" Hey Dawn, wake up."

Dawn groaned as she yawned and turned over in her bed. " What happened, Kenny?"

Kenny was sitting on her bed on his knees, shaking her awake. " We have to go, Dee Dee."

" Wheeeeeeere?" Dawn groaned.

" The clinic, where else?"

Dawn’s eyes snapped open, her heart sinking at the mention of the clinic. She bolted upright, clutching her blanket. “No way, Kenny. I’m not going. Not today, not ever.”

Kenny grinned, unfazed by her defiance. “Aww, don’t worry, Dee Dee. Did ya forget? Yours truly is the doctor, remember?” He puffed his chest out dramatically, clearly proud of his medical prowess.

“That’s exactly why I’m worried,” Dawn muttered, crossing her arms.

Kenny’s grin softened into understanding. “Ohhh, so that’s the problem, huh? You hate clinics.”

“Bingo.” She flopped back onto her bed, pulling the blanket over her face. “And doctors. And you when you’re being annoying.”

Kenny chuckled, standing up with determination. “Okay, stay here. I’ve got an idea.”

Dawn peeked out from under the blanket, suspicion written all over her face. “What are you up to?”

“You’ll see.” Kenny left the room, returning a few minutes later with his doctor’s bag in hand. “If the clinic’s the problem, we’ll skip it. I’ll do the check-up here instead. That way, you’ll feel safe.”

Dawn blinked at him, momentarily stunned. “You’re serious?”

“As serious as my doctor’s license,” Kenny teased, plopping down on the bed beside her. “Now sit up, Dee Dee. Let’s get this over with so you can go back to being grumpy in peace.”

Despite herself, Dawn smiled. Maybe Kenny wasn’t so bad after all.

Kenny set his bag down on the bed and opened it with a flourish, pulling out his tools with a practiced efficiency that momentarily silenced Dawn’s grumbles. He slipped on a pair of gloves, snapping them in place with a dramatic flair before turning to face her.

“Alright, Dee Dee,” he said, his tone unusually steady. “Look at me.”

Dawn huffed, crossing her arms. “What now?”

“First, we’re gonna check your eyes,” Kenny said, leaning forward slightly. His usual teasing grin was gone, replaced by an expression of focused determination. “Stay still, okay?”

Dawn sighed but complied, letting her arms drop to her sides. Kenny held up a small penlight and clicked it on, the soft beam of light illuminating her face.

“Follow the light,” he instructed, moving it slowly from side to side. His voice was calm, almost soothing. “Good. Now up and down.”

She did as he asked, blinking a little at the brightness. “Why do you have to hold it so close?”

“Because that’s how it works, genius,” Kenny retorted, though his tone was far from harsh. He clicked off the light and leaned back. “Your eyes look fine. No sign of anything weird.”

“Glad to hear it,” Dawn muttered, shifting uncomfortably.

Kenny didn’t comment. Instead, he reached for his otoscope. “Next, we’ll check your ears. This might tickle a bit.”

Dawn groaned, leaning away from him instinctively. “Do you have to?”

“Yes, I have to,” Kenny said firmly, though the corner of his mouth twitched with amusement. “C’mon, Dee Dee. Work with me here.”

Reluctantly, she tilted her head to the side, allowing him to gently examine her ear. His touch was careful, deliberate, as if he was afraid of causing her discomfort.

“Looks good,” he said after a moment, switching to the other ear. “See? Not so bad.”

“It’s still weird,” Dawn muttered, fidgeting as he finished. “How do you even take this doctor thing seriously?”

Kenny leaned back, pulling off his gloves and tossing them into the small trash bag he’d brought. “Because someone has to,” he replied, his tone softening. “And because it’s you, Dee Dee. You’re my favorite patient.”

Dawn blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. “I’m your only patient.”

“Exactly.” He grinned, that familiar teasing spark returning to his eyes. “Now, drink some water and promise me you’ll take it easy today.”

Dawn rolled her eyes but found herself smiling. “Fine. But only because you didn’t make me go to the clinic.”

“Deal.” Kenny stood, ruffling her hair as he grabbed his bag. “You’re not so bad when you’re cooperative, y’know.”

“Don’t push it,” Dawn shot back, but her tone was light, the tension from earlier all but forgotten.

Kenny reached into his bag again, pulling out his stethoscope. He dangled it playfully in front of Dawn, his grin returning.

"Okay, Dee Dee. Time to check your heart and lungs," he announced, slipping the stethoscope into his ears.

Dawn narrowed her eyes. “You’re way too excited about this.”

“Hey, I take my job seriously,” Kenny replied, tapping the chest piece lightly. “Now sit up straight for me. I promise this won’t hurt.”

Grumbling under her breath, Dawn adjusted her posture. Kenny placed the cold metal disc against her chest, causing her to flinch.

“Cold!” she yelped, pulling back.

Kenny laughed, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “Relax! It’s just for a second.” He warmed the chest piece with his hand before placing it back. “Breathe in for me. Deep breath.”

Dawn complied, inhaling deeply, though her glare remained fixed on him.

“Good,” Kenny murmured, moving the stethoscope to another spot. “And out. One more time—big breath in. And out.”

He leaned back, nodding in satisfaction. “Lungs sound clear. Now for your heart.”

Dawn crossed her arms but didn’t protest as he moved the stethoscope to her chest again, this time listening intently. His brow furrowed in concentration, and for a moment, she almost believed he was a real doctor.

“Hmm,” Kenny said, tilting his head slightly.

“What?” Dawn demanded, her voice tinged with panic. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Kenny said quickly, removing the stethoscope with a reassuring smile. “Just making sure you don’t have a secret second heartbeat or something.”

Dawn groaned. “Kenny, I swear—”

“Relax, Dee Dee. Your heart’s fine,” he said, chuckling. “Perfectly normal.”

He grabbed his reflex hammer next, holding it up like a weapon. “Now for reflexes. Stick out your leg.”

Dawn eyed him suspiciously. “You’re not gonna hit me with that, are you?”

“It’s a gentle tap,” Kenny said, rolling his eyes. “C’mon, trust me.”

Reluctantly, Dawn extended her leg. Kenny crouched beside the bed, tapping just below her knee. Her leg jerked involuntarily, and she scowled.

“See? Perfect reflexes,” Kenny declared, moving to the other leg. He tapped again, and her leg reacted the same way.

“Feels weird,” Dawn muttered, watching him closely.

“It’s supposed to,” Kenny said, standing up and tossing the hammer back into his bag. “But you passed with flying colors, as expected.”

“Are we done yet?” she asked, her tone a mix of exasperation and exhaustion.

“Almost,” Kenny replied, his smile softening. “Just wanted to make sure you’re okay, Dee Dee. You’re important, y’know?”

Dawn blinked, caught off guard by the genuine concern in his voice. “Yeah, well... thanks, I guess.”

“Anytime,” Kenny said, giving her a playful nudge. “Now, go get some rest. Doctor’s orders.”

Dawn smirked faintly. “Fine. But next time, I’m charging you for the attitude.”

Kenny laughed, packing up his bag. “Deal. But you’ll never find a better doctor than me.”

“Don’t push your luck,” she retorted, lying back down with a small, reluctant smile.