Gary watched from the doorway as his poor best friend coughed in his blanket, sighing and walking over. " Okay, Ash. Spill. What's going on?*

Ash opened a weak eye and stifled a  cough. " W- what are you doing here? I th- thought you were bus- sy!"

Gary rolled his eyes. " Kid. You really think I'd be out researching when even Professor Rowan is worried about those coughs of yours?"

Ash winced as another cough wracked his small frame. He quickly clutched his blanket tighter around him, trying to keep warm, though he couldn’t shake the discomfort in his chest. "I’m fine, Gary," he muttered, but the sound was barely a whisper.

Gary raised an eyebrow, his hands on his hips as he surveyed his best friend. “Really? ‘Cause from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re far from fine. You’ve been coughing all night, Ash. You’re sweating like crazy and you’ve got that weird, pale look on your face.” He reached out to gently feel Ash’s forehead, frowning at the warmth he felt there. “Definitely not fine.”

Ash groaned, sinking back into his pillows. “I didn’t want to bother you. You’re always busy with your research stuff. I can handle it.”

Gary snorted, shaking his head. “Kid, you can’t even handle a cold without trying to tough it out. You’re lucky I’m here, because I don’t trust you to do anything on your own when you’re like this.”

Ash blinked up at him, still weak but appreciative. “I’m just... not used to asking for help. I don’t want to be a bother.”

Gary sighed deeply, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “You’re my best friend, Ash. You’re never a bother. You think I’d leave you hanging when you need help?” His voice softened. “I’m here to help, always. You know that, right?”

Ash’s eyes glistened with emotion as he nodded. “Yeah... I know, Gary. Thanks.” He sniffed, still trying to hold back more coughing.

Gary’s expression became serious, his hands now moving to carefully check Ash's breathing. “Alright, I’m gonna check you out. Let’s see what we’re dealing with here.” He reached for his stethoscope, moving gently to listen to Ash's chest, feeling the uneven rhythm in his lungs.

Ash winced as Gary pressed the stethoscope into his chest, trying not to cough, but failing miserably. Gary furrowed his brow. “You’ve got a lot of congestion, buddy. That’s not just a simple cold.”

Ash groaned and let out another weak cough. “I told you... I’m fine.”

Gary glared at him, tapping the stethoscope lightly against Ash’s ribs. “Fine, huh? I don’t think so. This isn’t something you can brush off.” He stood up, a little more serious now, and went to grab a thermometer from his bag. “I’m taking your temperature, and we’re getting you some rest, whether you like it or not.”

Ash looked up at Gary, his eyes still tired, but now with a little more understanding. He tried to sit up, but the dizziness made him lean back again, his body suddenly feeling heavy and weak.

Gary helped him prop up a few pillows behind his back, placing the thermometer gently in Ash's mouth. “Hold still,” he instructed, watching carefully as the thermometer beeped a few minutes later.

He pulled it out, glancing at the readout. “101°F... Ash, that’s too high for you to be walking around with. You need to rest, drink fluids, and stay warm. I’m telling Rowan about this.” He looked at Ash with a worried frown, then immediately grabbed his phone to text Professor Rowan, keeping his voice gentle. “Rowan’s going to want to know what’s going on. We can’t take chances, especially with how bad it is already.”

Ash groaned, leaning back into the pillows as he closed his eyes. “I don’t want to be a burden…”

Gary set his phone down and sat by the bed again, reaching out to pat Ash’s hand reassuringly. “You’re not a burden, Ash. You’re my best friend, and I’m gonna make sure you’re better. So stop worrying, alright?”

Ash smiled weakly, appreciating the care even as he felt miserable. “Thanks, Gary... You’re... always there for me, huh?”

Gary chuckled lightly, his voice warm. “Of course I am. You’d do the same for me. Now get some sleep. I’m gonna be right here, checking on you. We’ll get through this together.”