Starsky’s heart stops due to the wounds caused by Gunther’s men and despite the medical treatment.
Hutch’s heart stops when Dobey says
on the phone “You better come...”
The doctors fight in order to make
Starsky’s heart to begin beating again.
The anguish and guilt for leaving
his partner-friend-brother makes Hutch’s heart begin beating again.
Starsky fights between leaving and
staying, between living and dying.
Hutch fights to get to the hospital
in time, to be by his side.
Starsky’s heart starts beating again
to stay, to live.
Hutch’s heart beats strongly when he
gets to the ICU at the same time.
Two hearts beat strongly making this
life miracle come true.
*****
The bitter episode of the attack is left
behind, though just for the days passing by, because Hutch still feels his
anguish and continues blaming himself for not having protected Starsky as he
thinks was necessary and for his stupidity that almost made him lose the most
important person in his life. Yes, with what happened, Hutch understood that in
his whole life he’d never had anybody who he cared as much as his partner.
Going back to the times at the Police Academy,
when they first met, he remembers the wonderful times they spent together. Of
course they had some differences at the beginning as they were from different
social classes and their so different life styles. Nevertheless, the passion
they felt for what they were doing and what they wanted to do in the future,
got them together building a very tight bond that even Hutch’s wife at the
time, Vanessa, couldn’t separate them. On the contrary, his so complicated
marriage and his divorce only could get them closer. Starsky was the great
support Hutch needed to go on. <Yeah, Starsk, without your support, I
wouldn’t have get through the mess Van had left me when she went away>, he
smiles to himself thinking in those sad times when Starsky knew exactly how to
comfort him.
“Hey, daydreaming?”, asks Starsky coming out of
the bathroom with slow movements.
“Hu?, oh just remembering old times”, replies
Hutch coming back to reality.
“Seems they were very good times, ‘cause your
face is bright with happiness”, says Starsky getting near him to sit on the
sofa beside him.
“Here, let me help you”, says Hutch stretching
to hold his arm to ease him in place.
“When are you going to accept I can do things
by myself, Blondie?”, says Starsky frowning, but nevertheless letting his
friend help him. Certainly Hutch needs a lot more these little gestures in
order to feel useful and trying to make up for his lack of attention that day
in the parking lot that almost cost his life.
“I know you’re feeling better, Gordo. You
improved in an incredible way. You have all the doctors and even the therapist
surprised with the quick way you got your mobility back. But...”
“But you, Blondie...you can’t stop feeling bad
about what happened. No matter how many times I tell you it was not your fault.
No matter how many times I tell you that there was nothing you could do
different and it was me who had to pay more attention and move more quickly and
cover with the car”, Starsky says looking into his eyes. “No matter that and
that you watch me every step of my recovery...You’ll always going to keep that
guilt inside you”.
“It’s too difficult, buddy. I still feel I
almost lost you. I almost lose my best friend, my brother, the person I’d
gladly give my life in order to save yours...the person who always was by my
side helping me, supporting me through the bad times and laughing with me in
the good ones”.
And that’s the way it’ll be, Hutch. You were by
my side too through bad and good...in health and illness...Hey, that sounds
weird”, he says with a mischievous smile. “If somebody were listening could
think those are vows of our engagement”.
“Are you sure no bullet hit your head?”, asks Hutch
smiling as well. “I really think you’re a little crazier than before”.
****
Days go by and Starsky’s progress is amazing, so very
soon he gets the doctor’s authorization to start with desk work. Dobey, knowing
how close the guys are and due to the accident, they turned more dependant from
each other, has no need to be told that Hutch’ll be making desk work too till
his partner is well enough to go back to the streets again. But in case this
couldn’t happen, then the Captain knew he would’ve lost his best detective
team. Hutch wouldn’t accept another partner and Starsky wouldn’t be at ease
knowing he wouldn’t be the one to cover Hutch’s back. Nevertheless he also had
his hopes in having his two boys working together again on the streets.
