Gary let out a slow, controlled breath, doing his absolute best not to strangle his stubborn, appendix-about-to-burst best friend.

Ash clutched the stuffed Larvitar to his chest like his life depended on it, glaring at Gary from under the hospital blanket. "I still think we could, y'know, wait it out."

Gary rubbed his temples. "Ash. That's not how this works."

Ash huffed and looked away. "I dunno, man, my appendix feels fine now."

Gary shot him a flat look. "Oh, does it? That's funny, because ten minutes ago you were curled up, sweating buckets, and whimpering like a Growlithe that got its tail stepped on."

Ash groaned dramatically, flopping back against the hospital bed. "I was being dramatic."

"No, you were dying," Gary corrected, folding his arms. "And you still need surgery."

Ash pouted. "I hate this."

Gary rolled his eyes and reached for the blood pressure cuff. "Yeah, well, I hate that your appendix is trying to explode, so we're even." He grabbed Ash's arm and wrapped the cuff around it. "Now stay still."

Ash groaned but didn't fight as Gary pumped the cuff, watching the gauge as it ticked up. He glanced at Ash's face, taking in the way his forehead scrunched up.

"Uncomfortable?" Gary asked.

Ash muttered something under his breath but nodded.

Gary sighed. "It'll only take a few more seconds." He released the pressure and checked the reading. "A little high, but that's probably from all your stupid resistance to getting medical care."

Ash scowled. "It's called self-preservation."

"It's called stubborn as hell," Gary shot back. "Okay, deep breaths now. In and out."

Ash hesitated, but when Gary gave him the look, he sighed and inhaled deeply.

Gary pressed his stethoscope against Ash's chest, listening to his heart. "Again."

Ash exhaled and inhaled once more, this time gripping the Larvitar tighter.

Gary's brows knit together. His heart rate was definitely elevated—stress, fever, infection, all of it was doing a number on him.

Gary moved the stethoscope to Ash's back. "Again, buddy."

Ash obeyed, though he shot Gary a pitiful look like he was personally offended by the check-up.

Gary listened carefully, making sure there were no crackles or irregular sounds in Ash's lungs. Satisfied, he pulled back and snapped his gloves on. "Alright, stomach time."

Ash immediately recoiled. "Nope."

Gary blinked. "Ash."

"Nope."

"Ash."

Ash curled around his stuffed Larvitar like a protective shield. "Noooo."

Gary pinched the bridge of his nose. "Dude, your appendix is literally the problem. Let me check your stomach."

"Nooooooo," Ash whined, burying his face in the plushie.

Gary sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. "Ash, you're gripping that thing like it's a life raft. You're clearly miserable. I know this sucks, but I promise you, letting me check is way better than, oh, I don't know, your appendix rupturing and poisoning your insides."

Ash peeked out, eyes glassy and stubborn. "...Still don't wanna."

Gary groaned. "Kid, come on."

Ash pouted but hesitated. Slowly, reluctantly, he uncurled just enough for Gary to gently press against his abdomen.

Ash jerked at the touch. "Ow!"

Gary's expression darkened. "Yeah. That's what I thought." He pressed again, carefully but firmly.

Ash whined, gripping Gary's wrist again.

Gary softened. "I know, buddy. I know. But I gotta check."

Ash's fingers trembled slightly as he clung to Gary's wrist, but he nodded weakly, barely tolerating the exam.

Gary checked for rigidity, rebound tenderness—all the textbook signs that meant yep, Ash needed surgery yesterday.

He finished his check and sat back, sighing. "Ash, listen to me."

Ash looked up at him tiredly.

"You need this surgery. No running, no fighting me on it. You're not walking out of here with a ticking time bomb in your gut."

Ash groaned, clearly knowing Gary was right but hating it. "I hate this."

Gary smirked. "Yeah, well, I love you too, buddy."

Ash whined into his Larvitar.

