I love you so by The Walters.
Television/So Far So Good by Rex Orange County.
~~~

"Ow-."

"O-oh! Sorry." She hopped away, red like never before.

But her euphoric, light state dwindled and washed away when she properly took him in. Sonic had a crutch on the ground for one thing, and a cast blanketing his leg. Bandages slithered up his arms and torso and his puffer-coat hung loosely over his shoulders. His quills too were bandaged and his ear had a nasty missing chunk on it's side. His eyes were red and he looked utterly, completely exhausted.

"Trust us, he's looked worse." The crocodile mumbled, gaining a glare and panicked stare from the two.

"He's been healing quickly, is what Vector means." The chameleon sighed.

"Tha- who are you?"

"The Chaotix." Sonic answered, voice sounding strained. "You've got Vector, Espio and Charmy. They're a small detective agency in Seaside City."

"I wouldn't say small." Vector quietly argued.

"What...how?"

"We found him in that factory you all were at? Yeah, we would've came here sooner but we took him to a hospital first."

"Well I...thank you. That's- how'd you get so close to it?"

The crocodile grinned. "Can't properly investigate nothin' if you don't break a few rules."

There was a gasp. "Wait a sec' you're Princess Sally!" Charmy dropped to bow, the other two copying.

Sally's shoulders raised and she sweat-dropped. "Oh Chaos, y-you don't have to do that!"

"Well-."

"So, are we gonna get an openin' or should we shove our way through?" Came Bunnie's voice and quickly Sonic found himself surrounded by colourful, beaming friends.

Mostly. One continued to stand at a distance, utterly frozen, shocked and overwhelmed. Two fluffy tails were drooped towards the ground and Sonic moved (gaining a shooting pain in his back) but was swarmed by pink fur.

"Sonikku!" Amy cried, literally, and smothered his face in kisses.

"I knew you survived! Oh I knew it I knew it! Wahhhh!"

Sonic tried to gasp for air as she suffocated him in a bear hug. His face was flushed and he rubbed her back, his other arm reaching for someone to release him. Thankfully, Bunnie poked the pink hedgehog's shoulder and took the brunt of the tight squeeze.

"If we knew, we would've done something to welcome you back buddy." Rotor apologised, patting the speedsters shoulder.

"Howezer, it seems Sally has covered zat already." Antoine teased, making the two blush (the coyote swore Amy somehow began crying harder).

"Oh man...." Sonic awkwardly chuckled. "Really I...I'm just happy to see you all again. And hey, if a kiss is involved-."

"Sonic."

"Yup. Shutting up."

"You haven't seen everyone, Suga'." Bunnie interjected, leading the group in standing back.

Thus, the speedster's gaze was guided to yellow fur and blue eyes. Blue, tired eyes. Sonic's own glazed over and despite the pain he slowly lowered himself to one knee. A longing smile grew on his ghostly muzzle and his arms widened. The fox hiccuped, fidgeting with his gloves and with a wail flew towards (almost tackling) his brother.

"Soniiic!" He weeped, fluffy appendages circling them both.

"Y-you said you w-wouldn't do that!"

"I know Little Buddy. I know." Sonic cooed. "I'm sorry. But I'm here. I'm here."

Tails squeezed, eyes shutting. "I missed you."

"Me too pal. I was stuck in a little hospital room for days and all I could think about was all of you."

"I...." The fox moved back just enough so he could see his brothers face (watery eyes and all).

"Are you...?"

"I'm alright kiddo."

"You're not just saying that?"

"Hedgehog's honour, I promise."

"I'm sorry we didn't-."

"Pshht. From what I've heard you guys are quite the heroes. You did wonderfully."

"You deserve the credit too." Rotor countered.

"Most of all." Amy sniffed and chuckled.

Sonic waved dismissively and squeezed his brother close, pecking the fox's head. But Tails, somehow, always knew how to make it extremely difficult for him to keep his cool.

"I love you, Sonic. Y-you know?"

The speedster's form tightened and his eyes were wide. His heart pounded and his throat ran dry.

"I...I-I know."

No.

"I...love ya too Little Buddy."

"And I love you too, Sonic!" Amy collapsed at his side, wrapping her arms around him.

"Oh jeez-."

"We all do, Suga'."

