What's with dudes face I dunno

Here's the Gary Berry I love

The old version

Okay the new one's good too but I prefer this one more

He looks... I dunno more like himself

Yippie

Hehe

Him and his creepy face

Love it

And here's nice Gary

The one with a really good and nice sweet face

Now time for your favorite program - doctor Gary!!

Hehe just skip to the bottom if you don't like these

Ash was fumbling with his words as Gary smirked, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "What's wrong, Ashy-boy? You're looking a little pale," Gary teased, his tone light but with a glint of playful mischief in his eyes.

Ash tried to respond, but the words caught in his throat. "I... uh... I just... I mean, it's just... y'know..." His heart was racing, and his palms felt sweaty. He couldn't form a coherent sentence, much less look Gary in the eye. His leg was bouncing up and down, the nervous energy spilling out of him.

Gary's smirk widened as he stepped closer. "You're not seriously this worked up about a little check-up, are you? Come on, it's not like this is your first time."

Ash laughed nervously, though it came out more like a croak. "I know! I know! It’s just... I’m fine, really. Just... um..." He fidgeted with his hat again, tugging it down over his eyes slightly as if hiding would somehow make everything easier.

Gary shook his head, the teasing grin still on his face as he placed a hand on Ash's shoulder, the contact sending a surprising wave of warmth and reassurance through Ash. "Hey, buddy. Look at me," Gary said, his voice softening. "You’re fine. I’ve got you."

Ash’s heart skipped a beat, and he slowly lifted his head to meet Gary’s gaze. The intensity of Gary’s eyes, a mix of concern and fondness, caught him off guard. He had always known Gary as cocky and self-assured, but right now, there was something almost protective about him.

Gary squeezed Ash’s shoulder gently. "We’ve been through way worse than this. You can handle a simple check-up." His voice was firm but kind, the familiar arrogance taking a back seat for once.

Ash nodded, his leg still bouncing uncontrollably. His chest felt tight, and his pulse was pounding so hard he thought it might burst through his skin. "I know... I just... hate these things."

Gary chuckled softly. "Yeah, I remember. That time when we were four? You screamed so loud, I thought the doctors were going to call security."

Ash groaned, burying his face in his hands at the memory. "Don’t remind me. That was embarrassing."

"Nah, it was kind of cute," Gary said with a smirk, but his tone remained light-hearted. "You were clinging to me the whole time like I was your lifeline."

Ash's cheeks flushed at the memory. "Well, I was scared!" he shot back defensively, but there was no real bite to his words.

Gary nodded, his smirk softening into a smile. "I know. And that's why I’m here now, Ashy-boy. I’ve got your back."

Ash swallowed hard, feeling the tension ease slightly but not entirely. His heart was still racing, and his palms were damp. He glanced nervously at the equipment, his eyes lingering on the blood pressure cuff and the stethoscope. "Are we... starting now?"

Gary sighed, his expression growing serious. "Yeah. Let’s get this over with." He grabbed the stethoscope from around his neck and stepped forward, resting a hand on Ash’s arm to steady him. "I’ll be gentle, I promise."

Ash’s breath hitched as Gary pressed the cold stethoscope to his chest. His heart was beating so fast, he thought for sure Gary would make a comment. "Breathe in, Ash. Nice and slow," Gary instructed, his voice steady.

Ash tried to comply, but his breaths came out shaky and uneven. Gary frowned slightly but didn’t say anything, moving the stethoscope to listen from different angles.

"Your heart’s racing," Gary said, pulling back and removing the stethoscope. "But I think we both knew that already."

Ash chuckled weakly. "Yeah... sorry."

Gary shrugged, offering him a reassuring smile. "It’s fine. Let’s check the rest, alright?"

Next came the eyes. Gary grabbed a small penlight and shone it into Ash’s eyes, checking his pupils’ reaction. "Look straight ahead," Gary said, and Ash forced himself to focus, though his heart was still pounding. "Good. Now follow the light."

