#ibfibg

[kay-elle-cee]

IBFIBG James POV

🫣 This is one of those that I haven't worked on since the last time I played this game, I'm sorry!

BUT yes, I want to do an IBFIBG companion piece from James' POV covering the 2-year gap between chapters 4 & 5. I have a bit written, and a lot of Taylor Swift songs for reference, but I want to give it the attention it properly deserves, which will mean immersing myself in the IBFIBG world again. I'm hoping do have this done by September for the 2-year (wow?!) anniversary of IBFIBG, but it truly depends on how ISOSM and latter days are going.

Here's a snippet:

“You know that raggedy old shopfront–Murk’s?” “Yeah, what of it?” “…Evans works there.” Four days. He had managed to keep his distance for four days. But now, standing on the other side of the street from Murk’s Apothecary, he can see her—faintly, through the grime-covered windows. Lily. What’s felt like a hollow ache in his chest suddenly fills with breath-altering agony as memories from those last few weeks of term flood in to fill the cavern. The pain in her eyes the night of Slughorn’s party, the swirling confusion between them as he told her he loved her and she’d responded with all the building fire of a dying star, imploding on itself. The absolute desolation he’d felt to wake up and find her gone. And then…numbness.

Ask me about my WIPs!

[kay-elle-cee]

I cannot FATHOM that one of my fics has reached 10k hits, much less that it’s one of my favorite pieces I’ve written. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who have shown love to i’ll be fine, i’ll be good. It truly means so much to me.

Also, how weird is this timing? I’ve been thinking a lot about my post-hogwarts James companion piece this week…hopefully coming your way in 2025.

[kay-elle-cee]

If you could recommend one of your fics to me which would it be and why?

Hi anon! This might be cheating, but I'm going to give you 2 recs: an angsty multichapter and a fluffy oneshot.

Fluffy Oneshot: A Thrill Divine, Down My Spine — T. 2.3k. This was something I put together rather quickly, but was gripped by the idea and the vibes of a song. I had so much fun writing a no-Voldemort AU Friends-to-Lovers Jily. I let them really just have fun with each other, and I really think that bubbled up to the writing. This continues to be one of my favorite little fics I've written.

Angsty Multichapter: i'll be fine, i'll be good — M. 6 Chapters. 63k. Conversely to the above, this is the fic that's taken me the LONGEST to write, so far. The idea of a Slytherin Lily who is still so recognizable as the Lily we know from canon, and how her sorting affects her relationships and life, is so compelling to me. It's probably the fic that means the most to me—I feel so much for this Lily and am so proud of her growth and how she takes control of her life.

Thank you for this ask, it was a fun one!

[kay-elle-cee]

Hey, I hope you like this Moodboard that I made for: i’ll be fine, i’ll be good (just so you know it had taken me awhile to get a font that I like, still not super happy about that. Canva doesn’t have the font that I’m looking for, typical. Hehe, anywho read below 👀)

I choose the colors for the moodboard because it represents the dark and gloomy days and years that Lily Evans faces in your story. However, if you notice there is some color, which shows that even amongst those dark days where Lily’s “inner Horcrux” is taunting her. There’s still a glimmer of hope that at the end she would be happy. I want to explain what a few of the images above represent.

The white lily pictured above: Represents purity, innocence and rebirth. In the beginning of this amazing angst filled story we see a little eleven year old girl that is excited to be join a world filled of magic. It made her feel special because magic made her feel unique, Lily was the picture of pure innocence.

Life isn’t supposed to be easy, Lily. Things aren’t just handed to you, you have to work for them.’- Petunia’s words in chapter 1 of ibfibg

This line does speak volumes because it’s a painful truth that Lily soon finds out. Which can also relate to real life events, it’s terrifying to know not everything will be perfect and there can be dark moments in someone’s life that can last a day or for several years.

The hand holding pictured above: This is James and Lily, not actually but let’s pretend it is. You see, it can be difficult to learn how to trust someone. Especially if that someone you used to call a toerag, named James Fleamont Potter. I believe that Lily is one of the strongest and noble hearted characters ever, but she also deals with massive amounts of self-hatred. So throughout this story, Lily is being taunted by her thoughts, there’s simply no escaping her reality. Yet, one person manages to help her see how important she is, he helps her silence those voices that try to consume her entire soul.

she allows that nagging voice to be momentarily silenced, allowing herself to fall into thoughts of nothing but James, James, James.— Lily’s thoughts in chapter 4 ibfibg

I believe if she didn’t have James to help anchor her (vice versa) she would’ve spiraled into a never ending abyss of darkness. One of which her soul would be shattered along with the tiny flicker of light that would be extinguished before it has the chance to burn brightly.

Not that Lily needs a man to help keep her happy, no not at all. Lily needs someone who loves her unconditionally and will support her through the dark moments in life. Someone who isn’t afraid to fight for what’s right and most of all someone who will let her be her own person. That is one of the most important aspects in a relationship, having space from your partner but also letting them in when you are feeling vulnerable.

The bright red heart: I believe during harsh times, you lose the ability to love over time. Or, you set walls all around your heart and mind so nobody can harm it ever again. Lily tries her hardest to keep her heart secure, because it avoids hurt and devastation. Instead this just hurts her even more because the voices in her head are winning causing her heart to be tinted in the black. It doesn’t stop there, it causes the one’s who love and care for her to be affected.

