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For the father, nothing.
The Reverend Mother’s words echo in her head as the water from the shower beats down onto her skin.Jessica chokes back another sob, tears filling her eyes again and the exhaustion from crying is physically weighing on her now.The Reverend Mother had tested Paul, and he survived, but her relief was short lived by the conversations that followed.Leto would not survive Arrakis unless she herself can save him. She and Paul could be saved by their Missionara Protectiva, but the Bene Gesserit doesn't care what happens to her duke.Jessica feels something akin to grief push down on her chest, a hollow feeling of something she still has in her hands being lost forever.It makes it hard to breathe as she chokes back another sob, she doesn't have the strength to hold it back anymore as hot tears stream down her face again.The Bene Gesserit ship had taken off a few hours ago and had left Jessica reeling in its wake, now standing aimlessly under the running water as she tries desperately to gain some control.She hears her door open, knows its Leto without having to turn around, surprised that he's still awake this late, or early, considering they've surpassed night into the darkest hours of the morning.She quickly gathers her emotions, suppressing her sobs and holding back her tears as she splashes her face before turning off the water.She grabs a towel, drying herself as she catches Leto leaning against the door frame, watching her. She doesn't have the heart to look at him.Leto can't see her face, but he knows she's upset by the way she avoids turning to him, he can see the tension in her movements.He's worried about her, afraid that woman did something to her, and knowing she becomes reclusive whenever she's been around other Bene Gesserit.Jessica avoids his eyes still as she tries to brush past him into her room, and in the dim light of her room, he can finally see the faint tear stains on her cheeks, her face slightly red and swollen from crying for who knows how long.A gentle hand over her stomach stops her from moving through the door and forces her to look up at him.His heart breaks, as it always does when he sees her crying, he hates it. Hates seeing the beautiful blue eyes that can carry such joy and love clouded by heart-wrenching sadness."Did she hurt you?" He asks, voice soft but firm.She holds his gaze, shaking her head as she swallows another bout of sadness as she looks into his stormy grey eyes.He doesn't fully believe her, she can tell, and she would be correct, he doesn't believe she's not hurt.She touches the hand on her stomach, laying her hand flat against his before she removes it, moving towards her wardrobe as she goes back to avoiding his gaze.Leto sighs quietly to himself, not wanting to force her into talking to him, but wanting to know that she's alright."I saw Paul, I assume he's unharmed." He says instead, having checked on his sleeping son before he came here."He did well." Jessica says softly, finding her voice as she pulls one of his old night shirts over her head."Jessica." He calls softly as he approaches her.She stops, briefly closing her eyes as she pulls back more tears. She can feel him right next to her, can feel how he holds back from touching her."Please." He whispers near her ear, his forehead brushing against her temple.Jessica turns to him fully, blue eyes locking with his as she finally looks at him."I'm sorry." She says, voice a shaky whisper as reaches for him.He shakes his head, hands gently holding her face as he pulls closer, resting his forehead against hers.She clings to him, arms wrapped around his back, gripping the fabric of his shirt in her fists.Leto prefers when she does this instead of shutting him out, he knows he just has to persist a little to get here.It's happened before, at times when she's been faced by other Bene Gesserit or by her past. He doesn't know why and can only assume her upbringing was more difficult than it's made out to be.But he's stopped asking and she'll never tell.It makes her clingy though, makes her want to climb into him and even if it's impossible, she tries her best.He much prefers the warm push and pull of her body against his than the cold emptiness of her absence when she shuts him out.Jessica fights against imagining her life without him, an intrusive thought that keeps returning. She imagines, against her own will, to never be able to hold him again, to forget his scent or the way his lips feel against hers.It's debilitating and her breathing becomes rapid and constricted as she fights off those thoughts, desperately trying to focus on the present.Leto feels the way her breathing changes, a panicked edge to the way she breathes in and out.He pulls his head back, holding her in place as she tries to follow. Her eyes are squeezed shut; eyebrows set in a frown under the pressure.Leto's heart breaks again