Purple Rain Chapter 7
Hey guys another weekend update! Yay for consistency. I'm on a HIMYM buzz at the moment because I am almost completely caught up on Season 4 now. I must say I really don't like the back and forth Robin did between B and T but for what I'd already written before I saw the eps it fits in well.
I have to apologize for any grammatical mistakes you may find. My beta went through this with a fine toothed comb but I'm having problems with my flash where I store this fic.
Without further ado...
7 - FORTRESS OF AWESOME
Barney sat at the table across from Jack and took another sip of his wine.
After lunch at the Four Seasons, they had taken Jack to the Cigar Bar then to play laser tag. By the time they left the laser tag place it was getting dark so they had decided to go for dinner at an upmarket French brasserie in Manhattan.
Robin had just gone to the bathroom, they were waiting for dessert. Barney knew that this was the best opportunity to see what decision the man had made but his gut told him it would be okay.
Jack’s fair complexion was flushed from all the alcohol he had consumed all day, “You know Barney, I am going to approve yours and Robin’s application.”
Barney set his glass down carefully and waited for Jack to continue.
“I am not a stupid man, I can see that your wedding isn’t for all the reasons the two of you claim it is-”
Barney opened his mouth to interject but Jack held up a liberally freckled hand to stop him.
“You’re in love with her though, that is clear as glass to me… and she seems to care about you way more than just friends-”
“Bros!” Barney corrected. It was not like he could vehemently deny his feelings for Robin to the one guy it was important to show them to.
“So I’m not going to write about the real reasons for your wedding in my report because… she seems to care about you way more than just Bros.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“A career of studying people.”
“Hmm… so what are the conditions…? I too have made a career of reading people.”
“Well, I don’t know B-Man what do you suggest?”
“You’re a Knicks fan, so how about season tickets?”
“I don’t know it’s not exactly kosher for me to accept anything like that from you.”
“Okay Bro, I know what this is…what if I throw in an all expenses paid trip to Vegas for you… and a friend as well?”
“Vegas huh?”
“You can stay in the penthouse suite at the Bellagio, I’ll even arrange a couple strippers to welcome you to Vegas. I’m a wealthy man you approve our application and I can make it out as a thank you gift.”
“Deal!”
“Smart man, you held out for private strippers and the Bellagio.”
Barney picked up his wine and drank the remaining contents. Jack shrugged, his eyes twinkling.
“Yeah well, I knew I had to make you feel like you’ve pulled out all the stops.”
“What do you mean?” Barney poured some more wine into his glass and topped up Jack’s as well.
“Well, the only reason I’m doing this is because I kinda want to see you get your girl. There really is something there, but a guy like you and a girl like her need some time... and competition and therapy, but that’s besides the point… Look, USCIS guys in my section; we’re a bunch of romantics, well some of us at any rate. It’d be nice to see this marriage of convenience work out. It’s happened before you know.”
“The only reason huh?”
“Okay and why would I pass up Knicks season tickets, strippers and Vegas? Usually I get offered a couple hundred dollars or a year’s free meals at whatever little restaurant. It’s rare for rich men to need my help. And you know, I may not be an alpha male but I’m still a man.”
Barney processed this and shrugged, “Yeah I get it I guess.”
“So you’ve got a year to make it happen.”
“A year?"
“Yeah, after that someone else will be checking up on you guys for the next year, its policy.”
“Huh, a year…”
“Yeah, a year, so you know… make it count Bro.”
“Oh… our dessert’s not here yet!?” Robin complained as she sat back down in her seat.
They both jumped but one look at her clueless face told them she hadn’t overheard anything.
“No not yet Sparkles... have some more wine.”
“Hmm thanks… so Mr. Johnson we were talking about your lack of a girlfriend…. We have to do something about that! Tonight! Oh we can take you to our bar, Maclaren’s and wingman and woman for you!” Robin clapped her hands in growing excitement, her eyes sparkling under the lights.
Barney smiled at her indulgently. She was totally tipsy.
“Yeah Bro, that’s the least we can do, you spent the day awesoming with us, we can’t let you go home without a nice piece of strange on your arm!”
Jack blushed furiously, shaking his head.
“Come on! It’ll be fun… no wait it’ll be legen- fucking-dary!” Robin exclaimed, positively bouncing in her chair.
“Come on Bro… you’re dealing with the best here, we’ll get you some strange! And Bros don’t let other Bros down!”
