"That was before he ruined your bachelor party. Before he said he didn't want you at the wedding. He needs to know."
Marshall looked from one to the other. "What are you talking about?"
Lily sat in front of him, taking his hands.
"A year ago, when I went to San Francisco... when we broke up... I was lost. I thought I'd made the right decision, but I was wrong."
"I know. You came back."
"I came back because someone came to get me."
Marshall frowned. "Someone came to get you?"
"Yes. Someone who had no obligation to do so. Who flew across the country. Who found my apartment in a neighborhood he didn't know. Who confronted me when I didn't want to listen. That person told me you were destroyed, that you weren't eating, that you weren't sleeping. That if I didn't come back, you were going to die."
Marshall looked at Barney.
Barney kept his eyes on the floor.
"That person bought me a return ticket," Lily continued. "He told me that you loved me, that you needed me, that I couldn't leave you like that. Then he left. And he made me promise never to say anything."
"Lily, don't..." said Barney.
"That person was Barney."
The silence was absolute.
Marshall turned to Barney.
Barney still wouldn't look up.
"Barney?" said Marshall. "You went to get Lily?"
Barney didn't answer.
"You flew across the country? You bought her ticket?"
Barney nodded, not speaking.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Barney looked up. His eyes were wet, though he'd never admit it.
"Because I didn't want you to thank me."
"But you're a hero," said Marshall.
"No, I'm not. I just... I just knew that if she didn't come back, you were going to die. And I couldn't let that happen."
Alyx stood up and approached Barney.
"Barney," she said. "Is there anything else you want to tell him?"
Barney looked at her. "You too?"
"I know what you did. I've known since I came back."
Marshall looked at them. "What is she talking about?"
Alyx sat down next to Lily. "When I left... after Lily came back... I got lost too. For a brief moment, when I lost contact with you, I went to Vermont. To a cabin in the middle of the woods. I thought I was okay. But I wasn't."
Marshall looked at her. "You left too?"
"Yes. And I also came back because someone came to get me."
Marshall turned to Barney. "That was you too?"
Barney sighed.
"He showed up at my cabin one day," said Alyx. "In a horrible suit for visiting the countryside. He said he'd come to rescue me."
"And what did you do?"
"I threw him out. He said my drawings could be improved."
"But then you came back."
"Then I came back. Because before he left, he told me I couldn't stay alone in the middle of the woods painting sad pictures while you were here. He told me I needed you. And that you needed me."
Marshall looked at Barney.
Barney shrugged.
"Marshall was better, but he wasn't okay. He missed you. Both of you. I missed... everyone."
"And why didn't you tell us?"
"For the same reason. Because I didn't want you to thank me. Because I'm the guy who ruins things. And if you start seeing me as... as someone good..."
"And what's wrong with that?"
"Because if I'm good, I have to keep being good. And that's a lot of work."
Ted laughed. "Really, Barney? That's your excuse?"
"It's an excellent excuse."
Marshall stood up.
He approached Barney.
Barney took a step back.
"What are you doing?"
Marshall hugged him.
"You're an idiot," said Marshall. "An idiot who ruins bachelor parties. Who brings strippers when he's told not to. Who turns on fog machines when he shouldn't. But you're also the best friend I've ever had."
Barney didn't say anything, but everyone saw his arms wrap around Marshall.
MacLaren's
They couldn't sleep, so they went to MacLaren's.
Carl the bartender looked at them in surprise. "At this hour?"
"It's a special night," said Ted. "Failed bachelor party services."
"Both of them?"
"Both of them."
Carl served beers for everyone. They sat at their usual table.
Marshall was thoughtful. Finally, he spoke.
"Barney," he said. "I want you to be my best man."
Ted looked at him. "What?"
"Along with Ted. I want both of you to be my best men. Because Ted is my best friend, but you... you're the one who saved my life without me even knowing it."
Barney looked at him in disbelief. "Really?"
"Really. But with one condition."
"What?"
"At the wedding, you can't wear your clown suit."
"That suit cost me 800 dollars."
"Then no deal."
Barney sighed. "Fine. I'll wear the sad clown suit. It's just as expensive, but less offensive."
Ted put a hand on Barney's shoulder. "Welcome to the club, co-best man."
"Are there any benefits?"
"You have to give a speech."
"I love giving speeches."
"And pay for half the party."
Barney frowned. "Can I go back to just being the idiot who ruins things?"
"No."
"Then I accept."
Everyone laughed.
They'd been at the bar for an hour when Barney stood up and clinked his glass with a spoon.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said. "Allow me to say a few words."
"Barney, we're in an empty bar at four in the morning," said Ted.
"All the better. No witnesses to my weakness."
Everyone laughed.
"Well, I just wanted to say that I'm glad Marshall came to his senses and chose me as his best man. Me, his only best friend," Barney began cheerfully.
"Co-best man. And my best friend is Ted," Marshall interrupted.
"Yes, yes. Anyway... to the engaged couple. And to me, the best best man," Barney finished, far too happy and emotional, ignoring Marshall's words.
Barney raised his drink, and his friends, caught up in his joy, followed suit, saying in unison:
"CHEERS!"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL PROMOTION
Subscribe today and take advantage of the "THE DUNPHY" discount, valid until! Don't miss a single chapter of this story. IN MY PATREON
If you enjoyed it, leave a Review and Power Stones.
✅ Early access to 22 new chapters
Join LEGEN - DARY Level on Patreon
👉 https://[email protected]/cw/Day_bluefic
@=a
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Lily revealed Barney's secret: he went to get her in San Francisco when she left. And he also went to get Alyx in Vermont.
What did you think of Lily's confession? Did it change your opinion of Barney?
Comment, follow, and support with power stones. 🤝💍