[[ lexington, kentucky ]]

[itwasjustified]

[ "you do realize you're pokin' fun at the man who's supposed to explain box trifectas to you tomorrow, don't you?" ]

He's still in jeans and cowboy boots, but Raylan's dressed a little less casually this morning -- instead of a T-shirt and well-worn flannel, he's in a checkered button-down, tie, and sportcoat, Stetson ever-present on his head.

Double-checking the room number, he tucks the paper bag he's carrying beneath his other arm before he knocks on Dani's door.

(Nestled inside are muffins from the best bakery in town, and beneath those, a box of granola bars from Whole Foods -- he couldn't resist after a particular bit of conversation yesterday.)

When she opens the door, she'll find him carefully transferring the bag back to his free hand while he balances two coffees in a travel tray.

Comments

[notenlightened]

"He says, seconds before coffee winds up all over his shirt," she teases, nudging the door behind them with one foot.

The room's relatively neat, all things considered (it would've been messier if she'd had a rougher night), but she still moves to straighten a few things after setting down the coffee tray on the small corner table.

[itwasjustified]

"Well, he thanks you for saving him from that awful fate."

Setting down the bag, "Go for a run this morning?"

[notenlightened]

"Of course," she says, adjusting the comforter on the bed.

She takes a seat at the foot, reaching out to snag one of the coffees.

"Did a nice loop around the area."

[itwasjustified]

"I'm sorry about all the construction -- the city's green-lit face-lifts left and right since Lexington won the bid for the World Equestrian Games next year."

Limestone and Vine, in particular, are a mess of orange construction barrels and gravel.

He takes out the muffins -- two blueberry, two cranberry almond, and two of some kind he can't remember, but they look close to healthy -- and places them on napkins on the table.

A second later, the box of granola bars joins the baked goods, and Raylan's fighting a smirk when he turns to her.

[notenlightened]

"Don't even worry about it," Reese says, waving a dismissive hand. "It's impossible for me to run my normal route at home without running into some kind of construction."

Some projects have been in the works for months, at any rate.

Her gaze lands on the food.

"What, were you planning to feed five of me?" she teases, her smirk widening when her eyes trail over to the granola bars.

[itwasjustified]

"Despite what you may or may not think of my intentions, I only wanted to give you some options."

A beat.

"But hell, you may hate muffins."

He didn't consider that possibility, but at least he has the granola bars.

[notenlightened]

"I like muffins," Reese hastily answers, and snags a blueberry.

"I do."

She plucks a piece from off the side, pinching it between her fingers, and takes a bite.

[itwasjustified]

He gives her a sideways glance as he reaches for the other coffee.

"Oh, but you don't," he says, unable to resist and cracking a smile. "You hate 'em, and you're just tryin' to avoid wounding my fragile male ego."

[notenlightened]

"Oh, I don't care about that," Reese bluntly responds, shrugging as she pops another bite-sized piece of muffin in her mouth.

However, there might be a smirk she tries to hide.

[itwasjustified]

He hides his own smile behind his coffee.

"Good -- I'd hate to think you were sufferin' a fool, especially if the one in question is me."

[notenlightened]

She reaches for her coffee to wash down the muffin.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that."

Her feet gently scuff against the carpet underneath them.

[itwasjustified]

That gets an audible snort as he trades the coffee for one of the cranberry muffins.

"What should I be worrying about, then?"

[notenlightened]

Pause, followed by grin.

"You'll get fair warning."

[itwasjustified]

"That gives me the cold kind of comfort, at best."

[notenlightened]

"And the other kind?"

She punctuates the question with a quick sip of coffee.

[itwasjustified]

"It's real glad you like muffins."

[notenlightened]

"The coffee was your saving grace," she tells him, as if sharing a secret.

Muffin or not, there's no breakfast for Reese without her caffeine.

[itwasjustified]

He smirks down at his half-eaten breakfast.

Half-smug, "It's even fair trade."

[notenlightened]

"First Whole Foods, now fair trade."

Fondly muttered: "Who's the hippie now?"

[itwasjustified]

Just as fond, "I'm tryin' to make you feel at home, detective."

A beat.

"Besides, the hippies don't like me. The badge represents The Man."

[notenlightened]

"So?"

She sets both half-empty cup and half-eaten muffin aside.

"Don't you ever take it off?"

[itwasjustified]

"Sure I do."

It's in his glove compartment right now, as opposed to on his person.

"But apparently," he says wryly, "I give off a certain straight-and-narrow vibe."

He lifts a hand to draw air-quotes with two fingers for the last word.

[notenlightened]

"Really," Reese murmurs, with a chuckle tagging along.

"I'm not so sure that's the vibe I'm getting."

[itwasjustified]

He tears another chunk from his muffin.

"I'll bite," he says, a lazy half-smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"What kind are you gettin'?"

[notenlightened]

"A little wider than narrow," she says, after pretending to give it some thought, teeth tugging on her lower lip.

"And slightly curved."