Angel walked alongside Faith, after having dropped in for a visit/patrol. And for belated birthday wishes. And to check up on her, though he couldn't tell her that was the reason, or he'd get his ass handed to him on a plate.
"Slow night," Faith observed, breaking the silence and completely oblivious to Angel's inner musings.
"Not as many people come out in the cold," Angel replied, shrugging. "So vampires don't have a lot to feed on."
Faith nodded, her attention caught by the flashing light of a diner up ahead. "Well, let's call it then. I'm in need of coffee. It's freezing."
"Hadn't noticed," Angel grinned faintly.
"Shut up."
The pair walked into the diner and Faith ordered a coffee, before they took a seat in a booth by the window.
"Here's your coffee," the waitress said, giving them a smile as she poured Faith a cup. "Are you sure I can't get you anything?"
"I'm fine, thank you," Angel replied.
The waitress nodded and walked away, with her parting words a request for them to just yell if they needed anything.
Faith added sugar to her coffee, before stirring it absently, looking out the window. The ruby glinted as it hit the light, drawing Angel's attention to her hand.
"You know, rubies are considered to represent devotion, desire and passion. They're considered the symbol of eternal love," he said, glancing up at her.
"You're like a walking encyclopedia of random, aren't you?" she grinned.
"Birthday present from Sam?"
"Yeah..." Faith put the mug of coffee down and looked at her hands. "At least, I think so."
"Engagement ring?" Angel smirked.
She paused for a moment. "Not exactly."
"So, birthday present."
"Yeah, I guess? He gave it to me on my birthday," Faith replied.
"I know you haven't had a lot of great birthdays, so you may be unfamiliar with the custom, but when someone gives you a present on your birthday, it's considered a birthday present."
"Oh ha, ha."
Angel chuckled, leaning back against the booth. "So, why is it a 'not exactly'?"
"It's a promise ring," she shrugged.
"And what are we promising?"
"A lifetime of hot sweaty sex in as many different positions as possible?"
Angel cringed, his face contorting, and he looked out the window. "Oh God. I think I need to throw up."
Faith grinned. "You don't like the thought of me, sweaty, naked, riding Sam like a - "
"LALALA, I cannot hear you!" Angel protested, shaking his head vehemently.
The Slayer snickered. "Yeah, you can. Feel dirty now, don't you?"
"You don't know how much I wish I could wash my brain," he replied solemnly. "Now, I'll ask again, but if you give me the same answer, I may actually kill you. And it might feel so good I'll lose my soul."
She smirked. "I think... well, I actually had to look it up. But I think it's a pre-engagement ring. Or like, we're married without the ceremony. Everything bar ceremony. Or something."
"Good to see you researched it thoroughly."
"You know me, I like to know everything as in depth as I possibly can."
Angel smiled faintly. "And you're ok with it being... a pre-engagement?"
Faith was quiet for a long moment, before she shrugged. "Yeah. I think I am. I freaked out a bit at first, because, well, let's face it, I'm not so great at the marriage thing, but the more time I have to get used to it, the more I'm alright with it."
He nodded. "So... am I going to have to fork out money for a wedding?"
Faith chuckled. "I doubt it. I mean, I don't need the ceremony, you know? I don't need the dress and the aisle and the piece of paper to tell me that I belong with Sam. I already know that I do. But if Sam wants that, if he needs that, then sure. I'll do it. I don't mind."
Angel grinned again, and looked like he was going to tease her, but then bit his tongue, deciding that the odds were fairly likely that she would throw the coffee in his face.
"You know, of all the myths about rubies, the one that stands out the most is that one should always be appreciative of rubies because they become lackluster when neglected, overlooked or unloved." He shrugged. "In a word, you personify its symbolism, and its importance is revered in your relationship with it."
"How do you know all of this stuff?" Faith asked after a moments pause.
"I've been around for a few years," he smiled, then indicated to the ring. "It's an eternal flame. Diamonds are thought to spell forever, but forever doesn't cross over into eternity. Something to think about."
"Sometimes," Faith told him, lifting the cup of coffee to her lips. "I think that you like Sam more than you like me."
"Sometimes I do."
"Shut up."
"See? Like right now."