Ello. Hoi. Hallo. Hai. Allo.
This story was inspired after a family member went to Portugal. They went to this traditional event where everyone has plastic, harmless hammers and hit each other on the head with these "hammers". The idea of this tradition was a mate ceremony, where women would throw garlic on the man she liked. This story is about Aang and Katara going to this garlicky festive, with no idea what's happening. Takes place about 5 years after the war.
Also, if you can (This would mean a LOT), please subscribe to me/my sisters channel, Rose's Equestrienne. The easiest way to find it is search one of my sisters first videos: Club chests no editing. Either its under Dutchess the Equestrian or Rose's Equestrienne. it would mean a LOT if you could sub! TYSM!
I do not own ATLA
Rated T :) Enjoy!
Aang couldn't help but follow Katara's gaze down to the small but beautiful town on a valley. As the sun just began to sit on the grassy hills, people began crowding the stone paths. The scent of garlic drifted through the air, and Aang quietly gagged.
"Sweetie, what's wrong?" Katara said, the moment broken by her boyfriends gag. She placed a comforting hand on Aangs shoulder, and looked deeply into Aang's eyes.
"Nothing, just the smell. I wonder why they have so much garlic out?" Aang said, placing his hand over her's. Katara scooted closer, snuggling deeper into the arms of her boyfriend. Aang kept still as not to disturb the loving peace they felt. He internally shuddered as he felt Katara's long, smooth, chocolate hair roll down his arms.
"Perhaps we should find out? I've been yearning for adventure these past few days. If we're exploring the world, maybe we should explore this town? Who knows, it could be fun, even if the smell of garlic is powerful..." Aang whispered. Katara smiled. As she felt the evening breeze come in, she snuggled deeper in Aangs arms, keeping them both warm.
"I'd love too." She smiled, pecking him on his cheek. Aang smiled, hugging Katara close, gently and softly. He rested his chin on he head and looked down at the town.
"Appa, Katara and I are going to explore the town for the night. Do you mind?" Aang asked. Appa lifted his furry head and roared softly.
"Thanks buddy." Aang smiled. He held on to Katara as he felt Appa descend.
Just on the horizon, some stars were visible. The suns hottest tint rested gently on the tips of the hills, and the breeze carried the powerful scent of garlic across town. Men and woman where being separated in the big pavilion. Katara held closer to Aangs arm, with fear of being separated. A man walked up to the couple and looked at them puzzled.
"Are you here for the festival?" He asked. Aang looked at Katara and nodded.
"Then you must go to you gender section. Ladies to the right, men to the left. Enjoy the festival!" He directed them. Aang felt uncomfortable leaving Katara alone, but she gave him a comforting kiss on the cheek, reading his mind.
"Don't worry, there's probably good reason to this. See you later." She whispered, her warm breath penetrating off Aangs face. His eyelashes fluttered as he felt her warm breath on his face. She smiled, kissed his cheek once more, then glided off, glancing over her shoulders to watch Aang.
"So... I'm a traveler. What's this 'festival'?" Katara asked a lady about her age.
"It's a mating festival! The ladies are handed a couple garlic's and once the music begins, we all look for the man we love. Usually we don't know the men, so you can talk to him, look at him, touch him. Once you find the man you love, smash this garlic on your head. Afterwards, once you find your mate, you can enter the actual festival which includes romantic events. It's much fun, and the food here is good!" She explained. Katara glanced at Aang, who looked concerned and confused, and worried. He scanned the woman's area for Katara. Their eyes met, his worried, gray ones met her determined, icy blue ones. For a moment, they where lost in each others eyes, before a man had nudged Katara.
"Garlic, young lady! Whoa, ain't you a pretty one. The man you'll choose 'll be lucky!" The old man chuckled, his face hidden in his smile of wrinkles.
"Thank you very much, sir." Katara smiled as she took a handful of garlic he offered.
"And yea, that's how this festival works young lad. Oh, here comes the director. He'll place us in rows, so it's not a mumble jumble for the ladies." The man who explained to Aang what was going on said. Aang felt heat rise into his cheeks. He was very popular with the ladies, and he was worried if someone would garlic him before Katara found him. There were so many people, it could take a long time for Katara to find him. He felt himself shaking as he was walked over and placed in the middle of the entire mens crowd. He looked wildly around for Katara, but the director put a restraining hand on the boys shoulder.
"Nervous, are yer? Stand still, the music's about ter begin. Good luck!" The man winked and walked off.
