There were very few people Ari had the patience to interact with at all. His family got a free pass, generally. His dad, an artist, was comically slow in any engagement, where he first couldn't even come up with anything to talk about and then wasn't sure how to navigate any topics. His mom was short and to-the-point, a businesswoman, and that was how Ari liked it really, but he couldn't predict what she thought or autofill silences, so it was near-impossible to carry meaningful conversation with her, too. That said he wasn't sure why River's way of speaking didn't bother him too much. Sure, he could get a little irritated whenever River took ten sentences to make a five-word point, but it always ended up looking endearing anyway. And River's body language never really matched whatever he was talking about, but that was sort of cute, too, almost a puzzle he had to put together.

Despite how jumbled he was, Ari liked that he wasn't too complicated or difficult a person. As a matter of fact, River was beyond easy to be around. He forgave easily, felt deeply, and usually wore his heart on his sleeve, too - nothing for Ari to imagine or beat himself up over. He was hard to describe, mostly. The fact that he was beautiful and rare-looking was just an added bonus, something that caught Ari's eye and demanded his attention while Ari was made to warm up to his personality. Which, by the way, took absolutely no time at all. While at first it took him a while to even catch on to River's existence, when he did notice him, Ari was enamoured, practically breaking his neck to look at him when he passed in the halls or when they traded places in exam rooms or during lunch breaks where there schedules barely eluded the other.

Whatever the case may be, they always ended up in the same position; River in his arms, Ari characteristically taking the lead in guiding them into another stupid, compromising position. What they were doing was by no means smart or reason-driven, and yet he kept finding himself here, wanting to see more and more of River. Sometimes he even considered them just making it official, exclusive, then seeing each other regularly outside of work would be more easy on his mind - but neither of them would quit for this, realistically. So there was no point getting his hopes up. Probably. God, part of him still thought it'd be nice. Either way, he had no plans of [i]asking[/i] or anything ridiculous like that any time soon, nor did he have any response in mind if ever River decided to take the leap himself (equally unlikely).

[i]Look who’s talking. You asked for me on the intercom twice in five minutes. Must really need these documents- you know, the ones I sent you yesterday?[/i] Ari wasn't a fan of being made to look like the weak one here, but it was kind of very true. Nevertheless he still arched an affronted eyebrow at River, on the defensive in record time. [b]"Maybe you gave me the wrong ones yesterday. See, how unprofessional of you,"[/b] he replied smoothly, shaking his head and tutting like it was fact. He glanced over the papers again, slaying out the sheets with one hand. [b]"Know what? They might actually be the wrong ones [i]again.[/i] I may have to call you in again later."[/b] Ari was laughing softly behind his little speech, though, moreso at the way River was standing - arms crossed and head tilted, all that finesse - than he was at his own humor. 

Regardless of whether all that was true or if he was annoyed by Ari's dumb attempts at a back-and-forth, River joined him, their hands linking and River's thumb smoothing over his hand. Ari softened immediately like that gesture alone was what charmed him, his gaze steady on River turning more gentle while he welcomed him into his chair. [i]Let them come at me.[/i] Barely registering his words, Ari watched with bated breath as their hands went to River's chest, feeling the comforting drift of River's fingers through his hair and quickly relaxing into a kiss. He squeezed his hand briefly, affectionate, and when he ran out of air he dipped his head to tuck against River's neck, eyelashes fluttering against his jaw. After a pause he lifted his unoccupied hand to hold the side of River's face, thumb tracing the very edge of his features, and he met his gaze again following another chaste kiss. [b]"Hi,"[/b] he said belatedly, since they hadn't before. [b]"I missed you. Been a long day."[/b]