How I Met Your Mother

As Robin and Ted grapple with the difficulties of living together as friends, both are able to assuage the tension through casual sex. When Robin leaves the milk carton out or forgets to take out the trash, both avoid confrontation through the "friends with benefits" system. However, Marshall catches them in the act when using Ted's bathroom to "read a magazine." Marshall is uncomfortable using his office facilities, sensing the judgment of his fellow co-workers as he proceeds to the bathroom. Ted's only way to protect the secrecy of his and Robin's new relationship is to blackmail Marshall: he can use his bathroom on the grounds he keeps his mouth shut on what he saw. Of course, Marshall blabs, and Barney is left hear broken and disgruntled.

In order to alleviate roommate tension between Ted and Robin, but more so eliminate their sexual tension, Barney begins to clean the apartment. Ted is at first baffled by Barney's actions but later configures that Barney is in love with Robin. Ted ends the casual sex with Robin because "someone will get hurt," that someone being Barney.

Meanwhile, Marshall overcomes his bathroom anxiety and embraces his daily "reading a magazine" ritual. Barney is motivated by Marshall and feels he should tell Robin how he feels. However, he gets cold feet when he exclaims "I love you," and Robin mistakes it as an impression of Ted's exaggerated emotions towards casual sex. He chooses not to correct her.