Frank x Mila Halloween

Ok, I'm a little late but I got there! Also, I know flirting with Jason will only get you dead faster but try telling her that.

Hello! Oh my god thank you so much!! It makes me so happy when people like JWIN 💙💙💙 I know it's a beast of a story and still going lol. (Also I'm going to refer to Bell as she here to make it easy)

How did I come up with it? Well, it all started with Cold War and Frank Woods kicking a Soviet Guard in the face 😂. That was the moment when I realized that Frank Woods was my guy. (I played Cold War before BO1 & 2 I knew nothing.) Also, given that before that mission, Frank was the first person in the Cold War crew with whom I felt any kind of genuine camaraderie. He's the first person who gave Bell a real compliment and then he rescues her like that?? Be still my heart.

The gears really started turning when Bell and Woods got to the fake American town. And of course, there was that memorable moment when Woods jokes around about loving Bubby, the Burger Town mascot (I think his love of Bubby/Burger Town is something more, it's about small joys. I could write an essay on it, but that's not the question here). Anyway, yes, this ALL is part of it I promise. So I had this idea in my head of Woods and Bell going to get burgers after their mission.

And that idea stuck with me after the end of Cold War. I just felt sad for Bell. I wanted her to have some nice moments amidst all the bad. Because I liked all the Safehouse characters I wanted to see them and Bell having human moments. And I firmly believe that Woods and Mason didn't know what was going on with Bell (they just don't act like it and that is another essay lol).

And then I went back and played Black Ops 1&2 because I loved Woods and Mason so much. And damnit if Black Ops 2 wasn't a gut punch. It hurt so much to see that after everything he went through Woods was alone. Not that anyone has to be in a relationship to be complete in life, but I was feeling sad about Bell already and now Frank. It just felt natural to me to bring them together.

My first approach to telling the story was through a comic. I started with the Burger Town story. But when I got to what would have been the final page of that part I realized I didn't want to just tell a story about happy memories. She was suddenly so alive to me. And while Bell's status was basically certain since they didn't cover it in the MP (and still haven't covered it in 6) - we didn't see her die so I can explain around it.

At that time, a comic took far too long to produce, so I decided to just write the story. And at first, I thought JWIN would be maybe 6 chapters. It would still have the structure of memories plus "present day" but Frank would have saved her faster. BUT THEN I realized well shit what would Frank's motivation be?? Sure they spent a night together before either of them knew anything, but now she's his enemy! So I had to figure out a way to plausibly get these two together and also redeem Mila.

From there, was (and still is) a lot of research about Soviet activities during the Cold War to see what would work for Milas past. I wanted to write the story in a way that Mila's memories or any other action sequences would fit well into a Black Ops game. I know Black Ops will grab things from history and expand on them to create a well-rounded story so that's the approach I wanted to take. And I want things to at least sort of make sense. The last thing I want is for a reader to be pulled out of the story for something like that.

It's also very important to me to stay true to the characters. I refuse to compromise a character for the sake of the story. To me it's part of the challenge of a fic. If there's something I want them to do I need to set up the story to direct them there or they just won't do it and I'll have to figure something else out. It was also important to me to have the other characters grow and reveal things about themselves.

Also, I don't like to compromise on canon. JWIN fits in the spaces between canon. So yeah, I was biting my nails before BO6 came out and MP does have me a little on edge but, I can get back to more regular updates. PHEW

I hope that answered your question. If you want me to expand on anything or if you have any other questions feel free to ask! I so appreciate you reading and enjoying JWIN and taking the time to tell me. 💙💙💙

"I was just thinking-"

"Hmm?"

"Well we're in Vegas-"

"Yeah?"

"Thought maybe this time you'd say yes-"

LOOK AT THIS GORGEOUS ARTWORK FROM @sleepyconfusedpotato (go commission her she'll make your dreams into art)

I couldn't be happier. It was such a blast to work with her on this too. She really understood my vision and just LOOK AT IT. Thank you so much Sleepy 💙💙💙

Yes, there may be a little fic to go along with this. No, I'm not saying that this is the ending of JWIN. It's just an idea for a happy ending. One where Frank and Mila can relax, go on a road trip (David is visiting his Aunt Dot), and they end up in Vegas. And even though Frank has asked her before, he asks her again if she wants to get married. And this time she says yes. And of course, they get Burger Town afterwards.

