Hello all!

Here we are gang, my final one-shot for 'Couldn't Let Go'! So happy to be wrapping it all up with a request from my girl aliixo. This request has a mix of two ships in their own ways, shapes and forms. To no surprise, it's based around the number one couple, Sonic and Amy! However, as you go on you'll find this particular one-shot will bring Amy's attention to a certain hedgehog BROTHER! *Pause for affect*.

Who will she choose? Read on! Enjoy!

Peace out! xx

'Did you see the look on his face?!' Knuckles laughed as he collapsed on the couch.

'I swear, he gets more and more surprised every time!' Blaze added with a giggle.

'Let's be honest, he'll never learn.' Tails chuckled.

'Makes it all the more fun for us!' Tikal smiled.

To any other Mobian, it would be only human for the gang to grow increasingly tired of fighting off Eggman and his array of inventions and robotic armies only to come out on top each and every time. Of course, they were far from the average group of Mobians. Sonic and the team had returned back to his and Tails' abode as the sun was setting after a long and eventful day, fighting of another Egghead army, only for it to end in the same way. Victory!

'It's sad really, I almost feel bad for him.' Sonia smirked.

'You'd think it would start to get boring after a while, but…' Silver trailed off.

'Never.' Cosmo and Shadow chuckled in sync.

'Well, I think we've all deserved a feed. What do you say?' Rouge turned to the young rabbit by her side.

'Sounds good to me! Let's get started.' She beamed as the ivory bat and Cosmo accompanied her to the kitchen.

'Now, don't be letting this go to your head, but you did pretty well out there today, little bro.' Manic admitted.

'Yeah, you were great, Sonic!' Amy added.

'Well, did you really expect any less, Manic?' Sonic rose from his seat with his brother, ignoring Amy.

'So much for not letting it get to your head.' The sap hedgehog rolled his eyes.

'We all know he doesn't really mean it when he's cocky.' Amy lied a little, merely testing to seeing if her cobalt hero would respond to her this time.

'Come on, bro? Everyone here know I could whoop your ass any day of the week!' Sonic exclaimed.

'Oh yeah?!' Manic challenged.

'Yeah!'

Amy shook her head and sighed to herself, knowing very well she would continue to be ignored by the one person she wanted to notice her. That was the way it had always been, after all. They were grown up now, it was ridiculous really, and it seemed as though they were still kids. She subtly made her way to the living room balcony while the others watched the two hedgehog brothers get into a playful spar, desperate for fresh air.

She rest her elbows on the railing, overlooking the sun that was now almost completely hiding behind the hilltops. She checked over her shoulder, checking everyone was still inside and hadn't noticed she was gone. She let a smile drift across her face, she loved how happy they all became after they got home from and exciting day out. She turned back around and looked up at the streaked sky that held the night's first stars.

She let out a refreshing sigh, letting the wind drift by her as she lazily closed her eyelids and listened to everyone inside. It had become a horrible habit that now her mind told her to only ever focus on Sonic's voice. All she could hear was him laughing, everything else was such a blur. She didn't know if it made her happy or sad? Probably somewhere in between.

'What are you doing out here all on your lonesome?' A voice came from behind her.

'Just taking in the sun set.' Amy shrugged after turning around to see Manic walking towards her.

'Sure is a beauty tonight, that's for sure.' He smiled as he rest against the railing beside her.

'Too true.'

'So, what's eating at you?' Manic questioned after a minute of peaceful silence.

'Hmm?' Amy cocked a brow at him.

'You heard me, Amy. What's on your mind?'

'N-Nothing? What makes you t-think that-'

'What did my careless brother do now?' Manic cut her off with a knowing look.

Amy's eyes widened in shock and slight embarrassment, her mouth hanging agape as she scanned her brain for a believable excuse. Manic stared at her knowingly with a cocky smirk, merely waiting for her to crack. She finally rolled her eyes and let out a sigh before turning back to face the sunset, slouching on the railing with her chin resting on her arms.

'He's such a typical boy!' Amy exclaimed through a slight laugh.

'You realise you're talking to a boy, right?' Manic cocked a brow.

'I'm just say that, everything seems to be going straight over his head.'

'What do you mean?'

'He's been ignoring me something chronic lately and Chaos only knows why, I don't know what I did wrong? So, I've been trying to talk to him as much as I can, it's been embarrassingly obvious and he still ignores me!'