“What you did broke him, Evans.”— Sirius in chapter 5

James obviously was heartbroken when Lily ends things with him. However, I feel is that Sirius goes through it a lot harder (in a way) for example he builds a bond with Lily overtime. With James they are practically soulmates in another life (like Harry and Ron, one simply can’t live without the other). So, when Lily ends the relationship who’s there to keep James from spiraling?

It’s Sirius, not Remus or Peter. It’s Sirius and will always be Sirius. If I’m honest, Sirius is the best friend for James, no exceptions. But James has a heart of gold so he will not leave his other two friends behind. Not trying to hate on the Marauders but thats how I see their friendship. It’s truly complex. (Also, the micro you wrote in the collection; in laughter, in strife. I loved how you analyzed each of the boys)

Anyways, I’m rambling, nothing new there, let’s get back to the topic.

Sirius feels resentful towards Lily and to be honest I feel that was in a way a wake up call. By that I mean, Lily doesn’t know how important of a role she played in James’s life until it was almost too late and of course Sirius will not sugar coat anything. He feels the pain, not only for James but himself, he lost Lily who had become a staple in his life.

There’s honestly so much I want to say about this Jily fic, and trust me I have another ask I’m gonna send your way. Even if it takes me eighty-four years to get to it, haha. Need not worry, it won’t take that long…..unless I purposely have you waiting and making you constantly check your ask box and hope that one day a Gryffindor that likes to be a rascal at times sends an ask your way.

The paranoia will soon consume you and all you’ll think about will be a surprise ask. Except I won’t send it…. just yet, just to prove how much Gryffindors can and will get under the skin of a Slytherin. Your mind will be filled with the name Gryffindor.

Gryffindor, Gryffindor, Gryffindor- Kelsey’s inner most thoughts 🤧 I-I need a minute….

It’ll you realize that your home is in a different house, hahaha, all part of my plan 😏 clever I know!

Hmm, that does sound like fun….oooh, better yet I can send you this poem that I wrote just for you, -> light within the darkness tell me what you think 🥹🥺 it’s loaded with honesty and it’s from the bottom of my heart! I’m quite proud of the stanzas, I was inspired by a fellow Jily writer that goes by the name @uncertainwallflower, well that’s not her name it would be unique if it was haha.

Until the year 4590 🫢

Okay well, Nena, I just really don't know where to start with this 🥺.

Thank you so much for creating this moodboard! I am...speechless, truly, and so so honored that i'll be fine, i'll be good has meant so much to you.

I love the pictures you've chosen! Thank you so much for walking me through your explanations, it's truly so special to be able to understand your thoughts and reasoning around the story.

Everything you've said about James post-seventh year, and his relationship with Sirius and the others has me jumping side to side in anticipation. I am slowly working on a James POV that kind of addresses this and I'm so happy that it's on your mind. (Also thank you for the 1 Night, 4 POV micro series compliment! I really enjoyed doing that!)

You are spot on with your Sirius analysis. Once James and Lily get (back) together, he's the last to fully come around because he holds that grudge, and with good reason (and Lily, to her credit, understands this).

Thank you again, Nena, truly. I cannot accurately express how incredibly meaningful this ask was 🥺 I'm touched.

(But also.....I cannot BELIEVE I fell for that link. I CACKLED when I realized what was happening 😂 Touche, friend, touche.)

💕💕💕

[kay-elle-cee]

Omg I just saw i’ll be fine, i’ll be good hit 100 bookmarks 🥹🫶🏼💕

[kay-elle-cee]

Heeeyy Kelsey! What a fun ask game! Can you answer ★ for ibfibg please?

Ah, thanks Cam! This is such a good question!

★ what was the scene you most wanted to write in ibfibg? what was the hardest scene to write?

So the one scene I was always excited to write, even before having most of the plot outlined, was the Lily and Snape confrontation in Diagon Alley. (This stems from some lyrics in the song that inspired the fic, Twinkle Lights by The Sonder Bombs.) I'm incredibly happy with how it turned out, but I came across this exchange from my original outline that I completely forgot about and it bummed me out that I left it out (but to be fair I think after writing the story up until that point, they had progressed past this point by then) 😅

"Not everything’s black and white, Lily.” "But this is! How do you not see that?”

Now for the hardest scene? Probably the scene in the Order infirmary in chapter 6 when they're trying to use Lily's potion to counteract the effects of the poison. I think in-depth physical description is my weakness, and I didn't want to cross the line to something too gruesome. Adding to that that there was some heavy exposition/explanation needed that I didn't want to come across too heavy-handed/deus ex machina...it took a lot of staring at my computer trying to figure out 😅

Thank you again for the ask!

Fic Asks Game!

[kay-elle-cee]

Has no one inquired after ibfibg James' POV? 👀

Hey Anna! They have, and you can learn more here and here.

I’m running out of things to say about this one since it’s not really fully formed, but for you, my Taylor-stranger friend, I will link you one of the songs I posted lyrics from.

TY!

Ask me about my WIPs!

[kay-elle-cee]

IBFIBG JAMES POV

please 🥺

Nena! I've answered some in depth here, but I can give a bit more overview....

My idea is that this will be James' kind of "in-between" years, from the time he first sees Lily at Murk's through the window (which honestly is only about a few weeks after Slughorn's party) from when he gets assigned with Sam.

Still definitely a conceptual WIP, so could change, but that's what I'm thinking. I know @athenasparrow has also asked for a James POV the morning they wake up in the shop in Chapter 6 so....might tie that in somehow. Who knows?

Thanks for the ask!

Ask me about my WIPs!