What do you do when you fall in love with your best friend? That was the problem that Hutch was facing now. Complicating the matter was the fact that his best friend was very definitely male. Never before had even thought about being with a man. Now he was definitely thinking about it. Dreams of Starsky were starting to invade his sleep, and fuelled his fantasies. Starsky was incredibly sexy. Even though he teased his partner about being scruffy, the way he dressed suited him... especially those jeans. Starsky could really fill out a pair of jeans! Sometimes though he wondered how the hell he could move when they were so tight! Still, they gave Hutch a great view of that firm, rounded ass, and hid little of his other "attributes"! The fact that Hutch knew exactly what Starsky looked like naked helped him to add a touch of reality to his fantasies. Considering the fact that Starsky seemed to live on junk food, there wasn't a spare ounce of fat anywhere! His body was incredibly sexy... and the thought of rubbing up against that hairy chest sent shivers through Hutch's body.

The main problem was that he couldn't tell Starsky. He would not appreciate knowing that Hutch was head over heels for him. Hutch hadn't been sure of what Starsky had thought of the idea of two males until John Blaine had been killed. His reaction to the fact that John was gay had convinced Hutch not to let Starsky know of his love. The problem was that it was getting stronger all the time. Hutch didn't know how much longer he could keep it from him. If Starsky found out, he could lose his friendship, and being friends with Starsky was better than not having him in his life at all. He didn't even consider the fact that Starsky would return his feelings... there was absolutely no chance of that!

The more Hutch agonized over his problem, the more depressed he became. He was so introspective, that he didn't notice the looks that Starsky kept throwing his way. He was worried about the blonde man. For some time now, Hutch had been worrying about something. He just wished that he could make whatever it was go away as he hated to see Hutch hurting. He lived for his smile, as it always seemed to light up the whole room. Lately though when Hutch smiled, it didn't reach his eyes. He loved Hutch so much, but he knew that Hutch didn't feel the same way about him. He treasured their friendship because he got to spend time with his love. He wouldn't ever tell him though, as he never wanted to lose Hutch. That would hurt worse than the pain of keeping his love hidden.

Starsky watched Hutch carefully in order to find out what was wrong. The longer he watched, the more worried he became. He felt his world starting to fall apart as he realized that Hutch knew how he felt. Lately Hutch had stopped touching him like he usually did, and had even declined a couple of nights out when Starsky knew that he had been free. The only explanation Starsky could think of was that Hutch knew and he was trying to be polite while deciding how to tell him he wasn't interested. He may even decide to end the partnership. He hoped it wouldn't come to that, as he needed Hutch.

The more he thought about it, the more he realized that he had to say something in order to salvage their relationship. If he put it off much longer, they would never be able to recover. He had to do it as soon as possible.

Starsky had finally managed to get Hutch alone for the first time in four days.
"Hutch... we have to talk."
//Oh hell... he knows. I must not have hidden it well enough. What am I going to do now?// Hutch was panicking so much it took him a moment to understand exactly what Starsky was saying.
"I thought I had managed to hide from you how much I love you, but it has been obvious for awhile that you are uncomfortable around me now. I don't want to lose your friendship Hutch, but if you want to end it, I will understand. But, if you decide to stay, I promise I won't touch you as it seems to bother you..." Starsky trailed off. He hadn't been able to look at Hutch as he spoke and so hadn't seen the blonde's face light up as he took in Starsky's words.
"Don't you dare not touch me!" Hutch blurted out.
Starsky looked at Hutch in shock. Hutch launched himself at the stunned man. The next thing Starsky knew, he had his arms full of Hutch, and he was being kissed as he never had before. They broke apart only when air became necessary.
"We are both such idiots." Hutch chuckled breathily. "I love you too Starsk."
Starsky's already beaming face became incandescent at this.
"Love you so much Babe."
They kissed again to seal their love. Both knew that this was *it*. This love was what they had been searching for in every relationship, never realizing it had been beside them all along. This was the first day of the rest of their life!

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