Chapter Text
Making a Good Year to Remember
Po was beside himself with amusement, glancing at the sour-looking tiger every now and then beside him. "It's still not fair," She muttered as if it were a chant.
"So my parents had some stocks and I'm just using the job as something to do with my life. You shouldn't be so caught up about it," Po grinned. Tigress studied the car they were driving in, eyeing the luxurious interior and awesome gadgetry. "Hey, if it makes you feel any better, you're the only person at work that's seen the inside of this car." Tigress's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Yep, most people think that this is your car," Po muttered a bit annoyed. That would explain why so many nicks and dings that were covered up here and there. "But it's my dad's car and I'm just making sure it's kept up to date."
"You're normally the last person to leave work other than me," Tigress pointed out, "Is that why people haven't seen your car?"
"Probably," Po shrugged as the two drove to Tigress's house. It was nearing New Years' Eve and just as luck would have it, Tigress's car broke down in the company parking lot when they were turning it in for the day. They left the workplace at seven, but they decided to hang out more so they caught a movie, saw a show, and did other stuff around the city until it was nearing ten o'clock. "Have you told your relatives where you are?"
"Kind of. I told them I was stuck at the office some overdraft issues."
"That's... lying," Po replied.
"So I should have told them I spent the last three hours with my male employee?" Tigress smirked. Po rubbed the back of his head nervously.
"Okay, that would be bad," Po chuckled uncomfortably. They finally pulled into the two-story suburban house that Tigress lived in. "Large house for one person."
"I have a lot of relatives that come in and out on occasions," Tigress sighed, "I have to be prepared for whatever is possible."
"Speaking of which, do your relatives know I'm bringing you back?" Po asked as they got out of the car.
"Don't worry, Po," Tigress reassured with a smile, "They've already left for the airport."
Unfortunately, that was not the case. As Tigress opened the door, an excited smaller female tiger jumped out and hugged her tightly. "Big Sis's BACK!"
"What!?" Tigress exclaimed, looking at the room of mostly feline family. "What are you guys still doing here?" Tigress asked smiling, but a bit frustrated.
"Our plane was delayed an hour so we decided to stay a bit longer here," said a large male tiger.
"Dad, you could have told me that," Tigress grumbled politely under his breath. Po watched on in silence as Tigress's stern cold attitude he was used to, dissolved into a frustrated and frazzled woman, glaring and grumbling at her over joyous folks. Po smiled a bit. It reminded him of his own family. Suddenly, all the Tigers seemed to notice Po at once. The father's cold stare pierced through the soft panda.
"And who might you be," Tigress's father asked directly.
"Um... I'm Po, Tigress's um... friend. Her car broke down at work and I offered to give her a ride," Po shakily replied.
"Tigress, why didn't you tell us that your car was broken?" Asked a female tiger.
"Mom, it's fine. I'll have it fixed in the morning. But that doesn't explain why you guys decided it was okay to stay here without telling me first," Tigress said, trying to be polite.
"What? Were you going to 'hang around' with Po?" Tigress's sister cheekily added. Tigress glared at her while Po tried his best to sneak back to his car.
"Hold it, young mister!" Scolded the mother.
"Dang it," Po muttered as he turned back, "Ma'am?"
"What exactly did you plan to do with my daughter?"
"What? Nothing, nothing, I was just giving her a ride, honestly!" Po quickly explained.
"Guys, he's my employee. He works for me," Tigress sighed in the perpetual embarrassment she was suffering.
"Ooo, is this the one you write about in your diary in the-"
"I'm going to pound you into a pulp!" Tigress growled loudly at her sister who was running away from her. Po's eyes widened, blushing brightly against the falling snow. The father seemed to notice Po's situation faster than the mother.
"That doesn't explain why you were walking her to her house," Tigress's mother argued.
"I promise, ma'am. Nothing was going to happen between Tigress and me. She invited me over since my family..." Po fell silent as the memories of his family flooded his mind. The father seemed to pick up on it. He loudly clapped his hands together, calling the entire family to silence.
"Well, I think we've tormented our daughter long enough," Tigress's dad said, making the two siblings stop fighting for a moment. "Let's go."
"But what about Tigress?" The mother muttered.
"Trust me, honey. She couldn't be in better hands," The father replied, winking at Po as he, his wife, and Tigress's sister exited the house and went to the airport. Tigress grumbled most annoyed as Po shed his layers from outside. The panda could feel the heat of the tiger's embarrassment and anger from where she was standing. She pinched the bridge of her nose as she closed the door behind them and locked it for good measures.
"I'm extremely sorry about that," Tigress apologized. "My family can be a bit much."
"It's okay," Po smiled warmly. "They just wanted to protect you. I understand that."
"We can do this some other time if you feel too awkward about this now," Tigress reluctantly replied.
"No, no, no, it's fine," Po smiled in a goofy fashion. "I actually like your family. They're nice."
