Sooner than I expected. I thought it would take a few weeks for me to get enough chapters before I start posting. Turns out it was less than one week. Anyway, here's my newest story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

Chapter 1

"Singa!"

Singapore turned around and his face already twisted into a scowl when he realised that Malaysia was the one who called out to him. He froze when Malaysia wrapped his arms around him before he pushed his brother away, instinctively hissing.

"What do you think you're doing?" Singapore demanded.

"I just wanted to say 'hello'," Malaysia said, not losing his smile.

"Well, I just want to say 'goodbye'," Singapore huffed as he stormed away. He could feel other nations' eyes on him, but he didn't care. Malaysia should grow up.

He took his seat, noting that the seats were assigned. He looked around and smiled when he realised that he wasn't next to Malaysia. But even if they had been assigned next to each other, Singapore was sure that he could arrange to change that.

The seats filled up, and Singapore noticed that Malaysia was sitting just below him. This conference room looked a lot like a lecture hall, so if Singapore wanted to see the speaker, he would see Malaysia too. He just hoped that the idiot didn't do anything that distracted him too much.

Just as he thought it, he could see Malaysia rubbing his eyes. Singapore clicked his tongue. He'd probably been up late at night watching videos or something. Malaysia had absolutely no sense of responsibility. It was a miracle that his country wasn't a total wasteland.

"Alright everyone, settle down," Germany said. "We'll begin shortly."

Singapore retrieved his notepad and pen from his bag. He wondered how long it would take before the meeting devolved into chaos. He and Philippines actually had a wager to see when that would happen.

It took an hour and fifteen minutes, and Philippines won the wager. Singapore had been so sure that it would have been within the first hour.

Throughout the meeting, he kept noticing Malaysia shaking his head, rubbing his eyes, and he once even rested his head on the table. Singapore clicked his tongue. Malaysia was really distracting. The idiot should have known better than to stay up late the previous night.

Still, something nagged at Singapore's mind. He was pretty sure that his brother wasn't this irresponsible.

"Malaysia!" Germany barked. "This isn't naptime! Pay attention!"

Singapore smirked as Malaysia straightened. If the rest of them had to pay attention, then Malaysia had to as well. Thailand was sitting next to Malaysia, and Singapore caught him saying something to Malaysia, though it was too quiet for him to hear. He saw Malaysia shaking his head, and he said something to Thailand. Singapore tore his gaze away. Something was nagging at him.

The meeting proceeded for quite a while, and Singapore was sure that they could reach the break without another incident. But then Malaysia suddenly stood and started to push his way towards the edge of the row, not being subtle at all.

"Malaysia!" England, who was the current speaker, snapped. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Bathroom," Malaysia said, trying to go up the stairs.

"The break is in ten minutes," Germany said. "Surely you can wait until then."

"No, I really…" Malaysia cut himself off as his body lurched. His hand flew to his mouth, and Singapore knew why Malaysia wanted to go to the bathroom.

Malaysia ran out of the conference room, looking like a bat out of hell. No one stopped him this time. Singapore was sure that he saw Malaysia retch two more times before he managed to get out, but it didn't seem as though they needed to call the cleaning crew.

Singapore wanted to chalk it up to a hangover, but he realised that Malaysia had been far too cheerful that morning for someone suffering from a hangover. So, food poisoning, perhaps? Or a stomach bug?

"Are you going to go after him?" Philippines asked.

Singapore's head snapped to Philippines and he frowned.

"Why would I go after him?" Singapore asked.

Philippines sighed, before he stood.

"I'll just go check on him," Philippines announced.

No one stopped him. Singapore detected a hint of disappointment from Philippines. Perhaps he had hoped that Singapore would fulfil his 'brotherly role' and check on Malaysia. Well, Malaysia was no longer his responsibility, so Singapore had no reason to go.

