Interesting Times, Chapter 24

By GirlX2

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"So, this is what you were doing while I was away?" Ted shook his head, but smiled.

"Oh please, you know this looks awesome." Barney scoffed.

The apartment had been adorned with some of Barney's prized possessions, namely his stormtrooper, his espresso maker, and his DVD collection. Ted had to admit it; the stormtrooper looked cool.

"It's not like we could overhaul the whole place in two days." Robin added, smiling nervously. She really didn't want to have the coming conversation.

"I'm thankful for small favors." Ted eased himself onto the couch. He'd gotten a series of stitches and had to move carefully, but was otherwise cleared to return to his normal life.

A relative term at the best of times.

Robin held Barney, and the two were both acting a tad...off. Ted resolved to wait patiently. He had a pretty good idea what was coming.

"So, um..." Barney shot a desperate look at Robin. "Robin has something to tell you."

"You jackass." Robin growled.

"Hey, I'm handicapped."

"Are you two going to tell me you're dating, or can I just keep watching this for free?" Ted injected mildly.

Both his friends stopped, mouths open.

Ted sighed. "After everything that's happened, you honestly think I'd be angry?"

"I...I just didn't want to upset you." Barney said.

"Bro, I'm gonna say this, and then we're done with this: I want you both to be happy. So be happy."

Barney swallowed, unable to speak.

"You do realize I'm not moving in with him, or vice-versa?" Robin asked cautiously.

"That'd be one hell of a trick. I don't think you could fit a foot in his apartment, let alone anything else." Ted gave them a quizzical look. "But I really, really don't want to hear about how you plan to work around that."

"Yeah, good." Robin set Barney on the couch. "I've gotta get to work, but I'll call you later."

Ted averted his eyes as Robin gently ran a finger down Barney's back. They needed a Lilliputian tie-on-the-knob system stat.

Barney all but fell to the couch after Robin left. "I have never wanted to be back to normal so badly."

"I guessed." Ted said quietly.

"What's wrong?"

"It's not fair."

"What?"

"You have been put through hell for the last four months, and we both nearly died before something good happened for you. Life isn't supposed to be this hard."

"Oh."

"It's like...how are we supposed to move past that?" Ted said angrily. "How the hell can we just say, 'well, the guy's in jail, and Barney got the girl, so all's well that ends well?'!"

"I don't know."

Ted's shoulders sagged. He looked worn. "I'm scared. What if there's a next time? What if I can't help you? God, it's like the first days all over again!"

"Ted, listen to me; I know you're freaked. I am too. But I really don't want to spend any more time freaking out over what might happen. I figure, the wost has happened. We made it."

"...Huh. That makes a little sense."

"Is that some kind of short joke, Mosby?"

Ted grinned. "Ahh, you know me better than that. My short jokes are way funnier."

"Sure they are Ted."

"Here's one: if a Lilliputian does weed, does he get high or medium?"

"Ha ha."

"What do you get when you cross a Lilliputan with a computer?"

"So not helping you here."

"A short circuit."

"You know Ted, I'm glad you're tall. Gives me more to dislike."

Both men broke into laughs.

"So, this is how we manage? By being bros?"

"Works for me."

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To be continued...

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A/N New jobs, new plays, so yeah, I'm busy.