Chapter Text
" Hey, Lin. Come on in, Hannah won't be back for a few hours. "
Sam's greeting was short and cold, for most people that'd be an indication of annoyance, but for people like Lin Lie who'd known the young man long enough to translate his neutral tones it was a reason for concern.
" She out for work or pleasure? " Lin questioned, trying to bring levity to the lingering chill he felt as he walked into Sam's apartment.
" She says its for work, knowing her she might ditch it. " Sam answered bluntly, moving aside to let the other man in as he shut the door behind him. " But with the storm going on, she might not risk the club. "
Lin made a sound of acknowledgment, pulling down his hood that had done its best to shield him from the storm in question. It wasn't a downpour battered by winds and lightning the likes of which the mighty Thor might call upon, more just a deluge of rain with the occasional rumble of thunder managing to ring out louder then the battering of millions of rain droplets hammering away. Danny had told him to take the day easy, claiming that storms this heavy often chased away as much crime as they encouraged. Lin wasn't sure if Daredevil had told Sam the same thing.
Lin had met Sam through Daredevil, it had been a real mess of a situation honestly; Ninjas, Demons, Good Ninjas, He was pretty sure he'd even seen Moon Knight show up. That had been a sight. It had been an all hands on deck call from old hornhead and every street tier had answered that day. Including Sam. Back then he only knew his name as Blindspot, and he'd looked a lot worse then he did these days thankfully. Lin had a suspicion that Sam might have been the only person Daredevil /Didn't/ want to see that night. Regardless, that was well done and over but the aftermath left a lot of streets needed an extra hand or two to clean up, repair, protect and help those affected. Lin had volunteered to help out in Chinatown, Shang-Chi's old stomping grounds, and it had been there he got to know the man the locals called 'Little Ghost Brother'. Lin was positive none of them had actually seen the man below the suit when they carved that name into his shrine. Lin had. That team up of theirs had happened five months ago now, and what had started as a back and forth of wit between the two had grown into friendship, then a partnership, and now- this. Lin didn't know what to call it.
Part of him said they were dating, they had done dates, they'd even Called them dates; but thinking of their situation as a relationship was getting challenging. It wasn't that he doubted his feelings or if Sam found him Aesthetically Attractive, he'd learned in the very best way how the man's face would flush when he thought Lin wasn't looking. No no it wasn't that. More like, hitting a wall in their progress. Lin had done a lot of the talking in their relationship and that on its own wasn't a bad thing. Sam was a talker when he wanted to be, especially when he was passionate oh BOY could he go off it was the most wonderful thing, but usually when it came time to talk feelings or share stories, it had been Lin doing the heavy lifting. Again, that wasn't a dealbreaker- at least he didn't want it to be. Sam cared about him. He knew he did. He had to, at least a little. Lin didn't like to dwell too much on if he didn't. Sam had held him through awful nights, shared his havens with him and even learned a few methods to help ease the pain in Lin's wrists when it flared up. He was a sweet guy, really.. but after all this time of knowing him and now even taking him out on occasion, Lin felt like he didn't know the full picture of the man he'd spent nights laying beside. He wanted to. He really did. That's where the problem came in. Sam was cagey by nature, unless your name was 'Daredevil', and when it came to asking any prying question it was like asking a wall. First mission with Daredevil? Bare Minimum. Any personal villains? Dodged. Mentor Mentee situation? 'Complicated.' It wouldn't be so agitating of Lin himself hadn't already disclosed So Much of his own life to the guy when asked. Sam had been very careful in his own progressively prying questions to not dig deeper then Lin was willing to share at the time, and while that had led to Lin himself opening up quite a lot when he tried to do the same back to Sam he was met with all these evasions! Did he not trust him? Hadn't he earned it by now? If not; why not? Was it something he did? Was Doing? He was going to wind himself into a ball if this wasn't sorted out.
