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Sand trickles through his fingers. Each grain of sand seems to linger for an eternity. No matter how long Anakin has been on Arrakis, he will always detest this part. The sand. It reminds him too much of Tatooine. With the help of the Force, he makes the grains of sand rise. They form a small whirlwind, which he sends towards Paul. His lover does not react to the sand falling against his leg. His gaze is endlessly far away. Caught up in visions and futures. Anakin leans back and follows the clear contours of Paul's face. He lingers on the blue eyes. Sometimes he misses the warm brown. A tear rolls slowly down Paul's cheek. Anakin feels the Force around them shift. He immediately slides closer to his boyfriend. He can't prevent the violence of the vision, but he can be there and support Paul. Their shoulders press against each other.
“What do you see?” Anakin whispers softly, leaning down so close that their heads touch. Paul opens his mouth. His lips tremble. The words come out slowly, as if he were light years away. "There is no end to it. The shrouds stretch across the entire land. I hear children screaming. They are dying. Because of me. Because of us. Taken by hunger and a burning blade." He falls silent, blinking rapidly. Anakin leans back, lifts Paul's chin, and forces him to look up. The vision is over, but he almost thinks he can see the echo of the images in Paul's eyes. “What else did you see?”
Paul shakes his head slightly. Anakin tightens his grip on his chin. “Paul, what did you see?”
“You. How you slaughtered peoples in my name. I saw how the man I love slowly deteriorates and becomes a shadow. How his smile...” Paul raises his hand and strokes Anakin's lips with his fingertips. The Jedi kisses them gently. “...is stained with blood.”
“I would do anything to save you,” Anakin murmurs softly, kissing every syllable onto Paul’s dry lips. He remembers his own visions all too clearly. The lifeless eyes of his loved one. Surrounded by sand and flames. Anakin will not allow this nightmare to become reality. He doesn't care how many of Paul's enemies he has to strike down.
Paul reaches for the hand that still holds his chin. He squeezes it briefly and finally pulls it away. “I can't ask that of you. It's my fight.”
Anakin snorted gruffly. “Your fight is my fight. I made you a promise one year ago.” He gently pulled out the braided chain that Paul had hidden under his clothes. A silver ring dangled from it. Anakin ran his fingers over the engraving and dropped the chain. Now the ring lay openly on Paul's chest. As it should be. “I'm tired of hiding. We can shape the galaxy according to our vision. Then we won't have to pretend we don't carry each other's names in our hearts.”
Paul smiled gently and enclosed his ring with his hand. Anakin felt his own ring against his skin. He, too, hid it from the world, hid his feelings for Paul. He longed for the day when they could rule side by side. As the chosen ones of destiny.
“I will not leave your side,” Anakin promised. “Never.” “Even if I ask you to destroy innocent souls for the golden path?” “Anything you ask. Always.” Anakin cupped Paul’s face with his hands and pulled him toward him. For a moment, they breathed the same dusty air. They shared an endless moment before their lips met and the promise was sealed.