Gary sighed softly as he closed the clipboard and placed it on the counter. Turning back to Ash, he noticed the nervous tapping of his foot and the way his fingers twisted the hem of his shirt.

“Alright, Ashy-boy,” Gary began with a light smirk, hoping to ease the tension. “Next up, we’re checking your mouth. Open wide.”

Ash hesitated, clutching the edge of the exam table like it was his lifeline. His heart pounded in his chest, and he could feel a bead of sweat trailing down his temple. “Uh... do I have to?”

Gary crossed his arms and leaned slightly forward, giving Ash a patient but firm look. “Unless you want to skip to the shot right now, then yes, you have to.”

Ash paled. “Shot? You didn’t say anything about a shot!”

Gary sighed, rubbing his temple. “Ash, we’ll get to that when we get to it. First things first—open your mouth so I can check your throat.”

Ash groaned but complied, albeit reluctantly, opening his mouth just enough for Gary to roll his eyes. “Wider, Ash. I can barely see anything.”

Grumbling under his breath, Ash opened his mouth wider, and Gary used a tongue depressor to take a look. “Say ‘ah.’”

“Ahhh,” Ash mumbled, his voice strained.

Gary’s flashlight illuminated the back of Ash’s throat. “Looks good. No inflammation or anything weird. See? That wasn’t so bad.”

Ash closed his mouth and gave a weak smile, wiping his palms on his jeans. “Yeah, easy for you to say. You’re not the one sitting here.”

Gary chuckled, setting the tools aside. “Next up—height and weight. Let’s go.”

Ash slid off the exam table, his movements hesitant. Gary placed a hand on Ash’s shoulder as he guided him to the scale, sensing the boy’s growing anxiety. “Relax, Ash. You’re not going to spontaneously combust.”

Ash muttered under his breath, “Says you…”

Gary ignored the comment, adjusting the scale. “Stand up straight, no slouching. I know you’re not that short.”

Ash glared at him but straightened his back. As Gary measured his height, he rested a reassuring hand on Ash’s shoulder. “See? Not bad at all. Now, step onto the scale.”

Ash hesitated, eyeing the device like it was a wild Pokémon ready to attack. Gary reached down, taking Ash’s hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. “You’ve got this, buddy.”

Reluctantly, Ash stepped onto the scale. Gary adjusted the weights and scribbled down the numbers. “Perfect. You’re healthy as ever.”

“Yeah, great…” Ash mumbled, stepping off the scale and glancing nervously at the counter. His eyes zeroed in on a syringe that Gary was now retrieving.

Gary turned, holding the needle carefully. “Alright, Ashy-boy, it’s time for your shot.”

Ash froze, his entire body tensing up. “Wait, do I really need it? I mean, can’t we just skip it this one time? I’m fine—really, Gary, I’m fine!”

Gary sighed, placing the syringe on a tray and walking over to Ash, who was practically vibrating with fear. “Ash, come on. It’s just one quick shot. You won’t even feel it if you relax.”

“Relax?” Ash’s voice cracked. “Relax?! You’re about to stab me with a needle, and you want me to relax?”

Gary couldn’t help but chuckle, wrapping an arm around Ash’s shoulders. “You’re being a bit dramatic, don’t you think? It’s not like I’m going to poison you.”

Ash blinked, the earlier thought resurfacing. “You’re not, right? Because if you are—”

Gary pinched the bridge of his nose. “Ash. I’m not poisoning you. I’m your best friend, remember?”

Ash nodded hesitantly, but his eyes remained glued to the syringe. Gary sat beside him on the exam table, wrapping his arm around Ash’s trembling shoulders. “Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to take your arm, sling it over my shoulder, and you’re going to relax. If you don’t, it’s going to hurt more.”

Ash gulped but didn’t move. Gary gently took Ash’s arm, positioning it as he described, and grabbed the syringe with his free hand. “Alright, deep breaths. In through your nose, out through your mouth.”

Ash’s breathing was erratic, and Gary paused, placing the syringe down momentarily to squeeze Ash’s hand. “Ashy-boy, look at me.”

Ash’s wide eyes met Gary’s calm, steady gaze. “You trust me, right?”

After a beat of hesitation, Ash nodded.

“Good. Then trust me when I say this will be over in three seconds if you just breathe and stay still.”

Ash took a shaky breath, closing his eyes tightly as Gary prepared the injection. “Three seconds, Ash. That’s all.”

With careful precision, Gary administered the shot. “One… two… three. Done.”

Ash peeked an eye open, realizing it was over. “That’s it?”

Gary smirked, tossing the used syringe into the disposal bin. “That’s it. See? Told you it wasn’t so bad.”

Ash let out a long sigh of relief, leaning back on the table. “I still hate shots…”

Gary ruffled Ash’s hair playfully. “You survived, didn’t you? My brave little Ashy-boy.”

Ash groaned, swatting Gary’s hand away but smiling faintly. “Thanks, Gary.”

“Anytime, kiddo,” Gary replied with a grin. “Now, let’s get you out of here before you start imagining I’ve got another needle hidden somewhere.”