"Come over here"
I was leaning up against a wall when I heard her. It was my 20th day on the set of Spider-man: No Way Home. I was a stunt double for Tom Holland, playing as Spider-Man.
I had a strict meal plan and work out schedule to stay in shape to look as much like Tom Holland as possible. It was a bit new to me. I've been a stunt man for 3 years and never had to try to match so closely to a body type. Normally it wouldn't be a huge issue but since there were many dialog scenes of Tom without his mask on we needed to keep it convincing.
I sometimes keep my mask on while on set, I get to be Spider-man! Not that anyone would know it unless they stuck around and read the credits until nearly the end. So I enjoyed it as much as I could.
My mask was similar to the mask that Tom wore during his dialog scenes. His was not easy to see through as it needed to be comic book accurate. Mine was much easier to see through and the eyes were a bit lower compared to his. Impossible to see while I'm doing flips and stunts, but much safer for me to work with.
I had finished my scene for the day. Simple enough scene, just had to do a flip over some boxes. Scenes were always done out of order and cut together later so I wouldn't be needed again until tomorrow.
I liked to stick around on set. I had a few acquaintances here, and just liked watching the actors and other stunt performers. Anyone was allowed to stay on set as long as they didn't affect movie production time.
"I said come here!" Zendaya whispered, grabbing my wrist.
I didn't say anything and followed her.
She led me to a closet. It was dimly lit by an old incandescent bulb. She turned back and locked the door behind her.
"Hey, I didn't think you would be on set today." She said with a smile I could barely see. "Why are you still wearing your mask?"
I shrugged and then a sound came from outside the door. I pointed at the door and then held my finger in front of my mouth.
"Yes I know we have to be quiet. It's just that I've been having these feelings for a while. I wanted to know if you feel the same..." she said blushing and putting her hand on my chest.
My heart starts pounding when she touches me. Without even thinking of any consequences I roll the mask up to my nose.
"Okay Mr. Spider-Man, I'll play your game." She smiled.
She leaned in slowly and I knew what she was going for. I leaned in to match her and our lips touched. It started as light kissing but slowly more of her tongue got involved.
I started to get into it. I knew this wasn't for me, but if this was quick I could get away with it. Zendaya was beautiful, I would almost say she's exactly what I look for in a girl.
Her kisses moved down my neck and then back to my mouth. Her hands were resting on the folds of my mask. I was hopeful she wouldn't pull it off.
"Take your mask off, Tom"
Oh fuck. She thinks I'm Tom Holland. Tom and I have a similar enough jaw line that she didn't notice a difference in this darkness.
"Zendaya to the stage for scene 142, Jacob Batalon to the stage for scene 142. Thank you." Came over the studio intercom.
Zendaya slowed her kisses and gave one last long kiss before looking over my half covered face for what seemed like forever. Even in this dim light, her light brown eyes had a sparkle to them.
She rolled my mask back down my face.
"I've been waiting to do that for a long time. See you later spidey, if you're here again tomorrow we can pick up where we left off." She said kissing me on the spider mask and leaving the closet.
What the fuck just happened.
I leave the closet and walk casually to wardrobe trying not to be seen by many people. I swap out of my Spiderman outfit and into my regular jeans and button down shirt.
I check the schedule for the upcoming scenes. 142, 153, 92, 12. Nothing required Tom Holland to be on set today. I look over the next few days. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. It seems he isn't back in the studio for 7 days. Zendaya also doesn't seem to know if he is away.
I walked back to the studio floor and watched Zendaya and Jacob do their scene together. It was a strange scene about her throwing bread. I didn't really get it but she looked cute throwing the bread around. They had to do a few extra takes because she was throwing bread around at people.
"Hey Ethan, think fast!" Zendaya called out throwing some bread at me. I caught it. "Always quick on your feet Eth."
I threw the bread back at her. She drops it. "Guess the bread is buttered now with those butter fingers." I say with a laugh.
She breaks out into laughter.
"Okay everyone lets take five." Jon Watts says.
Zendaya walks over to me.
"Hey Eth, what brings you in today?" She walked over to lean next to me.
"I had some scenes earlier this morning. I was hanging out with Mark then came to see what we were recording today."
Mark has been one of my best friends throughout my career. It was always nice when we were able to work on the same set together. He's the type of guy that if someone asked where I was he would say "He was with me just a little while ago." So I knew it was a good cover, not that she would ever talk to him. Mark was one of the graphics designers. Didn't come on set much but did occasionally talk to the director about how a scene could affect the post production work.
"Mark is always hiding in his hole. It's fun that you stick around and watch us. I think I may have gotten you in a bit of trouble there" Zendaya said, shoving her shoulder into mine playfully.
"Maybe, but I think he may know you started it!" I laughed pushing her back.
When she bounced back to her spot she landed a little closer to me, our arms were touching now. She didn't move away.
"This movie can take a lot out of you sometimes." She said with a heavy sigh.
"Tell me about it" I said, knowing exactly how she feels doing my stunts all day.
She laughed lightly.
"I guess who am I to talk to?" She said, resting her head on my shoulder. "I just talk all day and you have to actually do flips and shit." She removed her head.
"You say that, but I'd never be able to do what you guys do up there. It's a work of art watching you."
"Watching me?" She said turning towards me, putting her hand on her chest in pretend shock.
"Uh--Yeah-- I mean watching uh-- every actor and actress up there." I panicked.
"I'm just fuckin with ya!" She said punching my arm. "I gotta get back up there, I'll see you around!"
"See you." I said, getting up after her and leaving for the day.
--------------------
I show up to work the next day and run two more scenes. I change out of my Spider-man outfit and head back to where Zendaya pulled me away last time.
"Hey Eth, More scenes today?" Zendaya said after coming around the corner.
"Yeah, wrapping up a few more things. Had to do a reshoot of a scene from a few days ago so it took a lot out of me."
"I'm sure your body can handle it!" She said, play punching me in the stomach. "Have you seen Tom around?"
