#inspired by orpheus & eurydice

[jointherebellion215]

Flowers

Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen x female!reader

Summary: You're living a perfectly content life on Geidi Prime with your husband. It's a shame your mind can't rest, sparked by glimpses of a life unknown. Loosely based on the song from Hadestown.

Word Count: 1.5k

TW: Dark!Feyd-Rautha, Dead Dove Do Not Eat, yandere!Feyd-Rautha, manipulation, gaslighting, like SO much gaslighting holy shit, descriptions of violence, abusive relationship, emotional abuse, isolation, tragedy, nonconsensual drug use, nonconsensual medical treatement, induced memory loss, amnesia, dubious consent, pregnancy, songfic, happy-but-not-really-happy ending, I know I said female!reader but there's virtually no pronoun usage or descriptive words in thisfor the reader besides titles so maybe GN!reader??

A/N: I'm blown away, almost 500 notes on His Kiss, the Riot? Holy shit, all of the thanks! Here it is, the final part! I'm ending it with the song that actually started this whole idea. Listening to Eva's interpretation of Eurydice singing Flowers gave me the most delicious, fucked-up bit of inspiration and this came out. I was clutching my own metaphorical pearls writing this cause damn, this gets dark. Like, way more than I thought I could write. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the end of this twisted tale. Thank you for reading! As always, I appreciate you taking the time to like, comment, and reblog.

Read Part One and Part Two

AO3

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Dune properties, characters, or storylines-- nor do I own anything related to Hadestown. The images used in this are not my own, and any similarities to stories or events other than what are directly referenced are strictly coincidence.

Lily white and poppy red

I trembled when he laid me out

“You won’t feel a thing,” he said, “when you go down”

Nothing gonna wake you now

Drops of blood. 

A wicked, black smile.

“You won’t feel a thing.” 

You wake up with a gasp. Your doctor had warned you about dreams like this. They weren’t real, just an aftereffect of your accident.

The medical staff for House Harkonnen had been gracious enough to inform you of your predicament. When your family had recently hosted the Harkonnens, you quickly met and fell deeply in love with the na-Baron Feyd-Rautha. Your love for each other was so intense that you had demanded to get married right away. Your father disapproved of the union, so he disowned you and banished you, demanding to never see you again.

On the journey back to Geidi Prime, a stray asteroid hit the ship and caused you to hit your head. Feyd had apparently worried for your life, which saddened you and warmed your heart. It was nice to know that someone truly cared for you. However, your mind wasn’t quite the same afterwards. Your life before Geidi Prime was completely unknown to you. Your memories were in a fragile state.

That was just a few months earlier. Unfortunately, your mind has not yet recovered your memories prior to the accident. You were diligently taking a specially brewed tea that would calm your mind so it wouldn’t fracture under the immense pressure to try and fix itself. When you asked how long it would take for you to recover, your heart cracked when they said that it may take the rest of your natural life.

While it broke your heart to hear of your father’s dismissal of your feelings, you believed that you were strong enough to carry on. Having no further ties to your home world made it better to settle in with your new family.

You are a Harkonnen now.

Now, your footsteps make the quietest of echoes as you traipse down the narrow corridor. Heads of nearby servants and slaves bow, and eyes snap to the floor as you pass by. You feel the barest of sympathies, for not being allowed the simplest of human connection with their na-Baronness. But it was paradise considering the consequences should anyone ever feel bold enough to try otherwise.

Your husband wouldn’t allow that.

Dreams are sweet, until they’re not

Men are kind, until they aren’t

Flowers bloom, until they rot and fall apart

“Can I not have a single friend on this planet?!”

You burst into your shared chambers, rage rushing through your veins. All you had wanted was to have lunch and tea with one of the few female palace advisors you had taken a liking to. Maybe share a laugh or a story. Make a connection outside of your new family. That was all ruined when Feyd barged in and gutted your companion, stomach-to-throat, while she sat in her chair.

