"Wait, no-- that's not happening!" Ajay immediately protested, even if he was still teary and trying not to get snot everywhere. He took some more of the tissues to wipe his eyes and nose. "You're not missing the opportunity with the show because of me. I know we've started to date here, but I'm not going to keep doing that if you sacrifice things that are important to you because of me... because of this. I've done all this on my own for a very long time, and I know it might seem like I can't handle it, and to be honest, I'm not coping the best, but I'm not dying and I'm not incapacitated. I've done this before, the feeding thing. I know what happens with it. I've done all this, okay? I know it's going to be hard and it means the world to me you want to help me and be there, but only when you're not busy with the play. I mean it. I'll end all this dating stuff right here if you try to quit. You need to do it for you, and for Justin. When you go home to get some sleep, you can sign the contract and send it to Caden."

This showed how strong Ajay could be. He might seem weak, and he might seem vulnerable and broken, which he was, all of the above, but he had also fought this hard battle for years so he was weathered to it. "You... you need to understand that my head is a messed up place, and on top of everything else, I can't deal with the guilt of you quitting the play because I'm sick. It's hard enough hating on myself for everything else already. Okay? Give me something to look forward to, seeing your opening night." He looked back to Lachlan. "I think I should see Gabe, thank you. I'm sorry I'm such a mess. Everything's so hard right now, I can't make sense of it in my head."