Gary immediately slammed his book shut and scrambled off the bed. "Ashy-boy, why didn't you tell me sooner?!"

Ash shrunk back, clutching his jaw. "I—I didn't wanna bother you..."

Gary's heart ached. He grabbed Ash's wrist and tugged him toward the bed. "Dummy. You always tell me when something's wrong."

Ash hesitated but let Gary pull him up onto the bed. His cheeks were a little flushed, his fingers trembling slightly as he rubbed at his sore jaw.

Gary sighed, reaching for the box of gloves he kept on his nightstand—because, of course, he always kept medical supplies on hand. He snapped them on with practiced ease before turning back to his friend.

"Okay, buddy," Gary said gently. "Lemme see."

Ash blinked, gripping his pajama pants nervously. "D-Do you have to?"

Gary huffed. "Ash, c'mon. I can't help if I don't check."

Ash whined but slowly opened his mouth.

Gary carefully placed his fingers under Ash's jaw, feeling along the sides. "Any of this hurt?"

Ash winced when Gary pressed near his lower molars. "M-Mmhm..."

Gary frowned. He reached over, grabbing a small flashlight and a hand mirror from his drawer. "Okay, open wide, buddy."

Ash hesitated, gripping the blanket under him.

Gary sighed and reached for his friend's hand, giving it a squeeze. "Hey, it's just me, Ashy-boy. You're okay."

Ash swallowed but slowly loosened his grip. His lips parted reluctantly.

"There ya go," Gary praised softly. He carefully lifted Ash's tongue with the mirror, shining the flashlight inside. His brows furrowed. "Huh... Looks like your gums are kinda swollen."

Ash whimpered, shifting uncomfortably.

Gary pulled back and patted Ash's knee. "Okay, buddy, I'm gonna feel your throat real quick, okay?"

Ash bit his lip but nodded.

Gary's fingers pressed lightly under Ash's jaw, moving down to his neck. "Swallow for me?"

Ash obeyed, wincing slightly.

Gary definitely felt some swelling. His frown deepened.

"Well, kid, looks like you've got some real unhappy gums," Gary muttered, pulling off his gloves. "Might be teething or an infection. Either way, we gotta do something about it."

Ash pouted. "I don't want to do anything about it."

Gary smirked. "Yeah, well, I don't wanna hear you whining all night, so we're gonna fix it."

Ash groaned and flopped onto the bed dramatically. "Garyyyy..."

Gary just patted his head. "C'mon, drama queen, let's go rinse your mouth and get you something cold to chew on."

Ash whined again but let Gary pull him up, still clutching his sore jaw.

Gary rolled his eyes fondly. This kid, seriously.

Gary immediately slammed his book shut and tossed it onto the nightstand. "Oh no, you are not going anywhere, Ashy-boy. Sit your butt down right now."

Ash hesitated in the doorway, fiddling with the hem of his shirt. "B-But—"

"But nothing," Gary interrupted, already jumping off his bed. He rushed to his desk, yanked open a drawer, and pulled out a pair of tiny gloves. "You said your teeth hurt? Where? How bad?"

Ash shifted nervously. "I dunno... just kinda all over..."

Gary narrowed his eyes, snapping on the gloves with a seriousness far beyond his eight years. "Okay. C'mere."

Ash hesitated before slowly climbing onto Gary's bed, sitting awkwardly as his best friend knelt beside him.

"Open up," Gary ordered.

Ash whined. "Do I have to?"

Gary huffed. "Ash. You literally came to me for help."

Ash pouted but slowly opened his mouth.

"Atta boy," Gary murmured, gently tilting Ash's chin up with one hand. His other hand moved carefully, pressing along Ash's jawline.

Ash flinched.

Gary froze. "That hurt?"

Ash hesitated, then nodded. "A l-little..."

Gary frowned. He pressed gently along the sides of Ash's face, his gloved fingers moving methodically. "Hurt here?"

Ash shook his head.

"Here?"

A wince. "Mmmhmmm..."

Gary hummed thoughtfully, then moved on, gently pressing under Ash's chin. "And here?"

Ash squirmed, grabbing Gary's wrist with his tiny hands. "D-Don't like that..."

Gary softened immediately. "I know, buddy. But I gotta check, okay?"

Ash whined, but he didn't let go.

Gary sighed and gave his wrist a reassuring squeeze. "Alright, I'll be quick."

He carefully pried Ash's mouth open wider and leaned in, squinting. "Lemme see... your gums look normal... no wiggly teeth..."

Ash mumbled something, but it was too garbled to understand.

Gary snorted. "Dude, I have no idea what you just said."

Ash tried again. "I said my throat feels funny too..."

Gary's eyebrows shot up. "Why didn't you lead with that?!"

Ash whined. "I dunno! I thought maybe it was just my teeth!"

Gary sighed dramatically and reached for his nightstand. He grabbed a tiny flashlight and a small mirror. "Alright, stick your tongue out."

Ash hesitated. "...Do I have to?"

Gary leveled him with a look.

Ash groaned but reluctantly obeyed.

Gary flicked on the flashlight and shined it into Ash's mouth, peering inside. He frowned. "Your throat's really red..."

Ash blinked. "Is that bad?"

Gary hummed. "Could be a sore throat. Or maybe a cold. Maybe you've been breathing through your mouth too much."

Ash pouted. "So what do I do...?"

Gary peeled off his gloves and sat back on his heels. "First, you rest. Second, you drink lots of water. Third..." He leaned over and booped Ash's nose. "You tell me sooner next time."

Ash pouted harder.

Gary smirked. "Oh, don't give me that look. C'mon, I'll get you some warm water."

Ash blinked, then grinned. "With honey?"

Gary rolled his eyes but grinned back. "Yeah, yeah. With honey."

And just like that, Ash's worried frown melted into a sleepy, grateful smile.