Gary walked into the room, holding a tray with a paper of top. " How's my favorite patient?" He teased.

Ash didn't reply.

Gary blinked. " ... Ash?"

He looked up and saw his poor best friend staring at the tray.

Because he knew exactly what was on it.

Times three.

Gary sighed, setting the tray down on the bedside table. "Ash," he said gently, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Ash barely reacted, his eyes locked onto the tray like it contained his worst nightmare—which, honestly, it kind of did.

Gary reached out, giving Ash's shoulder a small shake. "Come on, buddy, talk to me."

Ash swallowed, finally tearing his gaze away from the tray to look at Gary with a pale, anxious face. "I hate shots."

Gary softened, nodding. "I know, bud."

Ash squirmed under the blanket. "Do we have to do all three?"

"Yeah, we do," Gary admitted, rubbing Ash's arm soothingly. "But we'll take it one at a time, okay? And I'll be right here with you the whole time."

Ash whimpered, gripping the blanket. "I-I don't like it."

Gary nodded. "I know, kiddo. But you're strong, and we'll get through it together. I promise."

Ash still looked unconvinced, so Gary did the only thing he knew would help—he reached for Ash's hand, pulling it into his own. "Here," he said, guiding Ash's fingers to wrap around his wrist. "Hold onto me, okay?"

Ash clutched onto Gary's wrist like a lifeline, his grip trembling slightly.

Gary gave him an encouraging smile. "Good. Now, just focus on me."

Ash sucked in a shaky breath. "O-okay..."

Gary squeezed his hand. "That's my boy."

With that, he reached for the first syringe.

Gary worked quickly, knowing dragging this out would only make it worse for Ash. He snapped on a pair of gloves and uncapped the first syringe, checking for air bubbles as Ash squeezed his wrist tighter.

"Alright, buddy," Gary murmured, voice calm and steady. "I'm gonna do the first one in your arm, okay? It'll be quick."

Ash whimpered, curling in on himself slightly. "C-can't we just... skip it?"

Gary huffed a small laugh. "Nice try, but no. Now, take a deep breath for me."

Ash hesitated but obeyed, inhaling shakily.

"Good, now keep looking at me," Gary instructed, carefully swabbing Ash's upper arm with alcohol. "On three. One..."

He didn't say two. He just did it.

Ash's breath hitched as the needle slipped in, his fingers tightening around Gary's wrist so hard it almost hurt. But Gary didn't flinch. He just kept his eyes on Ash's face, watching every reaction, ready to stop if needed.

"Aaand done," Gary said a second later, pulling the needle out and pressing a cotton ball against the spot. "One down."

Ash let out a shaky breath, his grip still vice-like on Gary's wrist.

Gary smiled, rubbing his thumb reassuringly over the back of Ash's hand. "You're doing great, buddy. Two more to go."

Ash made a weak noise of protest. "I hate this..."

"I know, kiddo. But you're handling it like a champ," Gary assured, reaching for the second syringe. "Same thing, okay? Deep breath."

Ash whimpered again but listened, his eyes squeezed shut as he prepared for round two.

Gary worked just as fast, pressing the second needle in before Ash could overthink it. The poor kid jumped slightly, whining through his teeth.

"Almost done," Gary murmured, rubbing Ash's arm once he finished. "Last one's in your thigh, alright?"

Ash's eyes shot open, panic flickering through them. "No—no, no, not there!"

Gary squeezed his hand gently. "Hey, I know it sucks, but this one has to go in the muscle. It'll be over in a second, I promise."

Ash whined again, squirming under the blanket. "Nuh-uh, I don't wanna!"

Gary sighed. "I know, buddy, but you need it. Just hold onto me, okay?"

Ash sniffled but didn't let go of Gary's wrist.

Gary pulled back the blanket slightly and rested a hand on Ash's thigh. "I'm gonna clean the area first," he warned. "Then we're done, I swear."

Ash just buried his face into Gary's arm, muttering muffled protests.

Gary felt a pang of sympathy but pushed forward, swiping the alcohol pad over Ash's skin. "Last deep breath, bud."

Ash shuddered, gripping Gary's wrist for dear life.

And just like before, Gary didn't count to three.

Ash tensed with a sharp inhale, but the needle was in and out in seconds.

"Aaand that's it," Gary announced, tossing the syringe away and covering the spot with a bandage. "All done, Ashy-boy."

Ash exhaled shakily, his grip on Gary loosening as his muscles uncoiled. "...That sucked."

Gary chuckled, ruffling Ash's hair. "Yeah, but you did awesome, buddy."

Ash pouted but let himself be pulled into a hug.

Gary held him close, rubbing his back. "Proud of you, kiddo."

Ash mumbled something sleepily into Gary's shoulder, and Gary just smiled, letting him rest.