Ash squinted his eyes open and sighed, turning over. “ Yeah. I am. When’d you come back?”
“ Last night.” the boy said before pausing and sitting on his friend's bed. “ Come on, Ashy. What’s going on?”
“ I,,, it’s nothing.”
Gary didn’t believe him. He reached out and felt Ash’s head, then neck. “ You don’t look okay.”
I don’t FEEL okay.”
Gary put a hand on Ash’s shoulder. “Don’t worry,” he said. ‘ I know what to do.”
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“‘ Anyway Pokemon are like us. If we treat them with dignity and respect, they will become our best friends, and they'll help us everyday!”
“ Wooooooo, that’s amazing!” Ash breathed as he watched the TV with open eyes.
Gary looked at the TV briefly and lifted the front of the blanket and pressed the stethoscope on Ash’s chest.
Ash didn’t even notice.
Gary sighed.
“ Oh well,” He muttered. “ At least he’s calm.”
Then he checked Ash’s ears, tilting his head slightly. “ Easy, easy….” he muttered.
Ash sighed in wonder. “ Your grandpa is amazing!”
Gary smirke.d “ Well, duh! He’s the greatest Pokemon Professor in the history of Professors!”
Ash nodded absentmindedly.
“ Ash, look at me for a moment.”
Ash looked, and Gary quickly shined a flashlight in his eyes.
“ Okay, you can go back to the TV.”
Ash turned again. “ Gary?”
“ Hmmm?”
“ Ash looked at his fingers. “ Can I ask you something?”
Gary furrowed his brow as he paused the TV. “ Anything.”
“ Is it possible…… maybe……..” He sighed. “ I mean……..”
Gary smirked. “ Get your tongue twisted, Ashy?”
Ash glared at him. “ You try…. Speaking properly after getting hit with Arbok!”
GAry’s eyes widened. “ What?!”
Ash wasn’t even paying attention. “ I FINALLY SPOKE LIKE A REGULAR PERSON!!!!!!”
He grabbed Pikachu and spun him around. “ Pikachu, I’m okay!”
“ Pika Pi!” Pikachu said happily.
Gary was still sitting on the floor deep in thought. “ Hey, Ash?” He asked as he furrowed his brow.
Ash paused. “ Yeah?”
“ Did you start to feel sick AFTER that Arbok poison hit you.”
Ash didn’t reply.
Gary knew the answer.
“ Get into bed.” He ordered as he went to his bag.
“ But Gary-”
Gary turned to Ash. “ Ashy, please. Just listen for once and do it!”
Ash climbed up the ladder and buried himself into the blanket as Gary rummaged for some stuff. Then he climbed onto Ash’s loft bed and set his tools out.
“ Ash?” Gary asked, his voice a lot more gentler.
Ash nodded slightly from the blanket.
Gary slipped his hand under the blanket and found Ash’s neck. He felt it and frowned slightly.
“ Ash, are you cold or hot?”
No reply.
“ Ash.”
“ I’m…. fine, Gary. It’s fine.”
“ Ash Ketchum, are you cold or hot?”
Ash sighed. “ Cold.”
Gary smiled a little. “ Finally.”
He grabbed a cloth and took the blanket off, just enough to see his forehead. “ Now, Ash, this might feel cold, but it’s gonna help.”
“ Mhm.”
Gary gently placed the cool cloth on Ash's forehead, watching him flinch slightly before relaxing under the soothing touch. "See? Not so bad," Gary murmured. He then carefully adjusted the blanket back around Ash, tucking him in snugly.
" Gary?" Ash mumbled
" Hm?"
Ash blinked sleepily, still watching Gary with a hint of confusion. "Why are you doing all this?" he mumbled, his voice soft.
Gary chuckled. "Well, someone's gotta keep you in one piece. Besides," he added, ruffling Ash's hair, "you're like the little brother I never had."
Ash managed a weak smile, his eyes beginning to close. "Thanks, Gary," he murmured, finally letting his guard down. "But I'm not that little, you know."
Gary smirked, walking down the ladder and leaning back against the bed frame as he watched Ash drift off to sleep. "Sure, Ashy-boy. Keep telling yourself that."
