crack_van | Not So Fragile a Thing by K Hanna Korossy (R)

Fandom: STARSKY & HUTCH
Pairing: none (het mentioned)
Length: 185 kB
Author on LJ: not known
Author Website: HERE
Why this must be read:

When I first read "Not So Fragile a Thing" I didn't like it. I really didn't like it, but there was one moment in there, that was – in my opinion – worth the time spent with this story. So I saved it. After I had read it the second time I decided it was a really good story and I printed it. But only after the third reading I understood.
So what is that about? No, it's not about a woman. It's not about betrayal – trust me, really! It's not even about their friendship falling into pieces, nor the forgiveness. And no, I won't tell you what it is about. Read it, it's definitely worth the time.

But Starsky had forgiven because he'd seen how helpless Hutch had been, both to explain himself, and to try to make it up somehow. That first intense flare of pain and perfidy had eventually faded enough to reveal Hutch was hurting nearly as much as Starsky was. And with both of them swearing it wouldn't happen again, Starsky had forgiven and they had moved on.

And now Hutch had gone and done it again... while Starsky was in the hospital. Had maybe been doing it all along with Angie, laughing behind Starsky's back at fooling him. How low could a guy get?

Hutch couldn't have meant it, not a single word he'd said after Kira. With those sad eyes and nervous hands, he'd fooled Starsky into forgiving him, but it hadn't been real. And if that hadn't, what else hadn't been over the years? His tolerance of Starsky's different tastes and weaknesses? His concern when Starsky was injured?

The blood drained from Starsky's face. Oh, God, had Hutch taken care of him these last few months out of guilt?

His chest felt like it was on fire and Starsky curled up on his side, trying to relieve some of the agony. It couldn't be. Hutch had held him in the alley just that morning, breathing with him, comforting him, saving him. Starsky knew what he'd felt; there was no way that could all be an act.

But then, he'd known he could trust Hutch, too. The violation of that basic fact threw everything else he believed into doubt. And care, even honest, concerned care could come from a lot of motives and a lot of different kinds of people, including those who helped you up with one hand and stole your lady with the other. Starsky loved and trusted unconditionally, and wouldn't have believed Hutch might be any different.

Not So Fragile a Thing by K Hanna Korossy

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I have a hard time with this one, too. But I give it kudos for exploring the whole idea of forgiveness and how even really good friends can hurt each other.

Good rec.

I'm going to rec another one of this kind, so I'm glad you - if not exactly liked it, then at least appreciated it. :)

It's not a lazy story; it pushes back, and that's what I really like about it.

I had many, many discussions with the editor regarding this story. I didn't like it when I first read it. I took sides. Then I'd re-read it after discussing it with the editor and understand it more. Then I'd read it again, and come to my first conclusion. I always found myself reacting and not reasoning.

I now like the story for the rich discussion it raised, if anything.

I don't discuss stories with anybody, because I just don't have anybody to discuss it with, but I also didn't like this story at first. I just like stories that make me feel things I don't usually feel. And here it was all 'possible'. This is why I could engage myself emotionally and finally find peace with the problem. But it really takes more than one reading to understand it.

I took Starsky's side, then after having a discussion, understood Hutch's side and the story made more sense. I also think I became uncomfortable with how dark Hutch became.

When I recc'd it to others, people really couldn't see past the betrayal, and I couldn't get any discussion going. But I had a great back and forth with the editor... and loved that this story had so much grey area to debate.

Edited 2009-08-22 16:32 (UTC)

And I – from the very beginning – took Hutch's side :) I could understand Starsky, because of Kira, but still I liked to read about what was happening to Hutch. I could see how much he needed Starsky to be the Hutch I knew. Without him nothing made sense. This is why I like the story I choose to rec today. "Unforgivable" shows similar situation from the other side.

Wow! Really? Then this story really was written in a balanced kind of way. Hutch's side had to be explained to me. And then when I read the little clues about how Starsky's shooting and recovering had really knocked him off balance and how he was ready for a heavy fall, I could see it.

I'll have to dig up my discussion and I'd love to discuss this story with you further.

I'd love to discuss this story with you further.
With pleasure :)

I like it when I have to reread story to find the "other side". That makes it more interesting.

Not So Fragile a Thing by K Hanna Korossy (R)

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