Coffee Flavoured Kisses

Starsky just wants a sip of coffee

Posted on A03 under Ugerchucker

Hutch had never been so happy to get off on the third floor of Memorial Hospital. And the reason was something Hutch had at one point never thought possible: Starsky was out of the ICU. He’d been moved to a private room the day before and was too groggy to appreciate that fact, but Hutch had been the happiest he’d been in weeks.

That jubilance was still felt as he practically skipped off the elevator and made his way down the hall to Starsky’s new room; coffee and newspaper in hand.

He pushed the door open quietly, aware that Starsky was probably still asleep. He was correct. His lover was lying on his right side with pillows  propping him up. They did this to take some of the pressure off the wounds on his back, usually after a dressing change. While he’d been freed from the big machines, he was still chained to the bed by a couple of IV’s and a nasal cannula.

Hutch quietly took a seat on the side Starsky was facing and silently sipped his coffee. He spread the paper out over his knees, ready to start reading when a grunt from the bed made him look up. Starsky was starting to go through the slow, painful process of waking up. He’d groan, shift and squirm a little before squinting his eyes open. Then he’d blink and open them a little further.

“Hey Buddy.” Hutch greeted with a giant grin.

It took a moment for Starsky to focus on Hutch’s face. His eyes were still dulled by strong painkillers, but they also showed awareness. “Hey.” he croaked. “When’d you get here?”

“Just arrived. What do you think of your new room?”

“New room?” Starsky blinked and looked around. “Oh yeah” He swallowed and licked his dry lips. “Better than the last.”

“And a lot quieter.” Hutch blew on his coffee before taking a sip.

“Can I have some of that?” Starsky asked

“Some of what?”

“Your coffee.” His finger twitched in the direction of the cup.

Hutch dumbly looked down at the cup of brown liquid. “Uh, I don’t think it’s on the approved dietary list.”

“I’m on a liquid diet, aren’t I?” Starsky said, sounding more awake. “Coffee’s a liquid.”

“True, but I’m pretty sure it’s banned by your doctors.”

“Just want a sip. How much is that going to hurt me?”

“I don’t know, I’m not a doctor, but you just got off the critical list and I’m not going to risk putting you back on it.”

Starsky snorted, which was his best attempt at a laugh. “One sip of coffee isn’t going to do that.”

“And how do you know that?” Hutch said a little louder than intended. “It’s not worth the risk.” His hand started shaking. He put the cup down and shoved his hands between his thighs.

Starsky noticed the change in Hutch and dropped the subject. The short, mild argument had warn him out already. He closed his eyes and they sat in silence.

Hutch knew he was over reacting. He knew a little bit of coffee wasn’t going to harm his partner much, but as far as he was concerned, everything was a threat. Now Starsky was no longer in the ICU he wasn’t being monitored as closely. Someone had to look out of him – to protect him and that was still Hutch’s job. But could he really deny Starsky such a simple pleasure? The tiniest bit of indulgences?

A thought occurred to Hutch and he picked up the cup of coffee, taking a sip. He swilled the liquid around his mouth and swallowed.

“Hey, how about a kiss to say sorry?” Hutch said as he lowered the guard rail and leaned in close. He kissed Starsky on the mouth, using his tongue to encourage Starsky to open up. When he did Hutch made sure to move his tongue all around Starsky’s mouth.

Breaking off, he leaned back and watched Starsky lick his lips.

“Did that give you your coffee fix?” Hutch asked.

Breathing fast and heavy, Starsky opened his eyes and smiled. “Mm, coffee flavoured kisses. The best kind.”