Page 41 of In Darkness and Dank

“Huh.”

“Don’t suppose you ever clean your fish?”

Shu chirped and shrugged. “Water clean.”

“So, that’s a no.” Kittisak eyed Shu’s claws. “Can I… borrow you?”

“Borrow?” Shu cocked his head.

“Come here.”

Kittisak took Shu’s hand and guided him through cleaning the fish. The backside of his claws worked well to descale them, and the sharp points easily gutted it. He tried not to gag when Shu ate what Kittisak would have discarded, and he asked quickly, “Any ideas on herbs? Spices?”

“Spices?”

“You know, to season food with. Something salty. Uh, hot? Like, wow, that’s hot?” Kittisak stuck out his tongue and waved his hand in front of his face. “Spicy?”

Shu thought for a moment, and then his face lit up. “Yes! I find.” He turned and dove into the water.

Kittisak used the handle of one of the spoons to cut up some dragon fruit and melon to make a fruit salsa, setting it aside in a small pot. He looked up when Shu returned, carrying a glittery white rock as big as his head and a bunch of lime-colored slimy plants in his mouth.

Shu carefully set the rock down, and then he offered out the plants. “Spicy!”

“Okay. Thank you!” Kittisak took the plants and inspected them. They appeared to be green seaweed, perhaps a new species of Ulva, also known as the sea lettuce family. A nibble revealed a surprisingly rich and mild spicy flavor. “Wow, this will work. This is great! What is this?”

“Uh. That is… plant.”

“Got it.”

“Spicy plant.”

“And this?” Kittisak poked the rock.

“Tongue rock. We lick.” Shu clawed at the rock, and it immediately produced a fine white powder.

Kittisak took a small taste. “Salt! I’ll be damned.” He grinned. “But still no sriracha, huh?”

“Uh?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Kittisak hugged Shu’s neck. “Thank you, seriously. This is great. Now, I guess it’s time for my side of the trade, yeah?”

“Yes,” Shu purred. “Many, many bejo.”

“Uh-huh.” Kittisak kissed Shu, his heart thumping hard as Shu picked him right off the ground. Shu’s strong arms were curled around his waist and Kittisak’s feet dangled while they kissed. Kittisak hadn’t bothered putting on clothes, and he savored the blissful press of their naked flesh together.

It was easy to get turned on while in the embrace of a gorgeous monster, and Kittisak had to make a point to pull away before he was trying to cook with a hard dick. It was satisfying to see Shu reach down to adjust himself as they parted because his cocks had started to slip out of their slit, and Kittisak felt pretty smug that he was able to have a similar effect on Shu.

Shu was a brilliant and magnificent creature. Kittisak was just a regular guy, so the fact that Shu was just as crazy about him was a fairly large boost to Kittisak’s ego.

He could feel Shu’s eyes on him as he salted and seasoned the fish, and perhaps he bent over more than necessary just to hear Shu’s approving purrs. He had the salsa prepared already, and the fish were now ready for the pan. “Okay,” he said, turning back to Shu, “just need some fire, please.”

“Fire now?” Shu pointed at the pit.

“Yes, please.”

Shu kneeled beside the pit and trilled for a moment. He was studying the rocks Kittisak had used for the fire pit. He paused on one that was darker than the rest, and he raked his claws over it. Sparks showered over the kindling in the pit, and he clawed the rock again until there was smoke.

“Ah! You did it!” Kittisak exclaimed. He dropped beside Shu to watch the tiny little embers glow. “You would kick so much ass on those survival shows.”

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