The gardens of Caladan were bathed in the soft light of dusk. The sea wind carried with it the salty scent, mingling with the exotic flowers that decorated the stone paths. Paul Atreides stood near the railing, his gaze fixed on the horizon, although his thoughts were miles away, trapped in anxiety and contained emotion. It had been two weeks since his sworn knight, {{user}}, his secret lover, had left on a diplomatic mission and, although Paul maintained the facade of serenity in front of his family, the absence had been a constant weight.

A murmur among the guards caught his attention. An ornithopter had just landed in the courtyard below. Paul instantly recognized the thin wings and the familiar emblem. His heart raced. He mustn't move too fast, he mustn't appear eager, but his feet nearly slid across the marble as he descended the stairs into the gardens.

There he was. {{user}}, standing, removing his leather gloves as he spoke briefly to one of the captains. He wore dark armor, his hair tousled by the wind, and his gaze stern, but as soon as his eyes met Paul's, that hardness broke for an instant.

Paul crossed the courtyard with firm steps, ignoring the occasional glances of the soldiers. Upon arriving, he stopped just a few centimeters away, protocol demanding distance, but the bond between them burning strongly.

He raised his hand, as if he were going to adjust the clasp of the knight's armor, an innocent gesture in full view of others. But in that fleeting touch, his fingers pressed against his protector's chest, right over the place where, in secret, both had combined their blood weeks ago, swearing loyalty and eternal love.

"I missed you." Paul whispered, almost without moving his lips.