Hot As Hell

8

Guan Shan hates how he randomly ends up in the worst type of situations.

Case A: He unintentionally became the target for She Li.

Case B: He accidentally summons a demon.

Case C: The demon won't go away.

Case D: Now he's finding that the demon isn't so bad, and he actually appreciates the company.

Case E: That stupid demon invited Zheng Xi over for dinner because on the way from school he "accidentally" let it slip that Guan Shan makes the best beef stew on Earth.

Normally Guan Shan would have been ecstatic by such a compliment but after the attack from the goblin a few days ago and the rocky history he had with Zheng Xi, making dinner for three is the last thing he had in mind. Thank god his mother was away for a few days for work or otherwise he would have to deal with her asking a billion questions about Zheng Xi. Besides Guam Shan is so on the edge after that attack that he is sure his mother would ask a billion more questions about his neurotic behavior so he is glad that the woman was away. He loved her but her questions always gave him a migraine.

He Tian, noticing Guan Shan's constant state of fear had invited Zheng Xi for a sense of normality for the other. He Tian 's gesture doesn't go unnoticed but it still manages to aggravate Guan Shan. In the past few days, they grew this silent bond. It's like the attack had clicked something in between them. HeTian's protectiveness has increased by tenfold and Guan Shan found himself leaning into He Tian every time he hears a weird sound while walking to school. So inviting Zheng Xi over was annoying but it was a good change of pace for the both of them. At least Guan Shan would feel too annoyed about the ordeal to be scared of his own surroundings.

Zheng Xi, for his part, was trying to keep a distance from the redhead as the other stirred the pot quite harshly. He Tian, on the other hand, is hovering around Guan Shan silently admiring Guan Shan's handiwork.

"You're in my space," Guan Shan mumbles to the other, his teeth clenched in annoyance.

"It looks delicious Red Head, you should become a chef," He Tian mumbles back, ignoring the other's annoyed look.

Guan Shan looks back at Zheng Xi, who is staring at the tablecloth like it was one of the world's wonders.

Guan Shan turns back to He Tian and glares at him more, "Why did you invite him?"

He Tian looks at Guan Shan with raised eyebrows, he knows the other knows why, and Guan Shan knows he knows. But Guan Shan is irritated about the fact that he needs to make an extra bowl of beef stew and he needs to direct that annoyance towards someone .

"You need friends, you know, someone normal."

A weird look passes over He Tian's face, and if Guan Shan hadn't grown so familiar with He Tian over the last few days he would have missed it.

"There's more isn't there?" Guan Shan whispers softly so that Zheng Xi can't hear.

Guan Shan feels the hairs on his arms stand up. It's annoying, even to himself, how on edge he seems lately. He Tian gently squeezes the other's shoulders. "Relax, you're gonna burn the strew."

Guan Shan hates how he relaxes underneath He Tian's touch.

"I'm gonna go take a nap," He Tian announces loudly startling Zheng Xi who is now fiddling with the tablecloth.

Guan Shan turns back to his stew and stirs it silently, his mind wandering to the goblin and its murderous stare. Guan Shan's grip on his spoon gets tighter at that memory.