Author's Note: This could not be avoided. This had to be told sometime and right now I just want to tell you to brace yourselves. I cannot give away the specific trigger warnings in these next two chapters, but things happen, moreso in the next chapter. And these subjects are not taken lightly as the next few chapters are based off of true events.

That being said if anyone ever needs to talk to someone about anything, not specifically this, but just someone to listen, just shoot me a message here or something on Tumblr. I forgot to mention that in the very beginning I think; a lot of the things I've written already are based on true events in my life. And they continue to be. So I know what all of this is like... and if you do too, and if you're unsure of who to talk to or anything sometimes it's easier to talk to a stranger. And I can be that stranger if you need or want.

I don't take what I write lightly, or the emotions behind it. Everyone has a story to tell and if you need yours to be heard then I'll listen.

This is for you, Cal; your story is finally heard and I'm not the only one who will listen anymore. I'm sorry for everything. I love you so much.

Chapter Twenty-Two:

For Those Who Need a True Story Part I- Run For Cover

Kenny remembered the shocked voices when he first appeared on the stage for Les Miserables. Bebe managed to find ways to make him look smaller, mostly he had to crouch, which did fit with the character, or he stood in the back or on the stage whereas others would stand on risers and platforms. It had worked well and in the following four days he found himself cramming lines with Butters when he got off from work. It paid off; his efforts went rewarded and he found it to be kind of fun. He was also able to joke around without getting in trouble, which almost always happened at football practice. So it was a nice break.

Karen was excited because in this play she was the older sibling, although it wasn't every really discussed in the play, and that she could actually be in an organization with Kenny. After practices Kenny hung around the school for a bit with the rest of the cast but hurried off to work until midnight. He'd come home, tired, sit on the couch, and finish his homework. He'd go upstairs to find Butters asleep, with Karen next to him, or sometimes Butters would wait up and greet him with drooping eyes as he walked in the house.

He always told Kenny he looked exhausted. But Kenny needed the money. After this week he would be getting a second legit job, anyway, so he had to prepare to only get a couple hours of sleep during the week. It was hard; but he managed in the way he knew best. Kyle had clucked over him yet he told his mother hen he was fine.

And now he stood in front of Bebe, waiting to go on stage during the high school performance, and felt like he was going to puke.

"You'll be fine," she said in her Cosette outfit. She smiled at him and kissed his cheek. "Stop worrying, asshole."

"If I fuck up the lines don't hate me," he whispered, she rolled her eyes.

"I couldn't hate you no matter how hard I tried, sweetie. Thank you for doing this," she told him, hugging him tightly. "You're on in a minute." Kenny groaned, nerves biting his stomach, and she squeezed his hand, "you'll be great."

He had been watching Butters perform; he had been amazing. His voice was much better than he led Kenny to believe and he was so proud. Especially when considering the little time he had been given to memorize the lines. The crowd seemed to love him and Clyde, who was playing Javert. This was great for Butters; it gave him a start to the acting career Kenny knew he wanted. And Wendy played on his heartstrings with her performance as Fantine. She played desperate well, and he could all but relate. It was tragic, her story, and Wendy made him believe she felt the same. Her singing in, "I Dreamed a Dream" had made him choke up, and the way Butters and her acted together expressed pure chemistry that he wouldn't have seen otherwise.

He was amazed at all of their acting skills and knew he was about to be the laughingstock of the show. With a deep breath, he waved to Bebe and snuck onto the stage. No one knew he was in the play, so he was ready for surprise.

He popped up at the top of their makeshift elephant, and he heard a couple of people gasp; probably Stan and Kyle.

"C'mon boys!" He yelled as child-like as he could, then jumped down and ran through all of the extras and crew members playing random people. He led the group of a few boys to the pile of bread they had, as everyone started to sing, "Look Down." He dove through the crowd, making sure to keep low, and appeared in front of their little coach and took a deep breath before starting to sing.

"How do you do? My name's Gavroche
These are my people, here's my patch
Not much to look at, nothing posh
Nothing that you'd call up to scratch
This is my school, my high society
Here in the slums of Saint Michele
We live on crumbs of humble piety
Tough on the teeth, but what the hell!
Think you're poor?
Think you're free?
Follow me, follow me!" He jumped through the coach and onto the risers as he found his perch on the second un-moving coach.

