Author's Note: Oh, cactus juice, the wonders you can do.
Summary: A little party may go a little too far.
Disclaimer: Avatar belongs to Bryke, frick.
"More cactus juice, Katara!" Sokka called for his sister. "Aw, come on, don't hog The Juice, keep it a-coming!" Sokka started to hiccup.
"I don't think so, Sokka, you're drunk." Katara held back the container from her brother.
"'Runk? I dunthink so. Pour me another one!" Sokka held out his glass. It was still full.
"Sokka, I think we should take it down a little." Zuko tried to grab the glass from Sokka's hand.
"S'okay, s'okay, Zu-ko, I can handle another swig." Sokka's arm began to droop. Zuko went to catch Sokka before he fell on the floor.
"Com'ere, Sugar Queen." Toph gestured Katara to go to her. "Fill'er up, prease."
"Toph, no. You've had too much. Where's Aang?" Katara lifted the cactus juice far from Toph's reach.
"He's in the fountain. With The Duke, and Teo, and-" Toph's words began to slur.
"In the fountain?!" Katara rapidly began to look around for any sign of Aang.
"Yea, he said he's goin' fer a lil' swim." Toph swayed. "Katar', another cup now."
Katara caught Toph before she toppled to the ground. "Toph, show me you can pour water in a cup and I'll give you another glass." She set her down near the basin and handed her an empty cup.
"Water, got it." Toph grabbed the cup and dipped it in the basin. "Water's too boring." Toph stopped and began to smile. "Mmm, cactus juice."
"Aang? Teo? Duke?" Katara called out for them.
"They're upstairs, asleep." Zuko's voice came up behind her. "I checked them when I brought Sokka up."
"Oh, thanks. Toph said they went swimming in the fountain." Katara looked around for Toph.
"They did. The whole upstairs is drying in the sun right now." Zuko chuckled.
"Toph?" Katara looked towards the basin.
"Here, Sugar Queen. A whole two cups of water." Toph walked straight to Zuko and Katara.
"Two cups? Hmm, maybe you really weren't that drunk." Katara took both of the cups and handed one to Zuko.
"Thanks, Toph." Zuko took a sip.
"No problem, I'll just go take a short nap." Toph walked to her room.
"Who knew just a little cactus juice could set them off?" Katara asked while drinking her cup. "I meant it as a little party, but it ended up being- Wow! This water is really, really, good."
"Yea, it is. It's sweet and delicious. Very cool and refreshing." Zuko agreed. Katara fanned herself.
"Is it just me or did the sun get hotter?" Katara began to strip of her layers until she was only in her training clothes.
Zuko took a long gulp of his drink. "Yea, it is hot." He removed his removed his shoes and his shirt. "Fire Nation weather can be harsh."
"I don't know how you can stand it." Katara began tracing Zuko's muscles with her finger. "You're not even tan!"
"There's a formula everyone uses to protect themselves from the sun. The maids rubbed it on us after every bath. But you, for living in the South Pole, you're so dark!" Zuko touched Katara's skin. "So dark and pretty."
Katara blushed.
"You know, now that you've let your braid out, you look blossomed." Zuko's cheeks began to redden. "You know, like a lady."
Katara pinched his cheek. "Oh Zuko, you're so cute. But man! It's so hot." She wiped her hand over her forehead to emphasize her point.
"You know, I heard a technique to cool down from one of the seamen on my ship. You're supposed to imagine yourself in a cold place and you'll get cold instantly! It has to do with tricking your brain or something."
"Let's try it!" Katara pulled Zuko down on the floor to lay down. "Aah, I can feel it work already."
"Wait! What are you thinking of?"
"The South Pole. The cold, cold snow. The crisp, winter air." Katara closed her eyes and imagined herself back in her tribe.
"Mmm. Cold snow, feels good." Zuko closed his eyes also to feel the cool air.
"Oh no! It's one of those winter storms!" Katara's face scrunched up. "We'll have to huddle together for more warmth."
The two instantly moved closer to one another to gain warmth. "Are you feeling warm yet, Zuko?"
The firebender shivered. "N-No, I feel so cold, Katara. Do winter storms always feel this cold?"
"Here." Katara moved her arm over Zuko's body, so that she hugged him, in turn Zuko put his arm over Katara to hug her back."Are you feeling warm yet?"
"I'm getting there. Are you?"
"Almost."
Minutes after getting warm again, they both fell asleep under the sun in each other's arms.
Of course, they didn't know that until Sokka's cry woke them up and both had blasting headaches from Sokka and the cool, refreshing water.
"TOPH!"
Author's Note: Hahahaha, okay, okay. Lame, yes?
