Gary sighed, glancing at the syringe in his hand before looking back at Ash. The poor guy was trembling so hard that Gary could feel the vibrations just from holding his wrist.

“Alright, kiddo,” Gary murmured, shifting slightly so he could properly hold Ash’s shaking hand. “I know you’re scared, but you’re gonna be okay. I promise. You’ll survive this.” His voice was softer than usual, trying to cut through the overwhelming fear that had completely consumed Ash.

Ash whimpered, his breathing shallow and uneven. His hand wasn’t just trembling—it was completely stiff, every muscle locked up in sheer terror. His fingers were curled into a tight fist, his knuckles white. He wouldn’t—couldn’t—relax.

“Ash,” Gary continued gently, rubbing small circles over the back of Ash’s hand with his thumb. “I need you to relax your hand, alright? The more tense you are, the worse it’ll feel.”

Ash sniffled, but his hand remained rigid. His entire body was locked up, as if letting go of the tension would somehow make things worse. His heart was pounding against his ribs, so fast that Gary could see the pulse jumping in his neck.

Gary exhaled, his grip steady but firm. “It’s like when I take your temperature,” he explained, shifting his hand up to press two fingers against the side of Ash’s neck. “If you tense up too much, it makes everything harder. See? Feel how your pulse is going crazy right now?”

Ash let out a choked sound, something between a sob and a gasp. He was too scared to talk, too overwhelmed to do anything except sit there, shaking like a leaf. His shoulders hitched with every shaky breath, his body completely overwhelmed with fear.

Gary had seen Ash afraid before, but never like this. This wasn’t just nervousness—this was raw, overwhelming terror. It was like trying to calm down a scared child multiplied by infinity.

“Hey, hey,” Gary soothed, keeping his voice low and gentle. He squeezed Ash’s hand a little, then rubbed slow, comforting circles into his skin. “You’re okay, Ash. I got you, alright? You’re safe.”

Ash’s breathing hitched again, and then—to Gary’s absolute shock—tears started spilling down his cheeks.

Gary froze.

Ash never cried.

Sure, he got misty-eyed sometimes when he was emotional, but full-on crying? That was unheard of. But here he was, eyes squeezed shut, shoulders shaking, silent sobs racking his frame.

Gary’s chest tightened, and he instinctively reached up to brush some of the dampness away from Ash’s cheek.

“Aw, kiddo,” Gary murmured, feeling his heart clench at the sight. “It’s okay. You’re okay. I promise.”

Ash hiccupped, his whole body trembling even harder than before. His breathing was erratic, his lips quivering, and his hands were still so tense that Gary had to keep rubbing them to coax any movement out of them.

Gary didn’t rush him. He just kept rubbing his hand, whispering reassurances, waiting for Ash to calm down even a little.

Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, Ash let out a shaky breath and loosened his grip—just barely, but it was enough.

“There you go,” Gary encouraged. “That’s good, Ash. Just keep breathing, okay? I’m right here.”

Ash sniffled, nodding weakly, though he still looked way too pale.

Gary gave his hand one last gentle squeeze before getting back to business. “Alright, bud. I’m gonna do the shot now, okay? Just keep breathing for me.”

Ash whimpered, but this time, he didn’t flinch away. He was still terrified—too terrified—but Gary wasn’t going to let him face it alone.

And as Gary carefully administered the shot, he kept a firm grip on Ash’s hand, whispering, “It’s okay, kiddo. You’re safe. You’ll be alright.”

And this time, despite the tears, Ash actually believed him.

The sterile scent of the room seemed to amplify the tension hanging in the air as Gary stood over Ash, the syringe in his hand gleaming coldly in the overhead light. It wasn’t just any shot—it was something Ash needed, but Gary could see that the boy was far from ready for it. Ash was already trembling, his body shaking so violently that it was impossible to miss. His usual strength, the one he always wore like armor, was nowhere to be seen. In its place was sheer, raw fear.

"Ash," Gary said softly, his voice as steady as he could manage. "You need to relax your hand. Just take a breath."

