Media: Fic

Title: Opposite Sides of the Same Coin 2/?

Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: Everything up to 2x16 "Original Songs".

Warnings: None, I don't think. Or, at least, nothing that Glee doesn't already have.

Word Count: 1643

Summary: My own take of the Kurt/Cameron and Blaine/Everett twin idea from Tumblr.

Also, I want to thank those who were kind enough to take the time to leave reviews. They mean so much to me. I really appreciate every single one.

Something was wrong with Kurt.

Cameron prided himself on being able to read his twin like an open book. But, lately, Kurt seemed more guarded. Closed off. Even when they were at home, he jumped at loud noises and flinched like his own shadow might attack him. Cameron had a feeling Karofsky was to blame, but Kurt remained tightlipped about it.

When Cameron suggested he at least talk to their dad instead, Kurt quickly shook his head. "No. He can't find out about this."

"Kurt..."

"Promise me," he insisted. His eyes were wide and his bottom lip trembled. "Promise me you won't mention this to him."

It broke his heart to see his brother look so scared, but he understood his reluctance. After their dad's heart attack, they've been careful not to get his stress levels too high. But Karofsky was going to pay for this. Dearly. "...I promise," Cameron said at last. "Just make sure you talk to someone about this, all right? If not me or Dad, Finn. Or Blaine."

Something brightened in those haunted eyes at the latter's name and he nodded. "Okay. I will."

But things only got worse, not better. Finally, after football practice, Cameron approached Karofsky as he changed out of his uniform. "Leave my brother alone," he growled.

Karofsky scoffed. "Whatever, Hummel." He smirked. "Does he usually have you fight his battles for him?"

Cameron angrily clenched his fists, but then Artie wheeled over, Mike right behind him. "We mean it. Stop picking on Kurt," the former said, eyes narrowed behind thick frames.

"You mind? I'm changing," Karofsky snapped.

"We're serious!" Mike said, his voice uncharacteristically raised. It surprised Cameron a little. Mike stepped forward, slamming Karofsky's locker shut. "This is a warning."

He grinned, unimpressed, making Cameron's blood boil. "Oh, yeah?"

"From now on, you're going to leave him alone," Artie said.

"Look," Karofsky said, all previous humor gone. "If he wants to be a homo, that's up to him. Don't rub it in my face."

"We're not asking you," Artie replied.

"Yeah. We're done talking about this." Mike crowded into his personal space. "Just back off, all right?"

Karofsky shoved him and Mike fell back into Artie, toppling both of them to the floor. At the exact same moment, Cameron and Sam threw themselves at Karofsky as Puckerman rushed over to help Mike and Artie. Cameron slammed his elbow into his face -hard- before he was knocked back and collided painfully in the lockers. Sam was wrestling with Karofsky and they hit each other several times before Coach Bieste was able to intervene.

Just then, Finn ran into the locker room, slightly out of breath. He hurried to Cameron's side and tried to help him up, but he shook him off angrily. "What happened?" he asked.

Instead of replying, Cameron shoved him away, snatching up his backpack and ran out into the halls, ignoring the voices calling his name.

His back throbbed. He knew hiding in his car was probably not the best idea and he should head to Glee club before Kurt started to worry, but he couldn't find the strength to move.

His phone buzzed. It was text message from Kurt. "Thanks," it said, "Are you hurt?"

Several minutes later, he received another text. "Dad will be here soon for his dancing lessons. Care to join? (You need it.)"

"Dad's here," said the text that came a moment later. "Where are you?"

After some time, Cameron thought about finally writing Kurt back, but then he received another text message. "Dad knows," was all it said.

Suddenly, his phone started to ring and he jumped. It was Burt. "...Hello?" he asked when he answered.

"Did you know about this?" a voice roared in his ear.

"I already confronted Karofsky," Cameron replied, rubbing his eyes tiredly. The entire situation made his head hurt. "So, yes. I knew he was bullying Kurt."

"Did you know he threatened to kill him?"

Cameron felt his blood turn cold. "What?"

His dad was yelling about something, but the words sounded muffled in his ears. Then he saw Karofsky hurry to his car like a spooked animal and felt a sudden rage take over.

"I'll call you later, Dad," he said and hung up on him mid-rant. Throwing his phone onto the passenger seat, he leapt out of the car and tackled Karofsky to the ground as he tried to run past.