Ash’s gaze flicked back and forth as Gary moved the light from side to side, nodding in satisfaction. "Pupils are fine. Nothing weird going on there."

"Great," Ash mumbled, wiping his clammy hands on his jeans. His leg was still bouncing, and Gary caught it, gently placing a hand on Ash’s knee to still it.

"Relax, Ashy-boy," Gary said softly, and for a moment, the sound of his voice was enough to calm Ash’s racing thoughts.

Next came the ears. Gary leaned in close, checking each ear with the otoscope, the proximity making Ash’s heart race even more. "Ears are good. No infection or anything weird," Gary muttered, moving on to Ash’s throat.

"Open wide," Gary instructed, and Ash hesitated before obliging, his heart still racing. Gary checked his throat quickly and then stepped back, his brow furrowed slightly. "Okay, now for blood pressure."

Ash froze as Gary grabbed the cuff. "Wait, what?"

Gary gave him a patient smile. "Blood pressure. You’ve done this before, Ash."

Ash swallowed hard, feeling his anxiety spike again. "Right... yeah... blood pressure..."

Gary wrapped the cuff around Ash’s arm and started pumping it up. "Just relax. This is quick."

Ash could hear the pumping of the cuff, the tightening around his arm only making his heart pound faster. He watched Gary’s face intently as he read the gauge, and when Gary’s eyes widened slightly, Ash’s stomach dropped.

Gary frowned, lowering the cuff and checking again. "Ash... your blood pressure’s really high."

Ash blinked, his heart now racing for a different reason. "How high?"

Gary glanced at the reading again, his frown deepening. "Like... really high. Over 400."

Ash's mouth went dry. "Wait... what does that mean?"

"It means you need to calm down, buddy. Right now." Gary’s tone was serious, but there was a flicker of concern in his eyes. He stepped closer, placing a hand on Ash’s shoulder. "You’re way too stressed, and it’s shooting your blood pressure through the roof."

Ash swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Gary’s words. "I can’t help it... I just... hate these things, Gary."

Gary sighed, his expression softening. "I know, Ashy-boy. I know you do." He gave Ash’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "But you’re going to be fine. You’ve just got to breathe, alright?"

Ash nodded shakily, trying to follow Gary’s instructions, but his heart was still pounding in his chest. Gary’s hand remained on his shoulder, a steady presence that helped to ground him.

"Look, buddy, I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you," Gary said softly, his tone filled with a quiet sincerity. "You’re safe here, alright? We’re just making sure you’re healthy."

Ash took a deep breath, feeling some of the tension leave his body. He glanced up at Gary, who was watching him closely, his hand still resting on his shoulder. There was something about Gary’s presence—steady, unwavering—that made Ash feel like maybe, just maybe, everything would be alright.

"Okay," Ash whispered. "I’ll try to relax."

Gary smiled, giving him another reassuring squeeze. "That’s my Ashy-boy. You’ve got this."

Ash sat on the examination table, his heart pounding louder than he thought possible. His fingers fidgeted nervously as he waited for Gary to return. Each second felt like an eternity, and his mind raced with a million what-ifs. What if Gary had some crazy plan? What if he actually was going to poison him?

Before he could spiral further, the door swung open, and Gary stepped in with a confident stride, a white lab coat swishing around his legs. He had a stethoscope draped around his neck and a smirk plastered on his face. “Alright, Ashy-boy, let’s get this over with,” he said, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe.

Ash swallowed hard, his throat dry. “Uh… sure. This’ll be quick, right?” He could feel his leg bouncing up and down involuntarily, his nerves getting the best of him.

“Depends,” Gary replied, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “You nervous, Ash? You look like you might faint.”

Ash could feel his cheeks heating up. “I’m not nervous!” he protested, but the tremor in his voice betrayed him.

“Uh-huh,” Gary teased, stepping closer. “You’re biting your nails, and your leg’s doing the jitterbug. You sure you’re not just a little bit anxious?”

