Eight year old Gary led his young friend to his bed, where he helped him up and sat in front of him.

" Okay, Ash," He said, reaching for his gloves on the nightstand. " Today's just a simple check. Eyes, ears, mouth, heart... all that good stuff."

Ash, eyes wide, let out a soft whimper. " ... It won't hurt, will it?"

Gary, now slipping on his gloves, paused and gave Ash a reassuring smile. "Nah, buddy. It's just me checking you over, nothing scary."

Ash bit his lip, shifting nervously. "Promise?"

Gary reached out and squeezed his hand. "Pinky promise."

Ash hesitated before slowly hooking his pinky with Gary's. "... Okay."

Gary grinned. "Good. Now, let's start with your eyes."

He grabbed a small flashlight from his nightstand and clicked it on. "Alright, look at me, Ashy Boy."

Ash blinked up at him, his eyes round and uncertain.

"Now follow the light, okay?" Gary moved the beam slowly from side to side.

Ash's gaze tracked it carefully, though he fidgeted in place, his hands gripping the hem of his shirt.

"Good job," Gary praised, clicking the light off. "Now, I'm gonna check your ears."

Ash's fidgeting increased. "... Why?"

Gary chuckled. "Because I gotta make sure you're not hiding anything in there, silly."

Ash made a face. "I don't hide stuff in my ears!"

Gary smirked. "Then you got nothing to worry about."

Ash huffed but stayed still as Gary leaned in with his otoscope.

"Alright, looks good in this one... now the other..."

Gary switched sides, carefully peering inside Ash's ear. "No bugs, no jellybeans. You're all clear."

Ash wrinkled his nose. "Who puts jellybeans in their ears?"

Gary laughed. "You'd be surprised."

Ash giggled softly, finally starting to relax.

"Okay, next is your mouth," Gary said, grabbing a tongue depressor.

Ash immediately stiffened. "D-Do we have to?"

Gary gave him a patient look. "C'mon, Ash. Say 'Aaaaah.'"

Ash whined but eventually obeyed, opening his mouth wide. "Aaaaaah..."

Gary gently pressed his tongue down and took a quick look around. "Alright, your throat looks fine... aaaand done!"

Ash smacked his lips as soon as Gary pulled the stick away. "Bleh."

Gary ruffled his hair. "See? Easy peasy."

Ash puffed out his cheeks. "What's next?"

Gary grabbed his stethoscope and looped it around his neck. "Your heart."

Ash blinked, then looked down at his chest. "It's still there, I promise."

Gary snorted. "I know that, dummy. But I gotta listen to it."

Ash fidgeted again, his fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. "... Will it be cold?"

Gary warmed the diaphragm between his hands before pressing it gently against Ash's chest. "Not anymore."

Ash gasped softly but didn't pull away.

"Take a deep breath for me," Gary instructed.

Ash did, his small chest rising under the stethoscope.

"Good. Now another."

Ash obeyed.

Gary listened carefully, his brow furrowing slightly in focus. "Hmm..."

Ash tensed. "W-What? What's wrong?"

Gary smiled. "Nothing. You sound just fine, buddy."

Ash let out a relieved breath. "Oh. Good."

Gary chuckled, patting his shoulder. "See? That wasn't so bad, was it?"

Ash crossed his arms. "I guess..."

Gary smirked. "You did awesome, Ashy Boy."

Ash's cheeks turned pink, but he looked pleased. "... Thanks, Doctor Gary."

Gary grinned. "Anytime, buddy."