The subject of this word has arisen enough times to open my eyes up to how differently sexes interpret the word. I've come around to treating it as a sign of affection, and am no longer uncomfortable with it as I used to be.
Aaaa, forced decisions.
It's only actually "hot" in some specific cases, but it's not-creepy in many more than it is creepy. But... there's a bit of creepy (especially if misused) and then mostly neutral, and then hot, and it actually looks more like 12%/56%/32%?
Decline to vote on context. Saying it with a saccharine "I'm-24+-but-am-talking-like-I'm-4-b/c-someone-thinks-it's-hot" is actually highly disturbing... always.