"There was a time we killed the king
We tried to change the world too fast.
Now we have got another king
And he's no better than the last.
This was the land that fought for liberty.
Now when we fight, we fight for bread.
Here is the thing about equality -
Everyone's equal when they're dead.
Take your place! Take your chance!
Vive la France! Vive la France!"

He lifted his fist and took Kevin Stoley's hand as they ran to the others. The play continued and Kenny was happy to be more of a background character, of course he knew he was one of the most important parts. But he was in awe as he watched his sister sing in a pure soprano voice he had never heard before from her.

The time had flown and soon they were standing in their makeshift barricade. Kenny had been lifted more than a few times, considering he was supposed to be a small boy. Thankfully, to Clyde, and various others who lifted or carried him he was incredibly light. He played the throw-about boy really well, and tried his best to seem like a little boy as he sang to Clyde- er- Javert, his song "Little People."

He found himself almost choked up as he watched Karen's death. It brought chills down his spine even now, though he had seen it in the practice time again. He hated it. She did it so beautifully. Now he found himself sneaking through the scene as "The Second Attack" began. He saw Stan and Kyle watching in pure amazement at their two best friends on stage.

After he led them in "Do You Hear the People Sing," he quietly sneaked passed everyone who was talking and ambling about to figure out who would get the ammunition. He crouched down and crawled onto the stage.

"Little people know, when
Little people fight, we
May look easy pickings
But we've got some bite!" He sang with as much of a British accent as he could. A clap of a gun was heard and he jerked his body like he knew too well from being shot. He hit the blood pouch conspicuously and it soaked through his beige shirt.

"So never kick a dog
Because he's just a pup
We'll fight like twenty armies
And we won't give up..." Another shot was heard and he faltered as if he had been shot again. He shook and reached for one of the French men.

"So you'd better run for cover
When the pup grows..."

He trailed off, body shaking, as he was shot at again and collapsed and acted dead. Acting dead was weird because he had never tried it before now, it felt way too fake. But he could hold his breath for a long time and he got the vacant eye stare down to a T. He heard and felt Kevin cry over him and quickly pick him up. He remained limp in his arms and he carried him off stage.

Karen hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. He ran a hand through her hair smiled as tears fell from her eyes.

"Don't ever die in a stupid play again," she whispered, causing him to laugh and nod.

"Likewise."

After the play, before curtain call, Bebe hugged him tightly and told him he did an amazing job. He highly doubted it, but took the compliment and the kiss on the cheek. Butters jumped in his arms and wrapped his legs around his waist as he cheered and whispered everything Kenny wanted to hear. His hands rested on Butters' ass, and they kissed briefly before the curtain opened. They barely had time to separate for curtain call. The cast ran out as their names were called, Kenny went with Kevin Stoley and a sophomore who played some character who was important but went unnamed in his head. They bowed and split up to each sides of the stage. The last person to be called was Butters, and as he sheepishly walked on stage he was greeted with screams and warming applause that brought tears to his eyes.

"Here is your cast for this year's production of Les Miserables!" The theatre director, Ms. Billis announced happily as she clapped for them. They all bowed and as soon as they let go of each others' hands Kenny ran up to Butters and hugged him tightly.

"They loved you!" He cheered happily as Butters nodded with tears in his eyes.

"Was I really that good?" He asked, Kenny nodded emphatically and laughed as Karen joined him on his group hug. "You were too, Kenny. You were amazing. Best you've been yet." Kenny smiled a little and kissed Butters' forehead.

"Dude, you didn't tell us you were in this!" Kyle said as he ran up to the stage, "you're our little Gavroche," He teased affectionately.

"Ahh, shaddup," Kenny grumbled, sticking his tongue out. "I was forced." Karen rolled her eyes and Butters shoved him. "Kind of."

"Well, all of you were great, I actually paid attention to this one. Hey, last year's spring play bored everyone!" Butters shrugged; it was true. He even loathed it.

"Karen, you almost made me cry," Kyle said, causing the girl to blush. Ike joined his brother and smiled happily at the brunette.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, Kyle shook his head.

