#paul atreides i love you but i hate you at the same time

[americanprometheuss]

blue gatorade from the shell gas station is now the WATER OF LIFE because i said so and the bene gesserit have confirmed it

[multific]

In Sickness and In Health

Paul Atreides x Reader

Summary: Paul fears leaving you while you are sick.

Paul hated to leave you alone, especially since you haven't been feeling so well lately.

Paul knew he needed to go with his father, but he didn't want to.

"I will take care of her." his mother tried her best to reassure him, but Paul was worried.

The love of his life, his beautiful wife has been forced to bedrest for the last few days.

The doctors examined you and determined that you had a simple illness.

A simple one, yet you suffered greatly because of it.

You had a high fever, you could barely eat and sleep was a difficult task.

You were separated from Paul the second day of your illness, now, he was only allowed to visit you.

He was kind enough to bring you books or read you some of his own.

"You must go, Paul, your father expects you to."

"I do not care. I don't wish to leave you alone."

"I understand, but I will be fine, I do feel better already, so please, don't worry too much."

"My mother said she will visit you often," he said as his grip tightened around the book he was reading to you. "I still don't want to leave you." he promised to be by your side, in sickness and in health.

"I will be fine." you said with a smile. Your smile made him believe that it might be all fine after all.

Yet, his worry never left him.

The next day, he left with his father.

Lady Jessica kept her promise and visited as often as she could.

You even started conversations with her. And she did enjoy talking about Paul when he was young.

Then, she even mentioned her marriage, and how she wished you and Paul wouldn't have to face the same or similar difficulties.

The week soon passed, and you were much better as you awaited Paul's return.

And soon enough, you were told that he was landing.

You rushed over, by the time you got there Paul was already off the ship, making his way to you.

"Paul!" you smiled as you slowly jogged over to him, he fully started running.

You opened your arms and wrapped them around him as he lifted you off the ground. You giggled into his ear.

"I'm so happy to see you." he said. "You look so much better."

"Your mother gave me a special tea, it truly helped," you said as he finally put you down on the ground and kissed you.

"I missed you so much." he said and you laughed a little.

"I missed you, Paul."

Paul never felt so relieved in his entire life. He was worried about coming back, so when he saw you, full of life and smiles, running over to him, the weight from his shoulders just disappeared.

All his worries left his body in a matter of seconds.

He held onto you tight and strong, afraid to let you leave his sight as he watched your face, full of life, your eyes, filled with love as you looked at him.

Not even in his best dreams did he ever imagine coming back home and finding you like this.

He was forever grateful for his mother for healing you.

He made a vow to never leave your side ever again, and it is a promise Paul intends to keep for the rest of his life.

Taglist: @castellandiangelo @imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl @manduse @jacalineiscomingforyou @mandoloriancookie @brascaris @il0vebeingdelulu @deliciousfestsalad @groovyqueer

~Masterlist~

ˇAO3ˇ

/YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO TRANSLATE OR REUPLOAD ANY OF MY WORKS TO THIS OR OTHER PLATFORMS/

[firelilyfox]

Deadly Eyes

Dune: Paul Atreides x female reader

Warnings: se&ual harassment / angst / curses / hateful words / comfort

If someone means harm to the girl he loves, Paul won't hesitate

Words: 1k

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You stare at the men and women right in front of you. All of them were looking at you with the same emotions pictured in their faces. Disgust. Outrage. 

Today was the first day after Paul announced your relationship to his people. The Fremen welcomed you with open arms… well some of them at least. Your roots lies with none of the big houses. All you know about your family is, that they were travelers who never lived at the same place for more than a couple of years. You are one of the Lost Ones. But when Paul rescued you from being tortured by the brutal Harkonen a couple months ago, you never thought about traveling somewhere else again. Your people always praised that the soul is a free from wich never settles and never find the one and only home. Paul changed your way of thinking. With him you felt at home for the first time ever. 

„The Mahdi can’t be with someone who is lost“, one of the believers growled as you were passing by. All you wanted to do was taking a walk and exploring the hallways of the Sietch, one of the rocky formations what the Fremen call their home. And now you are standing in front of a hand full of believers who are talking bad about you. 

A old, wrinkly woman hisses. „You don’t belong here, Lost One.“ 

You look at her fully blue eyes. The same color your eyes have turned as an outcome to the effects of spice everywhere. „Please let me through. I don’t wish for trouble.“ 

Now a young man steps right in front of you. Too close to be comfortable with. You try to move and bring some distance between the two of you, but your back almost immediately hits the wall. Your chest tightens up. This feels like a cage. A cage of people who hate you. 

„But you are trouble, whore.“ He couldn’t have been more than five years older than you, but he was so intimidating that you wanted to flee before he would hurt you. You still are one of the Lost Ones. Their are no fighters. Your people staying alive because they run for dear life when problems appear. That’s why the Fremen always looked down on your kind. 

„All your people do, is stealing and living in the shadows. You are not worthy to be here. Your are not worthy to be with Muad’Dib“, he grabbed your neck with a tight grib. „But I’ll find some use for u, don’t you worry.“ 

The others looked away while he is dragging you to a shallow corner at the end of the hallway. Your screams got muffled by his greasy hand and silent tears filled your eyes. The back of your head hit the wall hard and your vision flickers for a moment. Fear crawling all over your body, followed by the tip of his knife. You’re trying to beg for him to stop, but all he does is giggling at your helplessness. 

„I will show you your worth and after that I will give your body to the desert. I will…“ 

A voice is shouting at the near distance. „Where is she?!“ The man fearlessly let’s go of you and hiding his knife. You fall down on your knees as Paul rushes around the corner. Gentle hands pulling you up and you begin to sob, hiding your face at his chest. 

„How dare you to touch her!“ Paul growls at the man who is now lowering his head in respect for his Duke. 

„I did not want to bring any disrespect to you, Mahdi. But this woman damages you reputation. She is not worthy to be …“ but Paul cuts him off. 

„She is equal to me. I am who I am today, because of her. How dare you to speak about her like that?“ His voice became dangerously silent and you could feel under your palms how tense his muscles were. As you look around you discover that people have stopped and watching the scene with wide eyes. 

You reach up to gently touch his cheek, so Paul would look at you. „I’m okay, Paul. Nothing happened. I’m unharmed.“ 

For a moment the coldness in his eyes vanished, but as he looked down at your neck and saw the bruises … he was ready to kill someone. Paul kisses your forehead and it feels like that he needed to do it just to calm himself down, before he would actually cut a throat. His grip around your waist thightens but not in a hurtful way. You never felt more protected as right here in is arms. 

Paul turns his head slowly. A deadly look on his face. The man kneeled down in fear of his punishment. „I will only say this once and for all. Who ever touches this woman and mean harm to her, will be sentenced to death. Without exceptions.“ He looks around, making eye contact with everyone who is watching. „Spread the word. I will personally kill everyone no matter if man or woman.“ 

The Fremen quickly leaving the place murmuring and chattering. The message was clear. If you break this rule, death by Muad’Dip will find you. 

„And for you“, Paul looked down at the man who tried to do unspeakable things to you. His voice full of dark rage. „If you ever come near her again or look at her even from afar, I’ll break your neck.“ He gave two other men a sign to carry him away. 

„I should have known that something like that might would happen“, Paul curses. „I’m so sorry. I should have never left you go alone.“ His eyes meet yours and the deep sorrow in them breaks your heart a little. 

„You couldn’t ever have guessed that. This isn’t your fault and it’s not your job to see something like that before it happens.“ 

Paul pulls you closer now that the two of you are alone. „But is is my job to protect you.“ 

„And you did.“ 

He leans his forehead against yours, taking a deep breath. His body is still tense but his touch is so gently. „I don’t want to imagine what could’ve happened if I weren’t be here on time … I couldn’t…“ his voice breaks. This is the side of him no one ever sees. The softness and the vulnerability. To everyone he is the fearless Muad’Dib. But to you he is Paul Atreides. The man who owns your heart. 

„Then don’t. You saved me. I am right here.“ To prove your point you get on your tiptoes and kiss him softly. Paul cups your face with his hands, holding you so close to him that nothing would have room in between. 

_____________________________________________

Thank you for reading! Comments, ideas & reposts are very welcome <3

[seresinhangmanjake]

The Harkonnen's Loves

Dad!Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen x Mom!Atreides!reader

Summary in bullet points:

Your and Feyd’s four-year-old son is sweet like you but has a little love for violence like his father

Feyd gives your son his first blade

Feyd is soft for his family (I just think being in love and having a family would alter this psycho man’s brain chemistry a bit)

Notes: same Feyd x reader from The Harkonnen’s Sweet Thing and The Harkonnen’s Claim. 

Warnings: a half-psycho half-sweet little boy, mention of blood and injury, mention of pregnancy.

Words: 1500

Feyd-Rautha Masterlist

Your son contains a sweetness. ‘Caladan Sweetness’ you call it, because your home planet was where your sweetness was born into you. Your father, the beauty of your home, the oceans and the fields bloomed you into the soft, sweet thing that your husband loves. And though your son has never seen the world you come from, that sweetness runs through his veins. His smile, his laugh, his power to draw those around him out of their Harkonnen-built shells—that all comes from you. 

