After this encounter, Dilos didn't keep following Alec. He needed to get back to the lab first, because he'd received an encrypted text saying Clark had woken up.
"Hey, Dilos."
Lying in bed, Clark raised his chin toward Dilos as he walked in and smiled. "Long time no see."
"Long time no see." Dilos glanced down at Clark's limbs, now free of their casts. "Looks like you'll be up and about soon."
"Yeah." Clark looked happy. "Thanks for saving my life."
"Of course I had to save you." Dilos glanced at Chloe, who was clinging to Clark's side, and said sourly, "Ever since my cousin started dating you, she hasn't been as close to me. If I hadn't saved you, she might not even want to see me anymore."
"Hey, it's not that bad!" Chloe immediately objected. "You're the one who said not to call unless it was important. How can you put all the blame on me?"
"Don't be like that, Chloe. You're my cousin. If I can't pin the blame on you, who can I pin it on?" Dilos grinned mischievously, making Chloe pout.
"Don't be mad, Chloe." Clark wrapped his healed arm around her shoulders and smiled. "Dilos is such a jerk that it makes your excellent taste in boyfriends stand out all the more."
As he spoke, Clark shot Dilos a challenging look, then kissed Chloe. "See how great I am? I'm always making you happy."
"Good grief."
Dilos looked incredulous as he watched Chloe beam with delight. "Chloe, is this smooth-talking guy really Clark? Did someone swap out your boyfriend?"
"It just means Clark is growing into a good man."
Chloe kissed Clark on the cheek with a smug look, then turned a disdainful gaze on Dilos. "Unlike you. You're the older one, but you're