Chapter Text
Planet: Giedi Prime
Capital: Harko City
The atmosphere shifted the moment the transport broke through Giedi Prime’s polluted clouds. Paul Atreides leaned closer to the window of the starship; his breath momentarily got caught in the back of his throat. It was nothing he had seen before. This bazaar looking planet was nothing like he dreamt. It was more lively yet darker as the transport approached the alien landscape below. He had imagined what the Harkonnen home planet appeared like from his film books.
It was just as they described it even with the limited information provided but more. Just like the Harkonnen Brothers, Harko City was both barbaric and prideful. The planet had become industrialized. As they flew over a military base, Paul took note of how the military strength seemed to be unmatched to the military back in Caladan’s peaceful yet stagnant reign. A fact made him uncomfortable. House Atreides was no match for the Harkonnen military during the ambush of Arrakis. Their power was merely based on House Harkonnen having the unfortunate label of a minor house. Many of the Major Houses refused to accept them despite their military strength.
Seeing his new home, Paul clutched on his only reminder of home: Felicette. He was more homesick than he had anticipated as he had yearned to be away from his parent’s hold over his life. Unlike Caladan’s green and blue paradise, the only color that punctured the black city was the flickering of neon lights once the sun set, advertising the power and wealth of the ruling House Harkonnen. Yet, there was a strange beauty to the industrial world for its vast black cities were sprawled across the surface with their blades-like towers that glittered against the black sun. During the day, the black sun colored the world in two colors, white and black.
There were no rivers or vegetation over the horizon from what Paul could see. Only the eerie flattened ground with factories, which was a reminder how the planet single handedly fed and supported the entire galaxy and Imperium. The exploitation to feed the dependent empire stripped the planet of any natural life, leaving behind scars. Giedi Prime had been forced to continue feeding the entire galaxy, if they wanted to get fed by the emperor, resulting in the planet to depend on the same Imperium that wounded them. Unable to grow enough food due the devastation of the land, it was how the planet grew accustomed to eating human flesh. When imports were running low, they had found ways to survive and endure, getting permission from the deceased.
In the distance, behind the city, were the scars of the great pits and excavation of the planet’s resources. The pits left behind a labyrinth of jagged rocks and soot streaked Giedi Prime. The pipelines across the land all led to the Harkonnen Palace, which resembles veins going into the heart of the city to keep itself alive. Quiet, Paul stayed still at the reality he had lived a different life on Caladan than all those who lived here. He had come from a place of privilege. The pit before him was a cruel reminder of what the emperor's greed has done to this planet and it was a glimpse of Arrakis’ future, if the galaxy’s hunger for the spice continued to grow in greed. Only here did it come to Paul that Arrakis and Giedi Prime were not so different from one, both slave planets forced to feed the imperium.
It was horrifying, yet there was something mesmerizing about Giedi Prime. The sheer scale of Giedi Prime’s brutality was an unspoken power. A power so remorseless and unapologetic that was necessary to survive under the empire’s iron fist. The culture here was one of fight or die trying, full of soldiers and hardened people that fought for survival. This world, unlike Paul’s, was always moving forward chaotically to see another day even if it meant brutal force against the opposing party.
As the ship approached the Harkonnen palace, banners bearing the crest of House Harkonnen, hung in rows along the streets. Paul’s fingers tightened against the edge of his seat as the starship descended onto a landing pad. While Feyd stared at him, Paul paid no attention as his eyes widened to the Harkonnen army waiting for him and the Harkonnen brothers. The army’s uniforms were black with the men’s faces unyielding beneath their helmets yet there was pride behind their eyes.
As the ramp lowered, Paul stepped out. His nose scrunched. The air slapped him with the smell of industrial dust, oil, and metal unlike the fresh sea breeze scent he was used to. Overwhelmed, Paul’s gaze was glued to his surroundings, taking in every detail with a mix of wariness and reluctant admiration as he stayed close to Feyd and Rabban. Felicette had chosen to perch on Rabban’s broad shoulders. Her tail swished excitedly to the new planet as she surveyed its surroundings. It had been a couple of days of space travel and he had yet to speak a word to his future husband.
Forgetting his nerves, he had his arm around the older boy as Paul grabbed him from the fear of losing him on this strange planet. Starships zoomed above him, causing Paul to flinch. The city below him was so loud and foreign. Crowds walked the streets. Numbers that he had never seen before. From his spot, the people appeared like dots. Giedi Prime was nothing like Caladan where the palace was far from civilization and sat isolated near the ocean. Arrakis was like his home planet in the way that was empty of people, as well, due to the harsh sun making its inhabitants rarely go outside. With his first taste of urban life, he clung to Feyd, despite still being strangers, as it was the only thing that was familiar to him in what he now expected to be his new home. Feliciette had abandoned him the moment the doors opened much to Paul’s dismay.