at seeing her so distraught, and he does the only thing he can think of to help. To love her and just be there.He pulls her face close again and kisses her softly.She responds immediately, warms lips sliding over his as she drinks him in, deepening the kiss as her tongue meets his.Leto breaks the kiss to come up for air after a while, but Jessica doesn't want to stop, pulling him impossibly closer as her lips seek his."It's alright." He whispers reassurances against her lips, "I'm here."He won't know how much those words truly mean to her, but it brings her back to herself, at least for now.He is here, in her arms, in her room, in their home.Leto pulls back again as Jessica opens her eyes to look into his."Show me what you need." He murmurs into the small space between them, and she nods, relaxing her arms against his back as he brushes her drying hair back.Jessica undresses him, letting her hands roam over his warm, golden skin, tracing the outlines of firm muscles, focused on just him.Leto lets himself be walked backwards towards the bed, the back of his knees hitting the edge of the mattress as she gently pushes him to sit.She climbs into his lap, grinding into his growing erection as she straddles his hips, feeling heat pooling between her legs.He tugs on the hem of her night shirt, wordlessly asking for permission to remove it and she nods.He lifts it over her head, and she tosses it aside, arms coming around his shoulders to hold him as she buries her head in his neck.Leto's arms come around her waist as they settle into their embrace, he lays featherlight kisses on the skin of her shoulder and neck, allowing her to hold him as tightly as she needs to so she can feel what she needs to feel.Jessica clings to him again, her lips meeting his pulse point with a slight pressure to feel the steady beat of his heart.She can't remember when she started doing it, but she always finds some way to find his pulse points when she's anxious.Something about the steady rhythm grounds Jessica and she uses it to calm her own heart.Leto's one arm is wrapped tightly around her waist while the other strokes a soothing path up and down her spine, and Jessica wishes they could stay like this forever.One of her hands comes to rest at the nape of his neck, playing with the curls there and Leto hums in return.She trails her lips up to his jaw and pulls away enough just to look at him, still keeping their bodies close.Leto's arm loosens around her waist as his hands go to rest on her hips, fingertips stroking her skin softly as they go and a soft sigh escapes Jessica.He squeezes her hips instinctively as he looks up at her, eyes shining with concern and love and Jessica brings their lips together in a heated kiss.All of her previous emotions burn down into hunger for him as her teeth scrape against his lips, her tongue coming to meet his with renewed fervour.Leto quickly adjusts to the change of pace, a hand slipping up to the back of her head to hold her there as the other tightens around her hips.Jessica rolls her hips at the feeling and Leto groans as he feels himself grow even harder.She slides a hand from his chest down to his stomach and lower before wrapping her fingers around him.Her deft and skilful fingers know exactly how to move to get him worked up and his hips twitch when she runs her thumb over his tip."Jess." He warns against her lips, voice strained with lust.Jessica breaks away, breathing heavy as she looks down at him, rising up slightly to position him at her entrance before sinking down onto him.Leto's softly uttered 'fuck' accompanies her moan as she takes him in fully, she lets her body adjust to the familiar sensation before she starts moving.He feels her thighs working against him as she takes him in again and again, leaning down to place open mouthed kisses on her skin before swirling his tongue around her nipple.He runs a thumb over the other before rolling it between his fingers and he feels Jessica’s movements stutter as she releases a pleased moan, grinding down again, desperately seeking friction against her clit.As Leto's lips move to lavish the other breast with his attention, he feels Jessica pull gently on his hair, making him look up at her as she kisses him again."Please, Leto," She breathes against his mouth, "I need more."And he wastes no time as he pulls out of her, holding her firmly as he stands to turn them around.He places Jessica in the middle of the bed, and she barely feels the loss of him before he's back inside and on top of her, her legs instantly wrapping around him to keep him there.Leto's lips find her throat, his hands roaming her skin as he settles some of his weight on her before he starts moving his hips and a soft gasp escapes her.Jessica loves the feeling of him, everywhere, the pressure of his burning skin against hers letting her know he's alive and well only fuels her desire for him now.She feels herself stretch around