Open What Now?

Lily was pacing back and forth at the foot of their bed. After the night they just had, Marshall was already tucked in bed, waiting for his beloved to get in as well so they could snuggle. However, she continued to pace, so finally he asked:

"Lilypad? What's wrong? Come to bed."

"Oh, Marshmallow, Robin told me… something and I think it was supposed to be a secret and now I don't know if I should do something about it or just let it play out. But if I do do something about it, it could mess up our whole friend group forever and I just don't know what to do!"

"... Hehehe, doo-doo… Hehehehe"

Lily gave a slight smile at his innocent and kind of childish humor. But she didn't have the patience for this at the moment. 

"Marshall! This is serious! I'm so lost right now and I just want things to be how they were before…"

Seeing her more distressed, Marshall got out of bed and went to console her. Bringing her into his warm embrace. This did help in calming her down but just enough so that she wasn't pacing and causing a disturbance for their downstairs neighbors. Rubbing her back in a slow gentle motion, he spoke softly:

"Alright, alright. How about I make you a nice cup of tea and we can talk about what's bothering you and we'll make a game plan, ok?"

Lily gave a nod and went to sit down on their bed. Just as Marshall went out of the room, Lily caught sight of one of his lawyer textbooks on her bedside table. Curious, she opens it and starts reading a little. In the time it took Marshall to boil water, make the tea, and come back into their bedroom, he sees Lily passed out on their bed, the textbook having fallen to the floor, under the bed. Giving a sigh of relief, Marshall drinks the tea himself, places the mug in the sink, and heads to bed as well. They'll figure out what to do tomorrow. Tonight, he was just happy his love was finally sleeping. 

***

When morning came, Lily realized too late that Marshall had gone off to the library, leaving her to her own devices. They hadn't talked about what Robin had told her. She began to start stressing out again. Finally, she took out her phone and started getting ready for the day as she sent a text to Robin.

Lily: Meet me at the bar asap!

Robin: Lily, it's like 10am, if you want to meet me just come over.

Lily: Fine! I'll be over in a few. Have some drinks ready!

Robin, still feeling groggy, nudges her dogs off the bed so she can get up. Her head was pounding and she couldn't remember much of last night. Seeing that Lily wanted to speak with her, something big must have happened. Resisting the urge to fall back asleep, she slowly stands up and begins to get dressed and make herself some coffee. After taking some aspirin, she was starting to feel a bit better… that was until someone knocked on the door. This caused all 5 of her dogs to start barking very loudly and aggressively. 

"God Damn It!"

Robin yells as she makes her way from the kitchen to her front door, shushing and reassuring her dogs that there is nothing to bark about. She opened the door slightly so she could see Lily, though that didn't last as Lily pushed open the door and allowed herself in, she was looking pretty annoyed. Robin wanted to say something as she was also equally annoyed about the sudden intrusion but she held back, not wanting her friend to feel like she wasn't welcomed. She was! It's just…not when she was having a massive hangover.

"Ooh You sonuvabitch! Damn it, Robin, why! Why did you tell me that?! Ooh noooo, I have to tell him…"

Robin shuts the door and goes to sit on the couch, taking a sip of her coffee, she lets Lily ramble on. The sound of her voice was a bit soothing even if it was a bit too loud. As her dogs started falling asleep one by one, it wasn't until Robins's coffee was all gone did she decided to stop Lily during her venting and asked:

"Lily, what are you talking about? What did I tell you last night?"

Lily stops her pacing and shuts up. Spinning around to face Robin, she takes her place on the couch next to her. Staring into her eyes, Lily can tell Robin has absolutely no idea what she told her last night. Oh god, that makes this worse! 

"Robin, last night… you told me that… Ted likes Barney… I mean, you were really drunk, right? You-you were just saying some nonsense because you were like… really, really wasted, right… Robin? Please tell me that you were just so drunk you made that up…"

Robin looked away from Lily's gaze. Shit. Maybe she should've brought out the beers even though alcohol is what got her in this mess in the first place. Taking a moment to think, Lily just stares at her with expectant eyes. Well, maybe clearing the air will help their friends get along better. Since Barney was now dating someone else, they could help Ted move on from his little crush and they could all hang out like normal again and she wouldn't have to keep downing her beers anymore. 

"Okay but…umm, you have to promise not to tell Ted I told you this."

"Robin, please tell me."

"... Alright, so… I was helping Ted get home, and when I was looking for his keys, he…he woke up and thought I was Barney. He basically admitted to wanting to sleep with him, Lily. I think… Ted might have some feelings for him…"

"... Pffthahaha! Oh Robin, you sure he wasn't just trying to play it off 'cause he realized it was you he was talking to? Heheheh"

Robin remained silent. Yeah, at one point she did think about that but there was more to it after that. She kept an eye on Ted, thinking maybe he'd give her a clue as to what he meant, and boy did he sing. She noticed the way he'd just stare at Barney, how he'd get so mad any time Barney hooked up with a guy, how he got all shy and nervous being near Barney. Ted was practically a teenager experiencing love for the first time. Not wanting to out her friend any more than she had to, she decided to try and change the subject.