But at the same time, he is no less like his father. He adapts rather quickly to his surroundings. He has a natural curiosity for weaponry and blood and how one brings about the other. He does not hate the feel of a heart beating its final beat in his little hand—a feeling his father expressed would be better experienced young, and was done so after the slaughtering of a prisoner in front of the boy's eyes. Feyd had cracked open the prisoner's chest, taken his son by the hand, and guided his fingers into the open wound with the instruction to keep them wrapped around the organ until it no longer moved. You remember his eyes that day—round as saucers and sprinkled with excitement as he looked up at his father who ruffled his hair with a grin on his face. 

He truly is a combination of you both; such beautiful balance has already taken shape in a tiny body. He will be a warrior built and molded by his desire to understand everything his father has to teach him. And yet, he will be gentle where necessary; you hope, one day, with a wife and children of his own. But it’ll be long before that day comes. 

Then again, in some ways, he is growing so fast. For you, it could have been yesterday that you were pushing him out of your womb as your husband held your hand and kissed your forehead. At four years old, you still see him as your baby, but you acknowledge that Harkonnen blood ripens faster than the average child, and he has already begun to show signs of the man your brother prophesized him to be: one of the strongest alive; stronger even than his father. 

That is why you’ve allowed Feyd to pace your son’s training—it’s his area of expertise. It is their bond, and you don’t interfere in those moments, opting to stay just out of sight. 

“You're old enough now to have your own blade,” you hear your husband tell your son from your hidden spot around the corner. 

You can’t hold back your smile at your son's uncontained curiosity as Feyd pulls the knife out from behind his back and presents it to the boy. It balances perfectly on Feyd’s palm as tiny hands reach up. Your son pauses, but when Feyd gives an encouraging nod, he plucks it from his father’s hand. 

It couldn’t be a better fit. Not too long or heavy for his hand, but not too short or light. It’s a good starting blade to prepare him for the weapons that will grow in size as he does. 

“You will be training with me every day from now on,” Feyd tells him.

The boy looks up from the knife to meet his father’s eyes. “So I can get strong like you, Daddy?”

“Stronger than me.”

Your son giggles, a wide grin breaking open his face. “No one's stronger than you!”

Feyd's features soften as he pats his boy's cheek. “You will be.”

“Will I be strong enough to kill Uncle Paul for stealing me and Mommy from you?”

You almost snort as you roll your eyes. Of course, Feyd told him the story. It was only a matter of time before he sat him down and explained the tale of your half-brother killing—or almost killing—Feyd in front of you, then holding you hostage upon finding out Feyd was still alive and demanding you be returned to him. In exchange for you and the baby he discovered you were pregnant with, Feyd swore loyalty to your brother. But your husband will not allow his bloodline to continue for generations under the thumb of Paul Atreides. And that starts with your son. 

Feyd chuckles. “You will be strong enough to destroy your uncle and everything he loves.”

Finally making your presence known, you edge around the corner and lean against the wall. When Feyd sees you, so too does your son, and knowing the boy’s next move, Feyd takes the small blade from the even smaller hand.

“Mommy, I'm going to kill Uncle Paul!” he says joyfully as he rushes over and slams into your legs. “And everything he loves!”

“I heard!” you reply, grinning as you crouch down to his level and take hold of his hands. “But you know what? Little na-Barons who wish to take revenge on their uncles must first get a good night's sleep.”  

“Ok!”

“I'll come check on you in a minute,” you promise him before kissing his cheek and sending him on his way. Your eyes follow him running down the hall until he’s safely behind the door of his bedroom. 

Turning back to your husband and walking to his side, you say, “You told him.”

The tip of the blade pushes into his pointer finger as he lazily twirls the small weapon. “At his age, he should know who his enemies are.”

You slip between his muscled body and the table in the center of the common room where he sets down your son’s knife. With a closed-mouth smile, you hum. “And how did you start that conversation? ‘Uncle Paul made Mommy sad and Daddy mad’?”

“Something like that,” he confirms, leaning into you. His hands brace on the table, one arm at either side of your hips as he seals his lips to yours. 

Feyd’s mouth moves at a slow, hypnotic rhythm but with an intense pressure that’s glazed in possessiveness. You can taste it. That ownership. That authority. He may not always fuck you like you belong to him—sometimes it’s your turn to remind him that he’s yours—but his kisses have never been anything short of claiming. Gentle or rough, slow or frenzied, short or long enough to make you forget what world you’re in, a kiss from your husband ends with the reassurance that he wants you, he loves you, and he won’t ever let you go. 

His hands move to your neck, thumbs pressing into the curve of your jaw to hold your head still and you moan from his cool fingers soothing flushed skin. Your lips part and his tongue licks into your mouth. It plays with yours and then retreats. Teeth sink into your bottom lip, lightly tugging before he pulls back to rest his forehead against yours. 

“How's our other one?” he asks as a knuckle draws a line from your jaw to your neck to your cleavage. His eyes follow as it continues past the neckline of your dress and down your sternum, stopping at your stomach where his fingers splay wide. His eyes flick up to yours.

“Strong…like you,” you say, placing your hand over his. “...and like him.”

Your husband nods, exhaling a light sigh of relief. “Did they tell you?”

You smile. “They think it's a girl,” you answer. 

A few thumps of your heart pass as you await his reaction, but then Feyd smiles with you.

---

@avidreader73 @alwaysadreamingoptimist @lost-in-fiction-like-ur-mom @workof-a-rr-t @midnight-serendipity @minedofmoria @aoi-targaryen

[lowtaperfeyd]

hello :))) i would love a duncan idaho x reader imagine where reader is paul’s sister and duncan confesses his love for the reader before he leaves for arrakis on caladan!!! super fluff !

Shoulder to Shoulder

Duncan Idaho x AtreidesHalfSister!reader

author's note: Heyyyy!! I did take more of an angsty route, that's just how the creative juices were flowing. But, this has sizeable amounts of fluff inside.

(Not beta read: we die like feyd-rautha)

warnings: mentions of death and some angst

wc: 1,058

(Y/N) Atreides was the older half-sister to Paul. A daughter from Duke Leto’s previous political marriage. Whose mother died in childbirth. For the longest time before Paul and Lady Jessica, it was just Duke Leto Atreides and daughter, as well as heir, (Y/N). But once Paul was born, (Y/N) was pushed back and was just a thought in her father’s mind now. It’s easier to compare her to a ghost than a prominent member of the family. 

Duncan Idaho is not a man who was afraid of change. In fact he thrives for the unknown adventure that would persist when he went to Arrakis in a few weeks. But he is a man who hates leaving things undone. 

It was the day before Duncan would leave for Arrakis and (Y/N) was sitting in the study looking over some books and films about the desert wasteland, the new place where she would live. While doing this, she thought about Duncan Idaho. The swordmaster who has always been a prevalent thing in her and her brother's life. 

“Are you going to sit there and take it, Paul!” She cried out mockingly and giggled at him as he was sparring with Duncan Idaho. 

“I would be more likely to win if you didn't distract me!” Paul said, equally sarcastic. 

“No, no my lady,” Duncan responded with a laugh, “Your brother is really trying to defeat me.”

All of a sudden, (Y/N) heard a knock on the study door, shaking her out of the fond memory of her brother sparring against the swordmaster.  

“Who is it?” She said cautiously 

“It’s me.” The deep voice of Duncan echoed through the door, “May I come in, my lady?” 

“Yes, come in, Duncan.” She said as she moved her books, clearing off more of a space for Duncan to sit in the chair opposite her. 

“I know Paul said that you were trying to learn as much as possible about Arrakis,” The swordmaster said as he looked around at all her books and papers, “But I did not expect to see you buried in them. Especially at this hour. It’s almost midnight, you need to go to bed.” 

“I’m not a child anymore, Duncan,” (Y/N) said while rubbing her forehead, “I can handle staying up late.” 

“Really,” Duncan said sarcastically, “‘cause if I recall just last week I found you asleep at the breakfast table because of the same events which are going on now. Unless that was not you, my lady?” He continued with the lighthearted teasing as he went to sit in the plush armchair at the other side of the table.

“That was an accident,” (Y/N) defended, “I didn’t mean to.” 

She let out a long, tired sigh. Her shoulders sagged when she buried her face into her arms on the table. And small tears welled up in her eyes. 

Duncan immediately picked up on her sadness. He didn’t like seeing the woman he loved in distress. But, he could never tell her that. 

“Hey,” He said gently while putting on a calloused yet soft hand on her forearm, “What’s going on?” The concern in his eyes was palpable when he laid them on (Y/N). 

“It’s nothing,” she said while lifting her head from her arms, “just something my brother mentioned.” 

With his other hand, he used his thumb to gently brush away the tear that was cascading off her face. 

“It’s obviously not nothing if you’re crying about it. What did he say?” He probed carefully.

(Y/N) got out of her chair and walked over to the window. The window overlooked the cliff sides and ocean of Caladan. With the night sky shining from the stars. 

“He said that something bad would happen on Arrakis…” She said, her voice barely above a whisper. 

“Nothing bad is going to happen on Arrakis,” Duncan reassured her, “that's why they are sending me tomorrow. To scout out the place and hopefully find the Fremen.” He walked over to stand next to her by the window, shoulder to shoulder. 

