Chapter Text
The first thing Switzerland woke up to was an uncomfortable hotness, like a thick blanket suffocating him. His brain was foggy, everything about him was dull and heavy. It was still dark in his room, so he had to stumble out of his bed in what felt like a warm, drunken, if you could even call it that, stupor. His hand swiped across the wall, feeling around for the light switch. Every movement felt restricted, like swimming in a sea of thick material, like the insides of a stuffed animal. He felt like one, moving awkwardly with little sudden jerks here and there.
The wall felt cool against his palm, so did the light switch as he flicked on the lights. The bright iridescent light made him shield his eyes with a free hand. His eyelids felt the little prickles of light shooting through as he adjusted from being in the dark so long.
Last night was very normal, he got ready for bed in a quick routine that he had done for so, so long. Every so often it would change as the world became ‘modern’ but that didn’t matter, he adapted to it. He said goodnight to his little sister and went to bed. He hadn’t felt something like this in a while.
Suddenly the thick blanket of it all was a bit too much and he shuffled over to the window, curtains closed. He opened them, the soft light of the sunrise streaming in. A cool breeze of air hit him in the face, too cold. Everything either felt too cold or burning hot. He felt his forehead, realizing he must have had a cold. It was that or he was dying, well it felt like both. But, he knew he couldn’t die. But he could get an illness, where was the logic in that!
But even then, he could get through it. He’d take a few tried-and-true home remedies and continue on with his day. Today was especially important, he had a few meetings to get to with other countries. They weren’t *world* meetings, but he still considered them very important. He didn’t exactly get out a lot, and it was good to see others once in a while. It wasn’t because he actually wanted to see them, most of them he would rather avoid, but he did need to network. The few people, other than his sister, that he managed to get along with were as followed; 1) Latvia, introduced to him by Liechtenstein, who was a polite young man and 2) America, yes the United States himself, they had found some common ground once at a World Meeting and he never stopped bothering Switzerland since.
If he was going to be honest, Switzerland didn’t mind America’s presence, in fact he even enjoyed it a bit. They would go to a shooting range sometimes if their schedules aligned and then America invited him to lunch, where he learned how much Switzerland milked an opportunity to get free food. They chatted, sometimes even laughed. It had been a while since he laughed, he even found himself completely relaxed at some points. Shoulders down, his eyes weren’t scanning the room he was in every few moments. Things he hadn’t felt in a while with the stress of everything and anything and yet all it took was a few small interactions from one person to melt all of it down.
How strange was that, it was truly foreign to poor Switzerland. Especially with a meeting that involved America happening today as well, how fun. As he poured a mug of hot water, he looked around his kitchen, careful not to make any noise in case he would wake up Liechtenstein. It was pretty impossible due to her room being pretty far away to even hear anything but Switzerland still didn’t want to take his chances. The teabag of some herbal remedy he had bought at a big grocery sale floated, soaking in the hot water as the color changed into a honey color. He took a sip of the very hot tea, it certainly did not taste like honey at all. He scrunched up his nose, rummaging around for his little container of sugar. Though he did not want to admit it, he always liked a little bit of sugar in his tea.
He sat there for a while, taking the occasional sips and willing away his sickness. This usually worked, well at least it did for him. If he didn’t acknowledge it then it wasn’t there! And then he began coughing, hacking up phlegm.
Liechtenstein strode in, slippers on her feet and hair messy. Switzerland perked up, not as fast as he would have liked though. Trying to act like he was only choking slightly from the tea, he set the mug down, putting his full attention on her.
“Good morning, how did you sleep?” He asked calmly, hoping his voice didn’t have too many indicators of sickness.
"Good, good,” She responded, as she fetched herself a cup of water, drinking it alongside her older brother.
“I’ve got some meetings today, what do you want for breakfast?” He asked, his mouth feeling watery.
And before Liechtenstein could even reply, he dashed to the bathroom. He barely made it in time before he simply threw up. Before he could even excuse himself or anything. When he thought he was done, he threw up more.
Letting out a small groan, he got up shakily and washed his face in the bathroom sink. Water swished around in his mouth as he tried to get rid of the taste, it was something he couldn’t describe but unpleasant as ever. Tears formed in his slightly irritated eyes as the back of his throat burned. He felt dirty, he hated that. Most of all, he felt a little pathetic in front of Liechtenstein. His little sister stood in the doorway with a worried expression on her face. As he finished drying his face, she stepped up to him and put the fabled hand on his slightly sweaty forehead. Then the cheek, just to be sure. Even triple checking on both sides of his neck.
“You're burning up,” She murmured, pulling her hand away. Switzerland shook his head,
“It’s just a small cold, I’ll get over it. Now, what do you want to eat?” He replied, moving some hair out of his face.
