Ash sighed dramatically as he sat on his couch, arms crossed as Gary knelt in front of him with that all-too-familiar smirk.

"Remind me why we're doing this again?" Ash grumbled, shifting uncomfortably as Gary set his medical kit on the floor.

"Because you've been limping like an old man," Gary shot back, rolling his eyes. "And don't even try to deny it-I saw you nearly trip over Pikachu this morning."

Ash huffed, glancing away. "That was just...bad footing."

"Yeah, sure," Gary drawled, already reaching for Ash's ankle. "Now sit still and let me check."

Ash flinched slightly when Gary's hands wrapped around his leg, pressing gently along his shin and ankle. Gary's fingers were firm but careful, pressing against the muscle and bone.

Ash bit his lip, refusing to admit that it actually hurt.

Gary, however, wasn't fooled. His eyes flickered up, catching the slight twitch in Ash's expression. "Uh-huh. That hurt, didn't it?"

"Nope," Ash said quickly.

Gary raised an eyebrow before pressing a little firmer against his calf.

"Ow-okay, okay!" Ash hissed, pulling his leg back slightly. "Maybe a little."

Gary sighed, sitting back on his heels. "Ash, when did this start?"

Ash shrugged, suddenly fascinated with a loose thread on his jacket. "Dunno. A couple days ago, maybe?"

"A couple days?" Gary repeated, exasperated. "And you didn't think to tell me?"

Ash looked sheepish. "I thought it'd go away."

Gary shook his head, muttering something under his breath before grabbing Ash's foot again, this time rotating his ankle slowly. "Tell me if this hurts."

Ash winced. "Ow-yeah, that's not fun."

Gary's expression darkened slightly. He continued his check-up, carefully pressing along Ash's knee and thigh, checking for any signs of swelling or serious injury.

"You probably strained something," Gary said after a moment, sitting back. "Nothing feels broken, but your muscles are definitely tight. Have you been stretching?"

Ash blinked. "Uh... stretching?"

Gary groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Of course you haven't. No wonder you're walking funny. You push your legs to the limit every day, and you don't even take care of them."

Ash grinned sheepishly. "I mean, they usually take care of themselves."

Gary shot him a look. "That's not how bodies work, genius."

Ash chuckled, but his laughter was cut short when Gary suddenly pressed his thumb into a specific point on his calf.

Ash yelped. "Ow! What was that for?!"

Gary smirked. "That's called a pressure point. Feels tight, doesn't it?"

Ash scowled. "More like painful."

"Exactly," Gary said, shaking his head. "Your muscles are knotted up. You need rest, ice, and some actual stretching. And don't even think about running around all day tomorrow, or I swear I'll drag you back here myself."

Ash groaned but didn't argue. He knew when Gary got like this, there was no point in fighting him.

Gary leaned back, crossing his arms. "Alright, lazy bones. I'll wrap your ankle, but you need to take it easy."

Ash sighed dramatically, throwing his head back against the couch. "Fine, fine. But only because I don't wanna trip over Pikachu again."

Gary chuckled, shaking his head as he reached for the bandages. "You're impossible, Ashy-boy."

Ash just grinned. "Yeah, but you love it."

Gary only rolled his eyes and got to work.

The afternoon sun filtered in through the windows of Ash's living room, casting warm, golden light over the room. Ash was sitting on the couch, his legs stretched out in front of him as he absentmindedly flipped through a magazine. He didn't seem particularly sick or distressed, but Gary noticed something was off. Ash was wincing every time he moved, a subtle but telling sign that he wasn't feeling quite right.

Gary had been around long enough to know when his friend wasn't being totally upfront with him. He crossed the room, closing the distance between them in a few long strides, his usual relaxed manner replaced by a hint of concern.

"Hey, Ash, you good?" Gary asked, leaning against the armrest with his arms crossed.

Ash glanced up, his eyes a little unfocused. "Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine."

Gary wasn't buying it. "You sure? You're acting like you're trying not to move too much, and I can see you wincing whenever you shift. What's going on?"

Ash hesitated for a moment, clearly trying to play it cool. But Gary had a way of looking at him that made it hard to lie. Finally, Ash let out a soft sigh, lowering the magazine in his hands.

