(note; dalton is on tour with ari in this oneshot)
no one's pov
Dalton, Ariana, Courtney, Chase and Doug had just arrived at the arena where Ariana would be performing one of her last shows of the European leg. She was exhausted and really hadn't been feeling well at all the last few days, but in true Grande manor, she didn't want to show her vulnerability to her boyfriend, she didn't want him to worry. But Dalton had taken notice. As much as he knew how strong his girlfriend loved to be, he could tell she was drained. She'd gotten into the routine of getting on the bus right after a show, falling asleep almost immediately, and would sleep her way into the next day until they had to leave again, which usually wasn't until 2 or 3pm. He'd tried to tell Scooter he thought she needed an earlier break, but he they both knew Ari wouldn't dream of letting any of her fans down.
"You okay?" Dalton asked softly as he held his girlfriend's waist as the group made there way inside her dressing room.
"Mmhm." She smiled, almost slurred, whilst she set her backpack down on the ground before sitting down in her makeup chair, slouching back. Dalton pulled up to sit beside her, and took her hand gently as she stared at the ceiling, her other hand running through her hair anxiously.
"Baby I can see in your face you're not feeling good, what do you need me to do?" He said so that only the two of them could hear, knowing the singer wouldn't want the sudden attention and concern to be drawn onto her from her friends who weren't too far away. She sat up and looked up at him, moving off her chair to sit in his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Just hold me." She teared up, and he nodded against her shoulder as he embraced her tightly, not wanting to let her go.
"Okay makeup time." Josh announced as he walked into the room, but stopped as he saw the brunette wrapped in her boyfriend's arms. Josh looked to Courtney, causing her to be aware of the situation in front of her.
"Okay bubs you need to get your makeup done." Dalton cooed to her, the group hearing his words as he tried to pull away, but had no luck at the tight grip Ariana continued to hold. He felt her body start to shake and he knew then she was crying, her breaths becoming uneven and shaky. Courtney saw her tear stained face dipped into Dalton's neck, and immediately stood up to make sure her best friend was okay.
"Toots what's going on?" Court questioned as she squatted down in front of the tiny girls face. Dalton pulled her to sit up as Ariana reluctantly obliged, Courtney walking around to sit on the ground in front of the chair the singer now sat up in, her boyfriend moving to rub her back in a circular motion, knowing that calmed her down.
"i-i'm exhausted, i feel s-sick and i'm g-getting r-really anxious." She balled, Court reaching over to squeeze her hand in a comforting fashion while Dalton attempted to wipe the girls tears that continuously fell.
"Wanna cancel?" Dalton asked calmly, and Ariana thought for a second before shaking her head no.
"Ari your physical and mental health are the most important things and if you feel like doing the show tonight is too much you shouldn't do it." Courtney breathed out, knowing it wasn't what her best friend wanted to hear, but it was in fact the truth.
"I-i know..I just can't though you k-know that." She said sadly, meeting her best friends eyes before looking back at the ground. Ariana held an extremely heavy guilted weight whenever she felt like she was letting her fans down, and she knew that guilt would have a larger affect on her mental health than doing the show would.
"Its fine i-i'll be fine." She croaked out, sitting up, Court and Dalton giving each other a look as Josh made eye contact with the two of them before moving to do Ariana's hair. As the small girl sat in the makeup chair, her boyfriend squeezed her hand lightly, seeing the singer drift off slowly, her eyes fluttering open once in a while. After about 30 minutes, in her outfit, hair and makeup both done, Ariana's tour manager walked in.
"Okay 10 minutes ag." He smiled at her, and she nodded, letting him leave the room. Ari stood up from her seat, Dalton's hand still in hers whilst he stood up with her. Doug, Chase and Courtney stood up as well, following the couple as Dalton held his girlfriend waist, steading her as they all walked towards the stage. Once Ariana made it to where the dancers were lining up, Dalton stopped her and turned her around.
