Tigress wasn't the most affectionate person in the world.

Now, that's not to say she wasn't compassionate. She cared about people, a lot, sometimes even more than herself. She just... didn't really know how to show it unless it came down to very vulnerable situations.

Like being there for Crane and staying by his side whilst he was suffering a panic attack. Or comforting Viper when she was under the pressure of being a new kung fu warrior when she wasn't as strong as Tigress as the others when they were younger. Or when she held Monkey's hand and stood in front of him in order to protect him when they were both facing Monkey's criminal father, to which he appreciated by a landslide. Or when she would let the poor bug, Mantis, lie and cry on her shoulder when he would drunkenly cry over some girl.

...Or when she held Po close in Gongman city's jail cell after he revealed his inner turmoils about Lord Shen.

Since then, though she wasn't as verbal about her emotions just as she was before Po came into her life, her ways to show love and affection did grow. She just showed it in... different ways.

Po never minded that, however.

He knew that after knowing for Tigress for a long time and finally pursuing a relationship with her, something they both secretly wanted for a while, that she wasn't as openly affectionate as he was. Around the people he cared about, he didn't just listen, he sprinkled them with words of praise and love, he would give them little gifts to show his gratitude for their mere existence, he knew he would always put the people he cared about as his top priority to protect, regardless of what happened to him. And he LOVES giving physical affection. A lot.

But he knew Tigress wasn't necessarily like that. She kinda preferred her personal space. It was a miracle how she only lets Po hold her constantly, and vice versa. But Po knew that this was definitely a luxury he wouldn't take advantage of. He wasn't the sharpest knife in the shed, but he knew how to keep his boundaries unless Tigress was comfortable. And with the space and boundaries he gave her, she gladly gave back to him.

If there was somethings they both had in common, it was definitely how they were actually a lot more patient with each other than they have led on.

That and they have worked around how to show each other the affection they both crave in a way they both know and understand; Acts of service.

Small, not very grand gestures that they would leave for each other, though not much to the eye of, well, everyone else, it meant more than enough for Tigress and Po.

Like how Tigress would polish Po's action figures for him (and actually call them action figures whilst also correcting anyone who called them 'dolls' or 'toys' for Po. It was the first time he kinda stepped over board and asked her to marry him on the spot, to which Tigress slyly replied with "Slow down, Dragon Warrior~"). Or when Po would tidy up Tigress' room for her after a stressful day. or when Tigress would stay with Po whilst he cooked and washed the dishes, as even though she wasn't the most domesticated person, she still wanted to put in the effort to help anyway she could whilst giving him grateful hugs from behind him. Or when Po would leave little discreet yet encouraging little notes for Tigress while she was training or just straight up cheer her on from the sidelines, which never ceased to motivate Tigress in a meaningful way. Or when Tigress would cover for Po whilst he was training as he desired to be with his dads, or when he would bandage up Tigress' wounds during a rough mission, or when they would comfort and listen to each other during long nights, or defend each other the most on the battle field.

It was a small system that worked so well because they both gave as much as they received. Though the 'defending each other on the battle field' thing kind of led to a few arguments and disagreements if one or the other were acting restless, they were barely any problems with this. They both were satisfied with what they already had with each other, since simply being with each other was honestly more than what the two warriors could have ever wanted.

Which was why Po wasn't really expecting anything different to happen as they sat at the Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom. This place has became quite a safe heaven for Po and Tigress to lay under and be their true selves. Though hesitant, this was where they grew to be more comfortable with holding paws, cuddling, even giving each other little pecks of kisses. They felt free to be in love in a world where they know they would be teased and mocked for their relationship.

As usual, Po was rambling about a senseless thing whilst Tigress keenly listened with a fond smile on her face as they held each other's paw. She watched in fascination on how Po always managed to make such mundane topics sound so passionate coming from his mouth, how erratic his hand gesture was whilst the hand that still held hers was as gentle and calm as ever, and even watched the way his legs would kick up when he got a little too excited. Her ears pinned back in pleasure as she took in all the words that his soothing voice would release, and looked directly into his eyes as it glistened amongst the starry night sky. Had his eyes always shimmered in that green hue?