"Hmm," Tigress grumbled. Po sat down at the sofa in front of the screen while Tigress grabbed drinks from the fridge. "Sparkling soda?" Tigress asked.
"Thank you," Po replied, receiving the drink. Tigress sat down, having taken her vest and flats. Po was already in comfortable clothing since it was casual Friday at the office. They turned the channel on to CNN with Anderson Cougar (I had to). The cougar blabbered on about the year's end as Po sighed, relaxing a bit more on the sofa. Tigress smirked at the panda's enjoyment.
"Comfortable?" She jested.
"Oh! Yeah," Po awkwardly replied, "It's been a full day so... yeah."
"Hmm," Tigress hummed.
"So," Po smirked, trying to be funny, "What was that about a diary your sister was talking about?" Tigress's eyes widened. She glared at Po with an enraged stare.
"That is private. Got it?!" Tigress growled disturbingly softly. Po gulped.
"Okay," He replied in a high-pitched voice. Tigress, deeming him scared enough, relented her threat and turned her eyes to the screen. Po, breathing easier, watched the newscast with her until she sighed sadly, saying,
"Po? Do you think I'm... scary?"
"Yes," Po said quite honestly and frankly. "But most people don't expect that much confidence from a woman like you." Tigress's eyes opened up.
"What do you mean?"
"You're scary because you have a very powerful presence about you. Honestly... whenever you're around me... I uh... get a little nervous."
"A little?" Tigress commented, curling her lips into a smirk.
"Hehe, anyway. It's just that most people don't expect that so it catches them off guard. If they don't know how to deal with it, they become afraid of it," Po explained. Tigress nodded, focusing on the TV again. "Tigress, what's the real reason you wanted me to come here?" Po asked directly, even muting the TV for a moment. Tigress's face spoke one of shock and confusion, but then realization and slight fear. She sighed as she turned towards Po.
"Well, I wanted to tell everyone, but I wanted you to be the first," Tigress sighed. She remained silent for a time. "I received an offering to become Chairman of the company's board." The panda's eyes widened with amazement.
"That's incredible! You must be thrilled!"
"I am, but I didn't tell my family or anyone at work yet until I was sure. I... I actually wanted you to be the first one I tell." While that was extremely important and meant a lot to Po, he couldn't help but ask,
"Why?"
"Po, you exhibit a character that I haven't seen in a while. I don't want that to leave. And... I want to know you a bit better," Tigress replied.
"Where are you going with this?" Po asked suspiciously.
"Basically... I'm trying to get you to date me," Tigress answered awkwardly. "I remember your dislike with workplace relationships and thought that this would be a nice way to eliminate it."
"So you're taking the job just so you can... date me," Po asked confused. Tigress rolled her eyes.
"No. The job has always been on my mind. It's just... since Christmas Eve, I've been... growing interest for you." Tigress confessed. She looked him in the eyes, gauging his facial expressions. Po's face was beyond shock, but finally, he let the words sink in.
"Yes," He finally replied, boosting Tigress's immediate happiness, but then his concerned face showed again. "But who's going to be CEO while you're-" Po instantly saw Tigress's knowing smirk, "No." He said very adamantly.
"Po, you work harder than anyone else," Tigress explained. "Plus, the hours are great, you don't have to work over time, and this would be great for you and for everyone that works there. They need you."
"Tigress-"
"Convince me," Tigress interrupted, standing up from the sofa and defiantly standing in front of him. "Convince me that I've made the wrong decision in making you the next CEO."
"I don't know anything about the job."
"Neither did I or anyone before me."
"I'm not the leader type."
"You've led the office more times than I can count."
"I'm not in the... mental mind frame to do this," Po sighed seriously. Tigress sat back down on the sofa and scooched next to him.
"I know for a fact that your father would be extremely proud that you're doing this even when you don't have to. You're making something great out of yourself. Your family's money is enough for you to live pretty for a lifetime, yet you spend your life working every day to ensure the service of others is efficient and effective." Po sighed. She was right. He knew that, and he couldn't let his father's death overwhelm him with thoughts of doubt. His father never would have done that. Why should he?
"Okay, I'll do it."
"Great... to... which one?" She needed clarity.
"Both," Po smiled, holding her hand in his. Tigress smiled turning on the noise to the TV as the ceremonial ball was about to drop. "You know, it's custom for a New Years' kiss to be made," Po spoke with a not so innocent tone of voice. Tigress smirked as she heard the countdown. She closed the gap between their two bodies as she heard,
5
4
3
2
1
"HAPPY NEW YEARS!" screamed the people on the TV. Tigress quietly kissed Po's lips, happily moaning a bit as the panda returned the passion. Tigress slowly withdrew, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Happy New Years, Po."
"And let's make this year a good year to remember," Po whispered with a warm smile. Tigress happily agreed.
The End
HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE! MAKE YOUR YEAR A GOOD YEAR TO REMEMBER!