EJ took a step back, pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it aside. Robin followed suit, slipping out of her dress, her eyes never leaving his.

They moved toward his bedroom, their clothes falling to the floor in a trail behind them. The anticipation and electricity between them made every touch feel like fire. EJ's hands roamed over Robin's body, eliciting a soft moan from her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

As they reached the bed, EJ gently pushed Robin onto the mattress, his eyes dark with desire. He climbed over her, their bodies pressed together, skin against skin. Robin's hands traced the muscles of his back, urging him on.

EJ positioned himself, the reality of the moment crashing over him, but there was no hesitation. They both knew this was crossing a line in their friendship, but in that moment, they didn't care.

Robin's breath came in short, sharp gasps as EJ began to move. Her nails dug into his back, a mix of pleasure and desperation in her touch. Each thrust was met with a moan from Robin, her hips rising to meet his. The sound of their bodies moving together filled the room, a rhythm that seemed to pulse with the energy of the night.

"God, EJ," Robin moaned, her voice breathless and filled with need.

EJ responded with a deep groan, his movements becoming more urgent. "Robin," he murmured, his lips brushing against her neck.

The world outside ceased to exist for them. There was no New Year's Eve, no failed parties, no missed moments. There was only this – the connection between them, the raw, undeniable chemistry that had always simmered beneath the surface.

Robin's moans grew louder, her body arching beneath him. "Don't stop," she pleaded, her voice breaking.

"I won't," EJ promised, his pace quickening, each movement driving them closer to the edge.

"Yes... just like that," Robin murmured, her hands roaming over EJ's back.

EJ buried his face in her neck, his own release nearing. "Robin, you feel so good," he groaned, his breath hot against her skin.

"I'm close," Robin panted, her voice barely audible.

"Me too," EJ groaned, his thrusts becoming more urgent. "Robin, I..."

Their breaths mingled, their hearts pounded in unison, and finally, the tension snapped. Robin cried out, her body trembling with release. EJ followed moments later, a deep, primal groan escaping his lips as he collapsed beside her.

——

As their rapid breaths slowed and the intensity of their passion ebbed away, EJ rolled onto his back beside Robin, staring up at the ceiling with a mix of exhilaration and uncertainty. Robin lay beside him, her mind racing with thoughts she hadn't expected to confront on New Year's Eve.

She turned her head to glance at EJ, catching his eye briefly before looking away. They had just crossed a line that had always been a boundary between them, and now the weight of that decision hung heavy in the air.

EJ broke the silence first, his voice low and hesitant. "Robin..."

"Yeah?" she replied softly, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

"I... I don't know what to say," EJ admitted, running a hand through his hair.

Robin sighed, pushing herself up into a sitting position. She pulled the sheets around her, suddenly feeling exposed in more ways than one. "Neither do I," she confessed, her gaze fixed on a spot on the wall.

EJ sat up beside her, the distance between them palpable. "This... this changes things," he murmured, his tone regretful.

Robin nodded slowly, biting her lip. "Yeah, it does," she agreed, her mind racing with implications she hadn't fully considered before.

"I mean, you're with Derek," EJ stated quietly, looking at her with a mix of apology and confusion.

Robin sighed heavily. "I know," she whispered, feeling the weight of guilt settle in her chest. "I don't know what got into me. I never meant for this to happen."

EJ shook his head slightly. "It's not just you," he said softly, his eyes searching hers. "I could have stopped it, too."

Silence filled the room again as they both grappled with the aftermath of their actions. Robin knew she needed to sort things out with Derek, but she also knew that couldn't happen tonight, not like this.

"I think... I think we should talk about this tomorrow," Robin suggested tentatively, avoiding EJ's gaze.

EJ nodded slowly, his expression conflicted. "Yeah, we should," he agreed, his voice heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Robin stood up, wrapping the sheet around herself more securely. "I should go," she said quietly, glancing back at EJ.