Ash's grip on the chair tightened as he stared at the syringe, his eyes wide with panic. His chest rose and fell in frantic, shallow breaths, and he couldn’t seem to stop shaking. Gary, understanding the kind of fear that could paralyze a person, slowly knelt down beside him. He reached out, his fingers brushing against Ash’s trembling hand. He needed the boy to calm down, to trust him.

"Ash," Gary repeated, his voice calming but firm. "Relax your hand for me. You’re going to make it harder on yourself if you keep it this tight."

Ash didn’t respond immediately. His fist remained clenched, his knuckles white from the strain. It was clear he couldn’t think straight—his heart was hammering in his chest, and every fiber of his body screamed for him to escape, to run from the needle, from the vulnerability he was feeling in that moment. It wasn’t just a simple shot—it was the fear of not being in control, of being helpless.

Gary exhaled slowly, sensing how desperately Ash wanted to control the situation. He gently placed his own hand over Ash’s, guiding it away from the tight fist and coaxing the boy to release his grip. "Come on, Ash. It’s okay, kiddo. You’ll be fine. Just relax your arm. It helps make everything go smoother."

Ash swallowed, trying to steady his breath, but his hand still trembled violently under Gary’s gentle touch. "I-I can’t," Ash managed to choke out, his voice breaking with the fear he couldn’t hide. "I’m scared… I… I don’t like needles…" His words tumbled out in a rushed whisper, a mixture of vulnerability and fear that Gary wasn’t used to seeing from him.

Gary’s heart ached, seeing Ash like this. It was like trying to calm a frightened animal, one that had never known fear to this extent. He squeezed Ash’s hand gently, reassuring him with a softness that contrasted the seriousness of the situation.

"I know," Gary said, his voice soothing, "but relaxing will actually make the shot hurt less. When you tense up like this, it makes your muscles tighten, and that’s when it’s harder to get the shot in. You’ve gotta let go, just a little bit. Trust me, kid."

Ash’s eyes were full of tears now, his breath ragged and uneven, his body trembling so much that it was almost painful to watch. Gary could see the panic flickering in his gaze—Ash wasn’t just scared of the shot. He was scared of the vulnerability, of the feeling that he wasn’t in control. And it was overwhelming.

Gary knew Ash was never one to cry. He was the boy who faced challenges head-on, no matter how impossible they seemed. So seeing him on the edge like this—shaking, vulnerable, broken—it hit Gary harder than he expected.

The syringe hovered in the air as Gary carefully tilted Ash’s head to one side, his fingers brushing along the boy’s neck to feel for his pulse. He could feel it racing beneath his fingertips. "Ash," Gary said softly, his thumb rubbing the back of his hand. "You’re doing good. I just need you to relax a little bit more, okay? It’ll make everything easier for you."

Ash was silent for a moment, his eyes squeezed shut as his body shuddered with the overwhelming fear. He couldn’t breathe properly; his chest was tight, and his heart was pounding. And then, for the first time in as long as Gary had known him, a tear slid down Ash’s face. The boy’s lip quivered, and Gary could see it—the fear that had finally broken through.

Gary reached out, gently wiping away the tear before it could fall completely. "You don’t have to be brave right now, Ash," he said, his voice tender. "It’s okay. You’re allowed to be scared. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere. You’re not alone in this."

The words seemed to break through Ash’s walls, just a little. He slowly began to relax his grip, his hand still shaking, but less tense. Gary gave him a soft, encouraging smile. "There you go. Just like that. Now, I’m gonna give you the shot, okay? It’ll be over before you know it."

Ash nodded weakly, his eyes still glassy with tears. He turned his head, trying to focus on anything else besides the needle. Gary, sensing how fragile Ash was in this moment, moved carefully, almost as if he were handling a fragile piece of glass.

He took a deep breath, steadied his hand, and slowly administered the shot. Ash winced, his body tensing for a brief moment, but Gary kept his grip on his hand, rubbing it soothingly as he finished. "There you go, kiddo. All done."

Ash let out a shaky breath, his body relaxing just a bit. But as he looked up at Gary, the tears were still there—soft, silent tears that betrayed the strength he tried so hard to hold onto.

Gary sat beside him, giving him a moment to recover. "You’re alright," Gary murmured, his hand still resting over Ash’s. "You did great. I’m proud of you."