And soon Sonic found himself in the middle of a hug from them all.

—————

They had kissed. She saw it. He hadn't looked happier. He hadn't looked more physically broken before but he was euphoric. She was over the moon too and the pair had eventually wondered off from the bonfire when everyone had gathered. He had left his puffer-coat behind, after Vanilla insisted she repaired it.

So, Amy sat in the home she shared with the rabbit and Cream and watched the former sow. She had her own craft on her lap, but was finished and now awaited Vanilla to do the same.

"You look distracted, dear."

"Of course I am. Everyone's a bit...."

"Clear minded, honey." Vanilla glanced at the slumped hedgehog. "You seem down considering, and everyone's outside celebrating. You should join them."

"I will."

The mother set her sowing equipment down. "Even Tails is there."

"Because Cream urged him."

"Maybe, but I'm doing the same to you now. Honey, what's wrong?"

Amy sighed and fiddled with her craft. "I...it's selfish."

"I doubt that."

"...Do you think I have a chance?" She looked up with watery eyes.

"With him?"

"Sonic. Yeah."

"Well-."

"This is silly. I'm being silly."

"Hold on, Amy. You love with every ounce of your being, and hurt just the same. But it's not silly. I think you need to give some to yourself, and, have patience."

"Patience?"

"He'll come to you. Eventually, in time. Romantically or not, but he'll learn not to overlook you."

"Who said I felt-?"

"The way you talk about it. And not just with him."

Amy's gaze dropped to her lap. "She's right. Sally. I shouldn't have been with Bunnie and Knuckles. I...got them hurt. I just...I felt so scared."

"Didn't you get those prisoners to trust you? Didn't you uplift morale when no one else could, not even Sally? You do many wonderful things dear. You should focus on them more than what strengths other people may have."

"I-...thank you, Vanilla." Amy took a deep breath and shook herself off before throwing on a brilliant smile.

"Okay! Is it done?"

"All finished."

She bounced over and carefully picked up the folded puffer-coat, her craft in her other hand. "Sally makes Sonic happy. I know me and him are destined to be together one day! But, until then, I'll do what I can to keep him happy!" She winked. "Even if I have to wait a little longer."

———

He was atop The HQ. A guitar at his side and, oddly, Antoine's sword. Upon nearing him, his cast was off and showed clumped fur and stitched wounds. His other leg definitely looked healthier. Nevertheless, his eyes were closed and he looked rather peaceful.

"Sonic? Oh Chaos, please don't tell me you took your cast off with Antoine's sword?"

"Who- Amy!" The speedster flinched and arched himself so his leg was hidden.

"W-what're you doin' here?"

"I came to see you, silly!" She hopped down beside him. "Are you supposed to take it off yet?" She tried to peak, but he squirmed away.

"Well, the Doc was meant to do it himself but uh-."

"Lost your patience with it huh?"

"It was really itchy."

"But you can take it off?"

"Sure!"

"You don't have to hide it."

"You really don't want to see it."

"I couldn't really care what state it's in Sonic." Amy batted her eyelashes. "I'll love you just the same!"

"Oh jeez." Still, his confidence was up enough that he turned to face her properly.

He raised an eye-ridge, noticing she had her hands behind her back. "What you got there?"

"What's with the guitar?"

"I was uh, messing around."

"I didn't know you played."

"It's not something I shout from the rooftops."

"Well, you need to play me a song."

Sonic chuckled and diverted his gaze, scratching his cheek. "Maybe. Someday."

Amy smirked. "I'm holding you to that. In the meantime, Vanilla finished this for you!"

She held up his puffer-coat and moved behind him as he reached. Carefully, slowly, she pulled it up his arms and settled it over his shoulders- giggling at his awkward 'Ahem's' and nose rubs. Still, her eyes watched the long scars on his back longer than she meant, and she returned to his side when he glanced at her.

"Is it painful?"

"I'd be dumb to say I've never felt so alive." He shrugged. "Thanks. For the coat."

"Of course!" She flinched when he tried to push himself up, so she hurried to his aid.

"Ames I can-."

"I want to help."

She looked...pleading. Like she needed to. Sonic's arms crossed and an eye-ridge raised.

"I um...I a-actually have something else for you."

"Oh yeah?"

