Robin had been working on securing this interview for weeks, and now, sitting across from Lauren Cohan, she felt the usual thrill of journalism mixed with a hint of nerves. Lauren was everything Robin expected—charming, witty, and radiating a relaxed confidence that put her at ease. But Robin knew that this wasn't just any interview. She needed this one to go well, not just for her own career, but to finally get some much-needed validation from her boss, who never seemed to take her seriously.

The interview started smoothly, Robin guiding the conversation through Lauren's recent projects, her thoughts on the evolution of her character on Supernatural, and her transition into more dramatic roles. Lauren was gracious and articulate, offering insights that would make for a compelling piece. But Robin could feel the weight of her boss's expectations looming over every question.

As the interview progressed, Robin decided to take a slightly different approach. She knew that personal anecdotes often made for the best stories, so she steered the conversation toward lighter, more personal territory.

"So, Lauren," Robin began, her tone casual, "I heard a rumor that you've got some pretty hilarious stories from your time working with some of the guys in the industry. Any truth to that?"

Lauren's eyes lit up with a mischievous grin. "Oh, absolutely. You work with the same people long enough, and you're bound to collect some stories. There's one in particular that always cracks me up..."

Robin leaned in, intrigued. "Do tell."

Lauren chuckled, shaking her head as if debating whether to share. "Well, this one's about Ben. I'm sure you know him, right? Tall, kind of brooding, but with that dry sense of humor?"

Robin nodded, trying to hide her surprise. She hadn't expected Ben to come up, but it made sense given his connections in the industry.

Lauren continued, her voice lowering as if sharing a secret. "So, we were filming this really intense scene, and Ben was supposed to deliver this heart-wrenching monologue. We're all in the zone, cameras rolling, and suddenly... he completely forgets his lines. Just goes blank. But instead of calling cut or trying to remember, he looks me dead in the eyes and says, 'ah s*it.' The whole set lost it. I mean, here we are in the middle of this super serious moment, and Ben just does that."

Robin couldn't help but laugh. It was exactly the kind of thing Ben would do—breaking the tension with humor in the most unexpected way.

"That sounds exactly like him," Robin said, still smiling. "I bet it made for an interesting day on set."

"Oh, definitely," Lauren agreed. "But that's Ben for you. He can be all serious and intense, but when you least expect it, he'll drop a line that completely throws you off. It's part of his charm."

As they wrapped up the interview, Robin felt a wave of relief. Not only had it gone smoothly, but she'd also gotten a great anecdote that would make the piece stand out. Lauren's casual mention of Ben added a personal touch that her boss would appreciate, something that could elevate the story beyond the usual celebrity interview.

After the interview, as they were saying their goodbyes, Lauren leaned in slightly, her tone more conspiratorial. "Off the record, Robin... you've got a good one with EJ. Don't let him get away with too many of those quips, though. He's got a knack for getting out of trouble with them."

Robin laughed, nodding. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Lauren."

———

EJ and Ben were sitting in their apartment, beers in hand, and the remnants of a pizza box on the coffee table between them. It was one of those rare nights where neither of them had anything pressing to do, so they were just hanging out, unwinding after a long week. But the topic of Marshall and Brooke had come up again, and it was something they both had mixed feelings about.

EJ leaned back against the couch, shaking his head with a smirk. "You know, I still can't believe I walked in on them making out on that couch."

Ben raised an eyebrow. "Wait, which couch?"

EJ chuckled. "Not this one. It was at Ted and Marshall's place. I had just gotten back from the store, and I walk in, and there they are—Brooke and Marshall, full-on making out like they're in some rom-com."

Earlier that Week

The door to Ted and Marshall's apartment swung open with a casual swing, and EJ strolled in, carrying a six-pack of beer. He called out as he walked through the door, "Hey guys, I brought the—" but his voice trailed off when he spotted the unexpected scene.

There on the couch, Marshall and Brooke were in the midst of an intense make-out session. Marshall's hand was tangled in Brooke's hair, and Brooke had one leg draped over Marshall's. The sight was so unexpected that EJ froze, staring at them with wide eyes.

Brooke's eyes flew open first, and she scrambled to push Marshall away. "EJ!" she exclaimed, her face turning beet red.

