December 19th: A Very Special Gift by brianna441

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.”

“You know…it’s still early.” Starsky said as they drove towards Venice Place, glancing over at his partner. “You have time to do any last minute shopping… if you need to, I mean.”

“Nope. All my shopping is done.” Hutch turned to look at his partner, loving the almost child-like excitement on his face. “I’ve already got your gifts.”

“Gifts?” Starsky looked over at him in delight. “As in ‘more than one’?”

“Yes, Gordo,” Hutch laughed. “I got you more than one.” He smiled, thinking of the very special gift he had planned for his partner. Would he like it? Would he accept it?

Hutch settled back into his seat, his mind going back over the year. It had been full of ups and downs, things lost, some almost permanently, other things found.

After the shooting, when he was sure he would lose his partner, there was recovery. But there were also set-backs: bad reactions to certain drugs, an infection in that deepest wound near his lungs. Then the bronchitis…

Starsky fought so hard to get better and now, seven months later, he was just weeks away from reinstatement.

After all the physical and emotional ups and downs, Hutch decided that this Christmas, he wasn’t going to hold back. He was going to give his partner this special gift… and hope he didn’t reject it.

But he was nervous. Was he doing the right thing? Could he ruin their entire relationship with what he considered the greatest gift?

Fighting back his uncertainty, Hutch envisioned how Starsky would ‘open’ and ‘play’ with his gift.

As they continued the drive to Venice Place, Hutch relaxed and smiled.

They walked into the apartment, and, as Starsky closed the door behind them, he watched as Hutch dropped his keys on the table, tossed his jacket on the chair and began removing his holster.

Starsky reached out and took the weapon, hanging it in its designated spot on the inside of the closet door as Hutch made his way into the kitchen. He knew that, if he didn’t take it, Hutch would have tossed it on the sofa or nearby chair. As much as he loved the guy, he had to admit… Hutch was a slob.

Hutch smiled as he passed the Christmas tree that Starsky had insisted on getting, set up next to the window that faced the street, beautifully decorated with new ornaments and some old ones that Hutch didn’t even remember that he had.

He hadn’t wanted a tree, hadn’t really wanted to decorate at all but Starsky had begged and succeeded in convincing his partner that this year they had a lot to celebrate and just had to decorate. So, just last weekend, they got a tree and, while Hutch had watched, and lent a hand when needed, Starsky had pulled out the ornaments, placing each one with precision, strung lights, and placed tinsel. And it wasn’t just the tree but the entire apartment that was decorated. Fairy lights throughout each room, holly and pine cones on almost every flat surface and even mistletoe in certain doorways.

And as he had watched his partner move through the apartment, placing each item with such innocent joy, Hutch knew, just knew it was time.

Now, as he opened the refrigerator, he turned to see Starsky gazing at the tree, and the presents underneath. The huge smile gracing Starsky’s face confirmed Hutch that he had done the right thing.

“I took that chicken casserole out of the freezer this morning. I’ll just pop it in the oven while you shower and we’ll be good for dinner.”

Turning his attention from the tree (and presents) to his partner, Starsky smiled a bit nervously.

“No…uh… why don’t you go shower first. You worked all day and probably feel grubby. I’ll put dinner on.”

Suspecting that his partner was up to something, Hutch smiled and gave it. “OK. I’ll be about ten minutes. OK?”

Starsky smiled, knowing he hadn’t fooled Hutch in the least. “OK.” He smiled and gave a little wave as Hutch made his way to the bathroom.

He waited for the bathroom door to close then Starsky moved into the kitchen, turned on the oven and grabbing their dinner from the fridge, placed the casserole inside. Listening for the sound of the shower going on, he made a mad dash to the front door.

In less than five minutes, he came back through the door with his arms loaded with wrapped presents, trying to make it to the tree without dropping anything.

By the time Hutch came out of the bathroom wearing his orange robe, toweling his hair dry, Starsky was relaxing on the sofa, trying to look like he was reading the paper.

Hutch looked over at the tree and smiled at the abundance of ‘new’ gifts under the tree.

“Get everything done?” he asked innocently.

“Yeah,” Starsky folded the newspaper. “Dinner is in… should be another fifteen minutes.”

“Great.” Hutch smiled. “Time for you to take your turn. I even left you some hot water.”

“Thanks.” Starsky got up and made his way to the bathroom, when Hutch added…

“Torino trunk?”

“Yep.” Starsky said with a smile. Hutch wasn’t the type to go hunting for presents but Starsky enjoyed hiding them on him anyway. And Hutch knew him well enough to allow him to have his fun. Sending his partner a full grin, he shut the bathroom door.

Hutch shook his head and laughed.

Dinner was finished, dishes were done and the two men sat in the living room, relaxing with a beer. At least Hutch was relaxing, skimming through the newspaper. Starsky sat on the edge of his seat, staring at the presents under the tree.

