Barney initially refuses but agrees when he realizes Lily can act as a "fake wife" to scare off one-night stands.
The two fall into a domestic rhythm that mirrors a real marriage—watching TV together, sharing groceries, and even cuddling platonically in Barney's king-sized bed. [S2E5] World's Greatest Couple
While Lily is with Barney, Marshall struggles to navigate single life after their breakup. He finds an unexpected companion in his law school friend (played by Joe Manganiello ), who is also newly single. Barney initially refuses but agrees when he realizes
Their "bromance" hits a snag when Brad reunites with his ex-girlfriend, leading to a "breakup" scene where Marshall acts like a jealous ex, even telling Ted to tell Brad "he looks fat" the next time they meet. Themes and Impact [S2E5] World's Greatest Couple