Oneshots - Kayce Dutton Book 2

Military Reunions

Request - When kayce is still a SEAL, y/n is in the military assisting his team on a mission and that's how they meet. Then they stay in contact (either kayce and Monica never married or they're divorced) after kayce gets out. Then maybe like something happens and reader and some of his military buddies go out to the ranch. And while they're out there the reader and kayce get together. I want it to feel like his ranch life and military life colliding. Like maybe his family gets to see a bit of the military kayce.

I feel like it would be cool to see his two worlds collide.

You weren't certain, but you figured it had been four years since you had seen any of the old team from Afghanistan. You had worked as a logistics coordinator at Bagram for four years and saw many soldiers come through the base. You met many teams over those years, but this special group of soldiers stuck in your mind. It was probably because they weren't supposed to be there...but that's classified.

A few weeks ago, you got a call from Sam, the unofficial leader of the group. He said everyone was getting together to reminisce at a ranch in Montana. You thought it was a strange place to convene, but you also now lived in Bozeman, so it would be stupid of you to not come. Sam also may have threatened to track you down if you hadn't showed up.

So here you were, driving a rental car west, with five men in the vehicle with you. The reunion had been sweet, the catch up along the way was filled with laughter and ever a few tears. You glanced at the map and saw you were about twenty miles away.

"So where did you find this place?" You asked Sam who was in the passenger seat.

"It's KD's," Sam said.

"Kayce?" You glanced at Sam. "Kayce owns a ranch in Montana?"

"KD's from Montana, Y/N..." Sam laughed. "I think it's his family's but whatever. It's God's country and we all need this."

The last time you saw Kayce Dutton was in Virginia when you all were called home. The goodbye was bittersweet, and you could still feel Kayce's arms around you as you hugged him tightly. There was always something there between the two of you, but because of security and work...nothing had come from it. Kayce was quiet, but a good soldier. You knew he was the one who did things most men could not stomach...so you always tried to be kind to him when you would see him on base. He had pretty eyes and now that you thought harder about it, he did have a drawl to his words.

You pulled under the Dutton Ranch sign and was immediately impressed with the sole fact Kayce had a mountain range in his backyard. The main lodge was massive, sitting up and looking over rolling green pastures. All of you got out of the vehicle and looked around. You stretched your arms up, turning as you heard the door open and shut. Kayce was walking toward the group. You stood back, knowing what was about to happen.

"K-fucking-D!" Sam hollered.

There was an immediate dog pile on Kayce with the rest of his crew. You smiled as you watched them all hug and pat each other on the back, the sight warming your heart. John, another one of the crew walked up behind Kayce having already gotten there earlier. Kayce stepped over to you.

"Didn't think I'd see you," Kayce said, his smile large.

"Same," You dropped your arms from being crossed and stepped into his embrace.

He smelled good, like really good. Kayce was older looking, but it had been four years. The hug lasted probably longer than it should have, but you didn't care. You were back with your old crew, in a beautiful place.

The rest of the day consisted of Kayce giving you all a tour of the land. It was massive. It ended with a cuck wagon cook out and you got to meet some of Kayce's family. His father John had served and was welcoming to everyone. His sister was a little stand offish, but you chalked that up to a bunch of strangers all of a sudden on her land. You thought you had remembered Kayce having a brother though, but hadn't seen one yet.

You were looking at the sky turning dark, waiting on dessert to be ready when Kayce walked up next to you. He had two beers in his hand and offered you one. You smiled at him, taking the glass bottle and having a sip.

"I don't know why you ever left this place," You looked at him.

"It's pretty," Kayce nodded. "But it's got it's demons like every other place."

Your smile dimmed at what you saw in Kayce's eyes. There was more to his statement. HE looked down at you.

"Sam said you're in Bozeman though," He said. "Why didn't I know that?"

"I never got your number after Virginia," You shrugged. "Then I moved down to Texas for a few years and then up here."

"What're you doing?" Kayce asked.

"I work for a community foundation now," You took another sip. "Trying to help the ones like us who come back home."

"Really?" Kayce asked. "Didn't know we had anything like that."

"Trying to build it," You shrugged. "I know y'all needed more when you came home...I hated that there wasn't a lot for y'all."

"It is what it is," Kayce said.

There was a few moments of silence between the two of you.

"I uh...met your sister," You told him. "She's...nice."

"You're shit at lying," Kayce smirked.

"Okay, she seems nice, but right now she's intimidating as hell," You laughed.

"That's more like it," Kayce said.

"I thought you had a brother?" You sipped your beer as you waited.

"I do," Kayce nodded. "Well, did and do."

"What?" You were confused.

"I've got a brother up in Helena," Kayce said. "Works for the Attorney General's office."

"Wow," You were slightly impressed. "What did you mean by did and do, though?"

"I had an older brother, Lee," Kayce cleared his throat. "He died three years ago."

"I'm sorry," You said softly. "Were you back before?"

"Yeah," Kayce sighed.

"I'm sorry, Kayce," You reached over and held his arm.

"Thanks," Kayce nodded. "Wasn't a...it was complicated."

"Most of the time it is," You looked down at his hand.

Feeling a new sense of bravery, you slid your hand down to Kayce's and held it gently. Kayce looked down at both of your hands before looking back up at you.

"I've missed you," Kayce said softly.

"Yeah?" You felt your heart flutter. "Me too."

You watched his eyes change. There was pain behind Kayce's eyes, but also some light popping through them. His hand was warm but calloused, probably from turning in his helmet for chaps and working on the land all day. Kayce moved to lace your fingers together and pulled you closer to him. You could smell him again, the mix of fresh air, leather, and cinnamon.

"I'm glad you came," Kayce told you.

"This place, our home...is amazing, Kayce," You smiled. "I had no idea you were a real cowboy."

Kayce chuckled.

"Well, you can come back anytime," Kayce smiled at you. "There's plenty of horses or hiking...whatever you'd like to do."

You blamed it on the few beers you had already had. Your mind was fuzzy and being this close to Kayce made it hazier. You took a deep breath, licking your lips.

"What if I want to come back for you?" You whispered out.

"Me?" Kayce asked, his eyes tracing over your features.

You nodded your head, no more words coming to mind for you in that moment. Kayce glanced behind you, but the low hum of the crowd told you they were all still preoccupied with whatever story Sam was on. Kayce leaned his face closer to yours.

"You don't have to leave if it's me you want," Kayce told you.

"Yeah?" You smiled as you leaned up closer.

"Mmhmm," Kayce nodded before pressing his lips to yours.

You could taste the beer, but the warmth overtook your senses. Being careful of your beer bottle, you wrapped your arms around Kayce's neck while his arm wrapped around your back. He tugged you closer as he deepened the kiss. You felt lightheaded as you rose up on your toes. A wolf whistle broke you two a part, making you look over your shoulder. Same was standing there, his arms crossed and a large smirk on his lips.

"About damn time, KD," Sam snickered before walking back to the group.

You blushed, looking back up at Kayce.

"He ain't wrong," Kayce laughed.

You giggled, pulling him back in for another kiss.