He nodded again, his gaze dropping to the floor. "Yeah," he replied simply, unable to find any other words.

With a final look, Robin turned and quietly left EJ's apartment, the weight of the night's events settling heavily on her shoulders. She knew she couldn't ignore what had happened, but for now, she needed time to process it all.

——

The next morning, EJ sat on the subway heading towards Robin's apartment in Brooklyn. The ride felt longer than usual, each passing station adding to the weight of the conversation he knew they needed to have. Thoughts raced through his mind, replaying the events of last night and trying to anticipate how Robin would feel about everything.

When EJ arrived at Robin's apartment, he hesitated before knocking on her door. Part of him wanted to turn around and run, but he knew avoiding this conversation would only make things more complicated. Robin opened the door, and for a moment, they stood there awkwardly, unsure of where to begin.

"Hey," EJ finally said, breaking the silence.

"Hey," Robin replied softly, her eyes meeting his with a mix of emotions.

They moved to the living room, both sitting down nervously. EJ took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Last night..." he started, his voice trailing off.

Robin nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "Yeah," she said quietly. "Last night happened."

EJ nodded in agreement, unsure of how to proceed. "I don't want things to be weird between us," he admitted, his tone earnest.

"Me neither," Robin replied, her voice equally sincere. "But we can't just pretend it didn't happen."

EJ sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know. I just... I never expected..."

"Me neither," Robin finished for him, a small smile tugging at her lips despite the awkwardness.

Robin looked away, chewing on her lip. "I... I think I need to break things off with him. Last night made me realize... I wasn't really into him the way I should be."

EJ felt a pang of guilt mixed with relief at her words. He had been wrestling with his own feelings of confusion and guilt since they parted ways last night. "Robin, I... I care about you. But this changes everything between us."

Robin nodded slowly, her expression serious. "I know. It's going to be awkward, EJ. I get that. But... maybe we can figure it out."

EJ looked at her, a mix of emotions swirling in his chest. "Yeah, maybe."

They sat in silence for a moment, both lost in their thoughts. Then, almost instinctively, EJ leaned forward and kissed Robin gently on the lips. It was a tender kiss, tinged with uncertainty and the weight of their shared decision.

When they pulled back, the awkwardness lingered between them, heavier than before. They exchanged a glance, unsure of what to say next. EJ cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "I should probably go."

Robin nodded, her eyes softening. "Yeah, I... I need to sort things out with Derek."

EJ stood up slowly, his mind still racing with everything that had happened. "I'll... I'll talk to you soon?"

Robin nodded again, offering a small smile. "Yeah. Soon."

——

Four days had passed since EJ and Robin's awkward conversation, and the tension between them still lingered palpably. EJ found himself deep in thought as he walked over to the booth where Marshall, Lily, Ted, and Barney were seated. They noticed his subdued demeanor immediately.

"Hey man, you're awfully quiet today," Ted remarked, concern in his voice.

EJ shrugged slightly. "Yeah, just a lot on my mind lately."

Ted leaned forward. "You got a date for Claudia and Stuart's wedding?"

EJ's expression faltered momentarily. "Oh damn, I forgot about that. Haven't checked if I can bring a plus one."

Barney chimed in with his usual flair. "You don't bring a date to a wedding. That's like bringing a deer carcass on a hunting trip. Oh guys, no, no, no date."

EJ sighed, feeling the weight of recent events pressing on him. "I don't know, maybe I won't even go."

Marshall eyed him carefully. "You sure you're okay, man?"

EJ nodded, trying to appear nonchalant. "Yeah, why do you ask?"

Just then, Robin appeared and their eyes met awkwardly. "Hello," she greeted softly as she approached the group.

"Hey," EJ replied, his tone cautious.

Robin took a seat next to Lily, and the conversation shifted as Robin shared news of her recent breakup with Derek.

"Oh, Robin, that's terrible. Are you okay?" Lily asked sympathetically.

