Title: Word of the Day v. FFIV
Author: Garnet Eyes
Archived: fanfiction .net, livejournal .com
Last Updated: 03 Feb 2011
Summary: 08 September 1999 edition.
Rating: T
Characters/Pairings: Cecil, Kain, Rosa, Kain x Cecil x Rosa
Author Notes: specious, adjective;
1. Apparently right; superficially fair, just, or correct, but not so in reality.
2. Deceptively pleasing or attractive.
Disclaimers: Final Fantasy IV is owned by Square-Enix and I in no way, shape, or form profit off of my writing. This is simply for my own pleasure, and may at any time be removed and/or modified as I see fit.
...
As powerful as Cecil had become, he was never hungry for more. He was strict but fair in all of his duties, full of poise and grace that left all of his subjects feeling secure in their place in the world. The soldiers respected him and worked to please him, following his orders dutifully. The paladin ruled his kingdom with unquestioned authority. Yet it was at night, in the privacy of his bedchamber, that the stalwart leader showed his vulnerability. Some days were so frustrating that he cried, others were so exhausting that he hadn't the energy to disrobe himself by the time he reached the room, and others still were so overwhelming that he couldn't even articulate anything on the most basic level. On those nights with tears, Rosa held him to her breast and allowed him to release the stress while Kain spooned against him from behind to give him the simple comfort of warmth. On those nights of utter exhaustion, the blondes released him from the restraints of his armor and removed his day clothes to replace them with his night tunic as he fell asleep in their arms. On the most overwhelming nights, they would completely disrobe him without bothering to give him a night tunic and do the same for themselves, lying in bed together tangled up tight to absorb the heat and the reassurance of having those most important to him there for him in every possible way.
Cecil was not so perfect as his subjects believed, but his humanity was what made him what they loved.