Her face heated up and, as rare as it was, she shyly looked away- holding out her hands. Sonic's eyes widened and his posture softened. She held out a delicate little bracelet with shiny pink-hued seashells hooked around it.

"Amy...."

"I-I know it's nothing fancy or anything but...well it's a good luck charm! You know...hopefully to keep you safe when you run off somewhere."

Sonic brought her to face him by the chin and squeezed her hands with his other. "I like it."

He attentively slipped it over his right hand, giving it a little shake as it sat on his wrist. "And I think I could do with the extra bit of luck."

Amy giggled. "I'm glad you like it. But it's not a guarantee!" She wagged a finger. "I still need you to be careful!"

He shrugged. "Where's the fun in that?"

"Sonic!"

—————

Sally wasn't impressed to hear he'd removed his cast, but he'd agreed to a few days rest so she couldn't exactly keep an argument going. Still, she was shocked to see how correct Vector had been (and how he probably undersold it) with Sonic's rapid healing. Within days he was walking without his crutch again, thus she took the opportunity.

Arm in arm, they traversed through Knothole in the late afternoon. He was clearly puzzled, but she was excited. Rotor and Tails had given her a call hours before, followed by a request from Towers, so following a brief exchange she hurried to Sonic. Would he be eating chilli dogs? Would he be making flower crowns with Cream? Strumming on his guitar? Attempting to listen to Tails' rambles or-

Sally was highly surprised to see him merely staring out his window. According to the twin-tailed fox he'd been doing that commonly. Sonic was always easily distracted, but it would be brief. With this it felt like his mind was completely off elsewhere (and she had a feeling as to what he was consumed with).

"Yo, Sally?"

She flinched back to the present as her arm was squeezed and sheepishly she looked to fabulous green eyes. "Sorry."

"Off in Overthinkin'-Land again?"

"Har har. I'm just making sure we get there without straining you so much."

A smirk slipped over his lips. "So you're not interested in going out for chilli dogs sometime?"

Her shoulders raised, she blushed and stuttered. "Th-that's not- I-I-."

"I can ask again?"

"You don't have to." Her eyelashes fluttered. "I'd love to. But won't we...draw attention?"

"There's places without people on Mobius, Sal'."

"O-of course."

Sonic's smile shifted to something gentler. "I'd like to take you to my favourite ones."

"I'd love to go anywhere, Sonic."

"Ahem."

The pair jumped and looked to a grinning purple walrus holding his door wide open. "You ready?"

They entered the little workshop and found wires hanging from wooden beams. Steel shelves climbed the walls, occupied with a large variation of supplies. There was a hammock, and boxes, and in the back a desk. A twin-tailed fox sat on the stool, holding N-I-C-O-L-E's handheld device, but Sonic was drawn to the freshly painted steel blue hedgehog propped on the desk.

"Sonn-."

"Chuck!" Sonic laughed and hobbled hurriedly over, swinging his arms around his Uncle.

"I-I didn't see you at-."

"I was here. I would've came to see you but-."

"It's alright Unc'." He allowed his cheek to be held by a chilling claw.

"Looking almost as good as new." He remarked.

Charles snorted. "Like you're any better."

"I...can't believe you're actually here." Sonic looked to his widely smiling friends. "Thank you. Seriously."

Rotor shrugged. "Couldn't have really done it if you hadn't saved him."

"I had help." He winked to Sally.

"Sonny."

"Yeah?"

"Can I admit something to you?"

"Sure, Unc'." And then he gained a light whack over his head.

"Hey! What gives?"

"That's for throwing yourself into trouble! I don't know whether it was brave or stupid, but I know your-." And Chuck found a hand covering his mouth, a sheepish Sonic chuckling.

'At least he's honest.'

Tails awkwardly cleared his throat, giving N-I-C-O-L-E's device to Sally. "We're currently trying to access your Uncle's memories."

"W-why would you-."

The fox bit back a sigh. "Not all of them. But if anyone has anything useful on Robotnik it would be him. Chuck said he's okay with that."

Sonic shrugged. "I can't complain then. Buuuut, you don't have to call him that anymore."

"Chuck?"

"No, Robotnik."

"Why?"

"Oh no." Sally sighed.

