He set his bag on the table and walked over to his best friend, who was miserably lying down on the couch.

" Okay, spill. What's wrong, Ashy Boy?"

Ash didn't reply, and Gary sighed, sitting on the edge of the couch near Ash's feet, reaching out to rub his back. " Ash, it's not a rhetorical question. I mean it. What's wrong?"

" Nothing...."

Gary raised a brow. " If it was nothing you wouldn't be sitting he-"

He stopped when he noticed Ash wince, his face scrunching in discomfort.

" Ash," he said, his voice gentler. " What's wrong? Just tell me so I can help, buddy."

Ash shook his head. " Nothing." He said, his voice wheezy.

Gary's eyebrows shot up. " Ash, it's your chest, isn't it?"

Ash flinched, and Gary sighed. Bingo.

Gary's gaze softened as he watched his best friend try—and fail—to hide his discomfort. Ash was curled up on the couch, arms crossed protectively over his chest, his breaths coming in shallow, wheezy puffs. His face was slightly flushed, his bangs sticking to his forehead, and Gary could tell from the way his shoulders shook that he was not okay.

With a sigh, Gary scooted closer and placed a gentle hand on Ash’s back, rubbing slow circles between his shoulder blades. "Ash, come on. Don’t pull this ‘I’m fine’ act with me. I know you better than that."

Ash bit his lip, refusing to meet Gary’s eyes. He shifted slightly but winced, his whole body tensing. His breathing hitched, and Gary could hear the slight rattle in his chest.

Gary frowned. "Alright, that’s it."

Before Ash could protest, Gary reached forward and pressed the back of his hand against Ash’s forehead. Sure enough, he was running a low-grade fever. Not too high, but enough to make Gary even more concerned.

"Ash, you’re burning up," Gary said, his tone firmer now. "And your breathing sounds awful. How long has this been going on?"

Ash mumbled something incoherent, burying his face into the couch cushion.

Gary sighed. "Ash. How long?"

Ash hesitated before mumbling, "...since last night."

Gary groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Seriously, Ash? And you didn’t think to tell anyone?"

Ash shrugged weakly. "Didn’t wanna bother anyone..."

Gary rolled his eyes. "You’re literally my best friend. You think I’d be bothered by making sure you don’t, I dunno, keel over from a chest infection or something?"

Ash sniffled and gave a halfhearted shrug, but his whole body was trembling slightly now.

Gary exhaled, his annoyance fading into concern. "Okay, sit up for me."

Ash groaned. "Dun' wanna..."

"Yeah, well, tough luck, buddy," Gary said, already moving to help him. "I need to check your breathing, and you can’t do that if you’re smushed into the couch like a pancake."

Ash grumbled weakly but let Gary pull him upright. The moment he was sitting up, he swayed slightly, his head drooping.

Gary steadied him, keeping one hand on his shoulder. "Whoa there, Ashy-boy. You good?"

Ash blinked slowly. "Dizzy..."

Gary frowned. Not good.

"Alright, deep breaths," Gary instructed, moving his hand to Ash’s chest. "In through your nose, out through your mouth. Nice and slow."

Ash tried, but the moment he inhaled too deeply, he coughed—hard. His whole body shuddered with the force of it, and Gary didn’t like the way the cough sounded. It was wet, rattling, and left Ash gasping for air afterward.

Gary rubbed his back soothingly, his worry growing. "Yeah, that’s definitely not good. Ash, have you been coughing like this all day?"

Ash nodded weakly, eyes glassy with fever.

Gary exhaled. "Alright, that settles it. You, my friend, have a really nasty chest infection. We need to get some medicine in you, now."

Ash groaned, slumping against Gary’s side. "Don’t wanna..."

Gary rolled his eyes but let Ash lean on him, rubbing his back in slow, steady circles. "Yeah, well, you don’t have a choice, buddy. You’re sick. And if you think I’m gonna sit back and let you get worse, you clearly don’t know me at all."

Ash sighed, pressing his forehead against Gary’s shoulder. His breathing was still too fast, too shallow, and Gary could feel how warm he was even through his clothes.

With a soft sigh, Gary tightened his hold around Ash, rubbing his back comfortingly. "Shhh... it’s okay, Ashy-boy. I got you. Just relax, alright? You’re not dealing with this alone."