"Yeah, do you need a drink or something?" Marshall added.

Robin shrugged slightly. "Never really clicked. I felt bad though, he was pretty bummed."

Barney, always quick with a quip, tried to lighten the mood. "Don't beat yourself up. He'll be fine. I mean, the guy's like a billionaire. He can put his platinum card on a fishing line and reel in 10 chicks hotter than you."

Robin chuckled lightly. "Thanks, I feel a lot better. Think I'll get that drink now."

She excused herself and headed to the bar, leaving the group to their wedding planning woes and banter.

"What I don't get is, why is Claudia marrying Stuart? She's way hotter than him," Barney mused aloud.

Marshall interjected, "This wedding does sound pretty amazing though. Fancy hotel ballroom, everybody all dressed up."

Lily rolled her eyes playfully. "Ah, here we go."

Barney protested innocently, "What?"

Lily sighed, "We can't get anywhere with our wedding plans because I want it to be fun and Marshall wants it to be lame."

Marshall defended himself good-naturedly. "Oh yeah, OK, that's a pretty fair assessment of our two arguments."

"I thought so," Lily retorted with a smile.

EJ watched the group banter with a half-hearted smile. He knew he needed to talk to Robin, to clear the air between them. After a moment of internal debate, he got up and walked over to where she was at the bar.

"Hey," he greeted again awkwardly as he approached her.

Robin turned to face him, her expression guarded. "Hey."

EJ took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I... I wanted to apologize for putting you in that position the other night. It wasn't fair to you, especially with Derek..."

Robin interrupted gently, "It's okay, EJ. We both... we both got carried away."

"Yeah," EJ agreed, feeling a mix of relief and regret. "Look, I know things are weird now, but I want us to get back to where we were."

Robin hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly. "I don't know if that can happen overnight, EJ."

EJ nodded, understanding her reservations. "Yeah, I get that. But... how about we start by going to Claudia and Stuart's wedding together? Just as friends, you know?"

Robin hesitated, clearly conflicted. "I don't know, EJ. Wouldn't that be awkward?"

EJ shook his head. "Maybe at first, but... we can go as friends. Just take a step towards getting back to where we were."

Robin chewed on her lip, considering his offer. Finally, she sighed softly. "Fine. But just to be clear, we're going as friends."

EJ nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Friends it is."

Robin nodded in agreement, a tentative smile mirroring his. "Okay. Friends."

——

After EJ left the bar to attend his showings, Ted turned to Marshall and Barney with a serious expression.

"So, guys, I've been thinking. Should I invite Grace to Claudia and Stuart's wedding?" Ted asked, his brow furrowed in contemplation.

Marshall leaned back in his seat, considering Ted's question thoughtfully. "Inviting your best friend's sister to a wedding, especially one of your close friends, is a big move, Ted."

Barney, never one to miss an opportunity for a quip, chimed in. "Yeah, and imagine the upside. Ted nails her after the wedding. Classic move, Mosby."

Ted rolled his eyes at Barney's comment but continued, "It's a big question, considering EJ is one of my best friends."

Barney teased, "Who's your other best friend?"

Ted sighed. "Marshall—"

Barney interjected with a grin, "It's me, Ted. I'm your best friend."

Ted rolled his eyes at Barney's comment. "It's not about that. I just... it seemed like Grace was into me at New Year's, and obviously things with Robin are... complicated now. I don't know, maybe it's time to move on."

Barney leaned back in his chair, adopting a mock serious expression. "Ah, the eternal struggle of the lovelorn architect. Fear not, my friend. Barney Stinson is here to guide you through the treacherous waters of post-Robin dating."

Ted sighed, not entirely amused by Barney's antics but appreciating the attempt at levity. "Thanks, Barney. I think."

——

Ted walked into Grace's office with a nervous but determined expression. He found her at her desk, typing away on her computer, and cleared his throat to get her attention.

