She didn't know how.
She didn't know when.
But Tigress had figured out that she loved the panda.
With all her heart.
She didn't know what she would do without him.
He had changed her life.
He made her cherish things a little bit more than previously.
He made her realize that life is full of joy.
Or at least, it can be when he's not being so God damn annoying.
"Po."
The panda continued to blab about unimportant topics, such as why he still preferred eating with chopsticks instead of with his hands, like the other pandas.
In the beginning, the start of this conversation was about how his dad's were finally getting along. Then, somehow it changed to facts about how the goose cooked his food. Now, it was about using chopsticks.
They had been at Mr. Pings noodle shop for the past hour and a half. No one was even in the shop anymore because it has gotten so late. The sun was about halfway down on the horizon, creating a beautiful rusted hue.
"I mean, seriously, when you think about it, it's really gross. Your fingers have touched a lot of things. Why would you want to use them to eat?"
"Po."
"It's not sanitary, at all. What if, I don't know... What if somebody just went to the bathroom and-"
"Po!"
"Yeah, I know, it's gross to think about. That's why I prefer using chopsticks. I guess you too. The other pandas probably don't really think about that stuff as much as I do. I can see why, kind of. They just want-"
Tigress raised her arms up in the position that would translate to something like 'really?!'
"-to eat their food quickly because of how hungry we can get. I understand their reasonings, but still, I think I will have to pass on that panda style."
Po looked over to where Tigress was sitting, at least, where she should be sitting. Instead, she was walking away, nearing the exit of his dad's noodle shop.
Po jumped out of his seat and rushed towards Tigress. He grabbed her shoulders to stop her from going any further. She complied to him and decided to stop.
"Hey! What are doing, Tigress?!"
Tigress snapped her head back at him furiously. She couldn't believe how he didn't realize how disrespected she felt. He had been going on and on with his idiotic little stories without letting her even get to speak with him.
"What I should've done an hour ago." she muttered.
Po's expression softened, a little hurt from her comment. The panda was completely oblivious to why Tigress was upset with him. His grip loosened on her shoulders and moved his hands down her arms.
"What did I do this time?" Po asked saddened.
Tigress felt a sense of sympathy for him. She never wanted to make Po feel bad about his wrongdoings, but that's how it always ended up. Tigress sighed and made herself seem calmer.
"Don't speak to me. Speak with me."
Po sighed out of guilt. He had been trying really hard to correct some of his disapproving behavior ever since his new relationship with Tigress. Po wanted to do everything he could to make things work with them.
"I'm sorry. I'll try not-."
"Don't speak about what you are going to do, or not do. Present yourself clearly."
Yet, another thing he had to do. But, it was all worth it. It's not like Po was completely changing himself, but in order to have a relationship work with the girl of his dreams, he would do anything.
"Gotcha."
"And..."
Po mentally braced himself.
"...apology accepted." she said with a playful smile.
"Oh, come here."
Po pulled her by the waist as he brought her in for a kiss. The panda was careful not to let his hands from moving too far. He didn't want to have another thing to add to the pile if he could prevent it.
The kiss only lasted for about ten seconds, but it was amazing. As much as Tigress hated to admit it, she loved it when Po would grab her and kiss her at random parts of the day.
"That was... unexpected." Tigress said a little embarrassed after pulling away.
"Well, I was 'presenting myself clearly.'"
Journey to Shandong is updated!!!