Pokemon Indigo League Stories Part 2

Ash's check up

Gary sighed as he adjusted the stethoscope around his neck, his teasing demeanor softening as he saw how genuinely anxious Ash was. “Alright, Ashy-boy, I know you hate this. But you gotta trust me, okay?”

Ash nodded reluctantly, but his leg continued bouncing uncontrollably as he sat on the examination table, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his jacket. His heart felt like it was pounding out of his chest.

Gary placed a hand over Ash’s, stilling it gently. “Hey,” he said softly, crouching to meet Ash’s gaze. “You’re gonna be okay. It’s me, Ashy. Remember? I’ve got you.”

Ash’s trembling slowed a little, though his breath remained shallow. He gave Gary a weak nod, his cheeks red with embarrassment. “Y-Yeah, okay.”

Gary smiled warmly, standing upright again. “Good. Let’s start with something easy. Eyes first.” He pulled on a pair of gloves and picked up a small flashlight. “Now, buddy, I need you to follow the light, alright?”

Ash hesitated but nodded. Gary leaned closer, using his thumb to gently open one of Ash’s eyes. “Just follow it, Ash,” he said in a calm, steady tone. He moved the light slowly from side to side, watching Ash’s pupil dilate and contract.

Ash squirmed a little, his hands gripping the edge of the table. “I-I don’t like this…”

“I know, Ashy,” Gary said gently. “But you’re doing great. Almost done with this part.” He finished with the left eye and moved to the right, repeating the process. “There we go. Easy peasy, huh?”

Ash muttered something inaudible, his shoulders tense. Gary gave him a reassuring pat on the arm. “Okay, next up: ears. Just sit still for me.”

Ash froze as Gary leaned in with an otoscope, carefully inspecting each ear. “Everything looks fine here,” Gary announced. “No Pikachu zaps recently, huh?”

That earned a weak chuckle from Ash. “N-No… not recently.”

Gary smiled, glad he was breaking through Ash’s nerves a little. “Alright, let’s check that famous Ketchum grin. Say ‘ahhh.’”

Ash hesitated but opened his mouth as Gary used a tongue depressor to look inside. “Hmm, no cavities. Not bad, Ashy-boy. Guess you’ve been brushing after all.”

Ash gave him a small glare, but it lacked any real heat.

“Now for the big one,” Gary said, pulling out his stethoscope. “I’m going to listen to your heart. Don’t freak out, okay?”

Ash’s eyes widened, and his leg started bouncing again. “W-What if… what if something’s wrong?”

Gary sighed, placing a hand on Ash’s knee to stop the bouncing. “Nothing’s wrong, buddy. You’re just nervous. Now, deep breaths for me, okay?”

Reluctantly, Ash nodded. Gary pressed the cold metal of the stethoscope against Ash’s chest. “Breathe in… and out,” Gary instructed. He frowned slightly as he listened to Ash’s heart pounding like a drum. “Ashy… you’ve got to calm down, or you’re going to give yourself a heart attack.”

“I-I’m trying!” Ash stammered, his voice breaking slightly.

Gary put the stethoscope down and sat next to Ash on the table, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “Hey,” he said softly. “It’s just me, okay? No one’s going to hurt you. Remember when we were four, and I stayed with you during that bad check-up? I’m still here, Ashy. Always will be.”

Ash hesitated but eventually leaned into the half-hug, his face still red. “T-Thanks, Gary…”

“Anytime,” Gary said with a grin, ruffling Ash’s hair before standing. “Now let’s check your blood pressure. You ready?”

Ash didn’t respond, and when Gary turned back with the blood pressure cuff, he froze. Ash was curled up on the table, his legs pulled to his chest, face buried in his knees, and arms wrapped around his shins. A small wet patch glistened on the crinkled paper beneath him.

Gary sighed softly, his heart aching at the sight. “Oh, Ash… Buddy.” He set the cuff down and crouched again, resting a hand on Ash’s back. “You’re okay. I promise. I’m not going to make you do anything you don’t want to.”

Ash sniffled, his voice muffled. “I’m sorry… I just… I can’t…”

Gary shook his head, rubbing Ash’s back gently. “Don’t be sorry, Ashy-boy. You’re scared, and that’s okay. We’ll go as slow as you need. No rush, alright?”

Ash peeked out from behind his knees, his eyes red and glassy. “You… you won’t leave?”

Gary smiled, sitting back beside him. “Never, Ash. You’re stuck with me.”