Halo

11- Breakthrough -11

(Tw: verbal and physical abuse)

"Alright, geez." Craig said, stepping back "You've just been kinda quiet lately. It isn't like you." He said. Kenny pulled his hood up and pulled the drawstrings tight. "It doesn't matter." Kenny mumbled, shoving his hands in his pockets. Craig walked over "It does matter. I don't say this often McCormick, but I'm worried about you." Craig said softly. Kenny remained silent. The raven haired teen sighed. "You're an idiot." He said, before pulling Kenny into a tight hug. Kenny hugged back, taking a deep breath. The two remained in the hug, Craig allowing Kenny to calm down.

"...You... You know I'm here for you, right?" Craig asked quietly. Kenny laughed softly "I didn't know that, actually... Thank you, Craig." He said. Craig paused "Its okay. It's fine to cry, you know." He said. Kenny nodded "...I know." He mumbled. "God, I sound fuckin' sappy." Craig mumbled. That got a laugh out of Kenny. "Everyone is gonna sound sappy once in their lives." He said. "Guess so." Craig replied. "Anyways, I've gotta get going." Kenny said, pulling away. Craig nodded before sitting down on the roof again. "Cya around Craig." Kenny said. Craig looked over "Catch you later... Kenny." He said, the smallest smile appearing on his face. Kenny grinned wide, waving and jumping down the roof onto the small fire escape. He ran down the metal stairs and jumped off the last few, walking home with a sudden boost of energy and a spring in his step.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Cmon Karen, quickly." Kenny said, leading her inside. They were walking into the nearest fast food place 5 minutes before closing. Kenny lifted Karen up onto the counter, quickly grabbing sauce packets. Karen giggled quietly "We're so sneaky!" She whispered. Kenny nodded back, shoving the loot into the plastic bag they brought and grinning. "Hey!" The owner yelled. Kenny jumped "The store is closed, McCormicks! Get out!" He yelled. Kenny gave Karen the bag, lifting her up onto his shoulders and running out. Karen laughed "Have fun?" Kenny asked. Karen nodded "I told you it was fun! Cmon, let's get home." He said, slowing to a walk.

Kenny started humming. It was quiet at first but it became louder. It was 'Stan' by Eminem, a song he confided in for comfort frequently. He was humming for a while until Karen remembered the tune and hummed with him.

"My tea's gone cold, I'm wondering why I got out of bed at all. The morning rain clouds up my window, and I can't see at all." Kenny sang quietly

"And even if I could, it'd all be gray, but your picture on my wall. It reminds me that it's not so bad, it's not so bad."

Eventually, Karen memorised the lyrics and sang along with him. Kenny eventually slowed to a hum again. "I remember when you used to sing to me to get me to sleep." Karen said suddenly. "I miss your voice." She said. Kenny frowned "I'm sorry, Karebear." he said. Kenny shook her head "It's ok! I don't mind." She replied.

When the pair got home it was late. The lights were on in the house, however. Kenny frowned.

Parents are home, I guess.

Kenny set Karen down, taking her hand and unlocking the door. He pushed open the door and walked slowly inside. "Kenny!" His dad said. Kenny ignored him and walked Karen to her room. "Hey, boy! Get back in here." He said. Kenny ushered his sister in her room. "Stay there, okay?" He said. She frowned "Okay.." she said before closing the door. Kenny turned around and attempted to enter his room, not getting a hand on the doorknob before being violently yanked around by his mother and shoved into their sad excuse for a living room.

His dad stood up, towering above him. "A little friend of mine told me that you're making.." His father trailed off in a drunken stupor "Makin' money." He spat, backing Kenny against the wall. Kenny froze "I... um... N-No I'm-" "Don't lie to me boy!!" Mr. McCormick yelled, kicking Kenny into the wall. Kenny's breath hitched as he clutched his stomach. He tried to escape, instinct taking over him. His father held him firmly in place, digging his nails into Kenny's shoulder. "Where's the cash boy?" He snarled, breath laced with booze.

Kenny remained silent "I'm not telling you-" "I'm not asking you, you bastard child. I'm telling. Now hand it over!!" He said, slapping Kenny. Kenny doubled over, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. Breath heavy and uneven. "We should've never had children!!" He yelled, punching his son.

He eventually slowed down, unintentionally letting Kenny take a breather. Kenny looked up at the man he once called 'dad'. His nose poured out blood, he could already feel the bruises forming.

"Hand it over." His father demanded. Kenny let out a shaky sigh. "Fine." He said. Kenny's father backed off "Bout' time." He said, holding out his hand expectantly. Kenny looked up at him, glancing at the front door before dashing outside and running as far away as he could. He crossed the tracks, just narrowly missing the speeding train. He slowed to a stop right in front of the tracks as the train flew past behind him. He stumbled to the side and fell to his knees in the snow, staining it crimson, just trying to get a hold of himself.

"Kenny...?" A voice asked. Kenny looked up, and to his horror, it was Stan. "Kenny! Holy shit!" Stan said, rushing over. He kneeled down in front of the shorter teen, taking a hold of his shoulders. Kenny tensed and pushed himself backwards, breaking the contact. Kenny fell back slightly, using his arms for support. "K-Kenny, what happened? A-Are you okay?!" Stan asked. Kenny simply stared. "Kenny?" Stan asked again, slower this time.

"What happened?"

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Stan lead Kenny into his room, sitting the bruised boy down on his bed "Okay, I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere." He said, walking to the bathroom. Stan grabbed the first aid kit as fast as his tired body would allow and pulled it down from the shelf. He walked back into his room and set the kit down next to Kenny. Kenny hasn't said a word since Stan found him. The black haired boy guessed it was shock. Stan closed and locked his door before walking back to Kenny. Stan sat down next to him, pulling the kit into his lap and turning the blonde towards him.

Stan patched the boy up as best he could. What could he say, he tried his best. But now... he had to find out what happened to him.

"...Kenny? Do you... wanna talk about it?" Stan asked. Kenny looked up at him, avoiding his eyes "I-I guess." He said quietly. Stan nodded. "So... I have a job at Tweak Bros, right? To- uh- to make money for me and Karen. But I came home- tonight.. and..." Kenny said, taking a breath "And apparently my dad found out. And then he.. he uh, beat me for it? Hah.. it- uh- it sounds dumb when I say it out loud. And.. he said... stuff. I-I don't know." Kenny mumbled. Stan just sat there shocked "Kenny... oh god.." Stan muttered.

Kenny stayed silent for a moment. He wanted to crack a joke to ease the tension between them or something. Instead, Kenny gave a grin, two cold tears streaming down his cheeks, choking down a soft sob. "Kenny...!" Stan said quietly. Kenny's grin faltered. He brought his sleeve up to quickly wipe the tears away. Stan grabbed Kenny by the wrist instinctively. Kenny held back a wince, letting Stan push his arms down. "Kenny, when'd you cry last?" He asked "Weird question Stan. Why?" Kenny asked nonchalantly as he let tears roll down his face. Stan frowned "Hey.. C'mere." He said, pulling Kenny into a tight hug. Kenny paused, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding in.

And right there, it all became too much. All their words, everything that happened with his dad, Craig, Stan... Leo. Everything built up, and in that moment,

Kenny broke.

(A/N: heyaaa! sorry for all the angst in this chapter lol. i was in that mood. anyways yeah cool thanks for reading)