You were sure that your shoes had trailed blood down the hallway, but your mind was focused elsewhere at the moment.

“What use would you have for friends? I am right here.” He closed in on you, grasping your arms and forcing you to look in his direction. “Am I not enough for you? Do I not give you everything you should ever desire?”

His hands tighten around your wrists, making you flinch. A stray tear falls from your eyes, guilt starts to overcome your anger.

“No, not at all, husband! You have given me everything I could have wished for and more,” You wrench your hands out of his grip and grasp his face. He showered you with gifts, never let you go hungry or thirsty and this is how you repay him? “I just… I didn’t think you would want to hear me talk about certain things. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful.”

“I know you don’t, my darling.”

You take a deep breath as you feel the tension in the room start to settle.

“Your mind is already fragile from the accident… I just want to keep you safe.”

Safe. That was the key here. He takes step back and retrieves a small dagger from his belt.

Feyd holds it up, showing you the weapon. “Did you know that your friend had a blade dipped in poison strapped onto her person?”

You can feel the blood rushing from your face. No. You didn’t know.

“I-I didn’t see a knife on her. She couldn’t have-“

“She did.”

He drops the blade and leans in closer to you, forehead aligning with yours. “There are people out there who seek to harm you, who seek to harm me through you. I can never let that happen.”

You nod furiously. You couldn’t believe that you had been so stupid. 

Trust is unbelievably hard to come by in the Galactic Imperium. Your few months’ worth of memories can even attest to that. It seems that the only people you can truly rely on is family.

“I only want what’s best for you.”

You understand now.

Is anybody listening?

I open my mouth and nothing comes out

Another argument discussion had emerged from your telling of your latest dream. Your husband was convinced that you were entirely too exhausted to put any stock into what your subconscious was telling you, but you thought otherwise.

Fingers run through a patch of bright pinks, yellows, and blues—

“I swear to you, it felt so real! It was almost like a memory, like something I-,” A firm hand is placed on your shoulder as you give a slight stumble. Feyd puts a hand on your back, leading you to the edge of your bed, setting you on the bench that was placed against the footboard.

“Please, have some of your morning tea, my darling. You look a bit peaked.” You accepted the cup he gave you, settling down and taking a few sips of the warm, spiced drink. Your mind instantly calms, anxieties evaporating from your body like puffs of smoke. Never mind the memories that you had just… Floating.

Your husband is now on one knee in front of you, arms encasing your body, as his hands cup your face. He brings your eyes to meet his, seemingly searching. For what? You do not know.

“What were you saying about this dream of yours?” A pause reverberates throughout the room as your head tilts in confusion.

“My…?” You stutter, mouth opening to complete a thought that was no longer entirely there. “I can’t quite remember. What were we talking about?”

Your husband gives a smirk, analyzing your face once more before placing his hand on the dark fabric covering your swollen belly.

“Nothing of import. It seems that my heir is set on scrambling your thoughts.”

There seemed to be nothing in this world that brought more joy to Feyd-Rautha’s face than the sight of you and his unborn child. He’s more protective of you now than ever, having guards always posted near you, having you wear a shield during all public appearances. Not to mention, he was damn near insatiable in private. His hands and mouth are practically dragged away from you and your growing stomach every morning.

You give a chuckle. “I’d heard about pregnancy brain before, but never knew it to be this taxing! Perhaps I’ll take a walk later if I’m feeling up to it.”

Feyd gives your cheek a soft pat before rising to his feet, “Rest, my darling. I shall check in on the both of you later.” His hand rests next to yours, giving your belly a quick rub before he walks towards the door.

Your head goes to set on your pillow, the warmth from the tea running through your body. You must be really tired, since you fall asleep so quickly.

Quick enough to not hear the deadbolt lock clicking from the outside once the door is closed.

