A/N

I hated how Ted and Robin got back together. And it's not just because I'm a huge Swarkles shipper. She told him she didn't love him, but he kept pushing. Also, did I get too OOC with Robin in this chapter? Thanks for reading! :)

In Case You Didn't Know

You had my heart a long, long time ago.

2031

Barney knocked on the door to Robin's room. He couldn't believe this was where she and Ted were having their wedding. The Farhampton Inn. This place brought up memories that he tried so hard to bury. He also couldn't believe that Ted had asked him to be the co-best man. Didn't he understand how weird that is? This is his best friend and ex-wife's wedding, which he's the best man at. He was gonna need a lot more scotch to get through today.

"Who is it?" Lily's voice floated from inside the dressing room.

"Me." Barney replied. Lily unlocked the door and let him in. He laid his eyes on Robin and his breath was literally taken away. She looked gorgeous. The dress was a little girly for Robin's personality, but she wore it well. The dress was a ball gown, so the skirt was huge and poufy. The bodice was lace and the sleeves were off the shoulder. Even her engagement ring looked a little too girly to belong to her. It was a cushion-cut and the diamond was huge. Barney was almost certain it was bigger than the one he had given her. It seemed like Ted was trying to make it a competition, which wasn't right. "Woah." Barney breathed.

"I know! She looks amazing!" Lily squealed.

Robin looked at Barney and then back at Lily. "Uh, Lil. Can Barney and I have a minute to talk?" Lily nodded and scurried out of the room.

Barney smiled. "You really do look amazing, Robin."

"Thanks. I can hardly move in this skirt though. And I've gotta pee, but I don't think I can. So, I'm just gonna hold it." She replied.

"It's a little…girly?" Barney's statement came out as more of a question.

Robin laughed. "Yeah, I know. Lily picked it. I guess she thought it was the polar opposite of the I wore to our wedding."

Barney cringed. He didn't want to think about his and Robin's wedding right now. He sighed. "Okay, let's cut the awkward small talk. We both know I shouldn't be here, let alone be the best man here."

Robin sighed. "I don't know what Ted was thinking. It feels like everything he's done in the past year has been to rub it in your face that he got the girl and you didn't. he purposely got a ring a carat bigger than the one you got me, and then making you the best man at our wedding? I'm really sorry."

"Don't worry about it. It's your wedding day, you have bigger things to worry about than me." Barney paused. "It is your wedding day…how are you feeling?"

Robin took a deep breath. Barney recognized this as a sign she was ready to open up to him and be honest and vulnerable. "I'm alright. I'm having second thoughts, naturally. It's just…the love you and I had, it was crazy. In a good way. It was exciting and fun. What I have with Ted is…easy? Is it supposed to be easy? I'm confused. And lost. I don't know what love is supposed to feel like."

Barney shrugged. "I have just as much experience in the love department as you do. I've only ever been head over heels in love with one woman. I don't know what love is supposed to feel like either. What we had was exhausting but it was rewarding. The love I felt for you…I can't even find the word to describe what you and I had." What was he doing? Robin had cold feet and he was telling her about their love? About how it was better than Ted's? Is that what he was trying to do? Get her back?

Robin turned to look at him. "Barney I need to know something before I can go through with this wedding."

"Anything." He replied.

"Is there any chance we could be together again? At any time down the road?" She asked.

"Robin, you had my heart a long, long time ago. You still have it." He said. "But we can't be together. Nope. Not now or ever." It killed him to say that, but he owed it to Ted. You can't run away with a girl on the day of her wedding because she's scared. You just can't. When Robin had cold feet at their own wedding, Ted convinced her to go through with it.

Robin looked at Barney through the tears that were beginning to burn the back of her eyes. "I needed to hear you say that."

Barney silently hugged her. It was killing him. He so badly wanted to pull her into his arms and ride off into the sunset with her, like in those cheesy Hallmark movies Ellie's always making him watch. But, that's not how life works. Reality sucks.

They pulled apart and Barney looked at Robin's face. "Uh oh. Your makeup will start running. Lily's gonna kill me." He waved his hands frantically over her face trying to stop the mascara from running down her face. She laughed and swiped a hand across her eyes. He passed her the tube and she quickly touched up her eyes.

She put the tub down and checked herself in the mirror. "Thanks Barney."

"Anytime." He replied. He kissed her hand and left the room.

Half an hour later, he stood next to Ted and Marshall at the end of the alter and watched as the bridesmaids enter. After Lily, Penny, Daisy and Maggie were at the other end, Ellie came in. He grinned at his daughter as she threw rose petals everywhere and then ran to stand beside him. Finally, Robin and her father entered. They got to the other end and Ted took her arm.

The ceremony was short and sweet and although it hurt Barney to watch her marry someone else, Robin deserved to be happy and if Ted made her happy, he was happy.