Oil and Coffee

It’s the little things….

Originally published in the SHareCon 2022 Zine.

Before Starsky, Hutch would never have considered an oil change for his car a romantic gesture.

But as Starsky grumbles about “waste of time, should scrap this, get something better,” while continuing to change filters and top off fluids, (and for good measure, changes yet another fuse), Hutch realizes no one has ever shown him more love.

Fancy gifts don’t hold a candle to the sight of Starsky, covered in oil and grease, tenderly lowering the hood, and looking at Hutch with a fond expression. “The things I do for you, Blondie,” Starsky says with a smile and a wink.

~~~

Starsky sits in Hutch’s greenhouse.

Hutch hands him a cup of coffee. “Some coffee with your sugar, Starsk?” Hutch sits on the bench next to him with his black coffee.

“It’s the little things, right, Blintz?” Starsky asks.

“Huh?” Hutch turns to him with his brow furrowed in confusion.

“I always figured romance was all hearts and flowers. Now I think it’s in oil changes and cups of coffee, and just this….” Starsky gestures between them vaguely.

Hutch smiles. “You’re a little weird, Starsk. But right.” He kisses the top of Starsky’s head.

The world stills for just a minute.