The Blue Blur grinned, rubbing his nose. "Gave the large oaf something more fittin'. 'Sides it takes a lot of fear from him, might be good for everyone if they start callin' him it."

"That's...logical." Rotor blinked.

"He's called Eggman from now on."

"There we go."

Tails snorted, hands clapping. "That's awesome!"

"It does take a lot of fear from him." Sally giggled.

"Never thought I'd see the day where folks started laughing at him." Chuck praised.

"Yeah, I told Nic- where are they?" Sonic asked.

"They're at HQ I think, why?" Tails replied.

"I gotta see 'em."

—————

Chuck wanted to take him, understandably, and Sally easily let the family venture off. The Uncle walked a narrow step behind his nephew, ensuring he wouldn't fall.

"Why did you hush me?"

They'd barely got to the bridge. Sonic sighed. "They don't know."

"How much?"

"A...bit."

"But they know of Sally. Don't you think they'll piece it together?" Chuck watched his nephews fists clench.

"They kinda just think me and Sal' met after Mobotropilis."

"Tails told me they only recently learned of Snively."

"Not...that recently." Sonic grumbled and looked over his shoulder at a rather disproving expression.

"It's not somethin' easy alright? I can't just say 'oh by the way, my family died years ago and Eggman's been hunting me down ever since. No, actually, he's been chasing me for pretty much my whole life. He's destroyed four of my homes and I only escaped 'cause of Towers. Which by the way, also wants something from me. I have relentless nightmares about it all and think about it more than I probably should.' Yeah, maybe over chilli dogs huh?" With a frown he looked ahead.

Chuck massaged his nose. He had a similar impatience to his mother. "Alright, I understand. But keeping them in the dark about all of it isn't good for anyone. They need to trust you-."

"They do."

"And you need to trust them."

"I do."

"Then don't take advantage of it."

Sonic's teeth scraped against each other. "I wouldn't do that."

Chuck sighed, catching up to squeeze his nephews shoulder. "I'm not saying you're the sort. I'm saying don't become it."

"It or him, Unc'?"

"You're the furthest living thing from him. Sonny, you're kind and generous and brave. He's a selfish coward. You don't...see yourself as-."

"No! No I-." For a split second everything was pale and distant, but with his shoulder gaining a squeeze all abnormalities vanished.

"I'm sorry. Jeez. I dunno what's with me Unc'."

"What do you mean?"

Sonic watched his hands. "I've been feelin' so...angry. N-not all the time but sometimes it's almost...blinding."

"Perhaps everything you're keeping to yourself is weighing you down a bit."

'Look at him analysing you. He doesn't know a thing. He hasn't been here.'

Sonic groaned, cutting it off by shaking his head and rolling his shoulders. "Yeah maybe." He dismissed and his uncle sighed.

"I like the name, by the way."

"Huh?"

"Sonic. It suits you."

"Oh...thanks. 'Way to move myself forward and all that."

Charles chuckled. "I had the idea."

———

The Freedom HQ had a blue flag with the same symbol of an acorn and two swords. Flower beds sat beneath the windows and a wooden door was tightly shut. Upon entering Sonic was blown away at the updated base. For one, shiny metal doors met them and a balcony's fence stretched behind. Leaning over he saw a polished kitchen (with an island and fridge and all!) and a neighbouring living room complete with sofas. There was a staircase, no ladder, and a windy yellow slide presumably climbing to the stump outside.

"Sally told me it was very different when it was just you two."

Sonic looked to his Uncle. "You betcha. This is...I mean this is incredible!"

Charles took the lead in entering the room behind the metal door, having put in the password to do so. But both didn't expect to see a glistening laboratory within. There was a ladder in the centre, reaching for a viewpoint, and countless machines in the space. There was a rounded cream table with stools closest to the door and on the ladders other side was a vast computer screen. The main desk sat beneath it and Sonic kept slowly rotating as he took in all the apparatus'.

The screen flickered on, pouring out a green hue into the room as a holo-lynx's face appeared. Their smile crumbled and their eyes shrunk, hands swiftly going to cover their mouth.

"There you are, Nic'." Sonic warmly smiled, crossing his arms across the back of the main desks chair.

"I...I'm not sure what to say. I'm not sure what I'm feel- I'm sorry! I didn't show upon your arrival, selfishly, and I can't completely understand why. I've been trying to understand all this more but-."

