Garden Gacha Side Story
Prelude to Love- "Limits"
"Leo are you okay?"
"Nnn—" Leo opened his eyes slowly, his breathing still ragged, and saw Maya gazing down at him. "Huh?" (That's right— this is our room in Laurelia.) He realized suddenly that he was holding Maya's wrist tightly, and he let go and raised his hand to cover his face. "Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep. That was— careless of me." (I knew that, but— somehow I feel so relaxed when I'm with you.) Maya was silent as she gazed at him. He sat up slowly and met her gaze. "Maya—" He reached out and touched her hand gently. "I'm sorry, did that hurt?"
"No. I'm fine." Leo stared at her as she shook her head to reassure him. He almost felt as if he couldn't bear the kindness and concern in her eyes. (Don't try and tell me you're fine— I grabbed you so hard I left marks on your wrist.) Without thinking, he placed a gentle kiss against her wrist. He heard her catch her breath, and her fingers trembled in his grasp.
"I'm sorry." (Why am I always so weak?)
On their final night in the room together, Leo sat reading on the sofa until Maya approached him.
"Leo, do you want to play a game of poker?" Leo raised his gaze from his book and stared up at her in surprise. (Aww, you're worried about me, aren't you?) Her feelings were written all over her face, and he grinned at her.
"Sure, but I'm pretty good. If you lose, what will you give me?"
"If I lose?" As he watched her considering it, he suddenly felt mischievous.
"I know. Will you let me sleep with you?"
"Sleep with—" Her cheeks flushed instantly, and Leo tilted his head, smiling brightly at her.
"I'm just wondering if you'll let me have half the bed for the night. Don't tell me you were imagining something else?" Maya swallowed loudly at his words. (I can't help wanting to tease you when you're being so sweetly earnest, Princess.) She scowled a little as she raised her gaze to meet his.
"Do you really think you can win? I mean, I played a lot of poker when I lived in town."
"Oh really?" (Huh, you're pretty confident.)
"So, if I win—" Leo caught his breath at her direct gaze. "You'll tell me why it is you can't sleep." He stared back at her in silence, for a moment lost for words. (How are you able to look at people so directly, so clearly?)
"Okay then." (I don't understand.) "But only if you win."
And in the end, the game of poker ended exactly as he'd expected it. (I didn't really expect you to keep your promise and let me share the bed with you. You're amazing, Maya.) Maya had lost the game, and now she lay in her half of the bed, letting Leo have the other half. She rolled away from him, and he gazed at her back, thinking quietly. (Are you wondering whether I'm going to do something to you?) Leo started to reach toward her, and then stopped again, his hand hovering in mid air. He frowned at himself, and then pulled his hand back again. (I can't— you're not like the other girls I've spent time with. I want to… respect you, and cherish you.)
"If you can't sleep, I can come over there and give you a cuddle."
"Gah!" Maya pulled the covers tighter around herself. "I can sleep just fine by myself, thank you!" Leo laughed softly at her reaction, and then gave a small sigh, hoping she wouldn't hear it.
After some time, Leo could hear the soft sound of Maya's even breath as she slept. But his eyes were still wide open. He sat up slowly, taking care not to disturb the covers. He gazed down at Maya beside him, and slowly reached out towards her. He gently brushed the hair away from her face, and leaned closer.
"Mmnn—" (I want to respect you— but I also want to touch you. I want to touch you so much it hurts.) He placed a soft kiss against her forehead, and then spoke in a whisper.
"Maya, there are some things you're better off not knowing." (I doubt you could accept my feelings.)He quietly climbed out of bed, and moved across the room to stare out the window. He could see the moon shining in the sky, huge and round. "A full moon, huh?" (They say a full moon heightens people's feelings.) Leo stood at the window, staring up at the full moon. He sighed softly to himself. (But I hate the full moon. I really, really hate it.)