Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.
Chapter 7
"You know, I've been curious about this," Thailand said. "How do you actually do the tests?"
Singapore winced as France stuck in the needle, as Turkey tended to Thailand and Switzerland tended to Philippines. Indonesia, meanwhile, was in the bathroom with Malaysia, overseeing his shower. After what happened the previous day, they weren't going to take any chances.
"Germany arranged with the local hospital to lend us some equipment," Switzerland said, "and he also negotiated with two local universities. Naturally, he's keeping the nature of what we're doing a secret, especially since it's the same thing affecting Malaysia's capital. We don't need a media panic here."
"Good," Singapore said. "So… How long is this going to take?"
"We should be able to see if you have any sign of Malaysia's virus in about an hour or so," France said. "Of course, further tests will require a bit more time. If it turns out that you don't have the virus, then we're going to use your blood to test the infection rates."
"Is there anything that you can tell us about the sample you got from Malaysia?"
France sighed.
"If we were doctors at a hospital, we would have invoked doctor-patient confidentiality," France said. "But, seeing as this could easily be an international affair that affects us all, I feel that we must tell you."
"His neutrophils are completely decimated," Switzerland said.
"And… that is…?" Philippines asked.
"His white blood cells. Do I have to explain what those do?"
"No, I've got it."
"The T-cells are also severely weakened. This thing badly affects the immune system, though it's not the same as HIV. And the fact that Malaysia still has symptoms means that his body is fighting this. Especially the fever."
"And… the vomiting?" Singapore asked.
"Well, if we want to learn more about that, we might have to take a gastroscopy to investigate," France said. "We're not quite sure how this affects the stomach yet. And the CDC and WHO haven't proceeded far with their autopsies yet."
"Autopsies?" Philippines repeated.
"They have a lot of patients in Kuala Lumpur," Turkey said. "Many who have lost their entire families to this thing already. Almost all of the bodies are going towards understanding this thing better. The only thing that we managed to get from them so far is that most of the victims were pretty healthy."
"So, unhealthy lifestyle isn't a factor?" Thailand asked.
"Doesn't seem like it yet. But it's still early. No patterns or trends have been noticed yet."
"So, how are you going to determine how contagious this thing is?" Singapore asked.
"Who's been spending the most time with Malaysia?" Switzerland asked.
"That would be Singa," Philippines provided.
"Well, the best thing then would be comparing your blood with the rest of theirs. If you're not infected, then it's probably safe to say that it has a low infection rate. If you are infected, then we need to see how severe your case is compared to the others. And it would also be a good way to see how long after infection it takes before symptoms start to show."
"Why do I get the feeling that you want to use us as lab rats?" Thailand asked.
"Well, using rats would be unethical. But, if you're infected anyway, then you might as well help us to stop other people from getting infected."
"…I can't tell if you're being serious or sarcastic right now."
Singapore was barely listening anymore. As soon as Thailand mentioned 'lab rats', he thought about Malaysia, and what he alluded to the previous night. If Malaysia had indeed been the subject of experimentation… What kinds of experiments?
He wanted to know more, but he was too afraid to ask. And how would he even ask in the first place? It wasn't as though he could go to Japan and ask if he knew anything about experiments his people might have done to Malaysia during World War Two. Especially not after Japan had offered to help out with Malaysia, and he had been very supportive so far. What about Germany? His people had also experimented on humans. But he had been even more helpful than Japan…
"Something is on your mind," France said, his voice quiet. "Is it just concern for Malaysia, or is something else bothering you?"
Singapore hesitated. Should he tell France? The other was an Allied nation, and had done a lot during World War Two. Though, based on England's complaints from that time, not enough. Perhaps France would be someone he could ask, who didn't have to relive horrible memories of what his people had done during that time. At least, not in this regard.
"Malaysia had a nightmare again last night, and the things he said… they painted a picture that I don't like."
"Oh?" France asked. "What kind of picture?"
Singapore glanced towards Turkey and Switzerland, who didn't seem to be paying attention. Still, he leaned forward and lowered his voice.
"Human experimentation," he whispered.
France froze as he folded up the tourniquet. He had thankfully finished drawing Singapore's blood. He looked towards the others before turning back to Singapore again.
"Are you sure?" France asked.
"I-I think," Singapore admitted. "He said they used needles, and that they made him sick to see what would happen. It could have just been a nightmare, because of what's happening to him, but… It felt a little too specific."
"…Do you have any idea when something like this might have happened?"
"World War Two. We had a hard time finding Malaysia, since he wasn't in his own country, and Japan only tracked down the place where he was kept near the end. And when we found him, he was… subdued. Scared. I-I can't say how long he was like that, or the state he was in the rest of the time. But by the time I actually had the presence of mind to ask him about what happened during the war… He couldn't remember."
"Is there anything else you can tell me about that time?"