“Ya know, Hutch… we could open some of the gifts tonight.”

“No.” Hutch turned the page.

“Or maybe just one…”

“No.” Hutch turned another page.

“Well, when I was a kid, we…”

“Don’t try that on me.” Hutch folded the paper and stared at his partner.

“What?”

“Don’t try to tell me that, when you were a kid, you ‘always’ opened one gift on Christmas Eve.”

“But…”

“I checked with your mother AND your Aunt Rose and both told me that you kids NEVER opened anything on Christmas Eve!”

“But…” Knowing he was defeated, Starsky collapsed on the sofa. “I never should have introduced you to my family…” he muttered.

Hutch smiled as he placed the newspaper on the coffee table. “Tomorrow will be soon enough. Think of the anticipation!”

“I hate anticipation.”

“Look…we’re both exhausted… at least I am. We’ll get a good night’s sleep then, in the morning, we’ll eat breakfast then have plenty of time to open all the presents before we have to leave for the Dobey’s house. We’ll have a nice dinner, come home and have the next three days off. You’ll have plenty of time to ‘play’ with any new toys you may get.”

“Even my ‘special’ gift?”

“Yes,” Hutch agreed, still hoping that Starsky would like his gift and worried that he wouldn’t. “You can play with your ‘special’ gift, if you want to.”

“I don’t see it under the tree, ya know.”

Hutch sat forward. “And how would you know which box it was in?”

“I dunno…” Starsky shrugged. “I think I’d just know.”

Hutch smiled. “Well, let me ease your mind… it’s not under the tree. I have it someplace safe.”

Starsky’s eyes immediately scanned the apartment, trying to determine where his partner could have hidden the gift. He had already searched for presents in all the obvious places, and a few of the unobvious ones. His mind worked, trying to determine where he’d missed when…

“Starsk…” His head whipped around to meet his partner’s eyes. “It’s not anywhere that you’ll find it.”

“I don’t know, Blondie…that sounds like a challenge.”

“Not a challenge, Gordo. Just the hope that, when I go to sleep, you won’t spend the night shaking boxes and searching.”

“I wouldn’t do that, Hutch…you know me…”

“Yes,” Hutch nodded. “I know you. That’s why I’m asking you to just be patient and not go through the presents. Please?”

He knew that Hutch trusted him but, then, Hutch knew him better that anyone else in the world. And Starsky could see that this was very important to his partner. He nodded.

“I promise,” he said with a smile. “I will NOT rummage through or shake any of the boxes, trying to determine their contents. I’ll sleep tight and wait until the morning.” He saw a shadow of doubt in his partner’s eyes. “I promise.”

He crossed his heart then raised his hand in promise, cringing as the muscles in his shoulders cramped.

Hutch saw the cringe. “Your shoulder?” Starsky nodded. “Packages too heavy?”

“Now who’s fishing for info?” When Hutch frowned, Starsky smiled. “No, Blondie. Not heavy, just awkward.”

Hutch got up and went to the closet, pulling out the extra bedding and tossing it on the sofa. “Spread that out and strip down to your shorts. I’ll give you a backrub.”

Hutch headed towards his bedroom as Starsky followed orders, smiling. He would give just about anything for a Hutchinson back rub.

A few moments later Hutch returned with the massage oil and a cotton pajama top to find his partner stretched out on the sofa, clad only in his black bikinis. Smiling and shaking his head, he tossed the pajama top onto his partner’s head. “Here. You can put this on when I’m finished. It’ll help.”

Starsky grabbed the top off of his face and swung it at Hutch, only to groan at the movement.

“See!” Hutch chided. “Now behave yourself, relax and let me do my job.”

Warming the oil in his hands, Hutch scanned his partner’s back. The entrance wounds and surgical scars were fading, although not quite fast enough for his partner. The scars on his chest were larger and more angry looking but those, too, were fading and had the benefit of the carpet of dark hair that had grown back in for camouflage.

Hutch started at the lower back, working his way up to the shoulders. Of all the tasks he’d performed during Starsky’s healing, this was always his favorite. It could be tiring but it did allow Hutch to touch his partner in the, so far, most sensual way. He looked forward to doing this and offered on as many occasions that he felt he could. And Starsky loved the massages, based on the moans of pleasure emanating from his partner.

This was as close to sex as he could get with his partner and he’d take it whenever he could.

It was almost noon on this Christmas Day and the Venice Place apartment looked as if a wrapping paper factory had exploded. Crumbled paper, ribbons and bows were on the furniture, all over the floor and, amid the damage sat Starsky, sporting the happiest of faces.

Hutch appeared to love the presents that Starsky had picked for him: two shirts, a pale blue sweater (to match his eyes), a complete set of guitar strings, new picks and two books that he had wanted (a new text on herbology and a historical fiction novel).

