Time to Start Over

Our guys and their thoughts right after Anna left.

Episode related: A Body Worth Guarding.

I get it… you know… I get it. She’s just too good to be true! Beautiful and smart… the only bad thing is that she can dance! He and Anna Akhanawatzhername would’ve been “The Couple” on the dance floor.

Starsky stared at the horizon where the sky kissed the ocean for another minute or so, before heading home.

Belaya River eyes…

***

I don’t get it… you know… I just don’t get it. I don’t want her to go, and I don’t want her to stay, either. She wants me to come visit her. I want to, but I wouldn’t. “Starreffski” would stay behind, just like he did when I left to go the airport with Anna.

Stuck in a traffic jam, Hutch stared grimly at the bumper sticker on the Ford sedan in front of him. “Don’t kiss me.”

***

I don’t think Hutch will stop by my apartment tonight. He… he may want to be by himself. He’s weird, but I don’t think he knows that.

Starsky emptied his beer and picked another one from the fridge.

When Huggy said I looked weird, I thought he was teasing me and my full suit, cos I was outt’a my element.

“A Starsky without a Hutch is like a pig without the poke.”

My element!

***

I couldn’t stay away even if my life depended on it. I miss Starsky. I miss his smile. I miss having him next to me.

Hutch walked into Starsky’s apartment. He was lying on the sofa; a beer sat on the coffee table. Hutch got rid of his jacket and got a Coors out of the fridge.

Starsky wasn’t expecting me. I could tell. His stares arrowed right through my skull. He already knows everything that’s going on in my head.

Hutch stood at the dining table, fidgeting with the beer bottle. Starsky was on the phone. “A large pizza; half with veggies and the other with everything else.”

There’s so much to say, Starsk, but not enough words, and I don’t know where to start.

***

Hutch’s hurting. I can tell. His thoughts are jumping around and he’s lost. I think he’s forgotten the mechanics of bottle opening.

Starsky took the bottle out of Hutch’s hands and twisted the cap off. “That bad, huh?”

Hutch grabbed the beer from Starsky and placed it on the dining table. He wiped his hands on his pants, still avoiding eye contact. Then he took Starsky’s hands in his, and rubbed his thumbs over Starsky’s knuckles.

Ah, Hutch, you’re feelin’ guilty for missing Anna. You would’ve been happy with her, but the honeymoon wouldn’t have lasted that long.

She can’t give you everything you need, Hutch.

***

I had to get it off my chest. “Starsk,” I began, but my throat closed up on me. I should’ve had a sip of the drink. How could I tell him that I was even considering going away with her for a short while? “I umm…” Dammit, I can’t tell him! “I was umm… one time… thinking of–”

“I know,” Starsky cut Hutch off quickly.

Of course he knew. This is Starsky! But did he really think that I would’ve left him? The thought hurt too much. “But I wouldn’t have–“ Hutch began.

“You better not!” Starsky said gruffly, not allowing Hutch to complete his sentence.

Hutch leaned over and rested his forehead on Starsky’s shoulder. Starsky wrapped his arms around Hutch and pulled him into a tight embrace.

Hutch fit into each and every curve and plane in Starsky’s body naturally.

***

It has been too damn long.

Starsky held Hutch possessively and protectively.

I’ve got you, partner, and it’s time to move on.