Oddly, she hadn't thought anything of it, until Mantis' recurring complaints about his "Best Bro" almost never hanging around anymore, but rather, choosing the company of a certain special panda warrior. It was true, of course; Monkey and Po's occasional play-dates had grown into a near daily ritual over the past few weeks. Sometimes even more often than that.

And it was said little observation that had really peaked Viper's interest - activated that oh so delicate serpent's intuition, if you will.

Something was different.

Once she'd figured that part out, it hadn't taken her very long to put the pieces together; and after that, it'd only been a matter of time, awaiting the perfect moment, before she'd decided to approach her dear friend on the matter. Despite her motherly heart, after all, she was insatiably curious. She always had been. And it had usually been a blessing, more often than not. A helpful compliment to her instinctual desires to step in as the spirit guide they all needed sometime or another. Ah, Viper, always the altruist.

Well. Almost always.

Unless of course...she simply couldn't resist the sweet temptations of knowledge. Which was indeed the case...now and again. No one's perfect, right?

Monkey hurriedly made his way down the hall of the Jade Palace's student barracks, and out the door to begin his journey down to the river where he and Po had been meeting faithfully almost every afternoon now. For training, of course. So their story went. No one had actually questioned it in a while. It was just another day, like all the rest.

So naturally, the ape hadn't a single expectation that anyone would be waiting right outside beside the barrack's entrance, to do just that.

"Monkey!"

At the sudden calling, he stopped abruptly, nearly skidding to a halt; his feet had barely touched the ground after the spritely leap through the doorway he'd only just taken.

Despite the surprise, he nimbly spun himself around to face the inquisitor. "Eh?!"

Viper normally would've been a bit more apologetic for nearly sending one to their face, but there was no room in her thoughts for such things today. For she had a plan - a crafty little tactic, if you will, driven alone by curious inductions and the craving to solidify them.

When her opening was granted, she quickly slithered forward to fill the space between them, and continued with confidence. "Tell me what's going on with you and Po."

It wasn't a question, but a demand. And an accusatory one if there ever was.

Monkey blinked, noticeably taken aback. His comrade, however, only stood her ground, steady and straight-faced; though internally, her smile grew wide. Gotcha.

Sure, it was...slightly manipulative, maybe...but essentially harmless. The snake's intentions were never truly malicious, even when cunning was her weapon of choice. A small price to pay for the answers she sought.

"Er, what do you mean?" he replied after an awkward pause. Shifty eyes and a stifled laugh accompanied the obviously feigned ignorance.

Viper sighed, "Oh, don't deny it!" She shook her head with the words. She then met his gaze again, and softened into a knowing smile. "I know that look."

It was a half-truth. Something was definitely going on, that she knew. The exact nature of said something, however, she hadn't quite placed, but rather...assumed. She awaited a sign: a bashful denial, a nervous laugh, blushing cheeks? Any indication now, that her assumption was correct. But Monkey, only smiled after a moment of silence, the look she spoke of more than evident in the guilty twinkle of his blue eyes.

"Okay," he finally answered with a chuckle. "Then I won't."

And with that, he turned on his toes to bound down the mountainside steps and off to the river to find Po as per usual, leaving his serpentine comrade wide-eyed and speechless at his unapologetic confession.

Notes:

Pre-KFP2.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my work! Each chapter will be a separate scene/idea unless otherwise specified, so the lengths will vary. Feedback is super appreciated, but regardless, I hope you enjoy. :)