“I know, Duncan,” She said, still unconvinced. “what if you died?” (Y/N) said while looking at him. 

Duncan turned his body so he could see her fully. He took his hands and gently took her face into them. His affection provided a type of safety and assurance that neither shield could do or money could buy. 

“Why would I choose to die when I know you’re on your way to see me again,” 

“Duncan-” She interrupted. 

“Nope, let me finish,” He told her, “you are the most wonderful person on this planet. And that would continue to be true on any planet you went to. I would not die on Arrakis before you got there.”   

“I know but what if-” She tried to say before Duncan kissed her passionately. 

The kiss was fiery, smooth, everything and more than (Y/N) had imagined. It encapsulated the emotions that they both felt for each other. The bond built by love they hadn't been able to share with each other before now. If any member of court saw this kiss they would be blushing several shades of red.

Duncan pulled away from the kiss to see a frazzled and dazed (Y/N) Atreides. Whose lips were slightly swollen from kissing. With his hands still on her face. 

“I love you, my lady,” The swordmaster said, “and I would not let anything bad happen to you or myself on Arrakis. Do you understand now?” 

(Y/N) looked at him in the eyes and even though it felt like a dream, she understood what he was saying. A smile took her face as she said, 

“I love you too. ” 

“Good,” He said before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, “now go to bed. I don’t want to see you with your pretty head in a grapefruit later.” He whispered playfully. 

“Okay, goodnight.” She said to him, softly. As he began to walk to the exit of the study. 

“Goodnight my lady, I’ll see you soon” 

The only person who really saw her was the swordmaster, Duncan Idaho. He was the only one who could break away the exterior of her. He did it with such care and kindness that it was impossible to not feel deep emotion for him. 

[timothee-chalamets-girlfriend]

Paul Atreides X Reader (Dune)

Part 1: Caladan

     Paul Atreides' feet dangle from his bed as he rests in slumber. The blanket was on his body's top half, but he had kicked it off his bottom half. He was a restless sleeper. This was because of strange dreams he would have. They were always changing, but most made him uncomfortable. This has been going on since he was a child, yet some of his dreams still shock him. 

    Outside of House Atreides, the sun was beginning to rise. It had been a cool night, causing drops of dew to form on the soft grass. The ocean water can be heard roaring against the rocks at the bottom of the cliff, a high tide was coming in. Luckily the cliff House Atreides sat on was the highest on Caladan. Not only was it protected from water, it's protected from any kind of threat that may arise. Paul's father, Leto Atreides, had done all he could to keep his royal family safe. However, part of him knew nothing could be protected forever. Still, it was his duty to keep his family safe. And he would.

     "Paul," a small voice whispered. "Paul." He feels a warm touch on his shoulder and his eyes shoot open. Looking up, he immediately relaxes when he sees it was just his mother. Paul readjusts himself from his crooked position and sits up. "Hm?" He makes a small, sleepy sound. "You slept in again. Your father and I have been waiting at the breakfast table for you." His mother tells him, running her hand through his curls. "Oh, sorry. I was-" Paul starts but his mother interrupts. "You were up late studying Arrakis and their people again, weren't you?" She asks with a sigh. Paul simply nods, looking away. "Come now, your food is getting cold." His mother says and leads him to the dining room. 

     Father, mother, and son sat side by side at the table and enjoyed their breakfast. Paul's father and mother finished theirs fairly quickly, while he took a bit longer than usual. "Not hungry?" Leto asked. Paul shrugs. His father and mother exchange a glance before Leto turns his attention back to his son. "Look, Paul, I know you want to come to Arrakis with me, but it's just too dangerous. You've never experienced desert conditions. I'm not going to risk it, you are far too important." He talks firmly. Paul, being a teenager, rolls his eyes at his father. 

    He pushes his plate away, which had a little over half of the food left. "You just don't trust me." He says, shaking his head. "It's not that, Paul, and you know that. We simply love you too much and are trying to protect you." His mother enters the conversation. "But you get to go." Paul defies. "You know why I have to go, Paul. Don't pull that." The mom replies. Paul grunts, "mother, father. Please. You both know how much I've been studying and preparing for this. I am ready. Please believe me." Paul says, practically begging his parents. The room goes silent for a few seconds as Leto looks at his son and ponders possibilities. "There is one thing we could try in order for him to prove himself ready." He finally lets out his thought. Paul's mother was quick to share her thought. "Are you insane!? That could get him killed!" She yells. "Calm down, Jessica. I believe in him. I believe he deserves a chance." Leto replies calmly and seriously. 

     Paul's lips swiftly form a smile, and he jumps up from his chair in a sudden burst of excitement. He had no idea what this thing he would have to do was, but he was happy to get to try nonetheless. Jessica sighs, standing as well and readjusting the long fabric of her dress. She didn't want to disappoint her son, but she couldn't help but worry about the possibility of him failing the test. "Very well, then. I'll take Paul to her." She tells Leto, and both mother and son walk the halls of the great House Atreides. While they walk a sinking feeling forms in the pit of Jessica's stomach. She hated this idea. At the same time she knew it needed to be done. "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear.." she says to herself in her mind as they approach the door. 

     Lady Jessica takes a final step forward, knocking on the large metal door. "Reverend Mother?" She calls out, and the door quickly flies open. As Paul enters the room, which was mysteriously dark and empty, a shiver runs down his spine. He was starting to feel not too sure about this. "Reverend Mother, my son, Paul, is ready to be tested." His mother tells the cloaked woman with a shaky voice. "How wonderful!" The lady croaks, "you may leave, lady Jessica. Guard the door for me." Jessica nods and leaves at once, the door closing behind her with a forceful slam. 

     "Come closer, boy. Don't be afraid." The lady shows off some of her crooked teeth. Paul cautiously proceeds forward, but stops just a few feet from where he should be. "CLOSER!" She yells, her voice suddenly becoming deeper than even his. He feels as if someone was behind him, as he is abruptly pushed forward. "KNEEL!" She yells in the deep voice again; Paul's legs seem to give way as he falls to his knees in front of her. The Reverend Mother takes a few moments to study Paul. She reaches out a shaky hand and places it on his cheek, her hand traveling around his facial features. 

     Paul, thinking that this was all the test was, goes to stand. He is quickly stopped when he feels an odd sensation against his neck. The Reverend Mother smirks as she points the gom jabbar directly at the boy's neck. "By your neck I hold a poison needle, in which will cause instant death at injection. The test is simple. Put your right hand in the box and keep it in there no matter what you feel. The second you remove your hand from the box, is the second you die." She tells him, still smirking. "What's in the box?" Paul asks, lifting up his right hand and beginning to slowly direct it towards the box. "You'll find out soon enough, my boy. Go on now." The lady grows impatient and pushes the needle a few inches closer to Paul's neck, making Paul waste no more time putting his hand in the box. 

    At first, there was just tingling. Almost as if electricity was running through Paul's hand. But it didn't hurt, it was just an unusual sensation. Paul looks the Reverend Mother in the eyes with confidence of passing the test, but it doesn't take him long to regret that. There was no light, no heat, yet.. it felt as if his hand was immersed in flames. Paul takes a quick breath to try and keep himself from reacting to the burning sensation on his skin. Soon, he feels as if his skin was being ripped off and the flames were entering his open wounds, making it feel like he had stuck his hand in a river of lava. Paul bites his lip, shaking his head and groaning through his throat. He wanted to remove his hand from the box. But he couldn't. 

     Now, the sensation he had in his right hand was that of an axe chopping off each of his fingers one by one before completely severing his hand. All of this while still burning, as well. Paul couldn't hold back anymore. He lets out a pained yell, which echoes throughout the room. "Quiet." The lady says, still holding the needle just centimeters from his neck. Paul breathes rapidly and scrunches his face in agony. He felt like crying, screaming, and mostly he felt like removing his hand from the box. However, he knew that any of those were not an option. The pain seems to reach its maximum level, and as it does Paul closes his eyes and holds back another scream, instead letting out another groan from his throat. Everything seems to go blank. All he can feel is pain, all he sees is darkness, and all he hears is the sound of his panting. He decides to focus on his breathing and nothing else. A few failed attempts pass, but he finally manages to get his breathing under control. Paul slowly opens his eyes and locks them with the lady's once more. His face was as still as stone. There were no emotions in his expression. He looked as if he could be dead. 

    "Enough!" The Reverend Mother yells after exhausting herself enough. The boy had passed. Paul swipes his hand out from the box and examines it; it was perfectly fine. He sighs in relief as the pain melts away and he realizes he's still alive, meaning he had passed the test. Lady Jessica runs in and immediately checks on her son, feeling just as relived to see him alive. "You pushed it too far." She tells the Reverend Mother sternly. The lady clicks her tongue, shaking her head. "Now, now. You and I both see the potential power in this young man. He needed to be tested to the limits." The Reverend Mother speaks. "What of him now?" Paul's mother asks. "He will go with you to Arrakis. You'll leave early tomorrow morning. I feel as if he will be needed there. No matter his fate, I feel he can make a difference to that rouge planet." The older lady responds before ushering her guests out from the eerie room.

