Oh, wow, this is lovely. I love the original story, and I love this remix -- in some of the same ways, and in some different ways too. Heartbreaking and yet somehow there's a tiny crack through which hope can emerge...

When he goes back to this John's house (he knows the way without thinking), there's a paper fan above his bed, just like at home. He made it in fifth grade. Not every him did, but this one is close, just one fold over. That's what he decided the universe is like, folded up like a fan, and you can spread it out or close it up, and when it's closed that's when you can shift. Jump, slide, whatever. One minute you're you, the next you're getting head.

That's just gorgeous.