"It's nothing, Gary. Just... my legs are sore. From that last battle with Team Rocket," Ash muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

Gary raised an eyebrow. "Sore from a battle?" He knew Ash was no stranger to getting banged up, but something about this didn't seem quite right. "What happened? You didn't strain anything, did you?"

Ash just shrugged, not meeting Gary's gaze. "I don't know... maybe. I didn't think it was that bad, but they've been bothering me all day."

Gary studied him for a moment longer, then made up his mind. "Alright, let's take a look."

Ash's eyes widened. "What? No, you don't need to do a full check-up! I'm fine, really."

Gary gave him a pointed look, knowing full well that Ash's stubbornness often meant he was trying to downplay things. "Don't argue with me, kid. It's my job to make sure you're actually okay. Now, pull your legs up onto the couch so I can see them properly."

Ash shifted uncomfortably, but he obeyed, pulling his legs up and sitting cross-legged on the couch. His socks were rolled up just slightly, and Gary immediately noticed that the muscles in his calves were tight-way tighter than normal.

"Alright, let's start with your legs, since that's where you're feeling it, right?" Gary said, his tone professional but still gentle.

Ash nodded but still seemed a little uncomfortable. "Yeah. They're just sore. I'll be fine."

Gary carefully knelt in front of Ash and gently pressed his hands against Ash's left calf. He could feel the tightness in the muscle, the way it didn't release even when Gary applied gentle pressure.

"Hmm. You've definitely overexerted these muscles, but it doesn't feel like a serious injury," Gary mused, his fingers moving up toward Ash's knee. "Does this hurt?" he asked, applying a little more pressure.

Ash winced, his body instinctively pulling away from the touch. "Yeah, kinda. It's sore."

Gary nodded and moved his hands down to Ash's ankle, gently rotating it. Ash flinched again but didn't pull away.

"Yeah, you've definitely pushed yourself. You need to take it easy for a while," Gary said with a soft sigh. "You've got some mild muscle strain, Ash. That's why they're hurting when you move them too much. Your muscles are just overworked."

Ash blinked, slightly surprised. "Muscle strain? That sounds... serious."

Gary chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Nah, nothing too serious. But if you don't rest them, it could get worse. And then you'd be limping around and not able to do anything."

Ash frowned, rubbing his leg where it hurt. "I didn't think it'd be this bad..."

Gary gave him a sympathetic look. "I know you're tough, Ash, but sometimes you gotta listen to your body. You don't have to push yourself to the limit every time."

Ash grumbled, not liking the idea of slowing down, but he didn't argue. Gary's fingers moved gently over his legs, massaging the tight muscles with firm, circular motions. "This should help loosen them up a little. But you need to take it easy for a few days, alright?"

Ash sighed and leaned back into the couch, feeling the pressure slowly start to melt away under Gary's hands. It wasn't as bad as he thought, but the pain was still there, lingering. "I guess I should've been more careful. Thanks, Gary."

Gary smiled, his hands still working over Ash's muscles. "That's what I'm here for, buddy. I know you hate taking breaks, but sometimes you have to slow down a little, or you're gonna hurt yourself for real."

Ash reluctantly nodded. "I know. I'll try... but no promises."

Gary shook his head with a small laugh, then finished up the last of the massaging. "Alright, we're done here for now. I'm gonna give you some ice packs to put on your legs. That'll help with the inflammation."

Ash gave him a half-smile, trying to act tough despite the discomfort. "You're the worst, you know that? Making me take it easy."

Gary shrugged, grinning. "Maybe, but you'll thank me later when you're able to run circles around everyone again."

Ash rolled his eyes but couldn't help but feel a little better. "I guess I do feel a bit better now."

"Good," Gary said, ruffling Ash's hair before standing up. "Get some rest. Keep the ice on your legs for at least twenty minutes, and we'll check in later. And no training until those legs are back to normal, alright?"

Ash made a face but didn't argue. "Fine. But just for today."

Gary shot him a knowing look as he stood up. "Yeah, right. Rest those legs, Ash. I mean it."

Ash just grinned, knowing Gary wouldn't let him get away with anything. "Okay, okay. Thanks, Gary."