“Okay, maybe a little,” Ash admitted, running a hand through his hair. “It’s just a check-up, right? I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?”

Gary raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “I could totally dissect you, just to see how you work, you know.”

Ash’s eyes widened, and he shook his head frantically. “Don’t joke about that! You know how much I hate check-ups!”

“Exactly why I’m here to support you, buddy,” Gary said, stepping closer and placing a reassuring hand on Ash's shoulder. “Hey, look at me.” His voice softened, and Ash’s heart raced even faster as he met Gary’s gaze.

“Just breathe, alright? We’ll get through this.”

Ash nodded, though it did little to calm his racing heart. He could feel himself trembling, the weight of the moment settling heavily on his shoulders. “Okay, okay,” he murmured, forcing himself to focus on Gary's steady voice rather than the anxiety swirling in his stomach.

“First up, let’s check those peepers of yours,” Gary said, moving toward the counter and grabbing an otoscope. “I’ll just need you to look straight ahead.”

Ash nodded and followed Gary’s instructions, his heart pounding against his ribcage as Gary approached with the device. “Okay, Ashy-boy, keep looking straight ahead… you know, it’s not like I’m going to poke your eyes out or anything.”

“Ha ha, very funny,” Ash said, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably as a nervous laugh slipped out. He could feel the tension in his body, every muscle tight with apprehension.

“Let’s see…” Gary leaned in closer, examining Ash’s eyes. “Everything looks good. No weird stuff going on. Just… try not to blink.”

Ash swallowed hard, forcing himself to hold still. “I’m trying!”

“Alright, next up—ears.” Gary switched to a different tool, and Ash shifted his position slightly on the table, trying to keep calm. “Let’s see if you can hear me over all that noise in your head.”

“Very funny,” Ash said, rolling his eyes, but his heart was still racing.

“Okay, can you hear this?” Gary tapped on the side of the otoscope. “Knock knock! Who’s there?”

Ash chuckled nervously. “Um… who?”

“Exactly!” Gary exclaimed, grinning as he moved on to Ash’s mouth. “Open wide, Ashy-boy. Let’s see those pearly whites.”

“Ugh, this feels like I’m going through some kind of medieval torture,” Ash said, doing his best to keep his mouth wide open while Gary inspected his throat.

“Trust me, I’ve seen worse,” Gary said, flashing a quick grin. “Just don’t swallow your tongue or anything. That would be… awkward.”

“Gee, thanks for the encouragement,” Ash muttered, feeling more anxious by the minute. “What’s next? Am I going to have to do a dance number?”

Gary laughed, “Well, if you want to impress me, I won’t stop you. But first, let’s check that heartbeat of yours.”

Gary placed a stethoscope on Ash’s chest, and Ash took a deep breath, trying to remain still. “I can feel my heart racing,” he admitted, his voice a little shaky.

“Yeah, it’s beating pretty fast,” Gary observed, his brow furrowing slightly. “Let’s get a proper reading on your blood pressure.”

“Please tell me it’s not through the roof,” Ash said, his stomach churning. “That would just make everything worse.”

Gary chuckled softly as he wrapped the blood pressure cuff around Ash’s arm. “Relax, buddy. Just breathe. Inhale… exhale.”

Ash tried to focus on Gary’s words, but his heart kept racing. “What if I’m dying?” he blurted out. “What if my blood pressure is in the 400s?!”

Gary chuckled again. “You’re not dying, Ash. Just take it easy. You’ve survived worse. Remember when we were four, and you almost passed out during your first check-up?”

Ash grimaced at the memory. He had thrown a fit, crying and screaming about needles. Gary had been there to help him calm down. It hadn’t ended well, to say the least.

“Yeah, yeah,” Ash said, trying to shake off the memories. “But that doesn’t mean I like them now!”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got your back, just like that day,” Gary said, looking serious for a moment. “You can trust me, Ash. Just focus on my voice.”

