#preference

“Are you okay?” I ask concerned. I’ve been around the Dutton dynasty long enough to be comfortable around all the members of the family. 

“My stomach hurts and I feel like I am going to be sick.” He mutters out as he holds a hand to his stomach. At that exact moment Beth’s phone starts ringing and she picks up, walking out of the room to have some privacy.

“Oh, buddy. Here, sit down.” I help him sit at the table then walk to the kitchen to fetch him a glass of water. 

“Try a sip. See how you feel.” He carefully takes a couple sips and then places the glass on the table. 

“I don’t think I should drink anymore. I might actually throw up.” 

“Your mom’s at the university right now, isn’t she?” I ask. He nods, while leaning his head in his hands. “I’m going to call your dad. You wait here, okay.” I rub his back for a second then, just like Beth, walk out of the room. 

I retrieve my phone from my purse and go through the saved contacts until I reach Kayce. It takes a couple of rings before he picks up. 

“Y/N?” 

“Kayce, hey.” 

“What’s going on?” I can hear voices in the background yelling to each other. 

“Tate is sick.”

“What’s he got?” Concern laces his voice.

“Stomach ache and he’s feeling nauseous.” 

“Damn. It’s going to take me some time to get home. Can you look after him for me? Just until I can make it back?” 

I think it over for a second. “Of course. I’ll figure something out with Beth and take him to your house so he feels most comfortable.”

“You’re amazing, you know that?” I hear the smile in his voice when he says it. 

Kayce and I have known each other for a long time, but whatever has been going on between us lately is new to us both. 

“Try to make it back quickly, though. I think he would really like you to be here with him.”

“Already on my way.”

“Great. See you soon.” I hang up the phone before it gets awkward and return to the dining room. Beth is sitting next to Tate, carefully looking him over.

“So, I just called your dad and he is on his way, but it’s going to be a while.” Then I turn to Beth. “I told him I would take Tate home and look after him until he gets here. Is that alright with you? I know today is a big deal, but someone needs to take care of him.” 

She sighs like she’s annoyed, but with one glance at her nephew she nods her head. “Sure. I can figure it out on my own. What matters most is that you are feeling better.” She says the last part to Tate and rubs his back to comfort him. I smile thankfully at her and pick up my purse and laptop.

“Come on, let’s get you home.” Tate stands up and walks with me to the front door. “Good luck, Beth. Let me know how it works out.” She gives me a nod and a wave of her hand and we walk out the door. 

I get Tate settled in the back of my car and drive to Kayce’s home. It’s a short drive and I’m thankful for that, because as soon as I park the car and help Tate out of the car, he throws up all over the ground. 

“Oh, dear.” I rub soothing circles on his back and wait for the ratcheting to stop, until there is nothing left in his system. “Let’s get you to bed.” 

I walk him to his room and help him into bed. I quickly run to the kitchen and grab a sick bowl just in case he starts throwing up again and can’t make it to the bathroom in time. I then stay with him, soothingly stroking his back until he falls asleep. I brush my lips against his forehead. It immediately lets me know he is also running a fever. I keep his door ajar so I can hear if he gets sick again or yells if he needs me. 

I situate myself on the couch and watch some tv until I hear the unmistakable rumble of a truck pulling up. I jump up and walk over to the front door. I stand in the doorway as Kayce steps out of the truck. 

“How’s he doing?” He asks as he walks over, clear purpose in his steps. I stop him at the door with a hand to his chest.

“He threw up when we got here, but has been fast asleep for the last hour.” 

“I’m going to go see him.”

“Sure. Just…” He stops mid-stride to look at me, “Try not to wake him. He could really use the rest.” 

I follow Kayce to Tate’s room and watch as he opens the door and steps inside. He runs a hand through his son’s hair, then after looking him over, steps back out the room. 

“He does feel hot.”

“Yeah, I think he’s running a fever.” 

