Ted watches as Lily joins them, a smile larger than he'd ever seen before graces her face.

His heart thunders in his chest as he watches them, knowing where things are going.

He sees Barney there, next to Robin and Marshall and Lily and is surprised to find that he wants to join them, that he's not jealous that Barney is choosing Robin.

He can see it clear as day that he's choosing Robin and he's choosing Ted. He's choosing them all and seeing Barney ready to take that next step makes it easier for him to take a step forward.

~~~

"Ted?" Barney asks, knocking lightly on his door, voice low so as not to disturb in case he was asleep.

Ted shrinks further in on himself, heart aching.

"Why did she leave me?" he asks, not sure if he really wants Barney to answer him or not, but needing an answer nonetheless.

He and Stella were so good. There was a future for them, but he had to go and mess it up somehow. How did he always mess it up?

Why didn't she love him enough?

"She's a fool," Barney says, voice barely above a whisper as he joins him on the bed, pulling him into a hug. "She doesn't know what a beautiful person she's leaving behind."

"But why?" Ted asks, heart shattering in his chest as he curls into Barney's arms.

He doesn't want to look at him, to see the pity in his eyes, matching those of everyone else at the wedding. He doesn't want Barney to see him, red eyed and broken.

He doesn't want to tarnish Barney's image of him, but he can't seem to hold it together any longer.

Why does this always happen?

It's not just Stella.

It's every girl he's been on a date with, every guy he's looked at. They all leave him and he can't seem to find a reason why.

What was wrong with him that pushed everyone away? What was he doing wrong?

"Nothing," Barney answers, voice low and calm. He could almost say that Barney sounded like he actually cared. "You did nothing wrong."

Ted isn't surprised that Barney has read his mind somehow. It seemed to be some kind of superpower of his.

Or maybe he was just that easy to read.

Ted takes a deep breath and pulls away from Barney, scrubbing his face with the sleeves of his suit. It didn't matter if it got messed up now. It's not like it needed to be presentable.

Barney watches him and Ted finds that he doesn't at all look like he's pitying him and Ted is surprised to find that his heart warms at the fact.

No matter what happened, at least he always knew Barney had his back.

He leans forward, mind racing, heart thumping loudly in his chest.

Barney inches closer too, eyes soft and kind.

They're incredibly close when Barney pulls away. "I have to go," Barney whispers, and the words aren't rushed or scared and Ted just knows that it isn't his fault this time.

In fact, he feels more lighthearted as Barney slips out the door, a watery smile on his face.

He knows that it isn't the right moment to take that step forward, but soon, maybe, they will and he finds he's looking forward to it.

~~~

Ted's heart soars as he jumps, a gleeful laugh passing his lips.

This is his future.

These are his people.

Everyone leaves him behind and maybe it was destiny.

Everything. Every wrong moment and failed relationship has lead him here, to these people, to the loves of his life and he can't help the glee that pours out of him as he lands next to them, pulling Barney into a kiss with tears in his eyes.

He's happy.

They are happy and he's so excited to see where this takes them.