2p!Austria x Mom!Reader- Foster parent

Twenty-Seven

"So this is the 'great idea' you had planned?" Drew said to you in your room as you stretched out on your bed.

You grinned to her. "Wonderful, isn't it?"

Drew covered her mouth with a hand as she stared at the floor with a thoughtful expression. "(name)." She glanced to you again. "You plan to single-handedly put both Lutz and Roderich through boot camp at the same time."

"Yes."

Drew rubbed circles into her temples as she closed her eyes and took in a breath. "It's like you're begging for more stress in your life."

"You seem far more stress than I am," you claimed and crossed your hands behind your head. "I figured you'd be in a better mood this morning."

"You knew I would hate this idea!"

"I figured you would have some strong words for it, yes."

Drew sighed and rolled her eyes. One of her hands stroked her forehead. "I understand what you're trying to do for Roderich here, but it is so not worth it."

"If I don't do it, who will?" you said and sat up to cross your legs and face her. "Lennie sure as hell isn't going to, and I doubt you have the patience."

"And you do?"

"My lack of patience results in more P.T.; your lack of patience results in 'that didn't work. Not doing this again tomorrow.'"

"That's besides the point!" Drew said. "It's not on you to teach or explain to him anything."

"Well, neither is it for you, but I'm sure you still care enough to help him."

"You know what I'm talking about." Her voice dropped. "I was there when you cried for hours over just how close they were in age."

You shook your head. "I'm always such a dramatic bitch when I cry."

"You were stressed!" Drew emphasized. "And I don't blame you! Lennie wore you out emotionally, but you never told anybody. You just went on like nothing bothered you until you exploded, and that's not good!"

You slipped onto your feet and made your way over to her.

"I understand you might worry about him but please, please don't push yourself," Drew urged. "I was so scared when I came home from work the first night you and the boys spent at my house to see that you had spent the whole day in bed, crying. It took days to get you to even eat a decent meal. I don't want you to go back to that."

You rubbed her arms, staring deep into dark eyes reflecting worry and care.

"Do you trust me?" you asked Drew.

"Of course I do."

"Then trust that I'm alright. That was years ago, Drew. I'm better now." You held her hands in yours. "I'm stable."

"Just promise you won't let any of this, anything that happens, put you back there."

You nodded.

"No, promise. Out loud."

You squeezed her hands. "I promise." You offered her a tiny smile. "I can't really afford to breakdown like that again, anyway."

Drew wrapped her arms around you in a tight, loving embrace. One of her hands kept their fingers in your hair. "Just talk to me."

#

Gilligan sniffled as he got dressed for school. His hands could hardly stay steady as he buttoned up his polo shirt. His heart just wouldn't stop beating against his chest. He hated how he felt after fights, and the horrible guilty feeling only increased from fighting his brother.