His eyes soften as they land on mine. “Thank you for looking after him. Monica wouldn’t have been able to come for him with her job either.” Monica and Kayce have been divorced for about two years now, but still work well together for the sake of their son and I admire that very much. The children should always come first. 

“You're our saving grace.” I let out a surprised laugh. Not sure what to do with that I turn to the living room and start picking up my stuff

“I should be going.” I mutter out. 

“Maybe you could stay a little longer?” He asks as he places a hand on my back to get my attention. I straighten up and look at him.

“You want me to stay?” 

“I want you to stay.” He says clearly. I only nod and follow him to the couch where he makes me take a seat. He walks to the kitchen and comes back with two glasses and a bottle of bourbon. 

“You really care for him, don’t you?” He asks when we nestled in our seats and he hands me one of the glasses.

“Of course I do. I’ve been around your family so long, it feels like he is a part of my own.” 

“To family?” He asks and raises his glass.

“To family.” I clink my glass with his and take a sip. I can feel the warm liquid going all the way down and feel an immediate heat radiating through me. 

Kayce moves so he sits facing me and places an arm over the back of the couch, his fingers softly tracing over my shoulder. I feel myself getting nervous, not sure what his actions mean and I hastily take another sip of my whiskey, hoping the blush that's rising can be explained away with the drink. 

“You know, when I saw your name on my screen I kinda hoped you called for something else.” He states. I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Yeah? Like what?” 

“Like maybe you wanted to talk to me.” 

“If I did, I would have called in the evening. I know how busy you are during the day.” 

“Just so you know, I will always pick up when it’s you.” My heart skips a beat, but I try not to look too far into it. He looks at me expectantly and I look down at my hands in my lap. 

“I don’t know what to say to that.” I confess. 

He moves in close to me and I can feel his breath on my face when he talks.

“Maybe we don’t need to say anything at all.” His fingers find my chin and my gaze finds his. “Maybe actions speak louder than words.” And with that he closes the distance between us. 

His lips are rough against mine and his hand curls around my cheek, pulling me impossibly close. My hands clasp onto his shirt and I moan as his tongue strokes over my bottom lip and I open my mouth for him. He pushes against me and I feel myself slowly laying down on the couch, his weight pressing on me. His tongue glides against my own and my hands move on their own accord as I push up his shirt, raking my fingers over his toned stomach. He groans in approval as his own hands trace down my body. 

“Y/N?” I don’t register the voice at first, until it calls out again. “Y/N?!” I push Kayce away from me and back away when his lips try to capture mine once more. 

“Tate’s calling.” I murmur. At once Kayce withdraws from me. 

“Shit.” He sits back up and pulls his shirt back down. Then, he rushes to his son’s room and I can hear them talking from the couch.

“It’s me, Tate. I’m home. How are you feeling?” 

“A little better. I don’t feel like throwing up anymore.” 

“That’s good, son.”

“Is Y/N still here?” 

“She is.” Kayce responds and I get up from the couch and walk to Tate’s room where I stand in the doorway.

“You doing better, buddy?” I ask. Tate is sitting up in bed, covers lay thrown to the foot of the bed. 

“Yeah.” He rubs his eyes.

“You look better. Not as pale as before.” 

“Thank you for being there.” 

“Of course. I will always take care of you.” 

“Hey, why don’t you try to sleep some more. Tomorrow morning you’ll feel much better.” Kayce suggested. Tate nods and lays back down on the bed. Kayce pulls up the bedding and covers him up to his chin, making sure he’s nice and warm. “Goodnight, bud.” 

I walk backwards as Kayce closes the door behind him. “Where were we?” He asks, mischievously. His hands reach out and cup my cheeks, pulling me in for another kiss. I giggle against his lips.

“Look, not that I don’t like this. But I really should go check on Beth and the deal we’re trying to make.” He groans as I step out of his grasp. 

“We’re finally past our awkwardness and you’re leaving.” I smile at him. 

“I will be back.” 

