The spikes are the only link to manliness he truly has.

FR

And yet he's not necessarily the most androgynous of all FF protags.

Like he's in the running, but the original WoL and Cecil Harvey provide stiff competition.

It's true, Cecil especially is a beautiful fey prince

he's not wearing lavender lipstick, it's true

yeah

Still, he does compete and that ain't nothing.