"Your highness, we have another one here today" a voice announced, rousing a certain raven headed king from his day dreams.

"Ignis, this has to be the last remaining one in the kingdom that we haven't given a chance" the prince said pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I know your highness. But still, we have to give them a fair chance. Come to the balcony whem you are ready" the royal adviser said before taking his leave.

The king of Lucis, and his court, have been desperately trying to find a photographer who is professional and lives up to the king's expectations. Why a photographer you ask? Because the king doesn't want to just be painted like the rest of the rulers. He wants people to know him for him, not some glorified image of him. A photograph, the king thought, will do just that.

So months have gone by, and photographer after photographer has left the palace unsuccessful to meet that demands of the king. The king is running out of ideas, and is thinking about expanding the requirements to anyone who can hold a camera still.

The king sighs in defeat as he rises from his chair and decides not to keep the last hope waiting. Walking out, he thinks to himself about the possibility of this finally being the one. He didn't know exactly what he wanted, but he did know he wanted to see a picture and fall in love with it.

As soon as Noctis entered the room, all the talking and chattering stopped. He hated that aspect of being royalty. Everyone got so formal when all he wanted was to be treated like an equal. All he wantef was a genuine friend, not a part of his advisory or court, not someone who would see him as just the king. He wanted someone to see him as Noctis.

"Your highness, this is Ms. Cissnei of Midgar" Ignis says introducing the small red head next to him.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance" she says curtsying with a smile.

"Likewise. Though don't feel the need to be so formal. As long as you are in the palace, call me Noctis" he said with a smile of his own.

She just nodded and chuckled a little bit. Noctis thought this little thing was pretty cute, given that, she still wasn't his type.

"Could I get you to lean against the balcony, your arm on it and your head in your hand? Like sort of a daydream pose" Cissnei said trying to describe what she had envisioned in her head.

"Like this?" the king ask doing exactly what she had instructed.

"Perfect!" she said quickly grabbing her camera and furiously snapping photos of the king, trying not to waste sunlight.

After and afternoon of poses, costume changes, and shutter clicks, Cissnei packed up her equipment and thanks the king for the opportunity. She said she woukd have the best ones sent back as soon as possible.

The king sighed. He hoped she would be able to produce a picture he fell in love with, but he was seriously doubtful. He decided to take a walk around the kingdom to clear his thoughts. Of course, he woukd have to go in street clothes, as not to draw attention to himself.

"Ignis, I'm going for a walk. If you need me, call me"

"Very well your highness. Hopefully it is what you need to rid yourself of this despair you've been experiencing recently" the advisor said.

Noctis just nodded. He had been feeling rather depressed and glum recently. He couldn't tell anyone the reason why, because they would tell him what he needed wasn't necessary.

Noctis wanted a friend. Not an advisor, a shield, a court, or anything of the sort. He wanted someone who liked him for him and chose to be around him willingly. Maybe that was what he hoped to find while he was diguised in the city. Maybe he woukd find someone interesting that would like him for him.

Once he was outside to palace gates, he hurried into the market, which was the heart of the city. He looked around in awe at how busy it was. He could only look for so long before he becane overwhelmed and ducked into an alley to recover. He was abiut to go back out, when he saw something that stopped him. There was a boy not anything like he had seen before. He had vibrant blonfe hair thay seemed to defy gravity. His pale skin made the freckles on his face stand out, not that the king was complaining. The thing that made the king stop totally was the camera the boy held. It may have been a generic camera, but he clutched it like it was his most prised possession.

"Oh, hi there. I didn't think anyone was with me" the boy spoke.

His voice, it sounded so inocent, yet there was a hint of maturity to it. Noctis couldn't help but stare a little bit at the boy, whom obviously lived somewhere nearby, based on his clothing. He was wearing what appeared to be clothes from the trash. They were stained and ripped and appeared to be too small. He told me his name was Prompto. Prompto Argentum.

"I see you enjoy photography" Noctis said drawing attention to the object the boy was clinging on to.

"Yeah. Do you wanna see some of the shots I just took?" he offered with a smile.

"Sure" the king replied not thinking before replying.

So the blonde haired male ran over to him and his playback. A picture of the gray brick wall od the alley appeared, but right in the center was a beautiful, vibrant, blue butterfly. Noctis was taken aback by the picture due to the sheer perfection of the photo.

The king had never seen anything like it. The lighting was just bright enough to perfectly illuminate the alley in order to make the butterfly pop, but not enough to over expose anything. The angle put the butterfly in the center without making it look out of place. The gray wall seemed to accent and compliment the butterfly. It was truly a stunning photo.

"That is........ Perfect"

"Really? You think so?"

"Yeah. It's a beautiful picture"

"Thanks. Hey did you hear?"

"Hear about what?" Noctis asked not sure what exactly the boy was referring to.

"The king is looking for a photographer. I wish I could show him what I could do, but he is only allowing professionals into the palace" The blonde said getting depressed toward the end of the statement.

"I'm sure you will get your opportunity. How about you practice by taking a picture of me?" Noctis said hoping to get a test shot in.

"Well...... Okay. I can only spare one shot though, I have to go and get these developed before I can delete them"

So Noctis listened to the blonde's instructions and posed against the gray alley wall. He didn't tell the king to move, instead, the blinde did all the shifting around, getting the best angle. This was new to Noctis. He was used to being told to angle slightly more toward one eay or position his arm a little higher.

The click of the shutter barely registered before the blonde casually walked over to the king to show him the result. The king was anxious, he hoped he had finally found his photographer.

"Well? What do you think?"

The king was taken aback for the second time since meeting this boy. The picture was absolutely stunning. It made the king look forceful, yet friendly. He couldn't believe his luck.

"This is beautiful. I have never had myself look so good in a picture before"

"Thank you. Ya'know, you kinda look like King Noctis. Has anyone ever told you that?"

The king just chuckled and replied with "more often than you realize"

He was about to ask for the blonde boy's name, but his phone rang and stopped him. He picked it up, to find out Ignis needed him back at the palace as soon as possible. He sighed hanging up the phone and smiled sheepishly at the boy.

"Who was it?"

"A friend. I have to go" He said and the boy's smile dropped

Noctis felt bad for leaving so suddenly. He almost asked for the boy's name, but that would mean he would have to say his in return. He hadn't quite come up with a believeable fake name yet. So instead he asked when he could meet the boy again.

"I'm usually around the market everyday. So if you have free time, you can find me there" the boy said smiling.

"Okay, I will see you later" the king said turning around with a smile on his face.

All the way back to the palace he couldn't get the boy out of his head. He walked through the gate in a better mood, which the guards took immediate notice of.

"You seem to be in a better mood" his royal advisor commented as he met with the king in the courtyard.

"I think I have found our photographer" the king said in return.

"Let's give this last one a chance. And you seem to be too happy to have found just a photographer" the advisor said curiously.

"I may have also found a friend" Noctis said as his smile grew even bigger.

Author's Note: I have been working on chapters here and there, but I have had so much going on. I will try and get chapters out as soon as I can.