. Ash tapped his foot impatiently on the floor, but he couldn't deny he felt nervous.

After all, who knew what Gary could do to Ash?

They were rivals, after all.

No.

They were best friends.

Have been since they were little.

They was no way Gary would do something.

... Would he?

I mean he has all these different Pokemon.... And some of them were poisonous.

Wait..... What if Gary poisoned him?!

His thoughts were interrupted when a guy wearing a white lab coat on top of a purple shirt stood in front of him, arms crossed. " Let's go, Ashy-boy."

Ash's eyes twitched. " Uh.... Sure, I guess."

Gary smirked and lent him an arm, and Ash took it and followed Gary, albeit a bit slow.

He was thinking of his fate

Could Gary poison him?

Gary was five months older.

And this was a check up......

Argh! Ash didn't know anymore! Gary could, Gary might not.....

WHO KNEW?!

Gary turned and saw Ash dragging his feet while staring into space, dazed out. Gary sighed. This always happened.

" Ash, snap out of it!" Gary exclaimed as he waved and arm in front of Ash's eyes.

Ash shook his head. " Yeah?*

" Hurry up!*

Ash sighed and nodded. Gary sighed and turned, waking until he came to a room.

" 345. This is the one." He turned to Ash, who was now biting his nails. Gary sighed.

" Hey, buddy. You okay?* He asked, nudging Ash.

" Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm fine."

Gary raised an eyebrow at Ash, clearly unconvinced. "You sure? You look like you're about to faint or something."

Ash forced a weak smile, rubbing the back of his head. "I'm fine, Gary. Just... y'know, thinking."

Gary let out a small laugh. "Thinking? Ash Ketchum, actually thinking? Now that's something new." He gave Ash a playful nudge, trying to lighten the mood, but Ash didn't respond the way he usually would. There was no comeback, no sarcastic remark. Just a weak chuckle.

"Come on," Gary said, turning to open the door to room 345. "It’s just a routine check-up. Nothing to worry about."

Ash hesitated for a moment, his fingers fidgeting nervously. He glanced at Gary’s back, trying to read his body language. What if Gary really was planning something? He was always unpredictable.

But then again, this was Gary. They had known each other for so long. He wouldn’t actually hurt him... right?

Ash’s stomach churned as he followed Gary into the room. The sterile smell of the doctor’s office hit him immediately. The clinical white walls, the examination table with crinkling paper, and the dull hum of the fluorescent lights didn’t help his nerves at all.

Gary pointed to the table. "Hop up," he instructed. "It’ll be over before you know it."

Ash swallowed hard and sat down, his legs swinging slightly as he tried to calm his racing thoughts. Gary handed him a clipboard with a standard health questionnaire, but Ash could barely focus on the words. He was too busy eyeing the various tools on the counter—hypodermic needles, vials of unknown liquids, and strange-looking devices he couldn't identify.

Gary noticed Ash's nervous glance. "Dude, relax. It’s not like I'm going to dissect you or anything."

Ash's face paled slightly at the thought, and Gary quickly added, "That was a joke, Ash."

Ash blinked, forcing himself to laugh awkwardly. "Yeah... a joke." He fiddled with his hat, adjusting it nervously. "I knew that."

" I have to get something. Be right back." Gary exited the door, leaving Ash by himself.

Ash sat on the examination table, his foot tapping nervously against the metal frame. He couldn’t help but feel uneasy. After all, this wasn’t just any check-up—it was Gary giving him the exam. Sure, they were friends, but Gary was his rival too.

Rivals didn’t give each other check-ups, did they?

He glanced nervously at the door as it opened. In walked Gary ( again), dressed in a white lab coat over his usual clothes, a stethoscope hanging around his neck, and a smug smile on his face.

"Let’s get this over with, Ashy-boy," Gary said, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe.

Ash’s eye twitched at the nickname, but he forced a smile. "Uh... sure. This’ll be quick, right?"