After what felt like an eternity, the cuff released, and Gary checked the monitor with a serious expression. “Okay, well, your blood pressure is… well, let’s just say it’s high. Like… really high.”

Ash’s eyes widened. “Oh no! What does that mean?”

“It means you might need to chill out a bit,” Gary said, raising an eyebrow. “Like seriously, dude, do you always freak out this much?”

Ash sighed, dropping his head into his hands. “It’s not like I can help it! I hate this!”

“Hey, hey! It’s alright.” Gary reached out, placing a hand on Ash’s back, trying to offer comfort. “We’ll figure this out. Just remember, I’m here for you, no matter what. You know I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”

Ash looked up, meeting Gary’s reassuring gaze. “I know, I just… it’s hard to calm down when you’re the one checking me out!”

“Fine, I’ll ease up on the jokes,” Gary said, moving back to grab a few more tools. “But only if you promise to relax and stop thinking I’m going to poison you or something.”

Ash chuckled weakly, his nerves easing just a bit. “Okay, okay. I promise.”

“Great! Now let’s finish this check-up, Ashy-boy. We’re almost done!” Gary said, determination shining in his eyes.

Ash sat on the examination table, nervously bouncing his leg up and down. His heart raced as he glanced at the various instruments scattered across the countertop. He could feel a bead of sweat trickle down the back of his neck, and his hands were clammy as he fiddled with his cap.

Gary leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, an amused smirk plastered on his face. "You know, Ashy-boy, I didn’t think you could get any more nervous than the last time we were here."

Ash shot him a glare, but it was half-hearted at best. "Yeah, well, that was when we were four and I thought the doctor was going to take my Pokémon away!"

"Hey, they just wanted to check your vitals, buddy. You went full panic mode and hid under the chair,” Gary chuckled, stepping closer. “You’re lucky I was there to drag you out.”

"Yeah, thanks for the help," Ash muttered, his voice trailing off as memories of that day flooded back. He recalled how Gary had tried to keep him calm, and how it had ended with both of them getting scolded for their antics.

"Let’s focus on today," Gary said, shaking Ash from his thoughts. “Now, I know how much you hate check-ups, but it’s not going to be that bad, I promise.”

“Right,” Ash replied, his voice shaking slightly. “Not that bad.” He was trying to convince himself more than Gary.

Gary approached the examination table, a clipboard in hand. “Okay, first things first. Let’s check your eyes. Look up for me.”

Ash did as instructed, trying to steady his breath as Gary shone a small flashlight into his eyes. The bright light made him squint, and he felt the familiar surge of anxiety creeping back. “Everything looks good here, no sign of any weird Pokémon powers in your pupils,” Gary teased, moving to the next step. “Now, your ears.”

“Yeah, I don’t have any Pokémon hiding in my ears either,” Ash retorted, attempting to sound nonchalant but failing miserably.

“Just checking, Ashy. Wouldn’t want you to miss the latest Pokémon news from your ear canal,” Gary joked, leaning in to inspect Ash’s ears. “Okay, now say ‘ah.’”

Ash opened his mouth wide, his heart racing. “Ahh…”

Gary peered inside. “Hmm, looks like your tonsils are still intact. No giant Pokémon in there either,” he said with a wink, causing Ash to frown.

“Very funny, Gary.”

“Just doing my job, buddy. Next, I’m checking your heartbeat.” Gary placed a stethoscope against Ash’s chest, his brow furrowing as he listened intently. “Breathe in... and out. You know the drill.”

Ash complied, but he could feel his heart pounding beneath Gary's hand. “How’s it sound?” he asked, trying to sound casual.

“Like a drum solo,” Gary replied, still focused. “Your heart rate is a bit fast, though.”

“What do you mean fast?” Ash stammered, his eyes wide. “How fast?”

Gary removed the stethoscope and glanced at Ash, a teasing glimmer in his eye. “Let’s just say it’s not ideal for someone who’s sitting still. You might want to lay off the caffeine, Ashy.”

“Caffeine? I didn’t even have any!” Ash protested, his voice rising in pitch.

