Ash rubbed his eye and let out a sigh, but it was followed by two more sneezes.
Gary, who was setting a box down, raised a brow as he turned to his friend. " Hey Ash. You okay?"
Ash set the box he was carrying down and leaned on the wall. " Yea-"
" ACHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Gary gently took Ash's arm. " Come on, Ashy. Let's go to my room."
Ash rubbed his eye. " W... why?"
" Because I'm gonna see why you're all sneezy."
" I- ACHOOOOOOO!"
Gary grimaced. " And we might have to figure out fast because if this keeps up you're gonna get weak!"
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" Take a deep breath, Ashy. In and out." Gary guided as he moved the stethoscope.
Ash took a deep breath, but it was interrupted with a rude sneeze.
" ACHOOOOOOOOO!"
Gary switched a flashlight on and held a tongue depresser out. " Open wide, Ash."
Ash opened wide and sniffed a little as Gary checked his mouth.
" Hmm......" Gary mused as he removed the wooden stick. " Your throat's irritated, but not red."
He looked at his medical records. " I wond-"
He stopped when he heard muffled sneezes.
Ash was trying his level best to try and keep the sneezes as discreet as possible, but that was impossible. With a fond sigh, Gary handed Ash a tissue from his bedside. " Easy, Ash."
Ash blew his nose. " S... Sorry."
Gary sighed. " It's okay, Ash. It's okay."
He held a thermometer up. " Here, put this in your mouth and under your tongue."
Ash obeyed and Gary helped him stick it under his tongue as Gary placed a cool cloth on Ash's head.
" Now, lie down." Gary advised. " I have to do something."
Ash watched as Gary went to the bathroom and came out, adjusting gloves on his hand.
Before Ash could ask, the thermometer beeped. Gary pulled it out and read the numbers. ' 93. 34...... That's good." He muttered.
Then he turned to Ash. " Okay Ashy lift your shirt."
Ash widened his eyes slightly.
Gary noticed and smirked. " Don't worry Ashy. I just want to palpate it."
" W... What does that mean? Is it a new Pokemon?"
Gary chuckled, shaking his head at Ash's innocent confusion. "No, Ash. It's not a new Pokémon. It means I'm going to check your abdomen to see if anything feels off."
Ash blinked, still wary. "Uh, okay. But why do I have to lift my shirt?"
"Because I need to feel your abdomen," Gary replied, trying to keep his tone light. "Just trust me. It’s nothing weird, I promise."
With a reluctant sigh, Ash lifted his shirt, exposing his stomach. Gary gently placed his hands on Ash’s abdomen, pressing lightly as he felt around.
"Just breathe normally," Gary instructed, keeping his focus on his friend's condition. Ash nodded, trying to relax, and he was surprised to find comfort in Gary's grip.
As Gary's fingers moved across Ash's skin, Ash felt a wave of safety wash over him. It had always been this way; whenever he was sick or in discomfort, Gary's presence made everything seem more manageable.
"Okay, everything feels normal," Gary said after a moment, pulling his hands back. "Just a little tense, but that’s probably because you’re feeling crummy. You’re not running a fever or anything."
Ash lowered his shirt and let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Gary. I was worried something serious was going on."
"Relax, Ash. It’s just allergies or maybe a cold. I’ll figure it out," Gary reassured him, a gentle smile on his face. "Now, how about some medicine to help with that sneezing?"
"Do I have to?" Ash groaned, already knowing the answer.
"Yes. If you want to stop sounding like a sneezing machine, then yes," Gary said, crossing his arms playfully. "You can either take the medicine, or I can start bringing out the nebulizer. Your choice."
Ash winced at the thought of the nebulizer. "Fine, fine! I'll take the medicine!"
"Good choice," Gary replied, turning to his medicine cabinet. He rummaged through the shelves and found a small bottle of syrup. "Here you go. Just a spoonful."
Ash grimaced at the sight of the syrup. "Is it really necessary?"
"Absolutely," Gary said, pouring the syrup into a spoon. "This will help clear you up. Now open wide!"
With a reluctant sigh, Ash opened his mouth and took the syrup, trying not to gag at the taste.
Gary chuckled at his expression. "See? Not so bad. Just think of it as a Berry-flavored potion."
"I’ll take a real Berry any day over this," Ash muttered, wiping his mouth with the tissue.
"Trust me, this is better than a real Berry when you're feeling like this," Gary said, putting the bottle back. "Now, let’s get you some water to wash that down."
After Ash took a few gulps of water, Gary settled beside him on the bed. "How are you feeling now?"
Ash leaned back against the pillows. "Better, I guess. Just tired."
"Good. Just rest, and I’ll stay here with you," Gary said, squeezing Ash's hand reassuringly.
Ash glanced at him, feeling grateful. "Thanks, Gary. I don’t know what I’d do without you."
"You’ll never have to find out," Gary replied with a smirk. "I’m not going anywhere. Besides, who else would take care of you when you’re like this?"
Ash chuckled softly. "Yeah, I guess you’re stuck with me."
"Forever and always," Gary said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. They shared a comfortable silence, the only sound being Ash's occasional sniffle.
Eventually, Ash's eyelids grew heavy, and he felt himself drifting off. Just before he fully succumbed to sleep, he mumbled, "Hey, Gary?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you stay right here?"
"Always, Ashy. Always," Gary whispered, watching as Ash finally succumbed to the sleep he desperately needed.
