Gary set the syringe down for a moment and let out a slow breath.

This was going to be tricky.

Across from him, Ash sat on the examination table, looking like a trapped Pokémon. His fingers were curled into fists on his lap, knuckles white. His legs were stiff, feet planted on the ground like he was ready to bolt at any second.

But what really got to Gary was the trembling.

Ash wasn’t just shaking—he was quaking. His whole body was stiff, shoulders locked up near his ears, and his breath came in quick, uneven gasps. Pikachu, perched on his knee, was letting out concerned little whimpers, its ears twitching anxiously as it looked between its trainer and Gary.

Gary sighed. “Ash…”

Ash’s head snapped up, and Gary nearly took a step back at the sheer terror in his friend’s eyes.

This wasn’t normal.

Sure, he’d known Ash wasn’t fond of needles. He always got fidgety when he needed a shot, but this—this was different.

This was fear. Real, deep-seated, paralyzing fear.

“Ash,” Gary said softly, setting a hand on his shoulder. He could feel how tense he was. “Hey. It’s okay.”

Ash swallowed hard. “I—I know,” he rasped.

But his body said otherwise.

Gary glanced at the needle on the tray, then back at Ash. He hesitated. “You’re really not okay, are you?”

Ash let out a shaky breath. His hands twitched on his lap, his entire body visibly trembling.

Gary’s stomach twisted. He had never—never—seen Ash like this before.

“Ash, I need you to relax, alright?” he murmured, his voice softer now. “I promise, I’ll be quick, but you’ve gotta loosen up a little.”

Ash let out something between a laugh and a whimper. “I—I don’t think I can.”

Gary frowned. “Okay, okay, that’s alright.”

He moved in closer, carefully taking one of Ash’s clenched fists and rubbing slow, soothing circles over the back of his hand with his thumb.

“Here,” Gary said gently, adjusting his grip. “Try to relax your fingers, just a little.”

Ash let out a shuddering breath but obeyed, though his fingers were still trembling like crazy.

Gary sighed. “Good, that’s good, kiddo. Just breathe.”

Ash squeezed his eyes shut, trying his best to do as told. But when Gary picked up the syringe again, his body gave another violent tremor.

Gary hesitated. His chest ached just watching this.

He set the syringe down again and instead reached up, pressing the back of his hand lightly against Ash’s neck.

“See how tense your neck is?” Gary murmured. “That’s what’s making this worse.”

Ash opened his eyes slightly, his pupils blown wide.

Gary continued, voice calm and steady. “When you’re this stiff, it makes the shot feel worse. But if you relax, it helps your muscles take it easier.”

Ash let out a ragged breath. “I—I don’t know if I can.”

Gary’s heart squeezed.

“Okay,” he murmured, giving Ash’s hand another gentle squeeze. “Come here.”

Ash blinked in confusion, but before he could react, Gary shifted forward and pulled him in, guiding him to lean against his chest.

Ash let out a shaky breath as he practically melted against him, his forehead resting against Gary’s shoulder. His body was still trembling—his heart was racing so fast that Gary could feel it hammering through his skin.

Gary swallowed hard.

This wasn’t just a fear of needles.

This was something deeper.

Slowly, he rubbed a soothing hand up and down Ash’s back, keeping his voice soft. “It’s okay, kiddo. You’re gonna be okay. I’ve got you.”

Ash’s breath hitched. His whole body shuddered—and then, to Gary’s complete shock, he let out a small, broken sob.

Gary stiffened.

Ash. Was crying.

Ash Ketchum—who had faced down Legendary Pokémon, who had thrown himself into danger a thousand times without hesitation—was crying in his arms.

Gary had never—never—seen Ash cry.

His chest tightened, and suddenly, the stupid shot felt like the least important thing in the world.

“…Ash,” Gary said softly, still rubbing slow, comforting circles on his back.

Ash just curled in closer, fingers gripping onto Gary’s coat like a lifeline. His breath was ragged, his body still shaking.

Gary closed his eyes for a moment.

This was more than a simple fear.

This was pure, unfiltered panic.

And Gary had a feeling that, whatever caused this, it had been around for a long time.

Finally, after a long moment, he let out a slow breath. “Okay. We’re not doing this right now.”

Ash tensed. “W-what?”

Gary pulled back just enough to look him in the eye. “We don’t have to do this right now,” he said firmly. “Not when you’re like this.”

Ash’s breath hitched. He looked torn—like part of him wanted to agree, but another part felt guilty about it.