Everything about this place seemed engineered to bring forth fear, to dominate the senses and leave no doubt about the might of House Harkonnen. He could feel the weight of the eyes upon him, from house guards, military army, and the invisible servants, who surely monitored Feyd and Rabban’s every step. Paul stepped closer to Feyd to the sounds of grinding machinery coming from the factories. With eyebrows furrowed at the Harkonnen beside him, Paul swore he could hear Feyd chuckle under his breath as the boy tightened his grip on him. In the face of the unknown, he would allow Feyd to guide him just this once. As they headed to an open roof vehicle to begin the line of the Parade that awaited them, Paul held on tighter. He had always been kept hidden back home, behind his books. The amount of attention that landed on him made his voice shake as he breathed out.
It seemed as if the whole city had come to watch the pair take part in a parade. Excitement buzzed through the unbroken sea of onlookers, young and old alike, as they eagerly awaited the start of this highly anticipated event. Vibrant flags fluttered against the wind, like cheerful messengers announcing the joyous spectacle about to unfold. A grand and luxurious parade was to welcome the new Baron of their planet, who had reclaimed Arrakis along with a captured bride of the known enemy of House Harkonnen. Leto Atreides’ prized possession, his son, now belonged to Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. It was also a celebration of an ending of an ancient rivalry that had long haunted both planets: Giedi Prime and Caladan. The union of both heirs meant the end of a war and a promise of peace was to come between the houses.
The polluted clouds had cleared out. To the locals, it was a sign that the black sun had come out to bless the marriage. With the unusually nice weather, the crowd gathered in excitement to welcome the Harkonnen brothers back. Under their new reign, the city had taken a day off from their daily lives, putting their economy to a halt, to honor Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen as a hero of unmatched cunning and ferocity. The upbeat rhythm of drums echoed in the distance, signaling the parade had begun.
As the first line of military army turned the corner, a collective gasp of amazement erupted from the crowd. The roaring of the crowd only grew at the sight of the Harkonnen brothers. Many waved their flags. Never having been in a public space outside Caladan Castle or the Palace on Arrakis, Paul held tightly to Feyd’s arm as he turned to Felicette, wishing she was with him instead. He had no choice but to find comfort in the Harkonnen boy. To the crowd, it appeared Paul as if he was adoring their newly titled Baron as the young boy leaned against Feyd, making the Giedians cheer. His eyes widened as he felt the happiness radiating from the crowd.
The streets that were usually choked with the smog of industrial factories and excavations were scrubbed clean and lined with banners with the crest of House Harkonnen. There was no denying the spectacle unfolding before the city as the marching began in celebration. With the mechanical precision of the Harkonnen army, the march went forward as rows upon rows of elite soldiers moved in perfect unison. Their boots stomped the ground like the ticking of a clock in perfect rhythm. Each soldier stepped on the ground at the same time, making the ground quake beneath the city. Behind them rolled armored vehicles with their engines growling like hungry beasts. Above the skies, gunships flew as they crossed the route of the procession.
In the midst of this parade, Feyd grabbed onto Paul’s hand before stepping into view of the crowd on the street. The younger boy gasped softly at Feyd’s touch, remembering how close he was to Feyd. Although he had the urge to take his hand back, Paul was more aware of how hot Feyd felt against his skin. Touch starved, the sensation of another human touching his hand was unexpectedly pleasant. Holding his breath and praying his hand was not too sweaty, Paul watched as Feyd lifted their hands in the air, strengthening the cheers.
Another gasp released from Paul, who was not prepared for the amount of admiration showering over them. Feyd-Rautha, himself, wore combat armor of the best quality as he stood beside Paul with an arrogant attitude, a predator surveying his territory, his planet. Seeing Feyd was occupied with the crowd’s attention, Paul snuck another glance at Feyd. He was closer than they had been on the starship. The sharp features of his soon to be husband were illuminated by the flickering glow of the torches that lined the parade route.
Paul realized as the sea of onlookers cheered to their raised hands that this parade was being used as a way to ease House Atreides into the minds of the citizens that lived in Giedi Prime. The families’ rivalry was no stranger to the citizens of both their planets. Yet, Paul found himself in the midst of his enemy as they waved at him. With Feyd at his side, it seemed as if the people had accepted him. He was not certain if the people of Caladan would have done the same if the situation had been reversed for Feyd.
Viewing Feyd in a different light, the young Harkonnen was calculative as he made movements that only benefited the longevity of his house and his planet. To Paul, it seemed Feyd knew what he was doing for each action was carefully crafted. There was no changing the bloody history between the two houses. Many lives were lost in the crossfire between the ancient blood feud. Feyd had planned a celebration to demonstrate the turning of a new leaf for House Atreides and House Harkonnen.