Flowers, I remember field of flowers

Soft beneath my heels

Walking in the sun, I remember someone

Someone by my side, turned his face to mine

The dreams start to encroach your mind while you are awake. You continue to follow your doctor’s instructions: take your daily tea, rest often, don’t overexert your body or your mind. But, ever persistent, they push through, finding parallels with your daily life to latch onto.

A hand, gently enlaced with yours, guides you through a meadow—

You husband’s hands lead you to stand with him by his uncle’s side, preparing for another ceremony.

A laugh, familiar and warm—

A chilling cackle of laughter reaches you in your viewing box, watching your husband gleefully slay another adversary in the arena.

Bright, yellow sunlight caressing your face and neck—

The black sun of Geidi Prime pulses in your periphery as you wave to a crowd below, your husband standing stoically next to you.

A kiss, given freely—

Feyd ravishes you in your chambers, lips melding together with yours.

My darling—

My love—

My darling—

My darling—

My darling—

My darling—

My darling—

“Is everything alright, my darling?”

You blink, snapping back to the present. Pale, smooth skin and blue eyes, your husband extends his hand towards you. Safe. He gives you everything. You and your child will never struggle or suffer with him. You are safe with him. Aren’t you?

Blood splatters over a patch of bright pinks, yellows, and blues—

You give a bright smile.

If you ever walk this way

Come and find me lying in the bed I made

[may-lutlone]

don't look at your Eurydice, fool

(or something, idk, I just had this idea that I wanted to paint Akechi like a sculpture and added some lore)

[crescentfool]

orpheus and thanatos 💚

[petoskeystones]

"eurydice" by sarah ruhl // "finding franklin" by russell a. potter // henry peglar's papers (transcribed by russell potter) // "finding 'harry' peglar" by douglas r. stenton (king william island mapped by aaron arrowsmith)

[grimmweepers]

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🦢˚ 𝓻𝔂𝓾𝓬𝓲𝓯𝓮𝓻

He could sense her fear in how her fingers trembled, yet still, she held on, her human warmth like a flame against his palm. So fragile she could slip through his grasp like a wisp of mortal breath but it was her touch that kept him tethered.

“Is this the right path for us?”

“If it leads to you, i’ll take it. Even if it costs me everything.”

𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: immortal x mortal, forbidden love, demon x human, mutual pining, opposites attract, orpheus x eurydice (loosely)

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐒: caught by mammon! | demon!ryu | season of love

[finelythreadedsky]

this is what kills me about black orpheus (1959, dir. camus) actually. because orfeu is familiar with the story of orpheus and eurydice. early on someone even makes a joke like "your name's orpheus? where's your eurydice?" he knows the story and he knows what it means to be orpheus. and then at the pivotal moment he looks anyway because after all he's orpheus and he can't not.

[run-little-hero]

TW // Death

“Villain,” a voice hisses through their radio. “Villain!”

They grab the radio from their utility belt, hurdling over the roof of an abandoned car as they rush through the alley. “I’m here,” they respond. “I’m here. I’m en route to base. Over.”

Superhero’s voice sounds once again. “Good. I’ve checked in with Hero. They’ll be at the factory to finish the job in 10. Over.”

A chill runs through Villain as they conjure the image—Hero sounding the building’s emergency alarms, rushing civilians outside before detonating the explosives Villain planted earlier. A brutal operation in their opinion, even if it takes down Supervillain once and for all. But their cooperation in the mission is necessary for a legal pardon, and Villain needs that to fulfill their promise to Hero. To turn over a new leaf.

So far, everything is going to plan. “Got it. Over and out.”

Villain would have preferred to stay with Hero and help them with their half of the mission. Superhero’s insistence on keeping them separate weighs on Villain’s chest, a distracting anxiety. Lately, that anxiety is everywhere Hero isn’t. Villain relies on Hero to cope with their shifted allegiance, and navigate the distrust between them and their new agency.