So, there he was. Shaking out his hair as he plopped down onto Sam's couch and leaned back to watch as his host moved to the kitchen to heat up something to drink. The sound of rain was drumming against the window, casting a blue light into the room as Sam pulled out two mismatched cups. Sam wasn't in his suit, instead he was dressed casually, socks, sweats and a black tank top that didn't suit the colder temperatures. The apartment wasn't fancy by any means, he knew Sam struggled to find a better place even with his boss being as nice as he was. Working pro-bono meant there was only so much that Lawyer guy could do for him outside of breaking a lot of laws to have him on the books at all. Still, Lin liked Sam's place. Small and cheap as it may be it had a unique touch to it that he could only associate with Sam. Repaired appliances, home made tech from scrap, bits of furniture clearly gifted from moved out neighbors. It was all very 'him'. Still, Lin's brows furrowed slightly as he checked his phone.
[ Danny 2:45Pm : Be safe! 🤜 ]
[ Lin Lie 4:12Pm : Any Advice for getting someone to open up? ]
[ Danny is typing... ]
[ Danny 4:13Pm : I normally just listen. Why? ]
Great Advice Danny..
Lin cleared his throat, quickly grabbing Sam's attention as those dark eyes of his twitched in his direction.
" You cold at all man? We're like, two weeks into winter and your biceps haven't gotten the memo. " Lin opened.
Sam huffed an amused sigh through his nose. Good! Starting strong.
" Laundry day. " Sam answered simply, no smile on his face as he walked over to sit beside him on the couch, setting his cup on the wooden box that made up his table and passed the other cup over to Lin. " I'll manage. "
' I'll manage. ' Might as well have been Sam's catchphrase.
" If you need to use my hoodie when It dries I won't mind- Actually can I put it on the radiator? " Said Lin.
" Sure, just don't forget it. " Sam was still being blunt..
" Why not? It'd give me a good reason to come back. " Lin smirked, shrugging off his Green and White hoodie and setting it down as he gave Sam a playful look.
" You need a reason? " Sam retorted, taking a sip from his own cup. " I thought you just came and went as you pleased. "
" Maybe, but I hear this place's /haunted/ by a friendly ghost. "
" I'm not friendly. "
" Respectfully disagree, Spooky. "
Sam's expression hardened slightly,
" You said we had to talk. " He said curiously, his tone tinted with concern as Lin felt his stomach spiral itself into a knot.
" Uh, yeah we do I mean- okay uh- " Lin stammered, sitting back down as he brought his hands together. All that time practicing in the mirror and now he actually has to talk and it all goes out the friggin window. " So first thing, I don't wanna break up or anything- "
" -But? "
/But?/
" I- " Lin paused, his words lost for a moment. " Are you okay dude? "
" Sorry. " Sam rubbed his brow. " Usually when someone texts 'we need to talk, its important' it kinda sets an expectation. "
$%#& he did do that didn't he?
" Right yeah, man- sorry uh. Well no, it's not that- or I really don't want it to be? Look man, just rip the band-aid off for me; Are we good? "
" Yeah, I- why wouldn't we be? " Sam tilted his head, that self cut black hair of his sliding just enough for a few stray hairs to fall in front of his eyes.
Lin took a deep breath, finding his center. /This was So Much Harder then fighting losers and hand ninjas-/
" It just- " Lin started, looking right then back at Sam. " Feels like maybe you're not as interested in moving this forward- as I am? "
Lin was forced to wait in painful silence broken only by the storm outside, as Sam stared at him cup half raised. Lin felt his heart try to turn into a neutron star from how tightly it tensed. He'd just messed it all up from the gate. He'd ruined this whole thing there and then hadn't he? Why did he OPEN with that that's not what you open with for this kind of thing! God he was so-
" Oh. " Sam said softly, and Lin begged his lungs to let him exhale as those dark eyes slid away from him.
" I mean- " Lin tried to correct.
" -No I /think/ I know what you mean? " Sam cut him off, his tone quiet and blunt.
God, #*&%@^! Damn It.