"No problem, buddy," Gary replied with a warm smile before heading toward the kitchen to grab the ice packs.

It was a quiet afternoon when Ash, feeling unusually worn out, decided to take a break from his usual training. His muscles were sore, and he'd been pushing himself a little too hard the past few days. He collapsed onto the couch, his legs aching more than usual. His body felt heavy, and the discomfort made him groan as he shifted slightly.

Gary had dropped by unexpectedly, a typical occurrence given their 'friendship', but this time, he noticed the subtle winces Ash made whenever he moved.

"Hey, Ashy, what's with the face?" Gary asked, raising an eyebrow as he leaned against the doorway.

Ash looked up and tried to wave him off, but it was clear that something was wrong. He shifted uncomfortably on the couch, biting his lip. "I'm fine, Gary. Just a little sore, that's all."

Gary, ever the perceptive one, didn't buy it. "Uh-huh. The guy who usually beats the odds is suddenly too sore to move?" He crossed his arms and looked at Ash skeptically. "Alright, spill. What's going on with your legs?"

Ash sighed and reluctantly lowered his gaze. "I don't know, Gary. It's just... everything feels stiff. And my legs have been hurting for a while. Like, deep down aching."

Gary clicked his tongue and stepped closer. "Okay, we're not doing this. Get up."

Ash shot him a surprised look. "What?"

"You heard me. I'm doing a check-up on those legs," Gary said matter-of-factly, already sitting down beside him and preparing his stethoscope and some tools.

Ash rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the small wince that crossed his face when he tried to shift his weight. "Really, Gary? A check-up? It's just a little soreness."

Gary gave him a pointed look. "Ash, soreness doesn't stop you from moving, and it doesn't leave you wincing just from sitting down. So, unless you want to risk this getting worse, you're letting me check you out."

Ash groaned and finally gave in, swinging his legs off the couch and standing up gingerly. "Fine, fine. Just... don't make it weird."

Gary smiled knowingly. "I'm not the one who makes things weird, buddy. You do that on your own." He grabbed a chair and set it in front of Ash. "Sit down here. Let me take a look at those legs."

Ash plopped down into the chair with a grunt, trying to ignore how much his legs screamed in protest. Gary immediately knelt down and took a hold of his left leg, gently lifting it.

"How long has this been happening?" Gary asked as he gently massaged the calf, his fingers pressing into the muscle. He was calm and precise, clearly used to diagnosing even the most stubborn of patients.

( Actually the only stubborn patient he had was his Ashy)

"Eh, it started a few days ago," Ash admitted reluctantly, his face scrunching slightly from the touch. "Just thought it was regular muscle strain, but... it's getting worse." He clenched his fists in his lap, biting back the urge to tense up.

Gary raised an eyebrow. "That's your problem, Ash. You always push things off until they become a bigger issue." He looked up at Ash, his eyes softening. "Alright, let's check your range of motion."

Slowly, Gary extended Ash's leg, lifting it as much as he could without causing too much discomfort. Ash hissed through his teeth, his body involuntarily tightening.

"See? That's not normal," Gary muttered, his brow furrowed. "Does this hurt?"

Ash gritted his teeth, trying not to show how much it really did hurt. "A little. But it's not a big deal, Gary."

Gary's eyes were unwavering as he continued moving Ash's leg carefully. "If it was just muscle strain, you'd be fine by now. I think we're dealing with something more."

He set Ash's leg back down gently, then moved to the other one. He did the same movements, carefully checking for any tenderness, stiffness, or unusual resistance.

After a few minutes of checking, Gary pulled out a small notepad from his kit and looked at Ash seriously. "Alright, we need to get this looked at properly. I'm seeing signs of inflammation around the muscles, maybe even some nerve compression. You've been overworking them too much."

Ash tried to sit up straighter, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "Oh, come on, it's not that bad, right?"

Gary looked up at him, his gaze sharp but not unkind. "It's bad enough that you're hurting, Ash. And we don't want this to develop into something worse like a tear or nerve damage. I'm giving you a temporary solution, but you need to rest and ice those legs. I can't let you walk around like this without proper care."

Ash groaned, knowing Gary was right. "Okay, okay. I'll take it easy... for now."

