A Gaslight Friendship by Dale_Gardener (Mature)

[hardboiledbaby]

Fandom: STARSKY AND HUTCH
Pairing: Starsky/Hutch
Length: 24,443 words
Author on LJ: dalegardener
Author Website: Dale_Gardener at AO3
Why this must be read:

Author's summary: London, 1840. Dr Kenneth Hutchinson meets David Starsky, an actor. A close friendship soon develops, but Starsky is troubled by Hutch's friend, Jack Mitchell, and the disturbing events which follow his arrival.

A historical AU, yes indeedy! Written for the 2011 Starsky and Hutch Big Bang and featuring drop-dead gorgeous artwork by Bdonna aka Sonja, A Gaslight Friendship is an absorbing story that doesn't shy away from the sometimes bleak realities of Victorian life. This is a world where swift and early death occurs all too often, where class differences are pronounced and divisive, and homosexuality is unlawful but hardly non-existent. Against this backdrop, Dale give us a mystery, murders and secrets, dark and disquieting depths.

This is a well thought-out, well-written tale, with lovely use of language that fits the period and delightful nods to a Mr. Bear Brown and a Sweet Alice, but it is, at its core, a love story.

Hutch slouched in a wooden chair, his arm resting on the bentwood sidepiece, his hand covering his face. Starsky stooped over him, one arm firm across his shoulders, and Hutch did something that he seldom did. He surrendered control and restraint and simply leaned against the solid warmth beside him. There were no tears in him, but his breath shuddered in a long sigh.

"Hutch?"

"Nothing," Hutch said, which was a lie, and in a spirit of apology he took Starsky's right hand, resting upon his shoulder, and held it in his left before impulse overtook him and he brought it to his mouth and pressed his lips to Starsky's palm. It might be simply a gesture of gratitude. If Starsky were stupid, or generous, he might think that, and Hutch knew that Starsky was one of those, at least. The kiss accomplished he lowered their hands, so that Starsky's lay across his heart, Hutch's resting over it. Then he waited.

A satisfying read. Go see for yourself, and if you agree, please let the author know.

A Gaslight Friendship

Comments

[dawnebeth.livejournal.com]

Oh, love this story! I was so impressed the way she could weave canon in and out of the otherwise AU fic.

[hardboiledbaby]

Me too! :)

[dalegardener.livejournal.com]

Unexpected, but very pleasantly so. Thank you. :0)

[hardboiledbaby]

My pleasure! Thank you for a great story :)

[ninamalfoy]

Wheeeeee! New S&H to read, and omg, historical AU, one of my favorites! ♥ *is looking forward so much to reading this*

Also, could I have a link for the Big Bang, pretty please? :-)

[hardboiledbaby]

Sure! bigbang_s_and_h Happy reading :)