Singapore frowned as he tried to think about it. He hadn't spared it much thought at the time, and now he regretted that he hadn't really been attentive enough to notice something possibly very important about his brother. However, there was one thing that came to mind.
"I think that was around the time when Malaysia started to grow more absentminded and irresponsible," Singapore said. "Do you think it's a side-effect or something?"
"Absentmindedness and irresponsibility?" France repeated. He was silent for a bit too long as he contemplated it for a moment. "There might be three possibilities. The trauma might have started to severely affect his personality. If he doesn't remember, then he repressed the memories, and since personality is tied to experience, which is tied to memories, it started to affect him. Or… he might have suffered brain damage at that point, and even a nation's healing has limits to how much it can heal."
"What do you mean?"
"You've seen the scar on Netherland's face, correct? It seems so trivial, wouldn't you say? But even though it's small, it's still there. He received the scar before he went to war with Spain, when Spain got angry at him for daring to want to be independent. And China has a scar on his back from when his war with Japan started. Lithuania also has many scars on his back, though he doesn't say where they came from. Wounds inflicted by other nations take a long time to heal, and depending on the emotions associated with the wound, it might never heal."
"I don't understand. What does this have to do with Malaysia?"
France shook his head and shrugged.
"Sorry," he said. "Sometimes, my thoughts dwell too much. I just thought… If Malaysia had suffered brain damage severe enough to alter his personality, then it had to be because of a nation. And there was a powerful emotion involved with the injury. Of course, without a brain scan, it would be difficult to tell."
Singapore pursed his lips.
"I-if you could…" he started. "Would you do a brain scan on Malaysia?"
France closed his eyes and sighed.
"The only way we would be able to get away with that would be if we suspect that the disease is damaging his brain in some way," he said. "If it is, then it would be hard to tell the past damage apart from the present damage. So, there would be no way to really tell."
Singapore was about to ask more, but the bathroom door opened. Indonesia came out, followed by a Malaysia that looked as though most of the liquid making his hair damp didn't come from himself. That was good. Malaysia froze, before he shrank back into the bathroom.
Oh, right. The needles.
"Good timing!" Turkey exclaimed. "We were just about to call you for your withdrawal."
"No!" Malaysia shouted. "No needles!"
"Um, I was actually talking to Indonesia."
"We've actually brought something else along for Malaysia," Switzerland said. "I'd just like to do a cheek swab. We need to test your saliva, and we kind of need a urine sample too."
Singapore's mouth twitched when he saw the awkward expression on Switzerland's face. Malaysia poked his head out of the bathroom.
"So… no needles?" he asked.
"No needles," France repeated. He turned back to Singapore. "If you find him talking in his sleep, or if he's in a delirium, try to gently guide him along. See if he would be willing to share any useful information. But are you sure that you want to know?"
Singapore swallowed.
"I… I need to know," he said. "I need to know what happened to my brother during a time when I couldn't help him."
France closed his eyes and sighed.
"I understand," he said. "But be careful. You might not be happy with the truth."
"I still need to know," Singapore whispered. "Whatever this is… It's affecting him now. And I'm worried that he might end up hurting himself."
Turkey, meanwhile, had tended to Indonesia, while Switzerland had taken care of Malaysia's cheek swabs and handed over the cup for a sample. Malaysia grabbed the cup and disappeared back into the bathroom. Thailand and Philippines stood around, their attentions on Singapore. They knew of his suspicions, and Singapore wondered if they realised what he and France were discussing.
"We'll call as soon as we know the results of the blood tests," France said. Everything was labelled, and he packed them up. "And I want you to tell me if you managed to learn anything concrete from Malaysia."
"Thank you," Singapore said. "Sorry to bother you with this."
"Non, I understand. You are a worried brother. And if unresolved trauma is affecting Malaysia's recovery, then we need to take this into consideration."
Of course. Mental health could affect physical health, and vice-versa. And if the nightmares got bad enough that Malaysia refused to sleep, then it was important to deal with the nightmares.
Malaysia emerged from the bathroom and handed the cup to Switzerland, who secured it and packed it away. He then removed his gloves before going into the bathroom himself, most likely to wash his hands. Malaysia climbed back into his bed and snuggled under the covers.
"Oh, wait," France said, before he went to Malaysia. "Do you mind if I examined that rash first?"
"It's worse than yesterday," Indonesia said. "But he's not scratching, so maybe it doesn't itch."
France didn't immediately respond to that. Malaysia had kicked off the covers and pulled up his shirt, and France was examining Malaysia's torso. He continued to poke and prod, asking something of Malaysia from time to time.
"I want to test something," France said. "Hold on a moment."
France rushed to the kitchen and looked around the fridge. He then returned to Malaysia with an ice cube, and pressed the cube against Malaysia's torso.
"What are you doing?" Switzerland asked.
"This is very cold," France explained. "But he didn't even flinch."
"I-I didn't even feel anything," Malaysia stammered.
"And that is what concerns me. With a rash like this, you should at least be itchy. Let's try something else."