“Promise?”

“I promise. I just need to talk to Beth first.” 

“Fine. I’ll be waiting for you.” 

I quickly grab my stuff and walk to the front door. I turn back and place a hasty kiss to Kayce’s lips. 

“Give me an hour.”  

“I’ll be here.”

“All fine,” he huffed out, taking the glasses off for a moment to pinch the bridge of his nose. The headache should have been more than enough for him to realise that persevering with his girlfriend's glasses wasn’t going to be such a good idea after all. 

“New glasses?” Nat quizzed him as she moved to sit at a desk nearby. 

“Not intentionally” he squinted a little, still trying to adjust as he slid the frames back onto his face. “They aren’t mine.” 

“Then why are you wearing them?” Rooster asked with a bemused smile, he too taking his seat as Coyote, Payback and Fanboy joined them. 

“Because I haven’t had time to go back and find mine, and my spare pair broke last week during dogfight football.” 

“So, whose are they?” 

The answer to that would have been a lot easier had the others known that he was seeing someone, let alone seeing you, their resident CNA analyst – and a civilian contractor. I.E. not someone pilots should be sleeping next to on a nightly basis. 

He opened his mouth to try and bullshit an answer, lips parting and closing a few times as he tried to come up with an excuse that sounded both realistic while avoiding making him look like too much of an idiot to give Jake any more fuel for lighthearted mockery.

To say he was thankful for the arrival of Admiral Simpson and Maverick was an understatement, forcing them all to stand to attention and shut up. 

“Good morning, you can sit. Change of plans, Y/n has an important briefing today, so we are switching to basic manoeuvres practise. Wheels up in 30. Maverick will take you through the rest.”

Bob cleared his throat awkwardly, “I’m not fit to fly, sir’ 

“What do you mean you’re not fit to fly?” 

Bob swallowed, “I’m wearing the wrong glasses. I can’t see very well.” 

“Shouldn’t you have thought of that before putting them on?” He could hear Jake trying to hold back a snigger in the seat behind him, only making his cheeks redder. 

“It wasn’t intentional. There was a mix up.” 

“Well, fix it. You have 20 minutes.” 

Bob nodded curtly before Cyclone left again. He waited a few seconds before almost bolting for the door. 

“Does anyone think those glasses look familiar?” Jake perked up as soon as he left the room. 

Payback leaned back in his chair, “Oh for sure.”

“I’m following him.”

“You can’t do that!” Nat protested.

“I can, and I will.” Jake stood and started for the door,

“We do have some training to do, you know,” Mav’s voice called after him. 

“10 minutes, max. It is important to the integrity of the team” Jake compromised like a schoolboy, a smirk breaking out on his face when Pete nodded reluctantly. “Are you coming?” he turned to the others, to which Nat, Bradley, and Reuben stood. 

***

How he managed to find his way to your office without knocking three things over and face planting he wasn't too sure, but he found himself standing outside nonetheless, wrapping his knuckles against the wood and praying your meeting hadn’t started yet.

“Oh thank god,” you sighed as you opened the door to him. “We swit-”

“Switched glasses. I noticed,” Bob chuckled as he squinted down to you. “I would say you look cute in my glasses but I can’t see a damn thing,” he said with a laugh, reaching to pluck them off of your face and switch them, handing yours back to you. Blinking a few times he finally adjusted, realising just how close you were standing to one another as he leaned against your doorframe. “Hey,” he murmured, smiling as you both finally adjusted to being able to see again. 

“Hey to you too,” you said quietly with a smirk, stilling for a moment to simply admire him in the empty corridor – or seemingly empty corridor. 

**

“Holy shit, how did Baby on Board end up with Y/n’s glasses?” Jake asked way too loud, prompting a firm elbow to the ribs from Rooster as he shushed him, 

“Nevermind that, how did Bob end up WITH y/n?” Rooster asked as the three of them peeked around the corner, like terrible spies in a comedy movie.

