"I still don't know how you found this place," the diminutive cacomistle practically cooed. "My feet were so sore..."
"Told you it'd be worth it," the larger, dark vixen replied right next to hir while both indulged in the geothermally-heated, soothing waters at their feet. Mindful to keep their travel attire out of their indulgences, they swished their naked legs through the swirling water, feeling eddies of alternating warm and hot liquid pass across them.

Doni gave hir mate a dubious smirk. "Lucky for you. I was going to club you in the knees if we climbed all the way up this path in the dead of night, got here, and it was just a dirt pit you wanted to show me." Hir chuckle at Niko's razzing snort was short and amused, and shi played fingertips daintily into the luminous water. "Is this aether doing this? It feels..." Shi held hir paw forth, focusing on the current before hir. "Mm..maybe so. I've never seen this before, the way the land's aether simply infuses liquid water. As if it may turn to water-aspected crystal."

"It's not crystal, but maybe one day it will be if this wellspring keeps up," Niko affirmed. "We live in such a rich land. As busy as we've been abroad in Othard, it's important to come home to Eorzea and...I dunno... take a bit of time to reflect, you know?"

Doni leans closer, hir tail tucking behind Niko's hip. "I do. You get sentimental when one of us takes a bump on the ass and you need me to rub it better."

Another snort came from above the mistle's ears, a leg kicking the brilliant waters up. "I'll give you something to rub."

"Promise? It's been a while..."

"It has, hasn't it?"

"Mmm..." Doni grinned, then relaxed, slipping hir comparatively dainty white-furred paw into Niko's larger black palm. "You found a good place. I like it. I think I'll keep you."

"I'd hope so. I made that ring and that collar with expensive stuff, and would hate to see them sold for some sort of tasty meal or old vintage spirits." Niko's fingers squeezed Doni's,keeping a comfortable hold as the two remained nestled together, the nightvixen's mirth relaxing into quiet contentment in the rich, living scent of the water and the night. "We need more moments like these. Just us."

Doni's nod could be felt shifting against the vixen's breast, hir smile turning up. "We can come back whenever you like! ..."

The pause was pregnant, and Niko eyed hir little companion and tucked hir own bushier tailplume behind hir, cutting off a bit of the chill breeze. Shi smirked, easily able to read the mischievous glint in hir eye. "So long as I carry you when we do, I bet?"

"Ohh, you sweetheart you shouldn't have to-! ...Yes."

"I won't. That's why we have Taross. And can pay hir with rubdowns and dinner."

Both shared a private giggle that turned into fond laughter, a release that felt like the first since their long sojourn back from the Far East. As if the water held restorative powers people assumed they did, they settled into companionable silence under the moonlight. Light and Dark, members of two different orders of magic that warred bitterly in ancient times and contributed to a flooding of the very continent their scions would strive together to protect. A goofy pair of dreamers and star-gazers we are, Doni thought. Yet we compliment each other well. Perhaps the way White and Black magic were eventually destined to...

My companion and I have traveled far and wide through out the world of Eorzea, and beyond. We have witnessed many splendorous wonders, survived countless perls and shared an experience that could span several lifetimes... But it is these quiet, tender moments that we live for the most. That brings us to a tiny forgotten sping off the beaten paths of Outer La Noscea's mountains. A personal favorite between the both of us where we can pluck the linkperls our of our ears and enjoy some solace under the stars, in good company.

A wonderful Final Fantasy XIV inspired commission dreamed up by my magnificant mate and brought to life by Myra (Witch of Avolan). A perfect peice to express our favorite world to get lost in. From our early days of Niko's stick-waggling thaumaturgy and my mending hir bumps, to our adventures slaying gods. We have always been together.

Be sure to check the Myra's original post here -> https://www.furaffinity.net/view/24653710/

Doni Tawner belongs to doniroux
Niko Tawner and story belongs to nikkyvix
Art by witchofavalon