Chapter 3 : Tigress And Viper's Little Plan

The boat drifted smoothly along the river, its rhythmic swaying almost hypnotic as it cut through the calm, moonlit water. The night was quiet, save for the soft lapping of the river against the hull, the occasional sound of the boat's wood creaking underfoot, and the faint whisper of wind rustling the trees along the banks. The air was crisp, cool but refreshing, as the group enjoyed the last leg of their four-day journey toward Gongmen City.

Tigress and Viper walks away from Leo and spoke alone.

"Four days since he been like this." Viper murmured.

Tigress nodded and shifted her gaze to Leo's figure. "We know there's something hiding that he's not telling us."

The green snake bit her lip. "How do we even get him to open up?"

"We'll try to break through his defenses." Tigress answered. "With reason, persuasion or a little bit of blackmail."

The words were quiet, but Viper knew what Tigress meant. It was time for a different approach—one that would either break through Leo's defenses or force him to confront whatever it was that kept him so distant. They both approach Leo.

"Leo, you're not fine." Tigress said, her voice calm but firm.

"You don't need to keep whatever you're going through inside you. Talk to us."

Leo finally turned to face them, but his eyes were cold. There was something raw in his gaze, a pain that he kept tightly contained behind the wall of indifference he had built. "There's nothing to talk about."

Tigress narrowed her eyes.

"Stop lying to us." Tigress said, her voice growing harder. "We're not going to let you keep it buried. We want to help you."

Leo's lips curled into a faint, bitter smile, but there was no humor in it. "You don't understand."

Viper's voice became soft. "If you're not going to the funeral, then Tigress and I will have to drag you there."

His jade eyes glares at her when she hit a nerve and Leo knows that these two will not give up that easily. "I'm not going to the funeral." He responded right away. "I made a promise."

Tigress didn't flinch. "A promise?" she said, her tone skeptical. "What promise could be so important that you'd ignore everything else, Leo? You don't have to face this alone."

Viper added, her voice a bit lighter, though no less serious, "You know, we could always make this trip a lot harder for you. I'm sure we could find some very uncomfortable accommodations in Gongmen City, or maybe even change your travel arrangements."

"You're welcome to try." Leo challenges both female warriors. "I've handled all of your bickering on the way to the secret museum of kung fu better than all of you."

"You can't run from it, Leo. We'll make sure of that. And if you're not going to go willingly, well… we'll just have to make it a bit more… inconvenient." Viper said.

Tigress folded her arms across her chest, her eyes never leaving Leo's face. "You're part of this family. And we won't let you distance yourself from us. Not like this."

Leo fully turns around to face them both. Leo's fists clenched at his sides, his shoulders tensing, but he remained silent. His eyes flickered to Viper, then Tigress, but there was no breaking him. His resolve was unwavering, or so it seemed.

Then Viper, sensing a different approach, softened her tone slightly, but still firm. "Leo, we're not trying to force you into anything. But you need to face this. You can't hide from the past forever. Whatever it is you're keeping inside, you don't have to do it alone. But if you don't come with us, we'll make sure you regret it."

Tigress smirked slightly, her posture relaxed but still firm. "Maybe we'll just accidentally lose your bag on the way. Or perhaps forget to pack the one thing you really wanted for this trip."

Leo's jaw tightened. His eyes flickered with a mixture of frustration and something deeper—something darker. He wasn't about to give in. Not like this.

"I'm not going," he said again, his voice tight with finality.

Tigress paused, but only for a moment. Then, with a deep breath, she stepped forward and sat down beside him. "Leo, we're not giving up on you. But we need to know why. If you're so adamant about avoiding the funeral, then tell us why. We can't help you if you keep shutting us out."

Leo's eyes closed briefly, his face tightening as the weight of his promise threatened to break through the walls he'd built. The silence between them was suffocating now, but still, he didn't speak. He couldn't. Not yet.

Viper leaned in, her voice gentle but insistent. "We're here for you. We always have been. But if you really want to carry this alone, then we'll respect that. But don't think for a second that we won't push you when we have to. You owe us, Leo."