“With?” Reuben perked up,

“You’re telling me that’s a simple friendly conversation?” Bradley raised an eyebrow.

“Well maybe if they both can’t see they gotta stand that close to make sure it’s the right person?”

Payback’s reasoning might have made sense had you not leaned up onto your tiptoes and placed a quick kiss to Bob’s lips, only for him to grab your waist and pull you back into him, keeping your lips against yours as you went to pull away. Your quiet giggle sounded down the otherwise abandoned corridor until you pushed him away gently with a hand on his chest. 

“What did I just say!” their collective jaws dropped. 

Jake scoffed, “I’ve been trying for weeks, what the hell does Bob have I don’t?”

“A charming personality? Manners? The list goes on, really” Nat rolled her eyes, prompting him to look at her disgruntled. 

“Fuck, he’s turning around - go, go!” Bradley whisper shouted as you pecked Bob on the cheek once more and gently pushed him back over the threshold of your office as he playfully tried to stay closer to you, jokingly pouting as you closed the door behind you. 

***

“She told me they couldn’t date students as contractors,” Jake continued to moan all the way back to the locker rooms, and then some more as they climbed into their flight gear. 

“It didn’t stop me,” Pete chimed in. Jake shot him an appreciative look, eyebrow raised at the lore.

“I think she meant she couldn’t bring herself to date you,” Bradley poked. 

“Who’s dating who?” Bob inquired as he entered the locker room. 

He turned around to look at them all when he got no response, brows furrowing a little when he found them all staring at him. 

“We could ask you the same question.”

Bob's cheeks tinged pink, “I’m not sure I know what you mean,” he said with an awkward chuckle.

“Oh I often kiss Y/n on the way out of the classroom, it’s a formality,” Fanboy teased, turning back to changing with a grin. Bob’s cheeks darkened as he stammered 

Pete clapped him on the back, “don’t listen to him, Bob. It’s none of our business.”

“Baby is sleeping around with our instructors? I’d say that’s our business – I need to know his secret before my reputation is ruined,” Jake pushed.

“We are not sleeping around,” Bob insisted, his grip tightening on his locker door and his jaw clenching as he realised they had caught on. He stilled for a moment before deflating, exhaling a heavy breath and pushing his locker door open fully, allowing them to see the inside. Sure enough, taped to the door, was a picture of you wearing one of his Navy training shirts, wrapped up in his arms on the porch swing of his parents house. His mom had taken it around a year ago when you both had corresponding time off and he had taken it from base to base with him ever since. There was another polaroid just above it of you sat in his seat in an F-18 back at Lemoore where you had met, his helmet slightly too big for your head as you pretended to mess with the controls, the biggest grin on your face. He had written the date on with a marker at the bottom, along with a small heart. The edges were starting to peel from where he had repeatedly thumbed it on long missions, or had it jammed into the dash of his plane for good luck. 

“Happy?” 

The stunned silence was enough of an answer as he pulled the locker door to again to start getting dressed. 

“Well I’ll be damned,” Hangman whistled lowly. “How long have you two been a thing?” 

“Three years in October.” 

“Shit, sorry for hitting on your girl, man. I had literally no idea.” For once, Jake’s apology sounded genuine and Bob offered him a small appreciative nod. 

“It’s okay, I knew you didn’t have a chance.” Bob busied himself with his suit so as to hide his smirk as Hangman’s jaw dropped open, Rooster clapping him on the back as he cackled hysterically. 

Extra:

“So, how did you end up with her glasses this morning?” Jake asked as they headed back in from training, still unable to let the whole debacle go.

“Yeah thinking about it, I’m sure you had yours on at breakfast in the mess?” Nat added without thought.

Bob's cheeks flushed a deep red again as he avoided both of their gazes, choosing to plead the fifth instead. 

“Holy shit, Bob fucks!” Jake called out as the realisation dawned on him. “And on the compound too. You sly dog.” 

