Oneshots - Kayce Dutton

Taking care of Tate

Request - Reader is taking care of a sick tate reader is newly asked girlfriend kayce had to work late and John tells kayce she's been by his side since you left I think she's a keeper.

You should have been in town with Beth, trying to figure out a way to take Jamie out without John finding out it was the two of you. But you were currently in bed, and you honestly were enjoying it a lot more than you thought you would. The same could not be said for your bedmate though.

Poor Tate had come down with something last night. Kayce had put him to bed but a mere ten minutes later Tate was walking into your and Kayce's bedroom, saying he didn't feel good and then proceeding to throw up...three times throughout the night.

Kayce had a huge project at the office today, so you promised to look after Tate while he went into town. Now, you and Kayce have only been official for a little over two months now. While you and Tate had a good relationship, this incident was quickly giving you both a crash course in how each other operates.

Tate was a cuddler, in fact, he hadn't left your side since you got back into the big bed with him. He was warm too, which concerned you, of his slight fever. You remembered what your mom used to do with you when you were sick with a fever.

"Tate?" You gently shook him. "Hey, buddy...how does a nice little bath sound?"

"M'hot already," Tate whined into your side.

"It won't be a hot bath," You smoothed some of his hair back. "It'll be cooler...it might help you feel a little better?"

Tate didn't respond but you took that as a maybe. So you got out of bed, after detangling Tate from you, and walked into the large bathroom. Once you got the water to a nice temperature, you pour in some salts to help with any aching muscles Tate might also have.

"What are you doing?" John's voice made you jump and look over your shoulder.

"Drawing Tate a bath," You leaned back up. "It always helped me when I was feeling like he is. Plus that fever has me worried."

"Kayce should have been back by now," John looked at his watch. "It's almost supper time."

"I know the project was a big one," You said. "Must be taking longer than he thought."

"You been here all day?" John asked.

"Yeah," You walked over to him and the two of you looked out, over to where Tate was still laying down. "I've only gotten him to eat a few crackers earlier."

"Gator is making some type of soup for him," John said.

You looked back at him.

"That's nice," You smiled. "Should help whatever is bugging him. Poor thing woke up three times over the night sick."

"Must be a stomach bug," John said.

"I hope so," You looked back at Tate. "Those come and go quickly."

You walked over to Tate and rubbed his back gently.

"Ready for your bath, buddy?" You spoke softly.

"No," Tate sighed but leaned up into a sitting position.

"Just for a little while," You leaned down. "Your grandpa said Gator is making soup tonight. Maybe you'll feel like eating something?"

Tate just shrugged. You helped him out of the bed and into the bathroom. Tate leaned his arms up for you to remove his sleep shirt and then his shorts before he got into the tub. John was watching you the whole time from the door frame. Once Tate was situated in the tub, you told him to lean back and just relax.

"I'm gonna go fluff up the bed," You smiled down at Tate. "Be back in a few minutes. "

You walked out and John followed you. Walking over to Kayce's side, where Tate had been all day, you pulled the sheets back and started to whip them back and forth. When you're sick, coming back to a cool, soft bed beats pretty much everything else. You took each pillow and fluffed them out. A noise made you look over to the left, seeing John open a window.

"Air it out some," John mumbled.

"Thanks," You smiled. "That was next on my list."

"Tate seems to have taken a liking to you," John sighed, but there was a smile on his face.

"I enjoy him," You said.

"Thank you for watching him today," John nodded. "I'll go see about supper."

You were able to get Tate to soak for about twenty minutes. You then got him out, dried off and a new pair of pajamas on before he was crawling back into Kayce's side of the bed. You found some children's medicine and gave him a dose, mostly to help him sleep.

John brought up a cup of the soup and a spoon a little bit later and you both watched Tate get most of it down. He was fading fast as he handed the cup back to you. You leaned up, running your fingers through his hair.

"Think you can sleep some?" You asked him.

Tate nodded, while you pressed your lips to his forehead for a little longer than a normal kiss. When you pulled back and looked over at John, you saw him watching you closely.

"His fever is going down," You told him.

"My wife used to do that to our kids," John told you.

"So did my mom," You smiled and the two of you made your way out of the bedroom.

"I'll pour you a whiskey," John said as you both made your way down the stairs.

"Let me out this up," You held up the cup and parted ways with him.

After washing the cup and spoon, you made your way out to the living room. You heard another voice besides John's and recognized Kayce's instantly.

"All day?" Kayce asked.

"Never left his side once," John answered. "Until just now when he fell asleep."

"I owe her," Kayce sighed.

"She's a keeper son," John laughed and you felt your heart flutter. "Might be the one."

You waited for a beat, listening for Kayce's response to that.

"I ain't letting her go," Kayce finally said.