#maker: tinyluminaryzombie

[jilychallenge]

Only have eyes for each other

Where’s the trophy? He just comes running over to me…

@jilychallenge December Bingo - Fireworks

[herefortarlos]

The Moodboard Your Fic or Faves Tag Game

I decided to make a "moodboard" of some of my favorite gifs with their gif creators! I have so much appreciation to the many gif creators on this site and these are only a few of the makers I find myself reblogging from and adding to my queue so very often! Thank you @lutavero @strandedbuckley @guardian-angle22 and @reasonandfaithinharmony for sharing your lovely creations with us and making Tumblr and my blog a more fun place to be! 💖

The rules: Either: choose one of your published fics (or a WIP if you'd prefer), create a moodboard for it and share it along with a snippet. Or: Create a moodboard for your fave episode of the show, fave character, or a fic someone else has written that you love, and share it with some sentences about why it's a fave! (And tag people!)

Thank you @carlos-in-glasses for starting this game and to @strandnreyes and @heartstringsduet for tagging me 💜 An Open Tag and some tags below!

@lightningboltreader @rmd-writes @tellmegoodbye @alrightbuckaroo @bonheur-cafe @paperstorm @dear-viv @lonestardust @eclectic-sassycoweyes @bubblesandroses8 @emsprovisions @reyesstrand @whatsintheboxmh @alltheprettyplaces @orchidscript @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @birdclowns @thisbuildinghasfeelings @ladytessa74 @goodways @actual-sleeping-beauty @sapphic--kiwi @nancys-braids @theghostofashton @welcometololaland @tailoredshirt @she-walked-away @sheholdsthemoon @lemonlyman-dotcom @freneticfloetry @goldenskykaysani @carlos-tk @rangersoup @tinyluminaryzombie

[jilychallenge]

isn't this wonderful!

ALSO WHERE ARE THESE FICS... please tag them

@jilychallenge December Bingo: Ice Skating Lessons ❄️⛸️❄️

(with a few nods to some of my past jily fics 💜)

[jilychallenge]

This is to inspire you 😂😘😘😘

Getaway Cabin - Chapter 1

@jilychallenge2023 | July 2024 | partner: @charmsandtealeaves

“I don’t believe it. Tell me again, Evans.” “So what, I’ll relive my most humiliating moment while you memorize it word for word to report back? No thanks.”  “Lily,” Sirius said. She lifted her head from staring at her fidgeting fingers. She wasn’t actually scared of him spilling all her secrets. By now, Lily knew he would never.   But his whole platonic soulmate-bond-thing with James made this harder. It was difficult to measure the line between them. They were everything to each other. And a year ago she confessed her love for James to Sirius—the one person who never should have kept her secret.  But instead of bolting and telling, Sirius became her friend.  “I’m sorry. I know you wouldn’t do that. It was just that…” “Prongs rejected you.” Sirius finished quietly. 

Read on AO3

[jilymicrofics]

Ah nothing like an instinctual hug to drag up some tension… nice one James!

@tinyluminaryzombie

@jilymicrofics | August Prompt 21 | 684 words

“And how’s my favorite radical?”

The coffee shop was already bustling when Lily entered. Three months ago, she’d made a New Year's Resolution to treat herself more (within reason). Since then, her semi-weekly walks to Three Broomsticks Cafe have served as a respite from deary memos and disappointing memos. The distractingly cute owner doesn't hurt either.

“Don’t be silly, James. Radicals don’t wear iron-pressed suits.”

“You know you’re my hero, Evans.”

The second time she visited Three Broom Sticks was for a chocolate fix after a terrible day at work. At 7 pm, the cafe was cleared out. The quiet, mixed with James's soft smile and delicious pastries put her at ease.

So much so that Lily started ranting about her day.

Since then, James has always asked her for work updates. He also couldn't get over her job as legislative director at a large climate nonprofit. Which, yeah, was a terrific ego boost. Lily knows it's impressive, especially at 28. It's another thing to have James tell her.

Bantering with James was becoming one of her favorite things. but t it was also one of the most confusing; did James just like the job or did he like her? And no, despite her friend's instance, Lily refused to make a move. She would not be the creepy customer hitting on the barista/pastry chef/owner, no matter how gorgeous, sweet, and funny he was.

“You with me, Lily?”

Lily shook her head, hoping it looked like she was surveying the options instead of fantasizing. 

“Yep! Present as always,” she managed with a smile.

“Great.” James started tapping his fingers on the counter. “Um— I know you’re busy saving the world—“

“James.”

