A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words

Hey there, my name's Benedict Drake-Malleson, but you can call me Ned. Are you here to buy some of my artwork? I'm sure you'll find it's quite... Interesting~ ((Independent OC RP blog. Face claim is Darren Criss))

[mccreadyx]

Reblog if you're 100% willing to rp with female/male muses even if smut isn't involved.

[carrot-love-to-be-indecisive]

[theintriguingartist]

((Debating on whether or not to change Ned's faceclaim... I feel like I need to change it up a bit now that I'm back, and Ned's not the same person as he was before... I mean he's still a fucking puppy as always but I feel like he needs a change as much as I do... I was thinking of Lee Pace, because hE'S TOO FUCKING CUTE and he has a great range of expressions in gifs that I've found. (But mostly just cuz he's fucking adorable and I love him....)

Anyone have any suggestions? Or perhaps a reason why I shouldn't change his faceclaim?))

[kxrama]

In honor of Valentine's Day, ask my Muse questions about their love life!

[theintriguingartist]

HOW TO ROLEPLAY 101 

pretend you know what you’re doing accept you don’t know what you’re doing slam your head against your keyboard cry about it

[emtvacation]

Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody.

Kid President (via kvtes)

[theintriguingartist]

Home At Last | Dick

[thefallenacrobat-deactivated201]

"S’okay…" He sniffled once and pulled back so that he wasn’t dampening his friend’s shoulder anymore. He quickly wiped at his eyes so that they were dry and looked up hoping his eyes weren’t too red. He shouldn’t’ve exploded like that. He didn’t blame Ned at all; Dick just knew that he himself had some issues. "M’sorry for that. I just…sorry." 

He wasn’t sure if he should let go or not. 

"You probably had a good reason for disappearing, right…?" He offered a small smile and tried not to sniffle again. When had he gotten so weak? Pathetic. "So…it’s okay. I understand." 

Dick thought that maybe he’d just gotten too attached to people. However…he couldn’t help that. 

[theintriguingartist]

Ned finds it hard to look his friend in the eyes when he pulls away. It was a good reason, or seemed to be at the time. But now that Dick is standing in front of him, wiping tears from his eyes, he couldn’t seem to remember what that reason was. All he knew was that he felt terrible for making the man react like this. 

"Don’t-… Don’t apologize, it’s my fault. I sh-should’ve told you that I was going to be away for a while…" How he managed to spit that out with his mouth so dry he’ll never understand. Not really knowing what else to do, he gestures to the seat in front of him, hoping Dick would sit down and give him a few extra seconds to figure out what he was going to say. 

"It’s kind of a long story…" He starts of, rubbing the back of his neck and wincing internally at how melodramatic his next words were going to sound. "But I guess i should start off with uh… the fact that I got kidnapped…"

[thefallenacrobat-deactivated201]

Dick took the seat, happy to be offered it in the first place. After that scene he wouldn’t have been surprised if Ned just let him walk out. He was still smiling as he settled into the seat, hands fiddling with each other as he dealt with some of the anxiety. “Well, you know I don’t mind long stories…”

Yet when Ned “started off”, the smile dropped from his face like a rock, immediately replaced with shock and concern. His throat closed up and his chest tightened to match. Kidnapped? Kidnapped?! "Oh my God—are you okay—I mean you look okay, but—"

He had to shut himself, make the word vomit stop. Obviously Ned was going to explain. Dick didn’t need to chuck more questions in his direction.  

[theintriguingartist]

He'd been prepared for an onslaught of questions. Blurting out something like that was bound to bring a few to mind, but he was thankful that Dick had managed to stop himself. "I'm fine now, don't worry. It's been two months, I've uh... I've been through worse since then..."

It was going to be hard to get all of this out, after having to stay silent for so long. But Dick deserved answers and Ned was going to give them to him. 

