Ash took a deep, shaky breath, filling his lungs with the sharp scent of hand sanitizer and antiseptic wipes. His eyes darted to Gary, who was watching him with a gentle, unwavering gaze.

"Okay, Ashy, look at me," Gary said softly, leaning down a little to meet Ash’s eyes.

Ash’s head turned, and he found himself looking right into Gary's calm, green eyes. There was something steadying about them, as if they held a promise that everything would be okay.

“Close your eyes, got it?”

Ash swallowed, his eyes flickering downward to his trembling hands, but he couldn’t bring himself to close them. Gary sighed, stepping closer and reaching out to place a hand gently under Ash’s chin, tilting it up so their eyes met again.

“Buddy,” Gary’s voice softened, almost a whisper. “You trust me, don’t you?”

Ash nodded, his throat too tight to speak.

“Then trust me on this. I know what I’m doing, okay?”

Ash nodded again, the tension in his shoulders loosening, if only just a little. His eyelids fluttered shut as he took another shaky breath.

"Okay," Gary’s voice was calm, reassuring. “Close your eyes. If it helps, hold my hand.”

Ash felt Gary’s hand slide into his, warm and steady, and he gripped it, finding some comfort in the contact. His other arm instinctively wrapped around Gary’s shoulder, leaning in for support. Then he felt Gary’s arm come around him, a gentle, grounding presence that seemed to make the fear fade just a little.

"Gary, it’s gonna hurt!” Ash whispered, his voice barely more than a frightened breath.

"It only hurts if you think it’s gonna hurt," Gary murmured, giving Ash’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Focus on the hug, okay? Focus on my hand, and focus on my breathing."

Ash clutched Gary's hand tightly, his knuckles turning white as he kept his eyes squeezed shut. He could feel his heart pounding against his chest, and Gary's steady shoulder on his chin was the only thing keeping him grounded.

"Easy, kiddo, easy," Gary murmured, gently pushing Ash’s sleeve up to sanitize his arm. The coolness of the sanitizer hit his skin, making Ash’s breath hitch involuntarily. He bit his lip, holding back a small whimper, and instinctively leaned forward, pressing his face into Gary’s shoulder.

Gary tightened his hold around Ash, rubbing his back in slow, soothing circles. "Hey, hey, I’ve got you," he whispered, his voice calm and reassuring. "Focus on me, alright? Just my breathing and my hand. We’re in this together."

Ash nodded against Gary’s shoulder, feeling the warmth of his friend’s hand in his own. He matched his breaths to Gary’s steady rhythm, letting each one calm the frantic beating of his heart just a little bit. Still, the nerves bubbled just under the surface, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

"Good, Ashy," Gary encouraged, his voice soft but steady. "You’re doing great. I know this isn’t easy, but I’m right here, okay?"

"Okay," Ash whispered, his voice barely audible. He focused on Gary’s words, letting them fill the space of his own anxious thoughts. He felt Gary’s gloved hand gently rest on his arm, holding him steady.

Gary gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Ash, listen to me—take one more deep breath and just keep focusing on me, alright? You’re safe. I’d never let anything hurt you, buddy."

Gary reached into the pocket of his lab coat and pulled out a small packet, carefully tearing it open. Inside was a sterile band-aid. With a practiced motion, he peeled it from its backing and placed it on his gloved finger.

“Alright, Ashy,” he said, his tone remaining calm and steady, “I’m just going to get this ready for you. You might feel a tiny prick, but I promise it’s going to be over before you know it.”

Ash swallowed hard, feeling a mix of dread and anticipation. He still clung tightly to Gary’s hand, his grip tightening involuntarily. The fact that Gary had put a band-aid on his glove didn’t help his anxiety; it was a reminder of what was coming.

“Just focus on my voice, alright? You can do this,” Gary continued, bringing his other hand up to gently squeeze Ash’s shoulder. “Remember how we used to do this when we were kids? You’d always say I was your best friend, and best friends help each other out.”

“Yeah,” Ash murmured, his voice muffled against Gary’s shoulder. “But that was different...”

“I know, buddy, I know. But this is just like that. I’m still the same Gary,” he reassured, a hint of a smile in his voice. “Now, keep breathing, and I’ll make it quick.”

With one hand still holding Ash’s, Gary carefully positioned the syringe in the other, the needle glinting under the bright lights of the examination room. He could see Ash trembling slightly, his friend’s breath hitching as he fought to stay calm.

“Okay, I’m going to do it now,” Gary said, his voice low and steady. “On the count of three... One… two… three!”

In one swift motion, Gary gently pressed the needle against Ash’s skin. To both their surprises, Ash barely felt the prick. It was almost like a fleeting sensation, a mere whisper of discomfort compared to the overwhelming wave of anxiety he had expected.

“See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Gary said, a grin spreading across his face as he expertly administered the shot.

Ash’s eyes fluttered open, confusion mixed with relief. “I… I didn’t even feel it,” he admitted, his voice soft but filled with astonishment.

“Exactly!” Gary beamed, a look of triumph on his face. “I told you, I know what I’m doing. Just a little pinch, and you handled it like a champ!”

Ash released a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding. He could feel the tension in his body slowly dissipating as the adrenaline faded. “Thanks, Gary. I thought it was going to hurt way more.”

“Never doubt me, Ashy,” Gary said, chuckling lightly as he withdrew the needle. He expertly placed a cotton ball over the injection site and pressed down gently. “Now just keep that there for a moment. You did really great.”

“Yeah,” Ash replied, a shy smile creeping onto his face. “You’re right. I guess it wasn’t as bad as I thought.”

“Of course it wasn’t! And you know what? I think this deserves a reward,” Gary said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “How about a trip to that new café after this? They have that legendary chocolate cake you love.”

Ash’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, his mood lifting significantly. “Really? You mean it?”

“Absolutely. Anything for my best friend who just conquered his fear of needles,” Gary replied, pulling off the glove with a flick of his wrist and tossing it into the waste bin. “You should be proud of yourself, Ash. Not everyone can handle this like you did.”

“Thanks, Gary,” Ash said, feeling warmth spread through him. It was always nice to hear that from his best friend. “You really helped me get through this.”

“Just doing my job,” Gary shrugged nonchalantly, though he couldn’t hide the smile that crept onto his face. “Now let’s get you patched up and out of here so we can celebrate your bravery!”