A New Vision

salixj:

The
Firelord’s office seemed small with Azula in it. The room could
easily have fit fifteen people in it without crowding, but Azula,
especially when upset, took up a lot of space.

“I’ve
hired the best ophthalmologist in the world Zuko, don’t worry.”
Sokka
sighed, Zuko sighed. They stared at each other over Azula’s head.

“She’ll
be here in the morning.”

Sokka
raised his arms in defeat. Zuko rubbed his forehead.

“Azula,
we have a good ophthalmologist,” he told her patiently. “He’s
prescribing glasses.”

Sokka
desperately made shut-up motions, then began shaking his head widely,
mouthing something and circling his fingers about. Zuko frowned,
confused. Azula turned sharply, narrowed her eyes at her  husband.
Sokka began nodded his head, mouth pursed.
“Exactly what did
you want to say to my brother?” Azula’s voice had the dangerous, we
are going to talk about this till 2am tone.
“Just how right
you are my little Firebunny!” he told her, and gave her a peck on
the nose. Azula blushed, deeply. Public displays of affection weren’t
how she rolled.
“Sokka,” she hissed between her teeth. “Not.
Here.”
“Good save,” Zuko mouthed over Azula’s head. Azula
swung about again.

“As
I was saying Zuko, since you obviously can’t handle even this without
my help.”
“Just roll with it!” Sokka mouthed back. Zuko
sighed. Probably the smartest move.
“The best ophthalmologist
in the world will be here tomorrow morning, 9am and she’ll fix
Izumi’s eyes.”
“9am. Best ophthalmologist.” Zuko wrote the
information down on his calendar. “I assume you will want to there
during the examination?”
“Well, if you insist. I’ll clear my
schedule. Glasses for my niece indeed. She isn’t even seven yet!”
Azula pivoted on her heel and marched out of the room.
Zuko
looked at Sokka, Sokka looked at Zuko.
“She’s your sister!”
Sokka proclaimed at the very same time as Zuko proclaimed “She’s
your wife!”

Zuko
let out a low whistle of breath. “I guess one more exam couldn’t
hurt. Who knows? Perhaps there is something the ‘best ophthalmologist
in the world can do’.”

***************************************************************************

Azula
sat, arms crossed, her face drawn into a frown, clearly defeated.

“Don’t
worry Zuko,” she said at least. “I’ll hire the best optician in
the world to design the perfect glasses for Izumi’s face.” Azula
stood and wagged her finger at Zuko. “Don’t worry. You’ll see.”
She bent down to give Izumi a peck on the cheek. “You’ll be so
beautiful Izumi! Everyone will want to wear glasses,” she assured
her niece before striding out of the room.
There was silence,
then Izumi turned to her uncle and father.
“This is one of
those Aunt Azula things isn’t it?” she asked them.

“Yep.”
“Umhm.”

Izumi
sighed. “Well she will hire the best. I’ll just give her a big hug
and tell her how right she was when I try on the glasses I like,”
Izumi told them and then left the two of them alone.

Sokka
looked at Zuko, Zuko looked at Sokka.

“Well
Izumi certainly doesn’t get it from me,” Zuko said after a minute.

“My wife, played by a seven year old.”

Sokka
grinned at his brother-in-law.
“I want to be there for that,”
they said at the same time. They shook hands.

It
would be fun to watch.