Ash wiped his eyes quickly, still trembling, but his lips curved into a small, grateful smile. "Thanks… Gary," he whispered, voice cracking. "I… I didn’t know I’d be so scared."

Gary gave him a reassuring squeeze on the hand. "It’s alright. You’re only human, Ash. And everyone gets scared sometimes."

The room was quiet except for Ash’s rapid, shaky breathing. He sat on the examination table, his legs dangling off the edge, hands balled into tight fists. His entire body was trembling—not just a little, but violently, uncontrollably. Gary had expected Ash to be nervous, but this… this was something else entirely.

“Alright, Ash, just a quick shot, and then we’re done,” Gary said gently, prepping the syringe. He tried to keep his voice light, casual, as if this was no big deal. But as he glanced up, he saw Ash looking at the needle like it was a wild Gyarados about to attack him.

Ash whimpered, barely able to breathe. His chest rose and fell too fast, his body locked up so tight that even his fingers were twitching.

“Hey, kiddo,” Gary said softly, setting the syringe down for a moment. He moved closer, reaching out and taking Ash’s hand in his own. “It’s okay, you’re gonna survive this, alright? You’ll be okay.”

Ash didn’t respond—he just kept trembling, his breath hitching. His other hand was still clenched in a fist, stiff as a board.

“Ash, you need to relax your hand for me,” Gary coaxed, rubbing his thumb soothingly over Ash’s knuckles. “It’ll make this easier, I promise.”

But Ash was frozen, his muscles locked in fear. His fingers twitched under Gary’s hand, but they wouldn’t loosen. His whole body was too tense, too overwhelmed.

Gary sighed softly and reached up to place a hand against Ash’s neck, checking his pulse. His skin was ice-cold with fear, but his heart was racing—pounding so fast it didn’t seem normal.

“Whoa, Ash,” Gary murmured. “You gotta breathe, buddy. You’re gonna pass out if you don’t slow down a little.”

Ash squeezed his eyes shut, his body still trembling violently.

This wasn’t just nervousness. This was something much bigger.

Gary took a slow breath, tightening his hold on Ash’s trembling hand. “I need you to listen to me, okay?” His voice was calm, steady. “You’re scared, I get it. But when you tense up like this, it makes the shot worse. If you relax your arm, it’ll hurt way less.”

Ash let out a small, broken sound—almost a sob.

And then Gary saw it.

Tears.

Ash was crying.

Gary froze for a moment, his chest tightening. He had never seen Ash cry before. Not in all the battles they’d had, not after any loss, not even when he was hurt. But now? Because of a single shot?

Something inside Gary twisted painfully.

Ash was shaking too much, breathing too fast, his body curling in on itself like he was trying to disappear. This wasn’t just fear—it was terror.

“…Hey,” Gary said softly, setting the syringe aside again. He opened his arms, just slightly. “C’mere, lean on me.”

Ash hesitated for just a second, his breath still hitched and uneven, before he finally collapsed forward against Gary’s chest. His whole body was trembling like crazy, his hands gripping onto Gary’s shirt, his face hidden against him.

Gary’s eyes widened.

This was bad.

He hesitated, then carefully wrapped an arm around Ash’s shaking shoulders, rubbing small, slow circles against his back. “It’s okay,” he murmured. “You’re okay, kiddo.”

Ash was still whimpering, still trembling, his entire body tensed so tightly that Gary could feel how much he was struggling.

And that’s when it hit him.

This wasn’t normal fear.

This was severe needle phobia.

Ash wasn’t just scared—he was terrified beyond reason. His body was reacting like he was in real, actual danger. Like he was about to be hurt, like he had to run or fight to survive.

Gary exhaled slowly, pressing his chin lightly against the top of Ash’s head. “Ash, buddy, I need you to breathe for me, okay? Nice and slow. You’re safe. Nothing bad’s gonna happen to you.”

Ash sniffled, but his breath was still erratic, his hands still trembling as they clutched onto Gary’s shirt like a lifeline.

Gary sighed and continued rubbing slow, careful circles against Ash’s back, speaking in the gentlest voice he could manage. “I didn’t know you were this scared of needles, Ash,” he admitted quietly. “You should’ve told me.”

