The soft click of the door closing echoed in the sterile room, and for a brief moment, everything felt too quiet. Ash was sitting on the examination table, his hands clasped tightly in his lap. His legs were crossed, his feet tapping nervously against the metal frame of the table. He wasn’t looking at Gary anymore, not even really aware of the room around him. His mind was spinning, his heart racing with each passing second. He wasn’t used to being this still, this quiet. He usually had a million things to say, but right now, all he could do was sit there in silence, trapped in his own thoughts.

Gary stood in front of him, looking down at Ash with a raised eyebrow. He could feel the tension radiating from his friend, but there was something different today. Ash wasn’t his usual self—joking, teasing, sarcastic. Instead, he was... quiet. Too quiet.

“You okay, Ash?” Gary asked, his voice softer than usual. His eyes scanned Ash’s face, trying to read him.

Ash didn’t respond right away. His eyes were cast downward, his jaw tense. He could feel Gary’s gaze on him, but he didn’t know how to explain what was going on in his head. His nerves were eating him alive, and every time he tried to speak, his throat seemed to close up.

Gary stepped closer, tilting his head in that way he did when he was genuinely concerned. “You’re quiet. Too quiet. You never stop talking.”

Ash let out a shaky breath and managed to lift his gaze, meeting Gary’s eyes for the first time since the exam started. “I—I’m just… nervous.” His voice barely broke the silence, sounding small and uncertain.

Gary didn’t look surprised, but there was a flicker of understanding in his expression. “Yeah, I figured.” He placed a hand on Ash’s shoulder, giving him a firm but gentle squeeze. “But you don’t need to worry, okay? It’s just a check-up. It’s not a big deal.”

Ash nodded, but his fingers still trembled slightly. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words stuck in his throat. It wasn’t like him to be so quiet, so unsure. He wanted to ask questions, to make jokes, to make light of the situation, but nothing came. He felt like the room was closing in around him.

Gary, sensing Ash’s discomfort, pulled away and began to gather the tools on the counter, his actions slow and deliberate. “Let’s just go through everything, alright? Eyes, ears, mouth, heart, lungs, reflexes... you know the drill.”

Ash nodded again, his eyes following Gary’s every movement. Despite the nerves, he tried to stay calm, to focus on the task at hand. He knew Gary wasn’t going to let anything bad happen to him. He just had to get through it.

“Let’s start with your eyes,” Gary said, stepping back over to Ash with a small flashlight in hand. He held it up, his voice becoming more professional. “Look straight ahead, Ash.”

Ash complied, his gaze locked on a spot on the wall, trying not to flinch as Gary gently waved the light in front of his eyes. “Pupils look fine. Nice and responsive. No problems there,” Gary muttered, his voice low as he jotted down something on the clipboard.

Ash didn’t speak, his focus on staying still. His mind wandered for just a moment, wondering if Gary had noticed how his heart was beating too fast, how his hands were still trembling. But Gary was moving on, a little too quickly for Ash’s liking.

“Ears next,” Gary said, his voice breaking through Ash’s thoughts. “Turn your head this way.”

Ash tilted his head to the side, feeling a slight pinch of anxiety rise again. Gary carefully inspected his ears, poking around just a little. “All clear. Hearing’s fine,” Gary said, his voice almost reassuring.

Ash’s throat felt tight, his breath shallow. He just had to get through it. He couldn’t be this nervous. He wasn’t a kid anymore. But even with that thought, his hands still shook when he held them up to his mouth to clear his throat.

“Let’s move to your mouth,” Gary said, tapping the clipboard with his pen. “Open up, Ash.”

Ash did as he was told, his mouth feeling dry. Gary looked in, checking his gums, his teeth, and the back of his throat. “Everything looks good here too,” Gary said, tapping his pen against his clipboard again. “Nothing unusual.”

Ash nodded, the quietness stretching between them again. It was hard for him to stay still, to not crack a joke or say something sarcastic. But today, the words just weren’t coming. Gary had been professional and quick, but Ash could feel the tension building.

Gary’s eyes flicked to him as he moved to the next step, his voice carrying just a little more concern. “Heart now, alright?” He took the stethoscope and put the earpieces in, before placing the cold, metal end on Ash’s chest.

Ash winced slightly at the coldness, his heartbeat thundering in his ears. The silence was suffocating.

Gary listened for a moment, then nodded. “Strong, steady heartbeat. Nothing unusual,” he said, tapping his pen against the clipboard once more.

Ash exhaled a little, the weight in his chest lightening. But the nerves were still there, lingering just beneath the surface.

“Lungs next,” Gary continued, moving around Ash to the other side. “Take a deep breath for me.”

Ash inhaled sharply, holding it in for a moment before exhaling. He repeated the process, each breath feeling more difficult than the last.

“Lungs sound clear. Good job,” Gary said with a nod, making a note on the clipboard.

“Okay,” Gary said after a moment, stepping back. “Now, your reflexes. You ready for that, Ash?”

Ash forced a smile. “Sure.” His voice was still too quiet, but it was all he could manage.

Gary grinned and quickly grabbed the reflex hammer. “Alright, here we go.” He tapped Ash’s knee with the tool, and Ash’s leg jerked upward slightly.

“Good reflexes,” Gary said with a grin. "You’re in top shape, Ash. Just a little freaked out, I think.”

Ash chuckled weakly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah... guess so.”

Gary gave him a knowing look. “You know, I know you’re nervous, but it’s not so bad. And hey, you're done now. No poison, no needles, no weird stuff.”

Ash finally allowed himself to relax, his body slumping just a little as the tension eased. “Thanks, Gary,” he muttered quietly, glancing at him with a small, grateful smile.

Gary gave him a wink, still not letting up on the teasing. “You’re welcome, Ashy-boy. But next time, maybe you won’t be so quiet, huh? You know I hate that.”

Ash’s smile widened just a little. “I’ll try not to be... if I can help it.”

Gary snorted and shook his head. “That’s what I like to hear.” He walked to the door, then paused. “Come on, buddy. Let’s get out of here.”

Ash stood up from the table, his nerves finally dissipating. For the first time during the entire check-up, he felt something other than fear—something familiar, something comfortable. Maybe it wasn’t so bad after all.