#jake jarman oneshot

[jjmaybanksdomgf]

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STRONGER TOGETHER

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The 2024 Paris Olympics were in full swing, and the energy in the Bercy Arena was electric. Athletes from all over the world had gathered to compete at the highest level, each with dreams of standing on the podium. Among them were Jake Jarman and Michaela McCarthy, two of Great Britain's finest gymnasts. Both had trained for years, pushing their bodies and minds to the limit for this moment. This year, they were competing together, their shared goals and support driving them forward.

Jake and Michaela had first met at a national training camp years ago and had quickly become close friends, their bond strengthened by their shared passion for gymnastics. Jake was a somewhat awkward, quiet and introverted child, Michaela was the exact same. Their friendship had blossomed into something deeper, a loving relationship built on mutual respect and unwavering support. Michaela loved Jake with all of her heart and Jake loved Michaela just as much, they were always there for one another. Despite the two being in a relationship, the only people who knew of it were themselves, friends and relatives. They were unsure of how the media would react to the two Olympians being together.

Today was the men's all-around competition, and Jake was preparing for his first event: the floor exercise. Michaela was in the stands, staring down at him, her heart pounding with anticipation. She knew exactly what Jake was feeling – the mix of nerves and excitement, the weight of expectations. She had her own competition the next day, but today, she was here to cheer for him. She knew how badly he wanted to win a medal, so she just hoped he would do as great as he normally does.

Jake stepped onto the mat, the applause from the crowd a distant hum in his ears. He looked around the crowd, smiling at fans who applauded for him before his eyes locked with the brunette's eyes, she mouthed 'good luck' to him and he gave her a small smile before turning away. He closed his eyes for a moment, centering himself, and then began his routine. Each tumbling pass was executed with precision, his movements a blend of power and grace. Michaela watched as he jumped and flipped through the air, her hands harshly clenched in her lap, hoping for him to succeed. She could feel the tension in her muscles mirroring his as he flipped and spun through the air.

When Jake finished his routine with a flawless landing, the crowd erupted in cheers. Michaela leaped to her feet, clapping her hands together and shouting out his name. He looked up at her, that same adorable triumphant smile on his face, and gave a small wave. She grinned at him and waved back, feeling a surge of pride, knowing how hard he had worked to get here. The sight of his confident smile and the sound of his name on the crowd’s lips filled her with both pride and a sense of calm.

As Jake moved through his events – pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, and high bar – Michaela was there every step of the way, her presence a steady source of encouragement. She cheered loudly, her voice rising above the din of the arena, each time he nailed a landing or executed a difficult move with perfection. His performances were strong, and by the end of the competition, he was in contention for a medal.

The final scores were announced, and Jake had won silver. The joy on his face was indescribable, and Michaela's heart swelled with happiness for him. She pushed her way through the crowd to congratulate him. "You did it, Jake!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. "You were absolutely amazing out there. Every single move was perfect! God, I'm so happy for you, Jake!" She screamed, hugging him with a huge smile on her face.

He hugged her tightly, lifting her off the ground. "I couldn't have done it without you, Michaela. Thank you for coming and supporting me, I love you."

She kissed his cheek, her eyes shining with pride. "I love you too, you were incredible out there. I'm so proud of you, of course I came. All those hours in the gym, all the sacrifices – it was all worth it."

The next day, it was Michaela's turn. The women's all-around competition was just as intense, and she felt the familiar mix of nerves and excitement as she prepared for her first event: the uneven bars. Jake was in the stands, cheering her on, his presence a comforting anchor in the sea of noise and movement. She took a deep breath, reminding herself of the countless hours of practice, the meticulous preparation that had brought her here.

Michaela mounted the bars with a graceful swing, her body moving with fluid precision. Each release and catch was flawless, her routine a testament to her years of hard work and dedication. As she dismounted, landing perfectly, the crowd erupted in applause. Jake jumped up out of his seat and screamed excitedly for her, he was the loudest, his voice cutting through the din.

As the competition progressed, Michaela moved through her events – balance beam, floor exercise, and vault. Each performance was strong, but she knew the competition was fierce. The balance beam, her strongest event, became her stumbling block. In the middle of a complex series of flips and twists, she wobbled, her foot slipping just enough to throw off her balance. She managed to stay on the beam, but the error cost her precious points. When the final scores were tallied, she had narrowly missed a medal, finishing in fourth place.

The disappointment was sharp, a bitter sting that threatened to overwhelm her. The sting of the error, that tiny wobble that loomed large in her mind, clouded the pride of her overall performance. As she stepped off the mat, Jake was there, pulling her into a tight embrace, and rubbing her back soothingly.

"You were incredible, Michaela," he said, his voice filled with encouragement but with a hint of guilt. "You gave it your all, and that's what matters."

She buried her face in his shoulder and poured her eyes out. "I wanted to win so badly, Jake. I trained so hard for this moment and I just fucked it up."

He pulled back, looking into her eyes with unwavering support before cupping her face. "I know you trained so hard but you were still amazing. You showed everyone what you're capable of, and that's something to be proud of. A wobble doesn’t define your talent or your hard work, it was just a small accident, baby."

She nodded, taking a deep breath and wiping her eyes. "You're right. I gave it everything I had, and that’s what really matters. But it’s hard not to think about what could have been, if it wasn't for my terrible balance and wobbly legs."

He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Everyone has moments like that, Michaela. It's part of the sport. But you showed your grace and strength. I'm so proud of you, and so is everyone else."

They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other's arms, finding solace in their shared experience. The pair had quickly realised that they were still in public and that the media were definitely going to know about them, but they didn't care. The Olympics had tested them both, pushing them to their limits, but it had also brought them closer together. They had each faced their own challenges and come through stronger for it.

That evening, they sat together on a bench outside the athletes' village, the Paris skyline a glittering backdrop. Jake's silver medal gleamed in the fading light, a symbol of his achievement. Michaela leaned against him, her hand resting on his.

"You know," Jake said, breaking the silence, "we may not have both won first place, but we still have each other. And that's worth more than anything."

Michaela rolled her eyes with a smile, her heart swelling with love. "I still wish I could've won at least silver but I'm happy you won it instead."

Jake turned to her, his eyes filled with affection and determination. "Exactly. And this is just one chapter in our story. There will be more competitions and more opportunities. But through it all, we'll face everything together, supporting and pushing each other like we always have."

Michaela nodded, feeling a renewed sense of hope and strength. "Yeah, together. No matter what comes our way, we’ll face it side by side. We’ve always been stronger together, I guess."

They sat there, side by side, watching as the city lights twinkled like stars. The road to the Olympics had been long and difficult, filled with challenges and triumphs. But they had faced it together, supporting each other every step of the way. And as they looked toward the future, they knew that whatever came next, they would face it together, stronger than ever.

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