granderobino | Snippet for Nickygabriel (Reply)

For dear Nicky who wanted gen/het and gave me the prompt word: Proposal
Talk about going out of my comfort zone. But this was fun. I hope she likes it.

Proposal

Starsky was surprised to find Hutch at his door that evening.

“Thought you had a date with Leslie,” he said in a mildly scolding tone. “This was gonna be the night you popped the question. Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet?”

Starsky meant it, he was really glad for the woman Hutch had been dating this past year. It was the first woman in what seemed like forever that he thought might be deserving of his partner’s affections.

It helped that Leslie understood Hutch’s need for space to be able to do his job as well as his tendency to want to spend a good portion of his off hours with Starsky. She never pressured him to spend more time with her, and she was fun to hang out with when it was the three of them or when Starsky brought along a date.

Blessedly absent were accusations that Hutch was ‘too much’ of one thing and ‘not enough’ something else. If you asked Starsky, he’d tell you that his partner was just about perfect and any woman who couldn’t see that…well, it was their loss.

Hutch smiled a little shyly and scuffed his foot.

Starsky noticed he was wearing a new suede jacket over a soft green shirt and sweater combination. His hair was combed perfectly and he seemed to be shining from within. In his hands he held a large bouquet of yellow and red roses. He was definitely going for a memorable impression on this date.

“I’ve got some time before I meet Leslie,” Hutch explained. “You got a minute?”

Not wanting to quash his partner’s resolve, Starsky decided to forgo the usual tendency for flip remarks and reassured him, “For you, always. You need a pep talk, or something?”

Starsky moved aside and made a sweeping gesture with his arm from the doorway into his apartment.

Taking his cue, Hutch came inside unbuttoned his jacket and took a seat on the sofa, gently setting the flowers beside him. Starsky grabbed a couple of sodas from the fridge and offered one to Hutch, who took it with a smile.

“So, shoot. What’s on your mind, Blondie?”

Hutch took a deep breath and began, “You know I’m planning on asking Leslie to marry me tonight.”

Starsky just smiled and nodded, hoping he was getting across that he was on board with the idea.

“So, it occurred to me that this affects more than just me…”

“I’m sure Leslie thinks so,” Starsky chuckled.

“Well, yeah. But beyond just Leslie and me…”

“Like who? This is about you guys. That’s all that should matter. You love each other, and you make each other happy.”

“Well, there’s you…” Hutch’s voice trailed off as he saw confusion cross Starsky’s features.

“Hutch, I helped you pick out the ring, for cryin out loud. I think Leslie’s great. More than that, I think she’s great for you. That’s why I’m gonna stand right there by your side when you exchange vows. Really, Hutch. I’m good,” Starsky confirmed.

“I believe you, buddy,” Hutch told him, “But it feels like I owe you something for supporting me…through all my false starts…”

Starsky started to protest, but Hutch silenced him with a shake of his head.

“You know what I mean. I haven’t always shown the best judgment, especially when it came to women – “

“Well, I’ll give ya that,” Starsky agreed a little reluctantly.

“But you were always there for me, when it inevitably went wrong. You never judged me –“

“’Course not. You were witness to some pretty spectacular failures on my part as I recall. I’m just glad we could be there for each other.”

“Me too. Leslie agrees with me. She’s seen how you always stick up for me and take my side,” Hutch continued speaking in earnest, “And, I guess I’ve realized that was the reason I was able to open up to her and let her into my life. So she wanted to make sure I took the time to tell you how much we both appreciate that.”

Starsky was truly touched by Hutch’s words.

“Happy I could help, partner,” he said as he squeezed Hutch’s shoulder.

“And this part is important –“ Hutch added, “I can promise you that nothing or no one will ever come between you and me and our friendship. If Leslie didn’t agree with that stipulation then I wouldn’t be asking her to marry me.”

Hutch struggled a bit unable to find the words for what he was trying to say.

Reading his partner’s thoughts, as usual, Starsky quickly set about putting him at ease, the most familiar way he could. He gathered the blond to his chest in big hug. Hutch returned the hug and seemed grateful for his partner’s understanding.

“Sorry, for going all soapy on you,” Hutch admitted sheepishly.

“Don’t you worry about it, Blintz. Some things call for a little soap,” Starsky managed around the lump in his throat.

He released Hutch and backed up gesturing to brush off his suede jacket. “Okay, lemme look at you,” Starsky said with an appraising glance.

“Yeah. I think you’ll do,” he said with a wink, “Though the flowers are a nice way to seal the deal.”

And now Hutch blushed, “Oh these. Well, they aren't all for Leslie.”

Starsky cocked an eyebrow, inquisitively.

Hutch picked up the blooms and Starsky realized it was actually two bouquets.

“The red ones of for her of course, but these” Hutch explained as he offered the smaller bouquet of six yellow roses to his partner, “are for you. Yellow roses symbolize friendship.”

Starsky was genuinely moved now.

“Wow. Thanks, Hutch,” he stammered, “I, uh, didn't get you anything...”

It was Hutch's turn to gather his partner into a big bear hug.

“You give something, every day, more valuable than you could imagine. You're friendship means the world to me, Starsk.”

“Me too, Hutch,” Starsky replied. “But I like the flowers too. Thanks.”

Taking a final pull from his soda and handing it to Starsky, Hutch made a show of straightening his shoulders, and heading for the door.

“Well, here goes nuthin'” he cracked. “Wish me luck.”

“I will, but you won't need it. Call me tomorrow and tell me if she liked the ring I helped ya' pick,” Starsky said amiably as he gave Hutch a final squeeze on the arm, then gently pushed him out the door.

Smiling, he picked up his yellow roses and went to find a cut glass vase for them.