Gary gave his hand another squeeze. “You’re not weak for this, Ash.”

Ash swallowed hard.

Gary exhaled, ruffling Ash’s hair lightly. “We’ll try again later. Okay?”

Ash sniffled, nodding weakly.

Gary gave him a small smile. “Alright. You just take your time, kiddo.”

Gary had expected some resistance when he told Ash he needed another shot. What he hadn’t expected was this.

Ash was trembling. And not the usual, nervous kind of trembling—his entire body was shaking so violently it was like trying to calm a terrified child times a billion. His fingers were clenched so tightly into fists that his knuckles had gone white, his breathing was erratic, and his pupils were blown wide with fear.

And—Arceus help him—Ash was crying.

Gary had never seen Ash cry.

Not when they were kids. Not when he lost battles. Not even when he was at his worst injuries. But now? Over a simple shot?

Gary’s heart clenched. This wasn’t just fear—this was terror.

“Hey, hey, kiddo,” Gary murmured, setting the syringe aside for a moment. He reached out, placing a steady hand on Ash’s arm, feeling the way it trembled under his touch. “You’re okay. You’re gonna be okay.”

Ash squeezed his eyes shut, his breathing hitching. Pikachu, sitting anxiously beside him on the table, let out a soft, distressed “Pikaaa…” but didn’t know what to do.

Gary exhaled slowly. “Alright, listen. I need you to relax your hand, okay?”

Ash barely responded, his fingers still locked in a tight, painful grip.

Gary frowned. He gently pried Ash’s hand open, holding it in his own, rubbing soothing circles over his palm. “There you go… Just breathe, alright? Deep breaths.”

Ash hiccupped, sniffling as he tried—and failed—to steady his breathing.

Gary glanced at the syringe, then back at Ash. Arceus… How bad is this phobia?

“Look, I know this sucks, but I promise it’ll be quick,” Gary said softly. He used his free hand to press two fingers lightly against Ash’s neck, feeling the rapid pulse there. “Your heart’s racing, buddy… You gotta calm down.”

Ash whimpered, squeezing Gary’s hand tighter.

Gary sighed, gently rubbing at Ash’s neck. “See? If you relax, it won’t be as bad. Same thing with your arm—it helps if you don’t tense up.”

Ash didn’t look convinced. If anything, he looked more scared. His shoulders were trembling, and his grip on Gary’s hand didn’t ease in the slightest.

Gary frowned. Then, making a quick decision, he shifted onto the table next to Ash and pulled the poor boy against his chest.

Ash didn’t even resist. He just slumped forward, burying his face against Gary’s coat, his entire body still trembling.

Gary sighed, resting a hand on the back of Ash’s head. “Kiddo… You’re really that scared of needles, huh?”

Ash gave a tiny, barely perceptible nod.

Gary exhaled sharply. Arceus… How had he never noticed before?

“Alright,” he murmured. “We’ll take it slow, okay? No rush.”

Ash hiccupped again, still clinging to him.

Gary let out a quiet chuckle. “Y’know… I never thought I’d see the day where Ash Ketchum—the kid who literally wrestles legendary Pokémon—was scared of a tiny little shot.”

Ash mumbled something into his coat.

Gary smirked. “What was that?”

Ash lifted his head just slightly. “…It’s not tiny…”

Gary laughed softly, ruffling Ash’s hair. “Alright, alright, not tiny. But I promise you, it’ll be over before you know it.”

Ash hesitated but didn’t argue.

Gary shifted again, adjusting Ash so he was still leaning against him. “Alright, deep breath.”

Ash inhaled shakily.

Gary gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “You’re gonna survive, kiddo.”

And, keeping his touch as gentle as possible, he finally gave the shot.

Ash flinched, a quiet whimper slipping out—but it was over in seconds.

Gary pulled back, rubbing small circles on Ash’s back. “See? That wasn’t so bad.”

Ash sniffled. “…Still bad.”

Gary grinned. “Yeah, but you lived.”

Ash let out a small, exhausted laugh. “Barely…”

Gary ruffled his hair again. “Drama queen.”

Ash huffed, but there was no real bite to it.

Pikachu nuzzled against Ash’s arm, relieved it was over.

Gary shook his head, still holding onto Ash’s hand. Yeah… definitely a severe needle phobia.

And from now on?

Gary wasn’t gonna let him face it alone.

Gary sighed as he prepared the syringe, glancing over at Ash, who was sitting on the examination table looking like he was about to face his worst nightmare.

Scratch that. He was about to face his worst nightmare.

