River didn't seem to believe him in claiming that he'd have gone with him easy, and Ari's suspicions that he was ignorant to his own power were confirmed. Should he be outright about it? Maybe that'd give River a big head - or he'd use the knowledge to his own advantage in the future. Ari didn't really care, though, instead thought more about how it might give him a very slight ego boost at least. [i]I doubt it.[/i] Ari shook his head, a tiny smirk finding its way to his lips. [b]"No, really,"[/b] he said, pulling up the shoulder on the arm unoccupied into a shrug. [b]"It's become habit to make your life difficult, but I'm pretty sure I'd say yes to anything you ask me to do at this point."[/b] An unnecessary amount of information, but in the back of his mind Ari was maybe somewhat worried that River didn't realize the role he played in his life just because he tended to be so closed off. 

He continued his efforts to make up for his cynicism - apparently the sun or the fresh air or some kind of toxic pollen had made its way into his system and temporarily gave him an exaggerated sense of empathy, or something - and kept his hands just a little tangled in River's hair even after he'd combed through it. In something like a response River explored the exposed skin from his shirt riding up on his hips and Ari raised an eyebrow at him as he spoke, curious but not opposed, until he'd finished being half as plaintive as usual. River mirrored his position and urged him closer with a tug on the front of his shirt and Ari went easy, staying at his level best he could. [i]Or we could just stay here.[/i] Ari paused, looking like he was really considering it and laying out future plans with this new information, then shrugged amusedly. [b]"Fine by me."[/b]

Ari leaned in to quickly kiss River's cheek, as if he really had to sneak around to show him affection, or something, and let his elbow out from under him, effectively switching the positions they'd been in. He wrapped his hands round River's waist, attempting to pull him down with him so they were actually pressed together, evidently trying to get as close as possible even though he didn't really need the extra warmth nor was he exactly starved for intimacy. Just a whim, he supposed. [b]"You mean forever, right? 'Cause we can just live out here and eat dandelions. Might go crazy from talking only to each other, but, y'know, it's whatever."[/b] Ari grinned, squinting in the sunlight, and allowed himself to actually entertain the prospect of just him and River alone- officially. Not actually living in a meadow like some kind of fae, of course, but realistically. 

It was his own fault summoning the picture to his own brain, but he quickly became likened to just the idea of it. Ari was only a teen and yet let himself fall victim to these kinds of dumb passing fantasies (and not even real typical fantasies, either; what kind of high schooler thought about getting all domestic like that at the most minor provocation), and even to the version of him whose edges were softened by a trip outside with his boyfriend, it was a little embarrassing. He ended up just smiling a little crookedly at River, not bringing it up directly and trying to move on from what appeared to be an actual human emotion other than his usual order of some variation of 'irritated.' [b]"Thank you, by the way,"[/b] he said, more quietly, holding River's gaze carefully. [b]"For taking me with you. Though I guess you probably didn't have a choice."[/b] He smirked again at the idea of River's mom badgering him just before he walked out the door, which had probably been the case to a T. [b]"In case you couldn't tell, I don't go out much."[/b]