“— No, I’m right and you know it,” he continues forcing a soft dose of eye contact that made her blush.

“Anyways... We’re having a community organization night tonight, it was actually my brother’s idea! There are a lot of people who want to get involved with their community but aren’t exactly sure how to, hence the community org night. It’s in a week and I thought you could do a table? Maybe make heroes out of us?”

James paused, dragging his hand through his black hair. “Um...I know you’re busy but it would be great to have you!”

Lily was ashamed that her first thought was “I want to touch his hair.” She’s a professional for god’s sake! What’s worse was that her second thought was “how can I make this work?” As legislative director, Lily doesn’t interact much with volunteers. However, the outreach and volunteer coordinator happened to be her former roommate and current best friend. If she brought James’s event during this week’s leadership meeting she doubts anyone would tell her not to go, especially Mary.

“How many people are you expecting?” Lily quickly asked, already preparing the meeting.

James looked almost bashful. “Right now we have 120 RSVPs, which is kind of all this place can fit.”

Damn, Lily thought. It made sense, though. Everyone loved Three Broomsticks and its energy, with community-made art, pride flags, and unique mugs.

“I’m in!”

Suddenly, James had reached over the counter and swung his arms around her shoulders. She leaned into him just as he froze up.”

“Shit, shit!” James exclaimed as he recoiled.

Lily couldn’t get a word in before he started talking, pulling the stands of his hair. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe— so unprofessional of me!”

“James it’s fine. All good.”

“I was just really excited that you’re coming, I hope you still are,” James said with a forced laugh.

“Of course I am! I’m about two seconds away from it being in the Google Calendar— then you know it’s official,” Lily joked. James just nodded.

“Well anyways, here’s your regular, it’s on me today.”

Lily wanted to argue but James was practically begging her to leave. Their flirty banter had dissipated in seconds she couldn't fix it. Instead, she thanked him, tipped what she would have paid, and promised to be back in a few days.

Somehow this particular trip wasn’t as restorative as her others.

[jilymicrofics]

No one really compares to James 🥰

@tinyluminaryzombie

@jilymicrofics | July Prompt #1 Tender | 201 words

Lily’s sure of it, James Fleamont Potter has made her a cliche. 

She was simultaneously melting and buzzing with feeling as James’ thumb drew circles on her arm. 

Melting. Buzzing. Falling. All heightened metaphors made love more a performance than reality. 

Lily was sure she’d experienced romantic attraction and love before. She was adamant that sparks were made up, a combination of nervousness and excitement. None of her exes turned her into a goddamn puddle. And that was fine. Because everyone else was embellishing.

So, she had no reason to believe it would be different with James (which just proved how blind-sighted she was because everything was different with James). 

Everything with James was tender and sincere. It was almost too much. Smiling across hallways. Goodbyes lasting half an hour. And her current problem: his thumb on her arm, now falling to her waist. 

Ever since their first kiss, one taste of James turned her blood into sugar-soaked putty, her whole body flushing from too much sweetness. Tilting her head, Lily turned into him and hid her blush in her chest. 

Loving James was turning her into a swooning preteen (it was gross and amazing and too much and not enough).

[jilymicrofics]

A miracle in the dark @tinyluminaryzombie

@jilymicrofics | March Prompt #9 - Resentful | 244 words

Lily’s wedding was small. 

Only ten guests bore witness. She didn’t invite any relatives. Her dress was from the shop around the corner. Sirius cooked Mrs. Potter’s recipes. Remus set up a record player with an amplifier spell.

Maybe Lily should have been resentful. Petunia would have been livid. No bride wanted war to seep through her veil, staining the ceremony and leaving a terrible aftertaste. 

It’s not that Lily didn’t care. She knew she got a raw deal. This wasn’t the kind of love muggles tought their kids. A love that couldn’t save her. A love that might lead to ruin. A love that couldn’t fight fear or pain or death. 

There was a version of Lily and James without the war. They would have gotten together in the same way, bickering through school and a kiss late in the common room. But they would be free and young instead of trapped and tired. She would still melt into him with every kiss and he would still hog the covers. They would get to have friends over more and she could show James her childhood home. They would take their time. 

But this life hadn’t given her time.

Still, it had given her a man with a ferociously kind heart, messy hair, and beautiful eyes. It had given a love, a husband, for a small time. And while that would never be enough, marrying James Potter in any timeline felt like a miracle. 

