Pit babe One-shot

In the Shadow of Lost Promises 1

Tin’s POV

There he is, standing at the altar, radiating a quiet grace as if he were an angel sent to earth. Vel… my Vel. The man I have loved my whole life. I’ve imagined him like this countless times—dressed in white, standing with such majesty that he steals the breath from my lungs. I wanted to be the one to see him this way. I wanted to be the one beside him, to be the reason he wears that smile, soft and full of quiet hope. But today, as he stands before a crowd, he is not standing for me.

He’s the groom, yes, but not mine.

Next to him is the person I can neither hate nor forgive—his fiancé, soon to be his husband, right here in front of me. The one who will get to hold him every night and know the feeling of his heartbeat next to theirs. And I’m left to watch. Just watch, as if I were a stranger looking on.

Why do I care about Vel so much? Who is Vel to me, you might ask? To understand that, you’d have to know where it all began. You’d have to go back to the past.

Years ago

It was a bright afternoon in the garden, where thirteen-year-old Tin was sprawled out on the grass, his math textbook open as he tried to study. The sun cast a warm glow across the yard, and a gentle breeze rustled through the trees, making it the perfect spot to settle down for the afternoon.

Suddenly, a small whirlwind broke the calm.

“P'Tin! P'Tin! P'Tin!” called out nine-year-old Vel, his voice brimming with urgency as he dashed across the garden, his little footsteps thumping across the grass.

Tin looked up, a grin tugging at his lips. “What’s up, Vel? What happened?”

Vel came to a halt, panting, and held up his homework sheet, crumpled from the run. “P'Tin, I don’t understand math! It’s so hard. Can you teach me? Please?”

Tin raised an eyebrow, trying to look serious but failing as he watched Vel’s animated frustration. “Oh? What part’s got you this worked up?”

“This algebra!” Vel threw his hands up, huffing in defeat. “It’s hurting my head! I don’t know what I’ll do with my life if I have to keep learning this. I don’t even like it!” He crossed his arms, pouting. “Can you make it easier? Can you teach me?”

Tin laughed, patting the grass beside him. “Alright, alright. Sit down. Let’s figure this out together.”

Vel plopped down eagerly, looking up at Tin with his big, trusting eyes as Tin began explaining the concepts. Tin broke it down piece by piece, using simple examples and watching Vel’s face light up with each new bit he understood.

“Wait… I think I’m getting it!” Vel beamed up at Tin, his voice full of amazement. “I’m actually understanding something!”

Tin chuckled, patting his shoulder. “Of course you are. I knew you were smart.”

They spent a bit longer on the homework until Vel finally scribbled down his last answer, his face glowing with relief. He turned to Tin and, without warning, wrapped him in a tight hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, P'Tin! I don’t know what I’d do without you!”

Tin laughed, hugging him back. “Why would you have to do anything without me? I’m here. Always here for you.”

Vel pulled back, suddenly serious as he looked up at Tin. “Really? Don’t leave me, okay? Promise?”

Tin softened, ruffling Vel’s hair. “I promise. I’m not going anywhere.”

Vel’s face brightened again, the serious moment forgotten as he jumped to his feet. “Good! Now let’s go play!”