It started with a brief lift in Noct's fancy car.

It was a ride that would mark Prompto's first real trip inside the Citadel. Noct would be paying a visit to his father. Whereas Prompto would be picking up his official Crownsguard gear, followed by attending a meeting headed by the Marshal.

It was mandatory for all new recruits, and Prompto had been anticipating it for months. The day had finally arrived, and all he could do was pace nervously as they waited for Ignis to arrive.

Noctis just rolled his eyes at his antics, and asked a few times if he'd be alright. Prompto just assured him that he was okay. And he was okay. Really. He could handle this.

But, he couldn't deny his relief on seeing the sleek black Audi drive up the road towards them. Without waiting for Noct, Prompto walked up to the driver's side door and knocked on the window. "Thanks for coming to pick us up, Iggy!"

The window rolled down, and Prompto physically recoiled as he saw the driver was not, in fact, Ignis.

Instead, it was Captain Titus Drautos of the fucking Kingsglaive.

At his stare, Prompto took a few more steps back. Just in case.

"Drautos!" Noctis looked genuinely surprised to see the captain here. Which was good in its own way. Prompto didn't like to think that Noct or Ignis would set him up for that kind of prank.

Noctis walks up from behind, ignoring Prompto shriveling up beside him. "Borrowing the car again? Ignis must be busy." The captain's gaze flicked over to Noct, and Prompto was able to sigh in relief.

Drautos nodded as he stepped out of the car. He towered over the both of them, as impressive as he was impassive. "Scientia was held back at the meeting. There were a few more files he had to go over with the Marshal." As he spoke, he opened the back seat door, and ushered for Noct to enter.

As he passed Prompto, Noct grinned and pointed at the captain."Don't worry. He won't bite... while I'm around."

Prompto laughed awkwardly, only to see Drautos glaring at him now. It's not with the scorn he's used to seeing from officials, but he's definitely not impressed.

"Well?" The captain gestured towards the car. Get in!"

"Y-Yes, sir!" Prompto nearly yelped, and hurriedly got inside.

The drive is initially a quiet one, with the two boys in the back simply admiring the passing scenery. Drautos seemed to favor driving with the radio off, a fact Prompto appreciated. He liked having the time to compose himself before reaching the Citadel.

Noct seemed pretty upbeat as well. Probably looking forward to seeing his old man, without the usual pomp and ceremony that surrounded such an event.

Despite focusing on the view outside, Prompto doesn't really pay attention to the roads they're taking. Until Noctis speaks up.

"Taking the scenic route? I thought you wanted to beat the traffic." He looked puzzled, and Prompto looked to see just what turn Drautos was making.

"We're just picking up your second escort." The captain replied curtly as he focused on the road. As he pulled up along the sidewalk, Prompto could see a lone Glaive walking amidst a throng of civilians. The man turned as he spotted the car's approach and...

Shit. Prompto's fingers curled into nervous fists as he caught a look at the guy up close.

His hair almost reminded him of Gladio's, until he noted the braids lining his skull. Yeah, that was about where the resemblance ended. Gladio was all abs, while this guy was built more like a swimmer. Tall and lean, he moved with a lithe grace. Like the photos of every coeurl he'd ever seen.

"Nyx!" Noct raises a hand in greeting as the man enters the car, and Prompto hopes the other two don't notice him shrinking back into his seat.

As the Glaive turns his head to peer back at them, Prompto sees that what he's mistaken for a beauty mark is actually a tattoo under his left eye. Dark, inked lines run down his hands as well, disappearing under his fingerless gloves.

It makes him think about what other markings are lurking under that fabric.

Damn it. Not the time.

"Your Highness." Nyx, as he's called, nods towards them both. Then he's facing the windshield and Prompto is left to live in peace once more.

If Nyx is surprised to see the Crown prince already in the back, he doesn't show it. But then, he probably shouldn't be. This was Noct's car, and it wasn't the first time he'd loaned it, either. So the game of prince pickup was probably a recurring activity for Drautos, Cor, and several other higher ups among the Crownsguard.

If you're going to serve the king, you might as well be able to ride in style, Prompto supposed. Noct usually rode with Ignis anyway. And it beat being publicly escorted by an entire group, be it by Glaive or Crownsguard. An occurence that was often necessary for Noct, and something he always admitted to being embarrassed by.

