-Rouge's POV-

I sit up in the bed and see that it's dark outside. I look over at the alarm clock. In bright red numbers it says "10:30." I yawn and slowly get up from the bed and slip my feet in my white slippers that were on the floor near the bed.

I walk out into the living room and I see Knuckles rummaging through the fridge. I smile.

"Where the hell did Rouge put the wine!?" He mumbles in frustration.

I slowly and quietly walk behind him. "Hey tiger." I whisper and he jumps.

"What the fuck Rouge! Don't scare me like that!" He yells while turning to face me. I shiver at his words. His voice was so harsh. He pulls out the wine bottle and glass he had in his hand

"I'm sorry. I was just being friendly." I whispers. There goes that smell again. "Knuckles, are you wearing new cologne?"

"What? Uh...no. Why would you say that?" He asks. He was slurring his words a little and stumbling

"You smell different."

"LOOK! Stay out of my business okay?" He stumbled, trying to focus on me but slightly turning to the left. He smelt like lilacs and beer.

I walk over to the recycling bin and see at least 10 beer cans in the trash. "Knuckles..." I calmly say, "you've been drinking again."

"What did I just say Rouge! Stay out of my business!" He shouts, turning his back to me.

"I hate it when you drink..." I whisper so he didn't hear. But he did. Before I could even take a breath he smacked the wine bottle off the counter and onto the floor. The glass broke and the red wine spilled on the white tiled floor. I was on the floor, and I lightly touched my cheek. tears welded up in my eyes. It all happened so fast.

-Knuckles's POV-

It all happened so fast. I was biting the inside of my mouth and my left hand stung and Rouge was on the floor grabbing her right cheek in pain. Oh no. Did I?

"Shit shit shit! Rouge! Goddammit I'm sorry. Shh..." I grab her crying body and hold her in my arms like an infant and rock her. She covers her face and cries into my chest. "God, I'm sorry. I'll never hit you again. I promise. I love you"

I lean my head back against the wall and look over at the red wine on the floor. The kitchen was never so quiet. The only thing that was real was Rouge's light sobs and the beating of her heartbeat against mine.

"I'm so sorry." I whisper in her ear. And I really was. I never meant to hurt her. I just wanted her to leave me alone.

-Rouge's POV-

He hit me. He put his hands on me. My mother always told me that once a man placed his hands on you, you leave right away because they don't deserve your presence anymore. But for some reason I couldn't pick myself up and go. I couldn't leave this man alone, by himself. He loved me and I felt the same. Besides, he promised he'd never do it again and I believe him. I slowly lift my face up and see that he has tears in his eyes.

I kiss his lips. His soft lips. And I smile against his mouth. I wipe his appearing tear away with my thumb. "It's okay. I should be sorry. I made you angry and I shouldn't have done that. You were right. I'm fine Knuckles honestly." I smile.

He kisses my forehead. "Good. Because I don't wanna lose you-"

"You won't." I get up and grab his hands and pull to help him up. "Now you go on to bed and let me clean up this mess."

"You sure?" He asks.

I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss his lips again. "Positive. Now go!" He smiles and walks into our bedroom, leaving me alone in this dark kitchen with my perfectly new red wine on the floor.

I hug myself and begin to cry a little. I know what I'm doing is wrong. I shouldn't be forgiving him, but he was sorry and I promised myself that if he ever laid hands on me again I'd leave. Or at least I'll threaten to leave.

I grab a dustpan and sweep up the glass and place that in the garbage. Then I take my mop and mop up the red wine. "I'm going to have to run to the store tomorrow and pick another bottle up." I groan.

I close my eyes really tight. You'll be alright Rouge, I say to myself and continue mopping.