Starsky coming back to active duty meant their
living together had to come to an end. Starsky no more needed someone to look
over him all the time, he could handle himself. And Hutch, though not liking
that idea, understood it had to be that way. They never commented the issue,
just both took for granted that living together had been during Starsky’s
convalescence.
Nevertheless, after this time spent together
through a very difficult situation, as Dobey’d noticed, had made them more
dependant of one another. So every day, just after entering each own apartment
one was phoning the other just to
comment the most silly thing that came to his mind just to hear the other’s
voice. But no one wanted to accept something had really changed deep inside
about the way they now felt for each other.
Hutch is the first one to realize something’s
happening, something’s different in his need for being with Starsky. He first
thought it was just the need of yet take care of him, but after some nights
sleeping alone, he once woke up upset with the dream he’d had. In the dream
there had been many situations during his life with Starsky, good times when
they had lots of fun together and bad times when they’d had been supporting and
comforting each other trying to ease the pain in the other’s soul. It was right
remembering the pain and sorrow Starsky’d felt with Terry’s death that his mind
had created the image of both of them embracing crying and himself trying to
comfort his friend with soothing words whispering in his ear. Slowly his mouth was caressing the hidden earlobe beneath the
curly hair and sliding it against a cheek till his lips find Starsky’s ones
that willingly accept the kiss. The intensity of the kiss seems so real that
it’s what wakes him up so excited and almost breathless. “My God, what the
hell’s with me?…Seems I’m going crazy…Starsky and I…kissing!!!”, he shakes his
head not believing it himself. “Hutchinson, seems you’re exhausted and your
mind is playing you a bad joke…it’s ridiculous!!!”, he says out loud and
sighing. “…But it really felt good, nice and sweet…Oh, stop it, Hutchinson”, he
leaves the bed and heads to the bathroom to get some fresh water over his face
and then he goes to the kitchen to drink a glass of orange juice.
When he gets back to bed, he lays looking to
the ceiling for a while and remembers the image of his dream, he tries to take
it away but he can’t. He again starts thinking of all the things he shared with
Starsky and the he was always the most important person in his whole life. He
always wanted to be with Starsky ‘cause they always get along well and despite
the little differences at the beginning they had become good friends and found
lots of things in common y they’d always had the same goal of being together in
the Police Force and had fought to get it. And when at last they’d had achieved
that goal, they’d felt very happy and from that moment on they’d had work hard
compensating each other. “And now it’s harder to be away from you,
Starsk…Always loved you…You’ve always been everything in my life…But now,
what?…Why is it so hard when we separate each and every night?…Why is it so
hard when one of the female officers asks for your health and…”, he shakes his
head uncomfortable with the idea of any woman near Starsky. “Am I jealous?…It’s
just me who can worry for you?…It’s just me who can be with you?”. A warm
feeling goes over his body when he imagines Starsky by his side and thinking of
the face he most likes to see smiling by his side and wishing those blue eyes
were only for him and would never watch anyone else in his life. “Oh, God!…This
isn’t partnership…it’s no longer friendship…I’m in love…with Starsky!” This was
the truth and although a little shocked, he finally falls asleep again and lets
his imagination to flow free going back to that incredible kiss and enjoying
the sensations that follow that and other kisses that fill his heart and his
body.
The next morning, although the dreams were so
pleasant, he realizes it’s something that can never come to the surface. Not
just because of his police reputation, but because if Starsky knew his true
feelings, surely would run as far as he could not wanting to spend a minute at
his side and wouldn’t accept any physical contact. And would be scared to death
thinking about how Hutch had touched him during his convalescence helping him
in the bathroom, with his clothes and surely would think he tried to take
advantage of the situation making Starsky back away and separating them
definitely. One thing he was completely sure, he’d rather live a life hiding
his true feelings than taking the risk of living a life without Starsky. It
surely wouldn’t be a very easy task , but being with Starsky was worth any
sacrifice.
****
Days go by and Hutch makes a great effort during the
time he’s with Starsky trying not to change anything in his way of acting and
trying to keep his feelings well hidden. Then, at night in the loneliness of
his apartment he lets his imagination fly and enjoys dreaming with something he
knows he never’ll come true, but he knows that’s the best way to see Starsky
happy and to continue sharing their lives.
