Espresso Shots
Series Metadata
Listing Series
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He Gets What He Wants (And I Get To Be What He Wants Tonight) by roxy_svl
Fandoms: Cirque du Freak | The Saga of Darren Shan - Darren Shan
29 Apr 2021
Tags
Summary
Companion/spinoff piece for Bloodline. Ever wondered how the hell Mika ended up in Renley's bed that first night they hooked up? This is that, as told by Renley himself. Disclaimer: If you haven't read Bloodline this won't make any sense to you. Unless you're cool with reading about Mika getting laid with no context, then hey. Welcome aboard.
Preview:
"Ever think people just let you win just because they think you'll chuck them on the stakes if they beat you?" Renley remarked, after draining the last of his mug.
"Probably." Said Mika. "Gets kind of boring for me, if I'm being honest. I prefer a challenge." He then carelessly barged past Renley to pour himself a fresh drink, while glancing over reproachfully. As though he was surprised Renley hadn't gotten out of the way.
"Makes sense. I've heard you're difficult." Renley replied flatly. The word was barely past his lips when Mika's eyes locked onto him, thunderstorm grey narrowing slightly. Now it was clear Renley had his undivided attention.
"That's funny. I've heard you're easy." Mika shot back, perfectly straight-faced and without a shred of hesitation.
Renley blinked.
Ooookaaaay then.
Series
- Part 1 of Espresso Shots
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Kinda Wanna Thank Him, Kinda Wanna Knock Him Out by roxy_svl
Fandoms: Cirque du Freak | The Saga of Darren Shan - Darren Shan
24 May 2021
Tags
Summary
Mika's not the only one with an ex that lives rent-free in his mind. The sudden appearance of Renley's first love in Vampire Mountain doesn't go unnoticed by his recently acquired friend with benefits. Takes place during Bloodline, a few weeks before Paris's death. (If you haven't read Bloodline this won't make sense).
***
"Sire Ver Leth. Good to see you again." Egan finally interrupted rather loudly, holding his hand out to shake Mika's. And the exchange that followed was peak comedic gold, as far as Renley was concerned.
Mika glanced at Egan, down at his hand, then back up. He looked politely puzzled as though he had no idea Egan had been standing there the whole time. He reached out and accepted Egan's handshake after a hesitation, and he went about it in a way that suggested he was being handed something he didn't particularly want, such as a slimy dead fish. Renley had sat in enough meetings with Mika to know he normally gave very solid handshakes. Whatever Mika was doing was on purpose, and almost certainly for his own amusement.
"...Have we met?" Mika asked. He blinked a couple times, and flavoured it with a blank, fleeting smile that radiated insincerity. And Renley lived for it.
Series
- Part 2 of Espresso Shots
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Show Me Where It Hurts by roxy_svl
Fandoms: Cirque du Freak | The Saga of Darren Shan - Darren Shan
30 May 2021
Tags
Summary
Mika and Renley agreed on two rules for their friends-with-benefits arrangement:
1- No feelings
2- No sleepovers.Renley realizes he’s on the brink of breaking Rule 1, on the same night Mika slips and breaks Rule 2. But it’s the anniversary of the worst day of his life AKA Kurda’s betrayal - so it doesn’t count, right? This is a scene from Chapter 13 of Bloodline that didn't entirely make it into the story.
Preview:
Mika remained sitting there on the bed a few feet away, his back still facing Renley. The visible tension in his shoulders betrayed the truth - there was something more going on beneath the surface.
“I hate to pry -“ Renley began.
“I hate when you pry.” Mika interrupted.
“- but I’m getting the impression there’s something on your mind.” Renley continued seriously. He reached out again, and lightly stroked his fingertips across Mika’s lower back - always a favourite spot. To his relief, Mika didn’t swat his hand away.
“It was seven years ago today.” Mika muttered after a beat of silence.
Series
- Part 3 of Espresso Shots
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I Hold You Up Above Everyone by roxy_svl
Fandoms: Cirque du Freak | The Saga of Darren Shan - Darren Shan
08 Jun 2021
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Summary
Paris Skyle has packed it up and headed off to the afterlife - even in death may he be triumphant. Mika insists he's handling it fine. And when you have your very own throne in Vampire Mountain, nobody questions you. Except your friend with benefits who can see right through your bullshit.
Preview:
Mika swore under his breath, but was in no shape to fight about it. Renley knew Mika hated this, how any display of vulnerability in the presence of a colleague - or worse, his fuck buddy - was Mika's definition of a worst-case scenario.