“Strange! Strange! Strange!” Robin chanted encouragingly.
Jack turned a darker shade of red but nodded his head slightly in agreement with their suggestion.
Barney and Robin high-fived each other and shared a triumphant look. Their desserts arrived just then breaking the connection, everybody turned their attention to their plates.
As Robin finished her last bite of cheesecake, Jack picked up his glass and tapped it gently with his fork.
“This has been one of the most awesome days I’ve ever had-
“Bro please… this was the awesomest day you’ve ever had.”
“Okay fine, this is the awesomest day I’ve ever had. Laser tag was just incredible! Ahem, anyway, I have made my decision, but it has conditions.”
Robin looked at Barney nervously; he placed a reassuring hand on her thigh under the table. She covered his hand with her left and squeezed it.
“I’m approving your application but you are definitely going to have to live together because I am going to periodically check on you.”
An anticipatory silence descended on the table. Finally, Robin screwed up enough courage to ask the question on both her and Barney’s minds, albeit for different reasons.
“Why?”
“Cause those are the rules, once you make a visit you have to make a few more. Since I’m convinced that you guys aren’t trying to scam the good folks at USCIS, I won’t be visiting you on a weekly or bi-weekly basis but I or someone else at our offices if I am unavailable, will be checking on you.”
“Well whatever you gotta do Bro… Robin and I have nothing to worry about or to hide do we baby?”
He squeezed her thigh. Robin leaned in and kissed him, pulling away she shook her head.
“Of course not, visit whenever Bro.”
“Excellent, now on that note let’s have some champagne!” Barney called out, signalling a waiter.
Jack’s face brightened up and he gave Barney a subtle thumbs up, Barney acknowledged the gesture with a brief wink.
“Oh yes! Champagne is definitely in order!” Robin agreed, smiling brightly and clapping her hands together in anticipation.
Jack hadn’t given them a total pass but it wouldn’t be too bad either. It was kinda fun playing a married couple with Barney and there was no real harm in it anyway.
-----------------------------------xxxxxxx
“You’ve really just come back from a two year secret space launch?”
“Yes, yes he has, that’s why he’s so pale… and out of step with current fashion!” Robin cut in.
The redhead with the Superman logo tattooed on her lower back was gazing at Jack Johnson with unbridled lust.
“That’s so sweet of you guys to take him out on his first night back on Earth, but I think if he really wants to blow some steam he should come home with me,” the redhead told Barney and Robin who were sitting next to each other in the booth at the back of Maclaren’s.
Jack’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull at the redhead’s blatant sexual invitation.
Barney smiled, “Go ahead Jessica, take him, he’s all yours! If I wasn’t married to such a foxy woman myself, I’d definitely be trying to get you to take me to your place.”
“Yeah he totally would.” Robin nodded in amusement.
Her eyes lingered on Barney’s face as he grinned mischievously at her. Barney’s left arm was around her waist and she was half-sitting on his lap. His right hand was stroking up and down her thigh in a hypnotic, absent-minded motion. She could no longer remember if this was because of their lovey-dovey couple shtick or if they had just relaxed into this position. She was too happy about Jack’s decision and pleasantly intoxicated to care.
“Okay let me grab my purse.” Jessica told them as she speed walked to her table.
Robin and Barney turned excited faces towards Jack.
“I can’t believe this! It worked!” Jack was in complete shock.
“Of course it worked Bro, I’m the greatest wingman ever! And keep that expression on your face it’ll make her think she’s the best you’ve ever had.”
Robin elbowed him gently.
“Thank you, so much! Both of you, this is really... awesome!” Jack gushed impassionedly.
Barney and Robin nodded as Jessica came back to their table and taking Jack’s hand pulled him out of his seat.
“Okay guys we’re gonna go… don’t wait up for him.”
“Go! Go with God you two!” Barney made the papal blessing sign at them.
Robin chuckled as the two of them walked away. She slid her left hand over to Barney’s face and cupped his chin, “I’m pretty ready to go myself.”
“You are?”
“Oh yeah Stinson, we need to celebrate, so take me home and tap this!”
Barney shot out of the booth and pulled her along with him, they giggled like little kids as they stumbled out into the cold air and flagged a cab back to his place.
