Ash sat stiffly on the examination table, his legs swinging slightly but his hands gripping the edges of the paper-covered surface so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He was too quiet—far too quiet. Normally, he’d have some sarcastic remark or a snarky comeback to Gary’s jokes, but now? Nothing.

Gary had moved through most of the routine checks so far, trying to keep things light with his usual banter. He’d checked Ash’s eyes, shining the small flashlight in them and teasing, “Still the same old Ash, staring into space as usual.” Ash had barely cracked a smile.

“Okay, ears next.” Gary leaned closer with the otoscope, inspecting one ear and then the other. “Wow, no cobwebs in here. I’m impressed,” he joked.

Ash only hummed in response, his shoulders rigid.

Gary’s brow furrowed, but he didn’t push it yet. “Mouth. Say ‘ah.’”

Ash opened his mouth, sticking out his tongue as Gary examined his throat. “Well, no Pikachu fur in there either. I think you’re in the clear,” Gary quipped, trying again to elicit a reaction. But Ash just closed his mouth and nodded silently.

“Heart and lungs now,” Gary said, grabbing his stethoscope. “Alright, deep breath for me, Ashy-boy.”

Ash obeyed, inhaling sharply and exhaling, but his chest rose and fell far too quickly. Gary frowned as he pressed the cold metal disc against Ash’s chest, listening intently. His heart was racing, pounding like a drumline out of sync.

“Again,” Gary instructed, moving the stethoscope to Ash’s back. “Deep breath.”

Ash complied, but his breathing was shallow and fast, like he couldn’t quite fill his lungs. Gary’s frown deepened.

Finally, Gary set the stethoscope aside and knelt down on the floor, bringing himself to Ash’s eye level. His usual smirk was gone, replaced with genuine concern. He placed a hand gently on Ash’s knee. “Hey,” Gary said softly. “What’s going on, kiddo? You’re scaring me here.”

Ash blinked, startled by Gary’s sudden shift in tone. “W-What do you mean?” he stammered, avoiding Gary’s gaze.

Gary tilted his head, his brown eyes searching Ash’s face. “Your heart’s racing, your breathing’s all over the place, and you’re quieter than a Snorlax during nap time. That’s not like you.” He squeezed Ash’s knee gently. “Talk to me, buddy. What’s wrong?”

Ash bit his lip, his hands still clutching the table. “I... I don’t know,” he muttered. “It’s just... all of this. The check-up, the tools, you being all serious... I guess it’s freaking me out a little.”

Gary’s expression softened. “Ash, it’s me. You know I’d never let anything happen to you, right?”

Ash nodded hesitantly. “Yeah, I know. It’s just... my brain keeps coming up with all these stupid ‘what ifs.’ Like, what if something’s wrong with me? What if you find something bad?”

Gary sighed, his hand still steady on Ash’s knee. “Listen to me, Ash. You’re okay. I promise. These are just routine checks, and so far, you’re perfectly fine.”

Ash finally looked at Gary, his eyes wide and uncertain. “You’re sure?”

Gary smiled softly, standing up and ruffling Ash’s hair. “Positive. Now, come on. Let’s finish up so you can stop worrying and go back to being your usual annoying self.”

Ash let out a small laugh, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little. “Alright,” he said, his voice steadier.

“Good,” Gary said, stepping back and picking up the reflex hammer. “Now, let’s see if those legs of yours still work. Don’t kick me, alright?”

For the first time since the check-up began, Ash cracked a genuine smile. “No promises, Gary.”

Gary continued the check-up right there under the desk, his calm demeanor never wavering. The faint glow of the flashlight danced across Ash’s face as he obediently followed the beam with his eyes, his breathing still uneven but steadier than before.

“Good job,” Gary praised softly, clicking the flashlight off and tucking it into his pocket. “Now, let me check your pulse again, okay?”

Ash nodded hesitantly, still leaning slightly against Gary’s shoulder. Gary reached for Ash’s wrist, his fingers resting lightly on his pulse point. “Hmm,” Gary murmured, his brow furrowing in thought. “A little fast, but much better than before. You’re doing great, Ashy-Boy.”

Ash blinked up at him, the corners of his mouth twitching in the beginnings of a shy smile.

Gary grinned back. “See? Told you we’re a team. Now, let’s get that temperature of yours.” He pulled a thermometer from his pocket and held it up. “Mouth or under the arm? Your choice.”

Ash hesitated, his gaze flicking nervously between Gary and the thermometer. “Uh… mouth, I guess?”

“Good call,” Gary said, popping a disposable cover onto the thermometer. “Okay, open up.”

Ash reluctantly opened his mouth, and Gary gently placed the thermometer under his tongue. “Just hold still, buddy. It’ll beep when it’s done.”

The two of them sat in companionable silence for a few moments, the hum of the fluorescent lights above filling the air. When the thermometer beeped, Gary removed it and checked the reading.

“98.7,” he announced with a smile. “Perfectly normal. You’re as healthy as ever, Ashy-Boy.”

Ash let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding, his shoulders visibly relaxing.

Gary chuckled and ruffled Ash’s hair again. “Told you it wasn’t so bad. We’re almost done now, just one last thing.”

Ash tensed slightly. “The… the shot?”

Gary nodded. “Yeah, but I promise it’ll be quick. And hey, you’ve been a champ so far. I’ll bet you won’t even flinch.”

Ash gave him a dubious look, but Gary just smiled and reached into his bag for the syringe. He prepped it carefully, making sure to show Ash every step of the process.

“See? Nothing scary here,” Gary said, holding up the syringe. “Just a little poke, and then we’re done.”

Ash swallowed hard, his eyes locked on the needle.

“Hey,” Gary said softly, setting the syringe aside for a moment. He cupped Ash’s face gently, tilting it up so their eyes met. “You’re doing amazing, buddy. I’m proud of you.”

Ash’s eyes widened slightly, and a faint blush dusted his cheeks. “You… you are?”

“Of course I am,” Gary said with a warm smile. “Now, let’s get this over with. Hold my hand if you need to, okay?”

Ash nodded, reaching out to grab Gary’s free hand. His grip was tight, but Gary didn’t mind. He gently swabbed Ash’s arm with an alcohol wipe, then picked up the syringe.

“Alright, Ash. On the count of three. One… two…”

Before Ash could even register the poke, Gary had already finished. “Three. All done!”

Ash blinked in surprise, looking at his arm, then back at Gary. “That’s it?”

Gary grinned. “That’s it. Told you it’d be quick.”

Ash let out a shaky laugh, the tension in his body finally melting away.

Gary leaned back against the desk and gave Ash a playful nudge. “You’re braver than you think, Ashy-Boy. I’m proud of you.”

Ash smiled, his cheeks still slightly pink. “Thanks, Gary. And… sorry for hiding under the desk.”

Gary chuckled. “Hey, no big deal. I’d do the same if I were scared. But next time, just tell me, okay? We’ll get through it together.”

Ash nodded. “Okay.”

Gary stood, holding out a hand to help Ash up. “Now, how about we grab a snack from the vending machine? My treat.”

Ash’s eyes lit up. “Can I get a chocolate bar?”

“You’ve earned it,” Gary said with a grin, leading Ash out of the waiting room. The receptionist gave them a knowing smile as they passed, but Gary just waved her off.

He’d handled it—and Ash—just fine.