Yet he pretended not to bother when a woman is
near Starsky or if Starsky himself flirts with a woman as he always did. He
also dated some girl in order to hide his new feelings. Everything seems to
work out perfectly and their relationship is as good as before Gunther’s attack or even better.
****
Starsky at the same time, continues to work
hard following all the doctor’s indications in order to achieve his most
important goal, to go back to work on the street with Hutch. Thus, when he’s
alone in his apartment he exercises a little more to keep in shape. He knows
that as he feels it wouldn’t be the same to do desk work for the rest of his
life, his Hutch would be tied up to a desk too ‘cause he wouldn’t accept
another partner. Not that he himself would feel good knowing his Hutch’s
life would depend on any other partner. Suddenly he realizes the way he’s
referring to Hutch while thinking about this situation. “Since when I’m Hutch’s
owner?”, he tells himself out loud while resting on the couch. “But it surely
sounds good after all…I must confess that I feel I belong to Hutch in body and
soul…I’m capable of any kind of sacrifice just to be with him and to count with
his company, his friendship, his love…If it wasn’t that if he continued taking care of me, it would’ve been as having him as a prisoner
here, I would’ve take much more time to get well…”, he sighs. “But it would’ve been selfish to keep him inside
these walls. No, it’s better this way…He isn’t with me all the time as during
my convalescence, but we’re still together in a way or another…Hmmm, my
Hutch…My sweet and lovely Hutch…How good it felt when you were taking
care of me, helping me to take a bath and to get dress…How great it felt every
time you hold me in your arms and let me hold you in mine…That close contact
between our bodies when we were laughing sharing some happy moment or when we
cling to each other looking for some comfort during those bad and sad times…Is
the same for you, Blondie?…Is that important for you to be by my side as it is
for me?”, he shakes his head trying to clear his thoughts. “Come on, Starsky,
you know damn well Hutch is eager to do anything for you, even give his own
life for your safety…but you’re referring to other feelings…”, he smiles
lovingly. “Ufff…how long it took me to realize that my love for Hutch isn’t the
one you feel for a friend, for a partner…No, I fell for him…Don’t know when,
but now I know for sure that I’m in love with Hutch…Me, Starsky, the one who
always felt it was unacceptable the love between two men…now I discover my true
love is my partner…Yeah, I’m in love with my partner…how ironic, isn’t it?”, he
smiles pleased with his discovery.
The phone rings and he comes to reality. He
stretches to answer. “Starsky”.
“Hi, partner”, Hutch’s happy voice on the other
side. “Hope not interfering with…anything”, he says sheepishly thinking about
the last female officer he’s seen talking to Starsky this afternoon.
“What could that be, Hutch?”, he asks feeling
at peace listening to that precious voice.
“Well…maybe you have some company…don’t know”,
replies Hutch.
“Oh, well, yeah, I’m with a nice blonde…but it
didn’t fit as good company as I’ve thought…”, he replies teasingly.
“Oh, ex-excuse me, Starsk…”, Hutch apologizes
feeling something oppressing his chest thinking of Starsky with a woman.
“What do I have to forgive you, Blondie? I’m
relaxing a bit from my exercises and made me realize a beer doesn’t taste as
good when you drink it alone as the ones we have together so many times”.
“Oh, I-I thought you…never mind”, he smiles
feeling better now.
“You thought I was with somebody else?…No,
Blondie, don’t worry. I’m in good shape but if I want to get all my strength to
go back to the streets with you, it’s better not to spend my private time
with girls…ehem…at least not for a
while yet”, he says trying to sound casual, ‘cause he really wanted to say that
the only thing he wanted to do was dedicate all his entire life to be with him
from now on. But of course he knows that’s impossible. Hutch would be scared to
death if he knew the true feelings Starsky had for him. If Hutch realized
Starsky was in love with him that for sure would make Hutch to run to Dobey and
ask for a new partner or worst for a
transfer just to be as far of him as he could.
