Starsky put the last ornament on the tree, then stepped back to admire his handy work. Even though he was Jewish, he loved Christmas. Not the religious side of course, but the decorations, the singing, the anticipation of the children, and the way that most people seemed to forget their worries and hope won out for a short time. Receiving gifts was also good! Hutch always complained that he was worse than a little kid at Christmas time, but he couldn't help it.

The tree looked great, and now he couldn't wait until Christmas Day. This year he wasn't working and he was spending the day with Hutch. There was no one he would rather spend the day with. Hutch was the most important person in his life, the only person he fully trusted! They were going to have Christmas dinner together and watch TV. Nothing too complex, just spending quality time when each other and no one else as distractions. He had found a beautiful sweater for Hutch that would suit his coloring, and set off his blue eyes. It was also beautifully soft to the touch. Starsky himself only wanted one thing for Christmas, but he knew he wouldn't get it. All he wanted was his partner. He had fallen in love with Hutch, but he knew that he would have to settle for just being friends. Being friends was better than nothing at all. Even so, he couldn't wait for Christmas Day to arrive. * * *

Christmas Day dawned, and Starsky woke early. He couldn't sleep as he was excited by the fact that Hutch was going to be here. He couldn't wait to have him all to himself. He could pretend for a day that Hutch was all his!

He rose and started preparing the day's food. The turkey had to be stuffed and put in the oven, the vegetables prepared, and the salad fixed. The eggnog had to be completed, and snacks set out. He wanted to have it all done by the time his partner got here so that he wouldn't have to interrupt his time with the man. * * *

Starsky was setting out the last of the snacks when he heard Hutch arriving. He felt his heart leap at the sound, and had to take some deep breaths to calm himself down before greeting his best friend.
"Hi Hutch. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas Starsk. Where do you want these?" He nodded at the pile of presents he was carrying.
"Just put them under the tree. Where did they all come from?" Starsky questioned.
"Me, Huggy, the Dobey's, and your mother." Hutch answered as he set the presents down.
"Why did my mother send my presents to you?"
"Because she knows how much of a big kid you are."
"What's that s'posed to mean?"
"She knew they wouldn't last until Christmas if she sent them to you."
Starsky tried to look innocent, but Hutch just laughed.
"That look doesn't work with me Starsk... I know you too well! You wouldn't know innocent if you fell over it!"
Starsky just pouted at that and tried to look hurt, but that just caused Hutch to crack up again. It didn't take long before Starsky joined him.

When they calmed down, Starsky brought out the eggnog and some snacks.
"Who's gonna be Santa?" Starsky asked excitedly, giving free reign to the kid inside.
"You can. How will we go about it?"
"How about if I hand them all out now, but we take turns opening them one at a time?" Starsky suggested.
"Sounds good. That means you won't have to keep jumping up and down all the time."
Starsky quickly handed out the gifts, and they got stuck into the serious business of unwrapping gifts. * * *

Wrapping paper littered the living room, and both men sat amongst a pile of goodies. Hutch had loved the sweater so much, that he had immediately put it on. Starsky was playing with a puzzle that his mother had given him, and Hutch couldn't help but grin at the child like enthusiasm. Suddenly Hutch felt nervous when he thought of the present he still had for Starsky. He didn't know if he should give it to him on not. If he didn't like it, it would spoil the whole day. It could even mean the end of their friendship.
"Starsk..." Hutch started.
"Yeah?"
"I have something else for you, but I'm not sure if you'll like it..." Hutch trailed off again. He was so nervous he was almost shaking. He handed a small box to Starsky, but couldn't bring himself to watch him open it.
Starsky tore into the paper with his normal enthusiasm, and found a small ring box. When he opened the box, he stared in amazement. Inside was a beautiful, gold signet ring with S&H engraved on it. When he removed it from the box to look at it properly, he noticed the engraving on the inside. As he read the inscription, he felt his heart fill with joy. There in neat, cursive writing was what he had hoped for... DS I love you KH. He was so overwhelmed that he couldn't say anything. He looked up at Hutch and saw how scared his partner was. He still couldn't find the words, so he reached out instead. When he touched Hutch's face, Hutch lifted his eyes to meet his. Their gazes locked, and Starsky felt as if he was drowning. Conscious thought left as he pulled Hutch's head towards his own. The lips met tentatively, growing bolder with each second. Hutch's tongue asked for entrance, and Starsky let him in. When their tongues met, both men groaned, and all hesitation ended.

When they finally broke apart for air, both men were gasping for breath. Somehow they had moved so that they were now lying on the sofa, legs and arms entwined. Starsky could feel how aroused Hutch was and was elated by the fact that he had caused it!
"I love you too Babe." Starsky finally managed to whisper. He was rewarded with the most beautiful smile from Hutch, and felt himself falling in love all over again.
"I was hoping you did, but I was scared that I was just seeing things that went there."
"I have always loved you Babe. I don't know when I fell *in* love with you, but it was a long time ago now."
"Same here. I do love you Starsk... so much."
They kissed again, savoring the sense of "rightness" they both felt. Finally, they both felt complete. This love they shared was what they had been waiting for all of their lives.

This time as they kissed, their hands gave into the compulsion to explore the familiar, but new, territory. Hands pushed under clothing so as to reach skin, and both men groaned at the intimate touches bestowed. Neither men were aware of anything else except for the other body in their arms, so it took a while for the buzzing noise that was coming from the kitchen to register.
"What's that noise Starsk?"
"The timer to tell me that lunch is ready."
"How about we just ignore it?" Hutch asked hopefully. Now that he had his hearts desire, he was reluctant to let go in case it was just a dream.
"No way Babe. I spent all that time preparing the food, so we are going to eat it... Besides, I'm hungry!"
"You're always hungry Love." Hutch smiled indulgently before kissing Starsky's nose. He rose reluctantly from the sofa so that Starsky could get to the kitchen.
Before leaving the living room, Starsky grabbed Hutch again.
"I love you Hutch... so much. Thank you for the best Christmas ever."
"I love you too."
They kissed again, saying everything without words.
As they made their way into the kitchen hand in hand, they knew that this was the first of many Christmases to come. This relationship was definitely forever, and that they would celebrate each Christmas they had left *together*. 9th January, 2001

Note: I was going to write a sex scene, but the story changed as I wrote it. Originally they were going to eat lunch and then Hutch would give Starsky a card, but Hutch got impatient and more extravagant. I only write what they tell me to!

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