A/N: Hey friends, so this story will be on my account from now on, sorry for any confusion.

And a big thank you to everyone wishing me well and understanding of the trash fire that has been my life since the start of the pandemic. Things have quieted down and fingers crossed it continues so I can keep writing frequently.

Aang walks towards the trailer, earbuds in, as he listens to a song on a playlist Katara made him last week.

I put your records on

To see if you would sing my name

I put your records on

To see if you might feel the same

The song continues to play as the sun shines on workers on the busy lot. Aang opens the door to the room for the read-through of the next episode to be filmed, "The Warriors of Kyoshi". He was excited to meet the actress to play the new character, Suki. From what he had read in the script, this character and Sokka's character share a kiss. His heartbeat in anticipation as he entered the room.

Aang's eyes met Katara's briefly before she quickly looked down at her script on the table. Aang thought he saw a tint of pink on her cheeks but it was gone before he could double-check. He sat across from Katara, who was actively pouring over her script. They hadn't talked much since Zuko's party. She had texted him a tiktok he laughed at, but outside of that, all of their communication had been about work. Neither one of them dared to bring up the moment between them in Zuko's backyard. Aang knew it wasn't nothing, otherwise, Katara wouldn't be keeping him at arm's length. He had no idea how to fix it but decided to push the issue away so he could focus on the table read.

Aang looked around to see Zuko and Sokka sitting on either side of Katara. They started to laugh at something Sokka said but then suddenly stopped. A new face entered the room. She had short, light brown hair and luminous brown eyes. Katara leaned over to Sokka and said loudly, "You're catching flies". Her brother, now annoyed, closed his mouth but his eyes still followed the new actress as she approached the table.

"Nice to meet you all! My name is Suki," she says with a smile as she sat down next to Aang, across from Zuko, Katara, and Sokka.

"Hi, Suki, nice to meet you. Zuko here," says Zuko with a half-smile and a small wave.

"I'm Aang!" Aang said excitedly with a bright smile and a wave.

"I'm Katara...and this guy who forgot his manners is my brother, Sokka," Katara said with a smirk.

Silence hung in the room from the awkwardness of Sokka staring dumbly at Suki. His sister swiftly elbowed him in the ribs.

"Owwww! Katara!" he frowned but then quickly shook his head and looked over to Suki, red beginning to flush his cheeks. "Uh, I'm Sokka."

Suki immediately laughed, "Nice to meet you, Sokka". She paused briefly before asking aloud, "So, we all have the same names of the characters? Isn't that a bit weird?"

No one replied. It all dawned on them that now they have yet another actor with the same name as the character they are portraying. After a few seconds, Zuko spoke, "I will admit it is pretty weird, but what's the alternative? That it's all planned out? This ain't Riverdale."

While Aang and Sokka hummed in agreement with Zuko, Katara and Suki remained silent in sharing a mutual curiosity. Katara stated, "I don't really believe in coincidences, especially like this. While Sokka and I have pretty common names, Aang straight-up admitted his parents created his name themselves. Now, isn't that odd?"

Silence fell again amongst the young cast members. The door swung open and disturbed the quiet. The director and scriptwriter entering the room brought everyone slowly back to what they were all there for. They sat at the table with all the actors. The director asked with a dry laugh, "Geez, who died?"

All the actors laughed awkwardly until Katara responded, "Uh, Sokka just said something rude. You know how that is."

The director laughed heartily, "Ah, not surprised! Almost like he was born to play Sokka!"

Aang felt a shiver go up his spine. He looked over at Katara, who had an expression on her face that he couldn't place, was it fear? The desire to talk to her about this became urgent, but he was being called to start running lines. His mind slowly began to forget about this need, especially after seeing Sokka sweating during his dialogue with Suki. Aang couldn't help but look over at Katara. For the first time in almost a week, Katara and Aang shared a smile, even if it was at Sokka who could not hide his crush on Suki.

After the script reading ended, Aang made a beeline right for Katara. He sidled up next to her, hand rubbing the back of his neck nervously, "Hey! So, things kind of got Twin Peaks-esque in there, huh?" His heart raced in anticipation of her reaction and was immensely relieved to see her laugh.

"Yeah, I definitely want to try to do some digging on this but I don't even know where to start. I'll have to think and that," she paused as they walked out to the parking lot, "Hey! Want to come over tonight and run some lines? My dad just got a grill and he always makes way too much food."