ALEXXXXX I LOVE IT SO MUCH THANK YOU 💙💙💙

THEY LOOK SO GOOD I'M SCREAMING

OH MY GOD LOOK AT THEM

THEY'RE SO CUTE IN YOUR STYLE SLEEPY AND THEY LOOK SO HAPPY!!! I LOVE IT SO MUCH THANK YOU!!!

YOU'RE SO SWEET 💙💙💙

OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH

THEY'RE SO CUTE!!! 💙💙💙 MY BABIES

I can't believe you drew me ANYTHING after eye surgery you're so sweet. And thank you for your kind words I needed them. AND YOU'RE AN AMAZING BLACK OPS ARTIST

Just What I Needed - Chapter 26 (PG-13 version)

Chapter List

Word Count: 2385

Frank Woods x fem!Bell

Author's note: The smut in this chapter has been edited out. Just a heads up there still is some, I'd say PG-13, making out happening here. If you would like the full version you can find that here.

Frank wouldn’t have said he was expecting it, but when Mila’s lips touched his he kissed her back.  No hesitation on his part. He placed his hand over hers, holding her to his chest. He gently squeezed her hand, encouraging her. But whatever she wanted to do next was up to her. Frank didn’t want to risk pressuring her. Even without the drugs she was still vulnerable. And though his feelings about her were more complicated, he still found Mila attractive. If this was what she wanted he wouldn’t push her away.  

JWIN Ch 7 (iykyk)

This is a drawing that I made about a year ago that helped kickstart me back into comics. I can't believe it's been almost a year. It's a very imperfect drawing, lots of things I would change. But given that it brought me back to doing the thing I love the most I have a special affection for it.

And maybe I'll get around to redrawing it. Or not.

Also, I haven't posted anything of them in some time. This takes place in 1981 in the middle of the Cold War campaign. I do have a 90s drawing of them coming up, I've just had a lot on my plate and so it's going slow. Thanks to everyone who have been so cool and supportive over the last year. 💙

taglist: @socially-awkward-skeleton, @welldonekhushi, @islandtarochips, @sagitamds, @adlerboi, @kithauk, @elyseenmiel, @guigz1-coldwar, @frankwoods, @revnah1406, @writeforfandoms,@sparklight1242, @eccentrcks, @kaitaiga, @imagoddamnonionmason, @walder-138, @alypink, @voltac, @raresvtm, @iamcautiouslyoptimistic, @mango-parfait, @direwolfspostsrandomshit

opt in/out here

8. Who is the big spoon? Little spoon?

Frank is the big spoon most of the time. Look at how touchy-feely he is in the game. Man's a cuddler. Though he wouldn't mind occasionally being the little spoon. He'd appreciate Mila being physically affectionate with him.

18. They've had a major blowout. How do they handle it?

At first Frank would be the one trying to work things out here and now. He's a "we don't to bed angry: kind of guy. While Mila is more of a retreater. She's stubborn so she needs some time to sort through her thoughts (and just be mad for a while) and see where she may have gone wrong. For Frank, it depends on the situation. He will sometimes need the time to think, but usually, he just ends up waiting on her to come back to him so they can talk it out when they're both calmer. Unless he has new information or realizes he genuinely fucked up. Then he's going straight to her.

25. Do they have any pet names for one another?

(answered previously) Not in particular. Sometimes Frank calls Mila babe or ‘tough gal,’ but mostly they just use each other’s names. Frank is especially conscious of calling her Mila to reassure her that he respects her new name.

that ask yesterday is already fueling this goddess au I have had floating in my head for a minute

Alyyyyyyy I know I told you before but this is so gorgeous, so beautiful. I'm in love and obsessed 💙💙💙 His expression is killing me. Thank you so much lovely, it was such a nice surprise to get. Your art is so amazing!!

I was tagged by @alypink to take this quiz. Thanks Alex 💙💙💙 And damn I guess even the quiz is bullying me into working on JWIN. tagging: @frankwoods, @mango-parfait, @socially-awkward-skeleton, @alexxmason

even though I already know all your ships are canon 💙

urge to draw Frank and Mila hanging out in the 90s. He's never getting his flannel back