The door swung open, and in walked Ash Ketchum—except walked wasn’t exactly the right word. He was barely holding himself up, swaying on his feet as if he was about to collapse at any second. His face was unnaturally pale, sweat glistening on his forehead, and his breathing was shallow. His clothes were torn, dirt smeared across his skin, and there was a nasty scrape on his arm. But despite all that, he still had that same infuriatingly optimistic grin plastered on his face.

Pikachu sat on his shoulder, his little paws gripping Ash’s jacket tightly, concern written all over his tiny face. "Pika…" the Pokémon whimpered, ears drooping.

Gary had expected a mess, but this—this—was worse than he thought. His eyes widened in shock, and before he even realized what he was doing, he was already on his feet, rushing to Ash’s side.

"Ash!" Gary barked, grabbing him before he could crumple to the ground. "Arceus, you look awful! What the what happened to you?"

Ash chuckled weakly, waving a hand dismissively. "Oh, y’know… Koffing’s poison gas… lost my footing… tree branches aren’t very sturdy… but I saved the Budew!"

Gary scowled, tightening his grip on Ash’s arm to keep him steady. "Yeah? And who’s gonna save you, genius?!"

Ash tried to wave him off again, but his knees buckled slightly, and Gary had to catch him before he hit the floor. His entire body was trembling—whether from exhaustion, poison, or the sheer effort of standing, Gary wasn’t sure. Probably all of the above.

"Okay, that’s it. Sit down before you pass out!" Gary ordered, dragging Ash toward the examination table.

Ash grinned up at him, even as he struggled to stay upright. "Aw, c’mon, Gare, I’ve been through worse."

"Worse?!" Gary snapped, pressing a firm hand against Ash’s chest and forcing him onto the table. "Ash, you reek of poison, you’re barely standing, and you look like you lost a fight with a Lickitung—twice!"

Ash winced as he settled on the table, but he still had that stupid grin. "Heh… Lickitung’s got a mean slap…"

Gary pinched the bridge of his nose. "Unbelievable."

Pikachu hopped off Ash’s shoulder and onto the table, ears twitching anxiously. "Pika pi!"

Gary sighed, pulling out his stethoscope. "Alright, let’s get a quick listen first, then we’ll deal with the poison. You better not try to pretend you’re fine."

Ash held up his hands. "Wouldn’t dream of it."

Gary gave him a flat look. "You just did."

Ash’s grin widened. "Can’t prove that."

Gary groaned, muttering something under his breath before placing the stethoscope on Ash’s chest. The second he heard Ash’s heart, his expression darkened. The rhythm was faster than normal—too fast. The poison was messing with his system, making his heart work overtime. His breathing was shallow, too.

Gary frowned. "Your heart’s racing. And your lungs—Ash, you sound terrible. How long have you been breathing in that poison gas?"

Ash hesitated. "Uh… couple minutes?"

Gary gave him a deadpan look. "Ash."

"…Maybe ten?"

"Ash!"

"Okay, fifteen—but I was busy saving Budew!"

Gary clenched his jaw, trying very hard not to strangle him. "And who’s gonna save you, huh?! Ash, your lungs sound tight, your heart’s working overtime, and you’re barely conscious! Did you even think for one second?!"

Ash opened his mouth to retort but wobbled slightly, gripping the edge of the table.

Gary’s anger immediately faded into concern. "Okay, forget it. Let’s just get you treated before you collapse."

Ash blinked up at him, his vision a little fuzzy. "Gare… you’re fussing too much."

Gary scowled. "And you’re not fussing enough!"

Pikachu let out a distressed squeak. "Pika pika!"

Gary sighed, gently pushing Ash back onto the table. "Lie down, now. I need to get the antidote into you before this gets worse."

Ash grinned weakly. "Fine, fine. But, y’know… I did save the Budew."

Gary rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. And now I gotta save you—again."

As he prepped the antidote, he shook his head.

"This is gonna be a long day."

The moment the door opened, Gary’s eyes landed on Ash—and his heart nearly stopped.

Ash looked very bad. His face was pale, almost ghostly, with a faint greenish tint that made Gary’s stomach churn. Sweat dripped down his forehead, his breathing was shallow, and his usually bright brown eyes were dulled with exhaustion. His clothes were scuffed, torn, and dirtied from his fall, and there was a nasty scrape on his arm that looked like it had barely stopped bleeding.

And yet—he was grinning.

"Hey, Gary," Ash greeted, his voice raspy but full of forced cheer. "Guess I—heh—got myself into a bit of a mess, huh?"

Gary’s eyes widened, and in an instant, he was out of his chair and at Ash’s side. "Ash, what the what?!" His hands went straight to Ash’s shoulders, steadying him as the other trainer wobbled slightly. "You look like you got hit by a bus—twice! Why are you standing?!"

Ash’s grin didn’t falter, though there was a flicker of something in his eyes—relief, maybe? "Eh, I’ve had worse," he said, waving a shaky hand. "Besides, I—whoa—"

His knees nearly buckled, and Gary caught him before he could hit the ground. "Arceus, Ash, sit down before you faceplant in my office!" Gary half-dragged, half-guided Ash to the examination table, his grip firm but careful.

