Doctor Daze- part three

Annie turned to Joel. " Sure he's not gonna kill us?"

"I'm sure."

The rustling stopped the second Silver's voice cut through the hallway.

"I'm sure," he said again, softer this time.

Joel squeaked and flopped backward like a startled Bidoof, pulling his hoodie over his face. Annie whimpered and clung tighter to his arm, her tiny fingers bunching the fabric with knuckle-white tension.

Silver didn't move at first. Just stood there, backlit by the hallway light, arms crossed. His coat was slightly open, his usual all-black attire a sharp contrast to the warm cream-colored walls of the Pokémon Center. His expression wasn't angry. Not even close. It was unreadable—still, calm, the way he always looked when he had to be the adult in the room.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he said.

Joel peeked out of his hoodie like a frightened Sentret. "P-p-promise?"

Silver walked forward. "I promise."

The box wobbled slightly as Joel and Annie shifted, their small bodies still curled up like Jigglypuff caught in the rain. Their faces were soft—rounded cheeks, freckled noses, flushed with heat and fear. Annie's hair was matted from the box's cardboard walls, and Joel had tear tracks running down both cheeks.

Silver crouched beside the box, lowering himself slowly, like he was approaching a wild Pokémon.

"Come on," he said gently. "We need to check how you're feeling. It'll be quick."

Annie whimpered again. "But... b-but the needle..."

"We're not doing that yet," he said, voice low and steady. "First we check your heart and your temperature. That's all. You don't even have to leave the box."

Joel stared at him. "Y-you mean... you're gonna... doctor us in the box?"

"If that's where you feel safe, then yes," Silver said simply.

The box was silent. A tense stillness. Then Joel slowly nodded.

Silver reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, soft-tipped thermometer. "I'll start with this. Mouth open."

Joel obediently opened his mouth like a baby bird, lips trembling. Silver slipped the thermometer under his tongue and gently closed his mouth for him with a gloved finger.

Then he pulled out his stethoscope.

"Can I listen to your heart, Annie?"

Annie hesitated, eyes wide and glassy. She looked like she might cry again.

Silver didn't pressure her. He waited. Then, when her lip wobbled, he held out his hand. His fingers were gloved, but his palm faced up—open. Welcoming.

"I'll be gentle," he promised.

Slowly—oh so slowly—Annie inched forward, crawling out of the box like a Skitty leaving its hiding spot. She sat on her knees in front of Silver, small and pink-faced and still shaking.

He pressed the stethoscope against her chest, under the edge of her collar. "Breathe in... good girl. Now again. One more time."

He moved the scope around her back, nodding quietly. Then he turned to Joel. "Your turn."

Joel squirmed forward, climbing halfway out of the box and sitting in Silver's lap like it was the most natural thing in the world. Silver didn't flinch. He simply adjusted his hold, one arm around Joel's back, the other pressing the stethoscope against his shirt.