[emiliosandozsequence]

okay i'm gonna be very frustrated and angry probably but none of this is directed at you guys i promise!!! i'm just!!!! upset!!!!!!!!!! (tagging you so you see this emily!! 💕 @thesparrow1996 )

let me start off by saying i am not a book purist by any means, but when visual media is being made from a book, i would like it to, at the very least, be telling the same story and that isn't what happened here. it wasn't even telling the same story as the first film in the series.

in the last film, it seemed pretty apparent that paul's visions were going to become a reality and then in this one they Sort Of did that, but Not Really but that isn't even my biggest gripe with it. my biggest gripe is that the last film was telling the story of the book and this film was telling a different story altogether.

my other issue is how chani's character was completely changed. and think is probably because i've been obsessed with her character and the lovestory between her and paul (which is CENTRAL TO THE PLOT OF THE WHOLE SERIES BTW) since i first discovered dune when i was in high school.

in the book, she's supporting paul. she agrees with everything he's doing. she and the fremen all support him because the fact that the bene gesserit are controlling things from the shadows is NOT!!!!! a well known thing!! in fact no one knows that except the bene gesserit!!! OF WHICH CHANI IS CANONICALLY ONE!!!!!! (and even then the bene gesserit are very much a 'knowledge divided' kind of people so no one knows everything about the society) she and irulan are literally narrative foils!!!! like the entire reason i made this web weave was because of how much i fucking LOVE chani's storyline, and because i really love how it shows even the most well meaning of people can fall into the trap of doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. but i suppose it makes less sense to anyone else who hasn't read the book because they also entirely erased the existence of paul's first son.

in the books, paul has a son before he has his twins and that son is murdered by the very last of the harkonnens in a last ditch effort to erase the atreides bloodline. before this, paul is refusing to take the water of life because he has a family and he doesn't want to jeopardize that!! after his son is murdered, he takes the water of life, so he can enact revenge on the harkonnens and start his holy war. by then, he his so distraught that he really doesn't care if his visions become a reality and, while they tried to do this with the destruction of sietch tabr in this film, it does not have anywhere NEAR the same emotional impact because of how it was done (without paul really ever spending any significant time among the people there).

also, as you can imagine, i've got an issue with how they leave this film especially since this isn't even really the full first book and chani and paul's lovestory seems to not be anywhere near as central to the main plot as it is in the books.

all of this is an issue if they want to make further films because they've literally wrecked the storyline with this film. as i said: paul and chani's lovestory is central to the plot. everything happens the way that it does because paul is in love with her and treasures her above everything and, without the existence of his son, without him really seeming to truly care about her, the rest of the story is just going to come across as cheap by comparison.

i wouldn't have had as much of a problem with this if they'd started out the last film by steering it in this direction, but they so very much did not do that. this film really feels like denis villenueve was writing his own fix-it fanfic and that's what i hate about it most.

as for things i did enjoy:

everything on geidi prime; the black sun was so fucking cool. i completely forgot that was a thing from the books. i also loved how the fireworks looked like ink blots

stilgar!!! he's not really like that in the books, but i didn't even care bc it was genuinely funny and i had a good time whenever he was onscreen.

the way chani refused to bow to paul because they're supposed to be equals (you deserve so much better, babygirl, i'm so so sorry for what they've done to your story)

florence pugh did exactly what i thought she would and made me like irulan a WHOLE lot more than i do in the books and the miniseries.

crazy paul and jessica and alia!!! deeply obsessed with their evil family slay

also all the weird family stuff in general, including when feyd and harkonnen made out in front of the whole population of geidi prime

the whole bit with paul learning to ride the sandworm!! that was so fucking good

the part where paul is walking toward rabban out of the fog of the sand on arrakis after he tells muad'dib to come face him. that literally was my fav scene and it was only a few seconds long.

[philip-badger]

Listen

I've watched Dune Part 2 for the 3rd time today. And I ship Gurney with Stilgar.

Listen!

Gurney got saved by Leto, we all know this. And he felt something for the first time he never felt before. It confused him, sure. But over time, he figured it out. Gurney knew he could NEVER be with Leto, tho. He confessed, in a drunken state, his love for him and Leto said: "Thank you for your honesty. And I will give you mine. I don't feel the same way about you. I am glad to have you as my loyal friend by my side. But nothing more. I am sorry, dear friend."

Gurney was heartbroken, but he knew from the beginning that he could never be closer to Leto Atreides. Still, he tried.

He stayed loyal.

Then came Stilgar, the Fremen. Harsh. Rude. Dirty. The complete opposite of Leto. Gurney hated the Fremen man. He was hostile when Stilgar spat at the ground before Leto. And still when he was found by Paul after the Harkonnen Massacre. But over time, I feel like, he warmed up to the harsh and rude side of Stilgar and also got a look at the friendly and funny side of him. I feel like they get pretty close, but Gurney sees a "wilder version" of Leto in Stilgar.

That hurts Stilgar.

There is so much hurt, angst and love I could work with, urg! I love those stupid old men. And the chemistry between Josh and Javier behind the scenes helps a lot.

[cin-cant-donate-blood]

Ok so with Denis Villeneuve's Dune films fresh in memory I decided to watch the 1984 David Lynch adaptation of Dune, because I hadn't seen it before, and I'll be honest, I fucking hated it. Man this movie is awful.

The film somehow manages to be far less comprehensible to uninitiated viewers despite having a shit ton of unnecessary exposition, including through very stupid narration. By the time that Paul comes into contact with the Fremen, it gets so bad that I struggled to follow along even as someone who has read all six dune novels. In spite of the overreliance on narration, key information is never explained, like why Paul's eyes turn blue, or even who the fuck the Fremen are.

Everything before the encounter with the Fremen feels like a parody. It's the same series of events that I loved from the novels and the Villeneuve films, and yet they are conveyed so soullessly that I am completely uninvested. The Baron is gross and weird (as he should be) but his tone is more like an Austin Powers villain than a genocidal dictator. Feyd-Rautha (whose name is listed as "Feyd Rautha" in the credits) is played by, and this is not a joke, fucking Sting, of "Every Breath You Take" fame. Also all the Harkonnens have red hair, which is true to the novels but makes them all look like fucking Weasleys.

One of the reprieves is Patrick Stewart, who plays Gurney Halleck. While clearly not given great direction, he tries his hardest to give a good performance anyway. The first scene we see him in he's mostly obscured by the godawful shield effects though.

Oh, and Max von Sydow is here, playing Liet Kynes. Yeah, the knight from that one Bergman film. He's alright too, I guess.

Other than that, every performance in the film is stiff and uninspired. I kept watching this film and going "wow this scene was so much better in the Villeneuve film" or "man that exact same line was in the Villeneuve film and yet it was great there and awful here."

Despite the same series of events being portrayed, somehow there is no buildup or tension at all in the Lynch film. The scene where Paul puts his hand in the box of pain has a cool effect in Lynch's film, but the acting is meaningless, and you don't get the powerful moment where Paul stares defiantly into the Reverend Mother's eyes, or any sort of dynamic at all really. There's no real sense of directionality to the scene at all, nor the movie at large.

The wormriding scene is even worse. In the Villeneuve film, Paul struggles for his life on a titanic monster that moves cubic kilometers of sand like it's nothing, and every single moment is a fight for his life. In this film he just climbs onto it and saunters around on top like it's a sunday promenade. Every single thing Paul does in this film is done completely without struggle.

Speaking of the worms, I suppose the one nice thing I have to say is that the three-lobed worm design fucks. I think I like the Villeneuve worms more simply because of the overall quality of the special effects, but yeah, anyway, that's the last and only nice thing I have to say.

And before I get to the things I hated the most, a brief mention of technology: the special effects for the shields sucked. That's all. Also there are no ornithopters in this film, for some reason, which sucks. Also House Atreides has secret sound based weapons technology, which is stupid. It is eventually revealed that the Fremen use the name Muad'dib to cause destruction with this weapon, which I suppose was Lynch's attempt at Themes. It didn't work and it was stupid.

Anyway, time to talk about the Fremen. God I hate the Fremen. The first warning sign is that Doctor Yueh is just Some White Guy. Then, after Paul and Jessica have crossed the desert after the attack on Arakeen, they meet like, 20 white guys. Why are the Fremen white? What? This sure is a film made during the Reagan presidency.

Here is what Stilgar looks like. He barely says anything in this movie. The Fremen are all non-characters. Stilgar is not a desperate man clinging to belief because he needs it. In fact he is nothing at all. Man I hate this Stilgar so much.

Every moment after this point is a chaotic, stupid mess as well (spoilers for the second half of the dune novel and for dune part two). They go to Sietch Tabr, and immediately are shown the giant pool of water, with no explanation. There is no Jamis and no fight nor burial of Jamis. Immediately they ask Jessica to be the next Reverend Mother, she drinks poison, something something, now Paul is leader of all the Fremen. Within like 5 minutes. Not a single scene showing any of the Fremen's culture or values is preserved. We move on to the recapture of Arakeen at lightning pace, barely explaining what the wormriding scene or the water of life scene even mean.

Paul storms in on the Emperor, duels Feyd-Rautha in a completely unexciting duel (the choice by Villeneuve to remove the poisoned blades was the correct one. That made the duel feel so much more costly and tense) and makes a short Messiah-esque speech before the credits roll.