Ash didn’t answer, just buried his face deeper into Gary’s chest.

Gary closed his eyes for a moment, heart aching. This wasn’t something he could just push Ash through. If he forced it, Ash would only panic worse.

“…Okay,” Gary said softly. “We don’t have to do this right now. We’ll wait until you’re ready.”

Ash flinched slightly, like he expected Gary to insist, but Gary just kept rubbing his back.

“You’re safe,” he murmured again. “I promise, you’re safe.”

And for the first time, Ash’s trembling started to slow, just a little.

( Also just so you know guys the only reason I put the needle phobia thing is bcz my cousin has it

Ninjagofanjayandnya this is for you)

Gary sighed as he prepared the syringe, glancing at Ash, who was sitting on the examination table, trembling so violently that it was as if he were caught in a blizzard without a coat. His hands were clenched into fists so tight his knuckles were white, and his breaths came in sharp, uneven gasps. His wide, terrified eyes were locked onto the needle like it was a predator ready to pounce. 

Gary frowned. He had seen Ash battle Legendary Pokémon without flinching, jump into dangerous situations without hesitation, but this? This was different. This was raw fear. 

"Alright, Ash," Gary said as calmly as possible, stepping closer. "I need to give you this shot, okay? It'll help you feel better." 

Ash barely acknowledged him, his entire body tense as if preparing for impact. Gary placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, feeling just how stiff he was. 

"Ash," he said softly, "you're shaking." 

Ash swallowed hard, his breathing uneven. He tried to speak, but his voice cracked, and instead of words, a choked whimper came out. His hands clenched even tighter. 

Gary sighed and gently pried one of Ash’s fists open, holding his trembling hand between his own. He rubbed slow, soothing circles into Ash's palm. 

"It's okay, kiddo," Gary murmured. "You'll survive. You'll be okay. I promise." 

Ash gave a small, shaky nod, but his trembling didn’t ease. 

Gary frowned. "Ash, I need you to relax your arm for me." 

Ash tried. He really did. But his muscles were locked up, rigid with fear. 

Gary exhaled and reached up, pressing his fingers gently against Ash’s neck to feel his temperature. "Relaxing will help, Ash. See, when you're tense, your muscles tighten up, and it makes the shot hurt more. But if you relax, it'll be over before you even know it." 

Ash gave a soft, hiccuping sob. Gary blinked. 

Ash Ketchum was crying. 

In all their years of rivalry, of friendship, of adventures and battles, Gary had never—never—seen Ash actually cry. It made his chest tighten in a way he didn’t expect. 

"Oh, Ash..." Gary murmured, his voice softer now. He moved closer, guiding Ash to lean against him. To his surprise, Ash immediately slumped against his chest, still trembling, still crying. Gary could feel his heart hammering way too fast. 

That’s when it hit him. 

This wasn’t just a little fear. 

Ash had a severe needle phobia. 

Gary sighed, wrapping an arm around Ash’s shoulders. "You should’ve told me, dummy," he muttered, though there was no bite in his words. "I wouldn’t have just sprung this on you." 

Ash gave a weak sniff, his fingers clutching at the fabric of Gary’s coat. 

Gary ran a hand up and down Ash’s back in slow, steady motions. "Okay, okay... I’ve got you. Just breathe, Ash. Deep breaths. In and out." 

Ash tried, but every shaky inhale was followed by another small, choked sob. 

Gary sighed again, rubbing Ash’s back more firmly. This was going to take a while.

Gary sighed as he prepared the syringe, glancing at Ash, who sat rigidly on the examination table. Pikachu perched on his shoulder, eyes wide with concern, its ears twitching at the tension in the air.

Ash looked bad. Not just the usual battle-worn, dirt-smudged, bruised-from-another-adventure kind of bad. No, this was different. His face was pale, his breathing uneven, and—most concerning of all—his hands were shaking.

Gary frowned. “Ash?”

Ash swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Y-Yeah?”

Gary narrowed his eyes. That wasn’t Ash’s usual shaky voice from exhaustion or excitement. No, that was fear.

“You okay?” Gary asked slowly.

