“I’m sorry,” he said through clenched teeth as his eyes flashed.
“Not to me, Military Model. To her.”
Oz crossed her arms over her chest. “I am waiting,” she hummed.
“Fine. I am sorry, Viper’s female.”
Bending down, she gave his cheek a pat and Fuse’s eyes widened. My processors were pretty sure that was the first time he had been touched by any female.
Lifting my boot, I could only smirk as Fuse rubbed his hand over the spot. “She touched me,” he whispered so low that I only caught it due to my cyborg hearing.
An arm wrapped around my frame, Oz tucked her body against my side as if she had done it a million times. She peered up at me. “Should we find food?” Her stomach grumbled and she laughed.
I nodded as I led her to the front, giving her a moment to pick out what she wanted to eat. Pancakes and waffles were stacked high, taking up half of the table. Oz tilted her head, her brow creasing. “Do cyborgs have a thing for pancakes and waffles I don’t know about?”
“The pancakes are Theo’s favorite, and the waffles are Dax’s.” I chuckled. “Most of the cyborg rebellion has deemed them a must have at all mealtimes, so they are usually available.”
Oz shrugged. “If they are good enough for the cyborg rebellion then they are good enough for me.” Grabbing a plate, she loaded it up with pancakes and waffles, adding some crispy bacon on the side.
Iris had been the one to suggest adding the bacon. She had informed us that to do pancakes and waffles justice, you must have bacon. Iris had been correct. I couldn’t imagine life without.
I filled up my own plate and then found us an empty table to sit at. For a few moments, nothing could be heard but the both of us happily munching away.
Someone cleared their throat behind me. “Can we join you guys?”
Turning my head, I saw Marley and Acer, with a very happy and bouncing Ever. Even with Dax’s serum slowing her aging, baby Ever always looked bigger each time I saw her. Her eyes continuously flashed, taking in new information, learning quicker than any human child. Her gaze narrowed on Oz, her lips pursed, then she looked at me.
Oz might have been over the horrible words Fuse had flung, but I wasn’t sure she was ready to be at a table with the female that I had been accused of thinking about.
I never wanted Oz to doubt how I felt. My crush on Marley ended the moment I realized that it was just that…a crush. Misplaced feelings for a female that had been nice to me.
I had never been in love with Marley. My eyes locked onto Oz, my heart beginning to rapidly beat beneath my chest. She made my every circuit sing. I cared for Marley, but I could fall in love with Oz.
“I am not sure that is a good idea, Marley.” Her face fell, and Acer growled. Pissing him off wasn’t high on my to do list, but my female came first. “I think it would be better if-”
Oz cut me off. “We would love it if you joined us. Please sit.”
Acer smirked before plopping his frame next to mine with Marley sitting down beside him.
“Acer told me what Fuse said,” Marley whispered softly. “I wanted to come and tell you that Viper and I have never been more than friends. He cares for me like I care for him, but that is it.” She gazed lovingly at Acer. “My heart has always belonged to my Sunshine.”
Oz’s gaze drifted between Acer and Marley, and she smiled. “Oh, my god! You guys are fuc-” Oz stopped, her eyes darting to Ever. “Freaking adorable,” she finished.
Reaching over the table, she held her hand out to Marley and with no hesitation, Marley grasped it. “It’s all good. Don’t worry about it. Thanks for saving my cyborg, Marley. I will always be grateful that you cared about Viper when he needed it.”
Marley’s eyes filled. “You’re welcome. I’m glad he has you to care for him now.”
Oz sniffled. “Seriously,” she let go of Marley’s hand to swipe at her eyes. “I have never teared up so much in my whole life. Anymore and I am going to start losing my badass points.”
Marley laughed and just like that, any tension between the two females was gone.
Ever giggled in Acer’s arms, her hands reaching over the table towards Oz, Quackers dangling from her fingers.
“I think she wants you to hold her.”
“Umm, kids aren’t really my thing.”
Ever’s giggle turned into a growl that sounded suspiciously like her father’s. She shook Quackers harder in a tiny fit of rage. Ever was used to getting what she wanted. And what she wanted was Oz. Her pale-yellow lips began to tremble, dark drops of fluid filling her green eyes. That did the trick.