She didn't even have enough time for the joke and the smile to register on her - he got to his feet and his knees buckled, and she let out a sharp gasp.

"Adrien!"

Her reflexes were good, at least. She caught him, hooking her arms under his armpits and bracing herself to keep him standing upright, and then eased him back onto his bed with as much care as one might afford a newborn. Her cheeks had paled for a different reason. She might not have been injured, but she was sick - sick with worry that by not stopping him from trying, she'd allowed him to get worse.

Her hands fluttered over him anxiously, tucking him back in and smoothing his bangs away from his eyes.