"No, that's a good thing. You two," he ushered to the siblings, "have natural talent for singing, and I'm sure you're going to be a lead in all the plays now." Kyle told her assuredly. She jumped down from the stage and hugged him tightly as she thanked him. "You were just like how Samantha Barks played her. And somehow, you made Gavroche work," Kenny grinned, "and you," he turned to Butters, shaking his head, "they couldn't have picked a better Jean Valjean."

"It was Bridon Gueermo, he quit. I was originally Gavroche."

"Well thank God that asshole quit," Stan said, clapping him on the shoulder, "you were fucking awesome."

The bell rang and Kyle told Butters and Kenny they could come over if they wanted. It was the last night they would have together alone in Butters' house, however, and Butters wanted to make the most of it. Kenny was taking him on a ride on his motorcycle, and then the rest of the night was theirs. Up until 10:00 and then he would ask his parents if Kenny and Karen could stay with them for awhile.

They quickly changed out of their costumes and Karen walked home with Ruby. She told Kenny she'd be back at Butters' house by 8:00 and he waved her off. As they approached Kenny's black motorcycle, Butters looked a little weary.

"It's okay, you'll just hold on to my waist, it's really easy." Kenny said, handing him his helmet.

"What about you?" Kenny scoffed.

"I'm not gonna crash, I'll be fine." Butters didn't like the idea of him on a motorcycle without a helmet, especially because he was death-prone. Yet he couldn't argue as Kenny started the bike and the motor purred; he looked really hot on the bike and Butters' felt a blush creep on his cheeks. He sat on the back and scooted close to Kenny. "Are you comfortable?" Kenny asked, Butters nodded. "Okay, so all I need to say is if I turn, kinda tilt the direction I need to go, not a lot but other than that just stay still. And hold on to me, I don't want you falling off." Kenny said, Butters wrapped his arms tightly around him and rested his head on the back of his shoulder. He squeaked as they started moving and in a moment they were flying down the road.

"Oh my God!" Butters cried as the cool early November wind stung through his jacket. He clutched Kenny tighter and closed his eyes. Kenny was being careful and cautious with Butters, he knew that, and soon they were out of South Park heading fast down the highway. Butters opened his eyes and looked around. The helmet was tinted so it was like looking through a pair of sunglasses; everything was just like riding in a car except there was no protective vehicle around him. He felt Kenny's shirt whip against his body and goose pimples had risen on his bare arms. The change in temperature from the top of a hill to the bottom amazed Butters, and he laughed a little.

"Better?" Kenny asked, turning his head slightly. Butters nodded against him and slipped his hand under the front of his shirt. "Don't go south, I'll end up in a ditch," Kenny warned with a smirk as Butters' massaged his taut muscles.

"This is so cool," Butters murmured as his fingers danced over Kenny's warm abdomen. He chuckled quietly and nodded as he drove aimlessly on open empty roads. "I wish this didn't have to end." Kenny nodded and stopped at the upcoming sign. He turned around and smiled at Butters. His hair was windblown and his cheeks looked chapped from the wind.

"I know, babe, but it was the best week ever," Kenny said with a gentle smile. "And hopefully Kyle's dad gets back to me about the emancipation thingy so maybe I can get my life on track. Kevin was looking for apartments but if I'm emancipated I can just get my own and then you can stay with me," Butters smiled and nuzzled Kenny's neck as he turned left.

By the time they arrived back at Butters' house Kenny was shivering and it was dark. Butters knew it was 8:30 and that left them an hour and a half before his parents were home. Kenny parked his motorcycle on the side and Butters looked to his house.

His heart stammered and he felt an internal kick to his stomach as he saw his parents' car in the driveway.

"Oh. Shit." He whispered, handing Kenny the helmet as he ran to the front door. He jumped back when his dad opened the door and shoved Karen out with her bag. Her eyes were wet and she looked terrified. "Dad!" He cried, feeling guilty as he held Karen against him.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, sobbing in his shoulder, "I'm so sorry."

"Butters you are grounded! I can not believe you disobeyed your mother and I. We were gone five days. FIVE DAYS! We said no friends, curfew is at six and bedtime at eight. You hardly called, hardly let us know what was going on and we come home to find... this, this... trash sitting in our living room! Is this your girlfriend?"

