Gary rubbed his temples, already bracing himself for what was coming. Of course, it had to be him. He could handle plenty of stubborn trainers, but there was only one person in the world who managed to make every single medical visit an ordeal.

Tessa returned moments later, guiding in a very familiar, very battered Pokémon Trainer.

Ash Ketchum stood there, swaying slightly, dirt smudged across his face, one arm clutching his ribs. His clothes were torn in places, and Pikachu sat on his shoulder, looking just as concerned as Gary felt.

“Yo, Gary!” Ash greeted, his usual grin plastered on his face despite the fact that he looked like he had been run over by a Tauros. “Long time no see, huh?”

Gary exhaled slowly, fixing him with an unimpressed look. “Ash, you look like a disaster zone. Again.”

Ash chuckled, wincing as he did so. “Ah, I’m fine. Just a little fall.”

Tessa coughed. “He was poisoned by a Koffing and fell out of a tree.”

Gary groaned. “Why am I not surprised?” He pinched the bridge of his nose before standing up. “Alright, genius, sit down before you collapse on my floor.”

Ash flopped onto the examination table, swinging his legs idly as if he weren’t possibly dying from poison. Pikachu hopped down beside him, his ears twitching worriedly.

Gary grabbed his stethoscope, pressing it to Ash’s chest. “Deep breath, for once in your life.”

Ash inhaled deeply, then coughed slightly. Gary frowned. “Lungs sound clear, at least. But I can tell you’re poisoned, so let’s take care of that.”

Ash waved him off. “It’s not that bad—”

Gary grabbed his wrist, feeling his pulse. “Ash, your heart rate is racing, you’re pale, and you’re sweating. You can not just walk off poison.”

Ash huffed. “I mean, I could.”

Gary shot him a flat look. “You’re not walking it off.”

Ash groaned in protest as Gary turned away, grabbing a syringe from his tray. He didn’t even mention it, keeping his movements casual. Instead, he kept the conversation flowing.

“Tell me about the Budew. Was it worth nearly cracking your skull?”

Ash perked up. “Oh! Yeah! It was stuck in the branches, and I couldn’t just leave it there. So I climbed up, but then the Koffing—”

As Ash animatedly gestured with his free hand, Gary expertly rolled up his sleeve with practiced ease, swabbed his arm, and smoothly pressed the antidote shot into his skin in one swift movement.

Ash barely twitched.

“—anyway, the Budew was really scared, but I—” Ash suddenly paused, blinking. His expression flickered in confusion as he looked at his arm. “Huh?”

Gary kept a straight face. “What?”

Ash frowned, rubbing his arm absently. “Weird, my arm kinda stung for a second.”

Gary smirked, turning away to dispose of the used syringe. “Maybe because you fell out of a tree?”

Ash blinked. “Oh. Yeah. Maybe.”

Gary barely suppressed his grin. He’d done it.

Again.

Successfully administered a shot without Ash realizing.

A miracle.

Tessa, standing in the doorway, had to physically hold back her laughter.

Ash just continued, blissfully unaware. “So anyway, the Budew was fine in the end! It ran off back to its mom.”

Gary shook his head fondly. “Of course it did.”

Then he turned back, crossing his arms. “Alright, Ashy-boy. Now that you’re fine, I’m keeping you here for observation for a little while. No arguments.”

Ash groaned dramatically, flopping back against the table. “Come on, Garyyyy!”

Gary rolled his eyes. “Relax. It’s just a little rest.”

Ash sighed but didn’t argue further. Instead, he blinked at Gary. “Hey, wait. Didn’t I need a shot for the poison or something?”

Gary smirked, walking out of the room. “Who knows, Ketchum? Guess we’ll never find out.”

Tessa finally lost it, covering her mouth to stifle her laugh.

Ash just sat there, utterly baffled. “...Huh?”