Ash didn’t respond, but the way he clung to Gary just a little tighter told him that, deep down, Ash knew he was in good hands.

Gary ran a hand through his hair, his concern deepening. Ash was terrible at admitting when something was wrong, but that wheezy voice and the way he was wincing? Yeah, something was definitely wrong.

"Alright, Ashy-boy," Gary said, scooting closer and resting a hand on Ash’s shoulder. "You’re not fooling me. How long has your chest been hurting?"

Ash shifted uncomfortably, refusing to meet Gary’s eyes. "It’s... not that bad," he muttered, but the way his breath hitched at the end completely ruined the lie.

Gary narrowed his eyes. "Uh-huh. And by 'not that bad,' you mean really bad, don’t you?"

Ash didn’t answer, just pulled his knees up slightly as if curling in on himself.

Gary sighed. "Okay, let me check, alright?" He reached out carefully, pressing his hand against Ash’s chest just below the collarbone. The moment he applied even the slightest pressure, Ash flinched hard, his breath coming in a short, sharp gasp.

Gary’s expression darkened. "Ash, that’s not nothing," he said, his tone serious now.

Ash squeezed his eyes shut. "I’ll be fine..."

Gary rolled his eyes. "No, you won’t, you moron," he muttered, but his voice was more worried than annoyed. He reached up, brushing Ash’s bangs away from his forehead. It was damp with sweat.

Gary frowned. Fever?

Without another word, he pressed the back of his hand against Ash’s forehead, and sure enough, it was warm.

"Geez, Ash," Gary muttered. "You’ve got a fever too? Why didn’t you say anything?"

Ash just gave him a weak, sheepish look, but Gary wasn’t amused.

"Alright, sit up," he said firmly. "I need to listen to your breathing."

Ash groaned. "Gary, c’mon—"

"Ash," Gary interrupted, crossing his arms. "You can either sit up and let me check, or I’ll call your mom and have her do it instead. Your choice."

Ash immediately shot him a betrayed glare. "You wouldn’t."

Gary smirked. "Try me."

Ash groaned again but slowly pushed himself up, wincing at the effort. Gary could hear how strained his breathing was—slightly raspy, like he had to work harder just to take in air.

Gary’s smirk faded. Yeahhhh, that’s not good.

"Okay, deep breath for me," he said, pressing his stethoscope to Ash’s chest.

Ash hesitated but did as he was told. The second he inhaled, though, his face twisted in discomfort, and he let out a rough, wheezing cough.

Gary didn’t like the sound of that at all.

"...Ash, how long have you been feeling like this?" he asked, pulling back and giving Ash a sharp look.

Ash shrugged. "Dunno... since this morning?"

Gary pinched the bridge of his nose. "So you’ve been sitting here all day, miserable, not telling anyone?!"

Ash gave a small, guilty nod.

Gary sighed, rubbing his temples. "You are so dumb sometimes, you know that?" But his voice was more fond than frustrated.

Ash pouted. "I didn’t wanna bother anyone..." he mumbled, avoiding Gary’s gaze like a guilty child caught sneaking snacks before dinner.

Gary scoffed, running a hand down his face. "Bother? Ash, you’re literally sitting here wheezing like a broken vacuum cleaner. That’s not normal!"

Ash pouted harder, like that would somehow protect him from the incoming lecture.

Gary sighed. "Alright, fine. But we need to do something about this." He pulled his bag onto his lap and started rummaging through it.

Ash squinted at him suspiciously. "What... exactly are you looking for?"

Gary didn’t answer right away, but when he finally pulled out a syringe, Ash’s face immediately drained of color. His eyes widened to the size of Poké Balls, and his whole body went rigid.

"No. Nope. No way." Ash started shaking his head so fast it was a miracle it didn’t fall off. "No needles, Gary! I’m fine! I’ll drink a gallon of gross medicine, I swear—just no needles!"

Gary raised an eyebrow. "Ash, it’s just a shot."

Ash clutched the couch cushion like it was a life raft in a storm. "Just a shot?! Just a shot?! Gary, that thing is a harpoon!"

Gary blinked at him. "It’s a tiny needle, Ash. Tiny."

"That’s what they all say!" Ash practically shrieked, his trembling intensifying to the point that Gary was convinced he might actually bolt. His eyes were wild with pure, undiluted terror.

