Inked

10-

"Are you sure we're wearing this?" Mingyu asked, his brow furrowed in concern as he looked down at the casual outfit Jasmine had picked for him. It was a stark contrast to his usual tailored attire—a simple white T-shirt paired with loose-fitting shorts that seemed far too relaxed for someone of his status. He felt almost unrecognizable.

Jasmine beamed up at him, her smile infectious. "Absolutely! Trust me, it's perfect for the beach." She twirled in her short sundress, the fabric dancing around her legs, and Mingyu couldn't help but notice how it complimented her figure. The sunlight caught the delicate tattoos on her arms and legs, tiny pieces of art that, in this moment, felt like expressions of her free spirit. For once, he found himself thinking that tattoos weren't so bad after all.

"Why are we here today, Princess?" Mingyu asked as they strolled toward the beach, the sound of waves crashing in the distance mingling with the laughter of other beachgoers.

Jasmine squeezed his hand excitedly. "My friends are having a picnic and a volleyball match today!" She didn't need to elaborate further; Mingyu already knew that included Jungkook, The8, and DK, along with other familiar faces from the tattoo shop. They were also planning a barbecue, the smell of grilled food wafting through the air as they approached.

"Hey guys!! I made it here!!" Jasmine called out as she spotted her friends, her excitement bubbling over. She sprinted ahead, leaving Mingyu a few steps behind. He watched her with a mixture of admiration and anxiety, feeling the weight of expectations hanging over them.

As Jasmine reached her friends, she threw her arms around them, laughter erupting as they greeted her. Mingyu approached at a more measured pace, unsure of how they would react to his presence.

"Oh look who decided to join us!" DK grinned, his eyes glinting with mischief as he caught sight of Mingyu. "No standard, huh? What's this? Are we getting casual today?"

Jasmine stepped back from the group, a proud smile on her face. "He's wearing this because I wanted him to! Isn't he adorable?" She turned to Mingyu, who felt a mix of embarrassment and warmth at her words.

"Adorable?" Mingyu scoffed playfully, crossing his arms. "I'm just... blending in, I guess." He shot a glance at the others, who were eyeing him with a mix of amusement and surprise.

"Blending in?" The8 laughed, his eyes twinkling with delight. "You look like you just escaped the palace! It's about time you let loose a little, Mingyu!"

Mingyu shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I figured I'd give it a shot, for Jasmine's sake."

"Well, you're pulling it off," Jungkook chimed in, a knowing smile spreading across his face. Mingyu felt a pang of irritation but also an odd sense of camaraderie. "Now you just need to work on your volleyball skills!"

"Don't worry; I'll teach you," Jasmine added, bouncing on her toes. "But first, let's eat! I'm starving!"

They settled on the sand, the group spreading out blankets and arranging the barbecue setup. Mingyu found himself surrounded by laughter and playful banter, an atmosphere so different from the stiff formality of royal life. He felt oddly at ease, though the thought of Jungkook's presence still lingered in his mind.

As the day progressed, they played volleyball, the sun warming their skin while they shared stories and enjoyed each other's company. Mingyu couldn't help but steal glances at Jasmine as she laughed, her joy infectious. He found himself wanting to protect that light, to ensure she always felt free to be herself, even if it meant accepting Jungkook's role in her life.

"Ready for your turn?" Jasmine called, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Uh, sure," he replied, standing awkwardly in the sand as they prepared for the next match. Jasmine tossed the ball his way, and he fumbled a bit but managed to keep it in play, eliciting laughter from everyone around.

"Not bad for a prince!" DK shouted, clapping him on the back.

Mingyu couldn't help but smile, feeling the barriers around him begin to dissolve. Perhaps today wouldn't just be a day of pretending; maybe it would be a step toward something more—something real. As he played alongside Jasmine and her friends, he realized that while his heart was still tangled in royal expectations, he was beginning to find a new kind of freedom in their camaraderie.