some healing ghouli fics
After re-watching and thinking about Ghouli recently, my natural inclination of course was to consume all the Ghouli fanfic I could get my hands on. Oddly, it seems like there is not a ton of it? I’m not sure why. I poked around AO3 and tumblr archives and my own tags…it’s times like this I really wish that Gossamer was still updated. It made finding post-eps so easy.
Anyway, many of the fics listed below were not technically new to me; I’d read them before, but I didn’t necessarily remember them (even if they were very good). I think I devoured, in a hurry, so much content around season 11 in 2018 that it was hard to really process it. Then I put it all away for two years and now I’m back, trying to really dig in.
This list below is by no means exhaustive, and if you know of other great Ghouli fics, please do share them. But all these stories spoke to me and helped me process this particular (very large) chapter in Mulder and Scully’s lives. I’m so grateful to all these fanfic writers for sharing these gifts with us, and I hope you’ll read and reblog some of their fics and get them going again.
Recommendations listed in no particular order:
beochaoineadh by @all-these-ghosts
Heartbreakingly gorgeous collection of one-shots around season 11 all tied to the William theme. I want to live in the worlds that Amanda creates.
the loudest sound you’ve every heard by @myassbrokethefall
I know I read this when Catherine first wrote it but for some reason when I found it again, it felt completely new to me, and I absolutely fell in love. I’ve honestly read it at least five times since rediscovering it. The episode itself focused more on Scully’s emotional journey, and James Wong even spoke about this being a deliberate choice. But we knew that beneath Mulder’s stoicism and support, he was going through his own quiet storm. I just love how this piece explored those emotions—the confusion, the relief, even the resentment. Now, when I think of Ghouli, I’ve absorbed this post-ep into my own personal canon. This is how it went. I wish you’d write more often because you have a true gift.
unveiling by @aloysiavirgata
I could read AV’s dialogue forever, and this one is no exception. If I had my way, I’d force AV to write a page of Mulder and Scully dialogue every single day, but I’ll take what I can get. What I love about this one is the humor and bittersweetness all tangled up. Read it.
an unofficial guide to lonesome america by @scienceandmysticism
We all wonder what Mulder would have really been like as a father, no? At least I do. And this darling little micro fic scratches that itch a bit. I think she captures Mulder’s voice here remarkably well.
heritage by @leiascully
I’m just constantly in awe of M’s ability to effortlessly (or so it seems) produce gorgeous, fresh fic on a regular basis. Here, she imagines how Mulder and Scully would have spoken about and processed these events together, and it’s simply perfect. Thank you thank you thank you.
seeing is believing by @lilydalexf
Sure, she does a stellar job cataloging and recommending fics, but boy can she write them, too! I just adored this little depiction of a scene in the car after the episode ends. This particular X-File didn’t need much in the way “fix-it” fics—but it left me wanting more, more, more…and this story delivers just that.
shift by @lolcat76
Another simply remarkable little piece that L put together after reading a very specific prompt from me. I’m constantly bowled over by this kind of generosity and friendship in this fandom.
tilting by @lyndsaybones
Turns out there was a windmill postcard fic, and it’s simply lovely. I adore how this piece runs a through-line from their past. Please read it and try not to cry.
inferno by @scapegrace74-blog
This piece also explores Mulder’s reaction, and it was not what I expected, but I loved it nonetheless. The imagery is vivid and I can see this happening exactly so.
athas by @lepus-arcticus
Leigh’s writing is just so luscious. She packs so much into so few words, as evidenced by this short little look into Jackson’s life on the road. Absolutely gorgeous and poignant.
hypnagogia by skuls (aka @how-i-met-your-mulder)
Grace has written a lot of excellent season 11 fic that I have recently pored over on AO3, so consider this a blanket recommendation for all of that work (which deals with William a lot). But I love how this piece connects Jackson to Mulder and the kicker, oh the kicker. Make sure you get to the end.
after william, all things by @perfectmagnet
This story gives us a lot of their inner monologues post-ep before they actually speak to each other, and I very much enjoyed that. It’s short but vivid, and the emotions ring true.
