AN: I had a couple people say they wanted to see Bo on cactus juice. So instead of my next drabble, here's this. Enjoy!

on cactus juice

(a companion to promise)

Each member of team Avatar had their own distinct reactions to cactus juice.

Asami could never really get used to the taste. She'd had fermented wines from across the globe (she became quite the connoisseur really) but cactus juice seemed to be such a base drink. Furthermore its effects were a little too intense for her liking. She usually had a tendency to spit it out the moment she took a sip.

Korra's father had offered her a sip of cactus juice when she was six years old as a joke. He'd assumed she would just spit it out and that would be the end of it. Lesson learned. She'd only had a sip, really, but that had been enough. To say the least, the results were rather explosive. She hasn't had cactus juice since. Much too dangerous.

Mako had tried it before. He hadn't minded the taste and the effects had been rather minimal at best, but with a handful like Bolin to deal with, he'd never seen drinking it regularly as a reasonable option. It didn't affect him like it often did other people but it dulled his senses enough that he wasn't particularly in control. And Mako liked being in control.

Bolin was the worst with cactus juice. He liked the taste. He liked the effect. His only saving grace was his anti-addictive personality. Otherwise he'd have been a goner a long time ago.

Bo's medicine addled mind registered a knock at the door. At least, it might've been a knock. Or it might've been the roar of a giant lion turtle. He really couldn't tell the difference.

"…I'm not sure it was a good idea for Katara to give him cactus juice." Mako's voice. It was familiar and it brought a happy giggle to Bolin's lips. His arms struggled against restraints, his hands pawing at the air. He longed to lay a sloppy kiss on his brother's cheek.

It wouldn't be the first time. Bolin was a very affectionate drunk.

"Why do you say that? What happens?" Korra. Her brow was pulling together, the thin strands tying like boot laces. Bolin was very concerned for her. He was pretty sure eyebrows weren't supposed to do that. He cried out. His speech wasn't quite intelligible yet.

Korra's eyes widened at the squirming man in bed. Katara had the foresight to tie him down, at least for the time being. He was whimpering like a small wounded animal and pointing at her head. She tentatively touched the crown of her head, confusion rippling across her face. "Do I have something on my face?"

Mako shook his head. "He's just hallucinating. As I understand it, Bo has very vivid visions due to cactus juice." He sat on the edge of his brother's bed, smiling wryly at the mildly distressed boy.

Bo strained up onto his elbows, pointing a quaking finger at Korra's head. He found his voice at last, his brilliant green eyes nearly popping out of his skull. "THEY'RE ALIVE." He was 99% positive Korra's eyebrows were now slithering around her face. The other 1% was certain they had never existed in the first place.

Korra stifled a giggle. "Is he always like this when he has cactus juice?"

Mako nodded. "Worse, actually. When he usually has cactus juice he isn't restrained. Hey!" Mako let out a yelp, jumping off the bed and turning to glare at his brother. He rubbed at a spot close to his lower back. "He's also kind of handsy."

"Mako! I love you! Mama Mako. Momko! MOMKO!" Bolin dissolved into a fit of giggles. Mako glared and Korra tried to hide her smile behind a careful hand.

"So, is this what you're like when you drink cactus juice?" Korra asked. Bolin started squealing again and pointing at her face. It was starting to get annoying.

Mako shook his head. "No, thankfully. I guess I'm just not as much of a lightweight. What about you? Ever had cactus juice?"

She made a face. More screaming. "Yes. Just once. I kind of burned down my parents house. I haven't exactly had it since." She let out a weak laugh.

Mako blanched. "Perhaps that's for the better then." He chuckled and leaned down over his brother. "How you feeling Bo?"

Bolin hummed and his eyes drooped. Korra and her dancing eyebrows had tuckered him out. "Quenchy." Mako patted his head, smiling in that warm way he reserved only for people he truly cared about. Even through his drug-induced stupor, it warmed something in him. Bolin grinned and sighed. That smile, Mako's 'only for Bo' smile, that was home.

Even if Mako had somehow transformed into a giant blue fire ferret.