[jilymicrofics]

We spy the possible @jilymicro-oops tag! 👀 @tinyluminaryzombie

@jilymicrofics | March Prompt #27 - Satisfied | 316 words ~(angsty and a bit steamy)~

Tonight may be the most self-serving Lily’s ever been. 

She’s also sure it will lead to her ruin. 

Lily snaked her hand around James’s under the table two hours ago. She didn’t think to question why he squeezed her hand tight and started whispering jokes in her ear. 

Two hours ago it didn’t matter. Because their intertwined hands were resting on Lily’s leg. It was almost everything she wanted. The universe had fulfilled one-half of her wish and Lily was too afraid to shatter the moment to ask why. She didn’t ask for more, beg for complete satisfaction. No, instead, she took an incomplete dream and ran.

From peeling clothes off her skin to placing her head on a stack of two pillows, James has barely let go of her hand. His determination to always be touching makes Lily want to say things she shouldn’t. Things she’s thought about for way too long and things that could never be taken back. 

It’s on repeat in her brain, right next to the touch of his lips against hers. She’s in love with James. 

“Lils, you still good?” James asks, one finger pulling her lip from her teeth. 

She could change her mind right now and he’d stop in an instant. She knows that he’d be okay with anything she’d want to do. James Potter might not be in love with her, but he’d rather die than hurt anyone he cares about. 

Lily knows the reality of their (lack of) relationship will sting in the morning. She’ll probably cry and hide under the covers for the day. But, she wants this, with James, even if it’s only tonight. 

For once, she is reckless. 

James not loving her will be Future Lily’s problem. 

“Of course,” she breathes out, letting go of James’s hand to rest hers on his neck, pulling him closer. 

How could anything this good be bad?

[jilychallenge]

WHOOOP WHOOOP !! THIS LOOKS AMAZING!

Tried and True

@jilychallenge2023 @jilychallenge | Partner: @abihastastybeans | Winter in June (word count: 1,785)

Prompt: My friends dared me to jump in the pool/beach/lake/river in the middle of winter and those suckers took away the towel and only left my clothes and oh my god you’re standing nearby looking all beautiful and oh god, you’ve also seen me getting out of the water body naked

Good news: Lily finally has a few days off since she joined the Order. Bad news: She's spending her days off in a remote cabin with her ex and their friends. (Or: In which Lily grapples with ~feelings~, James gets some answers, and Wolfstar just gets some)

Read it on AO3

[jilychallenge]

❤️❤️❤️

Mix and Match Until We Collapse

@jilychallenge2023 @jilychallenge | Partner: @randomwholocker | August Movie Quotes (word count: 934)

Prompt:“I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love me.”

At ten years old, James Fleamont Potter crowned himself King of Grand Gestures. At twenty, James was about to surrender his title and resign in disgrace. OR: James tries to figure out the perfect way to propose (during a war).

Read it on a03

[jilymicrofics]

Oooooh a micro that’s gonna become a multichapter!

@tinyluminaryzombie

This Hope is Treacherous

@jilymicrofics | July Prompt #17 Subtle | 552 words

(A college au / friends but kinda more fic)

(Read on A03, will be making this a multi-chapter work)

All the books in the Libary can’t help Lily Evans. She can’t even ask her friends and she definitely can’t ask his friends. 

She tries to imagine telling her friends.  She can see herself looking squarely at Marlene and Dorcas. Taking a deep breath. Opening her mouth and going to speak. And then, nothing. 

Lily has no idea what she would even say. She could pretend to randomly bring up the increased eye contact and “accidental” touches, but even she laughs at the prospect. She can hear Marlene’s cackle and Dorcas’s comment on “Victorian courting.” 

If Lily told her friends about James, they’d ask her for details. They’d expect a declaration of love, complete with a boombox and flowers. 

She supposes confessing your feelings for the same guy you spent hours complaining about will always be embarrassing. Her righteous rants about James hogging the study rooms would suddenly seem more obsessive than furious. But, she stands by her ten-minute speeches and carefully worded texts aimed to destroy. James Potter was arrogant and pretentious.

Okay. James Potter is still arrogant and pretentious. But now Lily knows he’s also loyal, kind, smart, and funny. 

(She also knows what he looks like shirtless after practice, but likes to think that didn’t have any effect.)

Regardless, she’s used to telling Marlene and Dorcas everything. But she can’t seem to stomach acknowledging her unspoken, unacted thing with James. 

A sharp noise pierces her thoughts, and Lily realizes she’s snapped her pen while fidgeting. 

