Ash sat on the examination table, his legs hanging loosely over the side, and his fingers fidgeting nervously with the edge of his jacket. His eyes were fixed on a spot on the wall, unblinking, as his mind raced with a thousand thoughts. Every tiny sound in the room—the crinkle of the paper beneath him, the faint hum of the fluorescent lights—seemed magnified, intensifying the nerves that were gnawing at him from the inside.

Gary, who had been preparing some of the tools for the check-up, paused and glanced over at Ash. He could tell something was off. Ash wasn’t his usual self—there was a strange, uneasy silence about him.

"Hey, Ash, you alright?" Gary asked, setting down the stethoscope. His voice was softer now, his usual playful tone replaced with something more concerned.

Ash didn’t answer right away, and Gary could see the tension in his shoulders. "You’re way too quiet. What’s going on?"

Ash’s lips parted as though he was about to speak, but then he quickly closed them, his gaze dropping again. He seemed to be trying to muster some words, but nothing came out.

Gary took a step closer, crossing his arms. "Ash, it’s just a check-up. Nothing to be nervous about. You know I’ve got your back."

Ash nodded slowly, his eyes shifting to Gary’s face for a split second, before looking away again. His hands were shaking slightly, and he gripped the edge of the table to steady himself.

Gary watched for a moment, then sighed, walking over to a cabinet and retrieving a small, shiny instrument. He returned to Ash, sitting down on a nearby stool. "Let’s start with something simple, alright? We’ll go slow."

Ash forced a tight smile and nodded, but his eyes didn’t seem to relax. Gary reached for his ears first, gently inspecting them with a small tool, then he moved to Ash’s eyes, asking him to follow his finger. Ash complied mechanically, but there was no spark in his usual energy. Gary could see it. The silence. The tightness. Ash was trying hard to hide it, but it was clear—he was spiraling in his head.

"How’s your vision?" Gary asked, his voice light and easy, trying to ease the tension.

Ash blinked a couple of times, his hand still gripping the side of the table. "It’s fine," he said quickly, his voice a little too sharp.

Gary nodded but didn’t press him further. "Good. Now, I need you to breathe in deep for me."

Ash obeyed, taking a deep breath, the cool air filling his lungs. Gary placed the stethoscope on Ash’s chest, moving it around, listening carefully.

Ash’s heart beat steadily, but there was a slight tension in his breathing, as though he were holding himself back. Gary didn’t say anything about it—he just kept working, moving down to Ash’s reflexes. He tapped Ash’s knee gently with a reflex hammer, watching for the small jerk of his leg.

Ash’s leg twitched, but only just. It wasn’t the usual strong reaction Gary had come to expect from him.

"Everything okay down there?" Gary asked, trying to keep the mood light.

Ash forced a chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah. Just... yeah."

Gary raised an eyebrow. He was starting to piece it together. Ash wasn’t just nervous—he was zoning out, trying to hide something from him. The Ash Gary knew wouldn’t be this quiet. Wouldn’t hide behind this stiff, uncertain silence.

"Alright, let’s check your reflexes on the other leg." Gary said, tapping the other knee. This time, Ash’s leg twitched more noticeably, but it was still faint.

"You sure you’re okay?" Gary asked, lowering the reflex hammer. His tone softened, becoming more serious. "You’re usually all over the place. But today…"

Ash’s eyes flickered towards Gary, and for a moment, Gary saw a glimmer of his usual spark—before it was quickly buried again.

"I’m fine," Ash said, but the words sounded hollow, even to him. His voice was quieter than usual, strained as if trying to push down the flood of nerves crashing through him.

Gary put down the reflex hammer, his eyes not leaving Ash’s face. "Come on, buddy, we’ve been through worse, right?" Gary’s voice was patient, not demanding. "I know you’re nervous, but you can talk to me. We’ve been friends forever."

Ash’s chest tightened, and for a moment, he couldn’t find the right words. His thoughts were jumbled, and his heart raced faster than before. What if he said something wrong? What if Gary was disappointed?

"Nothing to worry about," Ash muttered, more to himself than to Gary.

Gary let out a soft sigh, his hand resting on the back of Ash’s shoulder. "I get it. I really do." Gary paused, his eyes softening. "But you don’t have to keep it all inside. Not with me."

Ash finally looked up at Gary, his eyes searching his face for any hint of mockery, any sign that Gary was just messing with him. But there was nothing. Gary was being serious.

"...I’m just..." Ash trailed off, his voice faltering. He didn’t know how to finish that sentence. His nerves were so overwhelming that it felt impossible to express what he was really feeling.

Gary gave him a look of understanding, but there was a small smirk on his face now, as though he’d known all along. "You’re overthinking this. It’s just a check-up. It’ll be done before you even know it."

Ash’s lips curled up into a faint smile. "Yeah, yeah. You’re right."

Gary nodded, his tone lightening. "Good. Now, let’s finish this up so we can go grab some lunch, yeah? I promise it’s almost over."

Ash exhaled, the knot in his stomach loosening just a little. "Okay," he said, his voice still quieter than normal, but there was a little more determination behind it now. "Let’s do this."

And as Gary continued the examination, Ash focused on his friend’s calm presence. Despite the quiet, the nerves, the unease, there was something comforting in the way Gary handled him. And slowly, bit by bit, Ash felt himself relax.