A/N: Just a short one.
Day two of competition brought the last of the finals. For the women, that meant beam and floor.
Beam was JJ's pet event, but this year, it was the most pressure packed. She was the reigning World and Olympic champion on the event, and therefore, she knew she was expected to deliver again. She knew she could deliver a brilliant routine, but would it be enough to hold a lead over the other girls?
So she had mounted that beam with confidence. If she was going for the gold, she had to make sure the margin held every tenth she could muster.
Layout flight series? Good. Leap series? Beautiful. Turns? Solid.
When she dismounted with her full twisting double tuck, she was ecstatic. At this lower (for her) difficulty level, it was the best routine she had ever done. Earning herself a 15.133, she was easily into the lead.
Most of the final had been a bit of a blur to her. She had noticed Aliya's gorgeous beam at the start of the final, which had earned a 14.900 to sit just behind JJ. Kyla had also done very well, securing herself a 14.833 after an enquiry to hold onto third place. Larisa Iordache of Romania was expected to challenge, but had conceded that idea after falling on her full twisting tuck, the same skill she had fallen on in the Olympic final the previous year.
None of the other girls had managed to match the top three, and so it was that JJ came away with her second world beam title and a smile that stretched from ear to ear as she headed into the floor finals.
Floor had been no contest. It was Simone's from the beginning. Her routine was electric, inviting the crowd to cheer and clap along as she flipped and danced her way to her second world title. Vanessa Ferrari of Italy had been hoping to take a world floor title, but once Simone had stepped up to the podium, there was no contest.
JJ's had been upbeat and lively as well, the crowd joining in and clapping along for parts of it. She had finished with a smile on her face, content with the knowledge that even if she didn't medal there, she was still coming home with two medals.
But she did. Tying with Larisa Iordache, she earned herself a second bronze, a third medal behind Ferrari and Simone. Her Worlds had ended on a good note, and even though it had been a long year of trying to make it back, she was filled with renewed energy.
Running on an emotional high, she had settled herself in her room once they made it back to the hotel. They had a couple of hours before they had to head to the post competition banquet, which JJ was really looking forward to. But she was also eager to speak to Will now that the competition was completely over. It was clear that Will was eagerly as keen to speak to her, because the phone had barely rung when he picked up.
"Hey beam queen"
JJ broke into a smile, laying back against the pillow as she pressed her phone to her ear. "Hey"
"How does it feel to be repeat world champion?"
"Amazing," she said softly, her smile growing wider. "Somehow, it felt even more special knowing that you were watching from home"
"I tend to have that effect on people"
JJ laughed. "God, I miss you so much. I can't wait to see you"
"You're gettin' a little needy, JJ," Will teased, making JJ laugh. "I must be too much for your sheltered little heart to handle"
"Has anyone ever told you that you have a big head?"
"Yes. You. Multiple times. But you've also told me that something else of mine is on the larger side as well"
JJ felt her cheeks flame hot. "Will!"
Will laughed. "What, do you deny it?"
"Well, I... n-no-"
Laughing, Will cut her off. "You're startin' to sound like your old self, Jennifer Jareau"
"Can you stop?" JJ giggled. "My face is bright red and I'm sure someone is going to walk in any minute and ask me what's going on"
"Alright, alright," Will chuckled. "All that aside, babe, I'm proud of you. I know how nervous you were before qualifications, but you'd never have guessed it from the performances you gave. You absolutely rocked it"
Smiling, JJ sank back against the headboard of her bed. "Thanks babe. I'm proud of myself too"