Actually, the final thing that happens is that it starts raining. Sure. Yeah. Whatever. I've suffered for two hours. I don't care anymore. I guess Lynch understood that there was never going to be a sequel. Paul uses magic messiah powers to summon rain. Needless to say that doesn't happen in the books. I don't even think they've explained that the Fremen want Arrakis terraformed in this movie because, again, they are just "the natives" in this film.

However, I've saved the final insult for last. This could have just been a bad adaptation, but what made it awful is the fact that David Lynch did not get Dune at all. How can you tell?

Because there is not a single point in this story where you are led to doubt Paul. The ambiguity, the creepiness... it's all gone. Basically none of the characters have much personality in this film, but that's the thing that takes the cake. This is just a Lawrence of Arabia movie. Paul is the savior. He does nothing questionable and saves the day in the end. For that, I say, go fuck yourself David Lynch.

Oh, and did I mention that the soundtrack was done by Toto? It's not bad but it's used completely ineptly. Every single action scene comes out of nowhere with zero tension, so it feels completely undeserved whenever the super epic Toto electric guitar epic hype song starts playing, which it does every single time there is a meaningless action sequence. The soundtrack could probably have been good if the movie didn't suck.

I can say, with confidence, that David Lynch did not understand Dune at all. He didn't get the vibes, he didn't get the tone, and he barely understood the themes. He clearly did not care much for the world.

Whatever. I'm tired. I'm noting this film as a 1/5, where 2 is average. That means it is a painful film not worth watching. Avoid.

[destinyc1020]

That anon never said the dune characters were not developed or hard to understand. I agree with that anon, I realised that I don't particularly care about any of the dune characters, and that is down to how denis is as a director. Chani, who was the heart of part 2, is cool, but if she died or something were to happen to her, I'd probably be like "dang....oh well". This is why Paul atriedes doesn't hold a candle to anakin skywalker( there were a lot of comparisons when part 2 came out. And yes, anakin and star wars was inspired by Dune and paul). With anakin we actually see him do worse things on camera (k*****g children) as opposed to paul and yet ppl not only empathise with anakin because of how much was put in to make us care about him but ppl even seem to love him. Paul is a tragic character and not really a great guy, but I don't even feel hate for him because I already felt nothing. Long rant, sorry, but denis has always been remarkable with spectacle and failed at the core of characters, which is why Dune falls short to the likes of Star Wars and lotr in those regards

Can you really compare Anakin Skywalker (who we saw grow up from a kid, to a teenager, to a vicious adult) over a span of SEVERAL Star Wars films, to Paul Atreides, who we don't have that same development? 🤔

There have only been two Dune films out so far, and Paul is already an adult when we see him in the first film. Whereas we have seen Anakin grow from an innocent child, to an evil adult over a span of like 9 films and COUNTLESS countless series, cartoons, TV shows, etc. 👀

I just don't think it's a good comparison imo. 🤷🏾‍♀️

I'm not even so sure people were sympathizing with Anakin/Darth Vader like that when "A New Hope", "Return of the Jedi", etc all came out back then. 🥴

Sometimes, you have to let time pass by and films and characters evolve.

We NOW have sympathy for Anakin because of ALL of the films that have come out in the franchise....

We haven't seen film 3 in the Dune installment yet. We haven't seen everything that transpires with Paul OR Chani. You might be changing your mind once you see all of the films and their succession of their characters. Just saying.... 🤷🏾‍♀️

Idk about you, but as a WOMAN I felt sorry for Chani in that ending scene. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[xowlan]

peace ⎮ L. Atreides

PAIRING: Leto Atreides x reader x Lady Jessica

FANDOM: Dune

SUMMARY: Returning to your home planet with your new family, you surprise your husband and concubine when it appeared you aren't as soft as they believed you were.

WARNINGS: violence

TAG LIST: Add yourself here

MASTERLIST

The white blinded you, something it never has done.

The snow that covered the horizon was like a stranger to you as you have gotten used to the green forest and grey mountains over the last few years. So being back on the icy planet you were born on was an odd experience.

Sadly the ground wasn't the only thing that was icy on the planet, so was your blood, your house. The rulers of millions didn't know what kindness was, and honestly neither did you until you found yourself in the arms of Leto and Jessica. For once in your life, you didn't feel like you needed to use violence to protect yourself from the shadows that surrounded you. Instead, you had a husband and a concubine that would do everything in their power to keep you safe.

Your eyes shifted to Paul who stood beside his father as they walked towards your own father; a man with hair as white as the snow. The hard look of leadership was visible in both eyes of your father and your husband. It was already clear the two will never be comrades.

A hand wrapped around yours. You didn't have to look at your side to know who it was as a smile appeared on your lips. "You are restless," Jessica muttered.

A sigh left your lips while you watched Leto share some words with your father, your mother standing behind the man with her head down. "This house is different than our house, Jessica. Leto sees the two of us as equals while here, my father has always seen my mother and me as lesser than him."

"Yes, I've heard about the treatment of women on this planet. I'm really happy that you aren't in their grasp anymore, but instead safe with us." You looked at Jessica and squeezed her hand. "I love you." You tell her. Jessica smiles softly. "I love you too, y/n."

You noticed Leto looking at the both of you with a smile before giving you a signal to come. With a last squeeze, you released Jessica's hand and walked over to your husband, Gurney following you as he always does when you are in the open.

Leto takes your hand as you reached his side. You smiled at Paul who watched you before you turned your gaze towards your father. His grey eyes took in the black dress making him grimace. "No white daughter?"

"I wear the colors of my house, father." Your words cut deep, you knew that. You might as well have said that you didn't see yourself as part of your old house anymore, it would have had the same effect.

Your father's eyes hardened and he took a step forwards. But while he did that, Leto pushed you behind him, glaring at the old man who started laughing. Some of his advisors laughed along with their leader. "Are you truly that pathetic that your husband has to protect you all the time?"

"Watch your word." Leto threatened the man. Both Gurney and Duncan had their swords half unsheathed, but you raised your hand, telling them to step down.

"Perhaps, we should go inside?" You proposed, giving your father a pointed look as you stepped from behind Leto, a hand placed on his shoulder.

Luckily, your father agreed and you all followed him to the castle. Your mother hasn't looked at you once since you arrived as she kept the white veil over her features. But even with the fabric, you had noticed the bruise on her eye.

Walking through the hallways, you held the hand of Leto, aware your touch grounded the male from the anger that had formed inside of him. Jessica was right behind the two of you with Paul beside her. Duncan and Gurney were both flanking each side of your family.

You recognized the meeting room as you all entered. The white walls were a contrast with the dark walls of your home, making you hate the room even more. You all sat on a chair around the giant table, you sitting between your lovers.

"Let's start the nigociation." An advisor of your father started, but before he could continue, your father interrupted him. "I didn't know you fucked women too." You stiffened at the words, not happy with the fact that Jessica had managed to gain his attention.

"She is my concubine, and that of my husband's. She is family." You said keeping the amused glare of your father. "You know how we feel about same-sex romances in here. Have you discarded everything you learned?"

"Not everything." You said slowly. Your father was well aware of the skills you developed since you were a child, skills you kept hidden from your family. Your father leaned forwards in his chair. "Is that a threat?"

"My lord, please." Your mother suddenly said, placing a hand on her husband's arm. He shrugged it off and gave her a warning glare, one similar to the look Leto was giving you. And you understood why. Paul was in the room and right now you are creating a dangerous scene. But you came here with a purpose; the purpose to free your people and loved ones from the hands of a ruthless animal.

"Yes." You spoke up, making Leto turn to you full and place a hand on your stomach while leaning on so you can feel his breath against the skin of your ear. "Your actions will put us all in danger, quit it." He whispered angrily. You placed a hand over his and turned your head so you locked eyes with his. "Trust me." That was all you said when you stood up. The moment you did, the guards within the room tensed up while you walked around the table, nearing your parents.

Slowly, you lifted the veil over your mother's head. With a soft touch, you brushed the purple bruise and your mother leaned into the palm of your hand. You looked up, noticing how the people of your house were watching you with curious eyes and how Duncan and Gurney were sitting on the edge of their seat, ready to charge when danger would come to you.

"I always believed love didn't exist. So when I married the duke, I was petrified. At the beginning of our marriage, my fear of failure was so strong it almost destroyed me. Lady Jessica noticed it and she came to help me. She showed me how kind the Duke was and that the thought of him laying a hand on a woman was horrible to him. In a couple of months they showed me what love was, a feeling I am willing to share." You leaned down and placed a kiss on your mother's temple. Your feet dragged you around the table.

"You aren't at war, father." You made the man aware. "That death threat you got wasn't from a young house that is ready to hit with an army. It came from me." The confession made many wide eyes turn to you as you stopped behind your empty chair.

"I will no longer watch how you abuse my mother and the people of this planet and that is why you will be relieved from your reign." You stared down at the man. Whether it was because of your words or the look you were giving him, fear seemed to have consumed him.

"Y/n," he muttered, leaning back. "You don't have to do this."