The music began and Katara immediately ran into the crowd, her eyes scanning for Aang. She pushed herself through the jumble of men, excusing herself. Having no sight of him, she did the only thing she could. She waterbent herself in air to look around. There! She spotted Aang with his eyes closed, his hands behind his back, his breathing somewhat fast, as if he was scared he was going to get garlicked by some stranger woman instead of Katara. Smiling slyly, she splashed down and walked toards the direction of Aang, watching all the other men being garlicked by women. And there he was... standing there, tall, elegant... powerful. Her boyfriend... no more then her boyfriend... her love, her world, her avatar, her friend... she handled her garlic, slowly and quietly walking up to Aang. She knew he could hear her, feel her through his earthbending, but she continued to try to be sneaky. Suddenly, Aangs breathing became slow, peaceful, steady. Katara smiled. He had felt her. Continuing to smile, she waterbender her garlic onto him, drenching him. Aang opened his eyes to see Katara standing there. Her face was beautiful in the starlight, her hair being picked up lightly by the breeze. He stepped in close to Katara, and she shuddered as she felt his body touch hers. He suddenly grabbed her and dipped her, and she found herself putting all her weight in Aangs arms. He's so strong. Katara thought. Aang read her mind and smiled. His face inched closer, her face becoming bigger. Her lips looked so soft, so pretty... he closed his eyes and made contact with her lips. Katara moaned slightly in pure love and returned the kiss. She slowly opened her mouth, letting Aang have access to her tongue. They stayed like that for a while, kissing each other deeply with passion and affection.
When they parted, Aang looked into Katara's loving eyes, smiling slowly. Katara kissed him gently on the lips again, and parted. Secretly, she bent her water out of her pouch. Aang didn't notice, his focus was on Katara, her lips, her eyes, her smile... Aang felt water snake up his legs, and he looked down. His legs where frozen, and water was snaking up to his arms. Before he could move, his whole body was frozen in a vine like pattern of ice. Katara slid from his hands and smiled.
"Gotcha." Katara smiled mischievously.
"Ok, fine, you got me." Aang chuckled. Katara moved up to him, placing one hand on his chest, and Aang looked up to her. He felt her warm lips for a second, and he melted into her.
"Ready for festival activities, or wanna head back?" Katara asked Aang, un-melting him. Aang rubbed his wrists, and stood up.
"Whatever you want Sweetie." Aang walked over to Katara and laid his hand on her shoulder.
"I'd like to see what activities they have. If there's nothing good, we can head back." Katara offered. Aang nodded, and linking Katara's arm with his, he led his forever girl to the gates of the festive town.
"There's... a kissing competition, a how well do you know him game, there's a baking couple comp..." Katara looked at the booths, her voice cringing at any thing including kissing, touching, or physical romance.
"We'd win all of those, well... maybe not the baking..." Aang blushed and looked away. Ever since he had started dating Katara, he always felt like their relationship was so fragile, and he never knew what he said was wrong or right. But Katara laughed, and Aang relaxed. They continued walking down, calling out booths, until the beach caught Aangs eye. He beckoned for Katara to follow him, and Katara nodded, intrigued.
Bending air so they traveled faster, Aang held on to Katara as she held on to him. Right when the reached the top of the hill, Katara understood why. On the beach, there was a slow ballad playing, and couples danced, nested into the arms of one another. The stars shone brightly above, and the lanterns hung low, creating a romantic feeling in the air. Coloring in her cheeks, she sighed and melted into Aangs strong, open arms.
"Would you... would you like to dance?" Aang whispered, softly running his fingers through Katara's silky hair.
"Aang, I'd love to!" Katara laughed, sighing into his neck. She held onto Aang as he bent water, creating a staircase of ice leading down to the dance floor. It had small, but mesmerizing patterns snaking across, and the rail looked like... the Unagi.
"How typical, show off. The Unagi was unnecessary though." Katara teased. Aang grinned and took Katara's hand in his, and together, they went down the beautifully bent stairway.
"Remember the dance in the cave, with the fire nation kids?" Aang asked, slipping his hands around Katara's waist.
"Our dance, you mean?" Katara corrected, sliding on hand on Aangs waist and the other on his shoulder. She felt him lead her into the dance.
One two three, one two three he counted in his mind, watching Katara.
"Yes, our dance. I also remember wanting to kiss you mid dance, but found that idea quiet foolish." Aang admited. He felt Katara laugh. The milky starligt reflected off Aang's head, and the stars danced in his eyes. Katara saw the stars. But not in the sky. But in Aang's eye. She melted into his eyes, never blinking. Soon, his eyes became to dreamy, to peaceful. She rested her head on his chest, and closed her eyes, trusting him so she wouldn't fall. Aang smiled, leading Katara slowly, holding her so she wouldn't unbalance herself.
"Aang, if there was a deeper phrase then I love you, I'd use it right now." Katara whispered, a huge wave of love overcoming her. Aang felt the same wave, and no longer controlling himself, he found himself gently picking up Katara's head with one hand, gazing into her ocean blue eyes. They stopped dancing, and other people paid no heed, dancing their selves around the pair, lost in their own entrancement. Lowering his head, Aang came in contact with his lips, closing his eyes gingerly. His finger drifted down to her chin, so Katara had a place to rest her chin on. Katara moaned in love, purer then water. They worked slowly, taking their time. Only did they part for breath, working away at each other with love stronger then steel. Katara slid her arms around Aangs neck, swaying to the tune. How long they where like this, they did not know, nor did they care. All that they cared about was that they where here, together, just the two of them lost in their kiss and embrace. Aang parted for breath, and Katara slowly blinked, tracing her finger around the tip of Aangs nose.
"Aang, I love you more... more then words can tell." Katara gasped for air.
"I love you too Katara, and I always will." Aang smiled, kissing her again. It wasn't a big kiss, he understood she still needed air, but it was passionate. And that's what matters.