Ash nodded way too quickly. “Y-Yeah! Of course! Just, uh… Just get it over with, yeah?” He forced a grin, but it was all wrong—stretched too tight, his cheeks trembling from the effort.

Gary sighed. “Alright, but I need you to relax your arm.”

Ash tensed even more, his fingers curling into the fabric of his pants.

Gary pressed two fingers against Ash’s neck, feeling his pulse. His frown deepened. Fast. Way too fast.

“Ash.”

“Yeah?”

“You need to relax.”

Ash let out a shaky breath. “I-I am relaxed.”

Gary gave him a look. “No, you’re not.”

Ash bit his lip, staring at the syringe in Gary’s hand. His shoulders trembled, and his grip on his pants tightened until his knuckles turned white.

Gary exhaled slowly. “Okay, kiddo. Listen to me.”

Ash blinked, surprised by the sudden softness in Gary’s voice.

“You’re gonna be okay,” Gary murmured, placing a firm but gentle hand over Ash’s. “I promise. You’ll survive this.”

Ash’s breath hitched. He squeezed his eyes shut, and to Gary’s absolute shock—his shoulders shook.

Then, a small sniffle.

Gary froze.

Ash Ketchum—the same Ash who had faced down Legendaries, saved entire regions, battled countless Gym Leaders—was crying.

Gary had never seen Ash cry. Not once. Not even after the worst injuries, not even when he lost a battle he cared about. But now, with a single syringe in front of him, Ash was shaking like a leaf in a storm, tears slipping down his face.

“Aw, Ash…” Gary whispered. His heart clenched at the sight.

Ash hiccuped, a quiet, broken sound. “I-I don’t… I don’t like this, Gary…”

Gary softened. “I know, buddy.”

Ash was shaking so badly that he was practically vibrating. It was like handling a scared kid times infinity.

Gary set the syringe down for a moment and reached out, gently rubbing Ash’s back. “You’re okay,” he murmured. “I got you.”

Ash shuddered and, before he probably even realized what he was doing, leaned forward—right into Gary’s chest.

Gary stilled.

Then, slowly, he brought his free hand up, resting it lightly against the back of Ash’s head.

“…You really hate needles, huh?” Gary murmured.

Ash gave a jerky nod against him, his breath still coming in sharp, uneven bursts. His fingers clutched at the fabric of Gary’s coat like a lifeline.

Gary sighed, rubbing slow, soothing circles on Ash’s back. “Alright, okay. We’ll take this slow, alright? Just breathe for me.”

Ash let out another shaky breath, but it was slightly steadier this time.

Gary kept his voice low and calm. “I need you to relax your arm. I know it’s hard, but if you keep it tense, it’ll hurt more. Trust me, kiddo.”

Ash sniffled but finally, finally, loosened his grip on his pants. His arm was still trembling, but at least he wasn’t locking up completely.

“Good,” Gary praised. “That’s good. You’re doing great.”

Ash’s breath hitched, and he buried his face a little more against Gary’s chest.

Gary hesitated, then gently pressed his fingers to Ash’s neck again, checking his pulse. Still fast. But a little slower than before.

“See?” Gary murmured. “Not so bad, right?”

Ash let out a quiet, watery laugh. “Still bad.”

Gary chuckled softly. “Yeah, I figured.”

Pikachu nuzzled against Ash’s shoulder, offering what little comfort it could.

Gary took a deep breath. “Okay, I’m gonna do it now, alright?”

Ash tensed again, and Gary immediately rubbed his arm soothingly. “Hey, hey. Relax. It’ll be quick, I promise.”

Ash whimpered slightly, but he nodded, gripping onto Gary’s coat again.

Gary worked quickly, as gently as he could.

The second it was over, Ash slumped against him with a heavy breath.

“Done,” Gary announced. “See? You survived.”

Ash let out a weak, half-laugh, half-sob. “…Barely.”

Gary huffed, ruffling Ash’s hair. “You did fine, kiddo.”

Ash mumbled something unintelligible into Gary’s chest.

Gary just smiled, shaking his head.

This was going to be a long road, but at least now… he knew.

Gary sighed as he prepped the syringe, glancing at Ash, who was already tense before the needle was even near him. The poor guy was trembling so badly that Pikachu, who sat on the counter nearby, looked ready to bolt to his side at any second.

