" Get up." Someone said as they pulled Dawn's blanket off. Dawn turned.

Zoey.

" Zoey, I don't care what you say but nothing ANYONE does is gonna convince me to move." Dawn snapped, grabbing the blanket and pulling it on herself again.

" Even me?* Another voice asked.

Dawn didn't even bother to look.

The person sighed. " Oh Dawn...."

Dawn didn't even care.

Then she felt the mattress sink a little.

Then the bed moved.

Then the edge of the blanket was lifted, and someone scooted in.

Then two warm arms wrapped around Dawn and hugged her tight.

There, lying down next to her, was her Auburn haired prince.

Her one and only .

" What do you want?" Dawn muttered into his chest.

" To make sure that you get out of your depression."

Zoey nodded slightly to the boy, and he nodded.

" I'll see you outside, Dawn. Good luck, Kenny. You'll need it."

Kenny grinned. " Don't worry. I'm her boyfriend. I think I would know how to snap my Dee Dee out of a funk."

Zoey shrugged. " Your call."

Dawn grumbled into Kenny's chest, her voice muffled by the fabric of his shirt. "I don't need anyone trying to cheer me up right now, Kenny. I just want to be left alone."

Kenny didn't move, though. He just held her tighter, his arms wrapped around her as if he knew that if he let go, she'd slip further into herself. The warmth of his embrace and the steady rhythm of his heart seemed to calm the chaotic thoughts in her mind, even if only for a moment.

"You can't keep pushing everyone away, Dee Dee," Kenny said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He pulled her closer, so she could hear the steady thrum of his heart. "I know you're going through something, but that doesn't mean you have to go through it alone."

Dawn sighed deeply, her forehead resting against his chest. "I don't want to drag you into this, Kenny." Her voice cracked, though she tried to hide it.

Kenny shook his head, a small but firm smile tugging at his lips. "You never have to drag me into anything. I'm already here." He gently rubbed her back, his touch comforting and steady. "You think I don't know when something's wrong? You think I can't tell when you're hurting?"

Dawn was silent for a long moment, trying to fight the lump in her throat. It felt like everything inside her was weighing her down, and yet Kenny's arms felt like the only safe place to be. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply as she tried to steady her breathing.

"You always know, don't you?" she muttered, her voice barely audible.

"Always." Kenny's response was simple but filled with so much certainty that it sent a warmth spreading through Dawn's chest, a warmth that had nothing to do with the heat of his embrace. "I know you better than anyone, Dee Dee. You can't hide anything from me, no matter how hard you try."

Dawn let out a small, bitter laugh, though it lacked humor. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Kenny pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, his voice soft as he whispered, "It's a good thing. Because it means I know exactly how to help you."

She lifted her head slightly, meeting his gaze for the first time since he climbed into bed with her. His brown eyes were filled with so much understanding, so much care, and it made her heart ache. He wasn't asking her to open up, but she knew he would wait until she was ready.

"Why do you always make everything feel better?" Dawn asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kenny smiled, brushing her hair out of her face. "Because I care about you. And I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me."

Dawn couldn't help but smile, a weak but genuine smile. "You're too good to me, Kenny."

Kenny chuckled, his grip on her tightening just a bit, like he was never going to let her go. "I'm just doing my job as your boyfriend."

Dawn snorted softly, even though the weight in her chest hadn't fully lifted. "You and your job."

"Hey, I'm serious." Kenny leaned down slightly, his lips brushing against her forehead in a kiss that was both comforting and sweet. "You've done your part, now let me do mine."

Dawn felt another sigh escape her lips, but this one was different. It wasn't filled with exhaustion or frustration; it was a sigh of relief, of letting go. She snuggled closer to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I hate feeling like this, Kenny."

"I know, Dee Dee. I know." He held her tighter, the steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek a constant reminder that she wasn't alone. "But you're not going to stay stuck in this funk forever. I won't let you."

Dawn's eyes fluttered shut, her body relaxing into the comfort of his arms. "You always say that, like it's easy to just get out of this headspace."

Kenny's hand ran gently through her hair, his voice calm but filled with the weight of his words. "It's not easy. But I know you, Dee Dee. I know what you're capable of. And I know you'll find your way out of it. But first, you need to let me help you."

Dawn stayed silent for a long while, her breath slowing as she just let the quiet settle around them. With Kenny's arms around her, she could almost convince herself that everything was going to be okay.

"Alright," she whispered, finally breaking the silence. "But just so you know, I'm not going to be all sunshine and rainbows anytime soon."

Kenny grinned, his hand resting softly against her back. "I don't need you to be. I just need you to be you."

Dawn smiled against his chest, a soft, tired smile. "Yeah. I'll try."

And for the first time in a while, it didn't feel like trying was an impossible task. With Kenny by her side, she felt like maybe, just maybe, she could find her way out of this funk after all.