"Yes I do, you aren't fit to lead." You muttered. Walking over to Gurney, you took his sword and walked over to your father. The guards didn't know what to do. Honestly, they all despised their lord and they knew that if they killed you, they would start a war with house Atreides, and then they will all die.

Your father rose from his chair and took his sword, pointing it towards. Leto stood up, just like the rest, and slammed his hand on the table. "Y/n stop this immediately!" Jessica heard the fear in his voice, fear she was familiar with as well. Losing you would destroy them both.

You shot Leto and Jessica one last look before charging at your father, letting the iron swords collide.

--------------

Your father was dead.

Standing in your old bedroom, you took the black dress off, leaving you naked in front of the mirror. Cuts and bruises were all over your skin.

When you gave the last blow to the death of your father, you had looked up to see the eyes of your lovers. They were filled with emotions, from surprise to horror. You never wanted to see them giving you that look again.

The door opened and through the reflection, you saw Leto and Jessica enter. Jessica gasped at the sight of your body and she rushed towards you, but not before taking a towel sos he could clean your wounds.

Leto stayed at the door, his eyes never leaving your body. "Leto." You whispered. You needed him. You needed to remind him who you were: his wife and not some monster. Seeing the pleading look, Leto moved towards you.

He walked in front of you and took your face in both his hands. The coldness of his ring awakened you. "Why didn't you say anything."

"I'm sorry." You apologized to both of them. "All I have known in my life is violence until I became part of house Atreides. The two of you gave me peace for the first time in my life. But even then I heard the whispers of the abuse all these people had to endure at the hands of my father. I know you, Leto, if I told you, you would have started a war leading to the deaths of innocents. That's why I needed to do this myself."

"I thought I lost you," Leto spoke with words of honesty. A tear escaped your eye. Leto placed you on his chest as he kissed your hair while Jessica moved to kiss your shoulder. "No more violence, I promise." You whispered, looking back up. You grasped Jessica's hand. "From now on, no more violence. I am tired of fighting."

Leto turned your head towards him by taking your chin in his hand. His thumb ran over your lower lip. "When I married you, I swore to protect you in the darkest of times and that is a promise I tend to keep."

You smiled softly while Leto and Jessica took you in their arms, shielding you away from all the dangers of the world. You truly had found your peace.

[alaynes-writings]

You’re safe with me

Summary: After a disturbing nightmare you need Paul to help you calm down.

Pairing: Paul Atreides x reader (gender neutral)

Warnings: mentions of death (in a dream), description of panic

A/N: Another blurb, this time a tiny bit more angsty, but nothing wild. Enjoy!

                                                               ---

You woke up screaming, disoriented, your heart beating against your ribcage so hard it hurt. You recognized your surroundings as Paul’s chambers, blinking rapidly to make out the familiar shapes in the dark.

Tears were streaming down your face, the images of your nightmare still flashing through your mind, haunting you. Paul was there in an instant, you could feel him wrapping his arms around you from behind, pressing you to his chest.

“Shhh, it’s okay, you’re okay, you’re safe.”, he murmured, gently rocking you back and forth. Your hands reached for his, clasped around your waist, trying to hold onto him, to hold on to the fact that what you had just seen was not real.

“You were dead.”, you sobbed, unable to hold back the tears. “You were dead and I couldn’t save you.”

Your whole body started shaking as you struggled to breathe, unable to forget the sight of Paul’s dead body in your dream. It had felt so real. You had felt your heart shattering, your whole world collapsing.

“I’m okay, I’m right here.”, he whispered. “I’m right here.”

You wanted to scream, but no sound escaped you except for the broken sobs and your shaky exhales as you tried to get your breathing under control.

“I thought I lost you.”, you managed to get out.

Paul moved around you, carefully, so he could look at you, cradling your face in his hands.

“Look at me. Look at me, love. You didn’t lose me.”

You nodded, knowing he was right, the rational part of your brain of course knew that he was alive and well, but another part of you still couldn’t process what you had seen, what you had felt.

When you looked at him, you saw the worry in his eyes, the same worry you felt whenever you had to calm him down after one of his dreams. He hated seeing you in pain, you knew he would do anything to make it better.

He reached for your hand and pressed it to his chest, his heartbeat under your trembling fingers, steady and strong.

“See, I’m alright. Everything’s alright. Breathe with me.”

You tried your best to match the calm rhythm of his chest rising and falling and after a while that tight feeling in your chest subsided and you were finally able to breathe again.

When you weren’t shaking anymore, Paul carefully pulled you onto his lap sideways, leaning against the headboard. His arms wrapped around you in a secure hug and he kept whispering to you that everything was fine and you were safe, that he was safe. You hid your head in the crook of his neck, still crying, holding onto him for dear life. And he sat there with you patiently, stroking your arm softly, just waiting for you to calm down.

Paul had always been patient with you, it was one of the things that had made you fall in love with him. He was many things, the heir to a noble house and a fighter and the son of a Bene Gesserit, but he was also just Paul. The one who was always kind and gentle and soft with you, who brought you your favourite flowers or a cup of tea in the morning just because he thought of you. The one who gave you his scarf when you had forgotten yours for the hundredth time, the one who would ask the cook to prepare you favourite foods, who would read to you on restless nights until you fell asleep. The one who always held your hand when you felt scared and who would sit with you in the middle of the night after a nightmare. That was your Paul, the one just you got to see. The one you loved. The one you never wanted to lose.

You didn’t know how long it took for your sobs to die or your tears to stop, you only remembered that at some point exhaustion washed over you and you had to close your eyes.

Paul noticed your breathing slowing down and carefully brushed your hair behind your ear.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m so tired.”, you whispered.

“I know, love. Let’s try to sleep a bit, okay?”

You nodded and he took that as permission to move you both so that he was lying on his back with you curled into his side, still holding onto him. His arm was still wrapped around you, still stroking you softly and he used his free hand to cup your cheek as he pressed a kiss on top of your head.

“Sleep, love. I’m not going anywhere.” The way he said it, using that gentle, low voice he always used when he was trying to lure you to sleep, banished whatever dark thoughts were still in your mind and you sighed, your eyes so heavy you couldn’t keep them open if you wanted to.

“I’m sorry.”, you mumbled. “For putting you through this.”

“Don’t ever apologize for that.”, he whispered, stroking your hair slowly. “I love you. And I want all of you. I want your good days as much as the bad ones. You’ll always be safe with me.”

And wasn’t that what love was about, you thought, about feeling safe with someone.

“I love you too.”, you whispered, as you slowly drifted off to sleep. “So much.”

And like that you fell asleep, in the arms of the man you loved, safe and at peace again.

[targaryenluvs]

Hello! Could I make a request abt platonic Paul Atreides and best friend (gn/m) reader where reader is feeling down/touchstarved and wants a comforting hug, but is too shy/stoic to ask, but Paul knows that when reader's feeling stressed/tired or just genuinely they'd appreciate a hug atm and is like "oooooh, you want a Paul huggie don't 'ya" (later hugs them ofc)? This could be like a one time thing (imagine) or hcs abt it happening multiple times. Howewer you want! Sorry if it sounds weird! Just feel like sometimes I'd appreciate some encouraging from Paul haha. And thank you in advance!

No problem!

Also loving the increase in requests <3

uhm i've never written headcannons so yeah :P

Hug Me, Please? (platonic paul atreides)

(headcannons)

- you never really felt enough courage to ask the question if you were being honest.

- but at the same time the feeling was building up inside and it didn't seem like the feeling was going away anytime soon, yay!

- you couldn't really remember the last time he or anyone had hugged you - even when you really needed one.

- the first time you realized you were touch-starved was when you came back from a trip with duncan.

- "you're back! for a second y/n i thought you'd finally left." paul joked as he barrelled towards you, arms wide open.

- " ah, you know i could never leave my best-friend. " you gushed as you gladly accepted his offer, all of a sudden the tension from the trip melted. you felt easy, at peace. when paul started to pull away you tightened your arms around his waist

- " guess you just really needed a paul huggie huh? " he kidded as you smiled at the old nickname, " mhm. " you mumbled into his shoulder.

- the next time you were down and or stressed he made sure to help you.

- it was a busy monday, you hadn't gotten much sleep since you had to train with paul the night prior.

- " keep your arms up, wouldn't want that pretty face getting bashed in or worse, broken do we? " paul laughed as you and paul circled one another.

- " no, we or you would hate that wouldn't you paul? " you joked, " remember, defense is always the strongest- "

- " offense, yes i remember the million times you've said that, where does that even come from? " paul questioned you as he closed in

- " old american saying from the 2000's, i think. " you spoke as you saw an opportunity, you swung your foot underneath paul's legs as he dropped to the floor before grabbing his arms and holding them behind his back. " y'know you could've just said you liked me y/n. " paul grinned as his device glowed red, showing signs of a breach.

- " hah, you wish. know go to bed. "

------------------------------------- ♡ -------------------------------------

- your muscles ached as your eyelids closed regularly, but you couldn't sleep. you had multiple mission reports to enter into the database.

- paul entered your room, the two of you were like brother and sister, you never really had boundaries. " hey y/n, you missed breakfast. " paul told you as he took into account the state of your room as well as you. multiple coffee mugs to your right and candy for a rush of energy.