Gary raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Depends. You nervous, Ash?"

Ash froze. " N.... No."

Gary shook his head, still smirking, and walked over to Ash, gently putting his gloved hand on Ash's trembling one. " Hey."

Ash blinked and bit his lip.

Gary chuckled softly and squeezed Ash's hand. " It's only a small check up, kiddo. Nothing to be afraid of."

Ash didn't reply.

" You're scared, aren't you?" Gary said softly, rubbing circles on Ash's hand.

No reply.

" Buddy, it's me. Your best friend. I'd never do anything to you, promise."

Ash looked up nervously and gulped. " Promise?"

Gary rubbed his shoulder. " I promise."

Ash nodded nervously, and Gary rummaged in his pocket, pulling out a flashlight. " Okay Ashy Boy, I'm gonna shine this light into your eye, okay? It's gonna be a little bright, but it's not gonna blind you."

Ash nodded ever so slightly, and Gary gently used his thumb to gently open Ash's eyes a little more and used the flashlight to check for any abnormalities.

His eyes were clear and healthy.

Gary cliched the flashlight shut, and wrote on his clipboard.

" Your eyes are okay, Ashy Boy. Congratulations."

Ash smiled faintly, and Gary took that as a little reward.

Then he turned to the counter and opened a drawer, pulling out an otoscope.

" This'll help me look in your ears, okay?" Gary said softly.

Ash gulped but nodded, and Gary gently tilted his head.

" It might feel ticklish." Gary warned as he inserted it.

Ash flinched slightly but stayed still.

" That side's okay. Now the other side."

Ash gulped as Gary checked, and squeezed his eyes shut.

" Ash, you can open your eyes now."

Ash peeked through one eye to see a grinning Gary. " Your ears are fine."

" Th... Thanks."

Gary unlooped the stethoscope from his neck and put the buds to the ear. " Okay, Ash, I'm just gonna listen to your heart."

Ash nodded, and Gary gently lifted Ash's shirt slightly, sliding the stethoscope underneath and pressing in different spots.

Ash watched Gary's face closely. He was.... Frowning.

Wait, frowning?!

Was there something wrong with him? Why was he frowning? Did he finally decide spending time with Ash was a waste?

He didn't realize, but a tear slipped down his face

Then another.

And then another.

Gary, though, noticed. He quickly looped the stethoscope around his neck again and took Ash's hand again, rubbing soothing circles on it.

" Talk to me." Gary said gently as he wiped Ash's tears away. " I want to know what's going on."

Ash shook his head, and Gary gave him a firm look. " We're not going anywhere unless you tell me what's going on."

Ash looked at Gary and his hand and sighed softly, his voice shaky. " I guess.... I guess.... I guess I was thinking about what's wrong with me and if you had finally realized today you didn't want to be-" his voice cracked, and he looked down.

Gary tilted Ash's head up. " You thought I wouldn't want to be your friend?"

A nod.

Gary wrapped his arms around Ash and gently pulled him in. " Oh, Ash. Please don't think like that."

" B... But it's true." Ash whispered. " You were right all those years ago. I am an " Ashy Loser Boy"."

Gary blinked, confused. " Ash, I never said anything like that."

" But the time when you sent me the postcard....."

Realization dawned upon him. " Ash, you were daydreaming."

Ash looked up. " Huh?"

" Ash, the time I sent you the post card, Grandpa told me you were imagining something. Then later he realized you were imagining an encounter with me."

" B... But-"

" Take it from me, Ash. All the people you've traveled with, each and every one of them, they're your friends. But I'll always be your best. No matter what."

Ash smiled faintly. " Thanks Gary."

Gary pulled back from the hug and gently patted Ash’s shoulder. "Alright, Ashy-boy, let’s finish this check-up, okay? Open wide for me."

