And He Will Be Loved

A/N: AU, Master Oogway said it was his time, but for what? Not very clear, and besides, who doesn't love an old, wise guy? Warning! Slash and confusion! I dunno what's wrong with me, either, but I love this guy! And no, I still don't own KFP.

Master Oogway glanced up at the top of Jade Mountain. He'd missed his home at the Jade Palace, and was glad to finally have returned.

Walking around the Village, he avoided a commotion and skillfully ascended the mountainside, smile on his face the entire way.

As he reached the Palace gates, Master Oogway paused, thinking for a moment before meandering around to the back. He entered the thick forest and simply stood, allowing the warm summer breeze to seep through his shell, wrap around his body, and welcome him home. Walking forward, he glanced up to see a black and white form hanging upside down from a high branch, clad in patchwork pants, ragged piece of cloth tied around his midline.

"Good day, Dragon Warrior," he called, stepping back as the young panda fell from his perch, landing with a resounding 'thud' on the soft forest floor.

Glancing up with a look of complete disbelief, Po spoke, voice soft though stuttering, "M-Master Oogway? Are you really here? I-I mean, I thought you were dead!"

"Dead? Oh, no, when I said it was my time, I meant my time to go see the Emperor. He had requested an audience with me and I went to see him to discuss his daughters' birthday gifts. My time to die is not for a long time, but you are distressed. What is troubling you?" Oogway questioned, walking toward the panda boy.

Fidgeting at his nearness, Po replied, "Master Oogway, what do you do if you love someone, but you doubt that they could possibly feel the same for you?"

"Well, that is a tough question, but I think that the answer should reveal itself to you if you let it," he answered, oblivious to the panda's blushing.

Po sighed as he tried to clear him mind, a single, nagging doubt that yelled to him the cruelest of things fogging up his heart's desire.

"What if it would seem improper to others for you to love this person?" he asked, continuing his fidgeting.

"Love is love, and whom it is with does not matter. There is a proverb, what would you attempt if you knew you could not fail? Perhaps that is the incentive you need?" the gentle turtle offered, smile never faltering.

Taking a deep breath, Po heard his heart shout, 'Jump! Jump now! Jump before you can think, so you won't regret it!'

Closing emerald eyes, Po did something no one in China had ever done and caught Master Oogway off guard. Lessening the miniature space between their lips, Po pressed full against his master, smooth, youthful lips grazing an age worn mouth, asking permission that was answered with a step back, denying him the kiss he had wanted.

A look of amazement passed over the ancient tortoise's face as he breathed a single question, "You are in love with me?"

Po nodded, rubbing his arm as he held a staring contest with the grass, replying softly, "I have been since you spoke to me at the Sacred Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom. At first, I thought it was merely respect, but then I realized that what I felt for Master Shifu was respect. I . . I love you, Master Oogway."

The surprise faded from his face as he seemed to be considering something important, and Po spoke again, "I'm sorry, Master. I didn't mean to offend you. I-I'll just g-go p-pack my things. I'm sorry."

The hurt and disappointment saturated his entire body, and he turned to leave.

A single, clawed hand wrapped around his arm, stopping him in his tracks. Turning, he found himself face to face with the object of his affections. And said person was smiling.

"My dear boy, you didn't even give me a chance to reply," Master Oogway then did the one thing Po had not expected, not that he was complaining.

He kissed him.

Not a light, brief pass of his lips, either. Po felt hands on his upper arms, could smell Master Oogway's travels, a soft scent that permeated his entire being, and he could taste his sorrows, his joys, his life. He tasted of sweet ginger and ginseng, intoxicating and yet, he knew that if he were to pull away, to change his mind, to leave, the tortoise would let him, so he would stay. He would bask, here in his elegant humility, within his strong, withered arms, he would make his home. And he would be loved.

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