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A sick Paul Atredias (way after the events of part 2 ) Chani takes care of him please 💕🥺

As long as I breathe

AU where Chani and Paul get to grow old together. Short, but sweet.

C/W: Death

Chani ran her fingers over the lines that graced Paul's face. He was sleeping, as he often did these days, too exhausted to even flinch from the dreams she knew were plaguing his mind. They always did. She listened mournfully to the raspy sound of his shallow breathing, knowing his health was declining rapidly.

Paul opened his eyes and searched the room in vain. His once vivid greenish blue irises were now obscured by blindness wrought upon him by a failed assassination attempt.

"Shh, I am here," Chani whispered soothingly. She petted his dark curls that were now peppered with glistening silver strands. She held a pouch of water to his lips. "Drink, my love."

"I never deserved your love," Paul croaked once the water slaked his thirst. "When I am gone, I want you to find love again."

"Don't speak like that, Usul. It is not yet your ti-"

"Please, Chani. I have seen it."

"No, I refuse to let you give up. The healer... " she cut off as tears strangled her speech.

"...has done everything they can. Do not waste your water on me, Sihaya. I have carried out my purpose here. My time is near." Paul's speech was stilted with hacking coughs that sounded like he was drowning in air.

Chani picked up Paul's hand and held it to her face, nodding into his palm. His thumb caressed her cheekbone.

"You are just as beautiful today as you were in my visions all those years ago," he whispered.

Chani laughed wetly. "Paul..."

"Just because I am blind doesn't mean it's not true. Nothing could detract from your angelic beauty. Not even age." He pulled Chani's hand toward his lips and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles. "I [cough] will always be [gasp] with you."

Uttering these final reassurances drained Paul's energy, and he closed his eyes for the last time. Chani held his hand dutifully until he drew his last ragged breath hours later.

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