"I'm not so sure, but hey! Since Barney's got a boyfriend, it's not like it matters, right? I mean they're practically made for each other what with their open relationship agreement thing. Heh."

"Open what now?"

Shit. Out of the frying pan and into the fire, huh?

"Ooh… Did Barney not tell you… Ah, look I'm out of coffee. Would you like one? I'll go get you one!"

With that Robin quickly stands up, ignoring the sudden nausea, and dashes into the kitchen. Taking her time to get the instant coffee out of her cupboard, she failed to think that Lily wouldn't follow her in. When she reached for the milk, she was startled to see Lily, arms crossed, standing by the kitchen entrance. Robin just stood there, like a child about to be scolded with milk in her hands. 

"What's this about an 'open relationship' Robin?"

***

"So get this! Barney and Josh are in an 'open relationship'! Apparently, Josh lets Barney sleep with other women! Can you believe that? Like how is that healthy?"

"Lily, honey, I love you and would love to hear more but I really gotta study for my finals right now. I'll be home in an hour and then we can talk more ok?"

"Alright, good luck my Marshmellow. I'll see you when I get home!"

Lily hung up the phone as she made her way down the street from Robins's place. As noon was coming, she started to feel hungry and went to some random cafe that smelled really good. After taking a seat, she stared at the menu when suddenly a hand tapped her shoulder.

"Lily, right?"

"Josh? What are you doing here?"

Turning around, she saw Josh. Damn, he looked so hot. Like a Greek god who fell from the heavens. Around his back was some kind of fancy guitar, he wore a loose-fitting black tank top, and his hair was styled in a half-up bun and half-loose flowy strands. He had tight ripped jeans and combat boots on. Lily was hoping to develop a photographic memory at that moment for later. Josh, feeling her intense stare, took a seat across from her. 

"My band is playing today, Barney's supposed to be showing up soon. I thought he told you and that's why you're here, is it not?"

"Oh, well isn't everyone just keeping things from me today?! You people say I can't keep a secret but I so can! Right after leaving Robin's, I didn't go straight to Ted and asked him if he really actually likes Barney-oh crap!"

Josh went wide eye, but stayed silent, going tight lip. Looks like he's got some explaining to do, one of the joys of being a boyfriend, he guessed. For the plan to work, this was necessary…

"Sigh, look, me and Barney's got this… thing…"

"Oh, the open relationship! Yeah, I knew-oh damn it, I did it again! Oh! But I didn't tell you Robin told me-shit!... I'm just gonna stop talking now…"

"Yeeah… Well, the thing is we have rules for this open relationship. Barney can sleep with any woman but no men. He has to be home by the time I wake up at 7 in the morning. We have to have at least 1 date a week and I can decline sex any time I want and use his money for anything I need. We follow these rules and our relationship as boyfriends is honestly really sweet! Barney is such a great boyfriend. He makes sure to always follow my rules and he's even been coming to my band's rehearsals! He's really great."

"O-oh, wow… Ah so you know he's bisexual-...shutting up now."

Josh just gave a chuckle. This Lily friend really couldn't keep a secret, how fun. Having someone around you who was always honest was a new experience for Josh. He welcomed her company.

"Heh, yeah I know. And I told him my sister is also bisexual so I can understand his desire for both genders. I for one don't intend to fight it, but rather want to work with him. Trust me, Lily, I won't hurt Barney."

Lily just stares at Josh, trying to see if he really means what he says. Before anything else could be said, a hand was placed on both of their shoulders at the same time. Barney always knew when the wrong time to come in was. Honestly, it was a sort of talent for him.

"Hey babe! And Lily, so good to see you here! Why are you here? Heh"

"Ah! Ooh B-Barney…H-hey, I just…"

"Ah-I told her to come! She said she really wanted to hear us play."

Lily, knowing what she knew now, kept her mouth shut and nodded along. Barney didn't question it and went along, as he always does, following his motto: no thinking, just doing. Josh got up and gave Barney a peck on the cheek then left for behind the stage. Barney took his boyfriend's seat, next to Lily and ordered them both the specials. Lily was unusually quiet, anytime Barney tried to make conversation she'd stuff her face so full of food that she almost choked a few times. After a few moments, Josh's band started playing and they were good. Like really good! Lily stole a glance at Barney, he had such a genuine smile and his eyes were fixated on only Josh. Oh my god, Barney was falling for Josh! Lily continued to stuff her face with the breadsticks left on the table and as soon as Josh's band stopped playing, she dashed out the door. Well, guess lunch is on Barney now…