Ash sat on the edge of the examination table, his legs swinging slightly as he tried not to fidget. The paper lining crinkled under him, and the sterile scent of antiseptic filled his nose. He hated check-ups. Even when it was Gary doing them.

Gary, standing across from him, was scribbling something down on a clipboard before glancing up with a smirk. "Alright, Ashy-boy, you ready?"

Ash huffed, crossing his arms. "Do I have a choice?"

Gary chuckled. "Not really." He set the clipboard aside and snapped on a pair of gloves. "Alright, let’s start with the basics. I’ll check your heart and lungs first."

Ash sighed dramatically but let his arms fall to his sides. "Fine. Just... get it over with."

Gary pulled his stethoscope from around his neck and warmed the metal chest piece in his palm before pressing it lightly against Ash’s chest. "Deep breath in for me."

Ash inhaled deeply, feeling the cold metal press against his skin through his thin shirt.

"And out," Gary instructed.

Ash exhaled slowly.

Gary moved the stethoscope to a different spot. "Again."

Ash obeyed, his chest rising and falling as Gary listened intently. The silence stretched between them, save for the faint sound of Ash’s breathing and the scribbling of notes.

Gary’s brow furrowed slightly as he listened, shifting the stethoscope to Ash’s back. "Okay, one more time. Deep breath in... and out."

Ash exhaled, glancing at Gary. "Something wrong?"

Gary shook his head. "Nope. Just making sure your lungs sound clear. No wheezing, no crackles. All good there." He straightened up and hung the stethoscope around his neck. "Now, let’s check that heart of yours."

Ash watched as Gary moved closer, pressing two fingers lightly against his neck, just below his jawline. The touch was warm and firm as Gary counted his pulse.

"Hmm..." Gary murmured, his fingers still pressing gently. "A little fast, but that’s just you being you." He smirked. "You’re always running around like a hyperactive Pikachu, so no surprises there."

Ash rolled his eyes. "Gee, thanks."

Gary moved his fingers down to Ash’s wrist, checking his pulse again, then back to his chest, pressing lightly against his sternum. "No pain when I press here?"

Ash shook his head. "Nope."

Gary nodded. "Good. Alright, now let’s check your tummy."

Ash groaned. "Ugh. Do we have to?"

Gary raised an eyebrow. "Unless you want me to tell Nurse Joy that you’re being a baby about it?"

Ash pouted. "Fine. Just—just don’t press too hard, okay?"

Gary smirked. "Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle." He reached forward and carefully lifted Ash’s shirt just enough to expose his abdomen. "Alright, lie back for me."

Ash reluctantly leaned back against the table, staring up at the ceiling as Gary placed his warm hand on his stomach.

"Okay, first I’m gonna listen," Gary said, placing his stethoscope on Ash’s abdomen. "Gotta make sure everything sounds normal in there."

Ash squirmed slightly. "Weird."

Gary chuckled. "What, never had your stomach listened to before?"

"Not like this," Ash mumbled.

Gary smirked but kept his focus, moving the stethoscope around different areas of Ash’s abdomen, listening for normal bowel sounds. After a moment, he set it aside and placed his hands on Ash’s stomach, pressing lightly with his fingers.

"Okay, tell me if anything hurts."

Ash tensed slightly as Gary’s hands moved, pressing gently along his upper abdomen. "That tickles," Ash muttered.

Gary grinned. "I figured you’d be ticklish." He continued pressing, feeling the firmness of Ash’s stomach muscles before moving lower.

Ash’s breath hitched as Gary’s fingers pressed a little deeper. "W-Whoa—okay, that’s—"

Gary immediately eased up. "That hurt?"

Ash shook his head quickly. "No, just surprised me."

Gary nodded, continuing his examination, palpating different areas of Ash’s abdomen with careful precision. "Everything feels normal. No lumps, no swelling, no tenderness. You’re all good, Ashy-boy."

Ash let out a breath of relief. "Finally."

Gary chuckled, giving Ash’s stomach one last light pat before stepping back. "See? That wasn’t so bad."

Ash sat up, fixing his shirt. "Yeah, yeah. Just glad it’s over."

Gary smirked. "Well, good news is—you’re perfectly healthy."

Ash grinned. "Great! That means I can go eat a giant burger now, right?"

Gary snorted. "Sure, just don’t eat too fast. I don’t want you coming back here complaining about a stomachache."

Ash hopped off the table. "No promises!"

Gary rolled his eyes, shaking his head with a fond smirk. "Ashy-boy, you’ll never change."