Marshall looked equally mortified, his hand still awkwardly hovering in mid-air. "Uh, hey, man. Didn't see you there," he said, his voice cracking.

EJ, momentarily stunned, blinked a few times before finally saying, "Wow. Good to know that couch isn't mine. I'm guessing that's the new, 'sit anywhere but here' policy?"

Brooke let out a nervous laugh, trying to play it off. "Yeah, well, this couch definitely wasn't expecting a guest."

Marshall, trying to recover his composure, grabbed a pillow and awkwardly shielded himself. "I, uh, didn't think we'd be having a surprise visit."

EJ just shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, now I know not to drop by unannounced. Thanks for the, uh, visual."

Brooke's face was still bright red as she straightened herself. "Can you, like, pretend you didn't see anything?"

EJ, now thoroughly entertained by the situation, grinned. "I suppose I could—if you promise to tell me what else you're hiding. But for now, let's just say I'll avoid the couch from now on."

He turned to leave, pausing at the door. "Oh, and by the way, thanks for not making this my couch. That would've been a real mess."

As he walked out, he heard Marshall's muffled groan of frustration and Brooke's sheepish laughter.

———

Ben shook his head, still laughing. "Man, that's priceless. But yeah, thank God it wasn't on our couch. I'm pretty sure I would've had to burn it."

They both shared a laugh, the image of Brooke and Marshall awkwardly disentangling themselves from each other playing vividly in their minds.

"Still, it's weird, right?" EJ said, his tone becoming more reflective. "I mean, Marshall's one of my best friends, and Brooke's my sister. It's like... I don't know. Part of me is cool with it because Marshall's a good guy, but it's still strange."

"Totally," Ben agreed. "And Marshall's been good with Max, too. He's really stepped up, and that says a lot. But yeah, there's always that weird feeling when your worlds collide like that."

EJ nodded, taking another sip of his beer. "Yeah, exactly. Like, I'm glad she's with someone I trust, but it's still... surreal."

Ben leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I guess that's the price we pay for being so close. Everyone's lives get all intertwined, and suddenly, your best friend is dating your sister, or your roommate is dating your other sister... It's a lot."

EJ smirked. "At least it's not you and Brooke. That would be even weirder."

Ben laughed, shaking his head. "Dude, I'm just happy to be an innocent bystander in this one. But hey, look on the bright side—Marshall's practically family now, which means free babysitting for Max, right?"

EJ chuckled. "Yeah, I'll have to remind him of that next time I see him."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of the situation feeling lighter now that they had shared a laugh over it.

Ben finally spoke up, his tone more sincere. "You know, at the end of the day, it's about Brooke being happy. And if Marshall's the guy who can make that happen, then I'm all for it. But man, if they ever decide to get a new couch, I'm definitely not helping them move it."

EJ grinned. "Deal. We'll leave that to Ted. It's probably his fault they're together anyway."

"True," Ben said, raising his beer. "Here's to keeping our couches safe and our sanity intact."

———

EJ and Ben had decided to reconnect with some old college friends they hadn't seen in a while. It was one of those nights when they needed a break from the usual routine, and there was nothing quite like the wild energy of their college crew. These were the guys who'd seen them at their best and worst, the ones who'd pulled all-nighters together, partied hard, and come up with the most ridiculous dares.

EJ sent out a quick text to the group chat, "Tonight at The Slanted Pint. Be there or be square."

Within minutes, the responses started rolling in.

Blazer: Count me in. I've got something to make it interesting."

Nails: Oh, I'm in. Just tell me someone's bringing the whiskey."

Duke: Only if we're doing shots off the bar like old times."

Ben chuckled as he read over EJ's shoulder. "Blazer's probably going to come up with some crazy dare again."

EJ shrugged. "As long as it's not like last time with the street sign. I'm not in the mood to deal with cops tonight."

"Fair point," Ben agreed. "But you know how these nights go. We're probably going to end up doing something insane."

They arrived at The Slanted Pint, a low-key dive bar with a reputation for strong drinks and good times. The place was dimly lit, with music pumping in the background. It hadn't changed much since their college days, which was just how they liked it.

