A/N: Nothing to say :). Enjoy the read.
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Lyoko! Only my imagination :)!
Ulrich was looking through some files when Yumi knocked on his office door. "Hey, it's almost lunch time. Do you want to go to the cafeteria today?" Yumi asked. She was holding her phone in one hand as she stood in the door opening.
"Sure, I'll finish this and then we'll go," he let her know. She nodded, but didn't turn away. "You know, exactly one week from now it's ELITA's anniversary," Yumi spoke up. "I just forwarded the invitation to Aelita and she plans to keep it a surprise for Jeremie."
Yumi watched Ulrich lock his monitor's screen before he got up. "That's cool. It will be a double surprise for Jeremie when he looks down," he said. Ulrich started to laugh. "Let's just hope he'll sit through it for Aelita's sake," Yumi told him. "It will be alright. In the worst case scenario Einstein will be frozen to the bone for a few hours. Although I believe heights don't bother him as much as they used to," he revealed.
"Did Jeremie tell you?" Yumi wondered. In the meantime Ulrich had walked towards her. "Yeah, he did," he confirmed. "That's good news for Aelita then. I hope the two of them will enjoy it." Ulrich came closer. "I'm sure they will. Now that we're speaking about dates, will you go on a spring date with me today?" he softly asked her.
Yumi was a little flustered. She had to get used to this side of him. "Where will we be going?"
He smiled. "I don't know. To be honest," he stroked her cheek, "I'm tired. Work, dad, these people… Let's take a long walk and stop worrying about our current problems."
She studied his face. "Is there something else? Besides those three?"
He let go and grabbed her hand next. "I'm hungry. Let's go," he said and pulled her along to the other door. "Wait, is there more? Tell me," she urged him on.
"I'll tell you later," he promised. Yumi complied with his wish and silently thought about what it could be.
A few hours later, Yumi had already shut down her computer and waited for Ulrich to come out. When she wasn't busy with work, she had conjured a list in her mind. "Maybe he is still concerned about William? Maybe his uncle found out? His mother has presented him with something troublesome? Or.. Sissi?" Yumi shook her head. They all made no sense. Ulrich seemed to have a better grip on his emotions when William was involved. She assumed none of the colleagues (except Kelly) knew about their relationship. Other than Ulrich, no one could have informed the director. The other two reasons were highly unlikely as well, since Ulrich never mentioned either of them in a long time.
Ulrich came out of his office the moment she finished going through her list. "Done for the day?" She asked. "Yes, let's go explore," he said. Yumi was excited again. She had elongated her bag's strap and now wore it as a shoulder bag diagonally from right to left. "First, we'll drive to a place near my apartment," Ulrich explained. "Once the car is parked, we can stroll around the neighbourhood," he said. "Okay," Yumi cheerily answered.
"The band is coming out with a new album," he started a conversation in the car. "I heard it will be their last, for now. Since there are two Asian members with a dual nationality in their core staff who wish to serve their time in the military, the band members found this a great opportunity to get some rest," Yumi said. "There is also the manager who is getting married," Ulrich reminded her. "Yes, I guess the wait for a comeback will be quite long." Ulrich parked his car. "We'll survive that," he grinned. Yumi laughed.
When they had gotten out, he took her hand and they started their walk.
"So, what's on your mind?" Yumi immediately asked.
"There is no point in not mentioning this to you, but it's still going to be hard. The timing really sucks," he squeezed her hand a little harder. "It's my uncle. He's sending a team abroad to participate in a brand new project that will start in June. I wasn't part of the initial group that will go," he paused and Yumi dreaded his follow-up.
"And now you are?" Yumi stopped walking.
"No. At least, not yet. They put some people on reserve. Since I've brainstormed together with the project's leaders upon my father's request, I've been chosen to back them up when necessary. But that's not the point," he looked at a fancy house to his left. Its majestic setting stood in contrast with his current conflict.
"It's the project's duration," he revealed. "Six months, maybe even a year if things go wrong."
Yumi held her breath. They had just started their relationship and there was already a chance that they were going to be separated. He relaxed and loosened his grip. "It's just an if-situation, but I can't brush it off like it's nothing. I'm first in line to go when merely one person pulls out for whatever reason." Ulrich was frustrated, but tried to remain calm for Yumi.