Tigress added, her tone softer, though still firm, "Master El was someone who helped us all, including you. You owe it to him, and you owe it to us, to face this. Whatever it is you're hiding from, you can't keep running."

Leo was silent for a long time, his expression unreadable. And then, slowly, his eyes met theirs, a flicker of something—pain, perhaps, or regret—crossing his face.

Finally, he sighed, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. "I can't do it. I can't face it yet. There's too much. Too many memories. I made a promise that I have to keep."

The boat drifted silently along the river, the stars overhead twinkling like distant, watching eyes. The rhythmic sounds in the water and the soft swaying of the boat were the only things that kept the silence from feeling unbearable. Yet within the small vessel, the tension was thick, coiling like a pressure that hadn't yet been released.

Leo turns away from the water and sits down to lean against the wall.

Tigress and Viper exchanged a glance, their plan already in motion. They weren't about to let Leo retreat into himself without a little… help. They knew he'd been avoiding the conversation about the funeral, and they knew there was something deeper he wasn't ready to face. But for tonight, they decided to start with something much more immediate: flustering him.

"You know," Viper said casually, her voice smooth and full of mischief, "I've been thinking about this hotel in Gongmen City. It's luxurious—really, really luxurious." She leaned closer to Tigress, her voice just loud enough for Leo to hear. "I've heard the rooms are incredible. The kind where everything is perfect—except for the little things that make you uncomfortable."

Leo glanced over at them, his interest piqued despite himself. He didn't want to be involved in their conversation, but Tigress and Viper weren't going to let him get away that easily.

"Uncomfortable, huh?" Tigress asked, her tone light but teasing, as she crossed her arms. "How do you mean?"

Viper grinned, sensing the opportunity. "Oh, you know—those little things that get under your skin. Like… really close quarters. Sharing a room with someone, for example. And not just anyone, but someone who's, well, already familiar." She glanced at Tigress with a knowing smirk. "You remember, Tigress? How close things can get when you're sharing a space with someone who's been around."

Tigress caught on immediately. Her gaze shifted to Leo, watching him carefully. "It's always those moments when you're a bit too close for comfort. You think you're fine, but then—" She let the sentence hang, giving him a subtle glance. "—suddenly you realize just how close you are. Especially when it's someone you've already shared time with."

Leo shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing just a fraction, his discomfort palpable but still not fully acknowledged. He said nothing, but the flush creeping up his neck didn't go unnoticed by either woman.

Viper couldn't resist. She leaned forward, her voice now lowering in a playful whisper. "Imagine it, Leo. Really close quarters, where space is tight, and even when you're trying to sleep, you can feel someone's presence just a little too much." She flicked her tongue out, her gaze fixed on him. "Not just any someone, though. Someone who's already seen a side of you most people never will."

Tigress smiled softly. "Someone who knows you very well, in fact." Her tone was calm, but there was an unmistakable knowing edge to it. "I mean, we've already spent some time together, haven't we, Leo? The kind of time where personal boundaries are close, but respected."

Leo's jaw clenched, his gaze still fixed on the water, but his chest tightened. He was starting to feel the weight of their words—he knew exactly what they were getting at. Over the past few months, he and Tigress had shared countless hours together, sparring, training, and sometimes… more. But they had never crossed that line—at least, not in a way that either of them would acknowledge.

Viper tilted her head, her eyes narrowing with amusement. "So, Leo, do you think you could handle that? Sharing a room with someone, being in close quarters for days, with nothing but a thin wall between you and them? No escape. Just being together."

Tigress's smile didn't falter. "We know you've shared more intimate moments with someone in the past. It's nothing new. But sometimes, those little moments can make you feel… exposed, can't they?"

Leo finally turned his head, his jade eyes narrowing into a sharp glare. "I'm not going," he muttered, his voice strained, but the faintest hint of a blush betrayed him.

