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Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen was a formidable opponent. He’d faced down death, defeated thousands in the arena, and was now the overseer of Arrakis. But this… this was above his pay grade.
His wife’s pregnancy was already nerve-wracking. Her gestation period was shorter than a Harkonnen, meaning the baby would have to be kept inside for a few years, away from the black sun. Then, she went into labor.
She was standing in the doorway, watching him remove his armor after an arena battle. After Feyd turned his back, he heard a sharp cry. He slammed his blade down and went to her side, taking her arm. His face remained impassive, but there was a certain anxiety in his dark eyes. There was a clear puddle on the ground, running down her thighs.
“It’s time, go get the nurse,” she groaned, holding her belly. The Harpies darted from the room to call the doctors. Her groans turned into harsh screams, causing Feyd to flinch back.
This isn’t normal. Why is she in pain?
Feyd scooped her up, earning a pained grunt, and ran down the hallway. He brought her to the birthing room and laid her down in bed. His fingers combed through her hair, a feature he’d always been fascinated by.
The Bene Gesserit doctor entered, her white cloak swaying behind her. She didn’t even acknowledge Feyd, something that really pissed the na-Baron off. He growled,
“What is wrong with her?”
The Bene Gesserit sighed, “She is fine, her contractions have started. I’m giving her a morphine shot no–”
“NONSENSE,” Feyd interrupted, squeezing his wife’s hand. “No birth should be this painful. What is wrong? Is she dying? I swear if anything happens…” He paused when his wife screamed again.
The Bene Gesserit woman ducked her head, frantically working on the na-Baroness. All the power in the world couldn’t quell her fear of Feyd-Rautha. Her voice trembled, “na-Baron, if I may remind you.. She is not a Harkonnen. Her body is not built like the women here.”
If she wasn’t actively helping his wife give birth, Feyd-Rautha would’ve cut her throat. Harkonnen women had tough skin, it was a necessity on their planet. And a perk of having such tough skin was painless labor. But clearly, his wife had a different experience.
“Feyd,” she panted, sweaty hair sticking to her forehead. “It’s alright–we’re alright..”
If you told an outsider that Feyd-Rautha visibly softened at her words, they’d call you a liar.
The labor lasted hours, and each hour felt like a day. But finally, a shrill cry pierced the air. The Bene Gesserit held up a squalling baby boy, still covered in his mother’s fluids. As the babe was being wiped, the na-Baroness started groaning in pain.
“Why? Why does it still–” she was cut off by a wave of pain in her belly.
The Bene Gesserit quickly passed the baby into Feyd’s arms. “There is another. Twins, m’lady.”
“FUCKING HELL,” she snapped, overwhelmed by exhaustion and pain. “Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen I am NEVER having sex with you again!”
Feyd didn’t take her words to heart. He knew he could change her mind on that one. His attention was torn between his suffering wife and the wailing creature in his arms. His son was the perfect blend of a Harkonnen and a human. Hairless like Feyd, but with more natural, freckled skin. His heir.
The second babe came quicker, a daughter. Feyd was pleased to see wisps of hair similar to her mother’s.
Somerset and Ivan. There was new life in House Harkonnen.