Ajax rarely brought anyone over.

The reason? His, or rather the entire apartment building and its walls were rather thin. Thin walls meant that any sound louder than silence would bleed straight through the neighboring unit.

Oh, and also, his neighbors fucked all the time.

Like rabbits, Ajax figured to himself in irritation, staring at the ceiling more nights than he cared to admit. Every single evening, without fail, he’d hear it: the muffled exaggerated moaning, the rhythmic creak of their headboard hitting the wall, the unmistakable cadence of people who were far too comfortable with how little insulation stood between them and the rest of the floor.

And worse, they weren't even being discreet about it!

“I’d have to give you a disclaimer.” His head cranes back to glance at you, a hint of sympathy written across his face — an expression you can somewhat mistaken for exhaustion. “I only stay here during the weekend and since you badly want to see my place, uh, I’ll just let you know that my neighbors on 304 are loud.”

Ajax rarely stayed at this apartment anyway. On weekdays, he’d spend his time at the frat house — that, or he’d sleep over at your place. Anywhere, at this point, was better than sleeping over in his apartment. But since you had insisted on seeing what his place looked like, he found himself dreading your reaction.

His place looked like a typical university student had owned it. A little unorganized mess here and there, some paperwork stacked on the coffee table, and his gaming controllers were scattered on the couch — as if left in haste. Other than that, he could see how satisfied you looked as you scanned your surroundings.

Well, it's not like you’d know that he was already here earlier — hurriedly tidying up his place as best as he can.

“You want water, babe?” Without waiting for a response, he already pushed himself to the kitchen and fetched you a glass of water. “You can look around if you’d like.”

Then, it started.

Ajax can pinpoint the exact moment it had caught you off guard. He offers a quick look, as if saying I told you so as you whipped your head back to stare at him in return, as if mortified. On the left side of the living room, there was a rhythmic sound of thudding like a headboard was hitting it repeatedly — then a woman’s voice broke out, her voice shrill and wanton.

Oh, fuck! Right there, Gilbert!

“Right, so they're early this time huh.” He whistles in thought. “Now you know why I prefer staying at your place.”

The timing couldn't have been worse. Of course it had to happen now, the very moment he had decided to bring you over in hopes of spending some personal time with you. He shifts on his weight, feeling a bit awkward, because even someone like him — the popular and social frat boy he was, could become so embarrassed on behalf of his stupid neighbors.

“If I was being an asshole, I’d say screw them, make you scream louder than them.” He shrugged shamelessly, picking up his gaming controllers off the couch and placing it on a shelf. “But hey, I’m trying to be a decent person tonight.”