Gary patted his leg gently. "You'll feel better after a few days of rest. Promise." He helped Ash stand up and led him back to the couch. "Now, lie down. I'm going to get some ice packs."

Ash shook his head. "You're really going all out, huh?"

Gary chuckled, a bit of his usual teasing edge coming back. "When it comes to you, Ash? Absolutely. You're not invincible, buddy."

He went to the freezer and grabbed an ice pack, returning quickly to set it on Ash's legs. Ash hissed at the cold touch but didn't pull away. Gary made sure to wrap the pack in a towel so it wouldn't be too uncomfortable.

"Stay still for a bit. No training, no running around for at least the next couple of days," Gary instructed, sitting back down next to him.

Ash sighed but leaned back against the cushions, closing his eyes. "Fine. But only because you're being such a pain in the neck."

Gary smirked, poking him gently. "You're welcome, kiddo."

He glanced at Ash's legs, still wrapped in ice, then gave a contented sigh. "Now get some rest. I'll keep an eye on you, make sure you don't do anything crazy."

Ash mumbled something in agreement, his eyes already fluttering closed, grateful for the rest. Gary stayed by his side, just in case Ash tried to sneak off and train again. There was nothing he could do to stop Ash from pushing himself, but for now, at least he had his friend's legs taken care of.

It was a quiet afternoon when Ash found himself on the couch again, but this time, it wasn't because of illness. No, today he was just sore. After an intense training session with his Pokémon, Ash's legs were aching, especially his right knee, which had taken a nasty knock while dodging a particularly tough attack from one of his stronger Pokémon.

Gary was at the door, looking uncharacteristically calm as he entered Ash's living room, holding a small medical bag in one hand.

"Alright, Ashy-Boy," Gary said, leaning against the doorframe with a smirk. "Heard you've been running around like a wild man again. Got yourself into some trouble, huh?"

Ash shot Gary a tired grin, wincing as he shifted on the couch. "Yeah, guess I overdid it a bit," he muttered, trying to move his legs but immediately regretting it. "My knee's killing me."

Gary raised an eyebrow, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. "I thought you were invincible, Ash?"

Ash gave a weak chuckle. "Even invincible people get sore." He gingerly stretched his leg out, his knee throbbing in protest.

Gary knelt down beside the couch, his hands already working as he started to roll up Ash's pant leg. "Let me see it, then. We're gonna check it out and make sure nothing's seriously wrong."

Ash winced as Gary moved his leg, but he didn't complain. "It's just sore. Probably just a bruise."

Gary wasn't convinced. He gently palpated around Ash's knee, pressing lightly in different areas to feel for any swelling or abnormalities. Ash flinched slightly when Gary pressed a little harder around the joint.

"Yeah, this doesn't feel like just a bruise, Ash," Gary said, his voice serious now. "There's some swelling here, and your range of motion isn't great. You probably twisted something when you collided with that Pokémon, huh?"

Ash sighed and nodded. "Yeah, I guess. I didn't think it'd be that bad at first, but now it feels worse."

Gary reached for his stethoscope from around his neck and slipped it into his ears. "Alright, we're gonna do a quick check to make sure there's no damage to the muscles or ligaments, alright?"

Ash nodded, suddenly more nervous now that the situation seemed more serious. He wasn't used to being so vulnerable, especially not when it came to his legs. He shifted uncomfortably on the couch, but Gary reassured him with a calm smile.

"I'm just gonna listen to your pulse around the knee, okay? Nothing too crazy." Gary gently placed the cold disk of the stethoscope on Ash's knee, feeling for any abnormal sounds.

Ash's leg tensed up instinctively at the cold contact, but he forced himself to relax. His breathing was shallow, and Gary could tell his mind was already racing with thoughts of how much trouble this could cause.

"Deep breath, Ash," Gary instructed, not even looking up. "Just like I taught you in training. Relax the muscles around your knee, so we can get a good listen. I know you're tense, but it'll help the check-up go faster."

Ash bit his lip, trying to force himself to relax. He focused on taking a deep breath, slowly exhaling as his leg slowly loosened up a little. Gary nodded in approval, pulling the stethoscope away from his knee.

