Chapter 2
Marinette reclined in her balcony chair, watching the sun set and stewing over her conversation with Alya that afternoon. Maybe Alya was right. Maybe knowing each other's secret identities would make them a stronger team. She had stubbornly held onto her secret and stopped Chat from revealing his, all the while telling herself it was to keep them both safe. But what if she had been wrong this whole time?
"Am I crazy for even considering this, Tikki?" Marinette asked the kwami perched on top of her head.
"Oh, Marinette, you're not crazy. It's not so bad to want to know your partner better. The decision has always been yours to make. Just follow your heart."
Marinette groaned. "That's the problem, Tikki! Every time I try to follow my heart my stupid head gets in the way. My heart tells me that Chat is a great partner and I can trust him completely. He would never do anything to hurt me. Then my head insists that secrets are safer. I feel like I'm at war with myself. I think my heart is starting to win, but that scares me." She admitted.
"Why does that scare you?" Tikki asked with genuine concern for her chosen.
"I don't want to disappoint him. He only knows me as Ladybug, not clumsy, bumbling Marinette. I mean, sure he likes Ladybug, who swings around saving Paris from evil butterflies, but Marinette is constantly letting people down and showing up late."
"You're a wonderful person, Marinette!" Tikki bubbled. "There's no way Chat Noir could be disappointed." Tikki cuddled into Marinette's cheek and they both let out a giggle.
"Thanks Tikki." They watched the sun duck behind the horizon and let the silence stretch on until it was time for Marinette to transform and meet with her partner for patrol.
"Have you made a decision?" Tikki innocently inquired. Marinette released a long sigh and shook her head.
"Not yet, Tikki. But right now duty calls."
"Just say the words." Tikki said with an encouraging smile.
"Tikki, spots on!"