"Will you always be with me?"

The first few times I saw this film, I couldn't fully buy that Chani could fall in love with Paul that fast. But when you watch this film through her eyes the way Villeneuve intended, it's pretty neat how he makes the argument.

Establishing Jamis further in this film as a great and respected fighter (and therefore making Paul's victory in their fight more impressive), his initially sincere commitment to the Fremen people's self-determination, being a good enough fighter to become Fedaykin, etc. He proves over months that he's a reliable, skilled, and respectful addition to her community which she values more than anything. Pre-drinking the water of life, he's a pretty solid pick.

And yet, she never loses her perspective. She never gets lost in their love story. Her love for him keeps her view of him grounded and unable to fall into fanaticism. Because she, unlike many in this universe, knows him as a person and not a symbol/title/etc.

At the same time, Paul is using this love story as an escape.

The first and last thing Paul does in this film is look at Chani. Even before he gets up to get his Fedaykin names, he doesn't move until she nods for him to go ahead. He knows that as long as he follows her while she "shows him the way," then he can never stray too far into the prophecy being forced onto him.

"As long as I breathe."