Best Friends Can’t Go Away

Hutch’s New Year’s resolution barely made it to midnight. But what does that mean in the New Year?

Prequel to After by Lisa C.

He had picked up every bottle, the pizza boxes and tried to clean the apartment so it looked halfway decent when his partner returned. Won’t clean it for yourself, but you will for him. Hutchinson, you got it bad. Last night’s New Year’s Eve party had been just the two of them, Hutch didn’t want a date and Starsky’s date broke up with him when he arrived in his tuxedo to pick her up for the charity party they were going to attend.

God, that tux. Hutch chuckled at himself, mooning like a junior high school girl. But damn, he took my breath away. The way his eyes looked, his curls brushing along the collar, and when he took off the tie! Took everything I had not to jump on him and unbutton his shirt with my teeth!

The first part of the evening had been difficult for Hutch. Sitting alone in his apartment, he made his one and only New Year’s resolution: he would never act on his sexual desire for his partner. He knew it would be the hardest of all resolutions, but he had to keep it. Starsky could never know his partner wanted to curl up next him in bed every night. Wanted to run his fingers through all that alluring fur that covered his dark-haired love’s chest, stomach, and beyond. Wanted to map the man’s body with his fingertips, his tongue, his lips. Wanted to hear his name shouted at the culmination of a leisurely but passionate session of lovemaking.

And just as Hutch reinforced in himself the need to keep quiet, his partner had shown up at his door, alone and absolutely stunning in a tuxedo. Hutch had only seen Starsky in a tux once before and they had been too busy trying to find the bad guys for Hutch to spend any time admiring the sight.

“She said it was clear that I’d rather hang out with you than her,” Starsky grouched as the details of the breakup came out. He then proceeded to provide a blow by blow description of the argument that followed. While Starsky vented, Hutch had felt every blow. Every reason why Starsky liked him better than his date was a knife into his heart that said “you still can’t have him.”

They ordered pizza and spent the night watching the different television specials. Then after Dick Clark had signed off, Starsky gathered a pillow and a blanket for the couch. Seemingly only moments later, he stood next to Hutch’s bed telling him to move over. “I’m too old for this. Move over. Your couch is killing my back.”

Remembering what came next left Hutch standing at the sink with his hands in soapy dishwater. It was like I couldn’t stop myself. It was wrong, it was the biggest gamble I’ve ever made in my life. Rolling next to Starsky, then raising himself above the man, Hutch had softly kissed his sleeping friend and before he could draw back, Starsky had slipped his hand behind Hutch’s head and brought him down for another kiss. Possessed, Hutch gave the kiss all he had, tasting and memorizing every nuance of what he thought to be this one time happening.

Starsky had returned the kiss, but then rolled over and settled down to sleep with his back to Hutch. He never opened his eyes, leaving Hutch to wonder if it was all a dream to his partner. He had snuggled close to Starsky, then fallen asleep with the incredible memory playing again and again in his mind.

Waking up alone, he had feared he ruined the best relationship he’d ever had. Until he found the note. The note that made his face split into the sappiest grin he’d ever wore.

Hutch,

Had to get the tux back by 11. Didn’t want to wake you. Thanks for letting me crash here. Be back after lunch.

Starsk

P.S. You’re right, you are a better kisser.

P.P.S. What took you so long?

So now here he stood, finishing the dishes that had sat in the sink for days.

Still enjoying the memory, Hutch jolted when his front door opened and two legs beneath two large grocery bags walked in. Starsky crossed the room to set the bags on the kitchen table.

“Hey.”

“Hey yourself. What’s in the bags?”

“Stuff for today.”

“Stuff?”

“Yeah, stuff. Essentials. Sandwich fixin’s, soda, beer, chips, you know, stuff.” Starsky opened the refrigerator door and started putting the contents of the bags away.

“What’s today?” Hutch asked trying not to sound too wary. He hoped that Starsky might walk up and kiss him when he came in, but the one he wanted so desperately was busy settling things in the fridge. He acted as if nothing had happened last night, and despite the note, Hutch was starting to lose confidence in his assumptions that his partner wanted the same things he did.

“It’s New Year’s Day, isn’t it Hutch?”

“Yeah … and?”

Starsky rose from setting two steaks on the bottom shelf and turned to finish emptying the grocery bags. “We were gunna watch football all day today right? I know UCLA isn’t on until later, but there’s other games to watch first. I think Minnesota’s even in one this year.”

“Doubt it.” Finishing the last dish, Hutch rinsed his hands and the sink.

Starsky folded the grocery bags as he looked around the apartment. “Hey, you cleaned. Great way to start the new year. Is that your resolution? To not live like your apartment got tossed the night before?”

“Funny. You’re here enough. I could say the mess was half yours.” Good job idiot, insult him. That’ll really make him want you.

“Naw, anybody’d know that it was all yours.” Starsky opened meat packages and other sandwich fixing while he grabbed a still wet knife from the dish drainer. “Whatta ya’ want on yours?”

Hutch was out of the kitchen and halfway to the bathroom. “In a minute, Starsk.”

He shut the door and stared at the man in the mirror. Well, does he or doesn’t he? Hutch didn’t know what to think. The note sounded like he wanted this too, but he’s not saying anything. He’s acting like it never happened at all.

“Hutch,” Starsky called from the kitchen. “I’m gunna leave this stuff out so you can make your own sandwich, kay?”