Some time later, he crawled into the driver's seat and picked up his phone, scrolling through his contacts with shaking fingers for a number he promised himself he would never dial.

There was something incredibly ironic with the world if Cameron was turning to Blair Everett Anderson (of all people!) for help. But, unfortunately for him, he didn't have anywhere else to go.

When he finally worked up enough nerve to knock on the front door, there was Everett, dressed in a form fitting blue sweater and gray jeans. It made Cameron feel uncomfortable for some reason and he hated it.

A smile started to form on Everett's face when he saw who it was at the door, but then he had a better look and it fell instantly. "Oh my God. What happened, Cam?"

He didn't even have the energy to protest Everett calling him by his nickname. "...I just need somewhere to stay for a little while," he said. He swallowed hard and glanced down, ashamed with himself. The left side of his face ached. His bottom lip was bleeding and there was blood on his torn shirt. "Dad and Kurt would freak out if they saw me like this."

There was a long moment of silence. Cameron was starting to think Everett was going to turn him away, but then a strong hand caught his wrist and dragged him inside the house. "What are you-...? Let go!" He struggled, but that grip was like iron. "I said let go!"

Blaine appeared around the corner, looking confused. "Everett? Who's-..." He blinked when he caught sight of them. "Cameron? What happened?" He paled suddenly. "Is Kurt all right?"

"Karofsky threatened to kill him," Cameron snapped. He tried to pull out of Everett's grasp again, without success. "Do you think he's all right?"

But Blaine was already out the door, heading to his car with his cell phone to his ear.

Once the front door shut behind him, Everett continued to drag him up the stairs until they reached a large bathroom. He shut the door and finally released Cameron, who backed away. "Sit," he said softly.

He bristled, crossing his arms over his chest. "Don't tell me what to do."

Everett's face was unreadable and Cameron almost gave in to the urge to shift uncomfortably under his gaze. Fortunately, he finally turned away, rummaging through the cabinets before pulling out a first aid kit. He brought it over and stood in front of him, waiting. "...Sit," he said again, when neither of them moved.

"No," Cameron growled, the Hummel stubbornness taking over. "I don't need to you be my nurse."

But, apparently, the Andersons were just as stubborn. Everett pushed down on his shoulder -gently, but unmistakably firm- so there was no choice but to perch on the edge of the bathtub.

Cameron bit his lip to swallow a gasp. He knew that the touch wasn't meant to be painful, but it pressed against fresh bruises and made him stiffen.

"What's wrong?" Everett asked, concerned. He withdrew his hand and Cameron let out a shaky breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Realization suddenly dawned in those hazel eyes. "...You should take off your shirt."

Maybe it was silly to be embarrassed, but Cameron couldn't help flushing, so used to having the other boys on the football team taunt him for the paleness of his skin. He couldn't even remember the last time he undressed in front of someone else. But Everett was patient and Cameron was tired of fighting. Sighing heavily, he pulled his shirt over his head. He tossed it carelessly in the bathtub and glanced up to find Everett staring at him. There was a strange, intense look in his eyes that made him feel nervous. Which, of course, resulted in anger. "What?" he demanded.

Everett blinked and it was gone. "Turn around," he said, his voice soft.

Cameron made a face, but twisted around so his back faced him. Then careful fingers pressed against his skin, rubbing some sort of salve over his bruises. He didn't even remember closing his eyes until Everett broke the silence.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

He stared down at his shirt and the blood that still stained it, frowning. "No. No, I don't."

Those fingers were warm and gentle. Cameron felt himself start to relax again when Everett suddenly spoke. "It's not your fault, Cam."

"...You can't know that," he replied bitterly.

"I know you love your brother," Everett pointed out. "Anyone with eyes can see that. And I know you're probably beating yourself up about this."

What meant to be a disbelieving snort came out as a small sob. After their mother died, he promised himself that he'd always be there to protect Kurt. But a death threat? And, Kurt, having to carry the weight of that by himself...

His brother was so much stronger than him.

As if reading his thoughts, Everett turned him around and pulled him into a tight hug. Cameron's first instinct was to wrench himself free, but the arms around him tightened. "If you have to cry, then cry," Everett murmured against his hair as he bent over him. "I've got you."

It was a stupid, cliche thing to say. Cameron was even going to tell him so, but the events of the day suddenly washed over him. Without thinking, he clung to Everett -burying his face against the soft material of his sweater- and cried.