“I think I can make my own breakfast today, you should probably go back to bed,”
“For the last time, I can handle this. I’ve done it multiple times already,”
"You need rest! You can’t go out like this,” She replied, eyebrows knitting as she put her hands on her hips, “I’ll take over whatever you have planned for today,”
“Oh, no no you shouldn’t have to deal with that. I’m fine, I swear,” Switzerland tried to exit out of the bathroom, eyes a bit bleary. But he was stopped by Liechtenstein.
“I will deal with it actually, you make me stay in bed and get rest when I get sick. Why can’t I make you do the same?” And, Switzerland couldn’t really think of a comeback for that. But it made sense, though he felt like he didn’t need to. He’s Switzerland! The country that everyone knows to come out unscathed and to keep on going. So much of his life was all about going forward, keep on going and helping others keep on going. Forward. Like a shark, who’s unable to stop moving unless he wants to suffocate from a lack of oxygen.
And he’s accepted this as well, he’s used to it. He doesn’t mind it because he can’t just *not* do it. He’s been working hard ever since he was young, even if the jobs didn’t exactly fit his own morals, but it had to be done. What would others say, what would his little sister say if they saw cracking on his reinforced wall? He’s just forgotten that he could actually take some time for himself, especially when he really needed it. But there was another part of his mind that kept on yelling at him that it was only a little cold and to toughen up. He can’t do this all the time so why should he start now?
He was too tired to listen to any subconscious voices in his head. He was so tired. As he was getting gently coaxed back into bed, Liechtenstein asked questions about his schedule today, to which Switzerland pointed in the direction of a planner sitting on his desk among the other papers and stacks of books he had on there. The planner had everything written down neatly, lists that had detailed directions and notes adding on to them. With rigid order, just how he liked it. He needed it, what would he do without routine and instructions?
Another coughing fit hit him as Liechtenstein began rummaging around his room for more blankets. She found neatly folded ones in the back of his closet, they were a 2 for one deal he found at some store years ago. And there they went on top of Switzerland, who was making calls to people, calling in sick to work as they would say. Many countries would do this, and Switzerland often scoffed when they did. Now look at him, explaining to France that he wouldn’t be able to make it to the meeting with him and Romania and to also be patient with Liechtenstein. The other was very understanding, wishing him a quick recovery and even offering to stop by his place, to which Switzerland very quickly declined. The next call was to Germany, who he knew would be less understanding, as he was much like Switzerland. This meeting was also with America, to which he felt a slight little pang of disappointment rolling around in his stomach.
But, the person who picked up the phone wasn’t the stern, deep voice he was used to. It instead was a voice that sometimes made Switzerland feel nervous, like he suddenly needed to brush his hair out of the way and straighten his tie.
“Hey Switzerland! What’s up bud? I was wondering where you were, you usually arrive before me!” America spoke cheerfully from the other side, and Switzerland could imagine him wearing the only suit he ever seems to have and scribbling on the corner of whatever piece of paper he could get his hands on.
“Hello, America, I was calling to inform Germany that I won’t be there today. I got sick, but Liechtenstein will be there in my place so please inform her on anything I haven’t told her,” He explained, though wondering why the man had Germany’s phone. Did he see it ringing and answer the call? Switzerland secretly hoped he answered it because America saw that *he* was calling. But he knew that wasn’t the case, he was one of the participants so of course America would pick up. And these little counter thoughts in his mind went on, quickly shooting down the butterflies in his stomach like piercing arrows.
“Ohhh, that explains things so much. I hope you get better dude, I really do. Also, Liechtenstein will be fine, she’s really smart y’know,” As America said that, another voice could be heard. It was Germany, telling him off for grabbing his phone without permission. Once he managed to wrangle the phone away, Switzerland repeated everything he had just said. Germany sighed, saying it was alright and that he would send Switzerland any details later.
“Get some rest, Switzerland. Don’t try to overwork yourself, I learned that lesson the hard way once. It’s not easy to do, but it is needed sometimes,” Oh great, a lecture by Germany. How fun. After a few formalities, he hung up. In the background of his calls, Liechtenstein could be heard hurrying about, getting ready and doing other things. And Switzerland felt awful about it, he felt completely useless. Laying there under a mound of blankets, a small rag on his head, which felt like a cooked egg. If you were to crack it open, all his brain would come gushing out like the yolk. He would sometimes point to the directions of certain things and explain others. This is and that, put that away.