“Sure. Just a sec,” came from behind the bathroom door. Relax, you know he’d never hurt you on purpose, you big dope. He loves me, but that much? I thought so…

Wishing he could go back four or five hours and be there when his partner woke up, Hutch brushed his hair and turned to face whatever the day brought.

He walked into the kitchen but Starsky wasn’t there. A huge sandwich sat on one plate. Two pieces of his favorite multi-grain bread sat on the other. Hutch looked at the food his friend brought. Turkey, Jarlsberg cheese… and grapes? he thought just noticing the fruit in a bowl nearby. He bought this stuff for me. Since the already finished sandwich was overflowing with salami, ham and yellow cheese, Hutch knew that Starsky had bought the foods specifically for him and not as a part of his resolution the night before to start eating healthier.

Starsky walked into the kitchen, reaching for the plate and the soda he’d left out on the table. “Aren’t cha’ hungry?”

“I guess so. Where’d you get this bread?”

“Donna started carrying it since I asked her.”

“Donna?” Hutch was trying not to sound as jealous as he felt. “Who’s Donna?”

“She’s the gal who runs the deli at Harry’s Market-A-GoGo. Harry made a great choice ‘cause she’s really got some gogo, ya know-know?” Starsky elbowed Hutch in the ribs as he mimed just what the “gogos” really were.

“How you can bring yourself to shop in a place called Market-A-GoGo … jeeessz Starsk.”

“How can you argue with great customer service and good food? You know how many things I’ve asked Harry to get, and he does? Yep, I’ll come back there any day. The scenery is just a bonus.” The last statement was punctuated with a patented Starsky leer. Starsky picked up his plate and his soda and walked away.

Hutch’s appetite took a nose dive. The fact that his partner had made it a special point to ask a store to carry his favorite bread was lost on him.

He was just being nice last night. He’s never going to want me instead of all those “gogos.” He picked up the knife and half-heartedly started a small sandwich. It was too much to hope for. I should just be happy with the fact that he didn’t slug me and tell me he never wanted to see me again. He stabbed the cheese slices with the knife. Yeah, be happy I have all my teeth. The pickles were speared next. Just be happy he actually came back and did not demand a new partner.

He finished the sandwich by nearly slamming the top piece of bread onto the pile. He turned and grabbed a soda from the fridge, picked up his plate and headed for the living room.

But no one was there.

“Starsk?” He looked and not only was Starsky not in the living room, neither was his television set.

“Over here, Blondie.”

Turning around, Hutch thought now I’m the one who’s dreaming.

Against the headboard of his big, beautiful brass bed had to be at least half dozen pillows. The dark green sheets were fresh and folded like a Sears catalog shot to show off the bedding’s allure. The shades were pulled about halfway down and candles were all over his dresser – as was his television set. Starsky’s sandwich and soda were on the far nightstand and Starsky … Starsky stood on the far side of the room, dressed only in satiny white boxers and his tuxedo’s bow tie.

“Well, we gunna enjoy the day or what, partner?” Starsky smiled as he came around the bed and took Hutch’s lunch from him. Setting it on the closer nightstand, he turned and took his stunned partner into his arms.

“Don’t think I didn’t see that forehead crease gettin’ deeper and deeper,” his love said, running his hands down Hutch’s arms. When he got to the wrists, he pulled the blond’s arms around his own waist, setting the hands on his back just above his hips. He smiled at the confusion still on Hutch’s face, then pulled him closer and whispered into his ear.

“Surprised? Pleasantly I hope?” he asked. All he got was a stunned nod as he heard the soft background noise of the start of the game.

“See, I had this all planned out in my mind for a long time Hutch. I just sort of adjusted it to fit our day today.” He placed a soft kiss under Hutch’s left ear and leaned back into the grip on his hips.

Hutch looked, and was, thrown for a loop. This was everything he ever wanted. But it couldn’t be real, could it? He tightened his hold on the hips under his hands, his fingers sliding along the satin material.

Looking into his partner’s eyes, Starsky asked, “Last night didn’t mean you wanted to stop being best friends, did it?”

A soft shake. “No.”

“Good. I mean why should that make any difference? I mean, it sorta just seems like it was the next place to go, ya know.” Hutch shifted his weight and pulled Starsky closer. Starsky rested his arms on top of Hutch’s shoulders.

“We were always going to spend today together,” Hutch said softly. He brushed a curl away from his love’s forehead then tugged one end of the bow tie until it came loose. “And you didn’t want us to lose that, right?”

“Right. Being best friends can’t go away Hutch. It can’t. It, well, ya know, kinda defines us to the world.”

“Partners. Best friends. Closer than brothers.” Hutch echoed.

“Now you’re gettin’ it. We can have it all, babe. Best friends watching the football games together on New Year’s Day just like we planned, just like we always do. Just moved us from that uncomfortable couch to a much more comfortable bed.” He smiled and slipped his hands up to stroke the blond strands, the cheek underneath. Slipping one hand to the back of Hutch’s head, he gently tugged him forward.

They were close enough to feel each other breathe when Starsky whispered, “Hangin’ out, shootin’ pool. Workin’ in your greenhouse. Goin’ to the beach. Whatever we always do t’gether.” He took a deep breath and stared into the light blue eyes. “I love you, Hutch. More than I’ve ever loved anyone. More than I ever thought was possible. Say you want it all, babe. Please say we want the same thing. Please say you want it all too.”

As their lips met, the television crowd cheered the second score of the afternoon.