Blazer was the first to arrive, already grinning from ear to ear. "I hope you boys are ready," he said, pulling out a deck of cards from his jacket pocket. "We're playing Truth or Dare. Loser each round picks a card. Simple rules, but the dares? Well, those are gonna be epic."

"Man, you never change," EJ laughed, shaking his head.

"Why mess with perfection?" Blazer shot back, then turned to the bartender. "Whiskey, and keep it coming."

The rest of the crew rolled in: Nails, named for his freakish ability to hammer nails with his fist, and Duke, who got his nickname after an infamous night out involving a near run-in with a real-life duke on a study abroad trip.

The game started off innocently enough—truths about old college crushes, embarrassing moments in class. But it wasn't long before Blazer upped the ante.

"Alright, EJ," Blazer said, flipping a card. "Jack of Hearts. Dare. You've got to get up on that bar and sing the chorus of 'Don't Stop Believin'.' And I mean belt it out."

EJ shook his head, but the grin on his face said he was game. "You guys are the worst."

Ben chuckled, already pulling out his phone to record. "No backing out now."

EJ jumped up onto the bar, much to the amusement of the regulars, and launched into a spirited rendition of the song. The crowd in the bar started cheering him on, joining in for the chorus.

When he hopped down, Blazer handed him a shot. "To old times."

The night went on like that, each dare getting a little more outrageous. Nails ended up wearing a ridiculous hat from a nearby thrift store, Duke somehow convinced a random stranger to join their group for a shot, and Ben—after losing a round—had to ask the bartender for a drink using only emojis on his phone.

By the time midnight rolled around, they were all feeling the effects of the drinks and the nostalgia.

"You know," Ben said, leaning against the bar, "nights like this make me miss the old days. But man, I don't miss the hangovers."

EJ nodded, raising his glass. "Here's to the good times we've had, and the ones still to come."

"Cheers to that," the others echoed, clinking their glasses together.

The night ended with Blazer daring EJ to order an absurd amount of nachos and eat them in under five minutes—a dare he spectacularly failed, but not without giving it his best shot.

As they left The Slanted Pint, EJ felt a sense of contentment. The old days were fun, and it was good to relive them now and then. But as much as he enjoyed the craziness, he knew he'd grown since those days. He could still hang with the best of them, but he also knew where his priorities lay.

"Good night, boys," he said as they parted ways. "Let's do this again soon—but maybe with fewer nachos next time."

Blazer grinned. "Deal. But don't think you're getting out of next week's game."

EJ laughed, shaking his head as he and Ben headed home. "You know, I think I'm going to be sore tomorrow."

"Worth it, though," Ben replied. "Totally worth it."

And as they walked through the quiet streets, EJ realized that while he loved these moments, he was also looking forward to the quieter times. Balance, he thought. That's what it was all about.

———

EJ had barely settled into his apartment when the door buzzed. He opened it to find his sister, Sam, standing there with a smirk on her face. She was holding up a six-pack of beer.

"Hey, big brother," Sam said, pushing past him and heading straight for the fridge. "Remember last year when you promised me a beer? I'm cashing in."

EJ blinked, trying to remember, then shook his head with a laugh. "I forgot about that," he admitted, closing the door behind her. "But I guess it's time to pay up."

Sam popped open a beer and took a long sip, sighing in satisfaction. "Ah, tastes like victory. And by victory, I mean surviving Dad's latest lecture."

EJ grimaced. "Still being a hardass, huh?"

"Of course," Sam said, rolling her eyes. "He's been all over me about everything. He's not happy about me dating someone at Rutgers, and don't even get me started on his thoughts about me going out with friends."

EJ leaned against the counter, opening a beer of his own. "Well, I'm glad I stood up to him. Someone's gotta let him know he can't control everything."

Sam nodded, looking a little more serious. "Yeah, I'm glad too. You know, for a while there, I thought I was gonna be the only one dealing with his crap."

EJ took a sip of his beer and nodded. "You're not alone, Sam. Never were."

They shared a comfortable silence for a moment, just enjoying each other's company. Then the door clicked open, and Robin strolled in, holding up a spare key with a grin. "I hope I'm not interrupting sibling bonding time."