"My old teacher, Alexander- he was at my wedding, you might have seen him lingering around- he got into some bad dealings with... some very bad people. Very wealthy, very resourceful people. Y'know in movies when you see people making copies of famous artwork and selling them as the originals? That was the sort of thing these guys were into... and Alex got stuck in the middle."

His throat closed up for a moment at the thought of his mentor. It was horrifying, thinking about that day and he knew it must be showing on his face, but he didn't care. Ned knew Dick wouldn't judge him for it. Swallowing hard around the lump in his throat, he continued.

"He was blackmailed into recreating the art, and he was brilliant at it. But like any self-respecting artist, he hated doing it. So... he got away. But I suppose Alexander was too good to lose, so the baddies went after him. They knew everything about him, including his list of pupils... Apparently they thought I might know where he was, and when they finally realized I didn't..." He sighs, "I guess the best way to describe it was that I was bait."

[theintriguingartist]

Coming Home | Tim

Stepping into his home for the first time in months, Ned felt a rush of emotions wash over him. Guilt, content, remorse, peace. It was astounding how much they all contrasted each other. He felt terrible for being away for so long, but it was necessary. Content, because no matter how guilty he felt, being home meant being safe. The familiarity of the house softened the blow of the disgust he felt with himself. It had taken him weeks and weeks of debate inside his own head, reason battling with longing again and again until finally longing won out, convincing him that Tim could handle whatever was thrown at them.

He just hoped Tim would forgive him for disappearing for so long...

Making his way further into the house, Ned noticed how nothing has changed while he'd been gone. Picture frames were all still in place, nothing had been moved or rearranged to show that he'd never lived there in the first place. That was a good sign; it gave him hope. 

Knowing that no one was home at the moment, Ned was slightly relaxed as he went into the kitchen and poured himself a drink, leaning against the counter and taking a sip. Being lost in thought had distracted him from the sound of a car pulling into the driveway, but hearing a key turn in the lock of the front door was no trouble at all. It nearly made him drop his glass. 

Tim was home.

[theintriguingartist]

Home At Last | Dick

[thefallenacrobat-deactivated201]

"S’okay…" He sniffled once and pulled back so that he wasn’t dampening his friend’s shoulder anymore. He quickly wiped at his eyes so that they were dry and looked up hoping his eyes weren’t too red. He shouldn’t’ve exploded like that. He didn’t blame Ned at all; Dick just knew that he himself had some issues. "M’sorry for that. I just…sorry." 

He wasn’t sure if he should let go or not. 

"You probably had a good reason for disappearing, right…?" He offered a small smile and tried not to sniffle again. When had he gotten so weak? Pathetic. "So…it’s okay. I understand." 

Dick thought that maybe he’d just gotten too attached to people. However…he couldn’t help that. 

[theintriguingartist]

Ned finds it hard to look his friend in the eyes when he pulls away. It was a good reason, or seemed to be at the time. But now that Dick is standing in front of him, wiping tears from his eyes, he couldn't seem to remember what that reason was. All he knew was that he felt terrible for making the man react like this. 

"Don't-... Don't apologize, it's my fault. I sh-should've told you that I was going to be away for a while..." How he managed to spit that out with his mouth so dry he'll never understand. Not really knowing what else to do, he gestures to the seat in front of him, hoping Dick would sit down and give him a few extra seconds to figure out what he was going to say. 

"It's kind of a long story..." He starts of, rubbing the back of his neck and wincing internally at how melodramatic his next words were going to sound. "But I guess i should start off with uh... the fact that I got kidnapped..."

[theintriguingartist]

Home At Last | Dick

[thefallenacrobat-deactivated201]

He nearly dropped his coffee. Dick gasped, eyes wide as he took in his old friend’s face and nearly jumped to gather him into a hug right there in the shop. He couldn’t believe his eyes. 

"Oh my God—it really is you." 

He roughly sets the cup down and moves to hug his friend, needing to make sure he’s real and that he’s actually there. He can’t handle more disappointment, another dream or hallucination. Yet he’d pick the truth over a fake reality any day.

"Please tell me it’s really you. Please.”