"Maybe it'll be easier if you don't do it on your own huh?"

The screen snapped to black and Sonic quickly found N-I-C-O-L-E hugging him from behind, head between his back quills.

"This doesn't hurt?"

"Not really. I'm pretty much good as new." Awkwardly, he reached to pat her back.

"But it's been days."

"Guess I'm not just a fast runner, huh?"

"I'm glad. I'm glad and oh so sorry, Sonic. I never should've-."

"You don't have to apologise, Nic." He squirmed and held her shoulders, giving a warm smile.

"I've had a lot of those, but none of you have anything to be sorry for. I know you all would've done the same, it's just better if I do."

"Why's that better?"

He said that out loud? He awkwardly chuckled.

"Not better, just...I'd hate for anyone of ya to do somethin' like that. Look, it was my decision okay? I don't want you beating yourself up over it. 'Sides, I'm back now ain't I?"

N-I-C-O-L-E giggled. "That is true. Thank you, Sonic. Please don't do something like that again though."

He winked. "I'll try. And hey, for the record, I'm sorry I put you in a position like that."

"Let's call it even?"

"Heh heh, you got it."

—————

The sun had set and risen and Sally visited Freedom HQ, passing Bunnie and Antoine training with dummies on her way. Vanilla, Amy and Cream were creating flower crowns for all and Charles and Rotor were hidden away in the latters workshop. The Princess presumed it was for breaching Robo- Eggman's passwords to the Uncle's memories. She was curious to where The Chaotix were, but noticed Tails and Sonic beside Vectors car (so they weren't far). She passed the brothers, picking up words of 'plane' and 'new', but chose to leave them be.

Normalcy. And not just in Knothole. There hadn't been much worry since the Prison Break, a week or so ago, and Mobius focused itself on rebuilding what had been lost. All were aware not much could be done, for the Robotnik Empire (Eggman Empire to Sonic) still had it's chains on the planet, but at least they could create a greater unity. G.U.N deployed more defences for cities and large towns and villages were either being evacuated or surveyed by the Freedom Fighters.

Sally entered Freedom HQ. Still, she reminded herself, it was all far from over. There was hope, of course, but it wasn't like Eggman and Snively had been defeated. A setback for them, but they'd had one before and ended up back in first place. Sonic told her to enjoy the peace, but she knew it was on his mind too.

"They got out."

"We know."

"You- course you do. I can't believe this!"

"But we still got a win over them, Sonic. What you did, it wasn't for nothing."

"I...I just...what's it gonna take to finally tear him down?"

"Something huge. Like destroying his main base, taking down his biggest source."

"You mean Robotropolis?"

It was a terrifying thought. Sally shook her head. They hadn't really discussed it since. But he always itched to act, she knew that. But with the G.U.N alliance it was all the more...complicated. There were rules and systems and agreements in place. They couldn't be reckless- couldn't endanger Mobius ("Not doing anythin' is dangerous!").

She rubbed her eyes. Rumours of a green car carrying a wounded blue hedgehog were circulating and people began to demand what the Freedom Fighters and G.U.N were going to do. Specifically, was Sonic back? If so what happened at the factory? Were him and Eggman going to meet again? Were the Freedom Fighters going to stand with him (as if there was another option)?

"Sally."

"Oh-!" She jumped and looked to N-I-C-O-L-E's face on the lab's main screen.

"I tried to tell The Chaotix they couldn't be in the living room but-."

"The Chao- that's alright Nicole. They can be there if they want."

"Oh. Alright."

The Princess slumped down on the chair before the screen, slowly spinning side to side.

"Are you alright, Princess?"

"Do I have any messages?"

"A few from Commander Abraham Towers."

"What're they about?"

"He wants to see you."

"Why?"

"Same as his previous message. He has someone he'd like you to meet."

"Anything else?"

"He wants to discuss something concerning Angel Island."

Sally sat upright. "What? Is Knu-?"

"He's alright. But he refused to do something for him, I think, he was rather vague. He'd like to discuss future plans."

"Wonderful."

"There's something else."

"Great."

"If possible, and we know it is, he wants you to bring Sonic with you. Apparently there's something he wants Sonic to see."