“Hey, Starsk…something wrong?”, asks Hutch
worried with the silence on the other side of the line.
“Hu?, oh, no, no…just a
distraction…Nevertheless I think I still need a little more exercise to be
completely recovered…But I can assure you, Blondie, soon you’ll have your
partner 100% functioning again to cover your back on the streets and we’ll go
on with our real job and no more paper work”, he says reassuringly.
“You can’t imagine how anxious I am waiting
that moment to become true, Gordo…I know I’ll always be worried for your
safety, but I know you wouldn’t be happy behind a desk all your life”.
“You wouldn’t either, Hutch…And no lies here,
we both know our life is on the streets covering our backs all the time”.
“Friends forever”, says Hutch in a soothing
tone feeling relieved knowing Starsky
wants to be his partner again. And he says to himself that if some day Starsky
found a woman who made him happy and loved him, he’d do his best to feel happy
too knowing his beloved Starsky was happy.
“Me & Thee, Blondie, forever”, adds Starsky
relieved knowing that at least that way he’d have his Hutch by his side. And if
some day Hutch found a woman and fell for her, he’d do his best to hide his
jealousy and will be by his side all the time in case that woman could hurt him
as it happened in the past.
****
Another month has passed and the day of the
final revision of Starsky’s capability to return to full active duty has
arrived. The group of doctors who treated him all along the way have a very
good opinion and consider he’s 100 % recovered to go back to the streets. But
who have the last word are the Medical Board of the Police Department. Thus the
doctors at the hospital prepare a very thorough report with all the details
they consider most important to show Starsky’s complete recovery. They add all
the results of the tests during the process, physical and psychological ones,
X-rays, everything. The Medical Board take 3 days to study and consider all the
reports. They know it’s a very important decision not only because of Starsky’s
safety but because of the people in the city. They have to be very sure he’s
capable of doing his job as he did before the attack so he’s not endangering
the people, his partner and himself.
After these 3 days that seem a lot more for the
guys the Dobey himself they set an interview to let Starsky know their decision
and allowing just Cap. Dobey to be with him as his superior. When they finally
tell him he’s able to go back to full active duty he’s full of joy and it’s
difficult for him to say anything after receiving the good news and the
congratulations from all the members of the Board for his miracle of life.
Dobey is very excited and happy not just
because Starsky’s complete recovery but because he has his best team of
detectives back, he has his “sons” back and he’s happy that fortunately they’ll
be making him crazy again with their way of bending the rules. He hugs Starsky
both laughing happily and hurry to tell the news to Hutch.
Hutch was sitting in one of the benches in the
corridor near the entrance to the room of the interview and his anxiety almost
made him knock the door down ‘cause of the delay. It didn’t take too long, but
for him it seemed like hours. This interview was to decide his beloved’s future
and while waiting he was thinking how he was supposed to comfort Starsky if
things wasn’t the way they expected to be and he couldn’t get back to full
active duty.
Suddenly the door opens and he jumps from the seat
with his eyes fixed on it waiting for Starsky’s appearing. When Starsky finally
gets out Hutch can see the happiness in his face and the brightness in his
eyes, the one he knows only means good news, but he can’t move as his own heart
is ready to burst out of joy.
“Hey, Blondie, aren’t you going to say
anything?”, asks Starsky watching Hutch expression and meeting those beautiful
eyes that get bright too in the happy moments.
“You-You made it, Gordo!”, he at last gets to
say.
“WE made it, Hutch!…We both made it…as always,
partner”, he adds accepting the arms that embrace him and hugging his blonde
too.
“Welcome to the action, guys!”, says Dobey
making them come to reality again.
They separate just a little without letting go
of each other completely, they laugh nervously fearing their gaze could say
what they really feel and hoping the other can’t get it and runs.
“Thanks, Cap”, says Starsky again to his
captain looking at him.
“Thanks for all your support, sir”, adds Hutch.
“Someone else in your place would’ve make me team up with other partner and
force me to go back to work”.