'I have to admit, that is kinda strange. If it's any consolation, I haven't noticed anything obvious? Maybe you need to make it more obvious?'

'You're a boy, of course you haven't noticed.' Amy sighed.

'Maybe you need something else to get him to open his eyes.' Manic thought allowed after a minute's silence.

'What are you talking about?'

'I don't know? Maybe you need to make him jealous or something?' Manic shrugged.

Amy tilted her head in thought before slowly turning her gaze around into the living room, looking at the gang laughing and messing around together. She pursed her lips in thought as she turned back to face the hilltops, Manic still watching the sunset and letting the wind wash by him. Suddenly, something clicked inside the fuchsia hedgehog's head, something not exactly ideal but maybe worth a shot.

'Manic?' Amy looked at him with a coy smile.

'Yeah?'

Amy continued to stare at him with a large and wanting grin, waiting for him to catch on. His friendly smile slowly faded as he tried to concentrate on what she was trying to say. His brow slowly arched, as if questioning what was going through her mind. She matched his expression, expecting him to catch on soon… wait for it, just a second…

'What?! No way, Amy!' Manic exclaimed as the lightbulb appeared above his head.

'Come on, Manic! I know it's crappy but it might just work! Especially if it's you!' Amy pleaded.

'Come on, Amy, you're putting me between a rock and a hard place!'

'I know I'm sorry! Please, please, pleeeeeeeeease!'

'Forget it, kiddo.' Manic chuckled as he walked inside.

'Dammit, how am I going to get him to help me?' Amy thought to herself.

The fuchsia hedgehog followed him inside before taking a seat on the couch across from her blue hero as Cream and Rouge brought dinner over. They all got to talk and laughing over the day's adventures, Amy determined to prove to manic that she couldn't do it alone. Maybe it was because it was brought to his attention and he could see it all now, or maybe it was because Amy had stepped up her game, but if the sap hedgehog knew anything, it was that she was going to need help.

'Alright!' Manic mouthed to her a rolled his eyes.

'Thank you.' Amy mouthed through a smile.

It took some time, but Manic and Amy finally worked out how to make the plan work. If they pretended to date, Sonic certainly wouldn't be the only one asking questions, it would just be easier to go another way about it. How? Well, all they knew was if anything was going to work, it was going to take some time…

It had been about a week since Manic agreed to help Amy, and today Cream had invited everyone out to the chao garden for a picnic in the sun, a perfect opportunity to kick off the plan. They had to admit, neither of them were crazy about making Sonic actually jealous, they both knew it was wrong. Amy didn't want to hurt him or make him mad, she merely wanted him to notice, which is what she'd do. Manic on the other hand, he still couldn't believe he was doing this to his own brother, he just knew it wouldn't end well…

'Alright, so how are we going to go about this?' Amy whispered as they all walked along the dirt track.

'Don't worry, I've got it under control.' Manic smiled.

'What? Really?'

'Yep, just follow my lead.'

Amy arched a brow in confusion as she watched the sap green hedgehog walk confidently ahead of her. She tried to shake off the nerves and walk ahead along with the others, still curious as to what he was concocting. They soon made it to the garden where Cream and Cosmo began setting up a picnic while Shadow, Tails and Silver jumped into the water, causing the Chao's to giggle and frolic beside them.

'Alright, you ready?' Manic whispered.

'Ready? Ready for wh-aaaaaaa!'

Amy screeched as Manic scooped her up and jumped in the water with her still in his arms. The fuchsia hedgehog surfaced and gasped for air in a panic as Manic surfaced slowly before bursting into hysterics, along with everyone else. Amy looked at him, her eyes bulging out of her head in shocked before she pounced on him and they began splashing each other as everyone else laughed wildly.

'They all look hilarious!' Tikal giggled.

'That's my brother for you.' Sonia rolled her eyes as they helped set up the picnic.

'Manic really is a sweetheart when he wants to be.' Rouge smiled.

Sonic cocked a brow at the girls talking and setting up lunch before Knuckles and Blaze jumped into the water with the others. He couldn't help but notice that everyone was seeing Amy and Manic as… something… rather than him and her. Why did that suddenly occur to him? Why did it matter? He needed to stop thinking about it.

'Ok! Is it time for lunch yet?' Sonic exclaimed with a nervous smile.