Viper raised an eyebrow, not the least bit deterred. "Of course, you're not going," she said with a teasing smile. "But just imagine the what-ifs. What if we're all sharing that room? You, me, Tigress…" Her voice trailed off, her grin widening. "What would you do then?"

Tigress leaned in slightly, her voice lowering. "It's the little things, Leo. Those moments when we're close, and you feel the warmth of someone right there, and all you can think is, 'Maybe this is a bit too close.' But what do you do when there's nowhere else to go? No way to escape that feeling?" She paused for effect, her tone soft and steady. "The proximity. The intimacy of sharing a room, a space, with someone you've already spent so much time with—without crossing boundaries, of course."

Leo's face was now fully flushed. His usual calm and collected demeanor was beginning to crack under the weight of their teasing, and he couldn't seem to hide the rush of heat rising in his cheeks. He crossed his arms tighter.

Viper continued, her voice growing more playful with each word. "Or what if, Leo, we decided to keep it… close for the entire trip? Imagine being in that room with us, maybe even having to share a bed with someone. Someone familiar. Someone who might be… a little too familiar with you."

Tigress's gaze softened, though her smile remained. "It's just the way things work sometimes, Leo. You can't always keep things at arm's length. And when you're forced into close proximity with someone you know… things get complicated, don't they?"

Leo's hands were shaking slightly as he clenched them at his sides, his face now fully red. He was caught in a game he couldn't win, and yet he still held firm, refusing to acknowledge any weakness. "I don't want to talk about this," he growled, his voice low, a hint of frustration breaking through.

Viper tilted her head, her grin widening as she leaned closer to Tigress. "You see, Tigress? He's already flustered. Just thinking about being in a shared space with us, together." She gave Leo one last look, her voice teasing. "I think it's safe to say, you'd be more than uncomfortable. You'd be downright miserable."

Tigress's expression softened, her voice cool yet understanding. "Don't worry, Leo. We won't put you in an uncomfortable situation… unless you decide not to come with us to the funeral."

Leo's jaw tightened, his pride warring with the growing tension. He wanted to ignore them, to shut out the thoughts swirling in his mind, but it was impossible. They knew too much. The teasing was relentless, and the knowledge that they had crossed lines—small lines—in the past made everything feel like it was closing in on him.

Viper gave him a smile. "The choice is yours, Leo. You can come along with us, or you can avoid it and face whatever consequences we decide to throw at you."

Leo sat still, his face flushed from the unexpected intimacy of the teasing moments earlier. His thoughts, however, were not on the playful banter anymore. His mind had returned to the dark place of old memories, the ones he'd buried so deeply. Still, he couldn't help but feel the weight of Tigress and Viper's presence, the warmth of their care—something he wasn't used to but was slowly starting to realize he needed. He watches them both sit down on either side of him.

Viper, with her smooth, sinuous body, coiled effortlessly around Leo. Her sapphire blue eyes gleamed with mischief, and though she had no arms or legs, her movements were graceful and deliberate as she slithered around him. She had an uncanny ability to sense when someone was retreating into themselves, and right now, Leo's emotional walls were higher than ever. But Viper wasn't going to let that stop her. She could be persistent, but she also knew how to be patient.

Her tail, like a gentle, persistent vine, circled Leo's legs and waist, pulling him closer as she laid herself along the length of his lap. She didn't have the leverage of arms, but her presence was more than enough to trap his attention.

"Still trying to keep your distance, huh, Leo?" Viper teased, her voice soft but with a knowing edge. Her tail tightened around him just slightly, ensuring he couldn't move away without the slightest resistance. Her movement was subtle—like a caress. "You think you can keep hiding in your shell forever?"

Leo flinched, feeling the pressure of her tail curling around his legs, as though she were drawing him into her orbit. He shifted uncomfortably, looking down at her, but unable to meet her mischievous gaze.

"W-What do you want from me?" Leo finally muttered, his voice strained. He could feel his cheeks burning from the attention, but there was something else—something deeper that Viper was tapping into. Her gaze, playful yet understanding, flickered with a sense of knowing that unsettled him.

