Keep the Mask, It Goes With Your Costume

~Chapter Twenty: The Reunion~

While Cat Noir made his way toward la Grande Paris hotel in hopes of getting Ladybug back, Ladybug stood in her room and took a deep breath, preparing herself to leave Ladybug behind.

She looked at her mirror and saw herself in costume, so ready to finally get this stupid outfit gone, so she can just be herself again. Her parents had obviously realized she'd been missing for a couple days, but they couldn't tell anyone since her identity was still a secret. Marinette was determined that the next time her parents saw her, it would be as Marinette, not Ladybug. So she had sneaked in through her balcony to avoid being seen or heard by her parents.

And there she was.

Standing in front of her mirror.

Scared, but also strong, knowing this was what she really wanted.

She closed her eyes, took one deep breath, and yanked off both of her earrings out of her ears.

Immediately, the costume began to fall, with it's magic slowly fading away, and the image of Marinette Dupain-Cheng coming back to life. As she watched herself transform back into the girl so many people missed, she began to cry with joy, assured that her "normal" life was finally going to be "normal" again. She set the earrings down on her desk and started walking towards the trapdoor to see her parents, but was stopped by a familiar voice.

"Marinette?!" Tikki asked from right behind where the girl was standing. She looked frail and out of breath, which was expected since she'd been keeping Marinette transformed for months now without food or rest.

Marinette's jaw dropped and tears filled her eyes once again at the sound of her closest friend, whom she'd missed so much. "TIKKI!!!!" Marinette screamed back while turning around to grab the Kwami into her arms.

"Marinette, I am so, so proud of you. And all you've done." Tikki said calmly, knowing how emotional Marinette was in this situation.

"Me?!" Marinette blabbed back "but you're the one who was forced to keep me transformed all this time! You must be so tired! Come on I'll get you something to eat in the bakery."

"Marinette wait I'm fine." Tikki lied, she really was beyond tired, but she wanted Marinette to know how amazing she is for what she did. "Marinette listen to me. You lived alone, stayed strong through others' grief, never quit, defeated Hawkmoth, made the right choice even when it was barely possible, AND saved the city! Plus you did it all without revealing your identity, without Cat Noir's help, and even when the entire city was pitted against you. Marinette you are the strongest, bravest, most amazing Ladybug I have ever known."

Marinette just smiled, she had missed Tikki so much, and the little kwami's words never ceased to bring her joy. She just held Tikki even tighter.

"Now," the Kwami said "how about that snack?"

Marinette giggled, and made her way to the trapdoor that would lead to the kitchen. As she began walking down the stairs, both of her parents heard her from where they were in the kitchen.

"Marinette you've been gone for over a day without telling us! Where were you?" her mother said, without looking up, but keeping her eyes on the food she was cooking. Marinette said nothing, but continued walking down the steps until she got to the bottom. From there she just breathed again deeply in, and slowly out.

"Uh, mom....dad...." she said slowly, and both of her parents turned and saw her. Their eyes widened as they looked at their daughter, their daughter. It was truly Marinette, not Marinette forcing the weight of the world on herself. She had the biggest smile on her face, and her parents knew it was because for the first time in what seemed like forever, Marinette was finally free to just be herself and not have to live up to anyone's expectations. Sabine didn't hesitate, but ran right over to Marinette and surrounded her in a tight hug, Tom followed right after and held them both. It was only a couple moments before Sabine had a realization and backed away to speak.

"Marinette, if you detransformed that means you can't be Ladybug anymore. So does that mean...."

"Yes mama," Marinette said calmly "I defeated Hawkmoth, he's finally gone."

"That's amazing!" Tom chimed in, "Marinette we're so proud of you and how you've handled everything you had to go through."

Marinette beamed even more "Thanks dad, I...." her voice trailed off as she remembered what she had to do next, go visit Gabriel Agreste. "I have to go take care of something though."

"Of course dear," her father said "anything you need to do."

Marinette nodded, and grabbed a box of macaroons on her way out.

But while Marinette beamed at the fact that her Ladybug side was taking a break, Cat Noir was in grief fearing he may never see his partner again.

~

Sorry for such a short part but I really wanted to just do one part with Marinette detransforming and seeing her Tikki and parents again. You can expect about 3-5 more parts in this story :)

-elise, your everyday ladybug💞🌹🐞