"U-uh s-s-sir..."

"I'm not finished!" His dad screamed. Karen let go of him and ran to Kenny who was walking up slowly from his bike. He held her close as he approached the Stotch household. "We found your condoms... you and this little slut are having sex in our house! She's that McCormick girl, right? Just wait until I tell her father about this!"

"No!" Kenny cried, as his sister wailed against his chest, "don't tell him! Please?" Kenny begged, "It's my fault, I... I asked Le-Butters if I could stay with him just last night, for... for homework help and it was really late." He held his sister tightly, protectively, as he faltered for words.

"Oh, so it was you?" Stephen barked, giving Kenny a sarcastically sympathetic look, "and you're so fine about your sister being our son's whore?! You come into our house uninvited, you steal, you vandalize, you manipulate and you're nothing but trouble! I knew it the moment I first met you. Did you force him to let you stay here? Or was my son willing?" Butters felt tears stream down his face as he looked to Kenny who hung his head low.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Stotch, I just-"

"ANSWER THE QUESTION!"

"I'm not having sex with Karen!" Butters shouted, causing three pairs of eyes to look at him. Kenny and Karen shook their heads at him, silently begging him to not say anything more. "I... I made love to Kenny, because I love him, dad! They were tired... a-and you always t-taught me to lend a h-helping hand. Kenny's my boyfriend, a-and you're gonna have to get used to it! B-because he's not goin' anywhere!" Stephen turned from his son to Kenny and shook his head as he stepped forward.

"Is that so? You and my son are sinning in my household? Did you convince him? You know he's nothing but a pushover, you made him do it!"

"NO!" Butters wailed, tears falling free, "I'm gay, dad!"

"No you're not, you went to therapy! Years and years of therapy and they said you were better! You said you were better!"

"I-I said I was b-b-better because there was n-nothing wrong with me!" He stammered in a sob. He wanted to run to Kenny but knew he'd get in even more trouble. Kenny looked helpless and he wanted to do something, anything, but knew that given the situation it wouldn't be a good idea.

"You, you bottom-feeding white trash," Stephen Stotch growled at Kenny and grabbed him by the collar. Karen yelped and tried to pull her brother back. He stiffened and braced himself for a hit or a beating. "Stay the hell away from my son, never speak to him again. You've done nothing but corrupt him. And as soon as you leave I will be calling your deadbeat father."

"No," Kenny said in a murmur, eyes staring into Stephen's angry pools.

"What did you say?"

"K-Kenny..." Butters pleaded, but his call went unheard. He had to stop this; his parents weren't supposed to find out... at least not like this. Not now. He could just make this go away until they could talk about this like normal people. He almost laughed at that; his family was the farthest from normal. They would never talk about this. All he wanted to do was make sure Kenny and Karen were both okay. Butters knew Kenny could easily handle the situation; he just couldn't bare to see either of them hurt, in any way. The sooner they were out of his father's target zone the sooner he could be the bulls-eye.

"You can ban me from your house, you can do all you can but I'm never leaving him. And you'll just have to deal with that." Stephen laughed darkly and turned to Butters.

"Butters! Tell this boy you're done with him." Kenny locked eyes on Butters who had crumpled to the floor in heaving sobs. "Tell him you're done with his trickery. And you never want to see him again." Butters shook his head as he raised his glance.

"K-Kenny..."

"No." he whispered, watching as Butters picked himself up.

"Ken, I-I'm sorry. I-I..." he gnashed his knuckles together; they were bleeding now but he wanted it. He wanted the pain. "I d-don't want to s-s-see you... y-you need to go."

"Lee-"

"Please?!" He wailed, looking at Kenny desperately. "Go... p-please! G-g-go."

Karen was crying in her hands as she looked to Kenny. He gave Butters one last look, murmured an apology and walked to his motorcycle with his eyes to the ground. Karen followed behind, trying her hardest not to fall to pieces in front of her brother.

"If I see you anywhere near my son again, I will call the authorities!" Stephen hollered at Kenny, who trembled as he started the ignition. Karen hugged him tightly and cried in his shoulder as he drove away. The rumble of the engine drowned out the scream of fury he stifled in the sleeve of his parka. The whites of his eyes turned red as he sped down Butters' street; he silently thanked God for the fact it was so cold out because the biting wind brought tears to his eyes.

