Adrien always slept with his arms around Marinette.

It was a habit that he'd made. He could sleep without holding things, but he did like holding Marinette in his sleep.

The first time that they'd slept together was after a patrol against a persistent akuma that lasted early into the morning. They'd both fallen into her bedroom and onto her bed.

"I don't think Papa would approve of this," she warned Adrien quietly. "Best you get under the blankets."

Adrien yawned and nodded. The two had quickly fallen asleep, and a few minutes later, Adrien was awoken again by a yelp. He sat up and looked at Marinette, who was trembling with fear.

"Hey," he said softly. "What happened?"

"I...I had a nightmare."

Adrien sighed. "You're still thinking of the fight, aren't you?"

"Yeah...you always risk your life to protect me. I'm always scared that one day you'll lose it trying to protect me and your death will trace right back to me and—"

"Shh, shh, shh." Adrien hushed her. "I've been doing this for as long as you have. I can't say that I won't, but I will say that it's pretty unlikely that this cat will lose all nine of its lives at one time. Besides, I have to take the hits."

"No you don't. You never let me. Saving Paris is my job too. You put it all on your shoulders sometimes."

"I protect you because I love you."

"Don't use that excuse, Adrien. If you love me then you won't risk your life for me."

"That's what lovers do sometimes." Adrien pointed out. "But I also protect you because your miraculous can reverse damage, you can reverse the damage. So if I get hit by the akuma and knocked out, sure I'm out for the fight, but after you grab the akuma and send the miraculous ladybugs around, I'm back on my feet again."

Marinette whimpered and crawled into his arms.

"I lost you in my dream. Everyone was mad at me."

"Oh, bugaboo...shall I hold you to make you have good dreams?" He teased softly, expecting her to pull away. But no, she simply stayed right where she was. "Marinette?"

"Hold me while I sleep." She begged him.

"Okay," He said, and laid down with her back against his stomach, her in his warmth. She slept peacefully for at least a couple hours, with no bad dreams.

His hold was full of warmth and protection. She felt safe there.