" Hey Dawn, wake up."

Dawn groaned as she yawned and turned over in her bed. " What happened, Kenny?"

Kenny was sitting on her bed on his knees, shaking her awake. " We have to go, Dee Dee."

" Wheeeeeeere?" Dawn groaned.

" The clinic, where else?"

Dawn’s eyes snapped open, her heart sinking at the mention of the clinic. She bolted upright, clutching her blanket. “No way, Kenny. I’m not going. Not today, not ever.”

Kenny grinned, unfazed by her defiance. “Aww, don’t worry, Dee Dee. Did ya forget? Yours truly is the doctor, remember?” He puffed his chest out dramatically, clearly proud of his medical prowess.

“That’s exactly why I’m worried,” Dawn muttered, crossing her arms.

Kenny’s grin softened into understanding. “Ohhh, so that’s the problem, huh? You hate clinics.”

“Bingo.” She flopped back onto her bed, pulling the blanket over her face. “And doctors. And you when you’re being annoying.”

Kenny chuckled, standing up with determination. “Okay, stay here. I’ve got an idea.”

Dawn peeked out from under the blanket, suspicion written all over her face. “What are you up to?”

“You’ll see.” Kenny left the room, returning a few minutes later with his doctor’s bag in hand. “If the clinic’s the problem, we’ll skip it. I’ll do the check-up here instead. That way, you’ll feel safe.”

Dawn blinked at him, momentarily stunned. “You’re serious?”

“As serious as my doctor’s license,” Kenny teased, plopping down on the bed beside her. “Now sit up, Dee Dee. Let’s get this over with so you can go back to being grumpy in peace.”

" I... I'm not grumpy!"

Kenny grinned faintly as he snapped his gloves on and took a flashlight out of his bag, gently cupping Dawn's chin with one hand, while the flashlight was in the other

" Okay, Dee Dee." He said softly as he flickered the light on and used his thumb to gently see below her pupils. " Look at me."

Dawn reluctantly met Kenny's eyes, her lips pressed into a thin line. The warm glow of the flashlight flickered as he moved it slightly, his expression focused and professional.

“Good, Dee Dee. Keep looking right at me,” Kenny murmured, his voice gentle but commanding.

Dawn squirmed. “This is so weird.”

Kenny grinned without breaking his concentration. “Weird? Nah. This is what I do for a living, remember? You’re just not used to being my patient.”

“Well, you’re my boyfriend, not my doctor.”

“Lucky you, I’m both. Now hold still,” Kenny quipped, keeping the light steady as he checked her pupils. “Perfect. No issues here.” He clicked off the flashlight and set it down, giving her a satisfied nod. “You’ve got beautiful eyes, Dee Dee. And healthy ones, too.”

Dawn felt her face heat up. “Stop flattering me while you’re pretending to be a doctor.”

“Not pretending,” Kenny teased, slipping off the gloves. “Now, next up—pulse check.”

He gently took her wrist in his hand, his thumb pressing lightly over her pulse point. His touch was warm and steady, and despite herself, Dawn found her nerves settling.

“Hmm...” Kenny tapped his chin dramatically. “Your heart's racing, Dee Dee. Is it because of me or the ‘check-up’?”

Dawn yanked her hand back, her face burning. “It’s because you keep embarrassing me!”

Kenny chuckled. “Uh-huh, sure. Definitely not because you think I’m cute.”

“Stop it!” Dawn buried her face in her hands.

Kenny’s voice softened. “Hey, hey, I’m just teasing. But really, you’re doing great. No clinic, no stress, right?”

Dawn peeked through her fingers. “I guess it’s... not that bad.”

“That’s my girl,” Kenny said proudly. He grabbed his stethoscope and looped it around his neck. “Okay, last thing—breath check.”

Dawn eyed the stethoscope warily. “You’re not gonna pull any sneaky moves again, are you?”

Kenny raised two fingers solemnly. “Scout’s honor. No ninja doctor moves.”

She sighed, lifting her chin. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

Kenny gently pressed the cool disc against her chest. “Breathe in for me, Dee Dee.”

She inhaled deeply, trying not to flinch at the cold metal.

“Good. Again.”

Dawn followed his instructions, her breaths growing more relaxed.

“Great job,” Kenny praised, removing the stethoscope. “No issues there either. You’re in pretty good shape for someone who didn’t want a check-up.”

Dawn huffed. “Fine. I admit it. That wasn’t completely terrible.”

Kenny beamed. “High praise from the mighty Dawn Berlitz! I’ll take it.”

She rolled her eyes but smiled. “Thanks, Kenny. I guess you're not a bad doctor after all.”

“And you’re not a bad patient.” He leaned closer, whispering dramatically, “Even if you are a little grumpy.”

Dawn swatted his arm. “Kenny!”

Laughing, he held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay! I’ll behave. Now, how about I make you some tea as a reward for surviving your at-home check-up?”

Dawn’s smile softened. “I’d like that.”

Kenny stood up, grabbing his bag. “Doctor’s orders, Dee Dee—relax while I spoil you.”

As he left the room, Dawn shook her head with a small laugh. “Sneaky doctor...” she muttered, but her heart felt lighter all the same.