Pot of Gold

217

Hutch takes Starsky hiking.

 

A 20 minute fic challenge using the song: “I’ll sing you a song of the rainbow.”

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For the past twenty minutes, Starsky had a good view of Hutch’s ass. Not that he was complaining. Oh wait, he was. Because why on earth had Hutch thought that camping and hiking was good therapy for a convalescent.

“It’ll be fun, he said,” Starsky grumbled to Hutch’s denim-clad ass. Still, he did have to admit that watching Hutch’s strong thighs as they ascended ever higher into the mountain was worth the huffing and puffing.

“You okay back there, Starsk?” Hutch called over his shoulder.

Starsky didn’t answer. He was afraid if he tried, a gasp would come out and Hutch would get that look of concern and worry on his face—the one Starsky was determined would soon be a thing of the past.

“Starsk?”

Hutch stopped and Starsky bumped into the daypack on Hutch’s back.

“Ow.” He rubbed his nose.

Damn it. That worry was there—all big blue eyes and frowny lines around the mouth and that furrow between the brows.

“Your eyes get bluer when your face is all red,” Starsky said.

Hutch looked at him as if he was nutso and shook his head. “What am I gonna do with you?”

“I can think of a few things,” Starsky said and placed his hand on Hutch’s groin.

Hutch coughed and stepped back just a little. “Too many people on this trail.”

“I can save it til tonight,” Starsky told him. “And I’m doing okay.”

Hutch tilted his head and waited.

“Okay. A little outta breath, but nothing I can’t handle.” Starsky touched his hand to Hutch’s face. “Really, babe.”

Hutch busied himself with a strap and handed the canteen to Starsky. “Drink.”

The water was metallic and slightly warm but it tasted good and after Hutch took his turn, Starsky resumed his pace behind Hutch.

“Where are we headed?”

“You’ll see,” Hutch said. “Only a few more minutes.”

Starsky could hear voices ahead and the sound of water grew louder. He knew they’d been following a stream along the trail although they’d gone ever higher from it.

The trail got muddy and rockier and Hutch stopped, put a hand out for Starsky.

“I don’t want you to fall,” Hutch said.

Starsky nodded and took his hand for the added support. The stream was closer to the trail, the water clear and burbling. The trail switched back one more time.

There were children laughing and the sounds of grown-ups shouting to one another. They came around a stand of pine and Starsky stopped.

Hutch grinned at him. “Worth it?”

Starsky nodded. A waterfall—not particularly high, tumbled over rocks into a a large quiet pool before the water wound down a jumbled bed of rocks. Starsky took a few breaths, easier now that they were stopped and there was more moisture in the air.

Sunlight filtered down onto the pool and where water droplets hung in the air, little rainbows formed.

“You wanna go in?” Hutch asked.

Starsky looked around. There were piles of boots and socks and clothes scattered.

“Hiking down in wet jeans ain’t my idea of fun,” Starsky said.

Hutch was squatting by the daypack and held up a pair of swim trunks. “Never let it be said a Hutchinson isn’t prepared.”

Starsky took the trunks as Hutch pulled out his own pair.

“We can go behind that boulder.” Hutch pointed.

Starsky held the trunks against his chest but didn’t move.

“Hey,” Hutch said and moved closer.

“I’m sorry,” Starsky said. “Wouldn’t wanna scare the kids.”

He watched the play of emotion across Hutch’s face before everything settled into understanding.

“They don’t matter to me,” Hutch said and placed his hand on Starsky’s chest. “Not one bit.”

“But you love me,” Starsky whispered. “I’m not ugly to you.”

He heard Hutch swallow and leaned forward into Hutch’s embrace.

“It’s okay. How about we just take off our boots and socks and wade a bit?”

Starsky nodded.

The water wasn’t as cold as he expected and it felt good on his feet.

They found a flat boulder to sit on, where the mist hit them just right and they could enjoy watching the others in the water.

“Do you see the rainbows?” Starsky asked. His body was against Hutch’s, warm and safe.

“I do,” Hutch said, but he wasn’t looking at the water. He was looking at Starsky.

“Thanks,” Starsky told him. “For bringing me here. For…” He looked at the myriad of rainbows, listened to the soft breeze whispering through the trees, smelled the scent of sun-warmed pine pitch and Hutch, watched the sun turn Hutch’s hair gold. “I think I reached the end of the rainbow.”

Hutch raised his eyebrows and smiled. “Yeah?”

“I found my pot of gold,” Starsky told him. “Right here beside me.”

They couldn’t risk a kiss here—not with the amount of people—but Starsky took Hutch’s hand in his and squeezed it gently—a promise of things to come.