him with each thrust, encouraging him with a whisper as his pace picks up.Leto shifts his weight onto his elbows, his face coming up to hers, resting his forehead on hers as she disentangles her legs to open them wider.His thrusts hit even deeper, and his head drops next to hers, the sounds of his pleasure in her ear coaxing her closer to the edge.Leto's movements become more erratic as he brings a hand down between them, thumb finding her swollen clit as he circles it.Jessica almost explodes, feeling her orgasm fast approaching, knowing Leto isn't far behind.He moves his thumb over her clit with some added pressure and a well-timed thrust to accompany it and Jessica cries out as she reaches her peak.Her body shudders as her walls tighten and flutter around him and that's all he needs to release and spill into her as he comes, collapsing on top of her.As they ride out their waves of pleasure, Jessica takes his hand from her hip and laces their finger together.Their breathing hot and heavy as they come down from their high, wrapped around each other and Leto stays inside of her for as long as he can bear it.Eventually, he slides out of her, hearing her whimper in protest as her arms tighten around him, hating the loss of him."I know." He soothes against her ear, placing a small kiss below it.Leto goes to lay down next to her and she follows, tucking her face into his chest as he secures his arms around her, closing his eyes as he breathes her in.A long silence stretches between them, their calming breaths the only sound to be heard in the quiet of the night.The suspensor light deactivates after a while, sensing their stillness as they lay there holding each other, the room bathed in darkness.If Leto didn't know Jessica as well as he does, he'd have thought she was asleep."I don't think I can save us from what's to come." She murmurs against his chest, voice shaky as she breaks their silence.Leto sighs as he thinks about their uncertain future, he hates knowing he can't stop what's coming for his family."Fate has chosen it's path for us and we will face it with full force. That's all we can do now." He says, trying to enforce calm in the inevitability of chaos, not wanting to upset Jessica more.Leto doesn’t know what happened tonight, and knows better than to ask, but he imagines it wasn’t anything good and another bout of worry rises for Jessica and their son.He feels her nod against him, and he pulls back slightly to catch her cheek in his palm, blue eyes meeting grey in the faint moonlight."For now, let us focus on being here, in our home, safe and together." Leto says, stroking a thumb over the soft skin of her cheek and she nods again, tears welling up in her eyes before she blinks them away."I love you." Jessica whispers, leaning in to kiss him once more."I love you too." He murmurs against her lips, pulling her close once again and silently praying to all the gods that he'll be able to protect his family from certain doom.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Jessica wakes as sunlight trickles through the windows, shifting her face into Leto's shoulder to block the light and will away the headache that threatens to ruin her morning.Judging by the time, they'd only slept about five hours, and Jessica feels exhaustion still weighing on her from last night.All the fears and emotions flood back to her, and she squeezes her eyes shut, trying to force them out of her mind to no avail.Leto shifts and sighs as he also wakes, finding Jessica burrowed into his shoulder, he pulls her closer to press a kiss to her head."Are you alright?" He asks quietly, voice still gravelly from sleep.Jessica nods in return but doesn't look up at him and he knows she's lying. Leto gives another sigh, wrapping his arms fully around her, her body pressed firmly into his.He wishes he knew what more he could do for her, he would gladly give Jessica the universe if that's what she needed, and it's frustrating to know that what she's going through isn't in his control.Leto feels the moisture of warm tears against his skin and his heart sinks again. He shifts lower, bringing a hand to Jessica’s face as she lifts her head.She shifts above him, and he gently brushes the tears on her cheeks away with his thumbs.Jessica closes her eyes, pulling back the rest of her tears as she rests her forehead against his, giving a tiny sniffle that tugs at Leto's heart.He utters a soft 'Jess' to get her attention, holding her face in his hands so he can look into her eyes, the icy blues watery with sadness."I love you." Leto whispers, his stormy eyes a mixture of love and concern that makes Jessica's heart squeeze.It's moments like this that make her realise what a privilege it has been to be loved by Leto, even if they can't fully be each other's in title, he has given her so much that she would have never dared to hope for.She'll never be able to express just how grateful she is to him