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 nodded slightly. " Kenny? Really random question."

Kenny looked up, still massaging her hand. " Anything."

" There's no way you can accidentally poisons me with one of those right?"

Kenny froze. " D... Dawn, are you feeling okay?"

He felt her forehead, then neck, then gently took her arm and felt her pulse.

Kenny’s brow furrowed as he checked her pulse, which was racing under his fingertips. "Your pulse is quick, Dee Dee. You’re really worked up about this, aren’t you?"

Dawn didn’t answer, her eyes fixed on her lap. Her fingers started to fidget with the hem of her dress again.

Kenny gently took her other hand, still massaging her palm with one hand while holding the other. "Dawn, you’re not going to get poisoned. I swear on my life. These needles are sterile, and I’ve done this a thousand times. I’d never, ever let anything bad happen to you. You trust me, don’t you?"

Dawn hesitated, then nodded faintly. "I trust you, Kenny... It’s just... I can’t stop my brain from thinking of the worst."

Kenny softened, giving her a small, understanding smile. "That’s okay, Dee Dee. Your brain’s trying to protect you, but I’ll be here to remind you there’s nothing to fear."

Dawn finally looked up, her eyes meeting his. "How do you always know what to say?"

"Because I know you," Kenny replied simply. "And because I love you."

Her cheeks flushed at his words, and for the first time that day, she smiled faintly.

Kenny gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before shifting slightly to the side. "Okay, here’s the plan. I’m going to finish prepping everything while you sit here and breathe with me. Nice and slow, alright? In through your nose, out through your mouth."

Dawn nodded, mimicking his breathing. Her shoulders started to relax as she focused on his calm, steady presence.

Kenny moved efficiently, opening a small packet to reveal the syringe, which he filled with practiced ease. When he turned back to her, his voice was as gentle as ever. "Okay, Dee Dee. I’m ready. How are you feeling?"

"Nervous," Dawn admitted, gripping his hand.

"That’s okay," Kenny said. He hopped onto the table beside her, keeping their hands connected. "Now, remember what I said—no clenching, alright? Just relax your arm."

He gently positioned her arm, using his free hand to rub soothing circles over her skin. "You’re doing great, Dee Dee. Just keep looking at me, not the needle."

Dawn’s breathing hitched slightly as she nodded, her eyes locking on his.

"Good girl," Kenny murmured as he gently inserted the needle. The whole process was over in seconds, and Kenny placed a soft blue bandage over the site.

"All done," he announced, leaning back with a proud smile. "See? You survived."

Dawn blinked in surprise. "That’s it?"

"That’s it," Kenny confirmed, giving her hand one last squeeze before letting go. "Told you it wouldn’t hurt as much this time."

Dawn looked down at the bandage, then back at Kenny, her lips curving into a relieved smile. "Thank you, Kenny... for everything."

Kenny ruffled her hair, grinning. "Anytime, Dee Dee. Now, how about we go celebrate with some ice cream? You’ve earned it."

Her smile widened as she nodded, and for the first time in a long while, Dawn felt brave.