Doctor Daze- part three

Gary exhaled through his nose, his heart twisting at the way Ash curled in on himself. His poor, stubborn best friend.

"Ashy," Gary tried again, keeping his voice soft. "I can't help if I don't see."

Ash clutched his blanket tighter, his small fingers gripping the fabric like a lifeline. "D-Don't wanna..." he mumbled.

Gary chewed the inside of his cheek. He wasn't going to force Ash—not when he was already scared—but something was wrong. He could see it in the way Ash refused to move, in the way he flinched even when Gary barely touched his back.

"Buddy," Gary said, shifting closer and rubbing slow, careful circles into Ash's shoulder. "You trust me, right?"

Ash hesitated. Then, finally, he gave a small nod.

Gary smiled gently. "Okay. Then just let me take a little peek, alright? No touching, I promise. Just looking."

Ash wavered.

Gary could see the battle going on in his best friend's head. He hated this—hated when Ash felt like he had to hide when he was hurt.

Finally, after what felt like forever, Ash slowly—painfully slowly—loosened his grip on the blanket and allowed Gary to ease it down.

Gary's breath hitched.

A deep, ugly bruise stretched across Ash's side and lower back, blotched with hints of red and yellow—signs that the injury had been there for a while.

Gary swallowed hard, forcing himself to stay calm for Ash's sake. He reached for his bag, pulling out his gloves and snapping them on.

"Ash," he said carefully, keeping his voice steady, "can you tell me how this happened?"

Ash hesitated. Then, in a barely-there whisper, "...Dunno."

Gary sighed. "Did you fall? Did someone hit you? Did a Snorlax fall on you—what, buddy?"

Ash only shook his head, avoiding Gary's eyes.

Gary pinched the bridge of his nose. Of course Ash wouldn't say. The kid had a nasty habit of brushing off his own pain.

"Okay," Gary murmured, rubbing slow circles on Ash's arm again. "Can I touch, buddy? Just to feel if anything's broken?"

Ash stiffened.

Gary gave his shoulder a light squeeze. "I promise I'll be gentle."

Ash was silent for a long moment. Then, hesitantly, he nodded.

Gary worked slowly, his fingers pressing lightly against Ash's back and ribs, searching for any signs of a fracture. He hated the way Ash flinched when he reached a particularly sore spot.

"No broken bones," Gary finally concluded, exhaling in relief. "But this is bad, Ashy."

Ash curled in on himself again, mumbling something under his breath.

Gary frowned. "What was that, buddy?"

Ash hesitated, then mumbled, "I didn't wanna bother you."

Gary froze.

Then, before he could stop himself, he pulled Ash into a careful hug, mindful of his injury.

"Oh, kiddo," he murmured, resting his chin on Ash's messy hair. "You're never a bother, okay? Never."

Ash sniffled, pressing his face against Gary's shoulder.

Gary sighed, rubbing slow, soothing circles on Ash's back. "You gotta tell me when you're hurt, Ashy. I wanna help you."