Care and Feeding by Ellis Murdock (G)

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I'm going to end my ambiguity month the way I began it, with an Ellis Murdock rec:

Fandom: STARSKY AND HUTCH
Pairing: Starsky/Hutch (probably)
Author Website: http://meandthee.shahrazad.net/author.php?authorid=6
Why this must be read:

I've had so much fun driving the van this month, thank you for letting me indulge! My final rec is by my all-time favorite SH author (you never would have guessed, huh?), Ellis Murdock, the queen of anbiguous.

Care and Feeding is (probably) post-SR, and involves Hutch taking care of Starsky during a nasty bout of pneumonia. As usual, it's classified slash on one site, and gen on another, but in my mind there is little doubt where the truth lies. This little gem of a scene comes after a particularly nasty coughing fit:


"Damn," Starsky whispered, when he could breathe again. "You'd think I'd be so worn out, this wouldn't be a problem. If I could just do something physical?."

Hutch chuckled. "I know what you're thinking and, effective or not, we can rule that out. For a while at least."

Starsky pulled a face. "I'll have you know I was thinking about shooting hoops, or running around the block, or something." He folded his arms in a display of mock disdain. "Shows what you know."

"Well, you've only been home for a little over seventy two hours, but if you're looking to return to the hospital, a good physical assault might be a more satisfying ticket back in."

Starsky's eyes widened. "How's that?"

"It would satisfy the hell out of me right now if I was the one doing the pounding."


I think what I like most about her is that she writes stories about two men, our two men, not two unrecognizable characters who say "sweetie" and nuzzle each other a lot. There are just some things two cops would not say and do, no matter how much they fuck each other. And that's my message as I park the van this month: ambiguity is a wonderful thing, if it keeps S and H true to who they are. Thank you!

Care and Feeding