Dawn could feel her teeth chattering. Her fingers were playing with the helm of her dress, and her heart was thumping in her chest, ready to burst. Her nose took in the sharp smell on sanitizer, and she gulped.

" No need to worry, no need to worry." She kept muttering to herself.

But she couldn't stop worrying.

Because what was behind that door.... She dreaded.

She watched kids and adults go in and come out, alive.

But she couldn't bring herself to do that.

She didn't hear the chatter, everything warping in her brain.

Then, someone stuck their latex glove covered hand to her

She looked up to see her Auburn haired boy.

She had never seen Kenny in blue medical scrubs, and it worried her.

" Hiya Dee Dee."

Dawn gave him a tight smile. " H... Hi Kenny."

Kenny smiled warmly at her. " Come on, Dee Dee. It's not that bad, I promise."

" Promise?"

" I promise."

Dawn took Kenny's hand shakily, and he pulled her up and took her through the doors.

They walked through a large hall, but Dawn didn't notice.

She was too busy thinking of her doom.

What if Kenny accidentally poisons me? What if Kenny just pierces it in?! What if he gives me so many shots I die?! What i-

" Dawn? Earth to Dawn? Are you okay?"

Dawn's gaze snapped up to Kenny, who had stopped walking, hand still holding hers, looking back at her with concern in his eyes.

" I'm fine. No need to worry...." She managed to whisper.

Kenny didn't look convinced, but he didn't question anything.

He pulled her down the hall and into a room.

Green walls, green examination table, green everything.

Even the tray was green

The only thing that wasn't green was the bandaid layed on the tray, and that was blue.

And on the walls were pictures of him and his Pokemon, him and contests, and... Him and Dawn.

It managed to calm Dawn a little, but her heart was still thumping.

" Sit up here, Dee Dee." Kenny instructed, patting the table

She slowly crawled on and sat, looking at her fingers.

Kenny threw his gloves away, washed his hands, and took new gloves out, pulling them on his hands.

" How are you feeling?" Kenny asked.

Dawn didn't reply at first.

" Nervous."

" Why?"

Dawn didn't reply.

Kenny turned and observed Dawn.

The poor girl was shaking like a leaf, and she looked ready to burst into tears.

" Aw, Dawn...."

Dawn didn't look at him.

" It's just a small needle, Dee Dee, I promise. It won't hurt."

Dawn shook her head, tears already forming. " It always hurts, Kenny. No matter what."

Kenny gently tilted Dawn's face up and wiped the tears that escaped with his thumb. " Would it make you feel better if I took the gloves off?"

Dawn didn't reply, but she gave the slightest nod ever.

Kenny noticed, and took the gloves off, setting them to the side. " No use wasting perfectly clean gloves." He muttered.

Then he turned his full attention to Dawn. " You said it always hurt?"

Dawn nodded, embarrassed.

Kenny crawled onto the table. " Let's see why."

He gently placed a cool thumb on her arm and traced her veins.

Then he chuckled. " Ah. Now I see."

Dawn looked at Kenny's head. " What? Is something wrong with me?"

Kenny shook his head, still smiling. " Nono, Dee Dee. You're a clutcher."

" A what?"

" Clutcher." Kenny explained. " Someone who balls their fists whenever they're nervous. Your mussle needs to be relaxed, Dawn. Otherwise it's bound to hurt."

Dawn nodded, still nervous. " S... So how do I make it stop?"

Kenny gave her a reassuring smile. " Watch."

He turned her palm up, then started to massage it. " Like this.

Dawn stared at Kenny’s hands as they worked, his fingers pressing gently into her palm in slow, circular motions. The tension in her arm began to ease, and she felt her shoulders relax a little.

"See?" Kenny said softly, his tone soothing. "If you keep your muscles loose, it won’t hurt as much. Just let yourself relax."

Dawn swallowed hard, her gaze flicking nervously between Kenny and the tray with the dreaded needle. "I’m not sure I can," she admitted, her voice shaky.

Kenny looked up from her hand, his warm brown eyes meeting hers. "You can, Dee Dee. And I’ll be here the whole time. You trust me, right?"

Dawn hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Yeah... I trust you."

Kenny’s smile widened, and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Good. Now, let’s try something else."

He slid closer on the table, keeping one hand on hers while his other reached for the small alcohol pad. "I’m going to clean the area first. Just focus on my voice, okay? You don’t have to look at anything else."

Dawn nodded again, her fingers trembling slightly in his grasp.

Kenny carefully tore open the alcohol pad and began swiping it over her arm. "You’re doing great, Dee Dee. Just breathe with me. In through your nose..."

Dawn mimicked his slow inhale, her heart still thudding but less erratic.

"And out through your mouth," Kenny coached, demonstrating.

She exhaled shakily, her grip on his hand loosening a bit.

"Perfect," he praised, setting the pad aside. "Now, I’m going to get the needle ready, but you don’t have to watch. Just keep looking at me, alright?"

Dawn swallowed again, nodding. "Alright."

Kenny moved with practiced ease, his movements precise and calm as he prepared the syringe. He glanced at Dawn occasionally, making sure her focus stayed on him.

"Remember," he said gently, taking her arm once more, "it’s just a tiny pinch. Nothing more. And if it helps, squeeze my hand as hard as you want."

Dawn braced herself, her free hand clutching Kenny’s shirt instead of his hand. "I’m ready... I think."

"Good girl," Kenny murmured, his voice like a balm. "Here we go. Just keep breathing."

Dawn closed her eyes tightly, her nails digging slightly into his shirt as she felt the tiniest prick on her arm.

And then... it was over.

"All done," Kenny announced, pressing a small cotton ball to the site and securing it with the blue bandaid from the tray. "See? You survived."

Dawn cracked one eye open, disbelief etched on her face. "That’s it?"

"That’s it," Kenny confirmed with a grin. "You’re officially the bravest patient I’ve ever had."

Dawn let out a shaky laugh, the tension finally melting from her body. "I don’t know about brave, but... thanks, Kenny. You really made it easier."

"Always, Dee Dee," Kenny said, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her forehead. "You did great. I’m proud of you."

Dawn smiled, her cheeks tinged pink. "Maybe doctors aren’t so bad... when it’s you."

Kenny chuckled, hopping off the table and helping her down. "High praise coming from you. How about we celebrate with some ice cream? On me."

"Deal," Dawn replied, linking her arm through his. As they left the room together, she couldn’t help but feel a little less afraid of the next time.