“You think I would torture you that way,
Hutchinson?”, Dobey smiles at them. “Besides, I did it for my own sanity. I
wouldn’t have stand Starsky asking me about you and your new partner, if he was
good enough to take care of you, what you were doing…I didn’t want to get
crazy”, he says shaking his head still smiling.
“And I thought you really loved us, cap”, says
Starsky pouting.
“Oh, stop it you two…OK, go home and get a good
rest the next two days to celebrate…which by the way, will be your last
vacations for a long time, you got it?”
“Right and clear, sir”, both answer in unison.
****
They jump in the Torino and speed up to Huggy’s
to tell him the good news. They toast for Starsky’s recovery and talk for a
while and then the guys decide to go to Hutch’s place.
As they get in the apartment, Starsky leaves
his jacket and gun on a chair and goes to the couch letting himself on the seat
moving without any problem.
Hutch looks at him satisfied after all the
times he’d seen the same movements in a slow pace and a frown in Starsky’s brow
for the effort and the pain. He leaves his jacket and gun near Starsky’s and
without saying a word he goes to the kitchen to get something he’d kept for
this occasion.
“What’s that?”, asks Starsky surprised when he
sees Hutch with a bottle of champagne and two glasses.
“I was keeping it for this special occasion”,
he replies setting the glasses on the coffee table and opening the bottle.
“You were that sure!”, Starsky says seriously.
“I was with you all the way”, Hutch replies
looking in those blue eyes.
“How could I forget all your support?”, adds
Starsky emphasizing his words with his gaze.
“I saw how you worked hard all the time and I
knew that you’d make it…”, says Hutch feeling nervous under the gaze of his
partner. “I had my doubts sometimes and was afraid of a disillusion, but then
you took another step ahead and…”
“You know that I wouldn’t do it alone,
Hutch…Your support and comfort was all the strength I needed to go on when I
thought I was losing it”.
“Oh, don’t be silly. What really made you work
hard was to think that you’d end up your whole life behind a desk and you
couldn’t stand it”.
“And thus I was doing that to you too. And that
would’ve been very selfish of myself ‘cause I knew you wouldn’t accept another
partner…and I wouldn’t live in peace knowing someone else was backing you up…I
couldn’t trust anyone else for that job”, Starsky says looking at him with such
sweetness. <’cause who else loves you as I do and would take care of
you>, he says to himself.
“We agree 100%, Gordo…There’s no doubt if you
couldn’t go back to work with me on the streets…I’d stay with you in a desk…I
wouldn’t feel safe with no one else”, adds Hutch looking at Starsky with so
much love and wanting to cry to everyone that he’s in love of that man.
“Ehem…let’s not let the champagne get hot and
have a toast”, says Starsky trying to avoid Hutch’s eyes, afraid his own eyes
have told too much and though he liked what he saw in the blonde’s eyes, he
doesn’t want to risk anything.
“S-Sure…champagne must be very cold”, replies
Hutch filling both glasses and making a toast. “For your coming back”, he holds
up his glass.
“For being the same great team as always”,
replies Starsky and they have a sip.
“And another toast for all the doctors that
took good care of you”, Hutch says again and another sip.
“And for Dobey, who always was by our side
supporting us and waiting for us”, adds Starsky.
They go on this way joking and making toasts
till they almost drink the whole bottle. The alcohol isn’t enough to get them
drunk but they feel at ease and comfortable with each other to enjoy the
moment. Then they start with jokes and laugh at things they remember of their
past together going back yet to the Academy not realizing why their minds flew
that much.
“Ayyy, I can’t go on…”, says Starsky holding
his abdomen and laying on the sofa half his body on Hutch’s lap who was almost
breathless too and resting on the back of the couch. “My wounds will open again
though they’re old”.
“Are-Are you ok?”, asks Hutch worried
straightening to look at Starsky for a sign of pain.
“’course I am, dummy!”, replies Starsky rolling
on his back now laying face to face with Hutch. “It’s been a long time I laugh
that much…It’s been a long time we both laugh that much…”
“Yeah…At last we can get rid of all the worries
and anxiety after the at…”, he can’t say the word, so many bad memories he
doesn’t want to get back.
