Audience watches what is the contest . Look for worthy opponent. No fun if scene isn't a contest . Two people trying to work it out. Endless war between men and woman.
Audience wants blood, excitement, passion.
To make a contest , to make a conflict , even though you are friends. Dueling Actor is part magician. Every moment a battle, find ways, every moment is unusual. Once you have a spell, don't move. Contest between two characters is biggest moment of the scene.