"You should obviously go if it's an order…" Yumi fell silent.
"I told my uncle about us," he suddenly announced. "He took it rather well, but he does expect us to keep up our work performances. I'm afraid that if my father hears about you and me, he'll use it as a reason to have someone removed from the original group." Ulrich faced Yumi.
"That would mean a temporary 'break' in our relationship," he said, using air quotes to indicate he wasn't speaking about a real breakup. Yumi didn't like the idea, but couldn't say much more. "However, I will still try to refuse," Ulrich assured her. "Not because I think we can't handle it. I want to see the company improve in my current position. I'm do not consider myself experienced enough yet to meddle with such external affairs. Of course, the main reason is me simply not wanting to leave you," he explained. Yumi smiled when she heard his honesty.
He took her hand once more. "Let's fill these days with fun and laughter. Considering the amount of time left, I think I'll have enough happiness to burn up IF I'm going away." They stared at each other.
"Deal," Yumi whispered, trying not to get too emotional. "Good," he softly responded, then pulled her along again.
They came across a playground where children were running around playing tag. "When is the last time you've played at one of these places?" Yumi asked him. "I don't remember," Ulrich vaguely recalled it being somewhere during his primary school years.
"You think you can do better!?" They heard one of the kids say to another.
"I'll show you!" The person in question replied and the boy proceeded to hang onto one of the bars. The equipment consisted of three chin-up bars, all of which differed in height.
The boy pulled himself up onto the second bar and started swinging to and fro. "Remember, it has to be a backwards somersault. Otherwise it won't count!" A girl, the one who issued the challenge, shouted.
"Watch me," he smirked as he prepared to launch himself. When he had enough leverage, he let go and did exactly as the girl had told him to. "See," he proudly crossed his arms.
"Can you do that too?" Yumi teased Ulrich. He laughed. "I can, but not by using the middle one," he referred to his own height that was only suitable for the last chin up bar. "Show me and I'll give you something good when we get back to your place," she challenged him. "And what would that be?" Ulrich inched too close on purpose and Yumi tried to back away because she didn't want to be spotted by the children. His hand went behind her back to stop her. "Well?" He insisted on finding out.
"Nothing if you don't show me soon," Yumi carried on and gently pushed him back. Ulrich took off his jacket. "Watch me". He handed it over to Yumi along with his bag. She went to sit on one of the swings to see Ulrich's little show.
"Break a leg," she said, amusing Ulrich.
"Thanks." He reached up to hold onto the bar. She was glad Ulrich had never stopped practicing martial arts despite all the setbacks he had. Yumi observed his body during his preparation. She concluded the appearance in front of her was her bonus. When Ulrich seemed ready, she stopped her staring session and eagerly anticipated his jump.
"Is that your boyfriend?" The challenger girl randomly came up to her.
"Yes," Yumi answered.
"He's handsome," the girl stated.
"Yes, he is," Yumi unnecessarily confirmed for the girl. She estimated her to be no older than ten.
"But what on Earth is he doing?" The girl pointed at Ulrich.
"I challenged him to do the trick your little friend did," Yumi disclosed.
The girl giggled and sat on the other swing. "Just like me," she said. Yumi smiled. "Yep."
Ulrich imitated the actions of the much smaller boy. "This had better be worth something really good Yumi," he thought to himself as he flung himself backwards in order to perform a perfect somersault.
"Great, he's good!" The girl applauded and Yumi decided it did indeed deserve one.
"Your turn," Ulrich dared her, his hair even more dishevelled than usual. He was feeling the rush of freely doing something crazy for once.
"I'll pass," she refused. "That's unfair," the young boy who performed the first trick interfered.
"Louis, you just can't stand it when girls do better," the girl stuck out her tongue at him.
"You always say that because you never win, Lena," the boy started to get on her nerves.
Louis and Lena continued their bickering, leaving the couple alone again.
"So?" Ulrich waited for Yumi. She gazed at the high bar. "I don't know if I can do it. It's not Lyoko, where I can be super flexible," Yumi admitted. "I think you can do it though. Even without a virtual world around you, you move really well," he encouraged her. "I'll buy you an ice cream if you make it," Ulrich added.
"You can't bribe me," she simply stated. "But you bribed me with something I'm unaware of. At least I properly told you what I'm getting you!" He exaggerated.
