Gary pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Of course, it's Ash. Who else would be that stubborn?"

Professor Rowan nodded solemnly. "He's hiding in the training grounds. He's clearly in pain, but no matter who tries to help him, he refuses."

Gary muttered under his breath, "Idiot..." before swinging his legs off the bed. "Fine. I'll handle it."

__________

Sure enough, when Gary reached the training grounds, he found Ash hunched over on a rock, clutching his side, breathing heavily. His Pikachu stood beside him, ears flicking with concern.

Gary crossed his arms. "Ash."

Ash stiffened but didn't turn around. "...Hey, Doc."

Gary raised an eyebrow. "That's all you have to say?"

Silence.

Gary sighed, walking up and crouching in front of Ash. "Alright, spill. What's your excuse this time?"

Ash's grip on his side tightened, but he refused to meet Gary's eyes. "I... I can't stop training, Gary. I won't. If I let you treat me, you might—" He hesitated, then mumbled, "—you might say I can't train anymore..."

Gary blinked. "What?"

Ash winced, staring at the ground. "That's why I didn't come sooner." His voice was small. "I was afraid... you'd tell me I couldn't train anymore. That I wasn't fit to be a Trainer..."

For a second, Gary just stared at him. Then, before Ash could react, Gary grabbed him and yanked him into a hug.

Ash made a small noise of surprise as Gary eased them both onto the ground, arms wrapped tightly around him.

"You idiot," Gary murmured, voice thick. "We're not that heartless, Ash."

Ash stayed stiff for a moment before hesitantly relaxing into the embrace. "...You're not?"

"Of course not." Gary rocked them gently, like Ash was a little kid. "No one is taking training away from you, buddy. You'd lose your mind if you had to sit still forever."

Ash let out a shaky breath. "...Yeah."

Gary pulled back slightly to look him in the eyes. "But—you have to let yourself heal, Ash. You can't train if you're broken."

Ash bit his lip. "But—"

Gary gave him a pointed look. "No buts. You're my best friend, and I care about you, moron. You're not fighting this alone."

Ash swallowed hard. Then, slowly, hesitantly... he nodded.

Gary smiled slightly and ruffled Ash's hair. "Good. Now, let's get you patched up before you fall over, yeah?"

"...Yeah."

And for once, Ash let himself lean on Gary without a fight.

Professor Rowan sighed. "Yes, it's Ash. He's—well, he's being himself again."

Gary let his head fall back onto his pillow with a groan. "Arceus, why is he like this?"

"I was hoping you could answer that," Rowan replied dryly.

Gary grumbled under his breath, pushing himself off the bed. "Alright, where is the stubborn idiot?"

"In the back training field. Injured, obviously."

Gary rolled his eyes. "Of course he is."

—

Gary found Ash exactly where he expected—standing in the middle of the training field, breath ragged, a bandage haphazardly wrapped around his arm, and his stance shaky. Pikachu sat at his feet, looking worried.

Gary crossed his arms. "Ash."

Ash flinched and turned, looking guilty. "Oh. Hey, Gary."

"Don't you 'Hey, Gary' me, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Uh..." Ash scratched his cheek. "Training?"

Gary stared. "Training? Training while injured?"

"I'm fine!" Ash protested, throwing his hands up—only to immediately wince, gripping his side.

Gary strode forward and flicked Ash's forehead. "Yeah. Sure. That definitely looked fine."

Ash grumbled, rubbing his forehead. "Okay, maybe not fine..."

"Maybe?" Gary snapped. "Ash, what is wrong with you?"

Ash hesitated. He looked away, fingers curling at his sides.

Gary's brows furrowed. "Ash?"

Ash swallowed. "I just... I just don't want to stop training."

Gary blinked. "Huh?"

Ash shifted uncomfortably. "...If I get treated, what if they tell me I can't train anymore?" His voice was small. "What if they say I'm too hurt? What if they—what if they take my Pokémon away?"

Gary stared. "That's why you won't get treated?"

Ash didn't answer.

Gary took a slow breath, then, without a word, he stepped forward, grabbed Ash, and pulled him into a hug.

Ash stiffened. "Wha—?"

Gary didn't let go. He just eased them both onto the ground, sitting back against a tree and pulling Ash close, rubbing slow circles into his back.

"Listen to me," Gary murmured. "We are not that heartless. No one is gonna stop you from training just because you're hurt. You just need to heal first, okay?"

Ash didn't answer right away. "...What if they do?" he mumbled.

Gary squeezed him tighter. "They won't."

Ash shifted slightly, fingers gripping the fabric of Gary's shirt.

"...Promise?"

Gary sighed, resting his chin on Ash's messy hair. "Promise."

Ash didn't say anything, but after a moment, his grip on Gary's clothes relaxed.

Gary rocked them gently, rubbing Ash's back in slow, comforting motions. "You're such a moron, Ash," he muttered.

Ash hummed sleepily. "Yeah. I know."

Gary rolled his eyes but didn't let go. "Arceus save me..."

Professor Rowan gave Gary a knowing look.

Gary groaned again, dragging his hands down his face. "Arceus save me... Where is he?"

The professor gestured toward the training field outside. "Still trying to train. He refused medical attention and insists he's 'fine'."

Gary snorted. "Yeah, fine. Sure."

Without another word, he pushed himself off the bed and marched outside.

—

Ash stood in the middle of the field, wobbling slightly on his feet, arms raised in a battle stance. Pikachu sat nearby, looking extremely unimpressed.

"Ash."

Ash froze.

Gary stormed up to him, arms crossed. "Why the hell are you still out here?"

Ash hesitated. "...Training."

Gary narrowed his eyes. "You're injured."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not."

Ash clenched his jaw, looking away. "...It doesn't matter."

Gary scoffed. "Oh, it doesn't matter? You look like you barely survived a natural disaster."

Ash's shoulders tensed.

Gary frowned. Something wasn't adding up. "Okay, spill it. Why won't you let me—or anyone—treat you?"

Ash's fingers twitched. He took a slow breath. "...Because."

Gary raised an eyebrow. "Oh, great answer, really detailed."

Ash scowled. "...Because if you fix me, you might not let me train anymore."

Silence.

Gary blinked. "...What?"

Ash hunched his shoulders, gripping his arm. "You or someone else might say I'm too injured to keep training. That I have to stop. That I can't be a trainer anymore."

Gary just stared.

Ash bit his lip, refusing to meet his eyes. "...I can't risk that."

Gary's heart broke.

Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed Ash, pulling him into a firm, steady hug. Ash stiffened, his hands hesitating mid-air, unsure of what to do.

Slowly, Gary eased them both onto the ground, keeping his grip secure. He pressed a hand to the back of Ash's head, rocking him gently.

"Kid," Gary murmured. "We're not that heartless."

Ash swallowed hard.

"You're not gonna lose what you love just 'cause you're hurt," Gary continued. "No one's gonna take that from you."

Ash shuddered, fingers finally clutching the fabric of Gary's shirt.

Gary just held him tighter. "Let us help you."

For a long moment, Ash said nothing.

Then, finally, hesitantly, he gave a small nod.

Gary let out a slow breath, still rocking him. "Atta boy..."