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

STF 27

The air smelled like burnt toast and overpriced hand soap.

Jisung's sweater was two sizes too big. Minho's socks were mismatched. Minho's cat sat perched on the kitchen counter, judging them both.

Domestic bliss had never looked so chaotic.

"Hyung, you're burning it again," Jisung deadpanned.

Minho looked at the pan like it had betrayed him.

"It's just a little... crisp."

"Bitch, it's black."

Minho flipped the bread with a dramatic sigh. "Guess we're eating emotions for breakfast again."

Jisung plopped down on the couch, grinning. "Better than anxiety-flavoured omelettes."

They were supposed to have a break today - no filming, no press, no soul-crushing drama. Just... quiet.

It was weird.

In the best way.

Jisung curled up on Minho's couch with a blanket and a mug of cold tea.

"Do you think people still hate me?"

Minho blinked. "No?"

"I mean, Hey- I kissed you on a live set."

"They made merch out of that moment."

"Oh. Right."

A pause.

"You think people still hate Than?"

Minho raised an eyebrow. "Do you?"

Jisung hesitated.

"...Not anymore."

Minho nodded.

"Then I don't think anyone else does either."

A knock at the door interrupted their philosophical breakfast.

Jisung frowned. "You expecting someone?"

"No."

Another knock.

Minho opened the door - And nearly dropped.

Than. Standing awkwardly. Holding a cake. Next to a stunning, slightly taller man in glasses and an oversized hoodie.

"Hey," Than said nervously. "Can we come in?"

Turns out, Marcus is a graphic designer, half-Korean, half-britain, speaks three languages, and looks like he walked out of a romance manhwa.

He held Than's hand like it was sacred.

Minho and Jisung watched them interact for five minutes before Jisung whispered,

"...He's a baby."

Minho smirked. "He's literally the softest villain I've ever seen."

They sat together in the living room.

Cake. Tea. Laughing.

It felt strange - and Jisung didn't hate it.

Than cleared his throat.

"I know I said sorry already, but I just... wanted to say it again. Without cameras. Without PR people. Just me."

He looked between them.

"I'm really sorry. For what happened. For the scenes. For letting things get that far. And... for being too scared to stop it."

Marcus squeezed his hand.

Jisung nodded. "We know."

Minho smiled. "And you're here now. That's what matters."

Then Minho smirked.

"I still can't believe I was your idol."

Than flushed immediately. "I-! Okay-!"

Marcus snorted. "You should've seen the posters."

"POSTERS?!"

"I burned them!" Than squeaked.

"I saw him re-enacting your drama kiss scene in the mirror once, the lines too" Marcus added.

"STOP TALKING."

Minho lost it.

Jisung nearly choked on tea.

Than buried his face in a pillow. "I'm never coming here again."

The day melted into comfort. Than was still a little quiet. A little awkward.

But he laughed. He told stories. He blushed when Marcus teased him. And for the first time - he wasn't someone's puppet.

He was just... Than.

Three Weeks Later

The show hit 15 million streams. Than's character - the corrupted villain king - finally died on-screen, bleeding out in Minho's arms.

The scene trended worldwide.

#GoodbyeMyVillain

#ThanDeservedBetter

#MinsungRuinedMe

Fan reactions were feral-

"I HATE HIM. But I LOVE HIM."

"WHY AM I CRYING OVER THE VILLAIN?"

"This show made me forgive people I was actively plotting to stab."

Than watched the finale from Minho's couch. Marcus curled up next to him.

Minho and Jisung were sprawled on the floor, eating chips and accidentally sobbing.

"I can't believe you died," Jisung sniffled.

Than shrugged. "Kinda deserved it."

"You sacrificed yourself to save Jisung's character."

"I deserved to die."

Minho laughed. "The people are obsessed with you now."

"I know. I got a fan letter. From my grandma."

The night ended with all four of them lying around Minho's living room, talking softly.

Than looked up at the ceiling and whispered,

"I used to think this industry would kill me."

Minho turned to look at him.

"It didn't."

Than smiled, eyes glassy.

"No. It gave me all of ya'll instead."