#how much do meds cost in America???

[millerflintstone]

Back in August of 2019 when my sister passed away, one of my cousins in Guatemala took my mom in. My mom was 79 and had not been taking care of herself. My sister had not been taking care of herself or my mom either. This cousin lived two doors down from my mom and sister. Unfriendly and I stayed with them when we visited in 2020 before the pandemic hit. This cousin lived with her mom and uncle (my first cousins - my mom's oldest sister's kids), and her two boys. They were 17 and 10 at the time.

This cousin is a couple of years younger than me. I am eternally grateful that she and her family were able to take care of my mom. At that time, I had been scheduled for a hysterectomy where we weren't 100% sure if the findings were just going to be just endometriosis or endo with cancer because I had been bleeding a lot. In the time it took me to heal, a global pandemic started. When I was finally able to get to Guatemala, my mom's medical team advised against her traveling at the time because of her COPD and other health concerns. Then, the pandemic caused lockdowns so even if she had been okay to travel, she didn't get the chance to do so. My mom passed in 2021.

All of this backstory is to share that part of me did feel super responsible for helping my cousin when I could. I mean, how do you repay that kind of generosity, right? The big thing she helped with was getting the house my dad bought my grandparents transferred to my mom's name. It was in my sister's name. HorribleAunt initially wanted to be able to "help" me in getting things fixed because she wanted her grubby hands on it. I completely shut her out. The house got transferred into my cousin's name and my mom's name. Now that she's passed, it's my cousin's now as far as I'm concerned and I'm glad the legal steps went through. I wanted that house to stay in the family for family that needed it. It's not in the best shape but she has improved it.

I was able to continue to help out them out financially after my mom passed until I quit my job last year. I had to let my cousin know I couldn't continue and explained my burnout and depression that just cumulated after the past 5 years. We eventually also had to let them know we couldn't share our Netflix account anymore because of the password thing they did and also because we were cutting costs.

A couple of weekends ago, she messaged me for money because her youngest was at the clinic due to severe constipation. I had to break down some of our current debt to her because while we are better off than she is, it honestly wouldn't take a whole lot of bad things happening for us to be in danger. We're not in immediate danger, but we're also not the answer. I was able to help a little but I didn't divulge the minor jobs I currently have or the job offer I recently took.

Then last weekend, she asked me if in the future she thought I'd be able to help her come to the States. I was honest and told her I absolutely could not promise that right now and had to redefine our financial concerns just for ourselves. She has no concept of the expense of life in America. She suggested her selling the house and looking for something smaller but I told her not to look into that. I had gone looking for the possibility of a different house for my mom and sister years ago and was surprised to find that at the time, the prices were not much different than in GA and that it would just be another expense.

I was talking to Unfriendly about it and he also agreed for them to not sell the house to help us.

This cousin was diagnosed with BPD so I'm not sure if she was off meds and having an episode or what. She seems to want to escape her life (don't we all?) but I am not the answer to that. I finally feel free of the obligation I felt towards my mother and sister. I'm not continuing that on. I don't want to feel that ever again.

[donnieisaprettyboy]

just so you guys know how fucked up US healthcare is

I’ve been off my antidepressants for months because it was about $150 to get a 3 month refill. anti anxiety was the same. $300 for meds I need; I’m a full time student with a part time job. $300 is an entire paycheck for me. This $300 is AFTER insurance.

So what do you do if you can’t afford meds in America? Three options, honestly:

1. You don’t get your meds

2. Don’t use insurance and have the pharmacist use GoodRX

3. See if your meds are available through mark cuban‘s online pharmacy.

For my non-Americans out there, let me explain what GoodRX is

Plenty of medical providers keep GoodRX cards at the reception desk. How does it work? Hell if I know. But if you tell the pharmacist “don’t use my insurance, use my GoodRX card instead,” they do it. and 9 times out of 10 it’s cheaper. and literally all you have to do is show them a piece of cardboard. no signup, no paying to join, nothing. it’s essentially just a reusable coupon you can use instead of insurance.

For me, tho, GoodRX only brought my meds down to being about $200 total. Still unaffordable.