Pikachu, who had been clinging to Ash’s shoulder, let out a worried "Pika pii!" as it hopped onto the table beside him. Tessa, the nurse, hovered nearby, ready to assist if needed.

Gary immediately went into doctor mode. "Poisoning and a fall? Arceus, Ash, you don’t do anything halfway, do you?" He grabbed his stethoscope and pressed it to Ash’s chest without waiting for permission. "Deep breath."

Ash obeyed, but even that was a struggle. His breath hitched, and Gary frowned at the slight wheeze he heard. "Lungs sound a little tight," he muttered, moving the stethoscope to Ash’s back. "You feeling short of breath?"

Ash hesitated. "Not... really."

Gary shot him a look. "Ash."

"...Maybe a little," Ash admitted, shifting uncomfortably.

Gary sighed and grabbed a pulse oximeter, clipping it onto Ash’s finger. His brows furrowed as he read the results. "Your oxygen’s low. Probably from the poison."

Ash blinked sluggishly. "Huh. That’s... not great, huh?"

"No, it's not," Gary snapped, barely restraining his frustration. "Why didn’t you go to a Pokémon Center first?!"

Ash chuckled weakly. "Because Budew needed help first."

Gary pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course you put the Pokémon first." He shook his head and placed a hand on Ash’s forehead. "Ash, you’re burning up. How long have you been feeling like this?"

Ash looked away. "...Few hours?"

Gary’s jaw clenched. "A few hours?!" He turned to Tessa. "We need anti-toxins and fluids, now."

Tessa nodded and rushed out.

Gary turned back to Ash, who was still grinning like an idiot despite looking like death warmed over. Gary’s stomach twisted—Ash was struggling just to stay upright, and he was still acting like everything was fine.

"Ash," Gary said, softer this time, "you scared me, you moron."

Ash blinked at him in surprise. "Huh?"

"You’re standing here, barely able to breathe, poisoned, scraped up, and you’re still smiling like an idiot," Gary said, exasperated. "You could’ve died, Ash."

Ash’s expression shifted slightly—still playful, but with a bit of guilt behind his eyes. "...But I didn’t."

Gary huffed. "Yeah, well, you’re not out of the woods yet."

Tessa returned with the supplies, and Gary wasted no time in setting up an IV. As he worked, Ash finally let himself slump forward a little, exhaustion creeping in.

Gary caught him before he could fall. "Whoa, whoa— I got you, Ash."

Ash blinked drowsily, his body finally giving in. "...Thanks, Gary."

Gary sighed, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah. Just... try not to die next time, okay?"

Ash grinned tiredly. "No promises."

The door swung open, and Tessa stepped aside as Ash Ketchum walked—or rather, wobbled—into the room. Pikachu clung to his shoulder, looking just as concerned as Gary felt the moment his eyes landed on his old rival.

Ash looked very bad. His skin was pale, a sickly tint that made Gary’s stomach twist. Sweat dripped down his forehead, his breathing was a little too fast, and his usual bright eyes were dull, laced with exhaustion. His jacket was torn, his jeans were scraped, and his posture—though stubbornly upright—screamed I should not be standing right now.

And yet, despite everything, Ash was grinning.

“Hey, Gary,” Ash rasped, giving a weak thumbs-up. “Guess who had the best day ever?”

Gary’s heart nearly stopped. He was out of his chair in an instant, crossing the room faster than he thought possible. His hands gripped Ash’s arms before the idiot could collapse on his face.

“Ash, what the what—?!” Gary’s voice was sharp, but beneath it was pure, raw concern. His fingers pressed against Ash’s pulse point, feeling the rapid, too-fast beat of his heart. “You’re poisoned, dehydrated, and probably concussed, and you’re grinning?”

Ash chuckled weakly. “Yeah, but I saved the Budew, so—”

“Sit down before you fall down,” Gary ordered, already guiding him to the nearest medical bed.

Ash didn’t argue—because he couldn’t. The moment Gary eased him down, his legs nearly buckled, and Gary had to catch him again. Pikachu let out a worried “Pika!” as Gary carefully helped Ash lie back, his hands already moving to check his vitals.

Gary’s eyes darkened as he pressed his palm to Ash’s forehead. “You’re burning up,” he muttered. “Tessa, get the anti-toxin and IV ready. Now.”

Tessa nodded and rushed out.

Ash blinked blearily up at Gary. “It’s not that bad,” he mumbled.

Gary shot him a look. “Ash, you’re barely holding yourself together. And why were you climbing a tree while poisoned?!”

Ash gave a tired, lopsided grin. “Budew needed help.”

Gary sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Of course it did.”

Pikachu nuzzled against Ash’s cheek, letting out a soft whimper. Gary glanced at the electric mouse, then back at Ash. The idiot was still smiling—because of course he was.

Gary exhaled sharply. He had a job to do.

“Alright, Ashy-boy. Let’s fix you up before you actually collapse.”

