[[ 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]

"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."

[itwasjustified]

Reese's words are landing much too close to the mark for Raylan's comfort, but he doesn't let his uneasiness show.

"Detective Reese," he says instead, more than a touch of wickedness lighting his eyes, "are we still talkin' about my vibe?"

[notenlightened]

Her eyes sparkle with something; it's far too brief to register as any particular emotion, and she rises from the bed, giving her own reflection another momentary once-over.

"You tell me." Her eyes find his face in the mirror.

[itwasjustified]

Eyes locking on her reflected gaze, he all but forgets about the food in his hand and the single stubborn crumb stuck to one thumb.

"I think that might be a highly sensitive personal question."

[notenlightened]

"Oh."

Her eyes snap back to the mirror.

"That's fine, you don't have to - sorry."

[itwasjustified]

"No, I meant -- "

He stands, putting down the muffin and brushing off his hands.

Taking off his hat, he holds the Stetson in one hand.

"The innuendo, that was an inappropriate joke. If anybody should apologize, it's me."

[notenlightened]

Her gaze shifts to where she can spot his reflection, now over her shoulder instead of at her hip.

"Don't worry about it," she says, smiling crookedly.

"I'm a pretty lousy flirt."