[ WP ] Two people discover a fountain of youth . The problem is that upon drinking the water you turn back into an infant . The two decide to take turns raising each other in order to live forever until one day one of them decides to break this agreement .

Finally I had the courage to approach the little boy, who was drawing doodles on a blank piece of paper. He was so focused on his work that he did n't notice me. 
 
 `` Tommy'', I said after a few seconds making up my mind again, `` there's something we need to talk about''. 
 
 `` What's the matter aunt Laura?'' he answered with a look of curiosity on his eyes. It crushed me every time he called me *aunt*. We had long ago decided that it was the better way to make things work until the one who drank the liquid last had grown up enough to explain him about our never-ending cycle. But lately the word had became too hurtful for me. I coulnd't stand it anymore. And I had to tell him, no matter how hard it was. 
 
 I looked at him. He was barely 8 years old. How many times did I see him as an 8 year old? I had lost the count. I could n't tell him about our findings. I could n't tell him about the secret we were carrying along. I could n't tell him that I was n't his aunt. He was n't ready. He was n't mature enough. He would n't understand. I could n't tell him, but I was going to. 
 
 `` Tommy... Thomas'', I corrected myself. `` What I'm about to say is awfully hard to understand but it's very important that you pay attention and try to. You are a clever boy. Do it for me, alright?''. The look on his eyes did n't change. I stopped myself. There should be a better way to explain. There should be a better way to tell him that I could n't go on with this lifestyle. How many years have we raised each other? How many times have we taught the other things they had taught us before? Here he was, Thomas, my beloved husband, or so he was centuries ago, looking at me with a picture of a poor-drawn car. Every time we went through the cycle, he would become a magnificient artist and would make incredible portraits for me. Often, *of me*. And whenever I reached the age to have a more romantic relationship with him, he was ready to become young again. And so I was left with a young child, my love unfulfilled and a whole life of unhappiness to raise him. But I did it for him. Because when we found the fountain of youth, and I rushed to try it out, he was the first to take care of me. And my love for him made me take care of him when it was the time. And now it was time to end it. 
 
 `` Thomas...'', I repeated. `` There is no easy way to say this. You are very strong, incredibly strong. And you will have to be.'' 
 
 `` Why? Need to open a bottle of pickles?'' 
 
 `` No'', I laughed. His sense of humour was also remarkable and being 8 did n't stop me from making me laugh from time to time. I burst into tears, not because of the joke, but rather because of all the feelings that were hitting me at that moment. 
 
 `` You need to lift the car? I can do it! ``, he answered to my sudden tears, while standing up and lifting his arms in the air, mimicking a superhero. 
 
 `` No, Thomas. The car is okay where it is. Look, I have important things to do. Adult things. It's going to...'', my voice was cracking so I had to stop, ``... it's going to take some time. I will be gone for some time, honey.'' 
 
 `` Where are you going? ``, his face clearly showed how upset he was. 
 
 `` Somewhere far away, I ca n't tell you now. But you will understand when you get older. I have set everything so old Samantha can take care of you and help you out, but you now she's a bi toot old so you'll mostly have to take care of yourself. It wo n't be easy but I've tried to sort everything out so you do n't have any problems, okay honey?''. 
 
 I took a deep breath and looked at him. He was about to cry. He knew something was going on and that it was n't just me going on vacation. But he was too young to figure it out. He was too young to make big questions. He was just too young. 
 
 `` Are you going to die, aunt? ``, he finally cried out of his voice. 
 
 `` Oh god, honey. No, no. No, no, no, I'm not dying. I'm okay. Look! ``, I lifted my arms in the air, `` I am strong! I'm going to be fine. And so will you. I promise.'' 
 
 `` But... I'm going to miss you aunt Laura.'' 
 
 `` I'm going to miss you too, sweetie. I love you. Remember this. I LOVE YOU. With all my heart. And I know you will do great. That's why I'm going to ask you for something else.'' 
 
 `` What is it? ``, he said while wipping the tears off his face. 
 
 `` I'm going to ask you to take care of someone else.'' 
 
 `` Who?'' 
 
 `` It's a little girl, a few years younger than you. She will be very scared and confused, so you'll have to calm her down.'' 
 
 `` What's her name?'' 
 
 `` Laura. Just like me. She'll depend on you so take care of her and love her. She will love you back, as much as I do.'' 
 
 `` But I do n't know her. I ca n't love someone I do n't know! I do n't want you to go, aunt. I love you! Please do n't go...'' 
 
 `` You will know her better. And do n't worry, Thomas. You'll only need a few years with her until I come back. After all... we are plenty of time.'' 