Sam quickly downed the rest of her beer and stood up. "Nope, you're just in time to save me from hearing about EJ's latest health kick or whatever."

EJ gave her a playful shove. "Hey, you could learn a thing or two from me. Like moderation."

"Moderation," Sam echoed, smirking. "Is that what you call the time you ate an entire pizza by yourself?"

Robin laughed, setting her bag down. "Sounds like moderation to me."

Sam grabbed her jacket and winked at Robin. "I'll leave you two to your... activities," she said with an exaggerated wink, heading for the door. "Have fun, and don't do anything I wouldn't do."

As she left, Robin turned to EJ, her eyebrow raised. "Activities?"

EJ chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist. "She's got a vivid imagination. But now that she's gone..."

Robin smiled, leaning in closer. "I think I know exactly what activities she meant."

———

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EJ and Robin had just finished cleaning up after dinner. The conversation with Sam earlier still lingered in the back of EJ's mind, but as he looked over at Robin, who was casually sipping wine on the couch, he felt a wave of warmth wash over him. He couldn't help but smile as she caught him staring and raised an eyebrow playfully.

"What's that look for?" Robin asked, a hint of teasing in her voice.

EJ shrugged, taking a seat beside her. "Just thinking how lucky I am."

Robin rolled her eyes, though she was smiling too. "You're getting soft on me, EJ."

He laughed, the sound low and genuine. "Only for you."

There was a comfortable silence between them for a moment, the kind that only comes from knowing someone so well. EJ's hand found Robin's, and he laced their fingers together, squeezing lightly. She looked over at him, her expression softening as she met his gaze.

"You've been quiet lately," Robin said gently, brushing a stray lock of hair behind his ear. "Is everything okay?"

EJ nodded, his thumb brushing the back of her hand. "Yeah, just... you know, a lot going on. But I'm good."

Robin tilted her head, searching his eyes. "You sure?"

Instead of answering right away, EJ leaned in and kissed her, a slow, lingering kiss that said more than words ever could. Robin responded, deepening the kiss as she moved closer to him, her hands slipping around his neck.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathing a little harder, and there was a new tension in the air—one that wasn't uncomfortable, but rather full of anticipation.

"You're a terrible liar, EJ," Robin whispered against his lips, her breath warm and inviting.

He grinned, resting his forehead against hers. "Maybe. But I'm pretty good at making up for it."

Robin chuckled, and the sound sent a shiver down EJ's spine. "Oh yeah? How so?"

Instead of answering, EJ kissed her again, more insistently this time, as his hands moved to her waist, pulling her into his lap. Robin responded eagerly, wrapping her arms around him as she settled onto his thighs. The kiss deepened, becoming more urgent as the room seemed to shrink around them, leaving just the two of them in their own little world.

EJ's hands began to explore, tracing the curve of her back, feeling the heat of her skin through the thin fabric of her shirt. Robin's fingers tangled in his hair, and she sighed into his mouth, the sound sending a jolt of desire through him.

They broke apart just long enough for EJ to pull her shirt over her head, tossing it carelessly to the side. Robin's hands immediately went to the hem of his shirt, tugging it upwards until he had no choice but to let her pull it off. Their lips met again, more frenzied this time, as they lost themselves in each other.

The night passed in a blur of laughter, teasing, and whispered confessions. When the early morning light began to filter through the curtains, they lay tangled together, exhausted but content. Robin rested her head on EJ's chest, her fingers drawing lazy patterns on his skin.

"I think Sam might have figured out what we were up to," EJ said, his voice laced with humor.

Robin laughed softly, the sound vibrating against his chest. "I'm pretty sure she knew the moment she left."

EJ grinned, running his fingers through her hair. "She's gonna give me hell for it."

Robin looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. "She's your sister; it's her job."

He sighed dramatically. "Why did I agree to that beer? I totally forgot I promised her."

Robin smirked, poking him in the side. "That's what you get for making promises you can't keep."

"Hey, I kept it—eventually," EJ protested, pulling her closer. "And besides, it led to a pretty great night, didn't it?"

Robin hummed in agreement, nestling closer to him. "Yeah, it did."

