The last encounter can surely be counted as a victory in Mark's humble opinion. Even though he's sure Grace didn't remember his name, it was still good that she took notice to him. The Brit couldn't stop grinning stupidly as he paced around his room with more ideas of how to get Grace's affection. That pace ended when he hopped on his laptop, typing away at Korean pop culture to see what's popular with women over there.

The door suddenly swung open with James standing in the doorway, his shorter figure looking more threatening than casual. James simply wandered to his couch and threw up his feet

Mark was about to ask why he was doing here. James didn't usually stop in by unless something gets passed around the base, and being the gossip that he is that—

Marks eyes widened in despair. No, no, NO!

"A little birdie tells me you got the hots for Grace."

Mark let out a distressed groan. James smiled, that was good enough answer.

While James began to snicker Mark simply began to decompose into nothingness. Any hopes for a decent relationship is over as soon as James Porter came into the scene. Mei Lin and Masaru were on the verge of coming back together until he intervened. In fact, many relationships that form in the workplace are usually bludgeoned to death by James the minute he steps in. Rumors are spreading that James is actually an enforcer of Six's prohibition on relationships.

Mark closed his laptop angrily. "James, please fuck off and die."

"What, isn't that true? Didn't know you liked them nerdy. Ah, well, maybe it shouldn't be surprising—"

"What is it that you want you bastard," Mark interrupted. "Everyone knows what you do with things like this."

"And what is that?"

"Destroy livelihoods for fun."

James had to chuckle at that comment. "Look kid, I'm not here to unleash the wrath of my being. I'm here to help."

Mark simply gave the man a raised eyebrow.

"Believe it or not I actually help people, you muppet," James said. "I only end relationships when I know it'll end spectacularly terrible."

"But—"

"Masaru and Mei Lin broke up for a reason, now adding Rainbow's weight to a rekindling means just more problems. Jordan and Eliza? As if she needed another ego boost to top her superiority complex. Don't get me started about Glaz and Taina."

"Look at you Mister Cupid, savior of love," Mark rolled his eyes. "What reason could you have for Grace and I not being together?"

"I'm not here to break anything before it starts," James smiled. "In fact, I think that you should pursue your courting. That is if she wants it."

Mark frowned. He doesn't know why James was the way he is, but the bloke made sense of most things. "What makes you think that she doesn't want it?"

"I don't know, maybe her whole persona," James rolled his eyes. "Out of everyone here, Grace has the worst personality. It's so fake and nerdy and Jesus you'd think Ela was bad."

Mark began to fume. "What's your point?"

"I think you'd make a good balance out of her," James shrugged. "Considering that you're much more serious and boring."

Mark pretended to take that as a compliment.

"Look," he began. "Grace is someone who needs to be told what's happening as it is or else she won't get it. Understand? Actually be your blunt self and stop being a little sissy."

Mark was going to say something, but no words left his mouth.

"Anyways," James said, standing up from the couch. "I'll let this slide only if you can even get her, ya cheeky bastard."

"Oh, thank you oh wise and masterful James. Your mercy is beyond—"

"Yeah yeah, whatever." James waved off, leaving the room. "I'll give you two weeks."

Mark stood behind a small wall as he saw Grace mess around with her laptop. The bright lights of the workshop didn't hurt his eyes, or hers for that matter. He was too enthralled by her, and Grace by her screen. Mark made a shy step, but quickly retreated back to the wall.

God, why couldn't I do this, he thought. She's right there…

He stared for another while until he finally sucked in some confidence and began to tread to her. His stance was tall and assuring, his face eager and firm. Mark needed to be just as blunt with her as possible, maybe she'd get the message then. Mark called her name as he reached a few feet behind her. "Hello Grace."

Grace shot up, looking around. She quickly spun around and saw Mark, and gave a small smile. "Hello Mark!"

Everything became jelly. Any sense of confidence was immediately wiped out. "H-how are you?"

"I'm fine, just working on my Logic Bomb!" She proudly held up her Laptop. "What about you, working on your jammers?"

"S-sort of," He shakily replied. "I just wanted to know that if, um…"

"If what?" She giggled. Good god that giggle.

"I-if you wanted to go out for drinks sometime," He sheepishly smiled.

"With your SAS buddies?"

Don't blow it don't blow it don't blow it. "No no! Just us, I mean."

Grace pondered at him for a moment before giving another soft laugh and smile. "Oh, I'd love to get some drinks. What time did you have in mind?"

"How about tomorrow at seven o'clock? I know a bar that has great happy hours."

"Perfect, I'll see you then." Grace replied.

"Great, I'll see you then!" Mark quickly said, turning around and walking away from the workshop. He couldn't believe he actually got an actual date with Dokkaebi!

Nothing could go wrong at this point! It's only tomorrow, after all.

A/N: Ah Smoke, we barely knew ye. New chapter, Smoke and Mute have a conversation and he gets a date from Dokkaebi, hooray.

Some news for my other stories: Under the Rainbow is in the works, I'll have the next chapter done by next weekend. The Hunted still needs OC's, I have 3 Rebels and 2 Imperials so far. Working on a mostly OC Siege story with my OC's, that might happen. Possible Fortnite story is near, mostly because a friend requested it. That's it, hope you all have a wonderful week.

-Mister Bombastic