" I mean its not like, a huge deal or anything- " Lin tried to assure,
" -Rrright and that's why you texted me and then came to my house to talk about it. " Sam stopped him.
" Can you /stop/ cutting me off dude? " Lin didn't mean to sound so annoyed when he said it, but Sam's face only changed in a slight widening of his eyes in response to it.
" Sorry.. Go ahead. "
" Okay.. Thanks, look I just- I don't want- This doesnt need to Be a Big Deal and I really don't Want it to be but lately we've been- y'know getting to know each other and it kinda feels like you-- get to know whatever You wanna know but I don't and that's like.. That kinda sucks? Like I wanna respect your privacy but it's kinda starting to feel like Everything is your privacy? Am- Am I making sense? "
Lin waited as Sam looked to his cup then back to him with a small nod. Why wasn't he reacting?
" Yeah, you are. " Sam said calmly. " Gimmie a sec? I just.. " He took a sip from his cup and looked away again as Lin had to bite his tongue to not speak. Lin didn't know how long he'd be able to keep his silence, thankfully he didn't have to for too long.
" What- uh.. what what what did you- want to know? " Sam stammered, looking back with a tired expression that did little to comfort the feelings that had been creeping into Lin's mind.
" Look if you've gotta force yourself you can just tell me- "
" -You said you wanted t- " Sam interrupted.
" I Know what I Said. " Lin interrupted back, running a hand up his face and through his hair with a sigh. Find the balance, he did NOT want this falling apart tonight. Sam stared at his face, a look in his eyes that aged him slightly as he set down his cup and brought his legs up onto the couch to sit criss cross. With a sigh, Sam leaned forward and rested his elbows on his thighs as he scratched at the top of his thumb with his other nails.
" I don't- like to talk about that kinda stuff-? Don't you dare say anything. But I- you... H- How about this? .. Just, ask what you want, and if its a really big thing I'll say-- landmine.. and we'll circle back to it. " Sam offered, a bit of apprehension in his voice as his stare met Lin's, blue on brown like the sea meeting a cliff face.
Lin swallowed, turning his body to match as he nodded, moving closer so that the two were sitting right across from each other. He could do that, yeah, easy.
" Okay. " He started. " Kinda- wasn't expecting to go from the jump, putting me under a lot of pressure here honey. " That made the corner of Sam's lips twitch upward, worth it. " Alright, well- Ah! Easy one, did you have any teachers before D.D? "
" I had a few opera instructors, but he's the first teacher I liked. " Sam answered, circling a thumb around the other.
" You did opera? " Lin's eyes widened, an amused smile coming to his face as he leaned forward. Sam shook his head with a weak smile of his own.
" Not that kind, you know Peking operas? I used to go to a school for that. " Sam corrected.
" That's so cool! "
" I don't recommend it, "
" Oh no I bet, I've heard about the training they do there; its Rough. "
Sam made a gesture with his hand, uneasily nudging Lin to keep going. He was tense, Lin could see it in his shoulders and that nervous tick of his. Whenever Sam got nervous, nervous enough that he'd want to hide but couldn't; he'd always do something with his hands. Lin felt a bit guilty making him uncomfortable but this was progress! Even better, it meant Sam Wanted to try and fix the problem he presented him with, which honestly was the best outcome he could hope for here. Still, there was that bit of doubt wondering if the 'landmine' choice of words was more accurate then Sam might have intended. Rolling his shoulders, Lin Lie continued.
" Have you ever dated anyone before? "
" I'm dating you, does that count? "
/He thinks they're dating too HELL YEAH!/
" Course it does! " Lin chuckled, a slight burn creeping into his cheeks. " When did you move here? "
" When I was twelve. " Sam answered quickly.
" So your sister was born here then! "
" Yeah, "
" Your parent's come with? "
" Just my mom. "
" Oh! Where's she now? "
Sam paused at that, his eyes gleaming as his pupils shrank for a moment as if he just saw something awful in front of him. A Bad Memory.. Lin felt a pang of regret jolt through his stomach as he knew the word that would come out of those lips before they parted.
