Our heroes get a much needed break...

Disclaimer: All lefts, rights, and middles to their respective owners.

Chapter 14: Evillustrator, Part 1

The cataclysm was maybe the most useful thing Chat Noir had ever done - and honestly, that was saying something.

The battle was practically over then, except for the mutual understanding that they both needed to be transformed, the fact that Chat Noir needed to recharge, and the hour search it apparently took him to find something for his kwami to eat. Neither Timebreaker was willing to talk, so Ladybug just kept them under guard.

An hour later, and they were again in the hotel debating their next opponent.

"Just trust me on this, Chat," Ladybug said. "I can distract him for a while - and we'll both be able to grab a breather."

Chat Noir sighed but nodded. "As long as you're sure..."

Ladybug turned to The Unclocker. "We'll face Evillustrator next."

"Very well."

Adrien was surprised by how long it took Evillustrator to attack.

It was long enough to be forced to pretend that he was actually helping Alya and Nino on a project he completed long ago. After bluffing his way through the project, he made up some excuse to go the library.

"I just really think this book will be a great help," Adrien lied.

"Sounds cool," Nino replied. "While you're gone, me and Alya will start on-"

Adrien was already on his way through the school and to the locker rooms, which were empty. He grabbed a piece of cheese from his locker to bribe Plagg out of his nap.

"Cheese," Plagg groaned. "And it's not even that fake stuff you found me last time."

"It took me an hour to find that stuff!" Adrien protested. "And you're not getting this cheese - not yet. We promised Ladybug we'd watch over Chloé."

That was the plan - Ladybug would somehow distract Evillustrator while Chat Noir lounged around Chloe's room in case the distraction didn't work.

It wasn't going to be the best break, but Chat Noir was just glad he would have a chance to catch his breath.

Ladybug supposedly would also get a chance to relax during her distraction, but Chat Noir didn't see how that was going to work.

"Oh, great," Plagg mumbled. "That's always an easy job."

"Drop the sarcasm," Adrien muttered. "It's time to transform. Plagg, claws out!"

Marinette's plan had not been to fall on Evillustrator.

She had decided that Evillustrator could be convinced to stay peaceful for a while, especially by her civilian self, as long as he could placate Hawkmoth. The plan had been to talk him down from attacking Chloe, even maybe have him show her some of his drawings.

But even with the easy (for her) defeat of Timebreaker, Marinette was exhausted. So she just kind of stumbled into Evillustrator instead.

"Marinette?"

"Sorry - I'm just so exhausted," Marinette replied, forcing herself up.

"No, no, no," Evillustrator said. "Sit down, you're looking a little pale."

"My hair!" Chloé cried out from somewhere in the library.

Evillustrator helped Marinette sit down and drew her a glass of water. While Marinette took small, unbelievably amazing sips of the water, she watched Evillustrator talk to what must have been Hawkmoth.

"Agreed," he said before turning back to Marinette. "You look like you need a break."

"You have no idea how much I need a break," Marinette muttered. "My head is killing me."

"Stress? Or is Chloé getting on your nerves?"

"I've just been running into a lot of things lately," Marinette replied. "I think I'm covered in bruises."

Evillustrator sat down next to her a little awkwardly. He had been akumatised to chase down Chloé, after all, not help his crush. Marinette couldn't help but feel a little anxiety at the irony of the situation.

"I liked your drawings," Marinette said. "The idea of your powers was originally yours, right?"

Evillustrator nodded. "Hawkmoth just gave them to me."

"Honestly, I'm surprised," Marinette admitted. "You're such a kind soul, Nathaniel. Not who I would pick to carry out my evil plans."

"Even I have my tipping point," Evillustrator replied. "Everyone does."

"That's what scares me," Marinette muttered.

"I'm not going to hurt you," Evillustrator said. "Only Chloé - and Ladybug and Chat Noir, of course."

Again, the irony. It was a good reminder of why the two superheroes needed their secret identities.

"But don't you need to do something to get the attention of Ladybug and Chat Noir?" Marinette asked.

"I have a feeling Chloe's already brought this to their attention," Evillustrator replied. "Don't worry, I don't have to rush. This deal goes both ways."

"Hawkmoth never struck me as one for patience," Marinette commented.

"He's not," Evillustrator replied. "Trust me."

Marinette leaned in. She couldn't help but be a little interested. The chance to talk about Hawkmoth with an Akuma victim? It definitely wasn't something she was about to give up.

Chat Noir closed his eyes and shut out Chloe's talking.

He wasn't about to do her homework, or any of the other ridiculous things she was requesting. He was a superhero, and a very, very tired one at that.

Still, he couldn't help but cooperate when she wanted a picture.

Chat Noir sighed and leaned back into the couch. He definitely needed this break - he was sore in multiple places, and the hour searching for cheese hadn't been as helpful as he'd hope.

Still, he wasn't as relaxed as he could be. He had been in the library long enough to see Marinette and Evillustrator together. Last time, he had been there during their little date, but now he was babysitting Chloé. And with no word from Ladybug, Chat Noir just had to trust that she was handling the situation.

It wasn't like Ladybug to put civilians at risk like that, though, and Chat Noir couldn't help but be surprised that she was allowing it. And, he of course couldn't help being a little worried for Marinette.

An hour.

He sat there talking to her for an hour. Hawkmoth has never been so annoyed, but for some reason he had a hard time convincing the boy to leave his crush, especially since she was obviously in need of help.

An hour later, though, Hawkmoth managed to convince - well, threaten - the Evillustrator into cooperating.

"We made a deal," Hawkmoth said. "I've upheld my end. Now, you must uphold yours."

Duh duh duhhhhhhhhh