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His plan was a success. Even in his splashing and spuddering state, he could hear the ladies' squeals and saw them fleeing from the pool side in a heart beat, and though he was now choking on disgusting, disease infested pool water, it was worth it to get his revenge. He had almost completely forgot about the race and Xander entirely until the other man was nearby, and he looked to Xander, the man he willingly embarrassed himself for to retain his honor, with a curious tilt of the head. "What? Not *cough* gonna continue?"

He coughed a little more before he decided that enough was enough and planted his feet down and stood up in the pool. After all, it was the shallow end, and as poorly as Richard swam, he wasn't THAT pathetic. Though he was still fighting back the urge to cough, he seemed perfectly fine, as though he wasn't just splashing about like a babe tossed in the pool with no warning or formal swimming lessons. "Okay, so, my swimming is *cough* pretty bad. What can I say, I'm meant for land... not so much water."

Finally, he was able to clear his throat and lungs of the intruding water, and he was certain that he's have to drown himself in orange juice to combat the diseases and chemicals that were going to run rampant through his system. He took a moment to straighten out his hair, running fingers through his short locks, as he joked. "If I was meant for water, I'd be naked or I'd have flippers on my feet or hands or something. Last I checked, no flippers."

With Xander's well needed assistance, he was able to finally clear all of the water from his lungs, and Richard couldn't have been happier to have all of it removed. He never hated swimming, though now he was growing to dislike the sport, at least so long as he continued to have no idea how to swim anyway. Once all the water was cleared, Richard brushed his soaking wet hair from his face and straightened up once more, trying to act as if his little vengeful doggie paddle of doom didn't happen.

As far as Richard was concerned, he had gotten his revenge on the little troublemakers and his day was pretty much made. However, it seemed that Xander was quick to make matters interesting, and the intrigue in his crimson red eyes only grew, and he did little to hide it. Swimming lessons at his private pool? He rather liked that idea...

"My swimming must be dreadful for you to offer such a lesson," Richard said with a coy smile, trying not to appear too interested, least Xander get the completely wrong idea about him. Yes, Richard would have liked to have taken their relationship, as brief as it may have been, a little further, but that certainly wasn't his intention when he made such a big splash. Revenge was his intention, but this was a good aftermath as well. "I'm willing to take the lessons, if you're willing to put up with me. With summer time on the way, I'm certain to get a better chance at dates if I learned how to swim and not make a fool of myself, don't you think?"

When Xander said he had never been on a date, Richard nearly choked on the air that he was breathing, and it took a lot of his considerable will power to stop himself from laughing at what the poor guy was implying. Did that mean that he, the devilishly looking rogue that he was, had never kissed, much less experienced... Yes, that certainly made the confectioner's eyes lit up with glee and he just barely stopped the laugh from escaping his throat before tensing up to stop himself. It wasn't his place to judge, given his own sexually active lifestyle, and it was certainly not a laughing matter, Richard told himself.

Before Xander could ask, he forced his words out, as he waded towards his sports bag and pulled out his spare notepad. It was filled to the brim with various phone numbers, some with hearts around with, others scratched out (many times over in a few cases), and an entire section was listed as "FB", though there was no indication what this stood for. And if Xander asked, he could easily lie and say "Facebook Buddies"... given what Xander more or less confessed to him, though, he was certain that he wouldn't had to do any explaining on that part.

He found a page that wasn't used and quickly wrote his number, and he waded back towards Xander, notepad and pen in hand. "That's my cellphone. Call it whenever you like. If I don't answer immediately, it's likely due to having some company over, but leave a voice mail and I'll get back to you as soon as I'm able."

He handed the pad and pen over to Xander, eager to get his number as well. He may not have been leaving the pool with a date, but at least he had a number, and it was something.

Xander might not have noticed the ladies' disgruntled clucking, but Richard had, and he was relishing in their delight. Maybe he was a troll. Maybe he did find other people's anger and rage to be a satisfying meal. He wouldn't have cared if they didn't involve him, but now it was on. This was the final stretch of his revenge against them.

Not only had he ruined their towels and their insane desire to stay dry at a pool, but he managed to snag the phone number to undoubtedly the most desirable gentleman at the pool. That was likely their original intention in their little game, but they played poorly and lost, where as Richard would undoubtedly reap the fruits of victory.

Or not, given how clueless Xander appeared. Not that it made him any less of a man- Richard found his innocence to be rather charming in its own way, and he liked charming. He was certain that someday, Xander could be enlightened, but until then, he would continue his game another day and give him his space.

He accepted the notepad and gave the number a look over, and he made sure to flash the troublesome ladies a s**t-eating grin before turning back to Xander. "We're grown men with serious professions, so I'd understand. Don't worry Xander. I know how to use an answering machine..."

It was his queue to leave now, and he gave his prize a little wave in the air, both to indicate to Xander that he would be keeping it close, as well as to gloat to the ladies as he made his departure. "Until the next time, then! I look forward to our lessons."

He had enough chlorine in his nose today. He got exactly what he wanted, and now was the time to take his victory and enjoy a few rounds. There was so much left in the day, but he already felt so accomplished! He loved springtime...