You're home. [Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction] (Completed)

Chapter 21 - I'll stay by your side.

Marinette's eyes fluttered open, the smell of crepes and bacon tickling her nose. That wasn't the only thing she smelled. The familiar scent of Adrien hung in the air. She blinked the blurriness of sleep out of her eyes.

Adrien's face was a couple inches from her own. She felt their legs tangled together. His left arm was slung over her waist, keeping her in a protective hug.

Her stomach made whale noises, begging her to get her fair share of crepes and bacon. But she didn't want to disturb Adrien. Not that it mattered. Alya opened the door.
"Come on, get up love-birds. I spent a good portion of my morning making breakfast so it better not go to waste!" Adrien's eyes snapped open, flinching as he heard Alya voice. She chuckled and left the room, keeping the door wide open, which allowed the smell of breakfast to waft in.

Adrien and Marinette untangled themselves and sat up, stretching. Marinette's phone read half past 10 am. It wasn't a surprise everyone slept in. They spent the entire afternoon in a car after all. Marinette threw her legs over the side of the bed, yawning. She smoothed down her braid and wobbled into the kitchen. Adrien followed behind her, attempting to fix his Chat Noir-like bed head.

Breakfast consisted of Alya reading off the latest gossip from her phone.
"Lila and Nathanael were seen out together." She smirked. Marinette chewed on a strip of bacon.
"I can see it." She said, yawning for the third time that morning.

~

The weather was unforgiving, a scorching 85 degrees. (Fahrenheit for y'all that don't live in the states👀). People were walking along the beach, splashing about in the water and surfing the waves. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. Marinette sat on a beach towel that laid on top the sand. Alya and Nino were splashing about in the water, acting like complete children. They really were meant for eachother, she decided.

Marinette's bikini was simple. A red color that tied around her neck and back, and matching bottoms. It wasn't anything fancy but showed a lot more skin than she was used to. She had left her hair down, causing the breeze to blow through it. Someone from behind put their hands on her shoulders. She jumped, but immediately recognized the silver ring on his finger. She tilted her head up to look at Adrien.
"You look purrfect today, princess." He smirked.

Marinette sighed at the cat pun.
"Whatever you say." She sing-songs. His swim trunks reached down to the top of his knees. They were black with green accents here and there along the hem of the fabric. He held his hand out to help her up. Only then did she notice how well built he really was. His abdomen was toned just enough to tell he worked out. His arms were larger than she remembered. She took his hand and stood up, adjusting her top.

He led her to the waters edge. The sea tickled her toes which Alya had painted a light color of pink while she was in the hospital. The paint started to chip at the edges but you could hardly notice. The water was cold and sent an immediate shiver up her spine. Adrien chuckled.
"Don't tell me you are afraid of the water." He was already knee deep. Marinette pursed her lips and shook her head.
"No! Its just cold." She wasn't lying. She could swim just fine.

Adrien held his hand out to her. She took his hesitantly and he guided her further into the wake - waves splashing up her thighs. She shivered but got used to the immediate shock. Soon she was forced to tread water. On the other hand, Adrien could still walk another three steps and still have his nose above the water. Marinette was jealous of other people's height.

She felt the strain of treading water diminish. Adrien was holding her up, his hands kept a gentle but firm grasp on her waist, just above her swim suit bottoms.
"No need to leave so soon. I've got you." He said above the sound of the ocean and screaming children, running from the waves that crashed up onto the shore. Marinette put her trust into him, putting her hands on his shoulders.