Lichtenstein had found a thermometer and took his temperature, a whopping 38 celsius. He had a glass of water by his bed stand, fever medicine, and a bag. Gulping down his medicine, Liechtenstein said her goodbyes and headed out of the house. Off to the work he was supposed to do, and now she had to do it all because his body HAD to get sick. Now he just layed in bed, staring at the wall in silence. He didn’t mind the silence, he was quite familiar to him. But now, it felt uncomfortable. Staring up at the ceiling, he could feel the medicine kick in. Eyelids drooping, mind clouding more than ever. That was until he had another coughing fit, lungs feeling like they were about to jump out of his mouth and go splat on his bedsheets. This time he had coughed so hard, his throat became all scratchy and raw. All he wanted to do now was go to sleep. And in time, he did. Dozing off to the sound of wind and some random birds tweeting coming from his open window, his companion for a while.
But not before his mind wandered back to earlier. Now that he actually had time to think, time to process instead of shelving it away so quickly.
When on the phone with him, just speaking to America made his stomach twist. His face flush, more than it already was from fever. And whenever they saw each other in person, he actually cared a little about how he looked! He had never felt things like this and honestly wondered if he feared America or if he was in love with him.
The last part made Switzerland put his pillow over his face in embarrassment. He could never be scared of America, with his cheery personality that lit up the room. A personality that burned him, like sticking your hand through a fire to try to reach some prize. And with the way he could make Switzerland smile, that was special power on its own. Well, he always called himself a superhero, didn’t he? Switzerland never really liked affection, touching, or any of the sorts, but he wondered how holding America’s hand would feel. Would they feel rough and calloused like his? Or would they be soft, maybe a mix of both? He wouldn’t mind either. How embarrassing to think about these things! He’s a country that’s been around for centuries, not some awkward school girl.
He was losing sleep over realizing he was in love for the first time in maybe ever. He flipped to his side and decided this is when he would fall asleep. Right here and right now!
It would be at least another 15 minutes before the medicine would kick in again, or he was just plain exhausted. Yes, he analyzed his and America’s relationship every minute of it to pinpoint what went “wrong”. The thing is, it could have been a multitude of things. Small things, but it showed Switzerland that America truly cared and actually enjoyed being with him. The most basic things ever. Good lord, he was hopeless.
He didn’t know how long he slept, all he knew was that he woke a few hours later. The pillow on his head had been moved to the side by him in his sleep, a dried towel stuck to it. He had dried saliva down his chin, crusted eyelashes, . But, that sense of a thick blanket smothering him had gone away a bit, only downside now was that he had acquired a runny nose and a stomach ache. The suffering continued.
Sitting up on his bed, he rubbed his eyes. He felt like he had just slept a million years, and he still felt sleepy. He took the thermometer that Liechtenstein had left on his bed stand and took his temperature. His fever had gone down, that was it really. He still felt like shit, to put it simply.
Hazy and still half-asleep, he went to use the bathroom. Something felt off to him, maybe it was just that he hadn’t woken up fully yet. In the bathroom, just as he was finishing up and washing his hands, he heard his phone go off. No one ever really called him besides a few people, it must be Liechtenstein. He quickly dried his hands before hurrying to grab his phone. Except the contact name didn’t read Liechtenstein, it read America.
His brain did a double take, his hand clicking on the answer button before he even decided to.
“Hello? America? Is there anything you need?” Switzerland said, trying his best to not sound like he barely woke up.
“Yeah, could you open the door? I’m outside, and I brought you some stuff!”
Switzerland almost dropped his phone, immediately rubbing his face to get any crust off it before heading to the door. His heart began beating, stomach ache still present, mind racing. This was most likely America’s first visit to his house, that was a big deal right?
As he got to his door, he took a small breath before opening. And there the America was, in all of his signature blonde glory. Though, you could see some roots of brown popping up. He was still in his suit, a bag hanging off one of his arms and phone in the other.
As he saw Switzerland, his face lit up into a smile. He put his phone away, and held out the bag. It was a plastic bag, filled with things. Even in sickness, Switzerland thought about how he could reuse it.
“Could I come inside?” America asked, and Switzerland’s runny yolk of a brain exploded, covering his skull with yellow goo. At least, that’s what it felt like.
“Oh, uh, of course,” Switzerland swore at himself for sounding so idiotic. Why was he getting so dumb all of a sudden?
The other smiled, something that sent the butterflies inside of Switzerland’s stomach into a tizzy. Freaking America and his cute smile, and his everything! He wanted to scream.
Switzerland stepped aside, allowing America to walk into his house. His house! That’s a big step towards something that he was surprised he wanted. The other’s shiny dress shoes clicked on the wood floor.
Switzerland felt like he was dreaming, this was some sort of lucid dream he was about to wake up from at any time right?