- " yeah sorry. i'm just busy and done! what's up? " you said as your swivelled in your chair to face him, you had slight bags under your eyes and a messy ponytail, your lips were slightly cracked.

- he sighed, " you've been up since last night's training haven't you? " paul interrogated you as you looked up at the ceiling, " maybe. i had work to do. "

- paul's head hung low as he walked towards you then behind your chair as he slung his arms over your shoulders before kissing your head. " take a break, your always working. plus you have three assistants who's jobs are to do exactly this y/n/n. "

- " i know but- " you stood up to continue before being hugged, your shoulders, which you didn't even know were tensed, relaxed.

" thank you. "

" it's nothing, i love you, i hate to see you overwork yourself.”

from those few moments he made mental notes, hugs were the way to you.

( sorry if it's terrible idk how to write headcannons lmao <3 )

[enchantedbyhiddles]

Watched Dune and wow. I really don’t know what to think. There are so many things that are amazing, but also could be the worst thing ever. Especially: Dune is very clearly just the opening act to a whole series of movies. If it ends with this one, I’ll feel like I missed out on a great opportunity. Even with knowing that they want to tell the story of Dune (the book) in two parts, they only covered a little more than half of what I thought they would.  Someone compared this movie to the first part of The Lord of the Rings, with it being the first part of an epic masterpiece and it could totally end with that.

Right now though you get just a prologue. I love that they really took the time and allow this movie to flow at a very leisurely pace. Sometimes it feels like watching a documentary, where they really watch the world and the protagonists. It’s such a welcome change to action blockbusters that don’t allow for a moment of silence or peace. This movie has both and this makes for an amazing cinema experience.

I really liked the look. It really screams epic and powerful. BUT if you hated the trailers for being dark, you’ll hate the movie as well. This movie is like brutalist architecture. There is lots and lots of concrete and steel, and then some more. You’ll miss colours and any type of vegetation (not just on Arrakis, but elsewhere as well). À propos elsewhere: they show more than just Arrakis. It takes the time to introduce the other planets and forces as well, gives little glimpses into their differences and cultures... Though at times I really hoped that they would feel even more different (see: everything has lots of concrete and no colours whatsoever).

I also love that they don’t tell it as a straight-forward and simple story. You already see the whole schemes of the different houses at work and they don’t dumb that down at all. They also allow to already show the whole mystical world behind it. So far we only saw glimpses, but it doesn’t shy away from it.

Another very epic thing: the soundtrack. There are long times, when it is very silent and then it totally blows you away. 

This movie is really one you should watch at the cinema. Not just because it looks and feels so epic and blows you away, but also because you really need the environment to just sit there for nearly three hours and escape to this world. You need to get enveloped by it to really enjoy it. This movie will not work on the small screen, because, yes, at times it is nearly boring and any distraction or pause will mean that you miss out on it.

P.S.: Timothée Chalamet is absolutely perfect as Paul Atreides. He feels so lost and out of place at times that it is a true revelation to what and who Paul is supposed to be. You have this whiny white guy, who has some charisma and looks and always looks a bit emo and “deep”. Then this boy is supposed to be the messiah and happens to overwhelm even the most experienced war machines. You feel outraged and it is insulting, but at the same time it is so absolutely amazingly perfect to who he is supposed to be. 

[alittlefrenchtree]

Hiii, it's me again! I actually want to quickly move forward in my reading and not fall behind with notes. Because it makes less sense to write them if I already know what's going on 7 chapters ahead. So let's get started.

SPOILERS DUNE BOOK II : MUAD'DIB (Chapters 5-9)

Chapter 5:

*happy sigh 😌😌😌*

(learn silence, people. It's important.)

You already know how much I love this litany and if there's more in it, I'd be delighted.

Ok, I actually have a nerdy not really funny story about moving dunes. When the worm pops a bit later, Paul describes it at mound-in-motion and there's actually some truth about that. I've recently read an article (and I want to read more about it) about dunes and some scientist thinking that dunes are moving and communicating with each other (in their own mineral, sandy way of course). It sounds fascinating so I let you know if I learn more stuff more or less related to Dune.

This both hurt and feels relatable somehow, even if I don't know how exactly. I like the idea of things approaching from a different angle, of Paul being the only motionless point in a world that keeps spinning around him. The key then wouldn't be to change the world or even to do anything but only to adjust his own position in the universe so he ends up what he meant to be. And the sentence is pretty. The vision appeared to have shifted and approached him from a different angle while he remained motionless.

I still wonder how it works though. The visions and their changes. Do they significantly shift every time he comes close to death? Or say the litany of fear and survive? Or is it more realistic, the smallest details and decisions becoming the biggest changes? I wish Duncan would have been there with them and yet I like this journey through sand and survival just between Paul and Jessica. He probably would have been killed soon after anyway. Unless he's not really dead. Ok, moving on.

Remember when I said that Paul could have/find a way to control sand worms? And now he's saying this:

There are a lot of cues in these few chapters about worms, about riding (or whatever it's called) them with the hooks, about how they're in all likelihood the ones creating the Spice? That's why they're called makers? And that's what the Fremen who died with Hawat was about to called them? I kind of hope there is more to it though, other than only being respected because they're making the spice. There is another quote at the end of the chapter that intrigued me about the relation between Paul and the worms:

He looked at his hand. How inadequate it appeared when measured against such creatures as that worm.

I really like this chapter a lot. Firstly because I love scenes with only two characters so this is delicious for me. Secondly, I love reading about walks through endless lands with nothing but nature, so double yummy. Thirdly, there is a lot of informations. About the worms, and about how Paul is evolving in the desert. There is the rescue of his Mom but, even more importantly, how he rescues the pack. I think it's a very important scene both literally and metaphorically. It doesn't seem like an important scene but it really is in the building of the Paul's character. I hope to see it address in some way in the movie. Because not only he uses the Spice for another purpose than money and getting stronger or smarter or higher, but he uses it to take back what's necessary for his survival in the desert. If that's not adapting to Dune, I don't know what it is.

Chapter 6:

This is going to cause some trouble at some point, isn't it? Halleck and his people teaming up with smugglers, thinking the Atreides are dead. He's going to end up fighting against them without knowing it, right? 😔

Chapter 7:

Moooom, I love him so much 😭😭😭

But, I hate not knowing what's going on exactly and I hate it even more when it's about Paul and Paul's power so we're all going to sit here together, read this again and again util we've rambled enough to come up with AT LEAST five theories about something.

Like why. Why does he cross a time barrier at this precise moment? How does it work? He came close to death again so has he defeated another timeline where he was supposed to die? Hence the unknown territory, the darkness? Or are there defined blindspots? Around the worms maybe? Because of their spice maker job? Or is he just exploring and developing his new abilities? Learning to not rely only on his inner eye but on all of his powers and abilities? I need answers. I need to finish reading this book (books) and reading the theories of someone who's been thinking about every detail of them for the past 50 years.

I really liked this couple of chapters about Paul and Jessica's journey through the desert. You can really see Paul coming to terms with it. Fighting it, using it, accepting it, welcoming it. Seeing its beauty and his future in it. I'm looking forward this symbiosis. It looks beautiful.

Chapitre 8:

Ok, that was painful. Firstly, because I wasn't expecting to see Kynes die at this moment and secondly, because it was a very slow agony to witness. To be honest, I'm getting a bit tired to see characters die? It denies so much of the potential for characters development and for relationships development. The lack of it is going to become a bit sad for the whole story.

And it's heartbreaking to understand that Liet gave up his only chance of survival to save Paul and Jessica. I don't know how much he knew before, if he already knew he was going to die or if he thought he had a real chance but it's going to give so much power to Paul with the Fremen? If it becomes known that Liet died to save him and his mother, believing in them.

I supposed there is some kind of parallel to see here, between the previous chapter and this one, with Paul practically arising from the desert and Liet dying in it at the same time/shortly after? Like how Paul is supposed to take Liet's position of influence with the Fremen?

The chapter is also heavy on... social/political/ecological talks. Or one-sided conversation since the other side is dying. Not saying they shouldn't be there since they are the actual themes of the book but maybe it could have been made in a more natural way? Or not all at once?

But it made me think of Caladan. Which I could have done earlier, I agree. But Caladan is the planet of water, right? Water. The very thing Arrakis is lacking of and wants/needs. I would have like to see a bit more of Caladan, actually. How it was. How Paul was on it, actually. If he was as adapted as Caladan's environment than he seems to be to Arrakis'.

Chapter 9:

There it is. Paul as an outcast Duke finally facing Fremen forces for the first time.

This is a good chapter but I think the key point here is this:

I scrolled past a post the other day (without reading it entirely because of fear of spoilers), that was saying how people thinking Dune was about religion hadn't understand it because it was a story about propaganda. But, at the risk of sounding blasphemous and as a non-religious person... Isn't it kind of the same? Religion, propaganda, fandom,... At some point, there was someone with high powers of influence who comes to make people believe in something (whatever it's true, partially true, partially false or entirely false) to make them adopt a specific behavior, most likely a form of submissiveness? (@ tumblr porn bots, i'm not talking about you). What people make of that belief, it's what really matters.

What interested me more here is to consider this in relation to the opening chapter quote.