"You've got a little bit of swelling, like I said, but your pulse is strong and steady. No signs of major damage to the ligaments. It's definitely a soft tissue injury, though. Probably just a sprain." Gary stood up, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

Ash's face softened with a sigh of relief. "So... nothing too serious?"

Gary grinned. "Nothing that'll keep you down for long. But you're gonna need to take it easy for a couple of days. Ice, elevation, and maybe some light stretching when the swelling goes down."

Ash nodded, grateful. "Thanks, Gary. I was really starting to worry that I messed something up for real."

Gary chuckled, pulling out a small tube of ointment from his medical bag. "I gotcha, Ash. This'll help with the soreness. Just don't overdo it again, alright?"

"Yeah, yeah," Ash muttered, accepting the ointment. He winced slightly when Gary rubbed the cool cream into his knee, but the gentle pressure was soothing. "Thanks, man. I feel a little better now."

Gary smiled, his usual teasing grin creeping back into his expression. "You'd better. Can't have you being a mess the whole time. You've got battles to win, right?"

Ash smiled back, his usual confidence returning as the pain in his knee started to subside. "Yeah. I'll be back to training tomorrow."

Gary rolled his eyes. "You're something else, Ash. But seriously, take it easy for today, okay? No crazy training, just rest."

Ash groaned but reluctantly nodded. "Fine. No training today. But tomorrow, I'm back at it."

Gary laughed, ruffling Ash's hair lightly. "I swear, you're like a stubborn Pokéball. Alright, take care of that knee, Ashy. I'm heading out, but if you need anything, call me."

Ash gave a tired thumbs-up as Gary turned to leave. "Thanks, Gary. You're the best."

"Yeah, yeah. Just don't get yourself into more trouble, okay?" Gary called over his shoulder as he walked out the door, a playful smirk on his face.

It was another quiet afternoon at Ash's house. The sun filtered softly through the windows, casting long shadows across the living room. Ash was lounging on the couch, trying to relax after a grueling morning of training with Pikachu. His muscles ached, his legs sore from the constant running and jumping. It was a familiar kind of fatigue, but something didn't feel quite right today. The pain in his legs was sharper than usual, and there was an unsettling twinge whenever he shifted positions.

Gary knocked lightly on the door, not waiting for an answer before stepping inside. He had come by to check on Ash, knowing how stubborn his friend could be when it came to pushing through physical exhaustion. And today, Gary noticed Ash was a little quieter than normal.

"Ashy-Boy?" Gary called as he entered the room, scanning the couch and the small area around it. He spotted Ash, lying back with his eyes closed, one of his legs propped up on a pillow.

"Gary?" Ash's voice was a little quieter than usual, his eyes opening to look at his friend. "What's up?"

Gary frowned as he approached. "You look like you've been hit by a truck. What happened to you?"

Ash grimaced, shifting his legs slightly. "Just the usual... running around, trying to keep up with Pikachu," he said, though his tone lacked its usual energy. He tried to sit up, but the moment he shifted his leg, a sharp pain flared up and he winced.

Gary immediately crouched down in front of him. "Okay, buddy, that doesn't look good. You're limping a little too much for it to be just 'the usual.' Let me take a look at those legs."

Ash hesitated, clearly not thrilled at the idea of someone poking around on his sore muscles, but Gary's serious expression made him realize he probably didn't have a choice. "Fine," Ash muttered, leaning back on the couch and shifting his weight to one side.

Gary wasted no time. He gently lifted Ash's leg from the pillow and began inspecting it. "How long has this been bothering you?" Gary asked, his fingers lightly pressing along Ash's calf, testing for any swelling or tenderness.

Ash winced slightly, but he shrugged it off. "Since this morning, really. Just didn't think it was a big deal."

Gary raised an eyebrow. "You're still in pain, Ash. This could be more than just a few sore muscles. I'm going to need to do a full check-up."

Ash rolled his eyes, but he wasn't about to argue. He knew Gary wasn't going to let him off easy.

Gary moved his hands carefully up Ash's leg, checking for any signs of swelling or bruising, his touch gentle yet thorough. "Does it hurt here?" he asked, pressing a little harder near Ash's knee.

"Yeah... a little," Ash admitted, trying to downplay it, but his clenched jaw gave him away.

