Ash was shaking uncontrollably, his heart racing with panic. His chest was tight, and every breath felt like it was getting harder to take. He didn’t know what to do, the weight of everything pressing down on him.

"I'm sorry, Gary... I’m so dumb, I’m such a loser," Ash muttered through ragged breaths. "I can't do this, I always mess everything up. You shouldn't even be wasting your time with me." His voice cracked, tears beginning to blur his vision.

Gary’s expression shifted from a teasing grin to one of concern, his brows furrowing in frustration, but not at Ash. At the situation. At how his best friend was falling apart in front of him, and there was only so much he could do. He reached over and tapped Ash’s thick skull lightly. "Ash, buddy, calm down," Gary said, his voice low but firm. "Take a deep breath for me, okay? You're freaking out, and that's half the problem."

Ash tried to follow Gary’s instructions, but his breaths came in quick gasps. He couldn't focus enough to steady himself. His chest was tight, and his vision was starting to blur. The panic was overwhelming.

Gary’s patience was wearing thin—not with Ash, but with the situation. He needed to take control before things got worse. He reached for a wipe and quickly lifted Ash's sleeve, wiping it gently as he prepared to give him the flu shot. Ash didn’t even notice, too caught up in his spiraling thoughts to register what was happening.

Gary didn’t ask. He just did it. He could already feel Ash's pulse racing beneath his fingertips, and he knew this had to be done.

Ash jumped slightly when he felt the prick of the needle, his breath catching in his throat. He hadn't even realized it was happening until it was too late. His whole body tensed.

Gary pulled the syringe away, quickly removing the gloves and tossing them into the trash. He then reached for Ash’s hand, his fingers wrapping gently around his trembling fingers.

"Okay, Ash. Breathe with me," Gary said calmly, locking eyes with his friend. "One. Two. Three. Four. Five. You’re gonna be fine, just breathe."

Ash couldn’t stop crying. The sobs racked his body as he struggled to breathe through the overwhelming fear. His chest felt tight, like a vice, and his heart pounded so loudly in his ears it felt like it might explode. "I can’t breathe... Gary... I can’t..."

Gary’s grip tightened on his hand as he focused on calming Ash down. He kept his voice steady and even. "Ash, listen to me. If you don’t stop, I’m going to have to give you anesthesia to calm you down, okay?" His words were gentle, but they carried an edge of seriousness.

Ash’s breathing was erratic, his sobs turning into coughs. His chest felt like it was constricting more with each passing second. Gary could feel the distress radiating off him, his pulse still erratic beneath Ash's skin.

Gary's heart broke watching his best friend suffer like this. He'd been through so much with Ash, but he’d never seen him quite like this before.

"Buddy, please," Gary whispered, squeezing Ash’s hand tightly. "Breathe with me. We’ll get through this. I’m right here, I promise."

Ash was still struggling, his body shaking uncontrollably. His breath hitched, and his sobs turned into gasps. He felt lightheaded, dizzy with the panic that wouldn’t subside.

"Come on, Ash," Gary said, lifting Ash’s chin to meet his eyes. "I need you to focus on me. You can do this, I know you can."

Ash, his chest heaving with each breath, looked up at Gary through tear-filled eyes, his voice shaking. "Gary... I can't..."

Gary’s heart ached for him. "Ash," he said softly but firmly, "You *can*. But I need you to focus on your breathing, okay? You have to calm down. Just one breath at a time."

Ash tried, but every attempt to slow his breathing only made it worse. His vision blurred again, and he felt like he might collapse any second.

Gary pulled Ash into his arms, wrapping them tightly around his best friend, pressing his cheek to Ash’s. "It’s okay," Gary whispered, holding him tight, his voice soothing. "I’ve got you. You’re not alone."

Ash buried his face in Gary's shirt, his body shaking with the force of his sobs. "I’m sorry," Ash whispered, his voice barely audible. "I just... I’m so scared."

Gary gently rocked him back and forth, his hand smoothing through Ash’s hair. "You’re gonna be okay, Ashy. You’re gonna be okay."

Ash didn’t believe him, but Gary’s words felt like a lifeline. It wasn’t the flu shot or the check-up that Ash was scared of—it was the feeling of losing control, the fear of not being able to breathe, the crushing panic that made everything else seem so much worse.

But Gary was there, holding him, guiding him through it. Slowly, Ash’s breathing began to slow, and his sobs quieted, though his body still trembled in Gary’s arms.

"That’s it, buddy," Gary whispered, his voice soft but steady. "You’re doing great. Just breathe. In and out. In and out."

Ash nodded against Gary’s chest, still shaking, but slowly, the tightness in his chest loosened. "I... I think I’m okay," Ash whispered, his voice hoarse.

Gary gave a small smile, still holding Ash tightly. "I know you are. I’m proud of you, Ash. You did it."

Ash looked up at Gary, his eyes red from crying, but he managed a small, shaky smile. "Thanks, Gary. I’m sorry for freaking out on you."

Gary shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips. "Hey, what are best friends for, Ashy-boy?" He ruffled Ash's hair playfully, his grin widening. "You don’t have to apologize for anything. You’re my buddy, and I’ll always be here for you, no matter what."

Ash's heart still beat fast, but it was no longer from fear. It was the warmth of Gary’s presence, the reassurance that no matter how bad things got, he wouldn’t be facing them alone.

Gary pulled him into another tight hug, not giving Ash the chance to say anything more. "Come on, buddy," he said with a grin. "Let’s finish this check-up, and then I’ll treat you to something sweet. How does that sound?"

Ash’s heart still raced, but he felt a little lighter. "Yeah... that sounds pretty good."