“Ash,” Gary said gently, “it’s just a shot. You’ve dealt with worse injuries than this.”

Ash swallowed hard. His hands were clenched into tight fists on his lap, his shoulders shaking slightly. “I—I know,” he stammered, but his voice was strained.

Gary paused, watching him carefully. The way Ash’s breaths came in quick, uneven bursts, the way his fingers twitched, the sheer terror in his eyes… This wasn’t just nerves. This was fear.

Real, bone-deep fear.

Gary set the syringe down for a moment and moved closer. “Hey,” he said, voice softer now. “Kiddo, you gotta breathe.”

Ash let out a shaky exhale, but it did nothing to steady him. His whole body was trembling like a leaf in a storm, and when Gary gently reached for his hand, he found it ice-cold and locked in place.

Gary sighed and rubbed his thumb soothingly over Ash’s knuckles. “Relax your hand, Ash.”

Ash flinched slightly but tried—he really did—but his fingers refused to unclench. His entire arm was stiff, every muscle locked up like he was bracing for impact.

Gary frowned. “Okay, we’re not doing anything until you relax.”

Ash gave a jerky nod, but his body wouldn’t cooperate. He was gripping onto Gary’s sleeve now, like his life depended on it.

Gary exhaled through his nose and set his free hand gently against Ash’s neck. “You know why it helps to relax your arm?” he asked, voice still calm and patient.

Ash blinked rapidly, his breathing still uneven. “W-Why?”

“Because if you stay tense like this, your muscles are tight, and the shot will hurt more,” Gary explained, pressing lightly against the side of Ash’s throat. “See this? Your pulse is going a hundred miles an hour.”

Ash let out a tiny, choked laugh, but it sounded more like a whimper.

“Breathe, kiddo,” Gary murmured, rubbing his hand up and down Ash’s back now, trying to ease the trembling.

Ash inhaled shakily but still wouldn’t let go of Gary’s sleeve.

That’s when Gary made a decision.

“Come here,” he said softly, guiding Ash so he was leaning against his chest.

Ash stiffened at first—but then he let out a shuddering breath and melted into the touch, burying his face in Gary’s coat. His trembling didn’t stop, but at least now Gary could feel just how fast his heart was hammering.

“Arceus, Ash,” Gary muttered. “You’re really scared, huh?”

Ash didn’t answer. He was shaking too much, and when Gary shifted slightly, he felt wetness against his shirt.

Gary stilled.

Was… Ash crying?

Gary frowned, glancing down, but sure enough, he could feel tiny, silent sobs wracking Ash’s frame.

Gary swallowed. He’d seen Ash scared before—worried, nervous, even panicked in battle—but he had never seen him actually cry.

And now, as Ash clung to him like a terrified child, Gary realized something he probably should have noticed earlier.

This wasn’t just fear.

Ash had a severe needle phobia.

Gary sighed and tightened his grip slightly, rubbing slow, calming circles into Ash’s back. “It’s okay, kiddo,” he murmured. “You’ll survive. You’ll be okay.”

Ash hiccuped against his chest, but he didn’t move away. His entire body was still trembling violently, but at least now he wasn’t holding his breath.

Gary exhaled slowly. “Alright,” he said after a moment. “We’re gonna take this slow, alright?”

Ash gave a jerky nod, still pressed against Gary.

Gary reached for the syringe again, keeping his other hand on Ash’s back. “Okay, I’m gonna do it while you’re like this. You don’t have to look, you don’t have to move. Just focus on breathing.”

Ash whimpered but didn’t resist.

Gary gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I’ve got you, Ash. Just stay still.”

And with the gentlest touch he could manage, he gave the shot.

Ash flinched, gripping onto Gary’s coat tightly, but he didn’t pull away. The poor kid was still shaking like crazy, but at least now it was done.

Gary let out a breath and set the syringe aside. “See? Over.”

Ash let out a shaky breath of his own, though his fingers didn’t unclench from Gary’s shirt.

Gary sighed and continued rubbing slow circles on Ash’s back. “You okay?”

Ash sniffled. “M-Maybe.”

Gary chuckled softly. “You’re still in one piece, aren’t you?”