for all he is and what he's done, and she swallows the lump in her throat."I love you too." Jessica responds softly and when Leto smiles at her she can't help but lift her own lips in an attempt to return it.This is the second time in a day they've uttered their love for each other, a rarity for them considering they usually let their actions speak to it.Their love has always been a constant, unspoken known, making the times they do speak it aloud so distinct.Leto's pulls her face close, lips meeting hers in a soft kiss that makes her relax into him. Jessica pulls away after a few more kisses, shifting again as she lays a kiss over his heart before resting her head there.She's perfectly happy to spend the rest of her day here with him, hidden from the world in their own little bubble.Leto runs his one hand down her back, resting it in the dip of her spine as his fingers trace invisible patterns there.She catches his free hand in hers, lightly playing with his fingers as she twines and untwines them with her own."I was thinking," Leto starts, voice still low and raspy from sleep as Jessica lifts her head to look at him, "tomorrow, we will go out and enjoy Caladan like we used to.""We won't talk or think about Arrakis or the Bene Gesserit the entire day," he suggests, hoping it'll somehow take their mind off their coming move, "we can do whatever we want, just you and me.""And Paul if he feels like joining his dear old parents." Leto adds, knowing that their teenage son's feelings on family outings can blow hot and cold."I'd like that." Jessica says with a soft smile, holding out hope that Paul will decide to join them, even if he might still be upset with her."Me too." Leto affirms, returning her smile, seeing her eyes cleared of sadness and shining with love has relief settling in his heart.It's Jessica’s turn to capture his lips in hers, pressing more firmly against him and he deepens the kiss.Leto hold her waist as he rolls them over, lowering his body over hers, her thighs coming to cradle his hips as their kisses become more heated.Jessica breaks away to catch her breath and he trails his lips to her jaw and down her neck to her collarbone, arousal burning in both of them.Leto takes his time now, worshipping her body in the ways he didn't get to last night, having given Jessica the chance to take what she needed from him.His warm, open-mouthed kisses trail over her chest before swirling his tongue around her nipple, already sensitive in the cold morning air and his ministrations make her squirm."Don't you have meetings to attend?" She asks breathlessly, noting that it's already way past the time he should've been ready as he works his lips over her other breast, not that she’s protesting or anything."Yes," he says against her stomach as he kisses his way further south, "but I have more important places to be." Leto accentuates his point by spreading her legs, hands firm against the insides of her thigh, the confident touch sending heat straight to her core.Jessica laughs as she writhes under his touch, and Leto feels his heart soar at the sound as he places a few more kisses low on her stomach."That was a terrible line." She says with a groan trapped between exasperation and pleasure when his mouth finally reaches her inner thighs, hovering over her centre."It wasn't that bad." Leto defends, knowing she's probably right, but it was all worth it to hear her laugh and see her brilliant smile as he looks up at her."You've definitely had better." Jessica teases, moaning suddenly as he runs his tongue through her folds.Leto gives an answering hum, the vibrations causing her hips to lift off the mattress before he secures them with a hand.He works his tongue over her, knowing exactly how to make her squirm beneath him as he dips his tongue into her entrance once, twice, then using the tip to circle her clit.Leto has memorised the taste of her by now, and after more than a decade it's become his own personal addiction.He repeats his actions, feeling her hips fight against his hand in an attempt for more, and Leto drags a digit through her wetness before pushing into her.The sounds of pleasure that fall from her lips only serve to spur him on as he adds another finger, curling them just the way she likes as he rhythmically moves them in and out.Jessica chokes out another moan between shortened breaths as her hand moves to thread through Leto's hair, her thighs instinctively squeezing his head as he increases her pleasure with another digit.Her hips roll forward as he pushes them back in, his pace quickening as his tongue continues lapping at her clit.Jessica feels the tension of her pleasure coil in her belly, breathless profanity shamelessly passing her lips as she feels her orgasm approaching.Her hips writhe beneath him and Leto can feel her getting closer, his pace relentless as he seeks to give her release.A well-timed thrust coupled with his lips wrapping