---------------------xxxxx
Robin sat on the couch and stared the picture of her in her wedding veil that Barney had placed in front of his samurai sword. She had not noticed it earlier when Jack had arrived. She took another sip from her water bottle and critically studied herself. The picture had been taken long after the ceremony and it was just her with the lights of Atlantic City twinkling in the background. If she remembered correctly, Karma had taken it. Her veil formed a white gauzy shroud around her face and the camera was softly out of focus lending a dreamy quality to the picture. What had Robin perturbed was that not only was she glowing from a little too much whisky but she actually looked like a bride, blissfully content that she had married the right man, made the right choice. How the hell had Karma captured sentiment that wasn’t even there? And why was it even bothering her at all?
Barney walked out of the shower and leaned against the door jamb.
“It’s a good picture of you, why are you scowling at it?”
She dropped the frame, startled.
“Christ Barney you scared me!”
“Not half as much as you’re scaring that picture.”
Robin placed the frame behind her, in front of the Samurai sword and next to the picture of her with all her dogs.
“It’s just weird to see photographic evidence of the AC, you know?”
Barney sat down on the couch next to her and leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling.
“Yeah I guess.”
Robin felt an urge to stroke his damp hair back but caught herself before she acted on it. Jack Johnson was at Jessica’s getting a happy; there was no need to continue pretending to be that kind of intimate. She curled her hand into a fist and saw the sapphire glinting.
“Nice one getting Mr. Johnson a nightcap, Barney.”
Barney smiled, “Well you helped.”
“Not really, I was kinda just woo-ing a lot.”
“Yeah you were actually.”
“Even better, he’s gonna approve us.”
“Like there was ever any doubt.”
Robin’s eyes raked his damp, nice smelling form and she gave in the urge to lean into him. Barney brought an arm up around her shoulders and she relaxed against him, also staring up at the ceiling now.
“So we’ve got a quarter of my stuff here and a closet full of new clothes, thanks again for that.”
Barney inclined his head, “And we have to live together.”
They sat there in silence for a few minutes.
“How do you feel about having a roommate?”
“Well… you won’t be a roommate seeing as you’ll have your own room.”
“You know what I mean!” She punched his arm lightly.
“Yeah I do, no, it’s cool. I told you that you could depend on me and I wouldn’t let you down.”
“I know Barney and thank you, but I feel like it’s a lot to ask. It was supposed to be temporary and now we have to keep this up for like two years.”
“Robin, it’s you! And it’s me! Neither one of us are planning on settling down anytime soon so what does it matter?”
“We’re gonna have to keep on lying to the rest of the group… I think I’m gonna end up feeling kinda bad.”
“So what you don’t feel bad already?”
“No, not really.”
“Yeah me neither.”
They chuckled a little at this.
“Seriously Barney, do you think we can do this and keep it a secret?”
“Oh Canada… you and I are Mr and Mrs Awesome not only in name and by reputation but officially too… We can totally do this. And come on admit it, we are far more evolved than our lovable friends, so yes I don’t think it’ll be a problem keeping this a secret. It’s gonna be fun!” Barney jiggled her shoulder as he spoke then sat up to look her straight in the eyes.
She sat up too and after a few seconds of hesitation she leaned in and hugged him, his confidence and enthusiasm was contagious. Pulling away slightly, her arms still around his neck, she looked into his eyes and smiled.
“Yeah you’re right, it will be fun! ‘Sides you’ve soundproofed your walls so it’s not like I’m gonna be kept up or you’ll be kept up if either of us bring someone home.”
Barney’s grin grew even wider, “Oh I will be kept up if I bring someone home! Besides, we’ve got this great no strings attached sex thing going on too! This is gonna be the awesomest Bro pad of all time.”
“Yeah it will!” Robin leaned in without thinking and kissed him.
Barney’s lips met hers, and he pulled her closer. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he pulled off his towel, with her naked under his bathrobe it was very easy to work under it. She moaned softly as he entered her.
“Come on, let’s go christen our bed again.” he whispered into her ear as he rocked his hips back and forth in long, gentle strokes.
“Okay later, right now… oh… don’t stop.” Robin gasped sinking her teeth into his shoulder.
Barney chuckled softly; this was going to rock!
-------------------------------------xxxxxxxx
“Ted we need to talk.” Robin started off.
Ted was teasing his hair into his usual hairstyle before he set out for work; Robin was wearing a knee-length figure hugging, white wool dress with a cowl neck. It was one of the items of clothing Barney had not only chosen but had bought for her yesterday.
“Okay sure! Where’ve you been I haven’t seen you since yesterday morning after your really late night, let me guess, you went to his place instead this time?”