…

Philippines found Malaysia in the nearest bathroom. It was actually the second bathroom he looked in, because the closest bathroom was the women's bathroom. But hearing Malaysia, he was pretty sure that no one would mind. It was a bit difficult to accuse someone of being a pervert with that kind of retching.

Malaysia was bent over the toilet, trembling and panting. He retched again, and only a little fluid escaped. Philippines placed his hand on Malaysia's back as he started to dry heave. Whatever had been in Malaysia's stomach was long gone. Philippines rubbed Malaysia's back until Malaysia's stomach seemed to settle.

"Are you okay?" Philippines asked.

"Phil?" Malaysia rasped, turning to look back at Philippines. "I thought… I hoped…"

"You hoped that it was Singapore, right?"

Malaysia whimpered, before he grabbed a piece of toilet paper. He wiped his mouth and flushed the toilet paper away, along with the former contents of his stomach. He then went to the sink to rinse his mouth out. Philippines placed his hand on Malaysia's forehead and flinched back.

"You're burning up!" Philippines exclaimed. "How long have you been feeling like this?"

"I-I don't know," Malaysia said. "I wasn't like this this morning. I was tired yesterday, but I thought that it was just jetlag."

Philippines placed his hand on Malaysia's forehead again. He didn't miss the way Malaysia leaned into the touch.

"I think you need to go back to your room," Philippines said. "I'll tell them that you're not feeling well. The break's in a few minutes, so I'll come by then. Do you think you'll be able to get to your room?"

Malaysia didn't respond immediately, but before Philippines could ask again, Malaysia nodded again.

"Room 421," Malaysia said. "Thanks."

Philippines watched Malaysia go. He was worried about his friend, but he couldn't just disappear from the meeting too. He checked his watch. Only about five minutes. At the very least, he should tell the others that Malaysia wouldn't be returning to the meeting.

…

The conference room was located in the hotel they were staying at. It was just easier that way. The nations could be found more easily, and they limited the property damage to just one property. They also made sure to book the entire hotel for the nations to prevent too many humans from ending up in the crossfire.

It wasn't far. It shouldn't have been far. And yet, Malaysia felt as though the path to the elevator was longer than the Great Wall of China.

He was on fire. He could feel the heat radiating out of him. And he was thirsty. He should have swallowed a few mouthfuls in the bathroom. He also had to keep reminding himself that he wasn't on a ship, so there was no reason for him to feel seasick, or as though the sea was tossing him about.

But right now, his greatest concern was the spots dancing in his vision. He just needed to reach the elevator, and then he had to reach his room. But the spots kept growing, until his vision went completely black.

…

Singapore sighed when the break was announced, and he jumped out of his chair. He made his way to the door before the major rush. He started walking towards the elevator, and he'd already made it a few metres before he realised that he wasn't alone.

"What are you doing?" Singapore asked.

"You're going to check on Mal," Thailand said. "And we're going with you."

"W-what? No, I… I'm going to the bathroom. I'm not going to check on that idiot."

"I don't get why you're too scared to admit it," Indonesia said. "He's your brother. It's normal to be worried."

Singapore bristled.

"I am not worried about that idiot!" he insisted. "I told you, I'm just going to the bathroom!"

"We're already past the bathroom," Philippines pointed out. "Just be honest. You know… he was pretty disappointed when he realised that I was the one in the bathroom with him and not you."

Singapore wanted to retort to that, but he didn't get the chance. His foot collided with something and he was sent sprawling. He landed on something soft and wet and hot. Very hot.

"Mal?!" Thailand exclaimed.

Singapore was confused for a moment, until he pushed himself up and saw that he had landed on someone, and it took him a moment to recognise that it was Malaysia. The other was pale, except for his cheeks, which were redder than China's flag. He was drenched in sweat and breathing shallowly. The heat he was radiating was alarming. He didn't need a thermometer to know that it was far too high.