There’s another feeling alight in Villain’s heart when they think of their new companion. It’s what caused them to change sides in the first place, and threatens to expose itself every time Villain and Hero interact. It’s an inconvenient affection; an intimidating affliction that is suffocating Villain’s judgement at the present moment. They halt in their path.

They turn back, running towards the factory.

It crosses their mind to feel guilty. Superhero isn’t the most amicable boss, but Villain has no true reason to distrust them. Certainly, Villain’s blatant abandonment of mission protocol will earn them reprimand later. But they can’t control their actions anymore than their feelings. They bound down alleyways, veer around corners, and run towards the thing that frightens them most. It is frighteningly easy for Villain to love Hero.

They come upon the factory’s back entrance. Hero must’ve evacuated all the civilians, because the expansive facility is devoid of people when Villain rushes inside. They pray they’ve made it in time to find Hero.

Villain descends to the lowest level where their weapons have been planted. Tears well up in their eyes when they spot Hero, diligently carrying out their mission. Hero jolts up, confused.

“What are you doing here?” They move towards Villain.

Villain laughs, startled at their own relief. “I’m sorry.” They cup Hero’s face with a shaking hand. “I was worried. I didn’t want to leave you. I had to come back—I had to.”

Hero exhales, the smile on their lips offering Villain worlds of comfort. “It’s okay. I’m here, I’m fine.” They bring their foreheads together and bask in the closeness.

A beeping resonates from one of the explosives. Hero startles, gripping Villain’s arm. “We have to get out of here, and get back to base.”

Villain nods. They begin towards the door, hand in hand. They’ll get back up to the surface and Villain will be able to breathe once again, knowing they’ve gotten Hero out safely. They can go home together and retreat from missions and expectations, if only for a moment. They can afford to be themselves when they’re alone. It’s what Villain yearns for as they reach for the exit.

The door doesn’t open.

Villain shakes the handle, slams into the door’s surface with their whole body. It doesn’t budge. Hero steps back, expression blank.

“No. No, no, no, no!” Villain shouts. Their blood runs cold.

“Oh,” Hero utters. Villain turns towards them, countenance demanding an explanation. “I think…” Hero musters, voice wavering. “I think this is Superhero’s design.”

It can’t be. How could they do this to them? To Hero? “W-what?”

“They told me…” Hero trails. “They told me I’d be lucky if we were put on another mission after this. It’s not the first time Superhero’s said something backhanded like that. I assumed it was just another insult because you used to be against us. I thought—“ A sob catches in their throat. “I’m sorry.”

Villain is drowning. This must be what it feels like. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Hero’s own hands wipe their tears. They peer at Villain between their fingers and everything feels so childish. “You were already struggling so much. I didn’t want to add to it.” Villain steps towards Hero. “I had no idea this is what they meant.”

Villain embraces Hero. They can’t say they’ve ever shared a more vulnerable moment. They both know Superhero has made no mistakes—left no room for them to crawl away from their fate. Hero tilts Villain’s chin so they’re face to face.

“You’re beautiful,” Hero whispers.

“I’ve doomed us. They knew I’d come back for you.”

Hero hugs Villain tighter. “We doomed each other.” They smile.

In resignation, Villain sighs against their lips. “I’m sorry. Please, just know that I love you.”

Hero brings their mouths together, a farewell. “I know, my love. You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m grateful you’re here.”

Villain isn’t sure if they’re dying as heroes or traitors. Either way, they hold Hero close and sing them sweet comforts. Hero reminds them of their love until they’re consumed by it.

