat, there was a softness to it, but it was deep sounding. You quietly walked over to the stairs, pausing when a voice drifted down

Hold me and I don't recommend that you adore me

If you do, don't say I didn't warn you

Trust me, I know how to start a fire from a flame

Oh ho I always leave before the curtain into floor, lord

You stopped when one foot was on the first step. That was Kayce's voice. You had never heard Kayce sing...like really sing. Sure, you heard him sing with Tate in the car some old song on the radio or up at cowboy camp around the fire. But never like this. You listened some more.

Wish that I could not go crazy

Wish that I could make you hate me

Maybe I should change my name and run

So I don't have to hold on

You took a deep breath and slowly, meticulously, made your way up the stairs to the loft. When you could see over, you saw Kayce sitting on one of the bales of hay, the guitar in his lap as he strummed away.

Maybe you and I would make it

It ain't the kinda risk I'm taking

Maybe I should change my name and run, run, run

So I don't have to hold on

Your eyes didn't leave his figure as he sang. His voice was raspy like he had taken a shot of whiskey, but comforting...like after you two would make love and he'd confine in you all his hopes and dreams. Your hands stayed on the rails as you made it all the way to the top of the stairs now. If Kayce were to look to his right he'd see you, but he seemed content to sing with his eyes closed and you weren't complaining.

Maybe I should change my name and run, run, run

So I don't have to hold on

He finished and slowly strummed the guitar until he stopped altogether. Kayce opened his eyes at that point and your movement caught his view as he looked over at you.

"Please don't stop," You whispered as you walked over to him. Your boots echoed throughout the barn now until you stopped near him.

"Y/N..." Kayce smiled, but gently sat the guitar down on the side farthest from you. He held out his hand for you to take.

You sat down next to him, crossing your legs as his arm slipped around your knees. You wrapped both your arms around his and leaned your chin on his shoulder.

"I love your voice," You smiled at him and Kayce chuckled. "Why don't you sing like that ever?"

"Baby, I only play for my son and my wife, and last time I checked you weren't the first one," Kayce smirked at you. "But I can make you the last"

You bit your lip, knowing full well your cheeks were rose red from his words. You reached up and pulled his hat off, setting it behind you on another bale, and rose up. Kayce leaned back, his hands finding your hips as you straddled his waist, being mindful of his guitar. Your arms wrapped around his neck lazily.

"You sing to me like that and I'll be whatever you want me to be," Your lips stopped just short of his.

"Don't tempt me," Kayce smirked, his hands squeezing your waist. His gaze danced from your lips up to your eyes.

"Were you serious?" You asked, your head tilting to the side.

"I'm serious about you," Kayce murmured and your heart fluttered.

You tossed your hair behind you, leaning your lips down to press fully against Kayce's. You hummed when his hand moved up your body to hold the back of your head. He smelled like summer, and mountain air, and leather, and your hands gripped his shirt while he kissed you back.

The kiss broke slowly, you keeping your body pressed to Kayce's.

"Sure you can't play me something?" You asked sweetly.

"Maybe if you're good later," Kayce whispered.