“After the attack…”, Starsky finishes the
sentence for him. “You don’t have to worry about talking about it,
Blondie…Everything’s over and it’s just another tough moment we got through”,
he adds in a soothing voice and looking deep in those light blue eyes.
“It wasn’t just another tough moment,
Starsk…You can’t make it be that simple…We both know it isn’t…This time you
almost…die”, Hutch says with a lot of anguish in his voice and returning the
gaze.
“In fact…I was really dead some minutes”, adds
Starsky seriously.
“No, please, don’t say that”, says Hutch
putting his hand over his mouth. “When Do-Dobey called me…and told me…what was
happening…I thought…Oh, enough…no more sad talking”, he says avoiding the topic
and looking the other way.
“No, Hutch, it’s good for both of us to talk
about it…You’ve been controlling all the time trying to give me hope and
strength and you never told me what you really felt…I think this is the right
moment so we can go back to work feeling safe again together”, he says taking
Hutch’s face and turning him to face him again.
Hutch sighs and holds Starsky’s hand over his
face. “I almost died too…And I was afraid I wouldn’t get in time…thought I’d
let you down leaving you alone at the hospital”.
“You never let me down, Blondie…And I think I didn’t
die ‘cause I wasn’t the one that didn’t want to let you down…leaving you alone
and knowing you’d be feeling guilty all the time”, he says and there’s a heavy
silence between them, only their eyes speaking.
“Yo-You know me that much?”, asks Hutch shyly.
“I think that more than yourself, Blintz”,
Starsky replies with a sweet smile. “Who’s the only person that can stand your
moody ways?…I wouldn’t let you torture any one else”.
“Then I tortured you all the time, uh?”, asks
Hutch as offended.
“Well…I think…I’m a masochist”, Starsky adds in
a whisper, “…’cause I want you…to go on…torturing me”, he adds with one hand on
Hutch’s cheek and looking him right in the eyes.
Hutch looks him back and just for an instant it
seems he sees in those eyes the same kind of love he feels for his friend, but
he shakes his head trying to take away that idea from his mind.
At the same time, Starsky seems to feel Hutch’s
gaze was telling him his blonde had the same feelings for him. And as Hutch’s
face is blushing and he turns his gaze away, he thinks he isn’t wrong. So he
decides to take a risk for the hope he’s feeling inside. Besides, if he was
wrong he could easily blame champagne and the soapy scene. With his hand still
on his friend’s cheek, he forces him to turn to look at him again and he slowly
lifts his own face getting closer and pulling Hutch down till their mouths
barely touch.
As if touched by an electricity shot, they back
a little but their eyes continue fixed on the other and without a word, they
near again till their lips touch again, but this time the kiss is more intense
and gets deeper both holding each other’s head avoiding to slip away.
“Wh-What was th-that for?”, asks Hutch
breathless after breaking the kiss to get some air.
“I-I’m sorry, Hutch”, Starsky excuses
breathless as well. “It was just…an impulse…forget it, right?”, he adds
straightening on the couch and turning his gaze away.
“Your…impulses…always have a reason”, adds
Hutch straightening too.
“What you think about all the champagne we’ve
drunk!”, Starsky says trying to ease the moment and looking back at him, but
it’s clear the tension on his face. <Try to turn things to other way or
you’ll spoil everything> he thinks.
“We had a lot more other times…and never
happened something like this…” Hutch persists on the topic. <Come on, Hutch,
get things clear, this is the right moment to confirm what you think you’ve
seen in his eyes> he says to himself.
“Well, I wanted to take your attention away
from the attack…”, he smiles sheepishly, “and seems it worked, uh?…And now…I
better get going”, he says standing up. “Today was a very stressful day and I’m
really exhausted…”, he heads to his jacket.
“Starsky, wait…”, says Hutch going to him and
taking his arm to stop him. “Seems to me haven’t finished this conversation”.
“Oh, come on, Hutch…what you want to talk
about?”, Starsky’s getting nervous looking at his blonde’s eyes. “I told you it
was just a game…would you please let it go?”, his eyes pleading fearing the
worst.
