Bubbles


He used to hate washing dishes. His father would have massive dish loads before finally making him sweep the floor. Not only that but the water, soap, and suds would get everywhere. But that all changed at Jade Palace. Zeng or another servant would usually do it, but since the ducks were gone for the day, Po decided to do it. "Why don't the others help," He mumbled to himself. Not that it bothered him. Washing five plates was much easier than washing 29 plates, bowls, cups, and chopsticks which his father repeatedly said needed to be cleaned even though Po suggested throwing them away after use.

It was actually relaxing now; the bubbles and suds floated up Po's arms as he carefully washed the knives before getting to the plates.

Of course, soaps and suds went everywhere. Water always seemed to get his pants wet. But it was nice to see some of the bubbles rise up from the water and pop in front of his face.

"Hmmm." Po took his fingers and made a ring. The glossy soap water dripped around his fingers as he blew a bubble. "Hehe, cool. Wait, I got an idea!" Finishing up his load, Po quickly got the soap bar, filled a small bowl, and raced back to his room. He made a small loop with some leftover wire he found the other day; it was thin enough to bend easily. Mixing the soap and the water, he carefully dipped the metal wand in, pulled it up, and blew his first bubbles. "Hmmm, needs to be a little more soapy...er? How do you say it? Soapier? Sopeer?"

"Po!"

"AHH!" The panda jumped and looked back at the door where Tigress stood with her arms crossed. "Oh uhhh H-h-hi Tigress. What are you... what are you doing here?"

"Master Shifu wants you to... what is that?" She asked, pointing to the bubble Po just formed.

"Oh it's a bubble. I was just uh... blowing bubbles," Po embarrassedly grinned. Tigress tilted her head.

"You... blow bubbles?"

"You've never seen a bubble before? Wait, how do you wash yourself?"

Tigress glared. "I've seen bubbles before, Po. I just... never knew you could... make them like that." Po stood up, grabbing the bowl in his hand.

"Watch this!" Po dipped the wand and blew a string of bubbles. They floated silently in the air, hovering like little orbs of refracted light. Tigress's pupils widened as she took a tentative finger and popped one of them. She popped another, and then another. An excited growl came out of her throat. "Anyway, that's what I was doing. You said Shifu needed me?"

"Uh... ummm yes, yes."

"Okay, I'll get going after I throw this out."

"Wait, why?"

"Ummm," Po scratched the back of his head. "Well, I... don't want the others to know I blow bubbles for fun. They might say I'm being a little kid."

Tigress smirked. "If remember correctly, you're like that most of the time."

"Yeah, but I don't want them teasing me about it."

Tigress gently took the bowl. "I'll take care of it until you come back."

"Really?" Po asked. "I mean, it's really not that special. I can just make another... wait," A slow widening grin spread across the panda's face. "Were you having fun with the bubbles?"

"N-nno, I was just," Tigress cleared her throat and stood taller. "I was trying to be... respectful of your things. But if you don't care about me helping you-"

"No, no, no. I was joking," Po chuckled nervously. "Okay, keep it for now. Hopefully I'll be right back."

With that, he ran out the door and went to find Master Shifu, leaving Tigress with the bowl of soapy water.

Po grumbled and fussed as he rolled his tense shoulders back. "Dang it. I didn't think it would take that long. I must have been gone for two hours getting those villagers to calm down. Sheesh, I didn't think wool coats were such a big deal." He yawned and stretched his body, shivering a bit. "Ahh that felt good. I can't wait to go get some rest. Oh wait! Argh! Tigress! I hope she hasn't been sitting there all this time." Po shook his head. "Nah, there's no way she'd be sitting for two hours just with a bowl of soap water."

When he opened the door to his room, he was surprised by three things.

One, Tigress was still in the room.

Two, the bowl of soap water had decreased majorly since he left.

And three, Tigress was on her back, blowing bubbles with the metal wand and popping them with a small bemused smile. "Uhhh Tigress?"

"Po!" She jumped up, nearly tipping the bowl over. "Wh-Wh-What are you doing here?"

"Uh... this is my room?"

"Right, apologies." She said with a bow.

Po looked at the bowl. "Have you been in here this whole time blowing bubbles?" He asked.

"Ummm, I uhh...It hasn't been that long."

"Ummm that's not what I asked, and it has been that long. It's been two hours."

"What!?" She looked at the window. Indeed, the sun had moved several degrees in the sky. It was beginning to set. "Oh um... I guess I-" Then she heard sniggering. Her eyes glared at the panda. "Po, what's so funny?"

"No, no nothing, it's just... I really like it when you try to act tough sometimes," Po chuckled. Tigress crossed her arms, still holding her glare. "Tigress, it's okay. You like bubbles. There's nothing wrong with that."

"Didn't you say that people would look at you as a little kid?"

Po rolled his eyes. "But that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. It's okay to treat yourself every once in a while. And you like blowing bubbles. There's nothing wrong or embarrassing about it." He stretched out his hand and rested it on her shoulder. "I don't think it's embarrassing."

"I... I guess." Po gently took the bowl of soapy water away from her.

"How about we keep this our little secret, hm?"

Tigress gave a gentle smile. "I think I'd like that."

Of course, they'd blow bubbles together in their private time. But that's another story.