Gary sighed, tightening his arms around Ash as he felt his best friend trembling. "Oh, kiddo..." he murmured, resting his chin lightly on Ash’s head. "Buddy, don’t talk like that. Come on, you know better."
Ash sniffled, still clutching Gary's lab coat, his fingers twisting the fabric. "I-I thought you weren’t really my friend... that maybe you just wanted to mess with me. I’m so stupid for thinking that."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Stop right there," Gary said firmly but gently, pulling back just enough to look Ash in the eyes. His green eyes, calm and steady, locked onto Ash’s watery brown ones. "Don’t you *ever* say that about yourself, okay? You’re not stupid. You’re my best friend, Ash. Always have been, always will be."
Ash hesitated, his lip trembling. "B-but... we’re rivals, and you’re so much better than me at... well, everything. What if you don’t actually like me?"
Gary blinked, surprised, then shook his head with a soft chuckle. "Kiddo, are you serious right now? I mean, yeah, I like to tease you—'Ashy-boy' and all that—but you’re my best friend. If I didn’t care about you, do you think I’d be here right now, making sure you’re okay?"
Ash didn’t respond, but he couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Gary sighed again, softer this time, and pulled Ash close, pressing the side of Ash’s head against his chest. "Listen to this," Gary said, guiding Ash’s ear to his heart. The steady thump-thump filled the silence. "Hear that? I’m here, kiddo. My heart’s not gonna lie to you. I’m not going anywhere."
Ash closed his eyes, the rhythm soothing him, even if just a little. "I’m sorry," he whispered again.
"You don’t have to apologize for being scared," Gary said, rubbing Ash’s back again. "I know check-ups freak you out. Remember when we were four and I sat with you after you screamed the whole clinic down? Some things never change, huh?" He smirked slightly, trying to lighten the mood.
Ash gave a weak laugh, his voice still shaky. "I-I remember... You stayed with me the whole time. Even when I bit the nurse."
Gary snorted. "Yeah, you little gremlin. I was the one who apologized for you, too. So, don’t worry. I’ve got you now, just like I did back then."
Ash hesitated, then quietly asked, "Can we... just stay like this for a bit?"
Gary’s expression softened, and he nodded, leaning back slightly but keeping Ash close. "Of course, kiddo. Take all the time you need."
For a while, the two of them stayed like that, Gary holding Ash securely as Ash slowly calmed down. The tension in Ash’s shoulders started to ease, and his breathing grew more even. Gary, ever patient, didn’t rush him.
When Ash finally pulled back, wiping his eyes with his sleeve, he glanced at Gary sheepishly. "Sorry for, y’know, freaking out."
Gary ruffled Ash’s hair, his smirk back in place. "Don’t sweat it, Ashy-boy. That’s what I’m here for. Now, think you’re ready to finish this check-up?"
Ash hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. Just... don’t leave, okay?"
"Not a chance," Gary said, grabbing his stethoscope and giving Ash a reassuring smile. "You’re stuck with me, kiddo."
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