Again, for my non-Americans, you may be wondering what the hell the mark cuban online pharmacy is.

Billionaire Mark Cuban created an online pharmacy that provides some very common medications for a MUCH lower price than literally anywhere else in the US.

It’s a little bit of a pain to get started, but when you do it gets mailed to your door. They take insurance, but currently they don’t take mine.

Want to know how much my meds (which, btw, went from 2 medications to 3, one of which increased dosage) cost on mark cuban’s website?

For a 60 day supply, after tax, and after paying $15 for expedited shipping, it was about $35.

Thirty. Five. Dollars.

Why the FUCK were my meds EVER over $300 when I can get them shipped to me for LESS THAN $40.

(just to break down the costs a bit more, that’s (including cost for shipping) ~$0.15 per pill online (one of my meds is twice daily) vs ~$0.90 per pill from my pharmacy with insurance, and it wasn’t even all my meds. )

[theapollosystem]

We really wanna leave the states, like don’t get me wrong our whole life is here but like the medical and mental health systems are a pile of fucking garbage here.

I hate how Reagan decided oh the Mental health systems act of 1980 fuck that the mental health system doesn’t need funding. the cost of care is just too much here even with insurance, maybe when I get on state insurance i’ll stop complaining but still.

Only if the states go to absolute shit will we leave, though we are overall lucky having family in europe i know other people do not have that kind of privilege.

It’s just i’m so done with the U.S. medical system, We need socialized medicine. people who are against it are always like you have to wait for care. I don’t know what shit they’re on cause I still have to wait months for care in america, I just have to pay it out of my own pocket.

Part of me almost feels guilty for wanting to work in the U.S. medical system, I personally wouldn’t want the services i give to be behind a huge paywall. Everybody deserves mental health care and physical health care, the current U.S. medical system prevents that.

We’re currently waiting to get an appointment with transgender primary care, We joined the waitlist in February, it is now August. I called I am now in the 80s of the list. That’s fucking insane. It’s not any of the doctors or other workers faults, Our system is broken, like i’m still waiting but I’ll have to pay for the appointment out of pocket still.

Sorry for my rant i’m just frustrated, currently i’m pre-med. I’ll most likely go to med school in the states but I don’t know if I’ll stay here, I’m lucky at any point I can just buy a plane ticket and leave. I know i’ll have a place to stay even temporarily.

[nazliuzun]

nazli unzun

thirty one years old

barista

bisexual

south hills

TL;DR

Naz was adopted by two parents enlisted in the US Navy so she moved around a lot.

With moving around, she longed for connection but only learnt how to keep herself at a distance from people.

When she made it to med school, the stress of discovering that she was no longer interested was stressful enough without the idea of telling her parents,

Therefore, she began to take prescription drugs to focus but soon fell into an addiction until it cost her a scholarship and place in school.

A year later, her parents died in a car accident and she burnt through their belongings and money with alcohol and partying.

Now she works full time as a barista to pay back her loans.

FULL BIO

Naz was adopted at the age of two years old. Her parents were stationed in turkey with the U.S Navy and it was at this time in their lives when they were ready to start a family. Though the events that came with them deciding to adopt Naz were mere coincidences after befriending a neighbour and family friend's daughter who'd just found out she was pregnant and ultimately decided that she did not want to keep the child given having no relationship with the father and being so young.

The paperwork took some time and it prolonged their stay in turkey but upon finalizing the adoption, Naz was on the first flight back to america to start her new life. Though they never quite stayed in one place long enough for the little girl to put down concrete or permanent roots. it made for a bit of social butterfly who couldn't quite form attachment to a lot of people. Despite that, she became better and better at goodbyes. Though the sting never ceased, especially when she hit high school and longed for a group of friends that were as bonded as the people in her most recent school.

Ultimately, her parents always reminded her that her focus should be on her school and future rather than fleeting connections with people at school who either didn't understand her or didn't want to give the new girl a chance.

It didn't come as a surprise when she graduated at the top of her class and got a scholarship with her acceptance into medical school. It was what she'd always wanted to do but ultimately knew she hated it from the start. Her readings and courses were harder than anticipated - mainly due to being unmotivated - and she turned to prescription drugs in order to help her focus.