around her clit, sucking lightly, has Jessica crying out as she tumbles over the edge.She rides the waves of pleasure, panting as Leto gently laps up the juices that spill from her with an appreciative moan that reverberates through her.He pulls away, leaving her just a bit too sensitive as his lips travel up her body again, tasting a slight saltiness of sweat on her skin.Jessica shortens his trip, pulling him up over her to capture his lips in a hungry kiss, her tongue darting out to meet his. The taste of herself on his tongue spurs her on and she pulls him down harder, nails lightly scraping his scalp to add to the pressure.It pains her to break away from his kiss as she's still catching her breath, but she doesn't let him move far, mouths hovering over each other as their breaths mingle.Leto becomes absolutely dizzy with want for the woman beneath him and he moves his head to nip and kiss at her neck."Fuck, I want you." Jessica whispers in his ear with breathless lust, and a jolt of heat shoots south to Leto's already-painful erection at the words.It was rare for Jessica to consciously use profanity, but in moments like this it drives him crazy, and he moans against her pulse point.Through the mist of pleasure buzzing in her mind, Jessica reaches a hand down, wrapping her fingers around Leto's stiff erection, using her thumb to swipe at the moisture gathered on the tip.Leto's hips push into the touch as his body goes rigid, teeth scraping her neck with a groan."Please, Jessica." He pleads near her ear and Jessica squeezes her hand around him, earning another groan.She slowly pumps her fingers up and down, felling Leto push into her for a semblance of relief, the sigh that escapes him causing a tingling sensation on the skin of her neck.Jessica stops her teasing, tapping his side twice using her free hand and pushing him as he rolls onto his back, half-resting against the pillows so she can reach the headboard.Another bolt of heat travels down his body as she straddles him, the light filtering into the room causing a golden glow around her, making her look like the true depiction of a goddess he already sees her as.Jessica wastes no time as she lifts onto her knees, wrapping a hand around him and positioning him at her entrance before sinking down onto his cock, taking him in to the hilt in one smooth motion.It takes everything in Leto not to spill into her immediately, feeling her slick heat envelop him perfectly as it always does.He takes a steadying breath against her lustful moan, his hands reaching to grip her hips, keeping her still for a moment.Jessica adjusts to him easily, his familiar size filling her up in a way that makes her feel whole. She leans down, capturing his lips once more in a slow kiss, breaking away when he tugs on her hips.She grips the headboard above him, her other hand finding purchase on his chest as she slowly pulls herself up, far enough so only his tip remains inside her before lowering herself onto him again.Leto's head falls back as she repeats the movement slowly, his fingers digging into her hips as she takes him in again.She takes it as the encouragement it is to speed up, and she does, setting a steady rhythm as she moves above him.His own string of profanities leaves his lips between choked out groans and his quickening breath, her soft sighs and moans cascading down to his ears.Leto feels her thighs working against his skin and he looks down to see the flexing muscles and between them, seeing his cock disappear into Jessica over and over again.He shudders, moving a hand up to toy with her breast, causing Jessica to throw her head back with a moan at the feeling of his strong hands on her.She slows, drawing back and changing the angle of her thrusts as she rolls her hips forwards, sliding him into her wet core again.Jessica knows Leto won't last long in this position, but she'll draw his pleasure out as long as she so they can savour every moment.Who knows when they'll be able to do this again, with everything that’s happening around them, it'll be rare to find moments like this.She quickly brings herself back to the present, banishing any thoughts that will lead to the constant dread she's felt for the last two weeks, listening to the sounds of pleasure coming from Leto to drown out her thoughts.Jessica increases her pace again, desperate for friction against her clit as it lightly brushes his skin with her next forward thrust.Leto takes the hint, his hand fumbling as he brings it down between her legs, finding her clit and circling it as his other hand encourages her pace, his grip pushing and pulling her hips in tandem with her movements.The roll of her hips becomes slightly more erratic as she feels the familiar tendrils of an orgasm coil in her stomach again, the headboard thumping quietly against the wall.Leto isn't far behind her, his pressure on her clit increasing as he feels his own release building as he thrusts his hips in time with hers.