"Hey, Grace," Ted greeted her, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in his stomach.

Grace looked up, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Hey, Ted! What brings you here?"

Ted hesitated for a moment, then took a breath and plunged in. "So, um, you know my friends Claudia and Stuart's wedding is coming up, and I was wondering... would you want to be my plus one?"

Grace's smile faltered slightly, and she leaned back in her chair, thinking for a moment. "Oh, Ted, that sounds really nice. But I actually have a business trip that same weekend. I'm going out of town."

Ted's shoulders slumped a bit, disappointment evident on his face. "Oh, bummer. Well, maybe another time then."

Grace nodded, her expression sympathetic. "Yeah, definitely. We should hang out the following week instead. I'll be back in town then."

Ted brightened a bit at the prospect. "Yeah, that sounds great."

Grace leaned forward with a playful grin. "So, does my brother know you're out here, soliciting his sister for wedding dates?"

Ted chuckled nervously. "Uh, no, not yet. I figured I'd check with you first."

Grace laughed. "Good move, Ted. He can be... protective."

Ted nodded, looking a tad sheepish. "I can handle EJ. He's a good guy."

Grace smiled knowingly. "Alright then, Ted. You're on for hanging out next week. Just don't tell EJ I said yes to being your wedding date."

Ted grinned. "My lips are sealed."

——

EJ paced back and forth in his apartment, staring at his phone as he dialed Claudia's number. The line rang a few times before Claudia picked up, her voice already tinged with annoyance.

"Claudia," EJ started, trying to keep his tone calm despite the tension building between them. "I need to talk to you about the wedding."

"You're not bringing a date," Claudia responded bluntly, not leaving any room for negotiation.

EJ sighed, knowing this wasn't going to be easy. "Uh, yes I am. I had until today to let you know. I am bringing a date."

"No, you don't have a plus one," Claudia shot back. "The guest list has been closed for months. Months, EJ!"

"But I already invited someone," EJ insisted, feeling the frustration mounting.

"You did not check 'plus one'," Claudia retorted firmly. "If you had checked 'plus one', I would have called you to get the name of your guest so I could get the guest cards printed up. Did I call you to get the name of your guest? Is there a place card with her name printed on it?"

"She doesn't need a place card, she knows her name," EJ replied, trying to find a loophole.

"What's she eating? You ordered the chicken, what did she order?" Claudia fired back, pointing out the flaws in EJ's argument. "Do you see how your story is full of holes?"

EJ rubbed his temples, feeling like he was hitting a brick wall. "Come on, Claudia, we go way back. Isn't there room for just one more person?"

"You aren't bringing a date, EJ! Don't make me come over there," Claudia warned, her patience wearing thin.

"Fine, Claudia, if you don't want me to bring a date then fine," EJ conceded reluctantly.

"Fine," Claudia replied tersely. "Can I go now?"

EJ hesitated for a moment before dropping his bombshell. "But I will tell you this. I got six different offers on the table for that place on Long Island you two were looking at."

Claudia's tone shifted to one of alarm. "EJ...!"

"So if that's your decision, I can just as easily look at one of the six other substantial offers for that wonderful, three-bedroom house with a pool, finished basement, two-car garage, and within distance of a good school district," EJ continued, playing his trump card.

"You aren't bringing a date to this wedding!" Claudia protested, clearly rattled by EJ's threat. "We can find a new house! And a new real estate agent!"

"With your credit? You won't have a chance," EJ countered coolly. "I would hate to do this to Stuart, but I wouldn't have a choice."

"EJ! You can't blackmail me like this!" Claudia exclaimed, exasperation evident in her voice.

"The choice is yours, Claudia," EJ stated firmly. "I'll talk to you soon."

Before Claudia could respond, EJ pressed a button on his desk, activating the paper shredder next to him, its loud noise drowning out Claudia's protests as he ended the call dramatically.

"Who says weddings can't be negotiated," EJ muttered to himself.