“No, I don’t want to let it go…It didn’t seem…a
game to me…And I want to get it right”, says Hutch feeling his heart beating
hard with anxiety waiting for the answer he wants to hear.
“Why do we have to spoil things?…What I have to
say…don’t think you’d like to hear, Blintz…and I don’t want you to hate me for
that…”, he says lowering his eyes.
“How could I hate you, Starsk!…I doubt there’d
be anything that could make me change my feelings for you”, he persists. “If-If
it helps you…I-I took part in it too…I…I really liked the kiss…”
Starsky turns to look at him again surprised
for those words. Yes, he felt Hutch respond to the kiss, but the following
doubt, had made him think he had misunderstood things. He leaves the jacket
again on the chair. “It didn’t bother you…being kissed by another man!”, he
asks stunned and frowning.
“Yo-You aren’t...any other man, Gordo…You
are…the most important…person in my life”, Hutch says looking directly at his
eyes. “You-You’re the person…I-I love…the most in the whole world”, he dares to
say resting both hands on Starsky’s shoulders.
“You’re the one I love the most, Hutch, but…”
he lowers his gaze again.
This time Hutch holds his chin and makes him
face him again. “But what, Starsk…Please tell me what…I think you’re trying…to
say…For the first time I’m afraid I’ve misunderstood what I’ve seen in your
eyes…in your face…in your whole body”.
Starsky lays his hands on Hutch’s hips. “I
think that if you haven’t thrown me away yet…I can tell you…what I really
feel”, he sighs loosing the tension a little and a shy smile lights his face.
“I’m in love with you, Hutch…”, he finally says not knowing what he’s expecting
to come next.
When those so much expected words get to Hutch,
he moans with pleasure and surprise at the same time and without adding a word,
he leans over Starsky till their mouth are joined in a very nice and sweet
kiss. Then he straightens their eyes fixed on each other. “Th-Thank you…”, he
whispers.
“Thanks?”, Starsky asks surprised. “What does
that mean?…Now it’s me who doesn’t understand what you’re trying to say with
your body language…”
Hutch smiles shyly and blushes. “For a long
time now I’ve wanted to hear those words…When I realized my love for you wasn’t just friendship and partnership any
more, I tried to hide it from you fearing I’d lose you…ufff…dummy me!, he adds
shaking his head in disbelief.
“It was the same for me, Blondie…One day I
realized I was in love with you and I wanted to have you all for me, so I
thought the only way I wouldn’t lose you was to silence my true feelings and
just go on the way we were, then at least I could have you as my partner…That
was the reason I did my best to get well…I didn’t want to waste an instant
being away from you and I didn’t want to hold you tied up to an invalid”, he
caresses his cheek.
“No matter how our future would’ve been as we
could be together”, Hutch replies now with a broad smile in his face and more
at ease. “But knowing you’re healthy
and strong again surely makes me happier”.
“Besides…we’ll have lots of things to do together…and
it’s better if we’re in good shape, don’t you think so?”, he winks his eye
mischievously.
“Well…I think something will come to our
minds”, accepts Hutch leaning till his forehead touches Starsky’s.
“Unfortunately we’ll have to hide from the
world…Nobody will understand this kind of love”, says Starsky disappointed.
“I know…but if we lived all this time hiding
our feelings from each other and we did a good work separately, I have no doubt
it’ll be easier if we’re together ‘Me & Thee’ as always”.
“Yeah, ‘Me & Thee’ as always to face
whatever life has ahead for us”.
Slowly their faces get closer till their mouths
touch in a kiss with no more fears and free to show their love to each other,
knowing both feel the same way. And there’ll be enough time to figure out how
to act in front of the others. For now they have the safety of their homes to
enjoy their love without any restriction.
****
Starsky’s heart beats hard due to
his love for Hutch and the happiness knowing his blonde feels the same for him.
Hutch’s heart beats hard knowing his
love for Starsky is returned and because the happiness of being in time to
enjoy it.
Both hearts beat hard full of love,
life and hope for the future to come that will find them closer than ever.