Gary frowned. "Ash... are you seriously that scared of needles?"

Ash didn’t answer, but his entire body was practically vibrating. His breathing had gotten faster, almost frantic, and his hands were balled into fists so tight his knuckles had gone white.

Gary stared. Oh, no.

He’d never actually seen Ash like this before. Sure, Ash had whined about shots in the past, but this? This was fear. Real, paralyzing fear.

Gary’s grip on the syringe loosened, his expression softening.

"Hey, hey... shhh, it’s okay," he murmured, setting the needle down on the table. He reached out, placing a firm but gentle hand on Ash’s shoulder. "You’re alright, Ashy-boy. Deep breaths, okay?"

Ash wasn’t even listening. His whole body was stiff, his breaths coming in shallow, uneven gasps. His eyes darted to the needle, then back to Gary, then to the needle again, like a cornered Pokémon looking for an escape route.

Gary sighed and, without thinking, pulled Ash closer, letting the trembling boy lean against his chest.

Ash didn’t resist. In fact, the moment he felt the steady rhythm of Gary’s heartbeat, his own ragged breaths hitched, and he clutched onto Gary’s jacket like a lifeline.

Gary rubbed slow, soothing circles on Ash’s back. "Shhh... it’s okay, Ashy-boy. You’re okay," he whispered. "You’re safe. Just breathe."

Ash’s shaking didn’t stop, but it lessened. The rapid rise and fall of his chest gradually slowed, and his death grip on Gary’s jacket loosened just slightly.

Gary sighed in relief. "That’s it... good. Just keep breathing, alright?"

Ash sniffled against him, his voice barely a whisper. "...I hate needles."

Gary let out a soft chuckle. "Yeah, no kidding, buddy."

Ash stayed clung to him for a long moment before he hesitantly pulled back, eyes still glossy with unshed tears. "Do I... have to?" he asked weakly.

Gary sighed. "Look, I won’t force you. But, Ash, this shot will help you feel better a lot faster. I promise I’ll make it quick."

Ash bit his lip, clearly torn.

Gary smiled a little. "Here, let me help, okay? First, relax your arm for me."

Ash’s hand was still tense, his fingers twitching slightly as he tried to muster the courage to cooperate.

Gary took Ash’s hand in his own, squeezing it reassuringly before gently rubbing his thumb over the back of it. "Relax, kiddo. I know it’s scary, but trust me, it’ll be over before you even realize it."

Ash swallowed hard, his breathing still shaky. "...Will it hurt?"

Gary considered lying, but he knew Ash would see right through it. Instead, he opted for honesty.

"It’ll sting a little," he admitted. "But if you relax, it won’t be as bad. Tensing up makes it worse."

Ash was still trembling, so Gary reached up and lightly pressed two fingers against the side of Ash’s neck.

"See?" he said. "Your muscles get all tight when you’re scared. That’s why relaxing helps—it makes things easier for both of us."

Ash sniffled. "I don’t feel relaxed."

Gary chuckled. "Yeah, no kidding. But I’m right here, okay? Just hold onto me if you need to."

Ash hesitated, then cautiously leaned into him again, gripping his sleeve tightly.

Gary’s voice was soft. "That’s it, buddy. You’re doing great."

Ash sucked in a shaky breath and gave a small, reluctant nod. "O-okay... just... just do it before I change my mind."

Gary smiled. "Atta boy. Alright, count to three with me. One... two—"

And before Ash could even get to three, Gary had already given the shot, quick and precise.

Ash flinched slightly, but the expected horrible pain never came. He blinked in surprise.

"...Wait. That’s it?"

Gary smirked. "Yup. Told you it wouldn’t be that bad."

Ash stared at him in shock, then pouted. "You tricked me!"

Gary ruffled his hair with a laugh. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But hey, you survived!"

Ash huffed, but despite himself, he felt a little proud. "...I guess."

Gary grinned. "Alright, Ashy-boy. No more scaring me like that, got it?"

Ash sniffled one last time and nodded. "Got it."

Gary squeezed his shoulder. "Good. Now, how about some hot chocolate?"

Ash perked up immediately. "With marshmallows?"

Gary chuckled. "Obviously."

And just like that, the worst was over.