——

Marshall, Barney, Ted, and EJ sat huddled in their usual booth at the bar, the air buzzing with conversation about Claudia and Stuart's upcoming wedding.

"I don't believe this, Claudia is crazy," Ted exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice.

"But to be fair, she's also hot," Barney quipped, earning a chuckle from Marshall.

"It's not a good combination," EJ added with a wry smile.

"I totally checked 'plus one', I'm sure I did," Ted insisted, trying to convince himself more than anyone else.

"I didn't, but I'm still going to try," EJ admitted with a shrug.

Marshall raised an eyebrow. "How are you going to pull that off?"

EJ leaned back confidently. "I kind of told Claudia that if I can't bring Robin, then I'll pick another offer from that house they wanted."

Marshall, Ted, and Barney exchanged impressed looks.

"That's cold-blooded," Marshall remarked, shaking his head in admiration.

"Dude! That's great!" Ted chimed in, genuinely impressed.

EJ smirked. "And with her credit, they won't get anything else."

Marshall pondered for a moment. "What if it doesn't work?"

EJ shrugged nonchalantly. "Then I guess I'm going solo. As if things with me and Robin aren't awkward enough."

Ted perked up, shifting the conversation away from EJ's dilemma. "What's that?"

EJ quickly brushed it off. "Nothing."

Ted tried to defend himself amidst the banter. "Anyways, I did check 'plus one'."

Barney, ever the provocateur, wasn't convinced. "Yeah, right."

Ted persisted, slightly annoyed. "I did."

Barney leaned in, ready to deliver his trademark analysis. "Yeah, I don't think you did. You know why? Because deep down, you didn't want to show up at this thing with a date. See, for all your big talk about being ready for a relationship, deep down you're single. It's your default setting. Ted, you know what's in the back of your brain?"

Ted sighed, bracing himself for Barney's dramatic metaphor. "Oh great, here comes the 'little Barney' speech."

Barney continued dramatically, painting a picture for his friends. "Behind a curtain, in a dark little room, secretly controlling your every move..."

Ted and Marshall joined in teasingly. "A little Barney."

Barney nodded with a smirk. "A little Barney. And you know what he said?" He shifted his tone, mimicking a mystical prophecy. "Ted, you will bring no dates to this wedding. You will hit on drunk bridesmaids with actual-size Barney."

Marshall chuckled. "Wow."

Ted, feeling slightly defeated, decided to consider his options. "Please stop. I gotta call Claudia. If I just explain to her..."

Marshall interrupted gently, offering practical advice. "Ted, no. Let it go. She's about to get married. She's got enough to worry about."

EJ interjected, trying to bring a dose of reality. "Ted, you're gonna have to face it. You probably have to do this one solo."

Ted nodded reluctantly. "Yeah, maybe."

EJ lightened the mood with a playful suggestion. "Hey, maybe the cake lady will be cute."

——

Marshall noticed that EJ had been unusually tense and distant over the past few days, so he decided it was time to have a heart-to-heart with his friend. He motioned for EJ to follow him to a quieter corner of the bar, away from the chatter of Ted and Barney.

"Dude," Marshall began, his tone a mix of concern and curiosity, "what's been going on with you lately? You've been acting like that one time in college when your Dad found our pot stash."

EJ hesitated for a moment, swirling the remains of his drink before meeting Marshall's concerned gaze.

"Okay, but you have to promise not to judge me," EJ finally admitted, his voice low.

Marshall raised an eyebrow, intrigued and a little apprehensive about what EJ might reveal.

"I promise. What's up?" Marshall asked, leaning in closer.

EJ took a deep breath, steeling himself to admit what had been weighing on him.

"I... I slept with Robin," EJ confessed quietly.

Marshall's eyes widened in surprise. He leaned back slightly, processing this unexpected revelation.

"You mean... Robin, as in our friend, Robin?" Marshall clarified, trying to grasp the situation.

