Ash sat stiffly on the edge of the examination table, his legs swinging slightly but his hands gripping the sides of the table so tightly his knuckles turned white. His gaze remained fixed on the wall, far from Gary’s eyes, far from the sterile tools nearby, far from everything that made his chest feel like it was caving in.

Too quiet.

Gary was used to Ash’s usual chatter, his sarcastic quips or nervous jokes, but this silence? This wasn’t like him. It set Gary on edge.

Gary started simple. “Alright, Ash. Let’s start with your eyes.” He picked up a small flashlight, clicking it on and leaning in closer. “Follow the light, okay?”

Ash nodded stiffly but said nothing. His brown eyes flicked to the light as Gary moved it left, then right, then up and down.

"Good," Gary said, his tone calm and steady, though his brows furrowed slightly at Ash’s tension. “Now, ears.” He set the flashlight aside, grabbing an otoscope. “Hold still.”

Ash didn’t flinch but remained eerily quiet as Gary gently examined each ear.

“Still with me, buddy?” Gary asked, leaning back to gauge Ash’s expression.

“Yeah,” Ash murmured, his voice low and tight. “I’m fine.”

Gary sighed but didn’t push. “Alright, next—mouth. Say ‘ah.’”

Ash opened his mouth obediently, letting Gary peer inside. “Looks good,” Gary said, setting the tool down. “Now for the fun part—heart and lungs.”

Ash’s breath hitched slightly, but he gave a small nod. Gary grabbed the stethoscope, slipping the earpieces into place. He knelt in front of Ash, eye level now, and lifted the stethoscope.

“Deep breath in,” Gary instructed, gently slipping the stethoscope under Ash’s shirt and placing the cool metal against his chest.

Ash inhaled shakily, the sound uneven and rushed.

“Now out,” Gary said, his voice softening.

Ash exhaled, but it came out in quick, shallow bursts.

Gary frowned, moving the stethoscope slightly. “Again. In and out, buddy.”

Ash tried, but his breaths were erratic, his heart pounding so fast it echoed loudly through the stethoscope. Gary’s frown deepened as he pulled the stethoscope away.

“Hey,” Gary said, kneeling fully on the floor now so he could look Ash directly in the eyes. “What’s going on, kiddo? You’re scaring me.”

Ash blinked rapidly, his hands trembling slightly on the table’s edge. “I... I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice barely a whisper.

Gary’s expression softened. “Ash, your heart’s racing like you just ran a marathon. And those lungs? They’re working overtime.” He reached out, resting a hand lightly on Ash’s knee. “Talk to me. What’s got you so wound up?”

Ash hesitated, his gaze darting away. “I just... I keep thinking... what if something’s wrong?”

Gary tilted his head, his voice gentle but firm. “Ash, it’s a check-up. That’s the whole point—to make sure everything’s okay. And if something was wrong, we’d deal with it. Together.”

Ash’s shoulders sagged slightly, but his breaths were still uneven.

Gary sighed, giving his knee a reassuring squeeze. “Alright. Let’s take this slow. One step at a time. Just focus on me, okay?”

Ash nodded hesitantly.

“Good. Now, lungs again. Deep breath in.”

Ash inhaled, still shaky but slightly more controlled this time.

“Out.”

Ash exhaled, slower now.

“There we go,” Gary said with a small smile. “See? Not so bad.”

Ash managed a weak chuckle. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one being poked and prodded.”

Gary laughed, standing back up. “Fair point. Alright, next up—reflexes. Don’t worry; this one’s painless.”

Ash watched nervously as Gary grabbed the reflex hammer, but he didn’t flinch when Gary gently tapped his knees.

“Perfect,” Gary said, grinning. “Your reflexes are faster than a Dodrio on caffeine.”

Ash rolled his eyes, but the small smile tugging at his lips was genuine this time.

“See? Told you it wasn’t so bad,” Gary said, setting the hammer aside. “Now for the nose—any stuffiness, allergies, or sneezing lately?”

“Nope,” Ash replied, his voice steadier now.

“Good. Then we’re almost done.” Gary clapped his hands together, the smirk back on his face. “You survived.”

Ash let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Barely.”

Gary chuckled, ruffling Ash’s hair. “Relax, Ashy-boy. You’re as healthy as a Chansey in a Pokémon Center.”

Ash swatted Gary’s hand away, but the tension in his shoulders was finally gone. Maybe this check-up wasn’t so bad after all.