" Garyyyyyyyy!" Eight year old Ash wailed, half pleading half crying. " My ear huuuurts?"

Gary looked up from his desk. " What?"

Gary barely had time to process Ash’s words before his best friend came barreling toward him, clutching his ear with both hands, his eyes shiny with tears.

"Garyyyyyy!" Ash wailed again, his voice thick with distress. "It huuurts!"

Gary immediately pushed his chair back and stood. "Alright, alright, calm down." He gently grabbed Ash’s shoulders, guiding him closer. "Let me see."

Ash shook his head wildly, whining. "Noooo, what if you rip it off?!"

Gary blinked. "...Ash. Why the hell would I rip off your ear?"

Ash sniffled. "I dunno! What if you say it’s gotta come off?!"

Gary sighed, rubbing his temples. "Oh, for—Ash, I’m not gonna cut off your ear. Now let me see."

Ash hesitated before reluctantly moving his hands.

Gary crouched to examine it—and immediately noticed the angry red swelling behind Ash’s earlobe.

"...Ash." Gary’s voice was flat. "Did you shove something in your ear?"

Ash froze.

His eyes darted to the side. "...Nooo?"

Gary squinted. "Ash."

Ash fidgeted. "...Maybe?"

Gary’s eye twitched. "What did you put in your ear?"

Ash squirmed. "Uhh… a berry?"

"A—" Gary groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Why?!"

Ash pouted. "I was pretending to be a Pokémon! Pikachu eats berries all the time!"

Gary gave him a look. "Pikachu eats berries with his mouth, genius, not his ear."

Ash’s face flushed. "I know that now!"

Gary sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Alright. I gotta get it out."

Ash’s eyes widened. "No no no no no! What if you shove it in deeper?!"

Gary rolled his eyes. "I won't. Just stay still."

Ash whimpered but obediently sat on the bed.

Gary quickly fetched a small flashlight and some tweezers. "Okay, Ashy-boy. This is gonna be a little uncomfortable, but if you move, it’s just gonna make it worse."

Ash whined, kicking his feet. "But what if it hurts?"

Gary smirked. "Then you can cry into my shoulder after."

Ash pouted, but he relaxed slightly. "...Promise?"

Gary chuckled. "Yeah, I promise."

With slow, careful hands, Gary tilted Ash’s head and peered into his ear.

Sure enough, a mushed-up oran berry piece was lodged in the canal.

Gary sighed. "Arceus, Ash…"

Ash whimpered. "Is it bad? Do I need a prosthetic ear?"

Gary snorted. "No, you absolute moron. Now hold still."

Using the tweezers, he very gently worked to remove the berry chunk.

Ash twitched and whined, but to his credit, he stayed mostly still.

After a few painstaking minutes, Gary finally managed to pull it out.

"Got it!" he declared, holding up the squashed berry with a triumphant grin.

Ash’s eyes widened. "Whoa… That was in my ear?"

Gary deadpanned. "Yes, genius. That was in your ear."

Ash wrinkled his nose. "Ew."

Gary rolled his eyes and tossed the berry into the trash. "I swear, Ash, you’re gonna give me gray hair one day."

Ash beamed at him. "But you love me anyway!"

Gary snorted, ruffling his hair. "Yeah, yeah."

Ash suddenly threw himself at Gary, wrapping his arms around him. "Thank you, Doctor Gary!"

Gary stumbled but caught him, chuckling. "You're welcome, Ashy-boy. Just—maybe don’t stick random stuff in your ear next time?"

Ash giggled. "No promises!"