Gary's frown deepened as he moved his hands to Ash's thigh. "Any other spots that feel tight or stiff?"

Ash shifted uneasily. "My whole leg feels kind of... stiff," he muttered, avoiding Gary's gaze.

Gary took a deep breath, trying to keep calm. "Alright, let's make sure there's no strain or anything more serious. Hold on a second."

He stood up and walked over to his kit, pulling out a small ice pack. He returned to Ash's side and gently placed it over the sore area on Ash's leg. "This should help a bit with the swelling," Gary explained. "But we're going to need to check your range of motion to be sure."

Ash looked at Gary skeptically. "You mean, you want me to move it? After all this pain?"

Gary gave a patient, understanding smile. "It'll help me figure out what's going on, buddy. Just take it slow, and I'll help you through it, alright?"

Ash took a breath, reluctantly nodding. "Okay, fine."

Gary kneeled down next to Ash's leg, holding it gently but firmly at the ankle. "First, we're just going to move it a little. Don't push it. Tell me if it hurts, okay?"

Ash nodded again, then slowly, with Gary guiding him, he lifted his leg just a few inches. The pain was still sharp, but not as bad as before. He winced but didn't protest.

"How's that?" Gary asked, watching Ash closely for any signs of discomfort.

"It's sore, but not terrible," Ash answered, surprised it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be.

Gary nodded, then slowly moved Ash's leg further, bending it at the knee. Ash's breath hitched at the sharp twinge of pain, but Gary kept his voice calm and reassuring.

"Just relax. It's okay. Don't push yourself too much," Gary said, noticing the tension in Ash's body. He was holding his breath and tightening his grip on the armrest. "Relax, Ash. It'll help you, trust me."

Ash let out a small, frustrated breath and tried to loosen up. Slowly, Gary guided Ash's leg through a few more movements, checking for any restrictions or stiffness.

"Alright, let's stop here. I don't want to push it too much," Gary said, lifting the ice pack and placing it back on the area.

Ash let out a sigh of relief, relieved that the worst was over. "Thanks, Gary," he said quietly, still feeling the discomfort in his leg, but the soothing touch and Gary's careful approach made him feel a little better.

Gary smiled, giving him a pat on the leg. "No problem, buddy. Just don't ignore your body next time, okay? You can't always push through pain like that. I'm going to keep an eye on you, so no training until you're better, got it?"

Ash groaned. "I hate being told what to do."

Gary laughed. "Yeah, well, you're not always right. I know you don't want to take it easy, but you need to rest. If it gets worse, I'll come back and drag you to the doctor, alright?"

Ash rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at his lips. "Alright, alright, I get it. No more running into battles until I'm back to full strength."

"That's the spirit!" Gary grinned. "We'll take it easy, and in a few days, you'll be good to go again."

Ash chuckled weakly, sinking back into the couch and adjusting the pillow under his head. "Thanks, Gary. You're not as bad as I thought you'd be at this whole 'being responsible' thing."

Gary raised an eyebrow and smirked. "I try, Ash. Just don't tell anyone. My reputation as a genius might be ruined."

Ash gave him a playful shove. "Yeah, right. You're way too soft for that."

Gary just grinned. "I'm soft when I need to be. Now rest up, buddy. I'll check in with you later."

It was another quiet afternoon at Ash's house, the sun filtering through the window, casting soft beams of light across the living room. Ash was on the couch again, but this time, it wasn't because of illness. Oh, nonononono. Today he was just feeling a bit sore from training, having pushed himself harder than usual.

Gary had just arrived, the sound of the door opening alerting Ash to his presence. He glanced up from his spot on the couch, offering a tired smile.

"Hey, Ashy-Boy. How you feeling today?" Gary asked, his usual teasing tone replaced by something more concerned.

Ash stretched out slightly, feeling the ache in his legs as he did. "Eh, my legs are sore. I think I overdid it during training this morning."

Gary arched an eyebrow, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. "Let me guess, you decided to try that insane new move, huh?"

Ash nodded sheepishly. "Maybe... Just wanted to see if I could pull it off. Guess I pushed it too far."

Gary chuckled, walking over and sitting down next to Ash. "Well, you're lucky I'm here. I'm an expert when it comes to checking out injuries." He patted his own chest with mock pride.