“Relax, I’m just kidding,” Gary said, leaning against the table. “But seriously, let’s check your blood pressure.”

Ash felt a knot in his stomach as Gary wrapped the cuff around his arm, tightening it gently. “You’re going to be fine. Just breathe.”

“I’m breathing!” Ash shot back, trying to mask his fear with defiance.

Gary raised an eyebrow, watching Ash’s anxious demeanor. “You don’t look fine. You’re trembling like a Zubat in a cave. What’s really going on?”

“I’m just... nervous, okay?” Ash admitted, biting his lip. “I hate check-ups.”

Gary’s expression softened, and he placed a reassuring hand on Ash’s shoulder. “Hey. Look at me.”

Ash hesitated, but slowly met Gary’s gaze. “Yeah?”

“You’re my best friend, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you. This is just a routine check-up. Nothing to worry about, okay?”

Ash felt a surge of warmth at Gary’s words, but his heart was still racing, making it hard to relax. “Okay,” he whispered, although he wasn’t entirely convinced.

As the cuff began to deflate, Ash’s mind raced. What if something was wrong? What if Gary found something serious? His leg bounced up and down uncontrollably as the machine beeped.

Gary checked the reading, and his eyes widened slightly. “Uh, Ash? Your blood pressure is... well, it’s a little high. Like, in the 400s high.”

“What?!” Ash gasped, his eyes bulging. “That’s not good, right?”

“No, it’s not,” Gary replied, concern etched on his face. “But I have a feeling it’s mostly due to your nerves. You’ve been stressing about this check-up for days.”

Ash ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling up inside him. “I didn’t mean to! I just... I thought you might do something to me! You know, like poison me or something!”

Gary chuckled lightly, shaking his head. “I can’t believe you really thought that. You’re such a dork, Ashy. I’d never hurt you.”

“But you have all those poisonous Pokémon!” Ash insisted, still on edge.

“Those are just for battling, buddy. I’m here to help, not to hurt. You really need to chill out,” Gary said, his tone turning serious. “Let’s just take a minute. Close your eyes and breathe with me.”

Ash hesitated but finally closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He inhaled deeply, trying to slow his racing heart, and exhaled slowly. “One more time,” Gary encouraged, mirroring the breathing exercise.

With each breath, Ash felt a little lighter, the anxiety slowly melting away. When he opened his eyes again, Gary was watching him intently, a soft smile on his face. “See? You’re doing better already.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Ash admitted, his heart still pounding, but less frantically now. “Thanks for... for being here, Gary.”

“Always, Ashy-boy,” Gary replied, his grin returning. “Now let’s finish up this check-up so we can get some food. I’m starving.”

With a newfound determination, Ash nodded. “Alright. Let’s do this.”

Gary laughed as he moved on to the next part of the check-up, and Ash felt a bit more at ease. “You got this, Ash. Just think of it as another battle. And you always win those, right?”

“Yeah!” Ash said, his confidence growing. “I’m ready!”

“Great! Now, let’s see how your reflexes are,” Gary said, reaching for a small reflex hammer. “This might tickle a bit.”

Ash fidgeted nervously on the examination table, his fingers tapping a rapid beat against the metal frame as he waited for Gary to return. The sterile room felt even more suffocating now that he was alone, and he took a deep breath, trying to calm the racing thoughts in his head. He couldn’t believe he was feeling this anxious about a check-up—he had faced countless battles, wild Pokémon, and rival trainers, but sitting here under Gary’s watchful gaze felt different.

What if Gary did have a plan to humiliate him? What if this was just another prank? Memories of their childhood flashed in his mind—the time Gary had convinced him that the doctor’s office was full of "evil, needle-wielding scientists." It had ended with Ash screaming and running out, much to Gary's amusement.

The door creaked open, and Ash’s heart jumped as Gary walked in again, his white lab coat billowing slightly. “Ready to face the music, Ashy-boy?” he teased, leaning against the doorframe with a smirk on his face.