Robin set her handbag down on the red sofa and put her hands on her hips.
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about actually.”
Ted stopped fiddling with his hair and turned to face her. This looked serious.
“What’s up?”
“Okay you know how we were hooking up a couple weeks ago and it was threatening to screw everything up?”
“Yeah, but that’s behind us now!”
“Yeah for now… and to be honest I think it’s a little weird, living here with you without a buffer zone or a referee. Especially when I want to bring someone home-”
“I’ve never stopped you from bringing someone home!
“Not directly you haven’t no, but your eyes and your actions say otherwise Ted.”
“Robin what are you saying? What do you want me to do?”
“Move out.”
He scoffed at this, “You want me to move out of my own apartment?”
Robin raised one hand, “No, Ted. I meant I’m moving out.”
Ted’s face fell. He scratched the back of his head and shrugged, not knowing what else to do. Robin looked at the floor and started to play with her hands, it was only then that she realized that she still had Barney’s wedding ring on her finger. Her eyes flew over to Ted but he was too busy staring at his feet, and she quickly slipped the ring off her finger, holding it tightly in her right fist.
“Where are you gonna go, its not like you’ve gotten paid yet.”
“I’m gonna go to Barney’s apartment.”
“Barney!? Is this a joke? There is no way he will let you move into the ‘Fortress of Barnitude’; women who aren’t one night stands are illegal immigrants there!”
Robin bit her lip but couldn’t stop herself, “Actually it’s going to be known as the ‘Fortress of Awesome’ from now on and there will be at least one other legal citizen there, me.”
Ted frowned at her, in confusion, “You’re serious about this aren’t you?”
“Yes I am… and I’m moving out today.”
“Does Barney know you’re moving in with him or are you just gonna pull a Lily?” Ted asked sceptically.
“He knows. He’s not exactly thrilled but he’ll come round.”
Ted smiled, “Okay, but in two weeks time when he kicks you out, know that your room is still your room.”
Robin started to shake her head but stopped herself, “I think it’ll be okay but thanks anyway Ted.”
He leaned in to hug her but Robin chose that moment to step away and walk to her room, preoccupied with hiding the ring before she accidentally dropped it or did something equally stupid.
Ted watched her go with a frown on his face, there was something different about Robin but he couldn’t put his finger on what it was just yet.
----------------------------xxxxxx
I have to apologize for any grammatical mistakes you may find. My beta went through this with a fine toothed comb but I'm having problems with my flash where I store this fic.
Without further ado...
7 - FORTRESS OF AWESOME
Barney sat at the table across from Jack and took another sip of his wine.
After lunch at the Four Seasons, they had taken Jack to the Cigar Bar then to play laser tag. By the time they left the laser tag place it was getting dark so they had decided to go for dinner at an upmarket French brasserie in Manhattan.
Robin had just gone to the bathroom, they were waiting for dessert. Barney knew that this was the best opportunity to see what decision the man had made but his gut told him it would be okay.
Jack’s fair complexion was flushed from all the alcohol he had consumed all day, “You know Barney, I am going to approve yours and Robin’s application.”
Barney set his glass down carefully and waited for Jack to continue.
“I am not a stupid man, I can see that your wedding isn’t for all the reasons the two of you claim it is-”
Barney opened his mouth to interject but Jack held up a liberally freckled hand to stop him.
“You’re in love with her though, that is clear as glass to me… and she seems to care about you way more than just friends-”
“Bros!” Barney corrected. It was not like he could vehemently deny his feelings for Robin to the one guy it was important to show them to.
“So I’m not going to write about the real reasons for your wedding in my report because… she seems to care about you way more than just Bros.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“A career of studying people.”
“Hmm… so what are the conditions…? I too have made a career of reading people.”
“Well, I don’t know B-Man what do you suggest?”
“You’re a Knicks fan, so how about season tickets?”
“I don’t know it’s not exactly kosher for me to accept anything like that from you.”
“Okay Bro, I know what this is…what if I throw in an all expenses paid trip to Vegas for you… and a friend as well?”
“Vegas huh?”
“You can stay in the penthouse suite at the Bellagio, I’ll even arrange a couple strippers to welcome you to Vegas. I’m a wealthy man you approve our application and I can make it out as a thank you gift.”
“Deal!”
“Smart man, you held out for private strippers and the Bellagio.”
Barney picked up his wine and drank the remaining contents. Jack shrugged, his eyes twinkling.