He didn’t even bother fighting the accusations. A small, sly smirk settling on his lips instead. 

Aragorn;

Rain clung to both of you like a second skin as you stumbled into shelter, dripping and breathless. His hands cradled your face as water slid down your cheeks, his own hair plastered to his forehead. There was no hesitation, only the ache of relief and raw affection as his lips met yours, warm despite the cold, wet from the rain and the sheer urgency between you.

~~~

Arwen;

She moved closer with a serenity that felt otherworldly, brushing your cheeks with featherlight kisses, one after another like scattered petals. Her smile grew softer as she peppered your forehead, nose, and jaw with affection, every touch stealing your breath a little more. Then, with a stillness like moonlight, she found your lips with hers - soft and certain - as if she'd been waiting lifetimes for that moment.

~~~

Boromir;

It had been so long since you had last seen Boromir. But after a month of letters back and forth, you saw him across the misty field. Before you could even stop yourself, you threw your arms around his neck with abandon, catching him mid-step. His breath hitched before he crushed you against him, one strong hand at your back as your lips met in a kiss so fierce, so desperate, it left you both stunned, clinging tighter than ever.

~~~

Elrond:

There was silence in the library. You were admiring the world outside the window as Elrond joined you, abandoning his book. He stepped close enough for your breaths to mingle, his gaze never leaving yours. The air between you crackled as you closed the distance, your hands drawn to his robes like ivy to stone. Though no words left your lips, the thought rang through you like a bell - kiss me. You didn’t even need to ask. He leaned in, brushing his mouth over yours with purpose, before fully pressing his lips against yours.

~~~

Éowyn;

The moment crackled like firelight, full of longing. Her fingers tangled in your hair, desperate and unafraid, pulling you down to her. When your lips met, it was less a kiss and more a declaration of survival, of want, of a love that refused to be soft or silent.

~~~

Éomer;

It started shy - a hesitant brush of lips that could’ve been mistaken for an accident if not for the fire in his eyes. But then, as if the dam had broken, he caught your face in his hands and kissed you again, this time deeper, rougher, as if he realized he couldn’t bear another second without the taste of you. The softness was gone, replaced with something far more consuming.

~~~

Faramir;

You had been tracing the curve of his mouth absentmindedly, fingertips featherlight and slow. He barely breathed under your touch, watching you like a man spellbound. When his hand came up to cup your chin, the hesitation vanished. He tilted your face toward him and kissed you softly and reverently.

~~~

Frodo;

It started as a slow build, your hands intertwined and your foreheads resting together after a slow dance in the Shire. But when your lips finally met, it stole the breath from your lungs. There was nothing tentative in it - only the depth of emotion, the weight of everything unspoken. Even when the kiss ended, neither of you could open your eyes, as if you were trying to hold onto the feeling just a second longer.

~~~

Gimli;

You leaned against the cold stone of the stairwell, one step higher than him, the height difference making him scowl in that endearing way. He grumbled something about “even footing,” but it didn’t matter - his hands found your waist, making you take a few steps down as he took a few steps up, the artificial height difference almost equal as your fingers carded through his beard, and his lips met yours in a kiss that was earthy, solid, and utterly unforgettable.

~~~

Haldir;

There was no sound but the wind through the leaves as you both stared, unmoving. His gaze flicked to your lips and back again, and it was like gravity shifted. You leaned in without thinking, barely aware that he was doing the same. When your mouths finally met, it felt inevitable.

~~~

Legolas;

He kissed you like poetry, slow and rich with meaning, each movement filled with care. And when he finally pulled back, his lips hovered near yours, still sharing the same breath. He whispered something soft in Elvish you couldn't understand, but the way he looked at you said everything: that he was yours, utterly and forever, and that this was only the beginning.

~~~

Merry;

It started as a dare between laughs, something silly and impulsive - but it didn’t stop. One kiss melted into another, and before long you were still locked together, still breathing each other in. His hands gripped your waist as your lips moved slowly, endlessly, until you both forgot where you ended and the other began.

