Labyrinth by M. Decker & C. Davis (slash) NC-17, 300K

I love this story!  Why didn't these authors write any more?  It's set in the midst of canon, smack dab in the hiatus between seasons three and four.  The guys are burned out, and Hutch suggests they get away for a bit together to recharge.  They drive up to San Francisco, and stay at a bed and breakfast Hutch found.  The place is lovely; only they soon realize their gay hosts have assumed they're gay as well.  At first, such an assumption rubs Starsky the wrong way, but soon he gets used to the idea.

Everything is going fine until they stumble into a gay club, and the closeness they're enjoying, coupled with the freedom of being in a new gay-friendly town prompts changes in their relationship.  Both men throw themselves wholeheartedly into their new romance.  But when their vacation draws to a close, reality rears its ugly head.  Starsky comes to the conclusion there's no way they can continue with what they have and return to their lives in Bay City.  So, despite his very real love for his partner, he puts an end to the physical side of their relationship.

Thus, an explanation is given for fourth season Hutch, his unhappiness, and the distance you can feel between Starsky and him. 

This is a terrific, angsty lovefest, with steamy bedroom scenes, longing, estrangement, love in so many forms, and a kind of evitable buildup to the guys finally being where they need to be.  And it has illustrations by Suzan Lovett!  All in all, a wonderful, engrossing read.

Hutch leaned against the hood of the Torino, arms folded. "So, where do you want to go now, Starsk? Last night. Your choice."

"My choice...?" Starsky fingered the car keys absently. "Would you mind if we just went back to the Bayberry? Huh?"

"I think that sounds like a very good choice. Last nights should be memorable...." A shiver that had nothing to do with the cold ran down Hutch's spine. Damn! Why does that make me feel so...sad? No, not sad. Scared.

The View from the Bottom by Rebelcat (slash) NC-17, 67K

Rebelcat is a Starsky girl, while I'll confess to being more about Hutch.  Yet even though this story is utterly from Starsky's perspective, it's as much about the blond one as it is about the guy with the curls. 

The boys are in a relationship post-SR.  The sex is all Starsky could ask for and more—with one small exception.  Hutch is always the aggressor.  Starsky isn't sure how or why this is the case, but he is determined to mix things up.  Only Hutch isn't all that willing to give up control.  Graphic sexual encounters and hilarity ensue.  Yet, beneath it all is a melancholy and a sweetness that's as unexpected as it is welcome.  This is Rebelcat's genius.  She puts the guys in situations that in anyone else's hands would be way over the top, and makes them feel real and grounded.  This one is funny and hot.

Then Hutch’s hand cupped the bulge in the front of his jeans, and any notion he might have about who was really in charge went right out the window. Before Starsky knew quite how it had happened, his pants were down around his ankles, and his mind was gibbering incoherently somewhere… somewhere else. Nowhere within useful reach, anyway.

Switch Hitters by Kaye Austen Michaels (slash) NC-17, 336K

In another section I'd made mention of KAM's willingness to go the AU route with our boys.  This is a prime example.  You don't have to like baseball to enjoy this story, but it certainly doesn't hurt. 

Hutch is a troubled pitcher and Starsky is the veteran catcher assigned to whip him into shape.  They don't like each other all that much in the beginning.  But as they work together, first a friendship grows, then a physical relationship. 

From the start, however, they've got issues.  Starsky makes it clear the only place he "catches" is behind home plate, neither are willing to jeopardize their careers nor entirely give up the ladies.  Through everything, however, their passion grows until finally everything has to change.

KAM is one of the very best writers in all of S&H.  I could recommend any one of her stories, but this is special.  Maybe it's the scope of it (the story spans five years, with locations scattered across the country), maybe it's the huge cast of supporting characters (all from canon, though playing very different roles), or the way she manages to bring in humor, angst, action and that soul deep affection that only KAM can write.  It's a keeper, and can be found in the Files section of Love of Me and Thee's Yahoo group page, or in the zine Timeless II.

"Ooomph! I wish I'd thought for us to do this in a ballpark with real grass." Starsky began to laugh. "You win. The mound is yours. Won't ever try to take it away from you again. Wanna get off me, you big lug, while I can still breathe?"

Fools and Kings by Jat Sapphire (slash) NC-17, 93K

Jat Sapphire is known for her NC-17 stories, with good reason.  Sometimes she envisions the boys more as casual sex partners.  This time, however, their bond is more complicated than that, and more troubled.

Starting with Gillian's death, she traces Starsky and Hutch's evolving relationship.  They start out as friends, graduating only later to a physical relationship.  While they grow accustomed to having each other in their beds, they also never stop seeing women.  By the time Hurricane Kira roars into their lives, both detectives are older, more cynical and yet more needful of each other than ever before.  Unfortunately, that need doesn't stop Starsky from declaring his love for a beautiful blonde other than his partner.  Angst and anger come between our heroes, but their love never entirely goes away.  So when Hutch finally finds the courage to admit his need, Starsky is able to meet him halfway.

The story ends happily, but the conclusion is bittersweet.  The author doesn't let you forget what episode follows Starsky vs. Hutch in canon (nor should she).  The guys are able to weather this particular storm, but we know there is even worse to come.  This knowledge lends the story a poignancy that lifts it to the very top of Jat Sapphire's oeuvre.  I consider this high praise because all her work is excellent.

Trouble, trouble, trouble, chanted in Starsky's mind. Trouble on the way—if Hutch fell in love, or even if he didn't. And how could Starsky say a single word, when all Hutch had to do was raise those remembering eyes to bring up Rosey Malone?

Fantasy Friday by Keri T. (slash) NC-17, 46K

My final Romance rec is a story that is sweetly kinky.  Keri T. is one of the nicest people in all of S&H, so you've got to figure that even her edgier fic is going to have a warmth about it.  This one certainly does. 

The guys are in a committed relationship.  Things are going fine, but Starsky wants to spice up their sex life a bit.  He challenges Hutch to confess a sexual fantasy he's always wanted to be part of, but never had the opportunity to make happen.  Hutch is reluctant at first, so Starsky shares with him something involving a "sexy" smelling garage, the Torino, and Hutch, bent over the car's hood.  Turned on now himself, Hutch blurts out his secret desire.  And is shocked and amazed when Starsky is more than willing to fulfill it.

What I adore about this story is that it's hotter than Hades, but also funny, with Hutch's fantasy being as awkward to carry out as it is sexy, the way such things can be sometimes, even between two people who know each other as well as our heroes do.  She makes it feel real between them, which is saying something, given the situation she creates.

And anytime she wants to tackle that sequel she hints about at the end of this story—I'm there!  With bells on!!

Starsky moved closer to Hutch and hooked one finger under his chin until their eyes met.

"My idea is Fantasy Friday."

Hutch said nothing, as he waited patiently for Starsky to say more.

"Well, whatcha think?"

"I’m shutting up until you tell me your idea."

"I just told you!"

"I’m gonna need a little more information, Starsk," Hutch said, deciding to rest his head against Starsky’s shoulder now that they were sitting so close together.

"Huh, and here I thought the name I came up with was self-explanatory."

 

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