The Nightmare Attack of the Killer Tomatoes Before Christmas

Michael was concentrating so intently on navigating his wobbly-wheeled cart around the cardboard display of red and green socket wrenches that he didn't see Justin until he nearly collided with him.

"What are you doing here?" Michael demanded, looking around for Brian.

"This is the Big Q, Michael, do you really think he'd be here? Especially this close to Christmas?" Justin looked at the cart full of oversized cans of tomato sauce and bulk paper products and smirked. "Making up recipes again?"

Michael frowned. "Ha Ha. So what are you doing here? Slumming?" He glanced into Justin's carry-basket but couldn't see anything under the plain black tee-shirt that lay on top.

"No, I'm buying decorations. Brian decided we needed more."

"He's giving you and Daphne decorating advice?"

Justin smirked. "Like that would happen. No, we're decorating the loft."

"Now I know you're delusional. Brian Kinney does not do holiday decorations."

"Sure he does. You should see what he can do with tinsel." Justin raised his eyebrows and grinned, enjoying Michael's reaction. "Well, have fun shopping. I'm out of here."

Justin flounced off and Michael watched him go, frowning. It was only after Justin was gone that he realized he was standing in the out-of-season clearance aisle.

Strange, he commented to himself before glancing into his cart and wondering if he had enough tomato sauce.

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Brian looked down at the soup bowl and bit his lip. He'd promised Justin that he'd be on his best behavior, but if this was how things were starting, he wasn't going to last.

Beside him, Justin pressed his elbow into Brian's side and made a little sound in his throat. Ha! Brian gloated silently. Mr. Christmas Spirit wasn't going to last much longer either.

"More Tomato Surprise?" Michael asked cheerily, shoving the pot across the table towards Justin. Justin looked down at his nearly full bowl and sighed.

"Where did you say you found this recipe?" the blond asked, making a small effort to not sound completely repulsed. It was like tomato soup gone horribly wrong and with things floating in it.

"Remind me to pick up some Tums on the way home," Brian whispered before reaching for more crackers to drop into his bowl.

"It was on the internet. When the store's not busy I have time to find really interesting things."

"Maybe Santa can land on his computer when he comes down the chimney," Brian muttered, using his napkin for cover.

Justin choked back a laugh and started coughing.

"Take a sip of tea." Ben suggested, shoving his nearly-full bowl aside to reach over and thump Justin on the back.

"Try a cracker," Michael said, leaning forward to shove the basket towards the younger man.

In the confusion, the pot of Tomato Surprise met with the undeniable force of gravity, hovering just a moment on the edge of the table before glancing off Michael's hand – a desperate attempt at a catch – and landing on its side on the floor. The red mixture seeped out into a dull red pool.

"My dinner!" Michael shrieked before tumbling out of his chair and racing towards the kitchen for the bulk pack of paper towels. He tossed a roll to Ben before returning with one of his own. Together, Ben and Michael cleared away the mess while Brian and Justin helpfully carried their bowls to the kitchen and emptied them in the sink.

"Anything we can do to help?" Justin asked once the offending brew was safely disposed of. Michael was on the floor with a stack of red-soaked paper towels. He was whimpering.

"We'll just move on to the next course," Ben offered helpfully, trying to consol his partner.

Brian and Justin exchanged frantic looks.

"We'd love to, but Justin's got a project due tomorrow. Busy, busy." Brian retrieved both coats and helped Justin into his before pulling on his own. "Thanks for the Surprise."

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"You're inviting Ben and me to dinner? At the loft?" Michael stared at Justin, forkful of eggs half-way to his mouth. He frowned. "Does Brian know about this?"

"It was his idea." Justin refilled Michael's coffee and leaned against the counter. The diner was almost empty at this time of morning and Debbie was taking the day off to get ready for Christmas.

"We felt bad about having to leave so early the other night," Justin continued, managing not to smirk.

"Ben and I can come, but Hunter will be at a friend's house for another Christmas party. Want us to bring anything?"

"It's taken care of. Just be there at seven."

Michael nodded and went back to his food while Justin went to greet a new customer.

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"They're here." Justin sing-songed as he stopped to give Brian a kiss before hurrying to let Michael and Ben into the loft.

Michael stopped dead in the doorway and stared. "What's this?"

"Holiday decorations," Brian answered, sauntering over to put his arm around Justin.

"It's not Halloween!" Michael screeched. "You can't celebrate Christmas with skeletons!" He stared at the little black tree with its orange decorations and the strings of skeleton-head lights strung along walls and around the windows.

"Why not?" Justin wanted to know. He reached out to take Ben's coat, giving the man a smile. Ben had learned to be flexible when it came to Brian and Justin.

"What are we having for dinner?" Ben asked, pulling Michael towards him, hoping to move the evening along smoothly.

"Something new," Justin offered with a grin that matched the skull serving as a centerpiece. "Squash surprise."

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