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. " No no, Dee Dee. You're a clutcher."

" A what?"

Kenny grinned, his tone playful yet soothing. "A clutcher. Someone who tightens their muscles when they’re nervous. When you clench up like that, it makes everything hurt more."

Dawn blinked, processing his words. "So… it’s my fault it hurts?"

Kenny’s smile softened as he gently shook his head. "Not your fault, Dawn. It’s your body’s natural reaction. But now that we know, we can fix it."

Dawn glanced at her arm, still unsure. "How do I stop?"

"Easy," Kenny said, gently taking her hand. He turned her palm up and started massaging it in slow, circular motions with his thumb. "You just need to relax. Focus on this feeling. Let your arm go loose, like a cooked noodle."

Dawn snorted despite herself. "A cooked noodle? Really?"

"Hey, I’m serious!" Kenny teased, his grin widening. "A relaxed noodle. No clenching, no tension."

Dawn couldn’t help but laugh a little, her nerves loosening just the tiniest bit.

Kenny continued massaging her hand, his tone dropping to a soft, reassuring murmur. "You’ve got this, Dee Dee. I’ll make sure it doesn’t hurt this time, okay? Just trust me."

She hesitated for a moment, but Kenny’s steady presence was like an anchor. She gave a small nod. "Okay… I trust you."

"That’s my girl," Kenny said, beaming. He reached over to the tray and picked up the syringe, his movements calm and deliberate.

As he prepped it, he kept talking, his voice light and easy. "You know, you’re way braver than you give yourself credit for. I’ve seen you face down wild Pokémon, win contests, and handle things most people would run away from. This? This is nothing compared to all that."

Dawn felt a small flicker of pride push through her fear. "You think so?"

"I know so," Kenny replied, placing his free hand on her arm. "Alright, here we go. Just keep your muscles soft and focus on your breathing. In… and out. Good. Just like that."

Dawn focused on his instructions, her eyes fixed on his reassuring face. Before she even realized it, Kenny was placing the blue bandaid on her arm.

"All done," he said, smiling warmly.

Her eyes widened. "Wait, that’s it? I didn’t even feel it!"

Kenny chuckled, leaning back slightly. "Told you it wouldn’t hurt if you relaxed. You’re a pro now, Dee Dee."

Dawn laughed, a genuine sound this time. "Thanks, Kenny. For everything."

"Always," he said, hopping off the table and offering her a hand. "Now, how about we reward your bravery with something sweet? Ice cream on me."

Dawn took his hand, her nerves finally melting away. With Kenny by her side, even the scariest things seemed a little easier.