Inked

11-

"I beat him!" Jungkook shouted, sprinting towards Jasmine with a triumphant grin. Without warning, he swept her off her feet, lifting her effortlessly into the air as they celebrated his victory in the volleyball match. Jasmine squealed with delight, wrapping her arms around his neck, her laughter echoing against the sound of crashing waves.

Mingyu stood a few paces away, his expression souring at the sight. He couldn't help but feel a mix of jealousy and frustration, the camaraderie between Jasmine and Jungkook digging at him like a thorn.

"It's okay; I'm sure you're good at something else," DK said, attempting to lighten the mood as he clapped a hand on Mingyu's shoulder.

"Yeah, not like this cheap sport. I excel in noble and royal sports, for sure," Mingyu replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm and cockiness. He tried to maintain a composed facade, but inside, he could feel the competitive fire igniting.

Jasmine, still in Jungkook's embrace, flashed Mingyu a playful smile. "Oh come on, Mingyu! This is way more fun than anything royal! You should join us!"

Mingyu crossed his arms, trying to suppress a grin. "You'd be surprised at how thrilling a well-executed game of croquet can be."

"Croquet?" The8 laughed, shaking his head. "That sounds even more boring than the stuffy balls you attend!"

"Let's go home, Jasmine. It's getting late," Mingyu interjected, attempting to steer the conversation away from the playful teasing and back to the reality of their situation. He knew the longer they stayed, the more likely it was that royal eyes would discover her absence.

Jasmine pouted, not ready to leave just yet. "But I want to spend more time with my friends! Can't we stay a little longer? Just for the barbecue?"

"Please, Mingyu!" she pleaded, her eyes wide and hopeful. "It's been weeks since I've had a day like this. Just a little more fun?"

Mingyu felt his resolve begin to waver as he looked at her, the sunlight dancing in her hair and highlighting the joy on her face. He knew how rare moments like these were for her, how much she craved freedom from the constraints of her royal life.

"Fine," he relented, exhaling deeply. "But only for a little while longer. We'll have to be careful, though. The last thing we need is to raise suspicions."

Jasmine's face lit up, and she released a squeal of delight before turning back to Jungkook. "See? We're staying!"

Mingyu watched as Jasmine and Jungkook exchanged a high five, the chemistry between them palpable. The knot in his stomach tightened, but he tried to push the feeling aside, focusing instead on ensuring that Jasmine could enjoy this moment without worry.

As they settled down for the barbecue, Mingyu couldn't help but be drawn into the banter, the laughter, and the carefree atmosphere. For a brief moment, he let himself forget the responsibilities that awaited him back at the palace. In this space, surrounded by Jasmine and her friends, he began to realize that perhaps there was more to life than just status and duty.

"Alright, who's ready to eat?" The8 announced, breaking him from his thoughts, and Mingyu found himself joining in the laughter as they gathered around the grill, sharing stories and food as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.

For now, he would embrace this fleeting escape, even if it meant sharing Jasmine with Jungkook and the others.