Ajay smiled, lowering his gaze and shaking his head. "I don't think I belong anywhere near a Disney story. It's been a pretty harrowing and ghastly experience throughout my life. The first time I ever knew what happiness was was when I met Billy. Even then, still some days now, I doubt it and struggle with the affection. But he's amazing and he understands. A lot changed in our relationship when he had cancer. It's awful to think about, but it helped me emotionally to focus on other things. I could begin to see things in a different light. But I would object to my mother and sister being the wicked stepmother and stepsister in the equation. They're horrible people. Vain, materialistic and superficial. It's sweet of you to say, though. Life can be full of cruel and horrible things. I think there was a lot of resentment because there was never any doubt I was my father's biologically. I look like him." It was a lot of questions she had, but that was okay. Hard or not, he wouldn't have a hope of helping her if he didn't give her insight. "I got sick and nearly died. I needed urgent medical intervention and admission to a special clinic. I guess I'm always hiding it, but I don't do well with any sort of attention. Fashion can hide a multitude of sins. Billy knows, but regardless of how much help I get, I'm not cured. Working in fashion makes it easier for me. Fashion is all concealing, smoke and mirrors. I'm comfortable there because the spotlight's not on me."

"Wellness isn't static, Cas. It can come an go. It's a slippery bastard too. Or you can be well on something, but not well on another. I've got health issues from the pressure I put on my system for so long. I have to keep paying the price, but you're right. I'm still alive, and I know the flipside. My husband had cancer, and it was only by sheer luck we discovered it. It could have turned out a hell of a lot worse." He paused, not sure how far she wanted him to dig, but if she wanted to talk, he could listen. "Puberty's horrible, and I can imagine even worse for you. But so is being a teenager. Some teenagers look like they're nailing it, but everyone has challenges, and everyone has pressures to conform and fit it. To date, to have the latest trends, to have friends, to get good grades, to fit it. You slip on any of that, it feels like you're failing. You're going to meet someone special, Cas. And they'll change your world. Trust me on that. I never believed it until I met Billy."