Gary leaned against the doorframe, his trademark smirk plastered on his face. "You’re trembling, Ashy-boy. What's the matter? It’s just little ol’ me," he teased, his tone light but laced with affection.

Ash's leg bounced uncontrollably as he fumbled with his words. "I... I just... y-you know I don’t like check-ups, Gary." His voice cracked slightly, and he looked down, his hands clutching his hat like it was a lifeline.

Gary’s smirk softened into a small, understanding smile. He pushed off the doorframe and walked over, placing a hand gently on Ash's trembling ones. "Hey. You’re gonna be okay," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. "It’s me, Ashy. You trust me, don’t you?"

Ash glanced up, his wide brown eyes filled with nervousness. His heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst out of his chest. "Y-yeah, I trust you," he mumbled, though his body language betrayed his uncertainty.

Gary gave his hand a squeeze before letting go. "Good. Now, let’s get started. You can yell at me later if I screw this up, okay?" He winked, trying to inject some humor into the situation.

Ash managed a weak chuckle, his leg still bouncing as Gary moved to grab a pair of gloves from the counter. He snapped them on with a practiced ease that made Ash wince slightly at the sound. "First things first, let’s check those eyes," Gary said, picking up a small flashlight. He tilted Ash's chin up gently. "Follow the light, Ashy-boy."

Ash’s eyes darted nervously to the flashlight, then back to Gary. "I-I’ll try," he stammered. His voice wavered, but he did as Gary instructed, following the beam of light as Gary moved it from side to side.

"Good," Gary said, his tone encouraging. "You’re doing great, buddy." He moved the light up and down, watching Ash’s pupils carefully. "Your eyes are fine. See? That wasn’t so bad."

Ash let out a shaky breath. "Y-yeah. I guess."

Gary set the flashlight down and grabbed an otoscope. "Okay, ears next. Hold still." He gently guided Ash’s head to the side and peered into one ear. "Looks good," he said after a moment, then checked the other. "All clear."

Ash nodded stiffly, his shoulders still tense. Gary noticed and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Relax, Ash. We’re halfway through."

"I-I’m fine," Ash said, though his trembling hands said otherwise.

Gary sighed but didn’t push him. Instead, he moved to check Ash’s throat. "Open wide and say ‘ah.’"

Ash hesitated, then complied. "Ahhhh," he mumbled weakly.

Gary inspected his throat with a small tongue depressor. "Looks good. No sore throat or anything. See? Easy stuff." He discarded the depressor and turned back to Ash, who was still bouncing his leg nervously.

Gary crouched down so they were eye level. "Hey, buddy. Look at me," he said softly. Ash’s eyes met his, and Gary smiled. "You’re doing great. Just one more thing to check, okay? Your heart."

Ash swallowed hard and nodded. "O-okay."

Gary grabbed his stethoscope and placed it over Ash’s chest. "Take a deep breath for me."

Ash obeyed, though his breaths were shaky. Gary frowned slightly as he listened. "Your heart’s racing, Ashy-boy. You gotta calm down, or I’m gonna think you’ve been battling legendary Pokémon all day."

"I-I can’t help it," Ash muttered. "I just…"

Gary straightened up and moved to sit behind Ash on the exam table. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around his best friend in a firm but gentle hug. "It’s okay, Ash. I’m here. Just breathe, buddy."

Ash froze for a moment, his body rigid, but then he leaned back into Gary, letting out a shaky sigh. "I... I’m sorry," he whispered.

"Nothing to be sorry for," Gary said, his voice low and soothing. "I know you hate this stuff. Remember when we were four, and I went with you to your first check-up? You cried so hard the nurse had to bribe you with candy."

Ash chuckled softly at the memory, though his voice was still shaky. "Y-yeah. And you yelled at her for making me cry."

"That’s right," Gary said, a grin in his voice. "And I’d do it again. You’re my best friend, Ash. I’ve got your back."

Ash’s leg finally stopped bouncing, and he took a deep breath. "Thanks, Gary."