"K-Kenny?" Karen whimpered as they parked by the train tracks. "Kenny, what... what are you gonna do?" She whispered, feeling sick as she heard him sniffle. He turned around and she wrapped her arms around him as she saw his bloodshot eyes. He wiped his nose, not caring that it hurt, and rested his head on his shoulder.

"Fuck..." he gasped, clinging to his sister as she petted his hair affectionately. "Um... you gotta... you gotta get on home, Kar-bear. I'm gonna.. go to Kyle's and talk to him a-about... shit..." he sighed, exhaling shakily as he wiped his eyes. "It's not fucking fair." She shook her head and burrowed her head in Kenny's chest. He kissed his sister's forehead as he turned off his motorcycle.

They entered the poor excuse of a house and Karen held on to her stoic brother tightly. Kevin looked up from the floor and their dad was passed out on the couch, as usual.

"The fuck happened?" Kevin asked gruffly. Kenny shook his head before he walked to Kevin's room. "Hey, what the fuck you think you're doin'?" He barked, grabbing Kenny roughly by his collar. Kenny hissed in pain as he was practically slammed on the wall, but he said nothing.

"Kenny, don't..." Karen whimpered as she watched her brother fall apart in front of her.

The dark blonde looked away from her and pushed Kevin off of him. He grabbed his brother by the arm and practically shoved the older boy, who was considerably taller and heavier than him, into his room.

"W-what do you got?" Kenny asked, walking to the dresser Kevin had made in shop a month before he dropped out of high school. Kevin pulled him back and pushed him away. "Quick, I gotta split before dad wakes up."

"Why d'you wanna know?" Kevin growled back. "You ain't snortin, you ain't gonna shoot up. You smoke and that's it, I made a promise to mom and-"

"I did too and she's fucking dead, Kevin!" Kenny screamed, "and you're one to talk, you fucking hypocrite. Show me what you got, I'll pay you double."

"Like you got the fuckin' money." Kenny just gave him a look, dug in his pocket, and pulled out a hundred dollar bill. "Shit..."

"What does that cover? I don't want fucking Ritalin like you always give me, 'cause it doesn't work anymore, I'm tired... I can't sleep, I just... give me something!" Kenny growled as he sat on his brother's broken mattress. It reeked of sex and drugs in his room. Kevin shook his head and laughed lowly as he opened the bottom drawer of his dresser.

"You're for real? What about Karen?"

"She'll be fine tonight. Take me to Denver... I need to get fucking laid. And not with these fucking prudes, the real deal..." Kevin shook his head as he opened an off-brand Tylenol bottle and pulled out two large, orange pills. He handed them to Kenny, who immediately popped them in his mouth, and looked at the syringe in his drawer. He shook his head as he followed his little brother's gaze.

"I dunno if you should-"

"Fuck off," Kenny growled as he reached for the syringe and pulled up his sleeve. Kevin kept his eyes low as he mixed the water and shards. Kenny took it from him, knowing he would end up trying to persuade him not to, and pushed out the air from the syringe. He filled it with the meth and jerked away from his brother.

"You're gonna trip balls, dude, you already took some heavy shit, I mean speed'll do you just fine."

"Like it fucking matters!" Kenny yelled back, "if I die I'll come back in a day. Big fuckin' deal," Kenny tapped his vein on his left arm, then stuck the needle in.

"Shit, Kenny, don't-" Kevin reached for the syringe and punched the wall when he saw his brother inject it, faster than his high reflexes could stop him. "Fuck you, asshole!" Kevin shouted, then shoved his younger brother off his bed. Kenny just laughed as he fell on the floor and stared up at the ceiling.

"Take me to Denver, Kev. I need a fuck..." He felt like he was cheesing all over again, except there was no big-tittied woman and it felt a million times better. Everything just felt good and he didn't care. He swore he could hear his blood slush in his veins... he felt so aware. He closed his eyes as a content smile crossed his face. He sighed softly as his veins flooded crystal and his thoughts ran on empty. The rush was fighting to take him away from reality and finally he just let go; he was free.

Nothing could hurt him tonight. Not anymore. Never again.

He was invincible.