The library rang with the clash of metal on metal but it was late Friday night and even Giles was gone so no one was there to hear it but the combatants who circled one another, one tall and dark, one small and spry as she danced away from another strike.
"No, Buffy, step into the blow, not away from it."
"That doesn't make any sense," the Slayer complained, lowering her sword. "If I step into it, you'll chop off my arm."
Angel felt his lips twitch at the sign of a pout forming on her face, but only shook his head. "Mass and resistence and above all, leverage."
"I flunked science class."
"Think of it as an intricate dance. You're drawn to your partner and the closer you get the more force you're able to exude."
"I think I'm forever going to suck at sword fighting. I'm really good at hacking off heads with one, though."
"You just need to keep practicing. I'm happy to help."
Buffy smiled at her boyfriend and raised her sword again. "Okay, so what do I do if something much taller than me, for example, you, aims at my head?"
"Again, it's a matter of leverage." Angel lifted his sword and swung slowly at her head, giving her instruction as he did so, "Raise your sword parallel to the ground and above your head and block my blow with the middle of your blade. That's where your strength is."
The swords clashed lightly as she blocked him, then bounced on her feet, smiling. "Try it again, a bit faster."
Angel repeated his swing and she blocked it again. "Good."
"This one seems easier than the other one."
"You're also advancing towards me. Always advance, never retreat."
"Where did you learn all this?" Buffy asked, curious, as they repeated the motions over and over, moving in circles around each other.
"In my day all young gentlemen learned to use a sword. Pistols were highly unreliable back then and, anyway, the sword was much more civilized. It puts two opponents face to face."
"Also leads to being splattered with demon goo. Y'know, I've often wondered why the Council just doesn't give Slayers guns with wooden bullets or something. I think they like seeing girls covered in goo."
Angel tried not to laugh and instead changed position, thrusting the sword at her. She clumsily deflected the blow, but backed away again.
"Why can't I get this one right?" Buffy complained, frustrated.
"You will. You can't learn everything in one day."
"So..." She grinned coyly. "Can we stop for the day and try something else?"
Angel lowered his sword and cocked one eyebrow at her. "What do you have in mind?"
"Smoochies? I think we definitely need training in smoochies."
The other eyebrow joined the first. "Oh, really? I thought I was an expert in that."
"Ego much?" Laughing, Buffy lay down her sword and plucked Angel's from his hand, setting it down as well. Taking his hand, she pulled him towards her and rose on her toes.
The kiss was soft, sweet, tender and perfect. In this arena, they had no need to defect or counter, only embrace and fall.
End