Gary ran a hand through his hair, his concern growing as he watched his best friend try—and fail—to mask his discomfort. Ash was curled up on the couch, his arms loosely wrapped around his middle, his breathing shallow and uneven. His usual energy was gone, replaced by clear exhaustion.

"Alright, buddy, let's not play this game," Gary said, shifting to sit beside him. He reached out, pressing a hand gently against Ash’s forehead. "You’re burning up."

Ash turned his head away, mumbling, "M’fine..." but the way his breath hitched immediately after made it clear he was anything but fine.

Gary sighed. "Yeah, sure, and I’m the Queen of Kalos." He rested a hand on Ash’s back and rubbed slow, soothing circles. "Ash, you’re wheezing. And from the way you’re wincing, I’m guessing your chest hurts too. Be honest with me, alright? How bad is it?"

Ash was quiet for a moment, then let out a small, breathy cough that made his entire body tense. He barely stifled a whimper, his eyes squeezing shut.

Gary’s expression softened. "Oh, Ashy-boy," he murmured. "Why didn’t you call me sooner?"

Ash exhaled shakily. "Didn’t... didn’t wanna bother you..."

Gary rolled his eyes, but there was no real annoyance in it. "Ash, you are my bother—uh, I mean, you are my best friend." He smirked slightly, but the worry in his eyes never faded. "I don’t care if it’s the middle of the night or if I’m in the middle of an important meeting. You call me, got it?"

Ash blinked up at him, his eyes slightly glassy from fever. Then he gave a small nod.

"Good," Gary said. "Now, let me take a look, alright?"

Ash hesitated but didn’t resist when Gary carefully helped him sit up. He still had one arm wrapped around his torso, as if trying to brace himself.

Gary placed two fingers gently against Ash’s sternum. "Breathe in for me, slow and deep."

Ash did as he was told, but the second he inhaled, he winced sharply, his breath cutting off halfway.

Gary frowned. "That bad, huh?"

Ash nodded weakly.

"Okay, that’s it. You’re going to the doctor," Gary declared, already reaching for his bag.

Ash tensed. "Gary, no—"

"Yes," Gary interrupted firmly, turning back to him. "Ash, this could be a chest infection, pneumonia, or something worse. I’m not taking chances with you, alright?"

Ash looked like he wanted to argue, but another wheezy breath made him hesitate.

Gary softened his tone. "Ash, I know you hate hospitals. But I also know you hate feeling like this. So let’s just get this checked out. If they say it’s nothing serious, great. If not, then at least we’ll catch it early, okay?"

Ash hesitated a little longer, then finally, reluctantly, nodded.

Gary let out a relieved breath. "Alright. Let’s get you up." He helped Ash to his feet, steadying him when he wobbled slightly. "And after this, I’m making you the biggest bowl of soup you've ever seen. Sound good?"

Ash gave a tiny, tired smile. "...Only if there's extra noodles."

Gary chuckled. "Of course, Ashy-boy. Extra noodles, just for you."

" Hey, Linda." Gary said, saluting to the receptionist with two fingers.

Linda looked up. " Doctor Gary?!" She exclaimed. " What are you doing here? Isn't today your day off?"

" We-"

" Wait, today's your day off?!" Ash exclaimed.

Gary sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, yeah, it is, but that doesn’t matter right now." He shot Ash a look. "What matters is getting you checked out."

Ash frowned. "But—"

"No buts, Ashy-boy," Gary interrupted, pointing at him. "You’re wheezing, running a fever, and wincing like an old man when you breathe. I might be off-duty, but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna ignore it."

Linda, still looking surprised, glanced between the two. "So, what’s wrong with him?"

Gary sighed, placing a hand on Ash’s shoulder. "I think he’s got a chest infection. His breathing’s bad, and his fever’s not helping. I wanna get him checked out before it gets worse."

Ash grumbled, crossing his arms but immediately wincing at the movement. Gary raised an eyebrow, silently daring him to argue.

Linda nodded, already clicking away at her computer. "Alright, I’ll get you into a room ASAP." She looked up at Ash with a small smile. "Don’t worry, sweetie. We’ll take care of you."

Ash muttered something under his breath, but Gary could still hear the nervousness in his voice. He gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Room 207 is open," Linda said, handing Gary a clipboard.

Gary nodded, taking it. "Thanks, Linda." He turned back to Ash. "Alright, buddy. Let’s go."

Ash sighed but followed, dragging his feet slightly. As they walked down the hall, he glanced up at Gary. "...You really came here on your day off for me?"

Gary smirked. "What kind of best friend would I be if I didn’t?"

Ash blinked, then looked away quickly, mumbling, "Thanks…"

Gary chuckled, nudging him lightly. "Yeah, yeah. Now, let’s get you checked out before you start getting all mushy on me, Ashy-boy."

" Lie down Ashy."

Ash hesitated, his body tense as he glanced at the examination table. His breathing was uneven, and the feverish flush on his cheeks made him look even more miserable.

Gary sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose before placing a steady hand on Ash’s shoulder. “Come on, Ashy-boy. Just lie down for me, alright? It’ll be easier that way.”

Ash bit his lip, clearly uncomfortable. “I don’t need to lie down…”

Gary shot him a pointed look. “Ash.” His voice was firm, but there was a softness to it. “I need to check your breathing properly, and that means you gotta lie down.”

Ash swallowed hard, but the exhaustion in his body won over his stubbornness. Slowly, he let Gary help him ease back onto the table, his head resting against the pillow.