“Uh, yeah… sure,” Ash replied, his voice faltering as he rubbed the back of his neck, trying to keep it casual.

“Looking a bit pale there, buddy. What’s wrong? You scared I’ll find something embarrassing?” Gary teased, stepping closer and crossing his arms.

Ash’s cheeks flushed slightly, and he stammered, “N-no! I’m just… um, just ready to get this over with.”

Gary’s smirk widened. “You sure? It’s just a routine check-up. You’re not hiding any dark secrets from me, right?”

“Of course not!” Ash replied, perhaps a bit too defensively. “It’s just… you know I hate check-ups!”

Gary rolled his eyes. “I know, I know. I was there when you were four, remember? You almost broke my arm when they wanted to check your reflexes.” He chuckled at the memory, clearly enjoying the embarrassment it caused Ash.

Ash groaned, covering his face with his hands. “Ugh, can we just get on with it?”

“Alright, alright! Let’s start with something easy.” Gary pulled out a flashlight and stepped closer to Ash, who instinctively leaned back a little. “Hey, look at me,” Gary said gently, placing a hand on Ash’s arm, steadying him. “You can do this.”

Ash’s heart raced at the touch, his leg bouncing nervously. “I—I know! Just… hurry up!”

“Okay, okay.” Gary switched on the flashlight and directed it toward Ash’s eyes. “Focus on the light, Ash. No distractions.”

Ash tried to concentrate, but all he could think about was how close Gary was, his heart pounding in his chest. “Um, I’m looking,” he managed to mumble, avoiding Gary’s gaze.

“Good. Just like that.” Gary examined his pupils, his brow furrowing slightly. “Your eyes look fine. Now, let’s check your ears.” He moved to the side, gently tilting Ash’s head to one side.

Ash squirmed a bit under the scrutiny. “I clean them, I swear!”

Gary chuckled, “I’m sure you do, but I still have to check.” He peered into Ash’s ear with an otoscope, then moved to the other side. “Alright, you’re good. No weird Pokémon hiding in there.”

“Ha-ha,” Ash replied dryly, rolling his eyes.

“Now, open your mouth wide for me. Say ‘Ahh’,” Gary instructed, pulling out a tongue depressor.

“Do I have to?” Ash groaned, his eyes widening as he realized what was next.

“Yep! You don’t want to get any weird germs from that mouth of yours,” Gary teased, sticking the depressor in Ash's mouth.

“Ahh!” Ash said, more out of obligation than actual desire. Gary inspected his throat, looking for any signs of trouble.

“Everything looks good. No signs of impending doom,” Gary announced dramatically, making Ash chuckle despite his anxiety.

“Can we just skip to the part where you don’t have to poke me with sharp things?” Ash asked, knowing full well that was next.

“Not yet, buddy. We still need to check your heart and blood pressure,” Gary replied, stepping back to grab the stethoscope hanging around his neck. “Deep breaths, Ash.”

Ash complied, taking a deep breath and trying to steady himself as Gary placed the cold metal disk against his chest. “Your heart’s racing, Ash. You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just… a little cold,” Ash muttered, avoiding Gary’s gaze as he continued to check his heartbeat.

“Uh-huh. Just a little?” Gary raised an eyebrow, smirking as he noted how Ash’s heart pounded under his touch. “I think we both know that’s not true.”

“Maybe I’m just excited to see what my blood pressure is!” Ash tried to joke, but his voice came out shaky instead.

Gary chuckled softly, adjusting the cuff around Ash’s arm. “We’ll see about that. Just relax your arm for me.” He tightened the cuff, and Ash felt his heartbeat thump louder as the pressure built.

As the device did its work, Ash’s nerves surged. What if his blood pressure was through the roof? He was in the 400s for sure! He could already imagine Gary teasing him about it forever.

The machine beeped, and Gary raised an eyebrow, glancing at the monitor. “Well, well, what do we have here?”