She’ll never be able to run through the door and tell Marlene and Dorcas about their first date or first kiss or first time. Because that’s all it is, a thing. It’s too small, too subtle to have a name. It’s timid smiles and touches and literally nothing else. 

It’s going over last night again and again to find an answer and becoming more undone with uncertainty each time. 

She can still feel the concrete on her back and James’s pinky touching her palm. They had just finished studying together (a recent addition to her schedule). At first, they just sat, cross-legged. Stories seemed to pour out of them, clearly queued up from hours of pouring over books and notes. 

“I used to point that one out all the time,” James whispered. A moment passed until he added, “It’s Siruis’s star,” as he looked at the sidewalk. 

Most of the time, James oozed confidence. But sometimes, his smirk would falter and his eyes would dart between her and the ground.

Lily just nodded and hummed like she normally did, scared to spook James out of talking to her.

“I just wanted him to know that his last name wasn’t the only thing that defined him. You know? Like the star was Sirius before the first Black was ever born and will still be Sirius after the last Black dies.” James sighed loudly, shifting to lie down. 

And fuck, wasn’t that the most James Potter statement ever? So, yes, she lost some restraint last night because there was no way anyone could hear James speak so softly and painfully about someone he loved and not reach out to hold his hand. 

But now it’s today, and she has to grapple with the clear knowledge that holding James Potter’s hand once will never, ever be enough. 

[jilymicrofics]

He just wanted it to be perfect 🥹

Gloomy Days With You

@jilymicrofics | March Prompt #15 - Gloomy | 687 words Read on AO3

“I think the universe hates us,” James grumbled. 

Lily fought the urge to snort, adjusting her head on his shoulder. 

“I think that’s a tad dramatic.”

“Really? ‘Cause today’s our first date and somehow, the worst blizzard we’ve seen in half a century has decided to pop up!” James moved his hand around, gesturing rapidly. Lily moved her hand to his shoulder. “Hogsmeade is closed and you’ve been talking about how you just want to escape Hogwarts for weeks!”

Right. She had been talking about getting away from all the sixth and seventh years prepping for exams. And yes, a few hours away from teenagers furiously breaking their quills and crying in the library would have been nice. But she’d only brought it up because she wanted James to take her. She hoped he’d get the hint quickly and ask her. 

He didn’t. 

She kept up the ruse for three weeks, with no date in sight. A few days ago, sleep-deprived after pulling double shifts to cover for a prefect who had a date, Lily caved. She’d spent hours walking the halls, thinking of James while Pretentious Patrick was most likely making out in a broom closet. She’d had enough. So, Lily walked straight up to James and asked him to be her date to Hogsmeade.

Simple. Straightforward. Nerve-wracking. Potentially friendship ending. But James immediately accepted (after double-checking she meant to ask him out). Immediately after, he started planning “the most perfect Hogsmeade date.” 

Lily looked at James’s pouting face. She couldn’t care less about Hogsmeade. 

“James?” 

“I’m sorry there wasn’t much to do besides play games and sit by the fire. I wanted it to be perfect Lily.” 

Lily wanted to brush the piece of hair covering his forehead. She didn’t know if they were there yet. 

“I know,” she said instead. “I know you wanted it to be perfect.” She took a deep breath and felt her hands shake a little. “But James, I didn’t want perfect. I just wanted to go on a date with you.” 

Lily closed her eyes tight. Too fast, too soon, she thought. They hadn’t even kissed yet and here she was, confessing her big, heavy feelings. 

She felt a calloused thumb on her cheekbone and squeezed her eyes tighter.

“Lils, it’s okay, you can open you’re eyes. I promise. In fact please open your eyes, they’re beautiful. There’s nothing you can say that will scare me off. Ever since Wednesday, I’m in constant awe that you might feel some fraction of what I feel for you.”

She wanted to kiss James and shove him at the same time. How dare he be so romantic and soft? How dare he not know how deeply her feelings go? How dare he act as if she wasn’t in love with him for months? 

“James, you absolute moron. I love you. Of course, I’d want to spend a gloomy day together. And of course, I’d want to spend a perfect Hosgemeeade trip together. And of course…” Lily paused, gathering her breath. 

“Lily,” James whispered, face full of reverence. His hand rested on her jaw. In the midst of talking, she had pulled herself up from James’s chest. She only now realized she was almost straddling him. His face was inches from hers. His eyes danced between her own and her lips. 

“As much as I love this speech, and I do, I love you more. Can I…”

Lily leaned forward, closing the gap. 

