Work Text:
Tools of the trade.
“What the hell were you thinking?” Starsk shouted angrily as Hutch cuffed the man.
“I was thinking I couldn’t shoot an unarmed man!”
“He wasn’t unarmed! He had that nail gun thing aimed at your face.”
“Starsk, the nails wouldn’t have hit me at that distance.” Hutch calmly replied trying to reassure his partner.
“And how would you know that! And why’d ‘a step forward?”
“You wouldn’t…you didn’t shoot him!” Hutch retorted.
“No! I shot the electric nail gun thing, just in time.” Starsky replied trying to hold his anger back.
“Excuse me, officers, actually that was an industrial screw and nail gun you shot.” The site foreman said correcting him.
“Look sir, I don’t…” Starsky shouted.
“I think my partner was going to say that in the future, ensure your work sites are kept secure.”
“Yes, officer, can I retrieve the rest of the tools from his car.”
“Starsk, take this man back to the car and I’ll deal with this.” Hutch guided the silent cuffed man to his partner and hoped his partner would calm down before he re-joined him.
As Hutch walked back to Starsky, he passed a group of builders on a break. “…poor cop, has no idea what he’s dealing with.”
Hutch pulled his badge and yanked the man up from where he was sat. “Well, I suggest you tell me, and I mean now.” The man held by the scruff of his shirt just stared at the badge. The other men looked dumbstruck at the situation. “Now what were you saying?”
“Err…it’s a misunderstanding…the architect man, he’s with the other cop. He’s not like us…”
If looks could kill, Hutch’s look would have killed him by now.
“He…he’s showing him how to use the tools…that’s all, I swear!”
“What aren’t you telling me?” Hutch tightened his grip on the man’s sweater.
One of other guys leaned forward. “He’s right…Mr. Thomas, how can I say it? He ‘ah took a fancy to the cop. And I mean a fancy. Like he said, he’s not like us. Lucky if he even knows how to those new electric tools.”
Hutch grip loosened and he smoothed the sweater material down on the man’s shoulder, turned and briskly walked in Starsky’s direction without saying a word. As he turned the corner, he saw Starsky bending over, looking at something on the floor, his tight jeans leaving little to imagination. Then a man stepped into view, and he was clearly taking in the same view that Hutch had been admiring.
As he approached, he caught some of what the man was saying. “…screws in good and deep…slow or fast, and holds firm.” The man stepped back for a better view.
“Starsky! Gotta get going,” Hutch suddenly shouted, joining them as the man was about to give Starsky his business card.
“Hutch, Mr. Thomas let me try one of these new tools.”
‘I’m sure he did!’ Hutch thought, looking directly at the man as he curtly thanked him for his help.
Back in the office, Hutch hovered over Starsky, snatching the report the minute he signed it.
“Hutch, what’s got into you? If that ink smudges, you’re retyping it!”
Hutch turned back to Starsky. Noticing that there was no one else in the office, he put his arm around his partner’s shoulder and leaned in to whisper, “Let’s go, you’re coming back to mine…I’m gonna pin, no, nail you…”
“Hutch, you didn’t sign this report.” Dobey’s voice bellowed out.
He grabbed the pen from Starsky’s hand, rushed into Dobey office and signed the report.
“Hutch! Less haste, more speed. You’d do well to remember that!”
“Yes, Cap.”
“Go on, guess you’re rushing to get to a hot date.” Dobey said.
Starsky came up behind Hutch and patted his partner’s stomach. “He sure has, a gorgeous brunet so he tells me.”
“Go on, the pair of you! Have a good weekend.” Dobey sat down at his desk putting the report to one side.
“Thanks cap, you too,” they both said in unison as they left the office.
Starsky grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair and slung it over his shoulder. He knew exactly how his partner got when he was so needy, and he loved it.
Starsky was getting in the car as Hutch revved the engine. ‘God, he is so hot when he’s like this.’
Starsky reached to gently touch Hutch’s thigh but his hand was immediately swatted away. He knew that feeling, when even the simplest touch from Hutch would send him over.
They lay together, bodies entangled, basking in the glow, both too sated to move. “Blondie… earlier, I was just worried…”
“I know, babe.” Hutch knew his partner only snapped out of concern. “Got a bit rattled myself…seeing you with…the nail gun.” He nearly said Mr. Thomas but knew that would only make Starsky laugh and rib him.
“Don’t need industrial nail, screw gun thingy tool…I have you, babe.” Starsky said as he kissed Hutch’s chest.
“We have each other!”