"You are allowed to just be sad. Bet no one's ever told you that before." Said Renley. He cautiously reached out to put his hand on Mika's shoulder. This was quickly moving into redline panic territory. "You should close the hall doors before someone else walks in here to bother you." Renley added. "Take the rest of the night off. You don't owe anyone anyth-"
"I'm fine!" Mika cut him off viciously, as if the absurdity of Renley's suggestion gave him strength to form two coherent words in a row.
Series
- Part 4 of Espresso Shots
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 4,739
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Kudos:
- 3
- Hits:
- 71
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(Sometimes I Don't Wanna) Be Happy by roxy_svl
Fandoms: Cirque du Freak | The Saga of Darren Shan - Darren Shan
26 Jun 2021
Tags
Summary
Mika takes on Day One of existing in a Post-Paris world. Renley just can't stay in his own lane. Bit of sass, bit of tenderness. Takes place off-screen during Bloodline.
***
"You did good." Said Renley. "He'd be proud of you."
Mika took a deep breath and blinked a few times, and Renley winced. He shouldn't have brought Paris up. But then to his surprise, Mika was smiling when he met Renley's eyes again.
"That's all that really matters." Said Mika with weary vindication. "Listen, I'm really sorry I made my problems your problems last night. It was inappropriate of me."
"I'm sorry, what?" Renley snorted. "You practically schedule me to blow your back out every other night, but gods forbid I see you cry one time, when somebody died? That's where you draw the line?"
Series
- Part 5 of Espresso Shots
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In A Minute It'll Be Over And Gone by roxy_svl
Fandoms: Cirque du Freak | The Saga of Darren Shan - Darren Shan
20 Aug 2021
Tags
Summary
Chapters 15/16 of Bloodline from Renley's POV, plus new scenes. Civil war between the Princes leads to intervention which leads to heavy sass, tender intimacy, and mismanaged emotions between Mika and Renley in the final stretch before the funeral of the century.
Preview:
"You were right, I'm only in this for career advancements." Renley added playfully. Mika didn't laugh.
"Sometimes I wish that were true, Ren."
"How do you know it's not? I could totally be trying to fuck my way to the top."
"Even if it worked like that, there's no way putting up with me would be worth a hypothetical promotion."
"There's a fine line between self-deprecating humour and a thinly veiled cry for help, sweetheart." Said Renley sardonically. "And you dance on that line at least eight times a day."
Series
- Part 6 of Espresso Shots
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 7,151
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Kudos:
- 4
- Hits:
- 66
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You're So Composed (And I'm So Dramatic) by roxy_svl
Fandoms: Cirque du Freak | The Saga of Darren Shan - Darren Shan
20 Nov 2021
Tags
Summary
A week after the chaos of Paris's funeral proceedings begins to settle down, Mika supposes he owes a thank-you to his friend with benefits for going above and beyond the job description. Meanwhile Renley struggles with to balance his undeniable feelings with his commitment to pretending he's only in this thing for the benefits.
Takes place off-screen during Bloodline.
***
“Let’s get one thing straight: Right place. Right time. And that’s a lot of words to admit you were lonely and scared and you just wanted someone to hold you.” Renley murmured at last.
“It sounds so simple when you say it like that.” Said Mika with a breath of bitter, humourless laugher.
“Not everything has to be complicated. Some things can just be simple.”
Series
- Part 7 of Espresso Shots
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Is It Insensitive For Me To Say 'Get Your Shit Together (So I Can Love You)'? by roxy_svl
Fandoms: Cirque du Freak | The Saga of Darren Shan - Darren Shan
23 Jun 2024
Tags
Summary
Straight from the abandoned WIP files of 2021; another Bloodline scene retold from Renley’s POV.
Renley’s googly heart eyes face off against their toughest opponent yet — Mika’s psychological barricade. Or is it the other way around?
***
"I have a lot of words for whoever let you think you're funny, because it sure as fuck wasn't me." Mika deadpanned. But his mouth was twitching, and Renley knew he'd won. It was all over for Mika. Any second now, he'd crack.
"Then why are you looking at me like that?" Renley replied innocently.
"Like what?"
"Oh, give it up, baby. Show me that famous smile. Come on. Fake it like you love me."
For the thinnest fraction of a second, something in Mika's eyes went dark and Renley thought he pushed his luck too far. But then he was certain he'd imagined it, because he finally got what he wanted. Mika rolled his eyes once more to keep up appearances, then his face lit up with that exasperated, enchanting smile that made Renley's heart melt.
Series
- Part 8 of Espresso Shots
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 5,917
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Kudos:
- 1
- Hits:
- 34