After Sonia and Cream dragged the gang out of the water, they gathered around the gourmet picnic set up underneath the tree Sonic was napping in. Amy and Manic lagged behind the others slowly, the fuchsia hedgehog saying a silent thank you again for his help. They had both noticed Sonic was… well, uncomfortable… with the situation. The two sat down next to one another at the picnic, ready to see what else they could come up with before the sun went down.

'I don't know how you do it every time, Cream!' Silver mumbled through a mouthful of food.

'You make me sick.' Blaze rolled her eyes.

'You love it.' Knuckles smirked through his own mouthful of food.

'I take it as a compliment.' Cream shrugged.

'How was the water, guys?' Cosmo asked.

'Great!' Tails exclaimed.

'Hot.' Manic mumbled loud enough for everyone to hear.

A cheeky grin was plastered across his muzzle as he focused on finishing off his lunch, while Amy was practically choking on hers. She covered her mouth, trying to contain herself through a chuckle, a bright red hue staining her cheeks. Lucky for them, no one appeared to look too much into Manic's comment… except, of course, Sonic.

'You ok, Big Blue?' Rouge cocked a brow, noticing his twisted expression.

'J-Just. Fine.' Sonic said through gritted teeth.

As everyone got back into conversation, Amy couldn't help but feel a hole burning into hers and Manic's heads. Her blue hero wasn't even trying to not stare at them, but in all fairness, it did probably all look very suspicious. She was quickly snapped out of her thoughts from a grape hitting her temple. She turned to her side to see Manic throwing fruit at her with a coy… and attractive… smile on his face.

'Cut it out!' Amy giggled and threw one back.

'If you're going to throw food, send it this way and I'll eat it.' Shadow rolled his eyes.

'Or here, I sense a few hungry chao friends.' Tikal giggled as a chao flew over and snuggled up against her.

'How about we just stop throwing food all together?' Sonia shrugged.

.

A few days later, Tails had finished a heap of new experimental upgrades to the TV and entertainment systems so he invited the whole gang around for a movie night. The sun had just gone down by the time everyone had arrived and Tails was finishing up on double checking everything, Sonic 'helping' on the couch. Cream and Tikal made their way to the kitchen, cooking popcorn and making drinks for everyone while everyone else made themselves comfortable in the lounge room.

'Alright, what are we watching tonight?' Cream asked as she took a seat on the couch.

'Romance.' Rouge and Sonia said in sync.

'Action!' Knuckles and Shadow exclaimed.

'Here we go again.' Tails chuckled as he sat down.

Tikal made her way over to the living room couches and set the drinks down on the coffee table while Amy finished up with the food in the kitchen. Manic saw his stubborn brother looking at her from the corner of his eye, seeing this as an opportunity to take things up a notch. He took in a deep breath, hoping to Chaos his brother wouldn't leap out of his seat and kill him, before walking over to Amy.

'Hello there.' Manic chuckled as he playfully smacked her backside.

'Manic!' Amy exclaimed in a whisper, still unable to hide her laughter.

'I'm going against my brother for you, I'll do what I want.' He winked.

'You're joking right?'

'Of course. He's watching though, and I sense he's not happy.'

'Hmmm, at least he's starting to notice, but I hope he isn't angry.' Amy thought allowed.

'Don't worry, kiddo, it'll be fine. Come on, I'll help you take this over.' Manic smiled as he picked up a bowl of popcorn.

A movie and a half later, everyone was cozied up in the living room, watching a new action comedy movie, something everyone could agree on. Blaze, Cosmo, Silver, Tails and Sonia were sprawled out on the floor with blankets and pillows, while Shadow, Cream, Tikal, Rouge and Knuckles were comfortable on the few lounges.

Manic and Amy were seated next to each other on the lounge a gap away from Cream, while Sonic was burning a hole in his own brother's forehead across from them on the lounge by Rouge. Amy couldn't help but feel uncomfortable and overwhelmed with guilt, feeling his eyes shooting at her and his brother. Maybe she'd let it all go too far, she had to admit she was pretty surprised at how into character Manic was getting. Maybe she'd achieved what she wanted? Maybe-

'I think it's all working.' Manic whispered in her ear, his hand placed above her knee, breaking her train of thought.

'Do you think we've taken it too far?' Amy questioned.

'I know Sonic, he's fine. I'll know when it's too far.'

'Are you sure?'

'Positive. Don't you worry about a thing, ok?'

'Thank you, Manic. You're such a good friend.' Amy smiled.