" Landmine... " Sam said, a slight break in his voice.
" ... We- don't have to circle back on that one- I mean I get it.. " Lin offered, reaching a hand forward to rest on one of Sam's knees as Lin's voice lowered, looking at Sam seriously. " I told you what happened with me.. so- you know I get it.. whenever you're ready to talk about it- If you wanna talk about it- "
" Lin. " Sam eyes eased, weighed down by a memory Lin wouldn't get to know just yet. " It's fine. Landmine, remember? .. What next? "
Lin huffed out a sigh, giving Sam's knee a gentle squeeze that sent a small ping of pain up his joints. He'd endure it.
" Okay.. fine- yeah. Alright. Um.. What's it like? Seeing with- like, the magic eyes? " Lin waved one of his hands in front of his face.
" Its dark. Not everything is, some things are but others- aren't? Like... your Iron Fist, I can see that clear as day, can see the ten rings, some magic stuff, but everything else is pretty dark, sometimes I can't make stuff out at night because of it? Mister Murdock compares it to Night Blindness. "
" Wow that bites.. Is there any way to like, fix it? I mean they're magic right? "
" Land- " Sam stopped himself, shaking his head before turning it into a nod. " Yeah.. Hand Magic. "
That brought Lin pause.
" You got tied up with The Hand? " He gasped.
" Not- entirely willingly. " Sam explained. " Its complicated- I mean- ... my.. mother made a deal for them, but my time there- really really sucked.. I'll say that. "
" I- can imagine, yeah. " Lin's gaze glanced to a small patchwork of scars on Sam's arm, knowing it trailed back and behind his tank top. A part of him felt a surge of anger threaten to peek its head up, not at Sam, but at The Hand. He'd have to punch them extra hard next time he saw them.
His protectiveness must have shown on his face because his attention was grabbed by Sam slowly reaching forward to hold the hand on his knee, carefully moving it and his fingers in the stretches he used to help ease his pains when they flared up. For a brief moment the two met eyes again and Lin found himself transfixed by the man in front of him. Sam looked aged past his years, a lot of them did. That sunken look to his eyes, the faint lines that ran down by his nose, it hurt to see- yet at the same time Lin couldn't help but be fond of them. They may not have been scars of weapons, but they were scars of time, a time Sam was letting him finally know for himself. Lin froze for a moment, a blush creeping onto his face. Sam's eyes were twitching over his own features, red creeping into his features as he caught Lin doing the same. Sam's lips pressed together as he tilted his head, Lin was guilty of staring at those lips a bit longer then he planned before his eyes went back to the rest of his face. It gave Lin an idea, an impulsive Idea, but an idea. He'd need to think on it, plan around it.
" Next question? " Sam prompted.
" After you Met D.D, what happened? Like what was your first Big Mission? "
" We uh, took down a Cult in the area. Called themselves the Church of the Sheltering Hands.. run by a creep called Ten Fingers, he was going to use the people of the church as sacrifices when the Hand came to collect. Because it turned out all his magic was just stuff he stole from them.. " Sam said, venom on his tongue as Lin nodded in shared annoyance.
" What a Nice Guy... "
" I know right? ... Next? "
" Okay- uh, was- ... " No- no maybe he wouldn't ask how Sam lost his eyes this time. Next time, maybe. " Where'd you get your suit? "
Sam paused, sitting up straighter as a look of pride came to his face.
" I made it. " Sam said proudly.
" Really? /You?/ "
" Hey, don't sound so surprised. "
" Heheha I'm not! I've seen what you come up with but that's- I mean where did you get the parts for it? "
" I snatched parts from the University I used to be a Janitor at during late shifts. Cobbled it together after a while. "
Lin's jaw could have hit the floor as he waved is hands in front of himself.