The door swung open, and Tessa stepped aside, allowing the patient to walk in—or rather, stumble in.

Gary’s eyes widened in horror as soon as he saw Ash.

Ash looked very bad. His skin was unnaturally pale, almost grayish, and sweat dripped down his forehead. His usually bright eyes were dull and hazy, and his breath came in shallow, uneven gasps. His clothes were torn and dirt-streaked, his left arm had fresh scrapes from his fall, and the way he held himself—stiff yet wavering—told Gary that Ash was struggling just to stay upright.

Yet, somehow, impossibly, Ash was grinning.

"Hey, Gary," Ash rasped, voice hoarse but still filled with that stupid, stubborn optimism. "Miss me?"

Gary ran to his side without thinking, his hands reaching out to steady him before Ash could collapse. "Ash, what the hell?!" His fingers pressed against Ash’s clammy skin, feeling the heat of a fever beneath the layers of sweat. "Why are you still standing?!"

Ash chuckled weakly, though it turned into a cough. "I dunno... I guess I just didn’t wanna make a scene."

"Too late for that!" Gary snapped, tightening his grip as Ash swayed dangerously. "Arceus, you look like you got hit by a truck! What were you even thinking—no, scratch that, you weren’t thinking!"

Pikachu, perched on Ash’s shoulder, let out a worried "Pika pii!" nuzzling against his cheek, but Ash reached up and patted him reassuringly. "I’m fine, buddy. Just a little dizzy."

Gary felt his patience snap. "A little?!" He gestured wildly at Ash’s entire existence. "Ash, you got poisoned by a Koffing and fell out of a tree! You’re running a fever, you’re barely breathing right, and you’re standing here grinning like an idiot—"

Ash’s knees buckled.

Gary caught him just in time. "Oh, no, you don’t!" He wrapped an arm around Ash’s back, supporting his weight. "Tessa! Get a bed ready, now!"

Tessa, already moving, called back, "On it!"

Gary turned his full attention back to Ash, who was still trying—trying—to act like this was nothing. His breaths were coming faster now, shallow and unsteady, his body trembling slightly from the effort of staying conscious. Gary could feel the heat radiating off of him, the fever burning high.

"You’re so stupid," Gary muttered under his breath, adjusting his grip. "You don’t have to act like you’re invincible, you know that, right?"

Ash managed another weak grin. "But where’s the fun in that?"

Gary rolled his eyes. "Unbelievable."

With one swift movement, he hoisted Ash up onto the nearest examination table, keeping a firm hand on his shoulder as he swayed. "Stay still, Ash. I mean it."

Ash let out a breathy chuckle but didn’t argue this time. Probably because he was too exhausted to fight back. His eyelids fluttered slightly, but he forced himself to stay awake. Gary hated how familiar this felt.

"Alright," Gary muttered, grabbing his stethoscope and pressing it against Ash’s sweat-dampened chest. "Deep breath in."

Ash tried. He really did. But his inhale was weak and shaky, and Gary didn’t like the slight wheezing he heard. "Ash..." His voice was quieter now, more serious. "You’re not breathing right."

"‘M fine..."

Gary shot him a glare. "No, you’re not." He moved the stethoscope again, listening closely. His frown deepened. "Dammit... The poison’s messing with your lungs. You’re not getting enough air."

Ash’s grin faltered slightly. "...Oh."

Gary pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to rein in his frustration. "Alright, we’ll deal with that. But first—" He pressed two fingers to Ash’s wrist, checking his pulse. His frown turned into a full-on scowl. "Arceus, Ash, your heart’s racing."

"Is that... bad?"

"Yes, you moron!"

Ash let out a weak laugh. "Heh... So, uh, what’s the diagnosis, doc?"

Gary clenched his jaw, temper barely in check. "You have poison in your system. Your body is overworking itself trying to fight it off, your heart is going way too fast, and you’re barely getting enough oxygen." He glared. "This is why normal people don’t climb trees while poisoned, Ash!"

Ash winced. "Well, when you put it that way..."

"Yeah. Exactly." Gary let out a breath, rubbing his temple. "Tessa!"

She returned immediately, wheeling over medical supplies. "Bed’s ready. IV’s prepped. Do we need oxygen?"

Gary glanced at Ash, who was still trying to sit up like he wasn’t moments away from passing out. "Yes. Get me an oxygen mask and the antidote for Koffing’s toxin."

Ash groaned dramatically. "Aw man... do I really need the mask?"

Gary didn’t even dignify that with an answer. He grabbed the oxygen mask and placed it firmly over Ash’s face. "Breathe, Ketchum. Don’t make me force you."

Ash mumbled something behind the mask, but after a second, he actually listened and took in slow, deep breaths.

Gary let out a breath himself, some of his frustration giving way to sheer exhaustion. "Finally."

As Tessa got the IV set up, Gary sat on the edge of the bed, shaking his head. "You’re unbelievable, you know that?"

Ash looked at him, eyes half-lidded but still stubbornly bright. He raised a shaky hand and gave a thumbs-up.

Gary sighed. "Yeah, yeah... just shut up and get better, idiot."