[theintriguingartist]

Ned goes rigid as the man’s arms close around him, his hands frozen at his sides as he tries to process what’s happening. It’s Dick. Dick of all people. A million thoughts are racing through his head, wondering what he would have to do to protect his friend if they found him now, if they would use the man against him, if Ned would have to make a break for it now to keep Dick out of the line of fire. But back in the corners of his mind, he was genuinely happy to see him. He’d missed everyone he’d left behind, but Dick had been one of the people he’d been most keen on keeping safe, one of the people he’d missed the most.

After a moment or two, Ned wraps his arms around Dick in return. He couldn’t help it, as much as logic was screaming at him to get out of there and stay away until he knew no one was after him. He couldn’t just leave his friend now that the man had seen him. Ned knew how many people Dick had lost and a pang shot through his heart as he realized how his leaving might have affected him. He had been trying to protect the man, but in the process had he hurt him as well?

"It’s me… It’s really me, I’m here…."

[thefallenacrobat-deactivated201]

Dick feels like a complete wimp when he starts crying into Ned’s shoulder. Ned’s warmth is real and his voice is real and it just feels so good to know that he has one of his best friends back. How much he’s been holding back and holding in suddenly floods his body and he has the hardest time letting go. 

He’s so happy and relieved that he can’t even be upset. Not once had he been mad at his friend for suddenly leaving; just worried. He thinks that he’s probably causing a scene in the coffee shop, but he doesn’t care if he actually is or not. Besides, they’re in the back of the shop anyway. 

"I’m so glad…was so scared…so glad you’re okay…" So glad that you’re alive.

[theintriguingartist]

Ned is totally unprepared for Dick to start crying. He's obviously seen the man cry before, but over much more tragic things than just... him. He hadn't thought that leaving would do this to his friend. He didn't think he would worry so much. 

"I'm... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..."

He's finding it hard to get the words out, the whole situation was a complete surprise. He wasn't expecting Dick to break down like this, he wasn't expecting to see Dick at all, but here the man stood in his arms. 

"I'm alright... I just had to leave, I had to... I'm sorry..."

Any explanation he tries to make curls up and dies on his tongue, leaving a horrible taste in his mouth. Ned has no excuse for making his friend feel like this. He knows how it felt when Dick disappeared and he feels like slapping himself for doing the same thing. All that's coming from his lips is apology after apology. He can't bring himself to say anything else.

"I'm sorry..."

[kaminohikari-archive-blog]

Reblog if your muse can sing.

[ennisquinlorcan]

Ned/Hank

[ennisquinlorcan]

He took a deep breath, not wanting to sulk on him. “What’s… what’s happened?”

[theintriguingartist]

"What do you mean?" Ned asks, looking up at his friend but not really meeting his eyes. He had trouble doing that lately, meeting anyone’s eyes.

[ennisquinlorcan]

"You said… you said yourself you can’t go back…. what happened?" Mostly he asked to distract himself. Every time his mind wandered to Nate, he found it harder to breath.

[theintriguingartist]

"Uh... Let's just say there are a few people that I'm not on very good terms with at the moment..." He replies, looking away. "I can't go back home, at least not yet. I have to keep my friends safe... Which I'm not doing a very good job of since I'm currently talking to you... I should leave, you shouldn't be seen with me..."

[theintriguingartist]

Home At Last | Dick

[thefallenacrobat-deactivated201]

He nearly dropped his coffee. Dick gasped, eyes wide as he took in his old friend’s face and nearly jumped to gather him into a hug right there in the shop. He couldn’t believe his eyes. 

"Oh my God—it really is you." 

He roughly sets the cup down and moves to hug his friend, needing to make sure he’s real and that he’s actually there. He can’t handle more disappointment, another dream or hallucination. Yet he’d pick the truth over a fake reality any day.

"Please tell me it’s really you. Please.”

