Chapter 17: Under Pressure

The next few days were a blur of meetings, plans, and risk. Every move they made felt like a step closer to an inevitable confrontation. The danger they were facing was more than just street-level drama—it was bigger, more organized. The threat loomed like a dark cloud, one they couldn't shake off, no matter how much they tried to keep their lives as normal as possible.

But for D and Amir, there was a new normal now. Amidst the chaos, they found moments of peace with each other—brief, but enough to remind them why they were fighting so hard.

It was late when D returned to the safe house after one of those tense meetings. He hadn't gotten much rest lately, and he could feel the weight of it in his muscles, in the tension in his neck. But when he stepped inside, there was a soft light from the living room. Amir was sitting on the couch, his legs tucked up under him as he scrolled through his phone.

As soon as D walked in, Amir's eyes lit up, and he put the phone down, standing to greet him. "You good?" Amir asked, his voice soft but laced with concern.

D gave him a tired smile, rubbing his face. "Yeah. Just... a lot going on. Same old." He stepped forward, closing the distance between them, his arms going around Amir's waist. "I could really use some of your company."

Amir didn't hesitate. He wrapped his arms around D, pulling him in tightly, pressing his head to D's chest. "I've got you," Amir murmured, his voice muffled by D's shirt.

D closed his eyes for a moment, the weight of the world suddenly feeling a little less heavy with Amir in his arms. It was moments like this—quiet, intimate—that made him realize just how much he needed this person by his side. Not just for the physical attraction, but for the way Amir made him feel grounded, even when everything around them was falling apart.

"I don't know what I'd do without you," D said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Amir pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes, his gaze soft. "You don't have to worry about that. I'm not going anywhere. Not now. Not ever."

D's heart skipped a beat. It was more than just words; there was an unspoken promise in Amir's eyes. D cupped Amir's face in his hands, leaning down to kiss him gently, slowly, as if trying to communicate all the things he couldn't say with words.

When they pulled back, D pressed his forehead against Amir's, his voice hushed. "I don't know what this is, Amir, but I know that I can't lose you."

"You won't," Amir whispered, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I'm yours, D. Always."

D closed his eyes for a moment, the truth of those words sinking in. He could get through anything, as long as Amir was by his side.

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**The Plan**

The following evening, as they gathered to go over the final details of the mission, D couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. They were preparing for the biggest move yet, and there was a sense of urgency in the air. The crew had gathered in the kitchen, everyone talking over each other, making last-minute preparations.

Amir was at D's side, his hand on the back of D's chair, looking over the plans with a focus that didn't go unnoticed by D. Amir had become a reliable partner in everything—whether it was the street dealings or the quieter moments like this, where they'd silently plan their next steps together.

D leaned back, glancing at Amir. "We've got one shot at this. No room for error. You know what we're up against."

"I know," Amir said, his voice steady. "But we've got this. We just need to stick to the plan."

D knew Amir was right. They had been through so much together. But this mission felt different. They were about to hit their biggest target yet, and it was all or nothing.

"Alright," D said, standing up and turning to address the crew. "We move tomorrow. Keep your heads low, stay sharp. We do this together. We don't leave anyone behind."

There was a murmur of agreement around the table, but as D's eyes flicked over to Amir, he could see the subtle tension in his face. It wasn't fear, but concern.

"You alright?" D asked once the meeting broke up, catching Amir's eye as everyone dispersed.

Amir nodded, though D could see the hint of worry in his gaze. "Yeah. Just thinking about everything that's at stake."

D reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. "We'll be fine. Just focus on getting through tonight."

They walked back to their room together, and once the door was shut, Amir turned to D, his fingers resting on D's chest as he looked up at him. "I'm scared, D."

D was taken aback, but the vulnerability in Amir's voice struck him hard. "Scared of what?"

"Losing you," Amir said quietly, his voice breaking slightly. "I know we've been through a lot, but I can't shake the feeling that... this might be the last time we're together like this."

The weight of Amir's words hit D harder than he expected. He had never once considered the possibility of losing Amir. But hearing it out loud made him realize how high the stakes were.

D cupped Amir's face, lifting his chin so that their eyes met. "You're not going to lose me. Not now, not ever." His voice was firm, resolute.

Amir looked at him for a long moment before nodding, though D could tell the unease hadn't entirely faded from his expression. D leaned in, brushing his lips softly over Amir's forehead, then his lips. "No matter what happens, Amir, we stick together. We fight together."

The tenderness of the moment wasn't lost on either of them, but they both knew the seriousness of the night ahead. They held each other for a moment longer, just feeling the warmth of each other's presence, before they both got dressed in preparation for the mission.

---

**Later, that Night**

The mission was intense. They moved through the streets with calculated precision, working together as a well-oiled machine. But through it all, D couldn't shake the feeling of Amir's presence beside him, grounding him, keeping him focused. Every time their eyes met, the world felt a little bit safer.

It wasn't until the mission was complete, and they found themselves back at the safe house, that D allowed himself to fully breathe again. They had pulled it off—together.

The adrenaline was still coursing through D's veins as they both collapsed onto the couch in the living room, exhausted. Amir's head found its place on D's shoulder once again, his fingers lazily tracing patterns on D's arm.

"See? Told you we'd be fine," D said, his voice low but satisfied.

Amir smiled softly, his eyes heavy with the exhaustion of the night. "Yeah... but I'm just glad it's over."

D turned his face to look at Amir, his heart full. "Me too, Amir. Me too."

In that moment, everything felt right. There was no more danger. No more chaos. Just the two of them, surviving and thriving together.

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**End of Chapter 17**