It's the eternal question with prophecies. Would a prophecy become true even if nobody knew about it or believe in it? Or do people, by acting according to it because they heard and believed it, make it real and effective? Did the Missionaria Protectiva create its own Kwisatz Haderach or would Paul would have been born with the same abilities and the destiny if they hadn't existed?

We see the future isn't set in stone in Paul's visions, but does his actions and decisions influence the shape of the future or is he just bumped from one predefined timeline to another? And are there really that much differences between the two? How many metaphysical questions can you write in one post?

Quick word about Chani before wrapping this one up. I think I'm going to like her? She seems cool at least. I'm not sure about Paul's reaction to her though. Yes, he supposed to be 15 but he's also something like half of a divinity so. *snorts*. Or maybe I'm just every day more tired of seeing romance being put everywhere and romanticized to the point of 99% people still thinking it's the ultimate form of love and relationship and the ultimate thing to achieve in life. OR maybe it's because everybody engaged in a classic couple-relationship immediately lost 12 points of esteem in my eyes. Don't know. Will see. I imagine I have to brace myself for Paul x Chani babies at some point, since it's 1964? If they survive that long. Very not looking forward to it. The babies, not the survival.

Anyway gotta go before I start wishing bad things to hypothetical fictional babies. Tschüss! 🌔💛

[valenshawke]

Identity Ask- 1&3!

identity asks… oh shit

3. list your fandoms and one character from each that you identify with.

I’m limiting myself to five.

Claymore - Clare

Death Parade - Chiyuki

My Hero Academia - Izuku Midoriya

Violet Evergarden - Violet

And not to be an anime/manga-cliche-riddled-mess

Deadwood - Al Swearengen

1. if someone wanted to really understand you, what would they read, watch, and listen to?

I’m answering these as to what I was watching/reading/listening to during my late teens/early adulthood as they either proto-formed most of political and social ideology while other things better informed me later. But without these, probably would have turned out different.

Watch: Uh… man… this is gunna be terrible. But probably watch The X-Files, Law & Order, and the first two seasons of The West Wing. The X-Files kinda got me somewhat deep into conspiracy theory circles for a bunch of years before the right wing really got deep into it and it became a mess of fascist white supremacy. Law & Order cause I wanted to be Jack McCoy for a lot of years and he is an influence as to how I lectured when I was teaching. Plus, his righteous sanctimony is something identify with since people do consider a sanctimonious prima donna and drama queen. The West Wing is probably a shocker because that show first about 4 seasons (when Sorkin wrote it) was fucking idealistic as hell and a nice counterbalance to the Bush administration. I’ll also toss in Stargate SG-1 because I loved that show and it replaced The X-Files as must-see-TV after the movie.

Listen: Metallica. If you’re a male, and you like heavy metal, at some point… you listened to Metallica a lot (or Megadeth if you hated Metallica and thought Dave Mustaine was the superior guitarist and songwriter). This WAS the band of my high school years. And Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, and … And Justice for All were all great in terms of social commentary on politics, corruptions, religion. I listened to Metallica a lot, and I mean a lot, while I was reading what I’m going to talk about in a bit.

The Black Album also means a lot to me since my first girlfriend in high school actually introduced me to the band and told me her all time favorite song was “The Unforgiven.” I listened to it and it’s still my all time favorite song by Metallica and, AND, I got to see them play it live in December. A moment I will never forget (I also recorded it and bought the official live recording of that concert).

Read: I give this answer a lot but it’s been awhile and I’ll give a why on what someone would read: Dune, specifically the Dune Chronicles. The original six books. I was actually going through my replies one night and someone @thetwistedmentat asked my thoughts on the fourth book, God Emperor of Dune. So I’ll try to cover it all briefly here…

Still going under a cut.

When I was 16 and read the first four books, it really did change how I viewed the world. About 2.5 years earlier, I became an atheist, which went over real well in Catholic school. I was already the ostracized kid in Catholic school, so this added to it. I guess I had a lot of questions on morality and how things really were.

When I read the first book, it really opened my eyes. No, I didn’t get the subtlety or all the commentary the first time I read it, but I got the broad strokes and I got older and learned more, I started to understand the references and the complexity of what Frank Herbert was saying.

Messianic figures are, by-in-large, a bad idea. Either because they become a prisoner to their ideas and mission or don’t have the courage to do what it is needed if they’re smart enough to realize, “Hey, being a single ruler with religious devotion is a terrible thing.”

Dependency on a single resource to move a system’s economy is… a terrible thing as well.

Social engineering (a more complex and devious form of socialization) is a terrible thing and can lead to terrible outcomes.

Religion and government being one and the same… is a terrible thing with terrible outcomes.

Cultural and evolutionary stagnation is… A terrible thing.

Complacency is… A terrible thing.

The ecology of a planet can give us clues and inform us of what a society holds sacred or important. Which also ties into #2.

People tend to drop Dune after the second book or criticize the first book for pretty much the same reason. Dune has been criticized as a colonial white-man’s fantasy because the “hero” wins at the end of the first book. As one gets closer to the end, Paul Atreides makes more more comments about a terrible decision he has to make, a Jihad that is coming, and billions that will die. People will die under and because of his name. When you get to book 2… Frank Herbert takes a wrecking ball to the entire notion that Paul is a hero. Paul compares himself to Hitler for love of Teresa of the Faint Smile. And no, this isn’t Frank Herbert was a Nazi or a sympathizer. For Frank Herbert, this was the clearest way for him to say Paul Atreides was evil, a coward, and weak. Frank Herbert literally said Paul is someone who “thinks he is God. “

And he leaves those terrible decisions to his son, Leto Atreides II.

In the third book, Leto and his twin sister, Ghanima, have the same power Paul had, the ability to see the future and the ability to tap into both sides of their genetic memory and Leto struggles with the decision to take on the skin of the Sandworm.

What is the decision? Save humanity. Because on it’s current path as outlined by points 1, 2, 3, 4, & 6… humanity will meet its end. Again this is a galactic empire but it can be controlled by one person who controls one resource.

Which actually leads into the second criticism I actually read very recently. That the books still fall into the strong-man political leader/fascist leader to solve the problems. And I’ll admit, that is a strong criticism if you discount the nuances Frank Herbert brings and the ultimate goal Frank Herbert apparently had in mind (According to Norman Spinrad, Frank Herbert actually detested the royalist politics he wrote about, which is pretty clear, and that the universe would eventually move to some kind of true democratic confederation).

Yes, both Paul and Leto (especially Leto) were strong man/fascist dictators for all intents and purposes. But both clearly could see into the future and had pretty much all of human history in their heads to realize humanity, as a group of people, naturally fall into the trap of charismatic leadership and authority. It’s actually rather easy to do if you examine just how Paul becomes a messiah to the Fremen (which is an explicit criticism of the Catholic Church and its role in European Colonialism).

And this gets into an overall theme in many of Frank Herbert’s work: Harsh social and environmental conditions can produce genius or people able to survive. At the micro-level, you have the Fremen, who can best the imperial militaries best.

At the big, macro-level, Leto’s oppression is meant to foment rebellion, is meant to make people angry generation after generation, is meant for people that want freedom, to never be under the rule of one person ever again, is meant to make him the ultimate symbol of evil everyone can agree upon (sound familiar anime fans?). They must call him Shaitan. He must be remembered as a Tyrant. As evil. He must die in a certain way. The problem with humanity, and you can see it to this day, is we forget the mistakes of the past. Leto’s goal:

“When I set out to lead humanity along my Golden Path, I promised them a lesson their bones would remember. I know a profound pattern which humans deny with their words even while their actions affirm it. They say they seek security and quiet, the condition they call peace. Even as they speak, they create the seeds of turmoil and violence. If they find their quiet security, they squirm in it. How boring they find it. Look at them now. Look at what they do while I record these words. Hah! I give them enduring eons of enforced tranquility which plods on and on despite their every effort to escape into chaos. Believe me, the memory of Leto’s peace shall abide with them forever. They will seek their quiet security thereafter only with extreme caution and steadfast preparation.” - Leto Atreides, The God Emperor of the Known Universe.

It only takes 3500+ years.

There’s also just a lot of gems about leadership, bureaucracy, and the idiotic repetition of history in God Emperor of Dune. The Dune Chronicles aren’t very action-based, there aren’t prolonged battles that are written out. Dune ends with a duel, Dune Messiah has a few moments of violence with stone burners, and a few deaths at the end, Children of Dune has a very sad written death of one of my favorite characters. God Emperor of Dune probably is the closest something heartpounding as Leto’s goal is ultimately achieved. Heretics of Dune again has some moments of violence. Chapterhouse: Dune actually has a battle sequence written out. After that, there are no more Dune books.

“But-”

THERE. ARE. NO. MORE. DUNE. BOOKS.

Why I became a sociologist? Why I ended up reading Marx & Lenin? Why I’m so critical of the intersection of politics, economics, and religion? Here you go.

This isn’t to say stuff HASN’T influenced me later. I’d also suggest reading books by Mira Grant and Ann Leckie, as well as Terry Pratchett’s Discworld and mangas such as Claymore by Norihiro Yagi and Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa or watch Code Geass, M*A*S*H, and The Wire. Just that the Dune Chronicles was the first, and probably, most important step.