France moved the cube, until it brushed against Malaysia's arm. This caused a yelp and he shrank back.
"I was worried about this," France said. "It would seem that this rash makes it difficult for you to feel anything."
"A sort of localised numbness?" Turkey asked.
"It would seem so. We should contact the CDC and WHO and tell them about this. It could be risky for other patients."
"How can not feeling something be risky?" Indonesia asked.
"They might start to scratch themselves when the numbness starts bothering them," Switzerland explained. "And they wouldn't be able to feel if they cut themselves. And if they get an infection, on top of already being sick…"
"The situation would just become worse," Singapore finished. He went closer and looked at Malaysia's fingernails. "I think you need a trim."
The nails weren't particularly long, but if there was even a risk that Malaysia would break the skin, then it was important that they prevented that from happening. Malaysia could only nod with wide eyes as he also looked at his fingernails.
France, Turkey and Switzerland packed up. France smiled to them as the others left the room.
"We'll let you know if we find anything," France said. "Take care of yourselves."
"Thanks for everything," Thailand said.
France left as well. Singapore looked around at the others. Malaysia had retreated back underneath the covers.
"So," Indonesia said, "who wants breakfast?"
Malaysia shook his head as he retreated further under the covers. Singapore placed his hand on Malaysia's shoulder.
"At least eat a few bites of soup," Singapore said.
Malaysia groaned, before he sat up again. Singapore placed his hand on Malaysia's forehead. He still had a fever, but it wasn't as bad as the previous day. Perhaps he was doing better.
"Your fever's down, at least," Singapore said. "So, that's some good news. And after you've had a few bites of soup, you can sleep again."
Malaysia nodded. At least he didn't insist that he didn't need sleep, because they would all know that it would be a lie.
"There's still leftovers from last night," Thailand said. "We can just heat that up, after we get Mal some soup."
Philippines was on his phone, and based on the wince, he was looking at Malaysia's news again. Singapore wandered closer to check. Philippines adjusted his hold to allow Singapore to see the screen as well. Singapore winced when he saw that the death toll had already surpassed two hundred.
They had agreed to keep Malaysia in the dark regarding the growing death toll. He would already be feeling the effects, and it would not help his general health. They didn't want the stress to make things even worse for him.
"Have you spoken to your boss yet?" Philippines whispered.
"No," Singapore sighed. "I've just been so busy…"
"Oh. I just thought you did. One of the things I've read is that your government announced that it would provide aid."
Singapore blinked. Philippines exited the current article and searched for another, which showed that Singapore's government had indeed made this decision without his input. He didn't know whether to feel relieved or annoyed.
"At least that's some good news," Singapore sighed. "Anything from the CDC and WHO?"
"Nothing yet," Philippines said. "But I think that France and the others would be the first to tell us."
"True."
"So… what were you and France whispering about?"
"I… I'm just worried about Mal. The things he said last night…"
"You think the Japanese experimented on him during World War Two?"
"It's just… really specific. And if he's been having PTSD nightmares…"
Philippines winced. Of course, as a nation, he was more than familiar with the concept. And he would understand why Singapore was so worried about Malaysia when his body and mind were already under the effects of this illness. He'd been delirious once. Who's to say that something similar wouldn't happen again?
"You want to know if Japan knows anything about it," Philippines said.
"France gave a few possibilities for why Mal wouldn't remember, and why his personality seemed to change after he got back from the war. He suggested that there's a possibility that Mal had suffered from brain damage, and wounds inflicted by other nations take longer to heal than wounds from humans."
"And what then? Even if Japan knew about it, and if he injured Mal in some way, what would it matter now?"
"I just want closure."
…
France frowned as he studied Singapore's blood sample, and he compared it with Malaysia's, just to be sure. Singapore had spent the most time around Malaysia, so why didn't it appear as though he had even a little of the pathogen?
"Anything?" Turkey asked.
"Non," France sighed. "Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand are clean. So, either they don't have it yet, or we're looking in the wrong place."
"Well, if it's any consolation, Malaysia's saliva isn't really helpful," Switzerland said. "It has traces of the pathogen, but it doesn't seem as though it can be used to contaminate someone. I tried mixing it with my own saliva, but it's not binding."
"That's strange," Turkey said. "At least you get the better…"
France waited for the rest of the statement, but after a few seconds, he turned to Turkey and frowned.
"What's wrong?" France asked.
"I-I was examining the urine sample," Turkey said. "And… I can't be sure but… I don't think that Malaysia's kidneys are working properly."
"What do you mean?" Switzerland asked.
"Okay, I've done this with nations before, so I know what to look for. This… I don't know…"
France frowned, before he went to check on any news from the CDC and WHO. They were collaborating, and shared all their findings with each other. Perhaps they'd missed something.
"Merde!" France exclaimed. "They've done autopsies on some of the deceased. And these autopsies… We need to call Germany. We need more equipment."