Singapore pulled away, and Indonesia gently rolled Malaysia onto his back. There was a whimper from the unconscious nation, but he didn't open his eyes. Indonesia then gently picked Malaysia up, cradling his head against his shoulder. He turned to Singapore with wide eyes.

"He's too hot," Indonesia said.

"We need to get him to his room," Philippines said. "He said it's room 421."

The group continued on to the elevator. Singapore pressed the button for the fourth floor before looking towards Malaysia again. He felt guilty for being annoyed with Malaysia during the meeting. He'd probably chosen to rest his head on the desk because he wasn't feeling well.

They managed to find Malaysia's room without problem. Indonesia gently placed him on the bed and reached out for the sheets.

"Don't," Singapore said. "With a fever like that, I don't think giving him more heat is a good idea."

Philippines placed his hand on Malaysia's forehead and winced.

"I think he's even hotter than he was a few minutes ago," Philippines said. "Singa, do you think you can get him a cold compress? We need to get this fever down."

Singapore nodded, and he immediately went for the bathroom. The hotel provided a washcloth, which he thoroughly wetted and wrung out. He folded it and placed it on Malaysia's forehead.

"The idiot," Singapore huffed. "Why did he go to the meeting if he wasn't feeling well?"

"He said he didn't feel bad this morning," Philippines said. "He only felt tired yesterday, but he thought that it was jetlag."

"And he did say a few times during the meeting that his eyes were burning," Thailand said. "He even asked if I had eyedrops."

"Right," Indonesia said. "I'm going to the pharmacy to pick up a few things for him. Thai, do you think you could tell Germany about Malaysia?"

"Sure. I'll tell him that we're taking care of him. Once he hears that Malaysia has a high fever and passed out, I'm sure he'll be fine with it. I'll ask Vietnam if she could take notes for us."

"Could you also bring back our stuff?" Philippines asked. "I have no idea how long we're going to be here."

Thailand nodded before he left, Indonesia following behind him. Singapore sighed, before he looked back at Malaysia. His breathing was no longer shallow, which was good, but it seemed that he'd grown even paler underneath the flush.

"You're going to need to be patient with him now," Philippines said. "I know there's some tension between you two, but you need to be there for him, at least until he's better."

Singapore sighed. He supposed that he could do that. It would only be a day or two at most. Philippines removed his phone and Singapore frowned.

"Please tell me that you're not going to take a selfie now," Singapore snapped.

"Of course not," Philippines defended. "I'm going to check on Malaysia's news. If his sickness is being caused by his economy, we need to know, and we can make plans."

Singapore grumbled. He supposed that it was a plan. He looked around for chairs and dragged them closer. If it was Malaysia's economy, then he could lecture the idiot for letting something like this happen, and causing grief for all of them.

…

"So, we're not coming back," Thailand explained. "I hope that's fine."

"I understand if one or two of you take care of him," Germany said, "but I don't think it's necessary for all four of you to miss the meeting."

"Sorry for the intrusion," Japan said, "but what exactly is wrong with Malaysia? What are his symptoms?"

"He has a pretty high fever," Thailand said. "We didn't even put him under the covers because we're too scared. And he passed out on his way to his room. He didn't even make it to the elevator. Then there was the vomiting earlier, and he kept telling me that his eyes were burning, probably the fever."

"Has anyone checked Malaysia's economy?" Germany asked. "That's usually a cause for nations to get sick."

"I don't think so," Thailand said. "I just think that this is something different."

Germany sighed.

"Very well," he said. "I give you permission to miss the rest of the meeting. However, if Malaysia's condition improves, then I want at least half of you to come back, understood?"

"Okay," Thailand said with a bow. "Thank you."

He quickly went to Vietnam.

"How's Malaysia?" she asked.

"He passed out on his way to his room," Thailand said. "Listen, I need you to take notes for us. We're going to look after Malaysia. With his fever… I'm worried that he's going to need a hospital."