Starsky was equally pleased with his presents: a new jacket of the softest brown leather, a new engine for his train set, the model ship he’d been drooling over… and an entire box of chocolate bars.

Now Starsky waited in anticipation.

“Well, let’s get this place cleaned up,” Hutch said as he began gathering the paper and ribbons and bows. “Then we’ll get dressed and head over to the Dobey’s. We don’t want to be late.”

“But…” Starsky stood up, a shocked expression on his face. “But…”

Hutch stopped and turned to his partner. “But what?”

“What…what about…about my gift…my ‘special’ gift?”

“Yeah, well…” Hutch looked away for a moment. “I’d like to wait until we come back from dinner. That way…” He nervously smiled “That way you’ll have time to enjoy it.”

Starsky saw the uncertainty on Hutch’s face and decided to take pity on his partner. It was apparent that this was very important to Hutch and he was anxious about it.

“OK…when we come back from dinner.” Starsky pointed his finger at Hutch. “But I’m not waiting any longer than that!” With that declaration, he headed into the bathroom, to shower and get ready for dinner.

Dinner was a family affair and both Starsky and Hutch felt like family.

They arrived at the Dobey residence bearing gifts and were warmly welcomed. Rosie couldn’t wait to show them all the presents she’d received and to bestow them with gifts that she had made. They made a fuss over these gifts, taking joy in watching the little girl thoroughly enjoying the day.

Cal also showed off his gifts and, while Hutch relaxed and talked with the Captain and his wife, Starsky played the newest video games the young man had received.

By early evening, dinner had been consumed and they had all retired to the living room to watch a Christmas special on the television. Hutch, sipping his wine, looked over at his partner and caught his surreptitious glance at his watch. Not wanting to drag this out any longer, Hutch stretch and sat forward, signaling the beginning of their departure.

Thanking everyone for the gifts and the wonderful meal, both men kissed Edith’s cheek and shook the Captain’s hand and, with happy wishes for the rest of their day, left the house and headed home.

Starsky sat on the sofa, on the edge of his seat, watching Hutch as he moved in from the kitchen. When Hutch casually sat on the other end of the sofa, Starsky couldn’t wait any longer.

“Huuuttch…” he whined.

“What?” Hutch turned casually to face his partner.

“Where is it? It’s Christmas night and you said I’d get it today, after dinner. But…” At Hutch questioning look, Starsky continued. “My gift…my very special gift.”

He looked at Starsky, hoping that his partner couldn’t see the nervous doubts, hopes and fears that were racing through his mind. With a nod, he placed his drink on the coffee table, took his partner’s hand and stood, forcing Starsky to stand, facing him.

“I have this special gift… I’ve had it for a long time and, after everything that happened this year, I knew I couldn’t hold on to it, keep it to myself, any longer I knew that I had to give it to you because… well, I just hope you like it but, if you don’t, that’s OK ,too. We’ll just…”

“Hutch,” Starsky interrupted, speaking softly. “Just give me the gift.”

Hutch nodded, knowing it was time. He ran is hands up his partner’s arms, over his shoulders then up to clasp his face, his gaze never leaving Starsky’s blue eyes.

What he saw there was excitement and anticipation and, yes, joy. With one final breath, he leaned in to place his lips firmly against his partner’s, sampling the flavor, reveling in the warmth that he just knew he would find. After what seemed to be only seconds and yet a lifetime, Hutch broke the kiss and reclaimed those beautiful blue eyes.

“I love you, David Starsky. With all my heart and soul, I love you.”

A heartbeat, then another and suddenly Starsky wrapped his arms around his partner, crushing their bodies together, pulling Hutch into another, more forceful kiss. His joy overwhelming, Hutch thought he was going to die and, he thought… that was OK. If this was all there was, he could still die happy.

When Starsky finally broke the kiss and stepped back, he caught Hutch’s eyes, a smile like sunshine exploding on his face.

“Wel-well,” Hutch stammered. “Do you like it?”

Almost impossibly, Starsky’s smile seemed to get bigger. He took Hutch’s left hand and placed it on the front of his jeans, pressing it against the solid mound encased there.

“What do you think?”

Feeling the hardness, Hutch’s brain finally kicked into gear, understanding washing over him. Starsky liked the gift… Starsky liked kissing him… Starsky loved him, too!

Suddenly, Starsky turned and, still holding Hutch’s hand, started walking towards the bedroom.

“Wait, Starsk…where’re we goin?”

“You said I could play with my present for as long as I wanted. Well, Blondie, I plan on playin’ for days!”

Smiling, Hutch followed his partner…into their future.

Author’s Note: I think Starsky liked his ‘gift’. I hope you like it as well.

 

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