"Anytime," Gary said, pulling back slightly. "Now, let’s finish this up." He checked Ash’s blood pressure next, his brow furrowing slightly at the high reading. "Ash, your blood pressure’s through the roof. Are you feeling okay?"

Ash shrugged. "Just nervous, I guess."

Gary nodded. "Okay. We’ll keep an eye on it, but you need to calm down, buddy. Stress isn’t good for you." He paused, then added, "And if you need another hug, just say so."

Ash hesitated, then muttered, "G... Gary?"

"Yeah, buddy?" Gary asked, his tone gentle.

"C-could you... maybe..." Ash trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper.

Gary smiled knowingly and pulled him into another hug. "Of course, Ashy-boy." Ash buried his face in Gary’s shoulder, his body shaking with soft sobs.

"Oh, buddy," Gary said softly, rubbing Ash’s back. "It’s okay. I’m here. You’re gonna be just fine."

" No, I'm not! I'm so sorry." Ash sniffled.

Gary raised a brow as he hugged his tighter. " About?"

" Gary, I'm a mess! I can't do anything right! I can't even go through a simple check up without breaking down. Now I understand why you used to call me a loser. Because I am."

" Ash-"

" It's okay if you don't want to be my friend."

" Ash-"

" I would deserve it."

" ASH!"

Gary sighed and pulled back slightly to look at Ash, his hands still on his best friend’s shoulders. His expression was softer now, but there was a hint of frustration. "Ash, stop it. Just stop. You’re not dumb, and you’re definitely not a loser. Why would you even think that?"

Ash avoided Gary’s eyes, his head hanging low. "Because it’s true. I mess up all the time. I can’t even sit through a simple check-up without panicking. Who does that? You’re so much better at everything, Gary. You’re smarter, stronger, and way more confident. I’m just... I’m just a mess."

Gary’s grip on Ash’s shoulders tightened slightly. "Ashy-boy, you need to listen to me right now," he said firmly but gently. "You are not dumb, and you are not a loser. You’re one of the most determined people I’ve ever met. You don’t give up, no matter how hard things get. That’s not something a loser does."

"But—" Ash tried to protest, but Gary cut him off.

"No buts," Gary said sharply. "You’ve saved entire regions, Ash. You’ve stood up to people way scarier than me, and you’ve protected your friends and Pokémon without a second thought. That’s not dumb. That’s brave. That’s incredible."

Ash sniffled, his eyes still downcast. "But I’m not like you. You’re so good at everything. You don’t have these... stupid meltdowns over nothing."

Gary sighed again, his voice softening. "Ash, everyone has their struggles. You think I’ve got it all figured out? I don’t. I mess up too. I’ve been scared, nervous, and even jealous of you sometimes."

That made Ash look up, his teary eyes wide with surprise. "Jealous? Of me?"

Gary chuckled lightly. "Yeah, of you. You’ve got this way of connecting with people and Pokémon that I’ll never have. You’re fearless in ways I can only dream of. And you know what? I’ve always admired you for that."

Ash blinked, stunned into silence. Gary took the opportunity to lean in closer, his tone soft but firm. "You’re not dumb, Ash. You’re not a loser. You’re my best friend, and I wouldn’t trade you for anything. Got it?"

Ash’s lower lip trembled as more tears welled up in his eyes. "You really mean that?"

"Of course, I do," Gary said, giving Ash a small smile. "Now, come here, buddy."

Gary wrapped his arms around Ash again, this time tighter and more reassuring. Ash hesitated for only a second before hugging him back, burying his face in Gary’s shoulder as he cried softly.

"I’m sorry," Ash mumbled between sobs.

"You don’t have to apologize, Ashy-boy," Gary said, rubbing his back soothingly. "You’re allowed to feel how you feel. Just remember, you’re not alone. I’ve got your back, no matter what."

Ash clung to Gary, his trembling starting to subside as the warmth of his best friend's words began to sink in. For the first time that day, he felt a little less like a mess and a little more like himself.