Oneshots - Kayce Dutton

New boots are a gift.

Request – Reader's boots are falling apart kayce buys her new boots.

It was the end of the summer season in Montana. You were thankful because that meant no more sweltering days, sticky humidity from the rivers, and taking ice baths because that was the only way from keeping yourself from passing out. But you had to count your lucky stars.

You got an internship on was of the biggest ranches in Montana, the Yellowstone, and for almost three months you rode up and down the mountains with the Dutton family and their wranglers. 

You were a nursing student, one more semester left before you would graduate and since you wanted to work in rural communities, this ranch was the best place for you to learn. You had also surprised John Dutton, helping out him and his family more than either of you had anticipated. One member, his youngest son Kayce, took a quick liking to you and you bot had developed a close friendship over the summer.

You had parked yourself by the river, currently refilling your water bottle up for the ride back to the ranch. You had about a week left before you had to make your trip back over to Billings for school.

"You just gonna stare at the river all day?" Kayce yelled at you from a top his horse.

You looked over your shoulder and saw he was smiling at you. He was a few years older than you, had gotten back from doing some time in the military. Now he was back working for his father. You could see it in his eyes, even though Kayce would deny it, but you knew he would take over the ranch eventually.

"I mean it's a pretty river," Kayce shrugged with a smirk on his lips.

"You talk a lot," You laughed. "You know that?"

You went to take a step but the sole of your boot got caught in a rock and you neded up falling on your ass. Your water bottle went flying somewhere while your hands stopped your fall on the dirt.

"Ouch," You muttered.

"Don't have to worry about you being a pagent girl," Kayce laughed.

"Fuck off!" You snapped.

Kayce chuckled, getting off his horse and walking over ot you. He picked up your now almost empty water bottle and looked down at your boots.

"Well that's why you can't walk," Kayce pointed to your boots.

They were already old when you started back in May, but all the work in them the past few months had put enough wear and tear on them to make them start to come apart. They were your mothers, faded and frayed, with one heel cracked and  the other boots' sole peeling back some on one side.

"You need a new pair of boots," Kayce leaned down on his knee.

"No shit, sherlock," You rolled your eyes, brushing off the mud on your jeans. "I don't need boots at school though. We work in a clinic, remember?  Just need to finish out this week."

"Just get yourself a new pair," Kayce held out his hand for you to take, pulling you up slowly.

"I don't have the money for that," You sighed. "This was an unpaid internship, remember?"

Kayce nodded before turning around and walking back down to the river to refill your water bottle for you. You felt your cheeks warm up as he handed it back to you.

"Thanks," You muttered as you walked back over to your horse.

"Your wrists hurt?" Kayce asked you.

"I'm fine," You lied, placing the water bottle back into it's place on your saddle and sticking your boot into the stirrup.

The two of you made your way back to the main ranch before supper time.

Your last day

"We'll see ya soon," Llyod smiled at you. "This ain't goodbye."

"Ya," You laughed, hugging the older man. "Someone needs to make sure you lot stay in line."

"Thought that was my job?" Rip msiled at you.

"Please," You rolled your eyes. "You're the worst one!"

You had said your goodbyes to the wranglers outside the bunkhouse. It was your last morning and your truck was packed up with all your things. You didn't expect to fall in love with this place like you had.

You would truly miss everyone but you hoped there might be a permanent job here once you graduated...or at least that's what John had told you earlier this morning when you had said your goodbye to him. You turned and made your way over to your truck.

There was a slight pain in your chest knowing you hadn't seen Kayce. You looked for him earlier, but he wasn't anywhere you could see. You hated not saying goodbye to him as secretly, not so secretly, he was your favorite person here. You waved one more time to the crew before driving up the road.

You almost got the sign when you noticed Kayce standing next to it, a box in his hands. You slowed down and rolled your window down.

"I've been looking for you," You smiled, shutting the engine off and climbing out.

Kayce smiled and walked over to you, holding out the box.

"Did you get me a present?" You asked.

"It's nothing," Kayce shrugged as he held the box for you to lift up.

Inside was a new pair of black boots. They were shiny, and smelled like the leather covering them. No one had ever gotten you a gift like this. This was way too much.

"Kayce..." You looked up at him in shock.

"Don't make a big deal," Kayce smiled at you.

"You shouldn't have done this," You reached out and ran your fingers down one of the boots. "They're so pretty."

"You needed a new pair," Kayce remembered from the ride y'all took earlier this week. "Now you have one."

"Thank you," You felt emotional for some reason now, like it was hard to swallow. "I don't know what to say."

"Your face is saying it," Kayce shut the box and sat it on the hood of your truck.

You smiled, stepping into Kayce and wrapping your arms around his middle. You felt him hug you back tightly, his mouth pressed against your shoulders.

"I'll miss you," You whispered so quietly, you thought if Kayce didn't hear you it would be okay.

"I already miss you," Kayce muttered.

You both pulled back but kept a hold on each other's arms.

"Hopefully your dad will hire me when I graduate," You took a breath. "December's not too far away."

"You could come back for Thanksgiving?" Kayce offered.

"I could meet your sister then," You giggled at Kayce's pained expression.

"Maybe," He grimaced.

You stilled when he reached up and tucked a strand of your hair behind one of your ears. His fingers lingered a little bit against your skin.

"I need to head out," You sighed, not wanting to leave.

"Drive safe," Kayce said with a small smile on his face. "Let me know when you get there."

"I will," You nodded, but stayed put looking at him.

There was a slight chance John wouldn't hire you, or wouldn't be able to. Then what? Could this possibly be the last time you would see Kayce Dutton?

You hesitated, Kayce giving you a concerned look when he noticed your movement. You stepp closer again, your hand resting on his chest as you leaned up on your toes. Your lips pressed softly against Kayce's.

It was a sweet kiss, almost like a very first kiss. When you pulled back, you quickly grabbed your boots and got back in your truck. You didn't say bye as you slowly pulled away, but you looked out the window at Kayce until you had to turn around.

Something told you, you'd be back.