[theintriguingartist]

Ned goes rigid as the man's arms close around him, his hands frozen at his sides as he tries to process what's happening. It's Dick. Dick of all people. A million thoughts are racing through his head, wondering what he would have to do to protect his friend if they found him now, if they would use the man against him, if Ned would have to make a break for it now to keep Dick out of the line of fire. But back in the corners of his mind, he was genuinely happy to see him. He'd missed everyone he'd left behind, but Dick had been one of the people he'd been most keen on keeping safe, one of the people he'd missed the most.

After a moment or two, Ned wraps his arms around Dick in return. He couldn't help it, as much as logic was screaming at him to get out of there and stay away until he knew no one was after him. He couldn't just leave his friend now that the man had seen him. Ned knew how many people Dick had lost and a pang shot through his heart as he realized how his leaving might have affected him. He had been trying to protect the man, but in the process had he hurt him as well?

"It's me... It's really me, I'm here...."

[ennisquinlorcan]

Ned/Hank

[ennisquinlorcan]

He took a deep breath, not wanting to sulk on him. “What’s… what’s happened?”

[theintriguingartist]

"What do you mean?" Ned asks, looking up at his friend but not really meeting his eyes. He had trouble doing that lately, meeting anyone's eyes.

[ennisquinlorcan]

Ned/Hank

[ennisquinlorcan]

"Yeah… t-too bad I don’t feel like me…." His voice cracked as he chocked back tears. He closed his eyes tightly, letting himself slide to the ground.

[theintriguingartist]

At this point Ned had no idea what to do. Finding an old, emotionally compromised friend had not been part of the plan, no matter how underdeveloped that plan might have been. The instinct to comfort the man came to him a lot slower than it might have done the last time they’d seen each other. Kneeling beside him, Ned rested a hand on Hank’s shoulder. “What do you mean? What happened?”

[ennisquinlorcan]

"I… Nathanael… he left… for good." Hank swallowed hard. "I can’t go back…" He forced himself to look at the other. "I can’t really go anywhere…."

[theintriguingartist]

Ned sighs, dropping his bag to the ground and leaning against the wall beside his friend. "Well then that makes two of us..." He mumbles, running a hand through his hair as he glanced down the street again for good measure. "I'm sorry, Hank... I know he meant a lot to you..."

[ennisquinlorcan]

Ned/Hank

[ennisquinlorcan]

"Yeah… t-too bad I don’t feel like me…." His voice cracked as he chocked back tears. He closed his eyes tightly, letting himself slide to the ground.

[theintriguingartist]

At this point Ned had no idea what to do. Finding an old, emotionally compromised friend had not been part of the plan, no matter how underdeveloped that plan might have been. The instinct to comfort the man came to him a lot slower than it might have done the last time they'd seen each other. Kneeling beside him, Ned rested a hand on Hank's shoulder. "What do you mean? What happened?"

[theintriguingartist]

Home At Last | Dick

Just keep walking. Don’t stop walking. Stop walking and they’ll catch you. They always have a way of catching you.

Keeping one hand firmly in the pocket of his coat and the other around the strap of his backpack, Ned made his way hurriedly through the city streets. The streets he used to walk with ease, without a care in the world.

You’re fine. They couldn’t have followed you back here. You lost them in London. You’re fine.

He used to see such beauty in this city, in the buildings both old and new. He saw the beauty in the people, the life force of the place, the heartbeat of Gotham. Ned had always been able to find the good in this dark and often terrifying city. Now all the buildings brought to mind were hiding places and escape routes. The people, distractions and ways to blend in.

They found Alexander. It won’t be long until they find you- DAMMIT.

Turning a corner, he stepped into the doorway of a small shop and waited for the man in the black coat to walk past him. Just an ordinary man. Not following him. Just going about his daily business. Taking a moment to catch his breath, Ned steps back out onto the sidewalk and starts walking again.

Just keep walking. Find a place to hide. You’re back on your own turf now, this isn’t like in Paris.

Seeing one of his old haunts, a little coffee shop with what he recalled to be the bakers of the best muffins he’d ever had, Ned makes his way over to it. Hopefully he would find a familiar face, one that wouldn’t be interested in peeling off his own.