It didn't take long before she became dependent on the prescription drugs that she brought from her roommates friends and began to spiral. Rather than focus on school, she'd find herself staying up multiple nights and sleeping for countless days until her grades began to plummet and her scholarships were removed.

The spiral only intensified when her parents died in a car crash a year later, and she didn't make it to their funeral due to being under the influence. Despite having stropped the next morning, the guilt still ate away at her and she began to drink more in order to forget the pain that came with her inability to process their departure. She sold much of their possessions for much less than she could have received in order to try and run away from the pain but it only left her feeling more empty inside.

Now she faces down a large debt that she hasn't been able to chip away at much with her job as a barista but the sole reason that she stays behind is because the owner allows her to pick up as many shifts as she can. The work helps her clear her head and she finds keeping herself busy and behind the counter keeps her away from sitting at a bar instead.

[arysthaeniru]

Just read that post on reddit about ADHD wife and her compulsive lying to cover up the shit she hasn't done and avoid being lectured by her controlling parents and how it's ruining her relationship with her partner...oooof. Didn't realize how much that tapped into a fear of mine.

There's so much important bureaucratic stuff I haven't done yet in Japan which I need to do and which scares the shit out of me because I don't understand half of the bureaucratic sonkeigo they use. But I lied so hard to my dad that I did all of it when I got here to get him off my back. And urgh. It is going to end up costing me money that I didn't do it when he was nagging me about it. But telling my parents I am afraid of basic bureaucratic tasks is like opening myself up to an hour of lecturing about how weak I am so I just lied and never confronted it.

I was coping without meds backs in America by relying on Kris to help me get shit done without feeling nagged, but I. I can't do that. I gotta get meds. Gods. Just seven more months of this and I can go home and actually look into that.

[vikingpoteto]

I posted 5,590 times in 2022

That's 1,075 more posts than 2021!

70 posts created (1%)

5,520 posts reblogged (99%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@basilsbestpainting

@kumikoumae

@spelviin

@cari28ch3-me

@six-feet-underneath

I tagged 3,064 of my posts in 2022

Only 45% of my posts had no tags

#dbz - 280 posts

#jason todd - 237 posts

#spy x family - 234 posts

#red hood - 131 posts

#toh - 124 posts

#tiger and bunny - 120 posts

#stephanie brown - 91 posts

#howls moving castle - 90 posts

#jon kent - 87 posts

#poison ivy - 80 posts

Longest Tag: 140 characters

#i have adhd okay if you start describing something withflowery words i will get distracted and two paragraphs later i forget what was happen

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

98 notes - Posted May 25, 2022

#4

I know we joke a lot about Bucky and Sam being gay on a boat while the other Avengers break the universe but where were the other Avengers when they randomly announced a new Captain America

103 notes - Posted February 20, 2022

#3

1: Consider this me asking about your platonic ships 👀

2: Thank you for the rock 😌

2. I'm glad you appreciate it.

1. LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT JASON & STEPH AKA DISASTER TWINS as opposed to Dick and Donna's Wonder Twins

So this little Robin starts as a street kid. Their father is a criminal, their mother struggles with addiction and they have to grow up way too fast. They try to do good in any way they can but unfortunately they die by the hands of a sadistic criminal that torture them brutally before their death. They get better. Am I talking about Jason or Steph? TRICK QUESTION IT'S BOTH.

Cue Under the Red Hood. Jason is coming back and he has this whole thing planned. It's gonna be theatrical and dramatic and he hears that another Robin just died. Well, it looks like Mr. Black Mask specifically has a target on his back, doesn't he?

More years later. Steph is back as Batgirl. We pretend we do not see most of Jason's shit after UTRH. They finally meet. They bond over the fact that they're the only batfam members that can cook and know how much a banana costs. (No, Bruce, it's not ten dollars.) They're both sarcastic and quippy and dramatic and they get on like a house on fire. Steph likes to sit on his shoulders (she likes to be tall) and he gets fiercely protective of his new little sister.