———

Marshall stood outside the glass doors of Brooke's law office, checking his watch and tapping his foot impatiently. He was supposed to meet Brooke for a dinner date, and Max was safely with a babysitter for the night. As he waited, his thoughts wandered, mostly about how things had shifted since Brooke came into his life. Dating EJ's sister had its complications, but they were managing well—better than he'd expected, actually.

Just as he was about to text Brooke that he'd arrived, Marshall heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Marshall?"

He turned around, surprised to see Lily standing there, looking a little awkward but smiling nonetheless. It had been a while since they'd bumped into each other like this, outside of their carefully orchestrated hangouts with the gang.

"Lily, hey!" Marshall greeted her, the surprise evident in his voice. "What are you doing here?"

"Just meeting a friend for coffee down the street," Lily said, pointing vaguely in the direction of a nearby café. "What about you? Picking up Brooke?"

"Yeah, we're heading out for dinner. Max has a babysitter, so we're actually getting some alone time tonight," Marshall explained, with a small, almost apologetic smile.

Lily nodded, her smile a bit strained. "That's great. It's good that you two are getting some time together. How's that going, by the way? With EJ and everything?"

Marshall let out a chuckle, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "It's... interesting. You know, EJ wasn't thrilled at first, but he's come around. Mostly because we haven't actually... you know, slept together yet."

Lily's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, really? I thought you two were—"

"Nope, not yet," Marshall interrupted, shaking his head. "With Max around all the time and everything else, it just hasn't come up. Plus, I guess we're both a little cautious, considering the whole 'EJ is her brother' thing."

Lily let out a laugh, though it was tinged with something Marshall couldn't quite place. "Well, I'm happy for you, Marshall. You deserve to be happy."

There was a pause, the kind that felt heavy with things unsaid. Marshall studied Lily's face, noticing the way her smile didn't quite reach her eyes, and for a moment, he wondered if she still had feelings for him. They'd been together for nine years; it wasn't something you just moved on from easily.

"Thanks, Lil," Marshall said, genuinely. "I hope things are good with you too."

"They are," Lily replied, a little too quickly. "Just focusing on work and, you know, trying to figure things out."

Marshall nodded, but before he could say anything more, the door to Brooke's office swung open, and she stepped out, looking radiant in her work attire. She spotted Marshall and her face lit up with a smile as she walked over, giving him a quick kiss on the lips.

"Hey, you," Brooke said cheerfully, before glancing over at Lily. "Oh, hi, Lily! How are you?"

"Hey, Brooke," Lily responded, her smile back in place. "I'm good, just catching up with Marshall for a minute. You two have a great night."

"Thanks!" Brooke said, giving Marshall a sideways glance as she slipped her arm through his. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah, let's get out of here," Marshall replied, giving Lily one last look before turning to leave with Brooke.

As they walked down the street, Brooke looked up at Marshall curiously. "So, what did you and Lily talk about?"

"Oh, you know, just catching up," Marshall said, trying to sound casual. "She was asking about us... and EJ."

Brooke raised an eyebrow, a slight frown tugging at her lips. "Hmm, okay. How's she doing?"

Marshall hesitated for a split second before answering. "She said she's doing fine, just busy with work."

Brooke seemed to accept this, but there was a hint of something in her expression—curiosity, maybe even a touch of suspicion. But she didn't press the issue, instead choosing to focus on their evening ahead. "Well, I'm starving. Let's get some food before I pass out."

"Sounds like a plan," Marshall agreed, forcing a smile as they walked toward the restaurant.

But as much as he tried to push the encounter with Lily out of his mind, it lingered. There was something about seeing her again, hearing her voice, that stirred up old memories. He had moved on, or at least he thought he had. But now, with Brooke beside him and Lily's face fresh in his mind, he couldn't shake the feeling that maybe he wasn't as over her as he'd believed.

Brooke squeezed his arm, pulling him back into the present. "You okay? You seem a little out of it."

Marshall shook off his thoughts, plastering on his best reassuring smile. "Yeah, I'm good. Just thinking about how lucky I am to be with you."

Brooke smiled back, but as they continued down the street, Marshall couldn't help but glance back over his shoulder, where Lily had been. For just a moment, the past and present collided in a way that left him feeling more confused than ever.