EJ nodded, looking down at his drink guiltily.

"Yeah," he muttered, "it happened a few days ago."

Marshall let out a low whistle, running a hand through his hair.

"Wow, that's... complicated," Marshall replied, choosing his words carefully. "Are you okay? And what about Robin? Wasn't she with that billionaire?"

EJ sighed heavily, nodding again.

"Yeah, she was," he admitted. "I don't know what came over us. We were both feeling weird about everything, and then... things just happened. We just threw ourselves at each other."

Marshall nodded sympathetically.

"So, what now?" Marshall asked gently, concerned for his friend's well-being.

EJ shrugged, looking conflicted.

"I don't want a relationship," he confessed. "But I also don't want this to be the end with Robin. It's just... complicated."

Marshall sighed, patting EJ on the back reassuringly.

"Yeah, it sounds like it," Marshall agreed. "But hey, we'll figure it out. Just take it one step at a time."

EJ nodded gratefully, appreciating Marshall's support.

"Thanks, man," EJ said quietly. "I needed to get that off my chest."

"Anytime," Marshall replied with a small smile. "That's what friends are for."

——

EJ sat at his desk in the bustling real estate office, surrounded by paperwork and the gentle hum of office chatter. Across from him, a middle-aged couple and their young child looked over the documents for their new home with eager anticipation.

"Alright, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, everything looks in order," EJ said with a reassuring smile. "Just sign here and here, and we'll get the ball rolling."

As they began to sign, EJ's phone buzzed on his desk. Glancing at the caller ID, he saw it was Stuart, Claudia's fiancé. Excusing himself momentarily, EJ picked up the call.

"Stuart, what's up bro?" EJ greeted him, trying to maintain a professional demeanor despite the excitement building inside him.

"EJ, did Claudia tell you what I told her?" Stuart's voice came through, sounding casual yet with an underlying seriousness.

EJ leaned back in his chair, relief washing over him. "Stuart, did she change her mind? Can I bring someone to the wedding?"

Stuart chuckled on the other end. "Don't worry about it man, you can bring someone. Claudia's just stressed out, you know how it is with wedding planning."

"Wow, thanks for being so cool about this," EJ replied gratefully. "Because Claudia said..."

Stuart cut him off, explaining with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Yeah, this morning at the rehearsal, Claudia called our 7-year-old flower girl a whore. So, don't take it personally, she's just a little stressed."

EJ couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity. "Got it, stress levels understood."

Stuart continued, changing the subject slightly. "By the way, you weren't actually going to give the house to someone else right?"

EJ grinned, leaning forward again. "With this news, you can sign the paperwork when you're back from your honeymoon."

Stuart laughed. "Perfect, thanks EJ. We owe you one."

"No problem at all," EJ replied warmly. "Enjoy the wedding, and let me know when you're ready to finalize things with the house."

"Will do," Stuart confirmed before saying goodbye and hanging up.

EJ returned to the Johnson family, who were finishing up their signatures with curious smiles. "Sorry about that, folks. Now, where were we?" he asked, smoothly transitioning back into his role as their trusted realtor.

——

EJ stood at Robin's doorstep in his sharp tuxedo, admiring her stunning red dress as she greeted him with a playful smile.

"Holy sh—" EJ began, catching himself mid-sentence.

"Easy tiger," Robin teased, stepping back to let him in.

As they walked into Robin's apartment, she reminded him once more that they were going to the wedding as friends, nothing more. EJ nodded, understanding the boundaries they needed to respect.

"Friends, right?" Robin confirmed, seeking reassurance.

"Yeah, friends," EJ replied, a mixture of sincerity and acceptance in his tone.

Just as they were about to head out, Robin's cell phone rang, interrupting their departure. Apologizing, she fished her phone out of her purse and answered the call.

