[ Mark is like two seconds from ceding control of the game to Anna and just having her sort everyone into pairs, she's so wise.

He looks down at his arm as she pats it, then back up to meet her eyes. And that was a really specific example, so he's pretty sure that's exactly what her life is. He's also not going to call her out on it because while it sounds hectic it also sounds normal, which his life is decidedly not, and if he can continue passing as normal then that's a good thing.

Not that he's particularly good at it, his smile a little strained. Because yeah, his grades are bad, and they may be temporary, but while love is forever so should be other people's lives, and saving them is why he keeps failing at time management, and— ]

Thanks. [ And he needs his brain to stop spiralling, now. ] That's good advice. I'm going to have to write that down.

[ you know. when they're allowed to have writing implements again. ]

I'm sure you already know this, but... wow, you're really, really good at this.