Chapter Text
Snooping around the scrolls in the Jade Palace was always beneficial.
It wasn’t forbidden, but Po couldn’t help glance to the doors every so often in fear. Shifu’s ability to move with complete silence was a phobia the masters held in common. More often than they’d like to admit they’d each been caught doing something… ahem, worthy of punishment. It didn’t help that Shifu was incredibly fast with the best hearing out of all of them. This made room for even more opportunities to get caught out and given horrible consequences.
A notable one was the time everyone witnessed Viper trying to sneak into Crane’s room and pluck one of his feathers out while he was sleeping. They found out later that she planned to attach it to a bamboo stick and use it as a quill (which was a little… disturbing if Po had to be honest). She got caught out by Crane emitting a scream so loud that everyone in the Palace woke up (even Shifu, who wasn’t even in the barracks at the time) and burst into Crane’s room at an ungodly hour of the morning ready to fight whoever had broken in. Viper claimed that she didn’t think he’d feel the pull of a feather enough for him to wake up, and confessing the higher level of pain tolerance she thought he had. Shifu was not happy. Neither was Crane. And Tigress was annoyed at both of them for interrupting her sleep. On the other hand, Monkey and Mantis were having the time of their lives, laughing so much that Shifu threatened them with a personal sparring match if they didn’t shut up. Viper was thoroughly embarrassed and apologetic and she dutifully took her punishment of cleaning the training hall every day after training.
Po snickered at the memory, it was possibly her most absurd moment he knew of.
He glanced again at the doors out of paranoia. He didn’t know what Shifu would say over him reading instead of training, but he probably wouldn’t be happy over the blatant disrespect of some of the more informative (boring) scrolls. But the scrolls held so much awesome wisdom! Wisdom that was actually interesting! The other masters tended not to go in, only sometimes Mantis for medical research and Monkey to accompany or distract him. But the other masters had lived there for years, and they’d probably already done their fair share of snooping.
So Po was just catching up.
After a good amount of time and a substantial mess made (flinging scrolls may have not been the best idea) Po found a scroll on Inner Peace. He sat down eagerly and let the parchment unfurl the length of the hall. There was an incredible amount of detail and Po would be lying if he said he was completely interested in it. But still, even with too many words, there was one that caught his eye.
An affirmation.
Huh, that sounds like something I could do. It wasn’t so much a technique as it was a friendly thing. It also reminded him of his dad reiterating (sometimes frustratingly) the importance of good Feng Shui in the home. He would frantically move the furniture and clear the view of the windows to let the energy pass through. But Feng Shui was just a superstition (one which the elders followed religiously) and an affirmation was more of a physical thing. A quick fix, if you will. With hopefully some obvious benefits. And Po knew just who needed one.
Tigress and Viper had returned from a short mission with hung heads and tired eyes.
Viper had managed to bounce back within a few days, not forgetting but letting herself be free of their obvious failure. (No one was actually brave enough to ask what happened. They just knew that Shifu had a long talk with both of them privately where Monkey unsuccessfully tried to eavesdrop) Tigress did not let go as easily. It was the times when they failed in battle and didn’t save who they could have or let the enemy get away. These moments were few and far between, but with the job they had it wasn’t something they could afford to do. Even though it was always a group effort she seemed to feel the weight heavily on her shoulders along with the disappointment from Shifu that subsequently followed.
Tigress had been spending her time mulling and brooding over whatever inadequacies she saw in herself, either outside in the cold breeze or in her room, alone. It was very odd behaviour for her. Usually when she fell into the hole of distress there were various trails of destruction left around the Palace and the iron-wood trees. These times would leave the inhabitants walking on fragile eggshells for a day or two until she calmed down or an unfortunate soul had the pleasure of attempting conversation.
But now, they were collectively very worried.
So Po decided to use an affirmation.
Summoning all the bravery he had, Po knocked on her door.
“Hello Po.” Came the response.
He froze, then remembered his easily recognisable silhouette and ceased the frantic race of his mind. “Can I come in?” He asked tentatively.
“Sure.”
He walked in slowly, and found her sitting on her bedroll and meditating. Well, trying to. It was painfully obvious when Tigress faked her meditation. Shifu didn’t check up on her enough to find out, but it was an inside joke between the masters that she had a bad habit of falling asleep mid-meditation. (“She’s a cat what do you expect!” Monkey had exclaimed one time when she missed dinner.)
Unsure of what to do at first, he closed the door with a quiet snap and stood awkwardly in the middle of her room. Say something SAY SOMETHING. “What do you – uh – what do you wanna eat tonight?” He asked, kicking himself mentally. Food was probably the last thing on her mind!
“Have we got rice?”
Po nodded, before realising her eyes were still closed. “Yes, do you want tofu with it? And beansprouts?”
“Alright.”
“And uh, when do you think you’ll be hungry?” He was completely messing this up, why was this so hard to do?
“I don’t know, maybe an hour or so?”
“Ok, that’s – fine.” Po almost winced at how awkward he was acting.
Come on just do it! He rocked on his heels slightly, knowing what he wanted to do, but not knowing how to go about it without messing everything up.
“Tigress?”
“Hmm?”
“Open your eyes for me.”
She obeyed, and gave him a questioning look when he kneeled down.
Po grabbed her face with two paws and leaned into her, pressing his forehead against her own. She didn’t seem too phased, so he moved on with the next part of his plan. Staring into her eyes intently he said a few forceful words. “You are loved.”
To his delight, her expression changed suddenly and she beamed back at him instead if clawing him to pieces like a small part of him feared. “Okay.” Tigress whispered, attempting to be nonchalant and hiding her barely concealed laughter. “Thanks Po.”
“Anytime.” He grinned back at her. “Did you know your eyes glow?” He added, very distracted by her amber irises.
“It’s been mentioned before.” She said simply, still smiling.
“Tai Lung had glowing eyes, but he couldn’t pull them off like you do.” Po said thoughtfully. “He looked so… crazy.”
She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “I’m glad I bear no resemblance to Tai Lung.” She said lightly. “Did you know you are the only one I know with green eyes?”
“Ehhh well I made a guess.” His attempt to play off as cool worked a lot better than it usually did judging by her expression.
The huff of a chuckle passed her lips before she could stop it. “You can let go of my face now, I’m sure this isn’t comfortable for you.” She smirked cheekily at him, and he let his paws drop to his sides with a relieved sigh.
Now Po saw her properly, he stared at her in awe. She looked, more at peace. Like Shifu after spending hours in a silent cave. Or Viper with a cup of tea, or Crane while he was painting, or Mantis in the middle of his acupuncture, or Monkey during meditation. Her features were finally serene, free of the usual frustration and anguish of her inner-most thoughts. It filled him with such contentment to see her like this. Even more knowing that he was a contributing factor to putting her mind at rest.
“Do you have a name for that?” She asked him, going back to her fake meditation and patting the space beside her.
Po sat next to her eagerly. “I found it in a scroll about Inner Peace, it’s called an affirmation.” He said proudly. “Did it do what it was supposed to?”
“If it was to make one feel better and bring them peace? Then yes.” He saw her open one eye and look at him, almost grinning when she saw him copying her fake meditation. “I like it.” The happiness in her voice wasn’t hidden for once.