(Eventually, Steph doesn't know why, but she tells him about her pregnancy. And Jason, who canonically hugged Sheyla Haywood and commented on how hard it must've been for HER to abandon him, simply pets her hair and says that he can't even imagine how strong Steph is for making that decision for her child's sake.)

(Steph wants to resent him, because back when she was Robin, Bruce couldn't handle her because she reminded him too much of Jason in ways Tim never did. But she finds out she can't. She knows how he feels like the family "outcast" and she wants to be a bridge for him. She wants to make Cass understand that Jason isn't bad even if Cass despises him. She finds that she has more in common with him than with the rest of the bats after all.)

They joke that they're the Robins that went wrong (if you joke about something enough it must stop hurting, right?) and, if Nightwing and Troia are Wonder Boy and Wonder Girl, Jason and Steph are Disaster Boy and Disaster Girl. Disaster twins. Jason points out he's at least two years older. Steph argues that that can't be true because he was dead for six months, so he's a year older tops. Cue long hours of pointless bickering over technicalities.

Crystal Brown fully adopts Jason. She invites him over for dinner as often as she does Steph (and it serves as a bittersweet reminder of what Catherine Todd could've been if she recovered but it also feels like home) and she gets so excited when she hears that Jason would've loved to go to med school (with a minor in Literature, of course.)

Steph tries to convince Jason to come public that he's alive and go to college with her. They'll talk shit about their classmates and show them trustfund babies what real top notch students are like.

They like the same musicals and they listen to Broadway soundtracks when they're together. They changed their patrol schedules to run into each other more often and chill while they're doing a stakeout.

Eventually, they have to go to the Batcave for one reason or another. There are painful memories. They stick together, reminding one another that they're not the odd one out, they're not alone this time. They never have to be anymore.

110 notes - Posted April 4, 2022

#2

art by jupiterwave_, inspired by my fic for @vioislit

674 notes - Posted April 14, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

hear me out: Dick Grayson is deadly allergic to kiwis. One time, (Robin) Jason wanted to sneak out and asked Dick to provide a distraction. Without asking a single question, Dick promptly looked Bruce and Alfred in the eye and took a bite of an unpeeled kiwi.

4,485 notes - Posted August 7, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[crowhyun]

helloo i'm from singapore and here's some things i can share about us! first off for food, you can literally find ANY food here, we have chinatown which is very popular during chinese new year for the many festive things they sell, we also have little india, which you can find many indian food places and shops,, we have golden mile , aka thai street, which sells tons of thai food etc!! you would be able to find hawker centres almost everywhere though, which would also have food of different cuisines you can get. it is also easily accessible to malaysia,, taking at least 30 mins to travel by bus depending on the crowd! as singapore is quite small, we don't have much places you can travel to when you have explored singapore, but travelling on a short trip to malaysia is always an option!

personally, the people i have meet and surrounded myself with are all very friendly, and no matter who you are, you won't be discriminated/look down on because of your race, since there are many different people who stay in singapore, so it is a common occurance to see other pocs and different people, especially in the central business district (CBD, aka where most of our more expensive tourist spots and hotels are located) of course if you search online, every once in a while you would see an auntie or uncle (we call all older women/men 'auntie' 'uncle' as a respect! no matter the language you speak :)) making racist remarks/being disrespectful, but i can assure you most of us aren't like that!

tourist spots wise, a popular place to visit would be a nearby island sentosa!! theres hotels there but its on the higher end side as its basically an island,, and our attractions such as SEA aquarium/Universal Studios is located there! you can also access islands and batam from our jetties!

overall, i think singapore is quite nice to live in, especially since i do part time jobs, and the pay is enough to sustain me because you can easily get affordable food from hawker centres and coffee shops, unlike our title, clean and green, we're not very clean but we're trying! especially because of the very strict fines and law here, and littering can literally cost you $10,000 😭 and theres cameras almost everywhere, so it is quite safe, though still dangerous once in a while

omg i love this ur like a little tour guide hehe

I’m so late tho 😭 but thank you for this info! I especially like how there’s many food choices. I’m from a small city in a rather boring state in the US, so food variety is not a bit thing here, yet it’s something that I want so bad. Another thing that’s not common here is the public transportation. Driving is really scary for me, so i’d much rather take a bus or train!

