Kenny laughed softly at her wide-eyed expression. "A clutcher," he repeated. "Someone who tenses up and holds onto things—or people—when they're nervous. You’ve got quite the grip there, Dee Dee."

Dawn’s face turned a bright shade of pink, and she quickly let go of his arm. "I-I didn’t mean to…"

Kenny shook his head, still smiling as he gently patted her hand. "It’s okay, Dawn. But that’s probably why it hurts so much when you get shots. If your muscles are all tight, the needle can’t go in smoothly. Relaxing helps more than you’d think."

Dawn blinked at him, still clearly skeptical. "Relaxing? During a shot? Easier said than done."

Kenny hopped off the table and started preparing the syringe, keeping his movements slow and deliberate so she wouldn’t feel rushed. "That’s what I’m here for. We’ll do this together, okay? Just follow my lead."

Dawn swallowed hard, her gaze fixed on the syringe as Kenny filled it with the clear liquid. Her breathing hitched, and her fingers curled tightly into fists again.

"Hey, Dee Dee," Kenny called softly, catching her attention. "Eyes on me, not the needle."

"But it’s right there!" she squeaked, pointing at the syringe like it was a venomous snake.

Kenny chuckled, setting the syringe down for a moment and sitting back beside her. "Okay, let’s try something. Give me your hands."

Reluctantly, Dawn placed her trembling hands in his. Kenny’s touch was warm and steady as he started to gently massage her palms again. "Take a deep breath with me. In through your nose… and out through your mouth. Like this." He exaggerated his breathing for her to follow.

Dawn hesitated but copied him, her breaths shaky at first.

"Good," Kenny praised, his voice soothing. "Keep going. In… and out."

After a few rounds, her hands stopped trembling so much. Kenny smiled, releasing one of her hands and picking up the syringe again.

"Okay, Dee Dee," he said, his tone calm and reassuring. "This is the part where you keep breathing and trust me, alright? I’ve done this a thousand times, and I promise you’re in the best hands."

Dawn nodded hesitantly, but the moment Kenny moved closer with the needle, her brain short-circuited.

"Nope! Nope! Nope!" she cried, grabbing his arm with both hands and clinging to him like her life depended on it. "I can’t do it, Kenny! I can’t!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Kenny said, startled but trying not to laugh. "Dee Dee, it’s okay. You’re okay. I haven’t even touched you yet!"

"But you’re going to!" she wailed, burying her face against his shoulder. "And it’s going to hurt, and I’ll cry, and I’ll look stupid, and—"

"Dawn," Kenny interrupted gently, his free hand stroking her back. "You’re already crying, and you look adorable, not stupid."

Dawn hiccupped, pulling back just enough to glare at him through her tears. "Adorable?! I’m a mess!"

"An adorable mess," Kenny teased, his grin softening her glare. "But seriously, Dawn, you’ve got this. I’m right here, and I won’t let anything happen to you."

Her grip on his arm loosened slightly, though her tears kept coming. "You promise?"

"Cross my heart," Kenny said, drawing an X over his chest. "Now, let’s try this again. Can you hold my other hand while I do this?"

Sniffling, Dawn nodded and slid her hand into his. Kenny squeezed it gently before picking up the syringe again.

"Alright, deep breath, Dee Dee. Look at me, not the needle."

Dawn forced her gaze to Kenny’s face, her other hand clutching his tightly. She felt the tiniest pinch in her arm, and then… it was over.

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

Dawn stared at him, blinking in disbelief. "That’s it?"

Kenny grinned. "That’s it. You were amazing, Dee Dee."

Dawn’s shoulders slumped in relief, and she wiped her face with her free hand. "I can’t believe I freaked out so much for nothing."

"It wasn’t for nothing," Kenny said, hopping off the table to throw the syringe away. "Fear’s a tough thing to deal with. But you faced it, and I’m proud of you."

Dawn smiled through the lingering tears. "Thanks, Kenny. For everything."

"Always," he said, holding out a hand to help her off the table. "Now, how about that ice cream? You’ve definitely earned it."

Dawn laughed softly, taking his hand. With Kenny by her side, maybe needles weren’t so terrifying after all.