I think most of us don't believe that a story has to contain sex in order to be slash

I totally agree! G-rated slash is still slash.

However, a caveat after reading the other comments: when pairings are listed, I sort of expect the story to *end up* with that pairing, no matter where it started, and if it doesn't, a feel a bit gyped having devoted my time to it. (Of course, I'm coming from the position of mainly reading slash pairing fic because of a) interest and b) time.) I prefer friendship fic or betrayal fic or break up fic to be clearly labeled so I know what I'm getting when I start reading. I think that, if I'd started reading this fic you mention, I would have been sorely disappointed in the ending, and therefore dissatisfied with the entire fic.

That said, I know that different people come to their fic reading with different desires and expectations, that's just mine. *g*