Ash’s hands were clenched into tight fists on his lap, his entire body tense, and his breathing was rapid—almost too rapid. His face was paler than it should be, and there was an unmistakable tremor running through him. Pikachu sat beside him, ears drooping, nudging at his trainer’s arm as if trying to offer silent comfort.

Gary frowned. This wasn’t normal nerves. This was terror.

“Alright, Ash,” Gary said as gently as he could. “We need to get this over with.”

Ash flinched at the words, his fingers curling even tighter, his nails pressing into his palms. Gary sighed and set the syringe aside for a moment.

“Ash, you’re trembling like a leaf,” he said, reaching out to gently take one of Ash’s hands. The second he did, he realized just how tense the guy was—his fingers were ice-cold, stiff, locked up like he was bracing for impact.

“Ash.” Gary squeezed his hand lightly. “You gotta relax, okay? I know you’re scared, but this will be so much easier if you loosen up a little.”

Ash didn’t answer. His eyes were locked onto the syringe like it was a Beedrill nest about to explode. His breath hitched, and Gary could feel his pulse hammering beneath his fingertips.

Gary softened. “Kiddo, you’re gonna be okay,” he murmured. “I promise. You’ll survive this, alright?”

Ash let out a shaky breath, but his body remained rigid.

Gary sighed. This was bad.

He reached up and pressed the back of his hand lightly against Ash’s neck, checking his temperature. The skin there was warm—normal, at least—but what concerned him more was the way Ash tensed at the contact, like a frightened Pokémon about to bolt.

“You’re way too tense,” Gary murmured. “You know it helps if you relax your arm, right? Makes the shot easier and less painful.”

Ash let out a shaky little laugh. “That’s… easy for you to say…”

Gary didn’t let go of his hand. Instead, he started rubbing soothing circles over Ash’s knuckles, trying to get him to loosen up. “I mean it, kiddo. The more you tense up, the worse it feels. Think of it like… holding Pikachu before he does a Thunderbolt. If you brace too hard, it hurts more.”

Ash let out a small, breathless chuckle, but it was strained. His hand was still locked up tight, his entire body quivering.

Gary frowned. Ash was never like this. Sure, he’d seen him flinch at needles before, but this? This was something else entirely.

Then, Ash sniffled.

And when Gary looked up, his heart nearly stopped.

Ash was crying.

Not just watery eyes. Not just blinking a little too fast. Actual tears, slipping down his cheeks as he shook uncontrollably.

Gary’s breath caught. In all the years he’d known Ash—through battles, near-death experiences, losing Pokémon—he had never seen Ash cry.

His stomach twisted.

“Oh, Ash…” His voice was softer now, all teasing gone.

Ash let out a shaky breath, shoulders trembling. “I—I hate this,” he whispered, voice barely above a breath. “I hate needles, Gary. I really—” His voice broke, and he ducked his head.

Gary felt a pang in his chest.

Without thinking, he reached out and pulled Ash toward him, letting the boy lean against his chest. Ash didn’t resist. In fact, the second he felt the support, he all but collapsed into it, gripping Gary’s coat with trembling hands.

Pikachu let out a worried little “Pika…” and hopped onto Ash’s lap, pressing close.

Gary held Ash steady, one hand still rubbing over his knuckles, the other resting lightly on his back. “Hey, it’s okay, kiddo,” he murmured. “I got you. You’re safe.”

Ash sniffled against him, his breathing still shaky.

Gary exhaled slowly. This is more than just nerves. This is a full-blown phobia.

Why had he never realized it before? Sure, Ash had always hated needles, but this?

This was severe.

“Alright,” Gary said softly. “Listen to me, okay? You’re not alone. You’re safe. I’m right here.” He kept rubbing slow, steady circles on Ash’s back, feeling the way his muscles remained locked up. “I promise I won’t do anything until you’re ready. Just breathe, alright?”

Ash let out another shaky breath but didn’t move away.

Gary sighed, adjusting slightly so that Ash could lean into him more comfortably. “You’re way too brave for your own good,” he muttered. “Facing down Legendary Pokémon without fear, but a tiny needle? That’s what gets you?”

Ash let out the weakest little laugh imaginable. “S’not funny…”

Gary smiled softly. “Nah, you’re right. It’s not.” He squeezed Ash’s hand again, still rubbing soothing circles over his skin. “But you’re gonna be okay, kiddo. I promise.”

And as Ash trembled against him, Gary silently swore that from now on, he’d always be there for this. Because no way was he letting Ash go through this alone ever again.