Regardless, his very existence was enough to warm Tigress' heart and give her an overwhelming sense of peace.

She had no idea what happened to her. Years ago she would have despised the very sound of his voice. Let alone thought she wouldn't be caught dead alone with him in this condition. She thought she was smarter than this. She told herself she wasn't the most affectionate person in the world. What changed? Had this seemingly oblivious panda put her under some kind of spell or she did she really just become a helpless love-sick fool for him?

At least that was what her brain was constantly asking of her. Scolding her for, even. Her heart, however, finally had a say in the matter and, for the first time in almost two decades, spoke louder than anything her brain had a say in. And it very much spoke the truth for her. Quite literally.

"Gods I love you."

Po froze on the spot as his cheeks immediately heated up with a beaming pick coat. His eyes as wide as the moon shining above, he slowly turned his head towards his Tigress with his mouth left gaping. Did she really just say that, or was he being delusional?

Tigress arched her eyebrow in curiosity, silently asking what was wrong with him and why he simply stopped on the spot, until her own eyes slowly widened as she came to a horrid realisation.

"I said that out loud, didn't I?"

...Well, at least he knew he wasn't being delusional. He finally had the strength to blink a few times as his expression drooped just a tad. He looked down at his humble patch up trousers and fidgeted with the seams.

"Uh... yeah. Ya kinda did, heh.." He sheepishly chuckled, further more embarrassing the poor tiger. She begrudgingly removed her paw away from Po and played around with her numb paws, her fang biting down on her lip as her face turned into a shade of red so bright no amount of orange thick fur could hide it. She definitely crossed a boundary, didn't she?

"I... I'm sorry. I didn't— ah... I don't know why I said that— I shouldn't have..."

She tried to explain herself, but she suddenly felt the words jam in the back of her throat, something that happened quite rarely. She finally sighed and found the courage to finally look back at the panda, only to be shocked when he looked back at her, his blush gone and his face changing from a nervous expression to one that looked almost... heart-broken? But why?

Po felt a lump in his throat, and tried his best to swallow it down, but he knew it couldn't hide his teary eyes, his trembling lip or his heavy chest. He looked away from her and down at his dangling feet, his paws pressed to his lap as they scrunched up the leg sleeves of his pants, trying his absolute hardest to hold himself together.

"D-did you..." He took a shaky breath as he whimpered. "Did you not... m-mean it?"

Tigress felt her heart quench when he said that. Her expression softened as she looked down at his bawled up paws. She reached forward and gently put her numb paw on his, causing him to look up at her finally.

"Oh, Po... no, of course I meant it... I was just... scared."

Po quirked up his eyebrow as his glistening eyes now showed confusion, "S-scared? Of what?"

The feline wanted to say, but she stopped herself, for even she didn't even know. What was she scared of? Crossing a line? making Po uncomfortable? hurting him? Hurting herself? Scared he wouldn't say it back?

She finally shrugged. "I'm... honestly not sure. But if there is something I am sure of... I-I do love you. That much is true." She finally broke into a comforting smile.

Po knew she was really telling the truth; only she would smile like that when she was sincere. His lips quivered up into a shaky smile as a tear finally left his eye, to which Tigress was quick on catching in her fingers and tenderly wiping away.

"Oh how long I have wished you would say those three words to me..." He finally admitted, causing Tigress' whole form to brighten up. She didn't say anything however, as she merely placed her forehead against Po's, feeling her own tears form in her ember eyes as they held each other close. She moved her paws up to cup his face as he moved his own paws down to pull Tigress close around the waist in a way he knew she would be comfortable with. They held each other like that for what seemed like a heavenly eternity as they muttered those exact same three words to each other the whole time, never getting tired of hearing it or saying it.

Tigress may have not been the most affectionate person in the world, but if there was something she did know... she really did love her panda.

~THE END~