Viper slid herself up to rest against him more comfortably, her tail gently tracing along his thighs. Her movements were slow and deliberate, each touch deliberate in its intimacy. "I want you to stop pretending you can do this all by yourself," she purred softly, her voice never rising above the quiet murmur of the river. "You think you're tough because you don't show your pain, Leo. But that doesn't make you strong, it makes you alone. And we don't want you to be alone."

Tigress, watching from the edge of the boat, softened her gaze but didn't intervene. She knew Viper's method, and despite her own restrained demeanor, she trusted Viper's ability to break through Leo's walls. Tigress had seen it before, how Leo's tough exterior sometimes masked the vulnerability he refused to show.

"You don't need to be alone, Leo," Tigress added, her voice calm but full of unspoken understanding. "Not anymore."

Leo sat frozen, caught between the force of Viper's comforting, constant presence and Tigress's unwavering support. His body was stiff, his arms crossed tightly across his chest in an almost defensive posture. But his mind was elsewhere—circling around the same thoughts that had plagued him for so many years.

Viper's tail flicked playfully against his legs, nudging him slightly, and her smooth, serpentine form slithered up to his chest. "You can keep pretending all you want," she teased. "But I know when something's eating at you. You've been like this since we left the Jade Palace. Don't think I haven't noticed."

Leo swallowed hard, his pulse quickening. He didn't want to admit it. He didn't want to show them the cracks. Not now. Not yet. "I'm fine," he grumbled, the words coming out rough, but without conviction.

Viper's body moved, undulating with ease, her tail making subtle but insistent motions around his body. "You're not fine, Leo. You're pushing yourself too hard." She rested against his chest, the pressure of her body not overbearing, but just enough to make him feel the weight of her presence. "But we're not going anywhere. Not unless you tell us what's really going on in that head of yours."

Tigress, always the observer, leaned forward slightly, her voice soft but grounded in truth. "You don't have to carry it all alone. We're right here. You don't have to keep shutting us out."

Leo closed his eyes, the internal struggle evident in the tension in his shoulders and the set of his jaw. He was torn between the urge to retreat further into himself and the dawning realization that, perhaps, he didn't have to. Maybe he didn't need to shoulder the weight of everything on his own.

Viper's tail curled even tighter around his waist, not in force, but in a slow, deliberate pressure that mirrored her insistence. "We're your friends, Leo," she said softly, her voice a gentle caress against his ear. "And we're not going to let you face this alone."

Leo felt a deep sigh escape him, the air rushing from his lungs in a slow, reluctant release. His chest tightened, and the weight of unspoken words threatened to overwhelm him. He could feel the sincerity in both their voices—their care for him, the quiet understanding that was offered, even when he didn't want to accept it.

Viper's blue eyes, normally sparkling with mischief, now held a trace of gentleness as she looked up at him, her body still coiled snugly against him. "Whenever you're ready, Leo, we'll be here. But you don't have to carry this burden by yourself."

For the first time in a long while, Leo allowed himself to breathe, the tension in his body releasing just a little. He wasn't sure when or how he would be ready to talk, but the idea of not having to do it alone started to feel… less suffocating.

His fingers twitched at his side, a sign that he was beginning to soften, even if just a little. He didn't speak right away. He wasn't ready.

Viper's tail, still resting around his waist, loosened just enough for him to breathe a little easier before releasing him completely.

Tigress and Viper exchanged knowing glances, clearly aware of the effect their playful teasing was having on Leo. He, on the other hand, was doing his best to remain composed, though it was becoming increasingly difficult.

"You know, Leo," she began with that teasing tone of hers, "the hotel in Gongmen City… it's going to be big—really big."

Leo didn't even glance at her. "I'm sure it's grand," he muttered, trying to maintain his usual level of cool.

Viper, coiled up near Leo's feet, couldn't resist joining in. "I heard the rooms are massive. You could probably fit an entire family in one and still have room to spare. Perfect for, well, close encounters."

