I dedicated this chapter to Swarklesfan. I hope this is enough Swarkles for you here.
"So who will you choose then Mosby?" Barney asked as he walked up. Lily and Marshall followed and Ted sighed deciding not to care everyone just followed him and Robin.
"Put down your glare bro, I don't want to go through another month without you three again" he said.
"Are you sure Ted?" Marshall asked. "Dude! I thought Robin was your friend!" Barney snapped at him.
"Of course she is Barney but I don't think your being fair!" Marshall snapped back. He walked to Ted and slung his arm around him. "Ted has a right to be happy too" he added.
"Thanks man" Ted told him. He then stepped out of his arm and puts his arm around Robin who looks uncomfortable.
"I think Barney is right, I can't be with Victoria if I can't hang out with my best friend" he said.
"You don't have to do that Ted, I know you love her"
"I do but I also love you Robin"
"We tried that and it didn't seem to work Ted but you and Victoria do seem to work" Robin cut in.
"Robin…"
"No! Stop being so stupid Mosby and choose who you really want to be with!" Robin snapped at him.
She pulled away from him angrily and took off running. "Robin!" Ted screamed and Barney grabbed his arm before he could run.
"Don't Ted! Don't keep putting all this pressure on her! If you want Victoria then just stay already because I know you'll pretend to be okay after the divorce but will secretly mope and she'll find out and it'll hurt her even more and she doesn't deserve that!" he snapped at him quickly.
"I've never ever tried to hurt her Barney!"
"Well you did Ted" Barney pointed out.
"I never meant to" Ted answered softly. "Then you should never have married Victoria in the first place. People don't change Ted, not if they don't want to, not even for the people they love" Barney replied.
"I know…" Ted answered. "Least I know that now…I guess I just thought I could change her mind and…"
"And you'd be like a prince in one of those stupid, sappy, lovesick Disney movies children love" Barney finished for him.
"But life doesn't work like that" Lily cut in. She took Barney's hand. "Stop being so bitter with him, you've made mistakes too" she scolded quietly.
"Lily…"
"You said enough Barney, just go find Robin and comfort her okay?" Lily replied.
"Glad to" Barney agreed. He turned around, took a step, stopped and turned back.
"I do want you to be happy Ted" he said.
"Only if I choose Robin right?" Ted asked. The handsome suited up blond man shook his head. "Actually after you left the bar I yelled at Vicky for not trusting you so…I just want you to be happy bro"
"Thanks" Ted answered and Barney nodded knowing his best friend understood now.
"I'll go now and comfort Robin but I meant every word I said Ted. If you choose Robin and she ends up hurt again…" he said and stopped. "Please don't make me choose between you and her Ted, you won't win" he finished.
Ted didn't reply and after a few seconds of silence Barney sighed. "Think it over carefully Mosby, that's all I am going to say" he said and ran off.
"He really loves her" Lily commented.
"Seems like it" Ted answered softly. Lily put her arms around him. "I'm sorry Ted" she told him softly.
He placed his arms around Lily and sighed. "Why do I always lose?" he asked but his two friends couldn't reply. Marshall gently gripped his shoulders and Lily just hugged him. Ted only sighed again after a minute of silence.