Kenny sighed softly, crouching down to meet Dawn’s tearful gaze. Her hands were clenched tightly in her lap, trembling, and her entire body seemed on edge, like a coiled spring ready to snap. 

"Dee Dee," he said gently, his voice warm and calm. "I need you to take a deep breath for me, okay?" 

Dawn shook her head, her bottom lip trembling. "It always hurts, Kenny. No matter what." 

Kenny reached out and cupped her hand in both of his, his touch firm but soothing. "It hurts because you’re tense, Dee Dee. You’re holding on so tight that your muscles can’t relax. That’s why the needle feels worse." 

She blinked at him, her teary eyes wide. "What do you mean?" 

He gave her a small smile and gestured toward her clenched fists. "When you’re scared, your body tenses up. Your muscles get tight, and when the needle goes in, it has to push through those tense muscles. That’s why it stings so much." 

Dawn looked down at her hands, flexing them slightly. "So... it’s my fault it hurts?" 

Kenny shook his head quickly. "No, it’s not your fault. Being scared is normal, Dawn. But if you can relax, even just a little, it’ll make things easier. I promise." 

She sniffled, her hands still trembling. "How do I do that?" 

Kenny stood up and sat beside her on the green examination table, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "First, let’s start with some deep breaths, okay? In through your nose, out through your mouth. Just follow me." 

He demonstrated, taking a slow, deep breath, and Dawn hesitantly mirrored him. 

"Good," he encouraged, his voice soft. "Let’s do it again. In through your nose... and out through your mouth." 

After a few rounds, Dawn’s breathing started to steady, and some of the tension in her shoulders eased. Kenny smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. 

"See? You’re doing great," he said. "Now, when I give you the shot, keep your arm loose, okay? No squeezing or clenching. Just let it hang like spaghetti." 

Dawn let out a shaky laugh, wiping her eyes. "Spaghetti?" 

"Yup," Kenny said with a grin. "Floppy, wobbly spaghetti. That’s what I want your arm to feel like." 

She nodded, still nervous but trusting him. "Okay... I’ll try." 

Kenny stood and walked over to the tray, picking up the syringe. He checked the dosage, then turned back to Dawn. "Alright, Dee Dee, this is it. Remember—spaghetti arm." 

Dawn swallowed hard, her hands gripping the edge of the table. "Spaghetti arm," she muttered to herself, trying to focus. 

Kenny moved closer, crouching slightly to meet her gaze again. "Look at me, not the needle, okay? Just keep your eyes on mine." 

She obeyed, her blue eyes locking onto his warm auburn ones. He smiled at her, his presence steady and reassuring. "Good. Now take a deep breath for me. In... and out." 

As she exhaled, Kenny gently administered the shot, his movements quick and precise. 

"All done," he said a moment later, setting the syringe aside. 

Dawn blinked, her eyes wide with surprise. "Wait... that’s it?" 

Kenny chuckled, peeling off his gloves. "That’s it. Told you it wasn’t so bad." 

She flexed her arm, still half in disbelief. "It didn’t hurt... at all." 

"That’s because you relaxed," Kenny said, sitting back beside her. "See what happens when you trust me, Dee Dee?" 

Dawn smiled shyly, leaning into his side. "Thanks, Kenny. I don’t think I could’ve done it without you." 

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pressing a kiss to her temple. "You’re braver than you think, Dawn. And I’ll always be here to help you, no matter what." 

Dawn rested her head on his shoulder, feeling a sense of calm she hadn’t felt in days. With Kenny by her side, maybe the clinic wasn’t so scary after all.