“Yeah well, I knew I had to make you feel like you’ve pulled out all the stops.”
“What do you mean?” Barney poured some more wine into his glass and topped up Jack’s as well.
“Well, the only reason I’m doing this is because I kinda want to see you get your girl. There really is something there, but a guy like you and a girl like her need some time... and competition and therapy, but that’s besides the point… Look, USCIS guys in my section; we’re a bunch of romantics, well some of us at any rate. It’d be nice to see this marriage of convenience work out. It’s happened before you know.”
“The only reason huh?”
“Okay and why would I pass up Knicks season tickets, strippers and Vegas? Usually I get offered a couple hundred dollars or a year’s free meals at whatever little restaurant. It’s rare for rich men to need my help. And you know, I may not be an alpha male but I’m still a man.”
Barney processed this and shrugged, “Yeah I get it I guess.”
“So you’ve got a year to make it happen.”
“A year?"
“Yeah, after that someone else will be checking up on you guys for the next year, its policy.”
“Huh, a year…”
“Yeah, a year, so you know… make it count Bro.”
“Oh… our dessert’s not here yet!?” Robin complained as she sat back down in her seat.
They both jumped but one look at her clueless face told them she hadn’t overheard anything.
“No not yet Sparkles... have some more wine.”
“Hmm thanks… so Mr. Johnson we were talking about your lack of a girlfriend…. We have to do something about that! Tonight! Oh we can take you to our bar, Maclaren’s and wingman and woman for you!” Robin clapped her hands in growing excitement, her eyes sparkling under the lights.
Barney smiled at her indulgently. She was totally tipsy.
“Yeah Bro, that’s the least we can do, you spent the day awesoming with us, we can’t let you go home without a nice piece of strange on your arm!”
Jack blushed furiously, shaking his head.
“Come on! It’ll be fun… no wait it’ll be legen- fucking-dary!” Robin exclaimed, positively bouncing in her chair.
“Come on Bro… you’re dealing with the best here, we’ll get you some strange! And Bros don’t let other Bros down!”
“Strange! Strange! Strange!” Robin chanted encouragingly.
Jack turned a darker shade of red but nodded his head slightly in agreement with their suggestion.
Barney and Robin high-fived each other and shared a triumphant look. Their desserts arrived just then breaking the connection, everybody turned their attention to their plates.
As Robin finished her last bite of cheesecake, Jack picked up his glass and tapped it gently with his fork.
“This has been one of the most awesome days I’ve ever had-
“Bro please… this was the awesomest day you’ve ever had.”
“Okay fine, this is the awesomest day I’ve ever had. Laser tag was just incredible! Ahem, anyway, I have made my decision, but it has conditions.”
Robin looked at Barney nervously; he placed a reassuring hand on her thigh under the table. She covered his hand with her left and squeezed it.
“I’m approving your application but you are definitely going to have to live together because I am going to periodically check on you.”
An anticipatory silence descended on the table. Finally, Robin screwed up enough courage to ask the question on both her and Barney’s minds, albeit for different reasons.
“Why?”
“Cause those are the rules, once you make a visit you have to make a few more. Since I’m convinced that you guys aren’t trying to scam the good folks at USCIS, I won’t be visiting you on a weekly or bi-weekly basis but I or someone else at our offices if I am unavailable, will be checking on you.”
“Well whatever you gotta do Bro… Robin and I have nothing to worry about or to hide do we baby?”
He squeezed her thigh. Robin leaned in and kissed him, pulling away she shook her head.
“Of course not, visit whenever Bro.”
“Excellent, now on that note let’s have some champagne!” Barney called out, signalling a waiter.
Jack’s face brightened up and he gave Barney a subtle thumbs up, Barney acknowledged the gesture with a brief wink.
“Oh yes! Champagne is definitely in order!” Robin agreed, smiling brightly and clapping her hands together in anticipation.
Jack hadn’t given them a total pass but it wouldn’t be too bad either. It was kinda fun playing a married couple with Barney and there was no real harm in it anyway.
-----------------------------------xxxxxxx
“You’ve really just come back from a two year secret space launch?”
“Yes, yes he has, that’s why he’s so pale… and out of step with current fashion!” Robin cut in.
The redhead with the Superman logo tattooed on her lower back was gazing at Jack Johnson with unbridled lust.
