Like a Moth to a Flame (AO3)

Porn battle - Prompt 110: Mulder is away for a conference and he runs into Stella Gibson. She looks so much like Scully he just can’t resist .

A/N: My dearest anon, I would like to start by thanking you for prompting me. I would also like to tell you that it was only after doing some deep dive on Mulder/Stella fics (or should I say, fic?) that I can tell you I am rather disappointed with the amount of works that I could find. As someone who ships mainly MSR but likes to see other sides of their personalities, especially when explored with other partners, I was underwhelmed. The one fic that I found was rather good though, I’ve read it three or four times already and I still love it the same.  

Anyway, I digress. Since there was so little Mulder/Stella works I decided to take the time to write something a little longer for you, so I’m sorry if this took longer than expected and I hope it lives up to the expectations.

Thank you @greycoupons for helping me with this

With love, 

Julia

Tagging: @xfpornbattle; @today-in-fic

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March 15th 1999 - Oxford, England

Mulder took a deep breath, filling his lungs with fresh Oxford air, the rain had just stopped and he tried to avoid the puddles as he made his way to the lecture hall. He was finding that the change of scenery was good for him, being able to run away from his problems for a while and clear his head.

Back in DC his head was a blur, he was tangled in the intricacies of his relationships with Diana and Scully and he didn’t know what to do. But the breaking point was the case in Arcadia Falls. After it, Mulder decided he officially needed some time off as it was all becoming too much for him to handle, so he left for a conference in Oxford.

When he arrived at the Lecture Hall, Mulder chose a seat in the back , near the exit, so if he decided to leave out of boredom he would be able to do so without causing so much of a disturbance.

By 6 p.m. Mulder was sure he’d made the right seat choice. He was completely exhausted.  While he lectures were interesting, the panels were long and he was starting to have a hard time focusing on what the speakers were saying. He waited until the lights were dimmed for the next guest and left so he could grab a drink and something to eat.

He chose one of the old pubs he used to go to back when he was a student. It was a hidden gem, not as famous as some other pubs around the town, but it served the best food and had the best beer. Mulder was happy to find that little had changed, it was just as he remembered it.

Mulder chose a seat at the bar, not wanting to sit alone at a table. His eyes roamed the menu quickly and he decided on drinking a pint, he wasn’t feeling hungry and could always order room service later in the evening. He sipped on the ale and watched the football game playing on the screen above the bar, not really paying much attention to anything.

“Is this seat taken?” a female voice sounded from behind him.

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