He dropped face down closer to the mix as if he was attempting to study it. “What’s that?”
“The toppings, of course! Whipped cream and strawberries, bananas and caramel, butter and syrup-no matter what you decide, it’s delicious!”
He shot up, his frame going as straight as an arrow as a huge grin spread across his face. “Iknowthis thing called syrup-it is magical.” He licked his lips as he placed the whisk gently down in the bowl. He stepped back, gesturing to the mix. “Please continue.”
Dax hovered over my shoulder, watching as I finished stirring then switched on the Therm-Temp quick cooker. Within seconds, we had a stack of hot, fresh and wonderful smelling Belgian waffles piled high on a plate. Every time I stacked a new one on top of the previous one, Dax’s eyes widened, his grin getting bigger. He leaned down and sniffed, the scent of the waffles causing his nostrils to twitch.
“Smell good?” I loved the way he seemed to be finding joy in the simple act of sniffing a stack of plain Belgian waffles. The serious expression he wore had been replaced by pure happiness.
“They smell heavenly.” He looked at me with hope in his eyes. “Can I eat them now?”
I nodded. “Find a seat at the table.” A blur of green rushed past me.
I gathered the waffles, two plates, and a couple of forks and headed for the table. Setting them down Dax grabbed a plate and fork then went to stab a waffle. I batted his hand away gently. “Not yet. Let me get the toppings.”
He blew out a frustrated breath but put down his fork. I went to the fridge, gathering up the toppings, carefully balancing them so I wouldn’t have to do more than one trip. I didn’t think my very hungry cyborg would be willing to wait a second time. Once they were all on the table, I flashed him a smile. “Go ahead.”
Three waffles landed on his plate faster than I could even blink. He reached for the syrup first but then hesitated, putting it back down on the table. “I do love syrup, but maybe you could recommend something different? I am on an adventure, after all.”
I got my own plate, adding a couple of waffles to my own plate before plucking the can of whipped cream off the table. “This is my favorite. Would you like to try?”
He nodded. I hit the depressor on the can, covering his waffles in a mountain of white.
A green hand shot across the table and grabbed the can from my hand. He shook it carefully before tilting the can upside down. “The nitrous oxide permeates the cream. The contents are kept under pressure within the can.” His finger traced the button. “When you press the button, the pressure is released and the nitrous oxide forms little gas bubbles inside the cream, thus whipping it.” He pointed the nozzle towards his stack of waffles and let it rip, dousing them in an even bigger mountain of whipped cream. “Genius!” He pointed the can of whip cream at my plate. “May I please do yours?”
“Fire away, Science Model.” By the time he was done, my plate matched his and the whipped cream can was empty, but the look on his face made it all worth it. His face and frame radiated nothing but pure joy.
Who would have thought a can of whipped cream could make all Dax’s dreams come true? At least for the moment, anyway.
Chapter Nine
*Dax*
Whipped cream was amazing! How had something so marvelous escaped my attention? I hadn’t even tasted it yet, but if it tasted as amazing as it was to dispense, it might blow my processors.
I pressed my fork into the glorious stack of cream covered waffles, gathering a large bite I brought it to my lips. I gave a brief pause then shoved the whole thing into my mouth at once.
Oh my god. How is this possible? It tasted freaking delicious. Sorry Theo. Waffles drenched in whipped cream were now my new favorite thing.My circuits spun, lighting up like the Fourth of July as I devoured bite after bite, until my fork hit nothing but an empty plate. My shoulders slumped.
“Here,” Poe pushed her plate towards me. “Have mine.”
I stared at her stack of waffles and licked my lips. I wanted them. I wanted them badly. But it would be rude, wouldn’t it? She had been making them for her, it wasn’t fair of me to eat hers as well. I looked her then back at the waffles.
“It’s fine, Dax. I can make more, don’t worry.”