The music coming from the apartment beside you was so fucking loud you could barely concentrate on the textbook in front of you. They had started the night slow, soft rock had been sneaking through the walls for a couple of hours before it got late and they switched their tune to rap with heavy bass.
"Fuck!" You growled, angrily closing your textbook and launching yourself out of your chair.
Your roommate Torvi wasn't home, she had been seeing Ubbe Lothbrok for a few weeks now and had been spending her time at his place. Ubbe was kind and respectful, unlike his irritating younger brothers that inhabited the unit beside yours.
Pulling a soft black cardigan over your white tank, you decided enough was enough and it was time to finally deal with the Lothbrok pricks. The hard floors on the hallway were cold on your bare feet as you stalked toward their unit.
"Hey!" You slammed your fist against the door as hard as you could, "hey douchebags!"
Your pounding did nothing, and after several minutes you decided to try and open the door. It was unlocked and as soon as you crossed the threshold of their apartment, the smell of weed and stale beer filled your nose.
People danced and talked among themselves in the small apartment as you searched for either of the two permanent tenants. The kitchen, living room and main hallway were wall to wall bodies but you managed to push through.
You finally found a closed door, which you knocked heavily on before pushing open and letting yourself inside, ready to get away from the thick mess of partygoers.
"Hey neighbor."
He didn't bother turning to face you. Ivar kept his eyes focused on the screen in front of his as he moved his fingers quickly, taking out every target in the video game he was playing.
"Well," you hesitated a bit, "it's obviously not you having the parties that shake my desk so could you talk to your brother? I need some peace and quiet to study."
"Sorry," Hvitserk leaned against the doorframe, a mischievous look in his green eyes, "I didn't realize you were bothered."
The brothers made eye contact and dark smiles formed on both their lips for a moment. You managed to catch it, and you knew nothing good was going to come from them.
"Really? You didn't realize that your loud music bothers the people that you literally share walls with? I'm sure I'm not the only one."
"I just assumed everyone that lived around us joined in on the fun."
Hvitserk pushed himself off the doorframe and stepped into the room. You had never formally met the two of them, but you knew who they were because of Torvi and Ubbe. He was nearly a head taller than you and it irritated you that you found him so attractive. Regardless, you were going to stand your ground.
"That's an incredibly selfish and shitty assumption."
"Eh, whatever," Hvitserk shrugged his shoulders and dropped to the couch beside Ivar, "she's finally here, let's play something we can all take part in."
Ivar punched him hard in the shoulder before turning his head in your direction and motioning you to come sit beside him. You awkwardly walked around the couch and sat next to Ivar. A shit eating grin graced Hvitserk's face as he ruffled his younger brothers hair and began to customize his character in Mario Kart.
A controller was shoved into your hands despite your protests that you should get back to your place and study.
"Don't be annoying, it's Saturday," Ivar spoke, still refusing to meet your eyes.
"He's right, nerd, even Zuckerberg took a night off occasionally," Hvitserk challenged as he reached around his brother and gently shook your shoulder.
You gave in to them and decided that maybe a couple of games of Mario Kart wouldn't impact your study schedule too much and decided to hang around for a little while.
Six games, two shots of tequila and a high volume IPA later, you had a heavy buzz, thanks to Hvitserk, and were so far behind the boys in standings that you threw your controller to the floor.
"I'm done, I fucking suck and I haven't prepped at all for my exam on Monday."
"You're trash at this game," a smile lit up Ivar's face, his bright eyes finally meeting yours, "so what?"
"So i'm sort of drunk, bad at Mario and ready to go home."
"Nerd," Hvitserk slurred, having had quite a bit more to drink than you, "you can't leave without giving my brother your number. He desperately wants it!"
"Ignore him," Ivar shoved him hard and steadied himself on his crutches, "I'll walk you back."
It wasn't a long walk, but Ivar took his sweet time moving down the hall.
"Your brother said something about me finally being here," the two of you stood just outside your apartment, "what did he mean?"
"Nothing," he closed the space between you just a bit and leaned down to place a kiss on your forehead, guiding your key into the lock, "you're drunk, nerd, get some sleep."
