Title:A Favor Returned
Author:lucy_roman
Rating:Teen and up
Summary:Starsky makes a mess, Hutch tries to clear it up
Pairing:Starsky/Hutch
Word Count:740


"Starsk, the basement's flooded." Hutch can't disguise the irritation in his voice. He's pretty sure that this is all Starsky's fault anyway. Starsky who had claimed that he could fix the rattling wheezing plumbing all by himself.

"It's my fault." Hutch runs a damp hand across his head. "I should have insisted that we call a plumber." Why didn't I?

"Because I don't want Starsky to think I don't trust him."

Starsky has been working hard to regain his fitness following his extended stay in hospital but he is getting more and more annoyed at Hutch for trying to limit the things he does. Hence allowing Starsky to fix the pipes.

Hutch thinks he's managed to seal off the ruptured pipe which hopefully means they can turn the water back on without further incident. Then that will just leave the small matter of pumping the water out of the basement. Hutch sighs.

"Hutch? Hutch, are you down there?"

"Wait." Hutch takes a hurried step towards the stairs. Everywhere is wet and he doesn't want Starsky coming down here. "I'll come up."

In the gloom Hutch misses his footing and he falls down, feeling the icy water soaking into his clothes and pain shooting down his neck and into his back

"Hutch?"

And there Starsky is, bending over him, pressing his fingers gently against Hutch's throat as though he is afraid he might be dead.

"I'm fine."

"Did you hit your head?" The concern in Starsky's voice is good to hear but Hutch's embarrassment is stronger than the pain.

"I'm fine. Help me up."

Warm hands take his cold ones and Hutch is hoisted back onto his feet. He lets Starsky help him climb the stairs back into their warm sunny kitchen and ease him down onto a chair.

"We should go to the hospital."

"Hospital?" Hutch is doing his best to ignore the worry in Starsky's voice. He's not heard that for a long time. "I'd have thought you've had enough of that place."

"You might have a concussion."

"I didn't hit my head. I'm fine." Hutch looks up at Starsky but he can see he isn't being very convincing. He is cold though.

"But---"

"Look, Starsk, no hospital, but you could help me out of these wet clothes." He tries to raise a suggestive eyebrow but Starsky still looks worried.

"You're sure you're okay?"

He isn't but there's no way he is telling Starsky that.

"I'll just lie down for a bit." He stands up but his legs are shaking beneath him. Delayed shock maybe or the effects of his impromptu bath. He takes one step, then another, there!

Unfortunately at that point his legs decide they don't want to hold him up anymore and he crumples downwards. Only Starsky's arms stop him from hitting the floor.

"No hospital."

"You're still dead set against that?" Starsky looks thoughtful. "How about we get you into bed?"

Hutch agrees mostly because he is feeling tired now. It is an effort to stand but he does it. There is no way in the world he is going to let Starsky pick him up. It is a risk not worth taking. Starsky would no doubt disagree.

He lets his partner take him into the bedroom, does his best to help while Starsky strips him of his damp clothing. Finally Hutch lies down on the bed and allows Starsky to pull the comforter over him.

"You'll warm up soon."

Hutch opens one eye. If he didn't know better he would say Starsky's voice is full of self-satisfaction. "You're enjoying this."

Starsky smiles and strokes the hair back from Hutch's forehead. "A little," he admits. "You've been looking after me for months, now it's my turn."

"It's not a competition, Starsk."

"I know." But the smile on Starsky's face is more than a little smug.

Hutch would argue but he's too cold and suddenly very tired. "Need to call a plumber."

"I will," Starsky says. "As soon as I know you're alright. Everything's under control."

"You said that before," Hutch complains, although he can't open his eyes to see the expression on Starsky's face. "Then look what happened. And I think you're enjoying this a little too much."

Starsky doesn't try to argue, there's no point when Hutch is in this mood. Hutch has spent months looking after him and he can't deny that it's nice that he can now begin to return the favor.