I don't own anything. Enjoy the story!

"That's 75% of the time we spend together and you're not even a good kisser." Hutch smirked, but realized instantly that it was a mistake to say that last part, because Starsky, who had been on the verge of tuning him out, immediately snapped to attention.

"How do you know that?" Starsky's eyes widened.

Hutch paled and focused his attention on the road. Things were getting awkward enough; he didn't need to add any more to it.

"Hutch!"

"Listen, what you don't know, won't hurt you."

"Yeah," said Starsky, "but it might hurt you."

Hutch grinned. "Ooh, is that a threat?"

"Well as a matter of fact... Hey."

"Starsk, that tone of voice really disturbs me. 'Hey' what?"

"You're flirting with me."

"Of all the – I was not flirting with you."

Starsky raised an eyebrow in the review mirror.

"Well, you started it."

Starsky looked up from the magazine he'd found on the floor. "Started what?"

Hutch shifted uncomfortably. "Flirting." The word suddenly sounded clunky and thick.

Starsky smiled and folded his arms on Hutch's shoulders. "You know somethin'?"

"I'm afraid to ask," Hutch mumbled.

"You're very cute when you're flustered."

"Flustered?"

Starsky went on, caught up in his observation. "Your eyes get all crinkly, and you duck your head and kinda smile. And blush."

Hutch glared at him in the review mirror.

"Boy, if looks could kill, you'd have one dead cop on your hands right now."

"That's better than having him someplace else on me."

Starsky winked. "Better watch that flirting, Romeo."

"It was an insult!" Hutch groaned.

"Coming from you to me, they're about the same thing."

"Starsky!"

"There's only one way you can shut me up," Starsky pronounced gleefully.

"I was only teasing about that other time." The light turned red just as they pulled up to the streetlight. Hutch sighed. "I never actually kissed you."

"Good, cuz I don't remember it anyway." Starsky leaned forward ever so slightly.

Hutch turned his head to say something, but stopped abruptly when he saw their noses were almost touching now. Two pairs of bright blue eyes locked for the longest time.

Then Hutch whirled around and the car sped forward, sending Starsky tumbling in the backseat.

"Hey!"

"The light turned green. You almost got us in a wreck there, buddy." Hutch forced a laugh.

Starsky folded his arms and stared out the window. "Yeah," he said tonelessly, picking up the magazine again and flipping through it.

Several minutes passed. Hutch glanced at him. "Doing anything for dinner tonight?'

"What?" Starsky gazed at him incredulously. Hutch never was very good at abrupt subject changes.

"I was just wondering," said Hutch good naturedly.

"Lemme guess – you're making some kind of lethal veggie stew with grilled tomatoes on the side, and in place of wine we'll have prune juice."

"Not even close! But you are coming, right?"

Starsky grinned. "What do you think?"

Hutch smiled and continued driving, happy that Starsky could pick himself up so quickly. He tried to ignore the small twinge of regret nagging in the back of his mind.