Author's Note: I'm sorry this took so long to get out but the ending kept changing on me and ever evolving until finally I wrote this chapter. To be honest, I'm a little concerned that you guys will hate it but I feel like this is the right way to end it. It's the only ending that actually stuck. So for the last time in this fic, I hope you guys enjoy! ~Nobu

Frustration filled Lilo's voice, "What the fuck do you mean you're in love with me?"

"It means I'm not O'hana!" I snapped.

"That's bullshit! We adopted you!"

"To be your dog! Which I've had to pretend to be ever since! Despite that I'm more intelligent than any fucking human on this damned island!"

"We've treated you like a brother since we found out!"

"I am not your brother!" I slammed a fist into a desk. It kiltered and clattered upon the ground, "Why can't you wrap your head around that!?"

"Because I don't get it!" Lilo said.

"Why not?" I snapped.

"Because I'm Aromantic, dammit!" She shouted.

I blinked a few times, leaning back. Lilo ran a hand through her hair. I felt my brow furrow and my frustration ebb into confusion and curiosity. I bit my lip and cautiously said, "I don't know what that means."

"It means," Lilo took a long breath, "It means that I'll never be romantically attracted to anyone. That I won't fall in love the way Nani and David did… The way you did."

Lilo straightened her shoulders and glared me down, "Not that that makes me any less than someone who will."

"I never would think you lesser than anyone, Lilo." I said.

"I wouldn't either." Pleakley interjected, "I mean, it's not like it's a strange thing, aromantism. It's perfectly common."

Lilo frowned at Pleakley. He raised his hands in surrender.

"But what about Keoni?" I couldn't help but ask.

"He was a squish or," Lilo sighed, "A platonic crush. I thought he was cool and really wanted to be his friend."

I leaned down and picked up the desk. I frowned at it, chewing over the information. I took a deep breath and looked up at her through my lashes. "Okay. I am a complete asshole and I'm so sorry I forced you to come out."

"Yes, you are." Lilo crossed her arms. "And it's gonna take a lot more than just an apology to fix this, Stitch."

"I-I know." I nodded.

"You should probably also know that I'm Asexual as well." Lilo stated, her eyes blazing with pride, "And you're the only two who know."

"I'd never out you, I promise." I swore.

"Me either." Pleakley said.

Lilo nodded.

[|]

My last two days of school were a lonely and strained ordeal. Lilo and I barely talked in or out of school. Nani had asked what happened but neither of us told her much. Just said we were tired.

That wasn't exactly a lie.

That weekend, we got sat down for a horror film day and it managed to melt some of the ice between me and Lilo. We started talking about what was next and what we could do to work through this strain on our relationship.

And then we realized.

[|]

I took a step back. We exchanged slightly sad smiles.

"Be safe, okay Stitch?" Lilo said.

"Ih, I'll try." My smile twisted mischievously. She rolled her eyes with a laugh. My smile got harder to hold, "Promise not to get into any trouble or fights?"

Lilo huffed, "I haven't gotten into a fight since third grade."

"Promise?"

"Okay, I promise."

I took a deep breath and nodded, glancing at the ship the Grand Councilwoman had sent.

Lilo sighed, "I'm going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too, but this isn't our last goodbye." I smiled gently.

Lilo's lip wobbled and she bit it. She pulled me into a hug.

I hugged her back, "You're not losing me, I promise. We'll work this out. I'm gonna come home and visit."

"I know." We both stepped back from the hug. Lilo gave a small smile, "Aloha, Stitch."

"Aloha, Lilo."