" Wait wait wait- " Lin couldn't hide his shock, a beaming smile on his face that seemed to inflect Sam to a degree. " School tech, like just stuff you found in the school lab?! "
" And around campus but, yeah? " Sam answered, pulling his lips into a soft smile.
" Holy- dude that's so cool! What the hell- " Lin whispered as Sam /Genuinely/ chuckled and the sound lit every nerve in Lin's heart on fire like sparklers. " Okay okay okay- one more one more- "
" -Just one? " Sam raised an eyebrow.
" -hush you. I'll have more another day I'm not here to interrogate you. " Lin made a face that made Sam shake his head, quickly switching over to a smile as he thought back to his little impulsive idea. This could go so so badly. He could do this. Just ask and they'd move from there! This was a Normal Idea he could handle Normally. He sat up straight, and took a breath before letting the words stand up and run. " Would- you let me try to use my Chi to help your vision? "
Sam's breath caught, his face paling as his eyes, normally seen as oh so intimidating by their friends suddenly reminded Lin of a startled snake pulled from its den.
" /I-/ " Sam's voice cracked a bit, causing him to cough it down as Lin tapped his fingers on his knees. " I Thought you wanted t- I mean- "
" -Yeah I did, and I'm learning a lot already! I don't wanna shake you down for every little secret or anything man, I mean you're- answering me which I; God I really appreciate like really, and just- you know, If its the Hand stuff Danny helped Daredevil with it so maybe I could try to- at least make it better for you? I don't know if you wanna and we're having like this moment so if you were like if you if we I mean we- "
" Jesus Christ Lin, Breathe! " Sam chuckled, looking away rubbing the back of his head nervously as his initial shock faded. His other hand was curled in a shifting fist as he kept scratching at his thumb, he was thinking again. Deeply. Lin glanced down to his wrapped wrists, where his dual legacy was intertwined. It was risky, he knew that. He wasn't exactly fluttering around with this idea, this was Sam's Eyes he was talking about. If one thing went wrong.. Lin looked at him, saw that tired look hanging onto his features. He shouldn't risk this- what was he thinking? Well no- maybe it could-? GOD No, he can't risk being the second thing to blind this guy! He opened his mouth to speak but Sam beat him to it.
" Don't- try it on my eyes. " Sam said softly, almost like a whisper.
Lin wanted to kick himself.
" Y-Yeah, sorry.. dumb idea.. " Lin looked away.
" No- no it.. I appreciate you. " Sam said quickly, reaching forward and taking Lin's other hand in his own. " Ask- Ask something else you want to know. Anything. "
He was trying to make him feel better, Lin knew he was trying to make him feel better. There was only so much for it, he wasn't Danny. He wasn't some wizened master people would think could pull it off no hassle no fuss. He wasn't Danny and the fact was he wasn't the one they'd call to pull off that kind of dumb idea anyway. Lin pulled a hand free from Sam's hold rubbed his neck awkwardly.
He took a breath, turning his hand over to hold Sam's own before giving him a nod and before he could put on his practiced smile Sam was tugging him forward into a Hug. Lin tensed against it for a moment before wrapping his arms around his boyfriend's torso, nuzzling his face into the crook of Sam's neck as he felt him tense from it. He was ticklish there, and it brought Lin some comfort to watch him twitch in response. Sam pressed him close with all the force his arms would give, crushing the growing gloom in Lin's chest with the sheer weight behind his embrace as Lin returned the hold. Sam's breath shook slightly, and Lin had to measure his breath as the two found comfort in each other's hold. Lin took a deep breath, smelling the sent of copper and leather clinging to Sam's clothes as he spoke up.
