Ariana Grande Imagines - Book Two (gxg)

stay by your side - part one (requested)

Author's Note: This chapter contains possibly triggering and sensitive content. It revolves around Ariana dealing with mental health struggles. There's no specific mental illness mentioned, though it does talk about depression, just without specifically naming it.

If this makes you uncomfortable or you're not in the right headspace to read this, I completely understand and would prefer you just wait for my next update.

Also, please remember that you are never alone. If you struggle with mental health, you are far from being alone. I believe in you and I'm always here if anyone needs someone to confide in. My Instagram and tumblr messages are always open, and I never judge.

I love you all and hope you're all well. Please take care of yourselves, and if you read this chapter, I hope you enjoy it. Love, Kaylee 💕💞💕

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Ariana continued to stare at the ceiling even as she felt you slip back into bed with her.

You reached out and gently placed your hand and, usually, the feeling of your fingers brushing along her skin would soothe her, maybe even make her heart flutter.

But these days, she doesn't feel much of anything.

It's not as though she doesn't love you or doesn't love your touch any longer but rather that she doesn't feel anything in general.

Most days she feels numb and she hates it; she hates how drained she is, how she can hardly get out of bed anymore, even to do the things she was so passionate about before but now dreads anytime she thinks about doing them again.

She hasn't felt like herself in so long... you can see it.

"Is there anything you need? How about some food? You must be hungry?"

She wordlessly shook her head and you bit your lip, unsure of what to say.

All you wanted to do was help her and make her feel better.

You know everyone has those days when their mental health declines and it just gets to be too much and Ariana is no different, though her hard and bad days have lasted a while now as she goes on two months of just holding on.

"How about some water? Aren't you thirsty?"

Again, she shook her head.

"How about a nice warm bath? I can throw some bubbles in it. I can even get in there with you. We can enjoy one together."

"I don't have the energy." She quietly said. "I can't, Y/N,"

"I know you're having a hard time, baby. I'm here for you."

She sighed before looking at you, her eyes so drained and full of exhaustion.

"You shouldn't have to spend all your time worrying about me and fussing over me. You have dreams, goals, and aspirations in life and I'm holding you back by having so much trouble with my mental health. I can't handle being a burden to anyone but especially not you. That's why I think we should break up. You can find someone so much better."

"Ari, I don't ever want to hear you say anything like that again. You are not a burden to anyone especially not to me. You don't hold me back and no one in this world's better for me. I don't want anyone else. I don't care what I have to do, I'm never leaving you. I will always stay by your side. No matter what, I'm always here for you."

She rolled over to face you and you watched a tear fall down her cheek.

"I know things have been hard for you. I know you're struggling and that you're hurting but I will not give up on you. I will spend forever caring for you if that's what I need to do. I love you so much, even on your worst and darkest days. You're still my favorite girl in the entire world. Things will get better someday and when they do, I will be right here cheering you on and telling you how proud I am of you for holding on and getting through."

"I want that so much." She quietly said. "I want things to get better. I want to be happy again. I don't want to push more people away. I want to do more acting and put more music out and I want to look forward to waking up instead of dreading it and wondering why. I want to be with you and enjoy life."

"You will get there, baby. I promise you. You will. I can't tell you when and I can't make everything disappear so you'll feel better again, though I wish I could. But just know, no matter how long it takes and no matter what it takes, I'll help you through this and I'll be here for you. Always."

She closed her eyes as you leaned in and kissed her forehead.

"The sun will shine again someday. Better days are ahead, we just have to hang on until we get there. But you're not alone and you never will be. I've got you."

She scooted closer to you and you wrapped your arms around her to hold her.

"I'm not going anywhere. As hard as you may try, you'll never be able to push me away. I'll do everything in my power to show you how much I care and how much I love you. I'll start by making you some lunch. One step and one day at a time. You'll get through this, I promise you."

And even though she didn't tell you, she was thankful that you shut her down and didn't let her break up with you because you're the only thing getting her through this.

You were right; someday, she would get through this, because she's got all the strength she needs with you by her side and she can do anything as long as she has you.