Disclaimer: I do not own Disney Descendants nor the characters, just this fic

If there was one thing Ben hated, it was portraits. Every so often his parents would decide they needed a new family portrait and he'd be forced to sit or stand for hours on end while the royal painter captured a cold likeness of canvas. But it wasn't the hours spent wiggling and jiggling his nose in an attempt not to scratch it that he hated, nor was it the pins and needles that ran down his legs from being stuck in the one position for so long. No, what irked Ben the most was that the paintings never looked like him. Sure his features were there, captured in precise detail, but it lacked any form of emotion. There was no personality, no human touch to it. It was almost as if someone had painted a hologram of him.

With his coronation came the need for a new portrait, a solo portrait designed to show him in all his splendor as a King. Dressed in his coronation suit, crown perched atop neatly combed hair, Ben stood on a platform trying desperately to think of anything else except how much he didn't want to be there. There were so many things he could be doing with his time. There were letters to dignitaries to write, petitions to review, taxes to balance and supplies to plan. So many tasks could be completed instead of this foolishness and if that wasn't enough he had homework to do.

Ben smiled ruefully as a flash of purple crossed his mind. Mal. All of his commitments would be pushed to one side if she asked it. Spending time with Mal was the highlight of his day and he felt terrible that he'd had to cancel their plans for the next few days so he could catch up on the work he'd miss just to get this ridiculous painting done. The fairy had patiently told him she understood but that she'd expect to at least see him at their study group.

Mal had begun using Evie's help to get better grades in class which had eventually become a study group that included Doug, Jay, Carlos and himself. While Ben didn't need the help it was a great way to knock over his homework while spending time with Mal and she certainly enjoyed his company, and if he stole a couple of kisses then all the better.

The painter finished his portrait, needing time to work on the background now, and Ben took that as an excuse to make a dash for it. A quick cursory glance told him all he needed, it would be another cold, emotionless painting that did nothing but display regal wealth. He hated it already.

A few days later Ben noticed a new painting on the wall, his, and was prepared to ignore it until something caught his eye. His crown was crooked. That wasn't right, it had to be the way the painting was hanging or a trick of the light because his crown had been sitting perfectly on his head for the session.

Taking a closer look Ben couldn't help but grin. A gentle smile rested on his lips while a mischievous light sparkled in his eyes. His uniform was immaculate yet his crown sat at a jaunty angle on his head. There was warmth and humour in every brushstroke, so much emotion for one canvas and he knew exactly who's work this was.

"It's so much better than that other one." His mother commented from behind him, her voice light and airy. "It was so dispassionate. This is my son. Be sure to thank her for me, I would've hated walking past the other one." Ben didn't have to ask who she was talking about. Mal had a gift and he had no idea how his mother had managed to get such a work from her but he was immensely glad she had. This was a portrait he could be proud to walk past, and not just because of the woman who'd painted it.

-May your thoughts and creativity flow

Lady Ami DragonHeart