Manic smiled and wrapped an arm around her as she began to fall asleep on his shoulder. He took a glance at his little brother out of the corner of his eye, seeing he was curled up on the couch, arms folded and an awful scowl on his face as he tried to focus on the TV. Maybe they had taken it too far, but really it wasn't his fault, right? If Sonic really wanted her, he'd say something?

The sap hedgehog looked down at the snoozing hedgehog on his shoulder, unable to wipe away the small smile on his muzzle. Look at her, she's smart, beautiful funny… as much as Manic loved his little brother, he took Amy for granted. He pulled her close and turned to face the movie, unable to stop thinking about her. Which is when it hit him… was Manic, of all people, developing feelings for Amy? Or anyone for that matter? Oh no…

A couple of days later, the girls were in the city spending the day together while the boys were lounging around the garage. Tails was tinkering on the X-Tornado, nothing out of the ordinary of course, while the other guys were playing video games on the garage TV set. All except Sonic… He was outside snoozing in the sun, trying to keep his mind occupied and himself away from his 'backstabbing brother'.

'Dammit!' Tails exclaimed as he shook his hand.

'What's up?' Silver turned to look at the kitsune.

'I just zapped my hand! I need a break. Call dibs on next round.'

'Looks like your versing me because I just kicked Manic's ass!' Knuckles exclaimed.

'For the first time out of twenty-seven.' Shadow smirked to himself.

'Here you go, Tails.' Manic said as he tossed the controller to the fox and stood up to walk outside.

'Where're you going?' Silver cocked a brow.

'Just outside.'

'Sore loser.' Knuckles snickered.

He took a deep breath and straightened his vest before walking outside of the garage and over to his little brother. Sonic was lying down on the lush grass, propping his head up with his hands and looking up at the clouds, a blank expression plastered across his face. The scene before him made Manic think maybe something really was up, and maybe he'd taken it too far with Amy.

But… he didn't really regret it? Well, he did regret hurting his brother, given he had, but he really enjoyed being close to Amy. He tried to snap himself out of it, he didn't like Amy that way, they were just friends. He was helping out his friend and he got caught up in his role. They were just… friends. He walked over to Sonic and took a seat beside him, following his gaze up to the clouds.

'Beautiful day, eh?' Manic smiled a little.

'Exquisite.' Sonic said as he closed his eyes.

'See anywhere new on this morning's run?'

'Didn't go this morning.'

'W-What? Really? How come?' Manic cocked a brow as he turned to his brother.

'Didn't feel like it.' The cobalt hero shrugged.

Alright, now Manic was nervous. Sonic never just 'didn't feel like' going on a run, he always ran, or he was at least always on his feet. He turned away and looked out at the surrounds, hoping his little brother would start up another topic of conversation, but nothing. Something was definitely up, they always had something to talk about. He knew what it was, but he wasn't ready to admit it…

'You ok, bro?' Manic asked.

'Me? Oh yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?' Sonic's voice dripping thickly with sarcasm.

'Alright, what's going on, Sonic?' Manic asked firmly as he got to his feet.

'Gee, I don't know, Manic?' Sonic got to his feet, 'Maybe my own brother is a backstabbing ass!'

'Oh? Is that so? This wouldn't have anything to do with Amy, now would it?' Manic folded his arms and plastered a smug grin across his muzzle.

Anyone who knew Sonic, knew he was far from a violent person, unless he had to be against one of Eggman's creations, but today, he was ready to take his brother down a notch. His eyes widened as he growled and leapt for Manic, tackling him to the ground. They rolled around trying to hit each other before Sonic finally got a few good shots in, and Manic returned them back.

'Guys! What the hell are you doing?!' Shadow exclaimed.

'Teaching this stubborn fool a lesson!' Manic exclaimed as he threw Sonic off him and panted little.

'Me?! Are you kidding?! My own brother is stabbing me in the back?!' Sonic exclaimed.

'What on all of Mobius are you talking about?!' Tails exclaimed.

'Admit it, Sonic! Admit that you're jealous!' Manic snapped.

'Wait, what's he jealous of?' Knuckles turned to Silver only to receive a shrug.

'Sonic can't stand that Amy is hanging out with me more than him!'

'ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! I got jealous, I love Amy and I always have! But more than anything I'm angry because my own brother did this to me!' Sonic exclaimed, allowing silence to fall over everyone.

'I-Is that true?' A voice came from behind them.