Being unable to hold back excitement, Aang beamed a wide smile, "Sure! Oh, wait, I'm vegetarian."

Katara gave him a smile that made his heart flutter, "That's not an issue, my dad usually grills like peppers and stuff, and there's always plenty of rice. I'll tell him to make more veggies."

He started to feel guilty, "Katara, that's nice and all, but I don't want to make things difficult."

Katara scoffed, "No way! We always have a lot of vegetables, it's no problem, really. Come over around 6?"

Aang felt like his heart might burst right then and there. No matter what ends up happening between them, he hoped that they would always be friends. "Sure, uh, see ya later, alligator?"

Katara giggled, "Sure."

After Katara was out of sight, Aang chided himself as he whispered, "Ugh, what am I, 50? I'm such a dork."

Aang nearly forgot about his ancient catchphrase by the time he got home. At almost breakneck speed, Aang took a shower and changed into fresh clothes. As he drove to the party, he began to think of different scenarios to bring up his feelings to Katara.

"You plus me...equals us," he stated which quickly ended in a face-palm.

"I like you...but more than a friend", he said to himself before groaning.

"Ugh, I'm so stupid! I'm screwed." He shook his head at himself as he parked in the driveway. He looked at the mid-sized house with white and blue shutters and a big front yard. He could smell meat grilling and hear loud classic rock blaring from behind the house, which told him that Katara's dad was at the grill.

An older Water Tribe man, with long chocolate hair, a faded t-shirt, and jeans peaked his head around the corner of the house. "I thought I heard someone pull up. Aang, good to see you again! Katara is in the house. You like Journey?"

Aang didn't know how to respond to this, as he was utterly confused. "Like, going on adventures?"

Katara appeared at his side, and he gave her a pleading look for help.

Hakoda shook his head, "Kids these days…"

Katara furrowed her brow, "Dad, be nice! Why would he listen to oldies? He's 17."

As Hakoda grumbled, Katara and Aang shared a laugh as she waved to Aang to follow her.

He gave a quick wave to Hakoda before heading inside the house. They continue to laugh as they head upstairs. As he enters her room, a sense of calm overtakes him. It was surprisingly girly, he thought. Even though most of it was blue, there were stuffed animals and flowers all over the room. She sat on her bed and tilted her head at him, as he stood at the doorway. "Have a seat, Aang. I don't bite."

He gulped, swearing up and down that she could hear him swallowing hard. He trepidatiously walked over to the bed, making sure to sit on the opposite side of her. His nerves dissipate as they continue to run lines. They come across Suki's scene and Katara breaks character to laugh.

"I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking about the look on Sokka's face when he saw Suki for the first time. He's always saying he's such a ladies' man but you know, he's never had a girlfriend? It's all hype."

Aang feigns a laugh, mostly because he also knows what it feels like to never have had a girlfriend. He never pretended like Sokka does, though.

Katara continued, "And it's just so funny to me, the irony of Sokka saying coworkers shouldn't date because now he has to eat his own words. I know he wants to date Suki, he's pretty much said it."

Aang smiled, "That is pretty ironic. Do you agree with him? That coworkers shouldn't date?"

Katara pauses for a moment before answering, "Yeah, I guess. I think it's good to stay professional, right? What if it goes to hell? That could be really awkward."

Aang felt disappointed but recovered quickly and a smile returned to his face.

They were interrupted by Hakoda, who knocked on the door and peeked his head in, "Dinner's ready, kids."

Aang and Katara head down the stairs without saying anything to each other. Once outside, Aang loaded up his plate with veggies and rice before making his way to the large picnic table. He locked eyes with Katara but quickly looked away. He just can't seem to get it right. It was really starting to frustrate him. He didn't know what to do. He took a deep breath and tried to push those thoughts away.

Aang joined Hakoda, Kya, Sokka, and Katara at the table. He began to eat the grilled zucchini, peppers, and mushrooms made for him, which were extra delicious thanks to the char from the grill. "Thanks for doing this Mr. Waska, I really appreciate it."

Hakoda smiled at him, "No problem, Aang. The way Katara talks about you, I feel like you're family already."

Aang couldn't help but grin as his eyes instantly looked over to Katara, who was definitely blushing but looking down at her food. He knew for certain that she was blushing, he was sure of it. But what remained unknown to him was what he would do about it.

Song Aang was listening to was The Pierces - I Put Your Records On.

Sooo things getting weird! Let me know what you think! Next chapter will start with more Kataang goodness. Stay flamin'