“That’s so sweet of you guys to take him out on his first night back on Earth, but I think if he really wants to blow some steam he should come home with me,” the redhead told Barney and Robin who were sitting next to each other in the booth at the back of Maclaren’s.
Jack’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull at the redhead’s blatant sexual invitation.
Barney smiled, “Go ahead Jessica, take him, he’s all yours! If I wasn’t married to such a foxy woman myself, I’d definitely be trying to get you to take me to your place.”
“Yeah he totally would.” Robin nodded in amusement.
Her eyes lingered on Barney’s face as he grinned mischievously at her. Barney’s left arm was around her waist and she was half-sitting on his lap. His right hand was stroking up and down her thigh in a hypnotic, absent-minded motion. She could no longer remember if this was because of their lovey-dovey couple shtick or if they had just relaxed into this position. She was too happy about Jack’s decision and pleasantly intoxicated to care.
“Okay let me grab my purse.” Jessica told them as she speed walked to her table.
Robin and Barney turned excited faces towards Jack.
“I can’t believe this! It worked!” Jack was in complete shock.
“Of course it worked Bro, I’m the greatest wingman ever! And keep that expression on your face it’ll make her think she’s the best you’ve ever had.”
Robin elbowed him gently.
“Thank you, so much! Both of you, this is really... awesome!” Jack gushed impassionedly.
Barney and Robin nodded as Jessica came back to their table and taking Jack’s hand pulled him out of his seat.
“Okay guys we’re gonna go… don’t wait up for him.”
“Go! Go with God you two!” Barney made the papal blessing sign at them.
Robin chuckled as the two of them walked away. She slid her left hand over to Barney’s face and cupped his chin, “I’m pretty ready to go myself.”
“You are?”
“Oh yeah Stinson, we need to celebrate, so take me home and tap this!”
Barney shot out of the booth and pulled her along with him, they giggled like little kids as they stumbled out into the cold air and flagged a cab back to his place.
---------------------xxxxx
Robin sat on the couch and stared the picture of her in her wedding veil that Barney had placed in front of his samurai sword. She had not noticed it earlier when Jack had arrived. She took another sip from her water bottle and critically studied herself. The picture had been taken long after the ceremony and it was just her with the lights of Atlantic City twinkling in the background. If she remembered correctly, Karma had taken it. Her veil formed a white gauzy shroud around her face and the camera was softly out of focus lending a dreamy quality to the picture. What had Robin perturbed was that not only was she glowing from a little too much whisky but she actually looked like a bride, blissfully content that she had married the right man, made the right choice. How the hell had Karma captured sentiment that wasn’t even there? And why was it even bothering her at all?
Barney walked out of the shower and leaned against the door jamb.
“It’s a good picture of you, why are you scowling at it?”
She dropped the frame, startled.
“Christ Barney you scared me!”
“Not half as much as you’re scaring that picture.”
Robin placed the frame behind her, in front of the Samurai sword and next to the picture of her with all her dogs.
“It’s just weird to see photographic evidence of the AC, you know?”
Barney sat down on the couch next to her and leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling.
“Yeah I guess.”
Robin felt an urge to stroke his damp hair back but caught herself before she acted on it. Jack Johnson was at Jessica’s getting a happy; there was no need to continue pretending to be that kind of intimate. She curled her hand into a fist and saw the sapphire glinting.
“Nice one getting Mr. Johnson a nightcap, Barney.”
Barney smiled, “Well you helped.”
“Not really, I was kinda just woo-ing a lot.”
“Yeah you were actually.”
“Even better, he’s gonna approve us.”
“Like there was ever any doubt.”
Robin’s eyes raked his damp, nice smelling form and she gave in the urge to lean into him. Barney brought an arm up around her shoulders and she relaxed against him, also staring up at the ceiling now.
“So we’ve got a quarter of my stuff here and a closet full of new clothes, thanks again for that.”
Barney inclined his head, “And we have to live together.”
They sat there in silence for a few minutes.
“How do you feel about having a roommate?”
“Well… you won’t be a roommate seeing as you’ll have your own room.”
“You know what I mean!” She punched his arm lightly.
“Yeah I do, no, it’s cool. I told you that you could depend on me and I wouldn’t let you down.”
“I know Barney and thank you, but I feel like it’s a lot to ask. It was supposed to be temporary and now we have to keep this up for like two years.”
“Robin, it’s you! And it’s me! Neither one of us are planning on settling down anytime soon so what does it matter?”
