Chapter 7 :Your kissing scene was perfect, let's repeat it

Things seemed different after that kiss.

Rufus noticed something odd about Emma . During every filming session, as soon as the scene wrapped up, she would find an excuse to leave, almost like a deer caught in headlights.

Weren't American girls supposed to be more open-minded? It shouldn't be a big deal for two people to share an on-screen kiss and then move on. So why was she acting this way after a kiss scene? Had he kissed her too passionately? Or did she have a bad experience because of something strong he ate that day?

Rufus carefully replayed the moment in his mind. None of these seemed to be the case. Yes, they had both been carried away by the kiss, but they stopped when the director called "Cut." Yet, that moment changed something for Rufus—his feelings for Emma had shifted from seeing her as a "good friend" to seeing her as an attractive woman. He even considered the possibility of turning their friendship into something more.

But Emma wasn't giving him a chance. She always avoided being alone with him, which frustrated Rufus. "No, if this continues, it'll affect our on-screen chemistry. At the very least, we need to talk it out," he thought. Rufus preferred addressing things head-on rather than letting them drag out.

Back on set, they were filming at a campus baseball field. Rufus and Emma were seated in the stands. Emma's eyes kept avoiding his until the director shouted "Action!" Then, as if by magic, her expression transformed into Gwen Stacy's adoring gaze at Peter Parker.

"You didn't believe what the police said, did you?" Peter asked, referring to Spider-Man's recent battle with the Green Goblin, after which both were deemed dangerous by the New York police.

"Of course not, I believe you," Gwen replied, her eyes clear and sincere. She reached out, almost instinctively, to touch Peter's face gently.

The assistant director scratched his head. "Was that in the script?"

"It doesn't matter, let her improvise. It feels right," Marc Webb, the director, was thrilled. The chemistry between these two was off the charts.

"Are you scared?" Gwen asked, worried for Peter.

"No," Peter replied with a bright smile. "I had to stand up and save those people on the bridge; they needed me."

"That's not your responsibility..."

"Maybe. But Uncle Ben always said, 'With great power comes great responsibility.' I finally understand what he meant."

According to the script, Gwen was supposed to look at Peter with concern and then give him a warm hug. Then, a football would fly in from the distance, and Peter would catch it, ending the scene.

However...

As Emma leaned in to hug Rufus, he suddenly said, "Speaking of which, I really liked kissing".

Emma was completely thrown off. This wasn't in the script—what was Rufus playing at? She blinked in confusion, her mind racing. Was he serious, or was this just more improvisation? Her heart pounded in her chest, but she couldn't break character, not with the cameras rolling and Marc Webb watching eagerly from behind the monitor.

Rufus, seeing her hesitation, pushed further, "Your kissing skills are... amazing." His voice was soft, almost teasing, yet there was a seriousness in his eyes that made Emma's breath catch.

Emma, who was usually so carefree and confident, suddenly felt a shy smile creeping onto her face. She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper, "So was yours..."

Rufus leaned in closer, closing the distance between them. "Yeah?"

Before Emma could respond, Rufus gently cupped her face and kissed her deeply, right there on the set. It wasn't just a kiss between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy—it was a real, heartfelt kiss between Rufus and Emma.

Marc Webb, who was watching from behind the camera, was ecstatic. "Camera 3! Pan up a little to get a distant view! And you, get the football ready!" he barked orders, not wanting to miss a single second of this unexpected yet perfect moment.

As the two actors continued their kiss, completely immersed in the scene and each other, a football flew through the air towards them. Without even glancing at it, Rufus caught it effortlessly and threw it back towards the goal. The ball hit the goalpost with a loud clang, as planned, though it would be enhanced with special effects later.

Finally, Marc Webb shouted, "Cut!"

Emma Stone pulled back, breathing heavily, her heart still racing from the kiss. For a moment, she couldn't meet Rufus's gaze, but when she finally did, she found him looking at her with that same intensity.

"What? Are you going to run away again?" Rufus asked, his tone a mix of playfulness and genuine curiosity.

"No, Rufus," Emma replied, her voice trembling slightly. "I didn't avoid you on purpose. It's just..."

"It's okay," Rufus interrupted gently. "I just want us to stay close, to keep talking like we always do. No matter what happens, I hope we can still be friends."

Emma's tense expression softened at his words. The awkwardness she had felt ever since their first kiss scene melted away. "I'd like that too," she said, smiling. "And... maybe we could have dinner tonight? Just the two of us?"

Rufus's smile widened. "I'd love that."

As they sat there, still in character, but now with a deeper connection than before, Emma suddenly leaned her head on Rufus's shoulder, letting out a contented sigh.

"Photography, hurry up, take this shot too!" Marc Webb quickly ordered, capturing the tender moment between the two actors.

…

The filming of "Spider-Man" was now more than halfway through, and thanks to Rufus 's extraordinary performance, production was ahead of schedule. If post-production went smoothly, the movie could be completed and ready for release by the end of the year, far sooner than anyone at Sony Pictures had anticipated.

Sony, who had initially been hesitant about the project—especially with the unconventional casting of a British Spider-Man—were starting to see potential. Rufus's portrayal of Peter Parker was not just believable; it was groundbreaking. The chemistry between him and Emma Stone was electric, and Marc Webb had the footage to prove it.

"We need to push this film hard," one Sony executive insisted during a meeting. "The buzz may have died down, but once we release a trailer with some of these scenes, people are going to lose their minds."

Another executive was more cautious. "Are we sure about this? Shouldn't we explore other IPs as a backup?"

"No," the first executive responded firmly. "Spider-Man is our best shot right now. This Spider-Man could surprise the world."

And so, the wheels of promotion began to turn faster. As for Rufus and Emma, they continued to film, their on-screen and off-screen relationships intertwining more each day. With every scene, they grew closer, and the line between acting and reality began to blur, leading them both to wonder where their characters ended and they began.