Leo's jaw tightened, and he sighed inwardly. He had a feeling this was going somewhere he didn't want it to. "I'm sure it'll be fine," he said, his voice just a little too clipped to sound completely convincing.

Tigress leaned in slightly, not too close but enough to make Leo aware of her presence. "You know, Leo," she said, her voice lower now, "I'm starting to think it's going to be too comfortable. Too much space, but not enough personal space. Imagine, you, me, and Viper… all in one room."

Leo stiffened, feeling his body tense involuntarily. He wasn't sure what was worse—the teasing or the fact that Tigress's voice had softened in that way that only heightened his discomfort. He stayed silent, his hands gripping the sides of the boat, eyes fixed straight ahead.

Viper's eyes glinted mischievously, and with a sly grin, she slithered a little closer. "It's going to be so cozy," she teased, her voice soft but deliberate. "Imagine being stuck in one room together… Maybe even too close."

Leo felt his chest tighten. This wasn't the kind of teasing he was used to. He could feel the heat rise in his face. He didn't laugh, didn't chuckle; he just remained as still as possible, hoping they'd move on.

But Tigress wasn't done. She moved even closer now, her strong arms wrapping lightly around him, pulling him into a loose embrace. The warmth of her touch was unmistakable, but it only made him feel more exposed. She kept her hold gentle, but it was enough to make Leo's body stiffen in response.

Her voice was calm, almost soothing as she whispered, "Imagine how close we'll all be. The three of us, together, in one room. You've handled close quarters before, Leo." She paused, her lips brushing lightly against his ear as she added with a teasing edge, "But this might be different."

Leo didn't respond, trying to keep his composure, but he could feel his heart rate picking up. He felt her slowly, almost deliberately, tracing circles on his upper back with her fingers. It was a gentle, almost unconscious movement, but it sent a jolt through him, making it that much harder to ignore the fact that he was practically frozen in place.

Before he could say anything, Viper, ever the troublemaker, slithered up his back, her smooth, cold body brushing against his ear as she reached his head. She paused for a moment before deliberately flicking her tail, letting it trail lightly over his ear.

Leo couldn't suppress the shiver that ran down his spine. He clenched his jaw tighter, trying to remain unfazed, but it was no use.

"You're going to have to get used to this, Leo," Viper said, her voice low and almost teasing, "or at least learn how to keep calm when things… get close."

As if on cue, Tigress leaned in further, her cheek now resting against his, her arms still loosely wrapped around him. Leo could feel her warm breath on his skin, her presence so close that it made his mind race even faster.

She planted a quick, soft kiss on his cheek. "You're fine, Leo," she said, her voice almost a whisper, but the words were laced with teasing affection. "Just making sure you're prepared."

Viper gave a soft hiss of laughter as she slid from his shoulder down to his lap, curling up comfortably. "Looks like you're going to have to face close quarters now."

Leo's heart pounded in his chest. He could feel his face burning as he kept his gaze down, trying not to acknowledge the fact that both Tigress and Viper were now crowding him in such a way that his personal space was barely a memory. He didn't laugh. He didn't chuckle. He just stayed still, silently enduring the playful teasing, though the blush on his cheeks betrayed him.

After a few more moments of gentle teasing, Tigress and Viper seemed to sense they'd pushed him as far as they could for now. They exchanged an amused glance before getting up, their eyes still dancing with mischief.

"Alright, Leo," Tigress said, her voice still light but teasing, "we'll leave you to relax."

Viper gave him a wink. "But just remember, you never know when close might become a little too close."

With that, they both moved to the stern of the boat, leaving Leo sitting in his spot, trying to recover from the onslaught of teasing. The boat continued its journey toward Gongmen City, the lights of the city slowly becoming visible on the horizon.

Leo took a deep breath, trying to settle his racing thoughts. Despite the teasing, he knew it was all in good fun, but for now, he was grateful for the space as Tigress and Viper settled into the back of the boat. He just hopes none of will convince him to go to the funeral.

Author's Note: What do you guys think? I hope you all enjoy this chapter, everyone! Don't forget to Follow, Favorite, leave a review and PM!