“We’re gonna have to keep on lying to the rest of the group… I think I’m gonna end up feeling kinda bad.”
“So what you don’t feel bad already?”
“No, not really.”
“Yeah me neither.”
They chuckled a little at this.
“Seriously Barney, do you think we can do this and keep it a secret?”
“Oh Canada… you and I are Mr and Mrs Awesome not only in name and by reputation but officially too… We can totally do this. And come on admit it, we are far more evolved than our lovable friends, so yes I don’t think it’ll be a problem keeping this a secret. It’s gonna be fun!” Barney jiggled her shoulder as he spoke then sat up to look her straight in the eyes.
She sat up too and after a few seconds of hesitation she leaned in and hugged him, his confidence and enthusiasm was contagious. Pulling away slightly, her arms still around his neck, she looked into his eyes and smiled.
“Yeah you’re right, it will be fun! ‘Sides you’ve soundproofed your walls so it’s not like I’m gonna be kept up or you’ll be kept up if either of us bring someone home.”
Barney’s grin grew even wider, “Oh I will be kept up if I bring someone home! Besides, we’ve got this great no strings attached sex thing going on too! This is gonna be the awesomest Bro pad of all time.”
“Yeah it will!” Robin leaned in without thinking and kissed him.
Barney’s lips met hers, and he pulled her closer. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he pulled off his towel, with her naked under his bathrobe it was very easy to work under it. She moaned softly as he entered her.
“Come on, let’s go christen our bed again.” he whispered into her ear as he rocked his hips back and forth in long, gentle strokes.
“Okay later, right now… oh… don’t stop.” Robin gasped sinking her teeth into his shoulder.
Barney chuckled softly; this was going to rock!
-------------------------------------xxxxxxxx
“Ted we need to talk.” Robin started off.
Ted was teasing his hair into his usual hairstyle before he set out for work; Robin was wearing a knee-length figure hugging, white wool dress with a cowl neck. It was one of the items of clothing Barney had not only chosen but had bought for her yesterday.
“Okay sure! Where’ve you been I haven’t seen you since yesterday morning after your really late night, let me guess, you went to his place instead this time?”
Robin set her handbag down on the red sofa and put her hands on her hips.
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about actually.”
Ted stopped fiddling with his hair and turned to face her. This looked serious.
“What’s up?”
“Okay you know how we were hooking up a couple weeks ago and it was threatening to screw everything up?”
“Yeah, but that’s behind us now!”
“Yeah for now… and to be honest I think it’s a little weird, living here with you without a buffer zone or a referee. Especially when I want to bring someone home-”
“I’ve never stopped you from bringing someone home!
“Not directly you haven’t no, but your eyes and your actions say otherwise Ted.”
“Robin what are you saying? What do you want me to do?”
“Move out.”
He scoffed at this, “You want me to move out of my own apartment?”
Robin raised one hand, “No, Ted. I meant I’m moving out.”
Ted’s face fell. He scratched the back of his head and shrugged, not knowing what else to do. Robin looked at the floor and started to play with her hands, it was only then that she realized that she still had Barney’s wedding ring on her finger. Her eyes flew over to Ted but he was too busy staring at his feet, and she quickly slipped the ring off her finger, holding it tightly in her right fist.
“Where are you gonna go, its not like you’ve gotten paid yet.”
“I’m gonna go to Barney’s apartment.”
“Barney!? Is this a joke? There is no way he will let you move into the ‘Fortress of Barnitude’; women who aren’t one night stands are illegal immigrants there!”
Robin bit her lip but couldn’t stop herself, “Actually it’s going to be known as the ‘Fortress of Awesome’ from now on and there will be at least one other legal citizen there, me.”
Ted frowned at her, in confusion, “You’re serious about this aren’t you?”
“Yes I am… and I’m moving out today.”
“Does Barney know you’re moving in with him or are you just gonna pull a Lily?” Ted asked sceptically.
“He knows. He’s not exactly thrilled but he’ll come round.”
Ted smiled, “Okay, but in two weeks time when he kicks you out, know that your room is still your room.”
Robin started to shake her head but stopped herself, “I think it’ll be okay but thanks anyway Ted.”
He leaned in to hug her but Robin chose that moment to step away and walk to her room, preoccupied with hiding the ring before she accidentally dropped it or did something equally stupid.
Ted watched her go with a frown on his face, there was something different about Robin but he couldn’t put his finger on what it was just yet.
----------------------------xxxxxx