Ash hesitated for a second, his nerves still jangling, but eventually opened his mouth, his jaw trembling slightly. Gary grabbed a tongue depressor from the nearby counter and clicked on his penlight.

"This won’t hurt a bit," Gary assured him, peering into Ash’s mouth. "Just checking your throat and teeth. Say ‘ah.’"

"Ahhhh," Ash mumbled weakly, his voice shaky.

Gary chuckled softly, the sound comforting despite the clinical atmosphere. "Perfect. Tonsils look good, no signs of irritation. Have you been flossing, Ash?"

Ash blinked, momentarily thrown off by the question. "Uh... y-yeah? Sometimes?"

Gary smirked. "I’ll take that as a no. You better start, or you’ll be battling cavities instead of Pokémon."

Ash rolled his eyes but smiled faintly. "Alright, Dr. Gary."

"That’s more like it," Gary said, placing the tongue depressor in the trash and scribbling notes on his clipboard. He stepped back and gestured for Ash to stand. "Alright, let’s get your height and weight next."

Ash slid off the examination table, his sneakers squeaking against the tile floor. Gary guided him to the scale with a steady hand on his back. "Step up here for me."

Ash did as told, fidgeting slightly as Gary adjusted the scale.

"Alright," Gary murmured, noting the numbers. "You’re right on track. Now let’s check your height." He pulled the measuring rod down until it rested gently on Ash’s head. "Stand straight, Ashy-boy."

"I am standing straight," Ash muttered, his voice tinged with nervousness.

"Sure you are," Gary teased, stepping back to record the measurement. "Perfect. Alright, the next part might be a bit uncomfortable, but it’s nothing to worry about."

Ash immediately stiffened. "U-Uncomfortable? What’s that supposed to mean?"

Gary turned to grab a syringe from a tray on the counter. He held it up, flicking it gently to remove air bubbles, and gave Ash a reassuring smile. "Just a quick vaccine, buddy. It'll sting for a second, but it’s important."

Ash’s face went pale, and his hands gripped the sides of his shirt tightly. "A-a shot? N-no, Gary, I-I don’t think—"

"Hey, hey," Gary interrupted softly, setting the syringe down for a moment. He stepped closer and sat on the edge of the exam table. "Look at me, Ash. It’s not a big deal. I’ll be right here the whole time, okay?"

Ash bit his lip, still trembling. "I don’t know, Gary..."

Gary sighed and gently pulled Ash into a loose side hug, wrapping one arm securely around his shoulders. "How about this? You don’t even have to look. I’ll hold your arm and take care of the rest. Sound good?"

Ash hesitated, his breathing shallow, but eventually nodded. Gary smiled warmly. "That’s my Ashy-boy. Alright, sit down here."

Ash sat on the exam table, and Gary positioned himself next to him. He gently took Ash’s arm and slung it over his own shoulder, holding it steady. "Relax, buddy," Gary said softly. "You don’t want to feel it, do you?"

Ash whimpered slightly. "N-no..."

"Then relax," Gary murmured, rubbing soothing circles on Ash’s back. "I’ve got you."

Ash squeezed his eyes shut, trying to focus on Gary’s calm voice. He barely noticed when Gary swabbed his arm with alcohol.

"Alright, little pinch," Gary said, and before Ash could overthink it, the needle was in. Ash flinched but didn’t pull away, thanks to Gary’s firm yet gentle grip.

"Done," Gary announced cheerfully, capping the syringe and tossing it into the disposal bin. He pressed a small cotton ball to the injection site and taped it in place. "See? That wasn’t so bad."

Ash opened his eyes cautiously, realizing it was over. "That’s it?"

"That’s it," Gary confirmed, leaning back with a proud grin. "You survived, Ashy-boy. I’m proud of you."

Ash exhaled deeply, his whole body relaxing for the first time in what felt like hours. "Thanks, Gary."

"Anytime, kiddo," Gary said, giving him a playful nudge. "Now let’s grab some food. You earned it."