The whirled around to see the girls standing with shocked expressions on their faces, shopping bags fallen to the ground. They'd arrived back early and just in time to hear Sonic's confession. Sonic's stance relaxed as he turned to face Amy nervously, their eyes locking, waiting for one of them to break the silence. Manic watched them, realising that… this was how it was meant to be. Sonic and Amy. Amy and Sonic…

'A-Amy, I-I…' Sonic trailed off.

'Don't be upset with Manic. I'm the one that asked him to play along.' Amy bowed her head ashamed.

'WHAT?!' Everyone exclaimed.

'I was sick of Sonic ignoring me and treating me like I was nothing, so I asked Manic to help me get your attention. We took it too far and it's my fault and I'm sorry and I just-'

Amy was quickly cut off by a warm sensation on her lips. Her eyes widened to see a whirl of blue around her, and she was almost sure she was dreaming. Everyone else's jaws were hanging agape, their eyes bulging out of their heads trying to comprehend the situation. All except for Manic, he couldn't help but smile. He'd hurt his brother, he'd confused himself on how he felt about a friend but now in the matter of five seconds it was straightened out.

'W-What?' Amy stammered in a whisper.

'Thank God, you don't love my brother.' Sonic whispered, causing Amy to giggle.

'No hard feelings, bro?' Manic questioned.

'Meh, you're my brother. I can't stay mad at you forever, right?' Sonic smirked, allowing Manic to nod with a smile.

'Manic?' Amy spoke up.

'Hm?'

'You're a good friend, I'm sorry I got you into this.' Amy tried to smile.

'Hey, if it taught my brother a lesson, happy to help.' Manic shrugged.

'What the hell is going on?!' Blaze and Shadow exclaimed in sync.

'Manic'll explain it.' Sonic shrugged before scooping Amy up and dashing off.

Manic watched them run off into the distance, a happy brotherly smile plastered across his face before turning to the rest of the gang, watching their expressions freeze with confusion and shock, as if they were begging him to start explaining. He merely shrugged through a chuckle and headed back inside waiting for them to follow… He supposed he really did have some explaining to do.

.

Sonic soon stopped on a hilltop that overlooked Knothole and set Amy down on her feet before slowly strolling over to the cliff's edge and overlook the sunset, as if asking Amy to follow him, to which she complied. She walked up beside him and watched the sky shine in all its colourful glory as she rubbed her arms to prevent the chill coming over her.

'I guess it would be pointless to ask why you did it, right?' Sonic asked as he wrapped a warm arm around her.

'Well, no, but I was telling the truth when I tried to explain.' Amy looked at him.

'I believe you, I just… I wish it hadn't been necessary.'

'What do you mean?'

'I don't know I guess I'm just angry at myself for being too weak to say anything to you and then over reacting to jealously. Although, Manic's always known how I've felt about you, I guess that's why I was pissed.' Sonic smiled a little.

'Wait, WHAT?! We did all that instead him just telling me?!' Amy snapped.

'I guess it makes sense. A few months ago I embarrassed him in front of this chick in the city… Payback's a bitch, I suppose.' Sonic shrugged and turned to face her.

'You two are seriously insane, how does Sonia deal with you both?!' Amy laughed.

'Well, you're going to be the one dealing with me from now on.' Sonic winked.

Amy blushed as Sonic swooped in a planted a firm one straight on her lips, allowing the sunset breeze to whip around them. Sonic was quick to grab the top of the fuchsia hedgehog's thighs and hoist her up so she could wrap her legs around his waist. He pulled he so close as if he were to let go he'd lose her forever, as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and deepened the kiss.

Sonic slowly knelt to the ground and lay his beautiful hedgehog down, still cradling her close from the cold and into his chest as he continued to deepen their kiss. He slowly broke away and bit her bottom before staring intensely into her eyes with a goofy smile, happily gazing at her blushing beauty.

'What is it?' Amy whispered.

'I love you, sorry it took this long.' Sonic said timidly.

'I love you more.'

'Come here.'

He pulled her close again, nipping at her lips before slowing making his way along her cheeks and neck, tickling her fur and causing her to giggle. He rolled to the side so they were both laying on their back, staring at each other happily, despite realising how corny it all probably seemed. For once, Sonic was far from caring, he was just relieved, happy and so in love. If this was a dream, they didn't want to wake up. Amy curled up into his fur as a gentle warm breeze drifted around them, sure that Manic was one of the best people she knew. She really owed him one…