"Hello... Oh my God, tonight? You're kidding... Really? Like, anchor anchor? What happened to Sandy? OK, OK, sure, what time do you need me to... Right now! Oh," Robin exclaimed, her expression turning serious.

EJ encouraged her to take the opportunity, knowing it was important for her career. "Do it," he nodded with a supportive smile.

Robin glanced at EJ apologetically. "OK, I need like five minutes to change and um, I'll call you from the cab..."

Understanding the situation, EJ remained composed. "I'll see you then," he replied calmly.

"Sorry," Robin said to him sincerely. "I'm really, really sorry. I'll make it up to you."

"Don't worry about it," EJ reassured her. "It's probably for the best. Good luck Scherbatsky."

Robin shot back with a teasing response, a small smile playing on her lips before she hurried off to prepare for her unexpected assignment.

——

At the wedding venue later that evening, EJ, Ted, Ben, and Barney sat together at a table, enjoying the festivities unfolding around them. Marshall and Lily were lost in their own world on the dance floor, deeply in love and planning their own wedding.

"So, admit it, this wedding is both indoors and amazing," Marshall commented, beaming at Lily.

"I'll give you the crab puffs. The crab puffs are good," Lily agreed, nodding enthusiastically.

"Crab puffs were incredible," Marshall affirmed, his eyes sparkling.

"We should totally have them at our wedding," Lily suggested with a grin.

"Definitely. Hey, we just agreed on something," Marshall chuckled, leaning in to kiss her.

"Did we just start planning our wedding?" Lily asked, half in disbelief.

"I think we did," Marshall replied happily.

Meanwhile, Barney couldn't resist commenting on the bridesmaids. "Man, you know something, Stuart's my new hero. If that dude can bag a nine, I gotta be able to bag like a sixteen."

"What's a sixteen?" Ted asked curiously.

"Those two eight's right over there. Yeah," Barney replied with a smirk, gesturing towards a pair of attractive women.

Stuart and Claudia approached their table, and Claudia greeted them with a sly remark. "Hi Ted. Ben, EJ."

Ted responded politely. "Claudia."

"Stuart and Claudia," EJ added, keeping his tone neutral.

"We just wanted to get a picture with the woman who almost ended our relationship," Claudia remarked, glancing around.

"Yeah, where is she?" Stuart added, glancing around with a grin.

EJ cleared his throat awkwardly. "Um, she couldn't make it."

"You know what else is going to be funny? When I give the family of three that nice house with the pool instead of you guys," EJ teased, a hint of mischief in his voice.

"You what?" Claudia exclaimed, her tone shifting to one of disbelief and mild anger. "Don't make me hurt you, EJ."

EJ smirked, meeting Claudia's gaze confidently. "Watch yourself and I won't have to," he countered, a playful glint in his eye.

Stuart quickly intervened, diffusing the tension. "Come on, Claudia. Let's leave them be," he suggested, guiding her away from the table.

Ben piped in with a humorous remark, "Are the bridesmaids hot at least?"

EJ grinned mischievously. "They better be."

Barney immediately shifted the conversation to his favorite topic. "Speaking of, easy, bridesmaids, guys. Bridesmaids."

EJ nodded knowingly. "Bridesmaids."

As they bantered, Claudia returned briefly to Ted with something in her hand. "By the way, I almost forgot. We found this."

She handed Ted his reply card, and Ted examined it carefully. "I didn't check 'plus one'. Barney was right."

Barney chimed in triumphantly, "Of course I was right."

Ted reflected aloud, "I'm single. Maybe that's just who I am. And you know what? I like being single."

Barney agreed enthusiastically, raising his glass. "Being single's the best."

EJ joined in, clinking his champagne glass with Ted's. "Do whatever the hell you want."

Ben added in his own quirky perspective, "The whole world full of endless possibilities."

Barney continued his list of singlehood advantages. "Never having to go to a farmer's market."

EJ nodded sagely. "That's what I'm saying, man. Relationships are too screwed up. Maybe we should just stay single our whole lives."