Lost in his thoughts, he doesn't realize how close they are until he spots the unmistakable twin high rise of the Citadel. It lies ahead of them, towering over them more and more as they get closer. As a kid, Prompto had always been impressed by the structure. Now, it just seemed intimidating, and he has to remind himself that he'd been given all the clearance he could ever need to enter. It helps, just a little.

"Oh, not him." Noct said suddenly. Startled, Prompto peers out the window to see what he was looking at. A large man stood in front of the access gate leading to the Citadel. He was clearly the security detail, as he was decked out in the full black armor of a Lucian guardsman. With his arms folded, and a scowl pasted on his square jaw, he seemed a bigger impedement than the gate itself.

Noct groaned as he leaned back in his seat. "I thought he was off duty today!"

"A royal guard dog off the clock? Perish the thought." Nyx muttered, and Drautos shot him a dirty look.

Drautos didn't seem nervous as they drove up, though. When the captain let his window down, he met the guard's gaze head on. "Official business, Fortis. Let us pass."

The man barely blinked in response. "You know the rules, Captain. I'll need a written record of your entrance here."

Drautos just nodded, as the man rudely shoved a clipboard and a pen into his hands. The captain, to his credit, didn't react as he filled out the form before politely handing it back to the guardsman.

Petra studied the sheet, nodded and handed it to one of the men behind him. He then peered into the backseat. Prompto couldn't help it, he shrank back from the man's stare. Noctis on the other hand, just stared back, leaned forward and gave an obnoxious salute.

Petra just frowned and waved for them to pass. Finally, the gate lifted and the car was able to move forward.

Noct withdrew his phone, and began texting. Probably telling Iggy they would be at least a few minutes late. They drove on in silence for several minutes before Prompto dared say something.

"So he's the head of security here?" He asks, trying to lighten the mood. "I guess not much gets by him, huh?"

"Petra's an asshole." Noct said flatly, not looking up from his phone. Nyx just snorted and tried to hide a smile.

"Watch it, your Highness." Drautos snapped. The captain then turned his glare on his subordinate. It didn't seem to faze Nyx much. "He works to protect the Citadel and it's peace. You owe him your respect. Both of you."

The reprimand didn't seem to take effect as Noctis met the captain's stern gaze in the rearview mirror. "He's got an inferiority complex a mile wide and uses his position to throw his weight around. He's a dick."

"You, uh, have to deal with him a lot?" Prompto asked. Better to hurry the conversation along before Noct really pissed off the captain.

Noctis shoves his phone back in his pocket. "You remember all that red tape bullshit and paperwork clearance you had to go through just so I could go to your house?" He jabs his thumb towards the rear window. "That was because of people like him."

"Oh." Prompto looks down at his feet, not knowing what else to offer. He also notices that Nyx is scowling now.

Somehow he doesn't think it's directed at them.

Noctis sullenly stared out his window. "He considers me to be a security risk. If Petra had his way, I would never have been able to live outside the Citadel."

"Regardless, " Drautos says, cutting their conversation short. "He's good at his job, so he's here to stay."

Noctis just gave a half-assed shrug in response.

Drautos sighed. "You aren't going to like all the people that serve beside you, your Highness. But, they are all qualified to be there."

Prompto noticed that Nyx was watching Noct through the rearview mirror. It was definitely an approving look.

Another silence passed, and Prompto twiddled his thumbs nervously. As they reached the parking lot, Noct slides his phone back into his pocket and asks, "So what was the reason you gave for re-entry?"

"Oh, isn't that obvious?." Prompto did a double take at the smug smirk that appeared on Drautos' face. "Transporting the Royal Brat, of course."

Nyx laughed aloud at that one, and unlike before, Drautos didn't bother trying to lecture him. Prompto flushed slightly at the sound. Noctis just threw his hands up, and leaned back in his seat. Noticing Prompto grinning at him, he gave him a sharp jab in the ribs in retaliation.

Prompto yelps and looks up to see Nyx watching them both in the mirror again.

So of course, he does the cheesiest thing possible. He raises both thumbs up and offers his widest smile.

And surprisingly, the man smiles back.