Chapter 10 — Single Stamina (Brothers, Balance & Black Tie Chaos)
Ted Mosby believed weddings were about hope.
Barney Stinson believed weddings were about opportunities.
And Ivar Scherbatsky? He believed weddings were about perspective — especially when your perspective made someone else's look small.
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The Invite
At MacLaren's, Barney waved an envelope.
"My brother James is getting married. And guess what? All of you are invited."
Robin blinked. "You have a brother?"
"Correction," Barney said proudly. "I have a better-looking, equally charming, equally legendary brother. Except he's gay. Minor detail."
Megan smirked. "So basically… he's you, but functional?"
Yvonne added dryly: "And less likely to be banned from hotels."
Barney scowled. "Hurtful. But yes."
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The Wedding
The gang arrived at the elegant hall, all tuxedos and champagne.
Marshall & Lily: awkward around each other, still nursing the breakup.
Ted & Robin: trying (and failing) to act like a normal couple.
Barney: scanning the crowd for "wingman opportunities."
Ivar: sharp in his suit, Megan on his arm, Yvonne nearby, all eyes on the family dynamics.
Then James appeared.
Tall, polished, confident — like Barney without the constant need for attention.
"Ivar Scherbatsky," James greeted smoothly. "I've heard you're Canadian Batman."
Ivar smirked, shaking his hand. "Correction. I'm better dressed."
James laughed. Barney pouted.
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James vs. Barney
At the reception, James raised his glass.
"Here's to love. Real love. The kind you fight for, the kind that lasts."
Barney groaned. "Ugh, sappy."
Ivar leaned in. "No. True."
James smiled at him. "Finally, someone in this family who gets it."
Barney's jaw dropped. "Wait — are you… siding with him? He's not even a Stinson!"
"Exactly," James replied.
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Megan & Yvonne's Roast
Megan watched Barney flail at the singles table. "He looks like a shark in a kiddie pool."
Yvonne smirked. "Correction: a shark that forgot how to swim."
Robin snorted champagne.
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Marshall & Lily Tension
During the bouquet toss, Marshall and Lily stood awkwardly close, neither knowing what to say.
Ivar nudged Marshall gently. "You're not broken. You're just paused. Don't confuse the two."
Marshall nodded, eyes wet.
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Barney's Breakdown
By night's end, Barney sulked at the bar.
"Everyone's pairing off. James has his husband. Marshall had Lily. Ted has Robin. Even Ivar has two women laughing at his jokes. And me? I'm alone."
Ivar's gaze sharpened. "Correction. You're single. That's not the same as alone. Stop pretending it is."
Barney blinked, caught off guard, then muttered, "Sometimes you suck at pep talks."
"Good," Ivar said. "Means you heard me."
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Closing Beat
By the end of the night:
James shined as the brother Barney couldn't outdo.
Ted and Robin clung to their fragile "couple" status.
Marshall and Lily danced around their unresolved tension.
Megan and Yvonne tore Barney apart with sarcasm.
And Ivar? He walked away with James' respect — and Barney's jealousy.
Because sometimes the greatest wingman… was the brother who didn't need one.
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End of Chapter 10.
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👉 Next up is Chapter 11 ("How Lily Stole Christmas"). Want me to keep Lily's guilt arc canon (her "grinch" voicemail to Ted), while also showing Ivar quietly slipping her Christmas gifts and money in the background?