" 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 sighed heavily as Zoey left the room, the door clicking softly behind her. She didn’t bother looking up, even though she knew Kenny was still lying next to her, holding her close. She wasn’t in the mood for his usual teasing or pep talks.

“Dee Dee,” Kenny said softly, his voice cutting through her thoughts like a gentle breeze.

“Don’t call me that,” Dawn muttered, burying her face deeper into his chest.

“Hmm,” Kenny hummed thoughtfully, his arms tightening just a little around her. “You only snap at me like that when you’re trying to hide something. So, what’s eating at you?”

Dawn stiffened, her fingers clutching the blanket. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

“Sure,” Kenny said lightly, though his tone held a knowing edge. “And I’m the Champion of Sinnoh.”

“Could you just let it go?” Dawn asked, her voice sharper now.

“Nope,” Kenny said, popping the “p” as if to emphasize his stubbornness. “You’re upset, and I’m not leaving this bed until we talk about it. So, spill.”

Dawn groaned and tried to roll away, but Kenny didn’t let her. Instead, he shifted, pulling her even closer, so her ear was pressed against his chest.

She could hear it: the steady, calming rhythm of his heartbeat. Strong and unchanging, like an anchor in the middle of a storm.

“See?” Kenny murmured, his voice soft as he rested his chin on the top of her head. “I’m not going anywhere, Dee Dee. So you might as well tell me what’s going on. It’s me—you know you can’t keep secrets from me.”

Dawn’s resolve wavered as she clutched the fabric of his shirt. “It’s just… everything,” she whispered, her voice cracking.

“Everything, huh?” Kenny repeated gently. He didn’t press her further, instead letting her take her time.

“I just… I feel like I can’t do anything right,” Dawn admitted, her words tumbling out now. “Every contest, every practice… it’s like I’m stuck. Everyone else is moving forward, and I’m just… here.”

Kenny exhaled softly, his hand rubbing soothing circles on her back. “You’re not stuck, Dee Dee. You’re just in a rough patch. Everyone has them.”

“But what if I can’t get out of it?” Dawn whispered, her voice barely audible.

“You will,” Kenny said firmly, his tone unwavering. “Because you’re Dawn. You’ve got more fight in you than anyone I’ve ever met. And you’ve got me to help you, no matter what.”

Dawn blinked, tears stinging her eyes as she tightened her grip on his shirt. “Why do you always know what to say?”

Kenny chuckled softly, the sound vibrating against her cheek. “Because I know you, Dee Dee. And because I love you.”

Dawn’s breath hitched, and she looked up at him, her tears threatening to spill over. “You do?”

“Of course I do,” Kenny said simply, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “I always have.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, Dawn smiled. It was small, but it was real.

“Thanks, Kenny,” she whispered.

“Anytime,” Kenny replied, pulling her close again. “Now, let’s stay like this a little longer, okay? Just you and me.”

Dawn nodded, letting the steady beat of Kenny’s heart and the warmth of his arms chase away the darkness that had been weighing her down. With him by her side, she felt like she could face anything.