Gary exhaled softly, watching Ash's weak little smile fade into another miserable groan. His best friend looked absolutely pitiful—glassy eyes, flushed cheeks, and a fevered sheen over his skin.

Gary wasn't having it.

"Alright, buddy, I need to check your eyes next." He reached into his bag, pulling out a penlight.

Ash let out a quiet whine, shifting weakly in the blankets. "Mmm... whyyyyyy?"

Gary snapped his fingers lightly in front of Ash's face. "Hey, stay with me. Just a quick check, promise."

Ash blinked slowly, his glassy eyes unfocused as he lifted a shaky hand toward Gary's arm but missed. Gary sighed, taking Ash's hand himself and placing it back down on his chest. "Easy, kid. Just let me do my thing."

Ash huffed out a weak breath but didn't fight.

Gary flicked on the penlight, carefully lifting Ash's chin to get a better angle. He swept the light across Ash's pupils, watching them react. His movements were slow and precise, checking for any sluggishness or uneven dilation.

Ash flinched at the brightness, his fingers twitching. "Hrrmph... bright..."

"I know, buddy, I know." Gary murmured, his voice softer now. "Almost done."

He moved to check the other eye, watching how Ash's pupils constricted. His reaction time wasn't bad, but they were definitely a little slow.

Gary clicked the light off and tucked it away, his frown deepening. "You're burning up, Ash. Probably dehydrated, too."

Ash groaned. "M'fine..."

"You are so not fine."

Gary pressed the back of his hand to Ash's flushed cheek, feeling the heat radiating from his skin. His fingers ghosted down to Ash's pulse point, pressing gently to check his heart rate. A few seconds passed, and yeah, his pulse was definitely faster than it should've been.

"Your heart's working overtime," Gary muttered. "You need fluids, now."

Ash made a weak grumbling sound, trying to curl deeper into the blankets. "Mmm'not thirsty..."

"Tough luck." Gary reached for the water bottle on the nearby table, twisting the cap off. "C'mon, Ashy Boy, you're drinking whether you like it or not."

Ash scrunched his nose but barely put up a fight as Gary carefully helped him sit up against the couch cushions. His body felt too weak, too sluggish—he was exhausted just from existing.

Gary brought the water bottle to Ash's lips. "Small sips. Don't go chugging it all at once."

Ash took a slow sip, then another, his hands trembling slightly as he tried to hold the bottle himself. Gary let him, but kept a steadying hand nearby just in case.

"Good, keep going," Gary encouraged. "You're not passing out on my watch."

Ash sluggishly drank a little more before slumping back against the cushions, letting out a slow exhale. "Mmmm... tired..."

Gary nodded. "Yeah, I bet." But he wasn't done yet.

Carefully, he lifted Ash's arm, pressing his fingers against his wrist to check his circulation. His skin was warmer than usual, but his fingertips were slightly cooler, probably from dehydration. His grip was weak too, fingers barely curling around Gary's hand when he tested his strength.

"Alright, squeeze my hand, bud," Gary instructed, offering his fingers.

Ash's brows scrunched in confusion but he obeyed, giving the tiniest squeeze.

Gary sighed. "Yeah, that's what I thought."

Ash frowned sleepily. "What's that supposed t'mean?"

"It means you need rest and hydration."

Ash hummed. "Mmm. Knew that."

Gary rolled his eyes, adjusting the blankets around Ash's feverish body. "Yeah? Then why aren't you taking care of yourself?"

Ash's response was just a slow, tired blink.

Gary softened, brushing some sweaty strands of hair away from Ash's forehead. "I got you, buddy. You're not dealing with this alone."

Ash's glassy eyes flickered to Gary's, exhaustion weighing heavy on him. He smiled faintly, his hand barely managing to reach up and weakly grip Gary's wrist again. "Mmm... Gary's here..."

Gary let out a breath of laughter. "Yeah, buddy. I'm here."