The guys are still housemates, but the stress gets to Hutch when they're given a difficult case... can he hide it from Starsky?
Chapter 1
"Huu-uutch!" whined Starsky. "How many times do I have to tell ya, stop leaving beer bottles on the floor! And socks!"
"Sorry Starsk", replied Hutch, not sounding the least bit sorry.
"Slob. Jeez, just because some people have no concept of tidiness." Starsky grumbled, picking up the beer bottles. Pointedly moving Hutch's feet aside where they rested on the table, he swept some crumbs into his hand and disappeared to the kitchen to dispose of them, still complaining, leaving Hutch grinning.
Starsky had forgotten about their differences in standards when they moved in, but he was remembering now. It amazed him how someone who was so careful about what they put into their body could be willing to live in such an untidy home, and as for the back seat of Hutch's car, there could be all sorts of long-lost items back there, as well as assorted small animals.
He had to admit to himself though, although he would never admit it to his friend, that Hutch was good at cooking when he wasn't making health drinks, and he was good company. Then he saw what was in the sink.
"Hutch! Why is there a plant in our kitchen sink?"
"It was thirsty."
"Oh." Starsky nodded as if that made perfect sense, then confusion crossed his face again. Deciding it was best to just ignore it, he turned to a new topic of conversation.
"Hutch, Catherine's comin' over later," he called from the kitchen.
"Oh great. What time d'you want me to shut myself in my room?"
Catherine was Starsky's latest love interest; a petite girl with long brown hair and dark eyes, and it was getting serious between the two. Hutch was just thankful that he and Starsky had their bedrooms at opposite ends of the landing. He liked her though, she was a sweet, smart girl with a great sense of humour, and she seemed to really understand and accept the partnership between Starsky and Hutch.
Starsky laughed at that. "You don't have to shut yourself away dummy, she wants to see both of us. I thought we could go out for drinks when she gets here."
"Oh, okay. So she gets to go on a date with two guys?"
"Yeah, she likes you. Not as much as she likes me though," he added smugly.
"Yeah, yeah, Romeo."
***
They headed to a local bar for their drinks, and Starsky and Catherine steadily reduced the bar's supply of beer, while Hutch tried to keep a clearer head.
Hutch was in favour of going for a drink in the evenings after work, but Starsky seemed to have the energy to stay out all night. At least the guy wasn't dancing, thought Hutch. However, although he acted impatient, he did like Starsky's girl, and he hoped she was going to be good for his friend.
"Starsk, you do remember we have to leave for work at seven in the morning?"
Starsky had all his attention focused on Catherine and didn't answer.
"Great," sighed Hutch into his glass. At least the music playing in this bar wasn't bad and they had managed to get seats, or he would be more bored than he was already. The bar was pretty full, so Hutch sat there people-watching for a while.
Several hours later, and Starsky had finally put Catherine down, and was paying attention to Hutch again. "Hutch? What time d'you say we have to leave tomorrow?"
"Seven," Hutch yawned.
"D'you think we should be heading home?"
"Yeah, I guess so." Truth be told, Hutch had been thinking about heading home for a while now.
They drove home, Starsky stopping to say goodnight to Catherine when they reached her apartment, as Hutch waited, tapping his fingers against the dash. Finally Starsky got back into the car and allowed them to continue back to the house.
The pair started to make their way inside, but Starsky suddenly stopped to observe the outside of their house. "Is that a loose tile on the roof again?"
"Oh yeah, I think it is. Come on Starsk, let's get inside." Starsky was blocking the route to the door, and Hutch really wanted to see his bed.
"It needs fixing then." Starsky was still gazing at the roof. He wanted the house to be complete, and anything out of place annoyed him.
"Not right now it doesn't."
"Yeah, okay, and anyway, I don't know if I can trust you up there again, klutz."
Although Starsky could joke about the incident now, it really hadn't been funny at the time, when Hutch had decided to fix the roof alone and ended up injuring himself.
Hutch sighed. "Very funny. Now will you move before I'm forced to carry you inside", he replied firmly, grabbing Starsky's arm and forcing him to the door.
"It's okay Hutch, you're not my type," answered Starsky, although at least now he was heading inside.
They finally got into the house, where Starsky headed straight for his room with a tired "G'night Blintz." Hutch replied with his own goodnight, then headed for the kitchen, where he removed his plant from the sink with a smile and replaced her in her spot on the windowsill, before heading for his own much-appreciated bed.
Hutch found himself wondering what kind of work tomorrow would bring, and whether there would be any new cases for them, as he fell asleep.
TBC