Ash gulped, his heart racing even more. “W-What? Is it bad?”

“Let’s just say, it’s high enough that you should probably avoid any caffeine for a while.” Gary’s tone was teasing, but there was a hint of genuine concern in his eyes.

“Great. Just great,” Ash sighed, feeling defeated.

“Relax, Ashy-boy. It’s not the end of the world. We’ll just monitor it for now,” Gary reassured him, removing the cuff and setting it aside. “Just remember, it’s okay to be nervous. But you’ve got to learn to chill out a bit.”

Ash nodded, trying to steady his breathing. “Easier said than done,” he muttered.

“I know,” Gary replied, his tone softening. “But you’ve got me here, buddy. You’re not alone in this.”

“Thanks, Gary,” Ash said quietly, feeling a surge of gratitude.

“Now, let’s wrap this up. Just a quick reflex check, and you’ll be on your way. And then maybe we can grab some ice cream or something to celebrate your survival,” Gary said, giving Ash a playful nudge.

“Okay, I can handle that!” Ash grinned, feeling a little more relaxed. He lifted his leg, and Gary tapped his knee with the reflex hammer.

“Good reflexes. Just as I expected,” Gary noted, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “You know, if you keep this up, I might just start calling you ‘Ashy-the-fast-reflexed-wonder.’”

“Stop it!” Ash laughed, feeling the tension ease as he realized that this check-up wasn’t so bad after all. “I think I prefer Ashy-boy.”

“Deal. Now just one last thing.” Gary leaned closer, looking directly into Ash’s eyes. “Promise me you’ll try to be a little less nervous next time?”

Ash swallowed hard, meeting Gary’s gaze. “Yeah, I promise. But only if you promise not to scare me with needles or anything.”

“Fair enough, Ashy,” Gary replied with a grin. “Now let’s get you out of here before I change my mind about that ice cream.”

As they exited the examination room, Ash felt lighter, the weight of his anxiety lifting. With Gary by his side, he knew that even the most nerve-wracking experiences could be faced head-on, and they’d come out stronger on the other side.

“Thanks, Gary,” Ash said, feeling genuinely grateful for his friend. “You always know how to handle me.”

“Always, buddy. That’s what best friends are for,” Gary replied with a wink, leading the way toward the exit. “Now, ice cream awaits!”

Ash fumbled with the clipboard, his hands trembling slightly as he read through the questions. “Do you have any allergies?” No. “Have you experienced any unusual pain?” Well, his heart was racing, but he wasn’t sure if that counted. He glanced up at Gary, who was still leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, a teasing grin plastered on his face.

“C’mon, Ashy-boy, how are you gonna fill that out if you’re just staring at it?” Gary teased, chuckling lightly as Ash’s face turned slightly red.

“Uh, I’m just… making sure I’m answering everything right,” Ash stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. His leg bounced uncontrollably, and he felt the warmth creeping up his neck. “I mean, it’s not like I’m nervous or anything,” he added, attempting to sound more confident than he felt.

Gary rolled his eyes playfully, stepping into the room with a swagger. “Nervous? You? Nah, never,” he said, clearly mocking him. “Just because it’s me giving you the check-up and not some random doctor who’d actually know what they’re doing.”

“Very funny, Gary,” Ash said, forcing a smile but feeling the knot in his stomach tighten. He set the clipboard aside, the questions blurring together in his mind. “Let’s just… get this over with.”

“Alright, then. First, let’s check your eyes,” Gary said, picking up a flashlight from the counter. “Look straight ahead and don’t blink.”

Ash tried to follow Gary’s instructions, but he felt his heart racing, pounding in his ears as Gary moved closer. “You know, you’re really close, right?” Ash commented awkwardly, his cheeks warming further.

Gary smirked, his eyes glinting mischievously. “Just checking your pupils, Ashy. No need to get all flustered.” He moved the flashlight back and forth, observing Ash’s reaction. “Wow, your pupils are huge. That’s a little concerning, don’t you think?”

