Set to Fail // Minsung (BOOK 1 OF 2 'SET SERIES')

STF 20

Minho didn't like Than.

It wasn't about the acting. Than was good. Sharp, fast, expressive.

Too expressive.

Too flirty.

Too close.

It started small-winks on set, casual arm touches, a few "jokes" in the green room about chemistry and "exploring options."

Minho shut it down.

Politely.

At first.

"I'm flattered," he said once, while cleaning his makeup sponge. "But I'm not interested."

Than just smiled. "You say that now."

Minho stared. "No. I mean it."

Than shrugged. "Well, we'll see."

---

.The room buzzed with nerves.

Scripts had been tossed aside.

New pages were stapled hot from the printer-literally hot, because Assistant Director Homin had just dropped the biggest bombshell of the production so far.

"Audience testing," Homin said, walking across the rehearsal floor like he was on Survivor. "Has spoken."

Everyone froze.

Jisung looked up mid-coffee sip.

Minho raised an eyebrow.

Than was fixing his hair in the reflection of a prop sword.

Director Jung folded his arms. "Homin, do not start your sentences like it's a murder trial."

But it was too late. Homin grinned wide. "Viewers love Minho's character."

"...We know," said Hyunjin, yawning.

"They love Jisung's too."

Jisung blinked. "Thanks?"

"But they also love Than. A lot."

Than winked. "I do my best."

Homin stepped onto the platform and clapped dramatically. "So-starting episode sixteen, we're flipping the arc. Instead of just the exiled prince and the loyal guard-"

He turned toward Minho and Than.

"-we add in the enemy general, who also wants him."

A beat of silence.

Then-

"What," Jisung said flatly.

"Love triangle arc," Homin confirmed, grinning like Satan.

The reactions were immediate.

However Jisung was staring blankly with a slight eye twitch.

Than was smirking like he just inherited a kingdom.

Minho just glanced at Jisung.

Said nothing.

--

The scene they were filming next?

Than's character corners Minho's-trapped between loyalty and temptation-and kisses him.

Jisung sat by the monitor, shaking.

On the outside, he looked fine.

Inside? War. Static. Screaming. Fireworks. A crowd of brain cells chanting "DOOM."

He sipped his iced Americano like it could protect him.

It couldn't.

Unfortunately, Homin saw all this. The assistant director had a nose for chaos and ratings.

He also saw Jisung's stiff posture every time Than so much as looked at Minho.

---

"Scene 41. Take one. Action!"

The hallway was dimly lit-torchlight shadows, silence, tension.

Minho stood still, back against the wall, jaw clenched.

Than stepped into frame, slow and calculated.

"You don't belong to him," Than growled. "You never did."

Minho's voice was low. "This isn't real."

"Oh, but I am."

Than stepped closer.

Hand to Minho's chest.

Jisung's fingers clenched around his drink.

Then Than grabbed his jaw. Tilted it up.

Their faces were inches apart.

And then-

Than kissed him. Open-mouthed. Lingering. He pushed Minho against the wall forcing his mouth open and quite literally shoving his tongue inside his mouth.

Minho froze for a breath, stiffening mid-scene, caught off guard.

He didn't kiss back. Didn't react.

Just stood there-professional, perfect, playing the part.

The camera caught the angle beautifully. Their faces. Their hands.

The kiss looked like a makeout.

Not a kiss.

Not what was scripted.

"CUT!" Director Jung's voice rang loud.

Than started to pull back-grinning.

But before he could even finish turning, Minho shoved him.

Hard.

Than fell down hard on his back.

"What the hell?" Minho snapped, eyes blazing.

Than blinked. "It's a kiss scene."

"You forced me- that was not there in the scene-"

"So?"

"What the fuck do you mea- I told you not to. You agreed."

Than lifted a brow, still infuriatingly calm. "It looked good."

"I don't care how it looked," Minho spat. "Don't ever disrespect my boundaries again."

Than just smiled lazily. "Maybe we just have too much chemistry."

Minho took a step forward, but Chan got between them fast.

"All right, chill. Everyone break for lunch. Now."

----

Jisung was already walking away before he could hear more.

He locked himself in the bathroom and sat on the closed toilet lid.

Breathing hard.

Head pounding.

It's just a scene.

He's an actor.

It didn't mean anything.

But the image was burned into his head-Minho's lips on someone else's. The press of Than's hand on his waist. The way Minho didn't immediately pull away. The heat of it.

Jisung buried his face in his hands and groaned.

Why does this hurt so bad.

Later, Minho knocked on the bathroom door.

"Jisung?"

Silence.

"You okay?"

Jisung opened it with dead eyes.

Minho stared at him. "I didn't want that scene."

"I know."

"I didn't enjoy it."

"I know."

"I don't want anyone else."

"...Then why did it look so real?" Jisung said softly.

Minho blinked.

Then stepped closer.

"So it would hurt you," he said. "Not me."