Ted pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "To an extent."

They clinked glasses again in a toast, acknowledging their shared sentiments.

"Sorry Robin couldn't come," Ted mentioned casually, returning to the previous topic.

EJ shrugged nonchalantly. "Eh, she got an opportunity tonight. Can't blame her for that. Plus, it would be way too awkward."

Ben leaned in with curiosity. "How so?"

EJ smirked mysteriously. "I'll tell you later. Right now, I'm going to talk to the cute blonde over there." He gestured towards a bridesmaid who caught his eye.

——

The wedding reception was in full swing when Robin, fresh from her newscast, decided to make a surprise appearance. Clad once again in her stunning red dress, she arrived at the venue just as the festivities were nearing their end. As she entered the reception hall, her eyes quickly found EJ, who was deep in conversation with a bridesmaid named Mandy.

EJ was leaning in, clearly enjoying himself. "So, Mandy, what brings you to this wedding?"

Mandy laughed, her eyes twinkling. "Well, the bride is my cousin, so I had to come. Plus, who can resist free champagne and crab puffs?"

EJ grinned. "Can't argue with that logic. But you know, I think you're the real highlight of this reception."

Mandy giggled, playfully swatting his arm. "Flattery will get you everywhere, EJ."

As Robin watched from a distance, an unfamiliar feeling of jealousy began to bubble up inside her. Despite her insistence that they remain friends, seeing EJ flirt with someone else was more than she could handle. For a moment, she considered leaving, but then, driven by impulse, she decided to take action.

When Mandy excused herself to go to the restroom, Robin seized her opportunity. She walked briskly over to EJ, grabbed his hand without a word, and pulled him towards the bathroom. EJ, caught off guard, followed her, a mix of surprise and curiosity on his face.

"Robin, what are you doing here?" EJ asked as they hurried through the hall.

Once inside the bathroom, Robin locked the door behind them and immediately kissed EJ fiercely. EJ, momentarily stunned, quickly reciprocated the kiss with equal passion.

"You wanted us to be friends, remember?" EJ teased between kisses. "Is this how 'friends' act?"

Robin pulled back just enough to whisper, "Shut up and kiss me." before kissing him again, more intensely.

Their hands roamed freely, and clothes started to come off in their heated embrace. The urgency of their actions made it clear that their previous night together had left a lingering effect on both of them.

Just as things were about to escalate further, a knock came on the bathroom door.

"EJ? You in there?" It was Ben, his voice filled with curiosity and amusement.

EJ pulled back slightly, his breath ragged. "Yeah, Ben, I'm fine."

Ben knocked again, more insistent this time. "You sure? 'Cause it sounds like you're having a lot of fun in there."

EJ rolled his eyes and shouted back, "Go away, Ben. I'm fine, really."

Ben chuckled, his footsteps retreating. "Alright, alright. Just checking. Have fun!"

Robin and EJ exchanged a look, half-laughing, half-breathless. "That was close," EJ said, pulling Robin in for another kiss.

Eventually, when they were sure the coast was clear, they hurriedly fixed their clothes and stepped out of the bathroom, trying to look as composed as possible.

Back at the reception, they returned to their respective places, trying to act as if nothing had happened. But the spark between them was undeniable, and anyone paying close attention would have noticed the change in their demeanor.

Ted, Ben, and Barney watched as Robin rejoined the group, her face slightly flushed. Barney raised an eyebrow, clearly curious but opting not to press the issue just yet.

As for Mandy, she returned with a drink in hand and found EJ once again. "Where did you disappear to?" she asked playfully.

EJ smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Just handling some business."

Mandy raised an eyebrow. "Business, huh? Sounds mysterious."

EJ chuckled, but his eyes drifted to Robin across the room. "Yeah, something like that."

I didn't think putting a heavy smut in here would be a good idea. But lmk if otherwise 👀