Title: Word of the Day v. FFIV
Author: Garnet Eyes
Archived: fanfiction .net, livejournal .com
Last Updated: 06 May 2011
Summary: 29 June 2000 edition.
Rating: T
Characters/Pairings: Cecil, Kain, Rosa, Kain x Cecil x Rosa
Author Notes: bootless, adjective;
1. Unavailing; useless; without advantage or benefit.
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.

...

Although he could not see the point in this exercise, Cecil kept his chin up and reminded himself that this was for his wife. From his seat on the royal bed, Kain said nothing, but he hadn't been speaking much through this entire ordeal anyway. Rosa, sitting next to the dragoon, spun her finger in a circular motion, requesting that the young king turn around, and Cecil complied where he stood before them although he was not particularly happy.

"Might I take this off now?"

It wasn't that he was angry or anything of the sort, but the paladin got a little bit tired of being the doll that his wife liked to dress up in the clothing that she designed if only because she only ever made dresses and skirts and things that were entirely inappropriate for a king to wear. Of course, Kain somehow always knew when Rosa had finished a design and was ready to have the paladin model it, and he was always willing to give his opinion. Which was always, without fail, incredibly perverted.

"...Cecil, have you even really looked down at what you're wearing?"

Blinking, the paladin cocked his head to the side to regard the older knight before turning his gaze down to the thin garb that covered him. He honestly hadn't looked at it that hard, because he just preferred to put on whatever Rosa wanted to see him in sooner so that he could take it off sooner as well. But now the young king rather wished that he had noticed, because the thin fabric was translucent and he might as well have had nothing on for all that was actually hidden. Jolting, the paladin grabbed the fabric over his groin and balled both of his hands into fists with the material firmly within his hold, scowling even as his cheeks heated.

"Oh, why did you have to go and ruin it?"

Shooting a weak glare at his wife, Cecil debated making a break for his wardrobe. Kain shifted at his place beside the young queen and the paladin stifled the urge to try. The dragoon was alert and would take great pleasure in stopping him.

"Many apologies. It is a rather titillating outfit."

Delicate blonde brows furrowed as the white mage continued to look her husband over, this time with a more critical eye.

"I can see where it could be better, though."

Chocolate eyes glanced her way very briefly before returning to a lazy perusal of Cecil's body.

"Oh?"

Rosa made a quick gesture with her hands, nearly scoffing as she did so.

"Does the skirt really need to be so long? Or, it could at least have decent slits up the sides."

Kain rubbed his chin in thought – as if he needed to think about whether or not he wanted less clothing in his way – before he replied to Rosa.

"True. Might I suggest no sleeves next time?"

Always happy for actual input on her dress designs, the white mage nodded before perking up.

"Oh! And a lower neckline!"

Grinning, Kain caught the paladin's eye and Cecil scowled darkly but refused to take the bait.

"Does it need a full back?"

Of course the blonde knight would say that. Possibly the only reason that he refrained from saying anything about forgoing the entire article was because it was Rosa's design and she was very serious about her hobby.

"Hm. Good point. I'll have to rework that, too."

For a moment Cecil was stunned, but he soon began to sputter indignantly.

"Y-you cannot possibly think to go out into public in such a design!"

As embarrassing as this was, Rosa tended to perfect her designs on him and then tailor them to herself, but there was no way that Cecil was going to allow his wife to reside in their court in this. The white mage waved her hand dismissively, sounding as though she believed that his statement was ridiculous and she could hardly be bothered to reply.

"Oh, no. This is just for you. Your night tunics get in our way too much, and they aren't particularly pretty, so I decided to improve upon them."

Glaring mutinously at his guard, Cecil swore he would get the man back for corrupting Rosa. There was no other explanation for how she had turned from such a sweet woman into such a horrendous pervert.