I’m In You

An 8 Track tape brings the boys closer.

“Hutch, uh, I really want you to hear something. Something that I wanted you to know for a long time. Says what I can’t, you know… say.”

“What is it, Starsk?” Hutch’s voice was wary, tense. It couldn’t be, not now, not after all this time. After he’d almost succeeded in blocking it out.

“Just listen.” Starsky popped the cassette into the machine.

I don’t care where I go
When I’m with you
When I cry, you don’t laugh
Cause you know me…

Hutch’s face reddened. He stared down at the floor. And quietly listened to the 8 track through to the end. To the words he’d been waiting for, wanting to hear.

I’m in you, you’re in me
I’m in you, you’re in me

Cause you gave me the love
The love that I never had…

Hutch shivered inside. He tried to lift his head but it felt like a lead weight. He struggled to find the right words, fighting his own better judgment. “Starsk… I didn’t know you felt. I don’t know how to tell you this, but–” He looked down at the floor, and hid his face.

“Don’t say anything, you don’t have to say anything at all. Just look at me, babe. It’s OK. Shhh”.

He held Hutch close in his arms, stroking his back. His large hands soothing, but firm.

Hutch finally looked up. Right into those baby blues. Those eyes knew him intimately, pierced through his shame, shattered him to the core. He felt his pulse quicken and his body respond. Before he could stop himself, he reached up, kissed Starsky on the mouth, roughly, passionately.

And Starsky kissed back.