Staring at the sea, feeling the cool breeze against his fur, taking in the sound of the ocean's waves as they crashed on the nearby rocks of the island, feeling time accelerate and decelerate at the same time, uncertain if Stitch was still looking for him, he wondered, "Will he come?"

Back home, Jumba's speculations of Leroy's destructive capabilities were proven right, all hopes of recovery like the other experiments had vanished along with his love for Stitch. He thought about the time they met, why he ran away, and everything in between.

His eyes focused on his reflection, but he saw the blue alien instead; his lips moved as if Stitch were trying to tell him something. He leaned in and listened. All that was uncertain became clear. Everything that had played out to that moment was destined to happen. After all, what good was love that they didn't share? His body fell to be swept away by the undertow. The currents had spoken, the waves consumed him, washing him away, his body slowly disappearing beneath the waves. Every second closer to death, he felt that much closer to Stitch.

- A Moment Suspended In Time -

There was a body trail beside the water, leading to a remorseful friend trying to bring his friend back to life. Tears stained his cheeks as he began to lose hope of bringing him back.

"You never said goodbye." he cried out.

He laid by his side, keeping him warm, not having the heart to leave his side, he felt intrigued to speak to him one last time. He told him that everything was going to be alright, that he was gonna take him far, far away. He held him close until he was gone. His body turned cold. Doing his best to come to terms with his recent death after helplessly watching him die, he whispered that he loved him.

"Stitch!" he heard a voice call from afar. He turned to find Lilo and Jumba rushing towards him. They were worried sick. Neither of them had seen him since the destruction of the store near the beach. Paralyzed, Stitch waited 'till they were closer to explain. As Lilo & Jumba got closer they saw Leroy's body becoming more visible with every passing second. Once they got there, few words were spoken. Stitch's tears said it all.

"Stitch. . ." Jumba spoke up.

"Lets go home." he suggested. Knowing there was nothing he could do, Stitch obliged, he turned to look at Leroy one last time. Lilo hugged him and held his hand as they stared to walk away.

- Warmth Returns [REDUX] -

Trembling hands reached out to Stitch. "Don't go," Leroy called out weakly. Unable to believe his ears, Stitch ran up to him to make sure he was okay. "Leroy will make Stitch fall in love with him." Stitch smiled and wiped away his tears, relieved to hear his voice again. "Stitch, meega loves you."

After hearing Leroy's reason for disappearing, Stitch felt responsable. He explained that he only called Angel "buchi bu" because he was trying to keep their relationship secret and Angel was in on it too. He explained how Jumba thought he'd been brainwashed for an evil plan, but after witnessing the rescue, he was awed at their love. Jumba chuckled and agreed. Leroy looked down and almost cried at the thought of having acted so insensitive. As a sign of affection, Stitch gave him an eskimo kiss.

"Yuuga told me so." he confessed.

"Huh?" Stitch tilted his head in confusion.

"Back at the forest, yuuga said you could explain."

"Oh, so Leroy was there." Stitch teased. They laughed, their eyes gleamed at the presence of the sunrise. Stitch leaned in for a kiss, but backed away when he remembered that Jumba and Lilo might still be there.

Stitch looked around, Lilo and Jumba were gone.

He pecked Leroy on the cheek and blushed.

They sat on the sand, looking towards the sky, the rising sun reminding them of their new beginning, something made possible by the cosmos. Fate brought them together, because that's the one place they truly belonged.

"A loved one laid his head on their lap
red roses fell to the floor
and the world, stood still"
- Marilyn Manson (Coma Black)

Author's Note: How's that for a modern Narcissus story?