Gary looked up from the computer and walked to Ash, slipping his stethoscope on and gently slipping the disc under Ash's shirt.

Ash flinched from the cold, but managed to stay still.

" Okay Ash.... In... Out. Good boy. Okay, again. One more time... There."

Gary took the stethoscope out of Ash's shirt and rubbed his hand reassuringly before walking to his back and slipping the stethoscope under there. " Okay, Ash. I want you to take a deep breath. In through your nose, out through your mouth. Yeah, kiddo, that's it. One more, okay?"

Ash took one last shaky breath, his mind drifting on what to come.

Gary grabbed the otoscope tip from the holder and placed it on the device, gently tilting his head to get a good look. " Your ears look good, Ashy. No buildups.... You do a good job cleaning your ears."

Ash let out a nervous chuckle. " Th... Thanks Gary."

Gary smiled, then took the tip off and held it in front of Ash's eyes. " Look at my nose, Ash. Keep your eyes on it."

Ash obeyed, his fists clenching and his heart racing, though Gary wasn't wearing his coat

At least, after what they had found out last time.

Before he could keep thinking, Gary reached for the gloves and put a pair on, tilting Ash's chin up. " Say ' ah', big guy."

" Ahhhh...." Ash mumbled, voice wavy.

Gary quickly checked and flashed Ash a smile. " Your teeth are good too, Ashy."

Ash nodded nervously as Gary helped him scoot up the table and lie down, one hand behind Ash's back

" Kid, is it okay if I lift this up a bit?" Gary asked gently, hands hovering over Ash's shirt.

" S... Sure..."

Gary smiled reassuringly. " Thanks, Ash."

He moved quickly, lifting the fabric and feeling around Ash's stomach for any hardness. Ash fought the urge to laugh, though a small whimper escaped.

Gary pat Ash's stomach before turning to wash his hands, peeling his gloves off. " You did good, kid. Now we've got one more thing."

Ash's sharp eyes widened as he noticed Gary putting new gloves on and ripping a bandaid, sticking it to his glove

" C... Can I go use the restroom?" Ash squeaked.

Gary turned to face Ash, crossing his arms with a knowing look. "Nice try, kiddo, but I know that trick."

Ash swallowed hard, his hands gripping the edge of the exam table. "N-No, seriously, I—"

Gary walked over, placing a firm yet gentle hand on Ash’s shoulder. "Ash, listen to me." His voice was soft, steady, the way he spoke when he wanted to calm a nervous Pokémon. "I know you’re scared. But you’re gonna be okay. I promise."

Ash’s breathing hitched, his whole body tense as he glanced at the tray where the syringe lay waiting. His heart was hammering so hard it felt like it might burst out of his chest.

Gary kneeled down a little to meet Ash’s eye level. "I won’t do anything until you’re ready. But running won’t change that you need this, okay?" He rubbed Ash’s back in slow circles, feeling the tremors in his muscles.

Ash bit his lip, his breath shaky. "I don’t—I don’t know if I can do this, Gary…"

Gary squeezed his hand. "Yeah, you can, Ashy-boy. And you’re not doing it alone. I’m right here."

Ash sniffled, his body betraying him as tears welled up in his eyes. He never cried. But this was different. It wasn’t just fear—it was terror, the kind that made his skin crawl and his vision blur.

Gary’s heart ached at the sight. He had never seen Ash like this before. Not when he was covered in bruises from training, not when he was exhausted from pushing himself too hard, not even when he lost in the League.

This was something deep-rooted.

Gary exhaled, sitting beside Ash on the table and letting the younger boy lean into his chest. He rested a hand on the back of Ash’s head, gently running his fingers through his messy black hair. "Shhh… It’s okay, Ashy. You’re safe. You’re okay."

Ash let out a shaky breath, clutching onto Gary’s arm like a lifeline.

Gary let him stay like that for a moment, just breathing, letting the panic settle as much as it could.

Then, after a long pause, he spoke softly. "How about this? I’ll hold your hand the whole time. You won’t even have to look. We’ll go slow, alright?"

Ash hesitated, then gave the smallest nod against Gary’s chest.

Gary smiled, rubbing his back one last time before sitting up. "Alright, big guy. Let’s get this over with."

He guided Ash to rest his arm on his lap, fingers gently massaging his bicep. "Try to relax, okay? Keeping your arm loose will make it way easier. Trust me."

Ash swallowed hard, unclenching his fist with visible effort.

Gary gave him a reassuring squeeze. "Good. Just keep breathing."

Ash squeezed his eyes shut as Gary prepped the needle.

"Alright, count with me. One… two…"

Prick.

Ash tensed—but then it was over before he even reached three.

Gary pressed a cotton ball to the tiny spot and smiled. "All done, kiddo. You survived."

Ash peeked one eye open. "…That’s it?"

Gary chuckled. "That’s it." He smoothed the bandaid over Ash’s arm. "Told ya you’d be okay."

Ash let out a shaky breath, wiping his damp eyes. "I—I still hate this…"

Gary ruffled his hair with a grin. "Yeah, yeah. But you did great, Ashy-boy."

Ash grumbled, but when Gary held out his fist, he hesitated—then bumped it.

Gary smirked. "Proud of you, kid."