" I appreciate you Lin.. I really do. I- .. I'm .. Thanks for, you know. Talking. Shoot, I- I still get lost in my own mess sometimes.. When I was with the Hand I got dragged into a dark place, actually I was probably on my way there.. sometimes I get- stuck there, drowning in it and I don't.. I Don't Like asking for help with it? " Sam tightened the hug again. " It's my problem, my mind, I feel like I should handle it but sometimes I don't and you- make it a lot easier.. " He admitted. " You're this, persistent sun ball that sticks around and shakes me up and I just really- appreciate that, man. So.. God I'm incoherent. "
" I get it.. you're good to me too you know that right? Probably better then you should be. "
" I'm sorry did you not- just have to call me out for being a cagey rat with you? " Sam corrected.
" Landmine. " Lin said lightly, lifting his head to look at Sam with a laugh as Sam's head tilted to look back at him. A mix of annoyance and amusement in his face as the two stayed embraced. For a moment the two were close, so close that Lin could see the faint glow from the magic in Sam's eyes, and how those eyes dilated now and twitched downward once they met his own.
The rain was loud on the window and outside walls.
Lin's eyes glanced down then back to Sam's own. It was a game of Micro movements, small twitches forward and back, lilting their heads in a silent conversation. Lin made the first move to bring his lips to Sam's, it started with one, an awkward one at that. He wasn't sure if Sam was open to this but when he didn't pull away Lin took that as the sign to go again and keep going. One hand held onto Sam's shoulder while the other held onto the couch as he felt Sam move backwards to lean against the armrest, following him there as butterflies filled his stomach with sparks. Sam was twitchy, his hands coming to rest on Lin's arms as his legs shifted awkwardly and Lin tried to maneuver around him. He really tried not to chuckle about it, but both of them clearly weren't too sure on this position they were trying.
" Okay- " Sam broke their lips apart, looking down at their knot of limbs as he eased himself up a bit to make it easier. " Okay maybe this is- that's not working. That's not working at all. This thing is too dang small- "
" Here's a question? Have you ever kissed someone before? " Lin teased.
" Do you count? " Sam looked up at him nervously.
Lin laughed, leaning down to kiss him again as Sam hummed against him. His lips were dry, probably from the cold, Lin didn't care, super hero work didn't come with free lipcare routines. All that mattered was Sam's hand pressed snugly into his hair, his hand gently holding onto his arm while Lin kept his grip on the couch to keep from falling forward. His free hand sat comfortably on Sam's cheek, feeling the soft texture of his cheek give way to the firmer darkened skin below his eyes. They stayed in their little world for a moment, a few moments, before Sam paused them again, not to speak not to move, but to part his lips, staring up Lin as he moved his arms to support him on either side. It took Lin a moment, his face tied with Sam on the flush that'd spread over it as he looked for any sign of doubt from Sam's side. He found none, the both of them looking to each other a bundle of nerves and awkwardness, out of their elements as Sam tilted his head ever so slightly and leaned forward for Lin to meet him halfway. Lin refused to disappoint. They could be awkward, they were fast learners after all and as Sam held on tighter Lin could taste the tea he'd made for himself earlier, peachy and sweet like him. Lin couldn't help but grin, chuckling to himself as he broke off to kiss Sam on the forehead and cheek, met in return with Sam kissing the underside of his jaw with reverence. Sam's voice whispered up to his ears, a small rasp to his words.
" Lets not make this a habit every time I mess up in this relationship, that'd be really bad for it down the line I'm just saying. " He said bluntly as Lin wheezed out a laugh and shut him up with another kiss.
" Or lets do it every time! We'll be at third base before you know it! " Lin countered, laughter dancing along his words.
" Have you even slept with anyone- and no sleeping next to me doesn't count! " Sam retorted, lightly poking Lin in the stomach.
" Well- no, but I mean you have yeah? "
" Pfft- No! " Sam broke out into a laugh.
Their laughter was shared at that moment as Lin lowered himself to be embraced again. The sound of a shared true genuine laugh that sounded like music to Lin's ears as he beamed at the man trained by the devil below him.
" Okay okay- we're doing this again sometime though! I've still got more questions you know. " Lin moved up again, kissing the space between Sam's eyes.
" It's a date- God I sound Like Daredevil, kill me. "
" You Wish Spooky- "