“Just like that.” Jessica hisses her encouragement, ignoring the burning sensation that creeps up her thighs, determination setting in as she brings them both closer to the edge.The feeling of him filling her up again and again coupled with his finger rubbing her sensitive clit creates a sinful pleasure she can't resist.Leto takes in the sight of her, eyes closed, mouth agape as she takes him in repeatedly, one look down between her legs again making him lose all control."Fuck, Jess, so close, love." He moans between short, panting breaths, her answering whine indicating that she's in a similar state.Jessica pulls back as far as she can before thrusting her hips all the way forward, quickly repeating the action, tightening her walls around him.Leto’s orgasm hits on her second thrust forward, coming hard with her name on his lips as he spills into her as his world briefly cuts to white.She's right there with him, the sensation of him spilling into her pushing her completely over the edge and she cries out for a second time.She keeps moving, slowing her pace significantly and taking every last drop from him as she rides through her own release, causing Leto’s hips to twitch as she milk his sensitive cock.He still her hips after a moment, and she rises from him, both of them groaning at the loss of each other before she collapses onto his heaving chest.Their bodies slick with sweat as they catch their breaths, Leto reaching a hand around Jessica's back to run his fingers up and down her spine.Her skin tingles with the remnants of her pleasure and she shivers against him, raising her head and folding her arm forward before resting her chin on it.Leto's half-lidded eyes shine softly with satisfaction and love and Jessica's lips quirk up in a lazy smile.He reaches a hand to brush the hair from her face before gently stroking her cheek and she shifts up, allowing him to press a soft kiss to her lips.One turns into two, then three, then four, each more loving than the last and Jessica quickly pulls her threatening tears away."Love you." Leto murmurs against her lips, repeating the words for a third time and Jessica presses more firmly into him, lips moving over his in a long kiss, letting her actions respond to him.She pulls away, laying a kiss on his cheek and his bearded jaw before burying her face in his neck, inhaling his scent as she presses her lips to his pulse point.Leto presses a kiss to her head, cradling her close as he too breathes in her familiar air, a happy sigh leaving his lips.They both enjoy the peace of the moment, knowing they'll eventually have to get up and attend their duties, the ones they haven't already missed anyway.Leto is the first to gather the willpower to do so, though not really wanting to disturb Jessica, he brings his hands to her sides, tickling them lightly.The small girlish giggle that escapes her makes him smile, it's muffled against his neck, and he can feel the vibrations tickle his skin.It's a small blessing for Leto to not only see and hear Jessica’s moments of joy but also feel them."I don't want to leave." Jessica says and he's not sure if she means now or in a few weeks’ time when they move.Either way, he feels the same, "I know, neither do I," Leto responds softly, stroking her hair as she lifts her head, "but duty awaits, for both of us."His brows are knitted with thoughtfulness and Jessica knows he's right, there is no way out of any of this and she sighs, sitting up as Leto follows, still holding on to her."Promise me you won't dwell on last night? Or at least come find me if it gets too much?" Leto asks softly and she nods, giving a quiet 'I promise' in return.He gives her another smile, leaning in to steal a few more kisses before he gets up to get dressed and head next door to shower and ready himself for the day.Jessica savours the last few tastes of him and their morning together, murmuring her own 'I love you' against his lips this time and he deepens their kiss.When Leto finally gets up, Jessica follows, stepping into the shower as she slips back into her role as the dutiful Lady of the house, mentally running through her day as she gets ready.She doesn't know when it happened, the lines blur between the darkest and lightest parts of the morning, but she's carrying another part of Leto now.A child, their daughter, conceived through their love and her instinct and the grief that fuelled it. It won't save them, won't save him, but Jessica finds comfort in the daughter she carries.Whatever nightmares await them on Arrakis will be out of their control, but as Jessica runs her mind over plans, she imagines a little girl with Leto's bright grey eyes and dark curly hair.It makes her feel almost lighter as she goes about her morning, preparing for another day of packing and moving.The one hopeful thought between the dread she feels being the prospect of sharing the good news with Leto.