A/N Written for the SHFAFF Facebook page story prompt: "I told you this was a bad idea."

Starsky's 70th Birthday

"This is a very bad idea," Hutch said as he handed over his credit card to the cashier.

"He'll love it!" his wife exclaimed.

"That's why it's a bad idea!"

"Oh, come on honey, it's his 70th. We need to get him something good and besides he'll love being able to surf the web from his sofa."

"Hmm."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Everyone was gathered at the Starskys' house to celebrate his 70th birthday. Starsky was loving every minute of it especially opening his presents. Nothing has changed over the years, Hutch thought. His friend was still just a big kid at heart.

Ripping open the paper on the present from the Hutchinsons, he beamed with delight.

"Wow, a smart phone! That's terrific! Thank you!"

Laura kissed his cheek and said, "You're welcome. It's already charged so you're good to go."

As Starsky excitedly took the phone out of the box, he looked up at the assembled gathering of family and friends. "So who's going to show me how to use this sucker?"

Silence.

"Hutch?"

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

It was nearly midnight by the time the Hutchinsons got home. As Hutch turned his key in the lock, his cell pinged. That had to make it the hundredth emoji Starsky had discovered.

"I told you this was bad idea!" he grumbled to his wife, who tried to keep the smile off her face.

Hutch tapped the screen: 'ZZZ. Good night Starsk.'

Two seconds later, there was another ping. Hutch rolled his eyes and looked at the message on the screen.

'Good night, Hutch. Luv ya, buddy.'

As Hutch typed 'Luv ya too', a smile broke out on his face.

Laura nodded to herself and thought: "That's why it was such a good idea."