Just act natural. This is your place. Yours. They don’t know this city like you do. Or at least like you used to.

Sitting in the far back of the café, away from any windows, Ned orders a coffee and a muffin. Making himself seem relaxed as possible, he slouches in his seat and drops his bag onto the chair beside him folding his arms over his chest. But at all times he has his eyes on the door.

Great. A hiding place. Now all you need is fucking plan.

[thefallenacrobat-deactivated201]

Dick’s life has never been the best, but nowadays it’s been getting a little better. Death isn’t looming over his head anymore and he’s learnt to deal with absences in his life. Yet that day he realizes that he really does miss his old friend Ned. He’d been there for Dick through a lot of shit, and they’d been through some hard and fun times together, and he just really missed that laugh or that joking way he had in scolding him.

The feel of missing him gets to the point where Dick finds himself walking to one of the places Ned used to frequent often. Smells delicious and warm and comforting, but empty without his friend there. He’s been sitting there for a while when the man comes in.

At first Dick thinks he’s hallucinating; wouldn’t be the first time for sure. The man looks like Ned, walks like him too, but…something’s off. the guy’s nervous and constantly looking over his shoulder like someone’s following him. There’s no cheerful demeanor to his presence at all. 

He watches they guy walk away, all the way to the back of the shop—dark and isolated. Dick’s stomach drops and he can’t sit there without doing anything at all. Swallowing thickly, he gathers up his book, coffee, and bag and heads over to where the other man is sitting. He approaches cautiously, nibbling on his lip nervously the closer he gets until—

"…Ned?"

[theintriguingartist]

Ned had taken a book out of his bag, one of the small luxuries he'd allowed himself to have while on the run. Only half focused on the page in front of him, he notices a figure a few tables away from him get to their feet. Wetting his lip nervously, he attempts to hide his face with the cover of the book as the person (now obviously male) makes his way towards him.

His heart nearly stopped at the sound of his name, he hadn't been expecting anyone here to remember his name and that could only have meant one thing: they'd found him. But this voice wasn't hostile or demanding. And he realized this person hadn't used his last name, which was odd. They usually did. The voice was... strangely calming. He recognized it...

Deciding to take a chance, something he hadn't done in months, Ned looks up and is greeted by a face so familiar it nearly knocks him out of his chair. A face he'd know anywhere. A face he had not been expecting to see.

"Dick...?"

[ennisquinlorcan]

Ned/Hank

[ennisquinlorcan]

Hank nearly jumped out of his skin. He jerk his head to look at him, only he really wasn’t looking at him, he found it hard to focus. “J-J… Just a nosebleed…. F-fine..”

[theintriguingartist]

In the dark Ned couldn’t really see the man’s face all that well, and he was unsure if his eyes were playing tricks on him or if that was the shadows doing. Licking his lips nervously, he looks around for a moment before rummaging around in his bag. He pulls out a small packet of tissues, holding it out to the man. “Here, to clean yourself up with. If you tilt your head back slightly and pinch the bridge of your nose it should stop the bleeding.”

[ennisquinlorcan]

He took them, grateful to have something to wipe the blood off his face. He didn’t care much to take the rest of his advice. He winced when a car passed by, the light hurting his eyes. “Fucking hell…”

[theintriguingartist]

Unable to keep from glancing behind him every few minutes, Ned tries to keep his attention to the matter at hand. “Did um, did something happen to you? Or does happen often?”

[ennisquinlorcan]

"It doesn’t… but it probably will now… Fucking with the past isn’t smart, Ned." He had recognized him, but he hadn’t done much with it, just because he felt so broken. "I lost… I lost everything…"

[theintriguingartist]

Doing a double take at the mention of his name, Ned's heart started racing a mile a minute and his mind began to whiz up a thousand scenarios in which he'd some how messed up in covering his tracks until the light from another passing car light up the others face. "Hank....?"