Ash stammered, “Uh, yeah, I guess… it’s just the light!”

Gary moved on to check Ash’s ears, gently tilting his head to one side. “Keep still, buddy. I won’t bite,” he teased, pretending to look like a predatory Pokémon.

“Very reassuring,” Ash muttered, feeling utterly exposed.

“Alright, now open your mouth and say ‘ahh’,” Gary instructed, pulling out a tongue depressor from a drawer.

Ash complied, feeling ridiculous. “Ahh…” he said, his voice sounding small and nervous.

Gary inspected his throat, nodding as he leaned back. “Nice and pink. Just like your cheeks,” he joked, watching Ash squirm in his seat. “You really need to relax, Ash.”

“Easier said than done!” Ash snapped back, crossing his arms. “You know how much I hate check-ups!”

“I know,” Gary said, his tone turning serious for a moment. “But I’m here to help. Remember that time we were four, and you freaked out during your check-up? You nearly broke that nurse’s stethoscope.”

Ash winced at the memory. “Okay, okay, I get it! I didn’t handle it well back then,” he admitted, trying to shake off the embarrassment.

Gary chuckled softly. “Just trying to remind you I’m on your side. Now, let’s check your heart rate.” He placed his stethoscope against Ash’s chest, and Ash felt his heart pounding even faster under the cool metal.

“Uh, how’s it looking?” Ash asked nervously, trying to distract himself from the rising anxiety.

“Pretty fast,” Gary replied, raising an eyebrow as he listened closely. “You sure you’re not running a marathon before coming in here?”

“Just a little anxious,” Ash admitted, feeling more exposed by the second.

“Okay, let’s check your blood pressure next,” Gary said, wrapping the cuff around Ash’s arm. “This might feel a little tight.”

Ash winced as the cuff inflated, the pressure making his heart race even more. “I can handle it, Gary,” he said, trying to sound tough, but the tremor in his voice gave him away.

Gary pressed a button, watching the screen intently. “Wow, that’s really high,” he said, his smirk fading slightly. “Ash, you’re in the 400s. That’s not normal.”

Ash’s eyes widened. “What? Is that bad?” Panic rose in his chest as he recalled all the horror stories he’d heard about health issues.

“Relax, buddy. It’s not the end of the world,” Gary reassured him, but Ash could see the concern in his eyes. “You just need to calm down. Take a deep breath.”

“I… I can’t,” Ash said, trembling. His heart felt like it was about to burst. “What if there’s something seriously wrong with me?”

Gary placed a reassuring hand over Ash’s, grounding him in the moment. “Hey. Look at me.” His tone was calm and steady, pulling Ash out of his spiraling thoughts. “Focus on my voice, okay? You’re fine. You’ve been through tougher stuff than this.”

Ash met Gary’s gaze, trying to take in the comforting sincerity behind his words. He could see the determination in Gary’s eyes as he continued, “Just breathe, Ash. In… and out. You’ve got this.”

With Gary’s hand on his, Ash finally managed to focus. “Okay, okay,” he whispered, inhaling deeply through his nose and letting it out slowly through his mouth.

“That’s it. Just like that,” Gary encouraged, his grip firm yet gentle. He shifted behind Ash, wrapping his arms around him in a supportive embrace. “You’re not alone in this. I’ve got you.”

Ash leaned back against Gary’s chest, feeling the tension slowly start to ease away. “Thanks, Gary,” he murmured, letting out a shaky breath. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Probably run away and hide,” Gary joked lightly, but there was a warmth in his voice. “But seriously, you’ve got to learn to relax during these things. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Ash nodded, finally starting to feel a bit more at ease as he let Gary’s steady heartbeat calm him. “You know, you’re not too bad for a rival.”

“Rivals? I prefer ‘best friends,’ Ashy-boy,” Gary replied, squeezing Ash’s shoulder gently. “Now let’s finish this check-up so you can get out of here. I promise it’ll be quick.”

Ash nodded. " Okay. Whatever you say."