Deciding to play into Feyd’s strategy, Paul, with hesitation, leaned into Feyd with such softness as he sought comfort. He took note as every citizen watched his every move. Paul was the key to changing their minds about House Atreides. With an encouraging nod from Feyd, Paul waved back. These would be his new people. His prince-like features and elegance, while never letting go of the crowd’s idol, was enough to sway the minds of the public that perhaps House Atreides was not the enemy but an ally. Feyd was also sending a message to the emperor, who was undoubtedly watching the televised scene. The festive mood of the streets filled with worshiping people was not to be missed as word began to get to the other Houses of the new alliance made among them. A historic scene unfolded for the galaxy as an Atreides stood hand in hand with a Harkonnen. The masses cheered as the pair passed by, drowning out the humming of the military march.
Suddenly the parade halted with crisp precision, getting a curious look from Paul. “Why had they stopped?,” he wondered as Feyd turned to face his people with his voice amplified by the speakers.
Unable to look away, Paul watched Feyd’s side profile as the older boy declared, “Behold the might of House Harkonnen!”. His words cut through the air. “This is the strength that keeps Giedi Prime strong. Rejoice! Today is a day of victory of not only mine but ours! We have claimed back Arrakis not only through brute strength but through a union between two of the strongest houses in the empire. For too long, we have walked on separate paths. One too bloody as we fought to the death, but today we stand as one for the coming generation has chosen unity over division”. The Harkonnen boy paused before turning to Paul. He placed his hand on Paul’s lower back, encouraging the boy to step forward with him as he went on, “This union of Paul Atreides and myself, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, will one day become one bloodline and as one powerful force to reckon with. No longer will we suffer in the hands of our tyranny of our fathers for I have ended the long oppression of Vladimir Harkonnen. A dictator, who has taken us on the dark path with his cruel reign. With the death of my uncle, the old world ends as we enter a new world in our image. One of endless possibilities for our future”.
“Raise your voices with me now, not as citizens of both houses but as citizens of a new dynasty! Raise your voices for my bride, who will light our way into a brighter future for all!”.
As the crowd broke out into a mixture of excitement and tears from the years of oppression under the late Baron, Vladimir Harkonnen, Paul froze. He grew nervous, hearing Feyd and him were the future of the Giedi Prime, Caladan, and Arrakis. He had always thought he would only become the Duke of Caladan once his father passed but to carry the futures of three peoples was startling. The fate for all three planets laid with him. His mind tuned out the crowd’s cheers as the burden of his arranged marriage weighed him down. The path in front of him no longer seemed appetitizing to walk on even with Feyd by his side. Paul felt a growing bitterness towards his father, who had quickly betrothed him after the discovery of his intersex nature.
As he peered out into the crowd, the young boy was struggling to grasp why the Giedians did not question his overall presence. His fragile appearance as his father's male heir had always been a discussion among his father's soldiers and housestaff but here, Feyd's people cheered for him. How odd. They were not questioning how Paul appeared like a boy yet somehow was expected to produce an heir in this union for their new Baron. Did they know? They had accepted him with ease. At least, it appeared they did. There was no sign of disgust or disbelief in the faces of the onlookers, only joyous anticipation. As he thought longer about it, perhaps the decades of having to peer at the Baron’s ghastly appearance had desensitized the people and the beauty of Paul’s appearance was enough to win them over immensely in his debut. He looked starkly different compared to the fashion of Giedi Prime. The crowd was full of odd looking people with cleaned shaven heads and stained black teeth. “Did he fascinate them?,” he wondered.
Pushing back his nerves, Paul gave a timid smile to his new home. The crowd cheering raised as they waved at the two lords, who would soon be the talk of the galaxy. With many cameras pointed to Paul, Feyd’s plans worked as his citizens adored the new bride of the new Baron. The pair were covered in the flashing of the photographs as confetti rained from above, showering Paul with love from people he had never met, let alone met the people of Caladan. People who he was expected to lead now. The sound of the parade ricocheted across the city, but in the middle of all the mass of the people, Paul had never felt as lonely as he did now. His father gave him away like a broodmare shipped to a faraway alien planet. It had set in what he had done.
The young boy had willingly walked away from the safety of his House into the arms of his enemies, to a boy he had met briefly in his sleep. The path was creeping in on Paul now that he had sealed his fate. With bitterness, Paul slowly grieved his old life as future Duke of House Atreides. Just as a somber cloud hovered over Paul, it was as if Feyd sensed his emotions as the older boy studied his bride’s tense expression. Feyd squeezed Paul’s hand, holding inside his.
Without a second thought, he caressed Paul’s hand with his thumb, letting his bride know he was here. Pulled out of his thoughts, when Paul finally connected his eyes with Feyd for the first time after meeting, Feyd raised Paul’s hand to kiss it. The two shared a look as Paul gulped. The young lord did not know how to react to Feyd nor knew if he still wanted to call the Harkonnen his, but in that moment he was not alone. Feyd was on the path with him. That mere thought brought him comfort in this new life of his.