—

snippet #10

[dawniight]

having thoughts about Hilson in parallel to Orpheus and Eurydice but .. who out of the two of them is Orpheus, and by proxy who’s Eurydice ?

like I’ve already said it on Twitter but my gut reaction is to say that House is Orpheus, because realistically he’d go through hell for Wilson only to look back because he underestimates Wilson’s devotion . Wilson’s analysis of House in season 3 (‘the coma guy’s son’ is the ep I think ???) where he argues that House pushes at relationships until they break so he can ‘say he was right’ comes to mind

but then you have Wilson with his hero complex and universal donor blood type and his need to do anything and everything for the people he loves - with House’s record of relapse and stubbornness … I wonder if he’d turn around bc he knows that even if he takes House out of hell, House will put himself back in it

This could very much just be my interpretations of Hilson (I haven’t finished season 3 yet) so this is an open question lol

who is Orpheus, and who is Eurydice?

[royalmessofdenmark]

head in my hands people make claims about how if you switch the character's of a tragedy their stories would end differently but like i just. don't. think. they would. because people act like it would save them, when fundamentally they are tragic characters and so, tragedy follows them.

"But if you switched hamlet and romeo's pla--" if you switched hamlet and romeo's place romeo would have run off with Ophelia after his father's death, Gertrude would never stop missing him and Claudius would continue to rule. Ophelia would miss her family forever, and Romeo has romanticized dying for love so terribly much in his head, and Ophelia is willing to kill herself whenever all hope seems lost that there's no way they would make it into their twenties. something tragic happens, Ophelia drowns. Romeo stabs himself. It always. repeats. OR if Romeo and Ophelia don't run away, Claudius would kill Romeo anyway. And Ophelia may or may not kill herself in grief.

Hamlet would forsake Juliet-- if he would even fall in love with her-- and would not even try to reunite the families, probably seeing no point. he would instead seek revenge upon the other family if ever a member of his family was about to die. It would be bloody and brutal and if he lived through it, he'd still probably be sentence to death by the prince

you place any character in any other story and you'll find that they are still forever haunted by their flaws

sure, maybe orpheus is the only one who would turn around, but you place him in any other story, and he'd still find some way to have a moment where he forsakes common sense for love. Icarus's hubris would follow him forever, achilles would never let go of his ambition and his dreams for glory and that would find some way to destroy him to

tragedies are almost always people. not situations

[neon-in-the-night-time]

there's just something about the orpheus and eurydice myth like. you know how it ends. they were doomed from the start. this story has been told for millennia, far longer than you ever existed. orpheus loses eurydice every time. and yet. and yet. every time. you catch yourself. thinking, "this time. this time he will not look back. this time, he will trust she is there." but it is futile. it is a tale as old as time. and orpheus will always look back. and eurydice will always be lost. and yet. and yet. and yet.

[mamawasatesttube]

i NEED to write something about devotion and yearning. holy shit

[flum3n]

Orpheus and Eurydice

Orpheus Leading Eurydice from the Underworld - Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot / Eurydice - H.D. / Orpheus and Eurydice - Edward Poynter / Nymphs Finding the Head of Orpheus - Nicole Dollanganger / Orpheus and Eurydice - Frederic Leighton / Eurydice - Willa Cather / Orpheus and Eurydice - George Frederic Watts / Eurydice - H.D.

[tofuwildcard]

Whump: The Musical Day 8 || Hadestown || Doomed Narrative

[september-poetry]

i can't help it but love you

and i'll love you like orpheus did

i will hold you in my arms

i will feel your warmth fade out

but my dear i swear

i will find you again

the way the sun touches your face

the way you look at me

you know i can't help it

you know you forgive me

when i capture your eyes in mine

how could i leave you behind

how could i leave you inside of me

with no way out?

i know hades will say otherwise

but you belong to me

the depths cannot take you back

the ocean's roars of broken promises

the curses hold me gently

they let you pass

i'll bury myself to get back to you

i'll tear through the earth

they will end me eventually

but darling, how does it feel to be loved?

i can't help it

to see your face again

tangible, fire

it burns under my skin

let me hold you one last time

abandon hope for remedy

soften the ghost of a touch

and as your cold words fall through me

don't make me let you go

because i can't help it

but turn around

25 / 10 / 25

prompt: regret

week four: visions

from @lordsovorn darktober