Ash huffed a tiny laugh against his chest. “Barely…”

Gary shook his head fondly. “You’re impossible, Ketchum.”

Ash finally pulled back, though his face was still slightly red, and his eyes were puffy. He quickly wiped at his face, clearly embarrassed.

Gary smirked. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone their Orange Islands Champion is scared of needles.”

Ash groaned. “I hate you.”

Gary laughed, ruffling his hair. “Yeah, yeah. Just breathe, kiddo. You’ll be okay.”

Ash sighed. Maybe he would be.

Gary sighed as he prepped the syringe, glancing at Ash, who sat on the examination table looking more like a scared Pichu than a seasoned Pokémon Trainer. His hands were clenched tightly into fists, his entire body trembling as if he were facing down a raging Gyarados instead of a simple needle.

Gary had seen Ash nervous before. He’d seen him shaken, exhausted, even slightly panicked after dangerous battles. But this? This was different.

Ash was terrified.

“Alright, Ash,” Gary said, keeping his voice as calm as possible. “I’m gonna give you the shot now. It’s just a quick booster to help your system recover. Nothing major.”

Ash swallowed hard, his eyes locked on the syringe like it was about to attack him. His breathing was rapid, almost shallow, and his fingers twitched where they gripped his pants.

“Hey,” Gary said gently, reaching out to touch his arm. Ash flinched.

Gary froze. Oh…

This wasn’t just nerves. This wasn’t just discomfort. This was real fear.

“Ash?” Gary’s voice softened. “You okay?”

Ash nodded stiffly, but his entire body was shaking like a leaf in a storm. His pulse was so fast Gary could see it fluttering at his neck.

“You sure?”

“I—I’m fine,” Ash stammered, voice barely above a whisper.

Gary frowned. Yeah, no. That’s a lie.

He set the syringe down for a moment and placed a hand on Ash’s shoulder. “You’re shaking, Ash.”

Ash squeezed his eyes shut. His breaths were coming even faster now, verging on hyperventilation.

“I hate this,” he admitted, his voice cracking. “I hate this.”

Gary’s chest tightened. He had never seen Ash like this before. Not once.

He exhaled slowly. “Okay, okay. Let’s take this slow.”

He reached for Ash’s hand and gently pried it open. The poor guy’s fingers were ice cold from how tightly he’d been clenching them.

“You gotta relax your arm, Ash,” Gary murmured, rubbing small circles into the back of his hand with his thumb. “I know it’s hard, but tensing up makes it worse. The more relaxed your muscles are, the less it’ll hurt.”

Ash sniffled, still trembling.

Gary sighed and shifted closer, placing his free hand against Ash’s neck to check his temperature. His skin was warm, but not feverish—just flushed. Probably from sheer panic.

“See how tense you are?” Gary said softly. “Your neck, your shoulders, your hands—you’re locking up everywhere.” He rubbed Ash’s shoulder gently. “That’s why I need you to relax. I promise, it’ll help.”

Ash hiccupped, tears gathering in his eyes. “I—” His voice wavered. “I don’t—I can’t—”

And just like that, the dam broke.

Hot tears spilled down Ash’s cheeks, and he let out a shuddering sob, burying his face against Gary’s chest as if he physically couldn’t handle looking at the syringe anymore.

Gary stiffened in surprise.

Ash. Crying.

Ash never cried.

Gary slowly wrapped an arm around him, rubbing small, soothing circles on his back. “Hey, hey… it’s okay, kiddo,” he murmured, his voice instinctively slipping into something softer. “You’ll survive this. You’ll be okay.”

Ash didn’t say anything. He just shook against him, his breathing still too fast.

Damn.

Gary had seen people scared of needles before, but this? This was bad. This wasn’t just fear—this was phobia.

Severe phobia.

And the worst part?

Ash had been hiding it all this time.

Gary exhaled, still holding Ash close. He could feel how fast the poor kid’s heart was racing, could feel every tremor running through his body.

Gary tightened his grip slightly. “I’m here, Ash. I got you.”

Ash let out another shaky sob, clinging to Gary’s coat like a lifeline.

Gary sighed, rubbing Ash’s back again. Arceus, this is gonna take a while…