Gary squeezed his shoulder. "I'll be there the whole time. You're not doing this alone."

Ash blinked up at him before giving a tired, reluctant nod. "...'Kay."

Gary smiled. "Good. Now let's get that stupid appendix out before it tries to kill you."

Ash's eyelids drooped tiredly. " Mmmm.... Gary?"

" Yeah, buddy?"

" Will you be there with me?"

Gary nodded, rocking his best friend to sleep. " Yeah, kiddo. I'll be there.

The first thing he noticed when he squinted his eyes open was the fact he was not in his room anymore.

He was in a place with a bright light.

And a person wearing surgical material staring down at him.

Ash shrieked.

The doctor's eyes widened. " Woah woah woah, calm down Ashy Boy! It's me!"

Ash's eye twitched. " Gary...." He muttered. " Why am I here?"

Gary sighed. " It's the OR, you dummy."

Ash's eyes widened. " WHAT?!"

Gary regretted his choice of words.

Because Ash's breathing hitched as panic set in, and his hands gripping the sheets in a death grip. His heart monitor beeped rapidly, mirroring the sheer terror overtaking him.

"Hey, hey, hey—Ash, look at me." Gary's voice was firm but soft as he immediately reached for Ash's trembling hands. "It's okay, buddy. You're okay."

Ash's wide, terrified eyes locked onto Gary's, and his breathing remained erratic. "G-Gary, I don't—I don't wanna do this—"

Gary squeezed Ash's hands tightly. "I know, kiddo. I know it's scary. But I promise you, you're not gonna feel a thing. I'm right here."

Ash whimpered. "Gary, please—"

Gary let go of one of Ash's hands only to shift and sit right next to him on the gurney, wrapping an arm securely around his shoulders. "Shhh, I gotcha, Ash. I gotcha." He rubbed small, soothing circles on Ash's arm. "You're not alone, buddy. I'm gonna take care of you."

Ash clenched his jaw, eyes flickering nervously toward the masked surgeons in the room. 

His whole body was trembling.

Gary gently turned Ash's face back toward him. "Hey. Just focus on me, okay?"

Ash's lower lip trembled as he clung to Gary's sleeve. "You're—you're not leaving, right?"

Gary pulled him closer. "Not even for a second."

Ash swallowed hard, tears welling up in his eyes. "I—I don't want it—"

Gary held him tighter. "I know, buddy. But you need it."

Ash's chest rose and fell in uneven breaths. "M'scared..."

Gary pressed a reassuring hand to the back of Ash's head, resting their foreheads together. "I know you are, kiddo. And that's okay. But I promise you, you're gonna wake up safe, and I'll be right here when you do."

Ash sniffled and squeezed his eyes shut.

Gary sighed softly and pulled back just enough to brush Ash's hair back gently. "Alright, bud. Let's get you comfortable." He reached for the IV, drawing the anesthesia into the syringe.

Ash cracked his eyes open. "...You're the one doing it?"

Gary gave him a small, warm smile. "Of course. Wouldn't let anyone else take care of my best friend, would I?"

Ash blinked sluggishly, some of the tension leaving his body. "...S'not fair..."

Gary chuckled. "Life's not fair, buddy. But you're in good hands, I promise." He gently inserted the anesthesia into Ash's IV.

Ash's breathing slowed slightly. "Will it... hurt?"

Gary shook his head. "Not even a little. You're just gonna get sleepy, and then you'll wake up, and it'll all be over."

Ash hummed tiredly, his grip on Gary's sleeve loosening.

Gary gave his hand a squeeze. "That's it, bud. Just relax. I gotcha."

Ash's eyelids fluttered. "...Stay?"

Gary smiled, brushing a thumb over the back of Ash's hand. "Always, Ashy-boy."

Ash's breathing evened out, his body finally going limp in Gary's hold.

Gary sighed, pressing a light pat to Ash's shoulder before looking up at the team. "Alright. Let's do this."