Shine On by cecily_sass

A boy from Wyoming shows up on Mulder's doorstep with a big appetite and dirty shoes.

Mind reading, murder and MSR.

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If you're like me and you've been craving Mulder and Scully's dynamic in a post-"I Want To Believe" fic, then you absolutely need to check out cecily_sass's fanfic. This is what I had hoped the revival would be.

This fanfic totally nails the Mulder-Scully relationship rollercoaster. They start off distant, which hits all of my angst-buttons, but then they slowly find their way back to each other—but in a way that feels natural. It’s emotional, and intense, and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

And the plot gives them a real reason to jump back into the X-Files. And it's more than just any case, or even an X-Files, no they’re faced with something far more personal: a certain 15-year-old boy from Wyoming. And all of a sudden all the things they've learned in the past are very real and present again.

I especially like how this fic dives deep into their special and unique family dynamic. While it's also about government conspiracies and secret projects, these characters have personal hurdles to overcome too—and I'm all here for it. The way cecily_sass explores the different relationships between all the characters gives the story additional layers and provides more depth to the characters. Mulder, Scully and Jackson, as well as everyone else, feel both real and relatable.

Shine On incorporates all the twists and turns of the "X-Files"-mythology. It takes elements of the syndicate's projects and weaves in surprises and twists that keep you guessing throughout. One more reason why this could've been how the revival could've played out.

This fanfic captures everything I love about Mulder and Scully: Their strong bond, their desire to uncover the truth, and their loyalty and love for each other.

Reading this story is like taking a different turn in the mythology that still feels true to the original series. It’s the kind of storytelling that honors the legacy of "The X-Files" while venturing into uncharted territory—once more, like the revival could and should've done.

So if you are looking for another great story in #TheXFiles fandom, this is the fic for you. I was glued to every page, wishing this was the revival we got. Give it a shot—you won’t regret it!

Read it on AO3: Shine On by cecily_sass