"It's still too cold for ice cream," Yumi reminded him. "Then I'll get you the same thing you're giving me," he said. She suddenly blushed bright red, which surprised Ulrich. "Yeah, I think I'll do that," he repeated for emphasis.
"N-no. That's okay. I'll give it a try," she stammered as she got up and pushed their stuff into his hands.
"Hey pretty lady," the girl addressed her and Yumi's blush returned. "I'm Yumi," she said. "Then Yumi, will you please show Louis some girl power? He thinks he's everything," Lena rolled with her eyes, which made Yumi smile. "Sure, just so you know," she closed in and lowered her voice to a whisper, "I used to beat him at martial arts all the time." Yumi pointed at Ulrich, who was retying his shoelaces. Lena beamed. "Cool!"
Yumi breathed in and out once and jumped to take a hold of the bar. "Good thing I don't wear skirts," she randomly thought to herself. "Not that I would have continued with this if I was wearing one." She readied herself and began the same swinging routine. Taking advantage of her momentum, she stopped to stand on her hands, holding onto the bar and straightening her legs upward. "Girl power!" She smiled victoriously as she saw the look on Louis' face. Ulrich was standing on the other side. He too was amazed at her skills.
Having had enough of the split second of the upside down world, she let herself fall and performed the somersault on her way to Ulrich's side. There was a louder applause than before. "Awesome!" She heard Louis say behind her. But Yumi was looking at Ulrich, who approached her and took her hands in his. "See I told you, you could do it," he proudly said. Yumi nodded, "I guess that doubt wasn't needed."
Lena came running to them. "That was really, really, really great!" She expressed herself while spreading her arms and spinning in circles. "Thank you," Yumi kindly told her. "I'll train myself, so I can do the same. Just like you!" She briefly, yet strongly hugged Yumi and ran away.
"Hey! You can't go! We have to settle this today!" Louis called out to her. "Dinner time, I have to go home!" Lena shouted. She kept running but waved her hand in the air. "I guess I have to go home to. You guys were cool," his parting words made the couple laugh.
"Let's go back as well. The long way," Ulrich whispered to her. They continued their walk.
"Does your leg hurt?" Yumi asked him. She looked at his leg and how he took his steps.
"No, I landed correctly," he assured her.
"Okay," she said.
Yumi bumped into someone as they rounded a corner. "Are you okay?" Ulrich asked her at the same time as the other victim. She recognized the voice and was reluctant to ascertain her memory. "Great," she heard Ulrich grumble, which only further implied the identity of the person before them.
"I'm fine," she replied to Ulrich, not yet having made eye contact with the other man.
"Yumi and Ulrich. Glad to see you," William began sarcastically. He noticed they were holding hands. "You're still good at doing that, I see," he pointed out. To Yumi, it was a hurtful remark. She wanted to retract her hand, but Ulrich firmly held on.
"But I guess you finally had the guts, huh!" He clapped Ulrich on his shoulder. Yumi blankly stared at William. Ulrich was beyond confused. "Well, then. Since it seems my goodbyes don't work. See you around," he said.
Ulrich rose his eyebrow. "He's always been strange…"
"Yes," Yumi replied plainly.
"I think it's time for us to go home. I'm really hungry, because you didn't want an ice cream." He rubbed his stomach. Yumi gave him a light punch in his arm. "You're driving. Keep it together," she dramatically told him. He laughed.
When they arrived at his apartment, they took off their shoes. "Help me cook?" Yumi answered his request by entering the kitchen before him to wash her hands. She opened the fridge and took out some ingredients. "It'll be faster if you help me instead," she claimed. Ulrich shrugged and grinned. "Faster sounds good."
After dinner, Yumi sat on the chair in the living room, leaned into its broad backrest and closed her eyes.
Ulrich had just started up his dishwasher and walked over to her. "Yumi," he shook her a little. "You can fall asleep later," he joked. "I'm not sleeping," she said in response, her eyes still closed. He hovered over her. "My reward," he nuzzled her cheek, "give it to me." Yumi's quickened heartbeat caused her to open her eyes, only to have it speed up a little more.
"Maybe later?" She proposed.
He shook his head and whispered in her ear. "Or should I reward you first?"