"Hey Dawn, wake up."

Dawn groaned, burying her face deeper into her pillow. "What now, Kenny?" she mumbled, her voice muffled.

Kenny, perched on the edge of her bed, was shaking her gently but insistently. "We gotta go, Dee Dee," he said, his grin all too bright for the early hour.

"Go where?" Dawn groaned again, her words drawn out in exhaustion.

"The clinic, of course," Kenny replied, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Dawn froze, her eyes snapping open. "No," she said firmly, her voice laced with dread.

Kenny’s grin only widened. "Oh, come on, Dee Dee. Did ya forget? Yours truly is the doctor!"

Dawn glared at him, her lips pressing into a thin line. She knew that—of course she knew that. Kenny had been her best friend for years, and she trusted him more than anyone else. But that didn’t make the idea of going to the clinic any less unbearable.

Kenny raised an eyebrow, catching on to her silence. "Wait a minute," he said slowly, leaning closer. "You don’t hate the clinic because of the needles or the machines, do you? You hate it because of the doctors."

Dawn didn’t answer, but the way her gaze flickered away told him everything he needed to know.

Kenny laughed softly, sitting back on his heels. "Ohhhh, that’s the problem, huh? You don’t trust those other stiff, serious types."

"I didn’t say that," Dawn muttered, but her expression betrayed her.

Kenny ruffled her hair playfully. "Alright, Dee Dee, stay here. I’ve got an idea."

Dawn sat up slightly, confusion crossing her face as Kenny dashed out of the room. Minutes later, he returned, carrying his medical bag.

"You’re not serious," Dawn said flatly as he plopped it onto her nightstand.

"Completely serious," Kenny said, his grin never faltering. "If the clinic makes you uncomfortable, we’ll do this here. You trust me, right?"

Dawn hesitated, her gaze softening. She did trust him—more than anyone. That was never the issue. But the thought of being examined, even by Kenny, still made her chest tighten.

Sensing her unease, Kenny sat beside her, his tone gentler now. "Hey, it’s just me, Dee Dee. No surprises, no secrets. I’ll explain everything I’m doing, and if you don’t want to do something, we won’t. Deal?"

She bit her lip but finally nodded. "Deal."

Kenny smiled, a warm, reassuring expression that made her feel a little less on edge. "Alright then. Let’s get this over with so we can both get on with our day."

Despite her initial reluctance, Dawn couldn’t help but feel a flicker of gratitude. Kenny wasn’t like the others. He wasn’t cold or distant. He made her feel safe, even in situations she hated.

Kenny opened his medical bag with an exaggerated flourish, pulling out a tiny flashlight. "Alright, Dee Dee," he said, clicking it on with a dramatic flair. "Let’s start with the basics. Eyes up here."

Dawn rolled her eyes but tilted her head back obediently. "This feels ridiculous," she muttered.

"Ridiculous?" Kenny scoffed. "This is top-tier medical care in the comfort of your own bedroom. You’re welcome."

He leaned closer, shining the light into her eyes. "Look left. Now right. Up. Down. Good. Your pupils are perfect, as always."

"You’re such a dork," Dawn said, her lips twitching into a reluctant smile.

"Ah, but I’m your dork," Kenny quipped, pulling out an otoscope. "Now, let’s take a look at these ears. Turn your head."

Dawn obliged, though her expression screamed annoyance. "This is so unnecessary."

"Necessary? This is vital, Dee Dee. What if you had something like… I don’t know, ear goblins?" He peered into her ear, nodding sagely. "Good news. No goblins in this one. Let’s check the other."

Dawn couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re impossible."

"And yet, you love me for it," Kenny shot back, switching ears.

Once he was done, he moved on to her nose, inspecting it with exaggerated seriousness. "Alright, say goodbye to your dignity—lean back and say ‘ahhh.’"

"My dignity?" Dawn raised an eyebrow but opened her mouth.

Kenny grinned as he used a tongue depressor to check her throat. "Perfectly healthy. No signs of… uh… throat monsters."

"You’re really leaning into the monster theme today," she said, her voice muffled.

"Trying to keep it light for my favorite patient," Kenny replied, tapping her nose affectionately.

Next, he pulled out his stethoscope, placing it gently against her chest. "Deep breath in," he instructed, his tone softening.

Dawn inhaled deeply, her brow furrowing slightly.

"And out," Kenny said, listening carefully. He moved the stethoscope to her back. "Again. In… and out. Lungs sound great. You’re as healthy as a Tauros."

Dawn smirked. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

"Depends. Do you think Tauros are majestic and strong?" Kenny teased, setting the stethoscope aside. "Now for the fun part—your reflexes!"

He pulled out a small reflex hammer, tapping her knee lightly. Her leg jerked in response, and Kenny grinned. "Perfect. Other knee!"

"Is this almost over?" Dawn asked, though her tone had lost some of its earlier irritation.

"Patience, Dee Dee. This is precision work," Kenny said, tapping her other knee. "Reflexes are on point. Now for the grand finale—your heartbeat."

"My heart? Didn’t you already listen to it?"

"Not like this," Kenny said, holding his fingers to her wrist instead. "Checking your pulse. Stay still."

Dawn sat quietly as Kenny counted under his breath, his touch steady and reassuring. Finally, he looked up, his usual grin softening into something more sincere. "Everything checks out, Dee Dee. You’re in great shape."

Dawn let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. "Thanks, Kenny. I… I hate this stuff, but you made it bearable."

Kenny reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Anything for you. And hey, next time you need a check-up, remember—I’ve got your back. No clinics, no strangers. Just me."

Dawn smiled, her earlier tension melting away. "I’ll hold you to that, Dr. Kenny."

"Good. Now, let’s get some breakfast. Doctor’s orders."