It was usually risky for a nation to go to the hospital, due to the difference in biology with humans. So, if it was necessary for Malaysia to go to the hospital, then they would need to find a way to bring the hospital to Malaysia, and that was a lot of work.

"I understand," Vietnam said. "Of course. I'll come by after the meeting to check on him and to give you the notes. Which room is his?"

"Room 421," Thailand said. "Thank you."

…

Singapore jumped when Malaysia groaned. He watched as Malaysia slowly tossed his head from side to side before his eyes cracked open. The eyes were glazed, and Malaysia looked around before he focused on Singapore.

"Singa?" Malaysia asked. "Wha… what happened?"

"You passed out on your way to your room," Singapore replied. "Idiot. You should have let Phil go with you."

"Singa's pretty worried about you," Philippines said, catlike grin on his face.

Singapore's face heated up as Malaysia smiled.

"Is that true?" Malaysia asked. "I'm glad. You still… care about me…"

Malaysia's eyes drifted shut again, but Singapore knew that now wasn't the best time for him to drift off.

"How are you feeling?" Singapore asked. "Do you need anything?"

Malaysia didn't immediately answer. His eyes blinked open a few times, and Singapore was already preparing himself for Malaysia to say something stupid.

"Thirsty," Malaysia rasped. "I need water. Please."

Singapore jumped. Of course, with a fever so high, Malaysia would have been dehydrated. As he went to the kitchen, he mentally kicked himself for not thinking about something so obvious.

"Indo went to the pharmacy to get you some medicine," Philippines said. "Should I ask him to get you anything else, or anything specific?"

"…Something for my throat," Malaysia said. "It really hurts."

Singapore returned with a glass of water, which Malaysia immediately started to gulp down.

"Small sips!" Singapore scolded. "You don't want to get sick again!"

Malaysia looked up at him sheepishly, but he obediently took small sips. The only problem was that the sips were too frequent.

He looked around when someone knocked on the door, but Philippines went to answer it. Singapore placed his hand on Malaysia's forehead, and despite the cold compress, he radiated far too much heat.

"Germany wasn't too happy about this," Thailand said as he entered the room, "but he gave us permission to stay. He just said that two of us would need to head back when Mal's condition improves."

"That's at least something," Singapore sighed.

"I'm sorry," Malaysia said. "I didn't want to cause anyone trouble."

"It can't be helped. Unless you were doing something reckless?"

Malaysia frowned before shaking his head.

"Well, it's not the economy," Philippines said. "Everything seems fine. There was a slight dip in the GDP, but it wouldn't be enough to give a nation a hay fever, let alone an actual fever."

"So, there's a chance that this is a regular cold?" Thailand asked.

"Not a cold," Malaysia said. "Feels… different."

Malaysia finished the water before placing the glass on the end table. Singapore went to grab it, but he was interrupted by a Spanish swear. Philippines rarely swore, and he only swore in Spanish when something seriously affected him.

Right after that, Malaysia jumped out of the bed and ran towards the bathroom. Singapore could hear him retching after a few seconds, but he didn't think that he could follow. He turned to Philippines, who had paled slightly.

"What is it?" Singapore asked.

"Twenty people in Kuala Lumpur were admitted in the hospital with high fevers and vomiting, and some had passed out," Philippines said. "Three of them have already died, and two are in comas. And that's just in the last twelve hours. Blood tests have been done… The cause appears to be an u-unknown pathogen."

Singapore's blood ran cold. They were silent as the sounds of Malaysia's retching echoed through the room, along with those two damning words. Unknown pathogen. Nations, in general, had a higher immunity than humans, but they could still experience human sickness. And something like this just so happened to be in Malaysia's capital…

Twenty people in twelve hours… That was a lot. And if this was only the beginning…

"So… does that mean that Malaysia is reacting to what's happening to his people?" Singapore asked. "Or… does he have this pathogen too?"

And what would the other symptoms be?