Suddenly, her lips were on his and his on hers. It was easy and overwhelming all at the same time. She ran her hand through his hair, finding it as soft as she’d always imagined. James kissed her with certainty. Every cell in her body felt his dedication. She wanted James to feel exactly how she was.

“I. Love. You.” She murmured between kisses. James smiled widely, pausing to let out a quiet laugh. 

Lily promised herself that she’d remind him of her love, show it so often and deeply, that eventually James would think it was impossible to live in a world where Lily Evans didn’t love James Potter. 

[jilymicrofics]

Bless him (and his mates) @tinyluminaryzombie

@jilymicrofics | August Prompt 5 Denial | 363 words

“Oh my god, it’s like he’s in full-blown denial!”

“Sirius, I’m not in denial! Don’t look at Remus like that! You’re just delusional, come on, Remus— tell Sirius I’m right.”

It hasn’t been this chaotic in the boy’s dormitory for months and Sirius and James didn’t even notice when Peter left, grumbling on about “shutting up and making up.” If he’s being honest, it’s giving Remus a bit of a headache.

But, Remus loves his friends. And as much as he doesn't want to break the silence as Sirius and James stare at him, James needs him.

“Honestly...James, you’re telling me you see nothing romantic about this?” Remus finally says, sitting back down on Sirius’s bed.

James doesn’t respond, but Remus finds a small smile before it’s pushed back down. Okay then. He’s going to have to tread this line carefully. Don’t freak James out. Don’t get him self-conscious. Let him find the obvious answer.

“James. You’ve been hanging out— alone—like three times a week for the past few months. She comes to your quidditch after parties. When has she ever done that? You’re tutoring her in transfiguration. And now: she asks you want to meet up over break so she can show you the sights of Muggle London. What do you think that—”

“It’s a bloody date! Evans asked you on a date and one would think you’d be prepared because you’ve been waiting your whole life for this moment but no! We’re mopping inside, pretending the girl of your dreams doesn't want you.”

“Sirius.” They had talked about this. Remus was going to approach this delicately. He wanted James to come to the conclusion on his own and have the “oh shit, she likes me” moment he deserves. Remus looks at James again, who has started to rapidly blink while shaking his head.

“You okay, James?”

James blinks twice more before jumping into action.

“Holy shit! Okay. Okay. We need a plan!” James screams frantically. “This is fine. This is good. Okay. Date with Lily. What am I going to say? What am I going to wear? Remus: you’re on flashcard duty. Sirius: it’s shopping time!”

There he is.

[jilymicrofics]

Ooh intriguing jily playing match maker @tinyluminaryzombie

Indulgence

For @jilymicrofics | March Prompt #13 - Indulge

“Damn it, Alice!” Lily muttered under her breath, quickly stabbing her lunch with a fork. 

Five minutes before Alice was supposed to meet her in the Great Hall, Lily got a note saying Alice was preoccupied. Which, good for Alice. But less good for someone (i.e. Lily) now sitting alone, trying to ignore Slytherins across the room and passive-aggressively eating over-cooked meat. 

Potter broke her silence, slinging his bag to the floor as he sat next to her. “Evans I have a proposal.”  

“Yeah, it’s gonna be a no.” 

“Not that kind of proposal.” 

Instead of answering, Lily poured more sugar into her tea. James seizing the opportunity started to explain. 

“Look I think you have some information and I have some information and for the betterment of our lives, our friends' lives, and society as a whole I think we should join forces. There’s no way you don’t know. I’ve seen you watch them and you always have this smirk, not that I’m watching you! But we’ve been hanging out more and you seem to know and—”

“Potter, what are you on about?” 

“Sirius. Remus. Loves of each other's lives. Soulmates, if you will. Current partners in crime and future life partners.” At this, Potter’s hands came together, “I have a plan to get them together.”

Lily was startled. Not by the whole Sirus and Remus Keep Making Eyes At Each Other situation, but by James’ serious tone. Which fits, she thought. Because Potter was reckless and loud and sometimes impossible, but never at the expense of his friends. She’s known him for years and still gets overwhelmed by how fiercely he loves his people.

If she’s being truthful, it’s made her want to be one of them—one of the people James Potter loves—however complicated that may be. 

“Yes, I’m in.” Despite her skepticism of Potter’s pranks, Lily asked no questions. She needed some fun in this madness. 

In the last five minutes, he had walked in and seemingly saved her day. Maybe it was a reckless decision, but she thought she deserved even a mirage of normalcy. 

So, Lily slipped her books back into her bag, eager to indulge in the comfort of being next to James without having to dissect what it could mean (yet).