Category: Safe for Work

Starsky slowly stirs awake, stretching out cramped legs. He squints at the sunshine coming in the window, rubs his eyes and sighs. This is the third night this month that he’s spent the night on Hutch’s couch, and the month is only a little more than halfway over.

His excuses have ranged from being too tired and a little drunk after watching a movie to a bad date that left him ‘stranded’ in the area.

His latest one was convenient car trouble. He knows he’s lucky that Hutch doesn’t have much car knowledge and hadn’t noticed that a spark plug wire was conveniently loose when Starsky had put on a show of opening the hood and testing out the rough running car.

Eleven months after Gunther’s attack, Starsky is continuing to wrestle with the idea that what he feels for Hutch is so much more than friendly. Sure, Hutch is his ‘best friend in the whole world’, but it’s been continually dawning on Starsky that he wants more.

He feels like he needs more. Continue reading “December 21st: Telling Secrets to Spider Plants by Suburbanboho”

“Are you listening to me, Hutch? HUTCH!”

“Hmm?” He was staring out the window, not paying attention to anything in particular, as the Torino whizzed by familiar landmarks on their way home. He didn’t look at Starsky, but he recognized the faint exasperation in his partner’s tone that told him Starsky had been talking for a while and was expecting an answer. “I’m sorry, Starsk. What did you say?”

There was a heavy sigh, then Starsky said, “I was asking what you wanted to do for your birthday.”

He said nothing for a moment, but Starsky was making an effort and he didn’t want to blow him off. “Let’s just stay in. Maybe order a pizza, have a couple of beers.”

“But I’d planned—”

“Then why ask?” His impending birthday made him melancholy. “Let it go, Starsk. I don’t really need anything. Let it be just another day.”

The rest of the drive home was done in silence. Continue reading “December 20th: Fulfilling a Dream by Jessica Celliers”

It was Christmas Eve and the squad room was almost empty and unnaturally quiet. Against all normal trends, the crime rate was down and this holiday season had been quiet. All of the detectives were taking advantage of the calm and escaping as soon as their shift was over.

All except one particular detective.

“Hey, Blondie! You ready to go?”

Hutch startled at the sound of his best friend’s voice as Starsky came out of the captain’s office and stopped at his former, and hopefully future, desk.

“Starsk…what’re you doin’ here?”

“I came to wish some people a Merry Christmas… and to pick you up. Did you forget?”

Shuffling some papers on his desk, Hutch looked up and smiled. “No…no… I didn’t forget. But, well… I can’t leave just yet. I’ve got these reports to finish and…”

“Hutchinson!!!” Dobey’s bellow preceded him through his office door. “What are you still doing here?”

“Uh, reports, Captain. I haven’t finished…”

“You haven’t handed a report in on time since you’ve been in this division! Why start now?” Dobey smiled at his detective’s confusion, then softened his tone. “Your partner’s here to take you home. Go… enjoy your next few days off. The reports will still be here when you get back.”

Hutch looked at Dobey, a bit surprised, then at his partner, who smiled and nodded.

“C’mon, mushbrain, before he changes his mind.”

“I’m on my way out.” Dobey said as he slowly moved back into his office. “But if you really want to stay…”

Hutch quickly gathered his papers together, shoved them into a folder then stood and grabbed his jacket. “Well, let’s go, Starsk. What are you waiting for?” Starsky laughed as his partner lead the way towards the door.

“And, don’t forget,” Dobey yelled from his office. “Dinner is at 2 tomorrow. Don’t be late or you’ll disappoint Edith.”

“Don’t worry, Capt’n.” Starsky shouted as he pushed Hutch out into the hall, escaping. “We’ll be on time.” Continue reading “December 19th: A Very Special Gift by brianna441”

Bay City, December 19

“I wish I could come with you.”

Hutch zipped up his garment bag, which was lying on the bed, and gave Starsky his full attention. “No, babe, you don’t. Trust me. You’d have a lousy time. And it’s freezing there.”

The look of incredulity on Starsky’s face made Hutch queasy.

“I wouldn’t expect to have a blast at your grandfather’s funeral,” Starsky told him in a small voice. “And I know that Duluth gets really cold in December.”

Hutch sighed and beckoned his partner over. “I know you know that,” he said softly, pulling Starsky in close. “I’ll be back the day after tomorrow and then it’s just you and me for almost a whole week.” Continue reading “December 18th: Making the Yuletide Gay by m.butterfly”