Fandom Imagines and Preferences VI

Barney Stinson- Change: Part 2 (h)

How I Met Your Mother One Shot

It had been a couple of weeks since Lily and Robin had found out about your crush on Barney and surprisingly, they still hadn't told Barney.

Yes, you'd made them promise not to breathe a word of it but the fact that Lily hadn't even told Marshall was impressive.

Everyone had agreed to go down to MacLaren's that evening and you were half looking forward to it but also half dreading it.

Of course, you'd seen Barney over the past couple of weeks but he'd not mentioned you wingwomaning him at all and that was strange for you – usually Barney would've wanted to go out at least three times per week but he'd clearly decided to have a break.

Heading down to MacLaren's you saw everyone already in the usual booth and there was a drink waiting for you.

"I could get used to this kind of service," you commented as you slid into your spot next to Barney.

Marshall laughed whilst Barney slid an arm over the back of your seat. "Don't thank us, it was Barney that brought it over."

You looked at Barney with surprise on your face. "You feeling nice tonight?"

He shrugged, smirking towards you as he took a sip of his drink.

The night was going pretty well until something caught Ted's eye.

"When you're next up at the bar Barney, there's a blonde in red who has been staring at you every time you move."

Barney chuckled and you were just waiting for the suggestion of you going to chat to the girl and get her over to the group so Barney could work his charm.

"I'm not feeling it tonight man," Barney stated as he shifted somewhat uncomfortably.

Everyone else turned to him in complete shock – when was Barney not up for chatting up a girl, the answer was never.

Barney sighed, rolling his eyes. "Why are you all looking at me like that?"

"Did I just hear that Barney Stinson doesn't want to go and work his magic?" Marshall questioned with a smirk on his face.

You noticed the look exchange between Lily and Robin before they fixed you with a look, you knew exactly what they were trying to suggest but you just couldn't believe it.

"Uh...I need a drink!" Lily suddenly announced, standing up. "Robin? Y/N? Join me?"

Sighing you got up and followed Lily to the bar – you noticed the girl that Ted had mentioned, and you couldn't deny that she was stunning.

"Please tell me I'm not the only one that has realised," Lily sounded exasperated as she spoke.

Robin laughed slightly but nodded in agreement. "We all know Barney, since when does he ignore a girl being interested."

You sighed again and shrugged. "He didn't seem to want to go out recently either, just kept saying we should go for dinner somewhere instead."

Those words caught the attention of both the girls opposite you.

Lily looked at Robin, seemingly exchanging thoughts through their glances before they both turned to you.

"He knows," they stated together.

Shaking your head, you blatantly disagreed with them. "How would he? Neither of you have said anything and we know how observant he is."

Lily giggled but smiled knowingly. "I don't know how he knows but he knows."

Sighing for the third time, you decided not to listen to them anymore and went back over to the booth.

Barney slipped his arm back around you but this time he leant down to whisper in your ear. "How about we get out of here?"

Despite being confused at where exactly he wanted to go you nodded, saying goodbye to your friends and letting Barney slip your coat on for you.

He offered you his arm once you got outside and you took it but then looked at him in confusion.

"Where exactly are we going? You never want to leave MacLaren's early, let alone when there's some girl after you."

He chuckled but shook his head slightly. "I never want to leave MacLaren's early because you always want to stay later, some girl being after me doesn't make much difference to me anymore."

You stopped walking and continued to look at him with confusion written across your face.

"Do you really want to know?" he questioned with a sigh and at your nod he took a deep breath. "I heard you, that night you bailed on me, I heard what you were saying to Lily and Robin."

At his words your mouth dropped open and you didn't want to believe him.

"I heard you telling them you couldn't compare to the girls I end up with, that you couldn't change me, that it wouldn't work out well," he seemed to rush out of his words. "And I wanted to get you out of that pub so I could prove you wrong."

You shook your head, not wanting to admit that he had heard you, not wanting to admit that he knew.

He sighed, pulling you into a hug and he couldn't help but smile at the way you automatically wrapped your arms around him.

The two of you stood for a few moments – you not being sure what to say and Barney having said all he wanted to say.

When you slowly pulled back to look up at the man, you'd called your best friend for years, the smile on his face and the look in his eyes told you all you needed.

He had changed, he'd been that way for a long time.

All because of you.

~*~

Written by Hannah.