Ash rolled his eyes, but despite himself, a small grin appeared. "Sure, Gary. You're totally a doctor, right?"

Gary shrugged nonchalantly. "If by 'doctor' you mean someone who's seen every kind of training injury possible, then yeah, I'm basically a pro."

Ash just shook his head, but the smile stayed on his face.

"Alright, let's see those legs then," Gary said, sitting down and giving Ash a look. "I've got a feeling you overexerted yourself, so I need to check for any swelling or bruising. Can you get your feet up here?"

Ash groaned, but obediently lifted his legs, placing them across Gary's lap. He had a feeling this wasn't going to be a quick look-over.

Gary gently rolled up Ash's pant legs, revealing his bare calves. He immediately noticed a faint redness and slight swelling around Ash's knees and shins.

"Yeah, looks like you did a bit more than just push yourself," Gary murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly. "This is more than just sore muscles, Ash. I'm guessing you landed wrong during that move?"

Ash winced at the memory. "Yeah, I twisted my knee a little. It wasn't a big deal at first, but it's gotten worse. I figured I could tough it out, but now it's just... bothering me."

Gary nodded, his face serious. "Alright, no more toughing it out, Ash. Let me take a closer look." He placed his hands gently on Ash's knees, feeling for any warmth or tenderness around the joints.

Ash flinched slightly when Gary applied pressure, his hand gripping the couch cushion beneath him. "Does it hurt?" Gary asked, his voice calm but attentive.

"Yeah... kinda..." Ash admitted. "It's like a dull ache, but it sharpens up when I move it wrong."

Gary hummed thoughtfully, rubbing his fingers lightly over the area. "Mm-hmm. Well, the good news is it doesn't feel like anything's torn. I think you just overextended the muscles and ligaments a bit. But you're definitely going to need to rest it for a few days."

Ash nodded, but there was an almost imperceptible look of frustration in his eyes. "I can't rest, Gary. There's always something I have to do. Training... battles... you know how it is."

Gary shot him a pointed look. "You need to stop pushing yourself so hard. You're not invincible, Ash. If you keep ignoring your body like this, you're going to make things worse. You need to take care of it now, or you won't be able to train for real when the time comes."

Ash hesitated, but Gary's steady gaze left little room for argument. With a reluctant sigh, Ash nodded. "Alright, alright. I'll take it easy... for a little while."

Gary smiled, giving Ash's knee a reassuring pat. "Good. Now, let me finish checking out these legs of yours."

Ash just slumped back into the cushions, trying to relax as Gary moved down to his ankles, checking for any swelling or tenderness in that area as well. He gently rotated Ash's foot, watching for any discomfort. Ash hissed slightly when Gary turned his foot in one direction, but he didn't pull away.

"Does it hurt here?" Gary asked, pausing his motion to look for Ash's reaction.

"Not as much," Ash muttered. "It's more around the knee."

"Alright," Gary said thoughtfully. "That's good news. No issues down here. Now, let me just check your other leg."

Gary repeated the process, rolling up Ash's pant leg and checking his other knee, foot, and ankle, though Ash didn't seem to have as much trouble with that leg.

"You're in luck," Gary said after a moment. "No swelling or bruising here. Looks like the right leg took the brunt of it." He moved to sit beside Ash again, letting the boy lower his legs back down. "Alright, Ashy. Here's the plan."

Ash leaned forward slightly, intrigued. "What's the plan?"

"No more insane moves for the next couple of days," Gary said firmly. "Rest, ice, elevate the knee, and keep it wrapped. I'll get you some pain meds and maybe a brace for extra support. And you're gonna do stretches, but only when I say so, got it?"

Ash gave him a tired, grateful look. "Got it. Thanks, Gary. I guess I was being kind of dumb, huh?"

Gary chuckled, reaching over and ruffling Ash's hair. "No, just stubborn. You're always pushing yourself, but that's what makes you a great fighter. You just need to learn when to take a break. Trust me, if you listen to me now, you'll be back at full strength in no time."

Ash smiled weakly. "Alright, alright. I'll take it easy for now. But after that... no promises."

Gary shook his head with a smile. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you."