InsaneJournal

Who: Iroh and Wade Wilson
Where: a bar
What: a confrontation, of sorts
When: 3/19
Warnings/Rating: PG
Status complete



Iroh wasn’t sure what had happened at the warehouse Wednesday evening, but he didn’t like being the one to clean it up. There were so many bribes to dole out, and this wasn’t even one of his warehouses. This one was directly under Ozai’s control.

He huffed as he walked into the bar where he was supposed to meet his contact in the police station, hoping to just pay the damn money and go.

Wade was sitting at a stool, head banging to inaudible music and eating peanuts. Because peanuts were free and he was being a cheap SOB today. But that was okay. He just bought everyone drinks, since making friends was useful, especially when you needed to use said newfound friends as fall guys.

Iroh watched Wade off in his own little world, before heading to the back booth where his contact was waiting. He did his best to look unobtrusive. He wasn’t the only one wearing long sleeves and pants, which was the only thing he’d worried about.

Wade peered at his glass, watching Iroh's reflection in it. He scratched the back of his ear and spun around in the stool.

Iroh froze for a moment. Had that man turned around because he walked past? He realized after a second that he should have continued moving. Now it looked like he was nervous. He tried to cover for it by stopping at the bar and ordering a drink.

Wade spun around several more times, before he came to a stop. In a stage whisper, he said. “You should try the pink stuff. It’s amazaling.”

Oh, he was just drunk. Iroh was relieved. “What pink stuff?” He was just going to order a gin and tonic, but why would he avoid a new experience?

Wade held up his drink. "I don't know what's in it, General, but it tastes like rainbows!"

General? Iroh frowned. Obviously very drunk. But he’d never tasted a rainbow before, so he decided he didn’t have anything to lose. So he ordered ‘the pink thing that tastes like rainbows’.

Wade swiveled again, facing him. "What brings the great Iroh to this bar." He seemed 100% sober.

Iroh frowned. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” This was bad. His contact got up and left, and that was bad, too. He needed to leave. This mess was on Ozai’s head anyway. He got his pink drink, and took a small sip. It was very sweet, and very strong. Actually, it was pretty tasty.

“Pfft. Of course you know what I'm talking about. A man like you, in a bar like this. Meeting Bob."

“Bob is a friend of mine. I’m just here to settle a bet.” Which was, in a round about way of thinking, true. Ozai had bet his warehouse wouldn’t be discovered, and he was wrong.

“Bob’s a corrupt copper,” Wade said. He paused and tilted his head. “Stop typing so loud.”

Straightening again, Wade said. “It drives me a little nuts. How loud he types. It’s like he’s slamming on the keyboard. Probably goes through them like candy.”

Iroh stared in a mixture of horror and. . . well also horror, but for a different reason. “Who’s typing?” That was a much safer line of thought, though maybe not for his sanity.

Wade waved a hand dismissively. “The yellow boxes that keep my thoughts are telling me that I should just leave you alone, but that’s no fun. Did you know your brother is moving organs?”

Iroh frowned. He had not been aware of that. “I’m insulted at the insinuation.” He straightened and stood again, leaving his drink mostly untouched on the bar.

“But the rainbows,” Wade said, looking aghast at the drink being abandoned.

“Enjoy it.” Iroh said, his voice making it clear he hoped Wade choked on it. He went for the door, irritated that something so simple would end in failure. He knew about the connection with Cerebus, and now this? It was too much. Ozai was reaching too far, and they would be caught. He knew, better than anyone, the consequence of greed.

“I think I freaked him out,” Wade said, to no one in particular. “I know he’s not the threat. Don’t worry about it. I got this.”