“Good,” Gary murmured, adjusting Ash’s position slightly so he could get a better look at him. He pulled on a pair of gloves, his expression turning more serious as he studied his best friend. “Alright, buddy, I’m gonna check your lungs first.”

Ash’s body was tense again, and Gary could feel how much he was trying to control his trembling. With a sigh, he placed a reassuring hand on Ash’s arm. “Hey. Relax, Ashy. You’re okay. It’s just me.”

Ash let out a shaky breath but didn’t argue.

Gary reached for his stethoscope, slipping it into his ears before lifting Ash’s shirt just a little. “Alright, deep breaths for me, okay?”

Ash sucked in a breath, but it was wheezy and labored. Gary frowned. “Try again, slower this time.”

Ash did, but it wasn’t much better. Gary’s eyes darkened with concern. Yup. Definitely a chest infection.

“Okay,” Gary said, setting the stethoscope aside and reaching up to feel Ash’s neck for any swollen glands. “You’re burning up, buddy.”

Ash muttered, “Feels like it.”

Gary gave him a small smirk but didn’t tease him this time. Instead, he gently squeezed Ash’s shoulder. “I’m gonna have to give you something for this, Ashy-boy.”

Ash’s eyes widened slightly. “Like… medicine?”

Gary hesitated before nodding. “Yeah… and a shot.”

Ash immediately tensed up. “A what?”

Gary sighed, already expecting this reaction. “A shot, Ash. An antibiotic. You need it.”

Ash’s breathing became a little quicker—not from the fever but from fear. His hands curled into fists at his sides, and Gary could see the sheer panic settling in his eyes.

Gary softened. Oh, man… He’s really that scared of needles, huh?

He sat down beside Ash, resting a hand over one of his clenched fists. “Hey… it’s okay, Ashy-boy. You’ll survive, I promise.” His voice was calm, reassuring, like he was talking to a frightened kid.

Ash swallowed thickly, his entire body trembling. “I… I can’t…”

“Yes, you can,” Gary said firmly, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “I know it’s scary, buddy, but I’m right here. You trust me, don’t you?”

Ash hesitated, his wide brown eyes searching Gary’s face. Finally, he gave the smallest nod.

Gary smiled. “Good. Now, first things first—relax your hand for me.”

Ash tried, but his fingers remained tense. Gary hummed, rubbing soothing circles on the back of Ash’s hand. “Come on, buddy. You’re making it harder on yourself. Relax.”

Ash let out a shuddering breath, forcing himself to loosen his grip just a little.

“There we go,” Gary praised, still rubbing his hand. “Okay, before I do anything, I need to take your temperature again.”

Ash tensed again, but before he could panic, Gary reached up and lightly pressed his fingers against Ash’s neck. “See? Nothing scary. Just checking, okay?”

Ash let out another shaky breath, but he didn’t flinch.

Gary smiled. “Alright, I’m gonna go get the shot ready, but you’re not gonna freak out on me, right?”

Ash didn’t answer.

Gary sighed. “I’ll take that as a maybe.”

He stood up and grabbed what he needed, preparing the syringe quickly. Meanwhile, Ash was clearly working himself into another spiral—his legs bouncing, his fingers twitching, his breathing unsteady.

Gary came back over and sat down again, watching Ash with a small frown. Yeah… this isn’t just fear. This is full-on phobia.

With a sigh, he set the syringe aside for a moment and instead pulled Ash into a careful hug, letting him lean into his chest. Ash froze at first, but then his hands weakly clutched at Gary’s sleeve.

“Shhh… it’s okay, Ashy-boy,” Gary murmured, rubbing slow, calming circles on Ash’s back. “You’re okay. I promise. Just breathe, buddy.”

Ash sniffled, burying his face in Gary’s shoulder. His entire body was still trembling.

Gary sighed, hugging him just a little tighter. “Ash… I think you’ve got severe needle phobia.”

Ash let out a watery chuckle. “No kidding…”

Gary smirked slightly, then pulled back just enough to look at him. “Alright, buddy. Let’s get this over with.”

Ash’s breath hitched again, but Gary quickly squeezed his hand. “You’ve got this. Just keep holding onto me if you need to, okay?”

Ash nodded weakly.

Gary gave his hand one last reassuring squeeze before picking up the syringe. “Okay, relax your arm for me, Ashy-boy.”

Ash did not relax.

Gary sighed. “Ash.”

“I can’t,” Ash whispered.

Gary softened, rubbing his arm gently. “I know, buddy. But I need you to try.”

Ash gulped, taking a shaky breath before finally loosening his arm.

“There we go,” Gary praised. “This’ll be over before you know it.”

Ash squeezed his eyes shut as Gary carefully administered the shot. The second the needle went in, Ash let out a quiet whimper, his entire body going stiff.

“Shhh… Almost done,” Gary soothed, his other hand still rubbing slow circles on Ash’s back.

A few seconds later, it was over. Gary pulled the needle away and quickly placed a bandage over the injection site.

“There,” he said gently. “All done, buddy.”

Ash was still trembling, but he finally opened his eyes, blinking at Gary. “...That’s it?”

Gary chuckled. “That’s it. Told you you’d survive, didn’t I?”

Ash let out a deep, shaky breath. He still looked way too overwhelmed, so Gary pulled him back into a hug, letting Ash lean into his chest again.

“You did good, Ashy-boy,” Gary murmured, rubbing his back again. “Real good.”

Ash sniffled but nodded weakly against his shoulder.

Gary smiled softly. Man… Who knew Ash Ketchum, of all people, could be this vulnerable?

But hey. That’s what best friends were for.