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"Adrien, we're leaving in ten minutes. Make sure to wear a coat, it's very cold today. A scarf too would be even better."
Nathalie couldn't help but frown as she prepared her laptop to work while she waited. Only Gabriel would book his son an outdoor photoshoot in the middle of the winter but right before the first snow, something about preparing the next year's fall collection photoshoot. As if Adrien would not grow enough by then for it to be noticeable the photos were from a year ago.
"Is it even okay for me to wear that? I would have to take them off anyways if the shoot needs a different outfit."
Once again, Nathalie found herself wishing to bribe Nooroo into making his power act up on Gabriel or something similar.
"Of course it is. If they need you to change, you can still wear them while they prepare the setup between pictures."
"Are you sure Father won't say anything?"
Knowing Gabriel, he would.
But, damned be the exoskeleton she had been given every now and then, it was enough to let her go outside. Perfectly functional for that day.
A smug grin made her face light up.
"Trust me, don't worry about that."
Suddenly, she felt the hideously familiar sensation of her breath quickening, becoming more and more shallow with every moment. While she knew how to hold it in for a while, it always got worse after doing so, but Adrien...
"Would you mind waiting in the car? I left my phone upstairs."
He nodded and scurried as instructed, his blonde hair jumping a little with every quick step he took. It would have been a lovely image, if not for the fact that, as soon as Nathalie knew she was out of sight, the stream of coughs came out like the rapids of a river.
For a little longer than even she was used to.
Still, just as she was used to, as soon as she no longer felt the lack of air invading her chest, Nathalie stood straight, quickly fixed her hair, and made sure her phone was in her pocket. As much as she hated the idea of lying to the boy, if she had to, it had at least to be believable.
The quick clicking of her heels stopped so she could get into the car. It was so much warmer inside, she was starting to regret not grabbing a coat of her own. Maybe she could ask for a spare one from the wardrobe department? It was too late to turn around anyways.
Lost in thought, she went back abruptly as she noticed Adrien staring at her, a sad gaze filling his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
He looked away.
"I saw your phone in your pocket earlier."
Oh.
"Are you feeling well, Nathalie? I know you said I shouldn't have to worry about you so much, but I just can't help it. I'm worried for some reason, it just won't go away."
Nathalie sighed. There was no point in trying to hide the truth now.
"The weather is... not helping me. I promise I am alright, only a little less than usual."
"Are you sure?"
He worried so much, so often. Despite trying to be the one to care about him for once, it was not working well for Nathalie. Adrien noticed details, noticed the patterns, and he worried.
"He shouldn't have to," was what repeated over and over in Nathalie's mind.
"Don't worry about me, it's nothing more than usual. In fact, I feel slightly stronger than usual, it's just the coughing. Cold air isn't good for me, nor for you." She smiled with those words, hoping the air would become less tense.
It sure helped ease some of Adrien's concern, or at least she hoped, with the way his features relaxed a few milimeters at a time.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Nathalie would gladly take all the early morning mid-winter photoshoots in the world just to see Adrien's precious smile of relief, of happiness, of trust, make him light up like that every single moment of his life. He deserved to hold on, to keep that innocence in certainty, and as long as she could, she would try her best to give that to him.