~~~

Pippin;

He threw his arms around you in a hug so tight it almost knocked you off balance. The kiss came as part of the whirlwind - sloppy, sweet, and honest. It took your breath away, not because of perfection, but because it was so utterly him: impulsive, golden-hearted, and full of joy you didn’t know you needed until that very moment.

~~~

Sam;

The kiss was soft but growing - your hands in his hair, his trembling fingers tracing your waist. The moment held promise, deep and hungry with something more, until the rustling of branches and a familiar voice startled you both. You pulled apart, breathless and flushed, hearts still tangled as your eyes darted to see Frodo, wishing for just one more second.

~~~

Taglist Is Open;

@verynormalsstuff

~~~

Tales From Middle-Earth Masterlist

Jin: While this is certainly not a case of "he's mean to you because he likes you," Jin does consider teasing you (once he realizes you are OK with it, and willing to give it back to him) a form of affection. Jokes, sarcasm, and roasts become your way of flirting with one another. Despite knowing Jin's sense of humor, the members are still confused by your interactions in the beginning. "Are you and (Y/N) still fighting?" one of the members ask him after spending time with the both of you a few days ago. Confused by the question, Jin responds, "We've never argued before."

Yoongi: 'Will he ever see me as more than a friend?' you often wonder after parting ways with him. While at the same time, he is beating himself up, thinking, 'Why was I so obvious?' after every interaction with you. Apparently, you are supposed to pick up on his hardly there, subtle signs - eye contact for a second longer than what he typically is used to; a smile just a millimeter larger compared to how he normally smiles; a quick pat on your arm or shoulder that almost goes unnoticed. In his opinion, his crush on you is the most apparent thing in the world. He's just not sure why you haven't noticed.

Hoseok: With how much he talks about you ("guess what (Y/N) told me today;" "look at this selfie we took together"), the members feel like they are already best friends with you, and they haven't even met you yet. "Hobi, do you know what a swear jar is?" one of the members asks him one day, cutting him off mid-monologue about you. Hoseok nods his head. "Well, I'm going to set one up, but it's going to be a (Y/N) jar," they explain, jokingly, "You have to start paying to talk about them." Hoseok pulls out his wallet and takes out several bills, "That should cover me for a little bit."

Jimin: Getting ready to start rehearsal, Namjoon notices someone is missing. "Where's Jimin?" he asks the other members after taking a mental roll call. "With (Y/N)," the other members reply in unison, unfazed. As if on cue, Jimin bursts into the practice room, "Sorry, I was-" "With (Y/N)," they say in unison again, still unfazed. Half-impressed by their talking in unison, half-shocked that they picked up on how much time he has spent with you, Jimin opens his mouth to argue, but he is swiftly interrupted. "We're not mad," one of the members insists, "But don't even bother denying it."

Taehyung: Without mentioning the word "crush," he still gives you glimpses into how feels about you. He thinks you look pretty today? "Why are you so cute?" he asks you. You stop and have a deep conversation with him? "Your mind is so beautiful," he tells you. You hit a major milestone at work? "That's my girl," he smiles, pulling you into his arms. His compliments and words of encouragement alone sometimes leaves your head spinning. However, you have to steady yourself because he still hasn't told you that he likes you as more than a friend, and maybe this is just how treats his friends?

Jungkook: When he's around you, he's a mess - heart racing; nervous hands; tripping over words; eyes locked on you, and only you; laughing too hard at a joke you said (maybe not all of these things at once, but at least one of them). He also second guesses everything. "(Y/N), I got a last minute invite to a listening party, do you want to be my plus one?" he asks you. But without waiting for a reply, he continues, "Don't feel pressured to say 'yes,' by the way. If you don't want to go, it's not big deal. You know what? Never mind, it was a stupid idea." You giggle, unperturbed by him, "I would love to go."