I’m thinking of maybe going to Singapore for med school, but that’s a far off plan of mine, so we’ll see. When I did my research, I noticed how many different people lived there. In america, ofc it’s very diverse, but once again lol I live in a small city, so I don’t see many different people, especially with the language differences.

And the SAFETY! YES! I NEED SAFETY! As someone who has pretty bad anxiety and is paranoid, even going out to run errands or to work is scary bcs you never know what will happen. There’s daily shootings where I live and it’s seen as normal here, so safety is rlly important for me when i’m looking for a place to stay in the future. Anyways, thanks for letting me know everything. heart heart :DDDDDDD

[hpdfag]

Hi!! We’ve both been less active but I’m sure we both are still missing each other…how have you been, once again? I’m sure it’s very stressing to think about the idea of wedding now, it’s probably very frustrating too. I can’t confirm much for you, but I really hope and pray in my own way that someday you can fulfill that need, even if it’s not in the way you now wish it to be. These days are an example of that for me! I’ve always wanted to be a ballet dancer since I was a child (became an irl of a ballerina, you know!) but my mom could never afford or be able to bring me to classes, which frustrates me; I always wanted to be a professional dancer. Well, these days I got my first dance class! In fucking kpop!! And maybe it’s not what I wanted and maybe it’s not the career that I’ll have, but it still gave me so much happiness; it wasn’t exactly what I wanted for, but in the end it fulfilled and satisfied the little child in me. Ranting aside, I think that’s possible for you, too. Maybe the “picture perfect day” won’t be as you wish now, as you dream of; but maybe it’ll bring you just as much happiness you know? Wether it’s not a wedding, wether you fall in love with someone else in this reality, or even something else, I think it’s possible for you to find that happiness, somewhere, somehow. I can assure you! When we’re in the shit as teenagers we’ll always be scared, thinking that this truly will never end. But it does! Trust me, it does. I hope you’re feeling better now! About the uni thing I asked some days ago…damn I just remembered you’re America and you guys have to pay for your Universities and </3 I am so sorry?? If you could maybe move to Europe in the far future to study medicine maybe? I don’t know, but if I had a dream like that I’d want to chase it at all costs…but you should do what makes you happier and safer now! We’re young, we have time to dream. To change! This was a bit of a messy ramble honestly, but I’m still glad I put my thoughts out about this to you :} and I hope it brings some light to your ongoing day too!!

- 🧶

hi, im doing alright, just exhausted,, and i get what you're trying to say but i can't imagine myself falling in love with anyone else, let alone to the point of marrying them. even just considering it makes me feel sick, like im betraying hinata. i'd rather die

i've just been in the grief trenches the past few days, hence the elevated levels of complaining (my dad passed away 9 years and 3 days ago now, so its just. a rough time of year. it comes in waves)

and yeahyeah haha uni is EXPENSIVE here especially if you want to go to a good one, thats why im starting at community college and hopefully getting financial aid as well. the state im living in has a grant that pays for your full community college tuition if you get approved for it, which would be a LIFESAVER since the job search is taking for fucking ever /silly

and yeah, i could at some point move out there for med school, but i'm content with my current path in life i think. i can still work within the medical field even, working on in-house software and IT management and stuff like that. it's not what i wanted to do as a kid, but it's what i think will make me happiest. i cant handle being in charge of someone elses life, it'd burn me out too fast

im so glad you got to do your first dance class though!!! whether it turns into your career or you just end up doing it for fun, i hope you continue to have a wonderful experience.

[arsonists-child]

“So how have you been?”

I’ve been quietly (and not so quietly) disassembling and reassembling myself and examining all the pieces, I have realized that I’ve wasted so much time trying to rehabilitate myself from things that are not my fault or my responsibility.

I have realized how disposable I’ve made myself. I have put too much responsibility on myself to put myself back together over and over again only to be discarded ad infinitum.

I give more love than I expect and I have been peeling myself apart trying to cope with the fact that I cannot change how I am perceived or if I am perceived.

I have tried my best to keep things close to my chest as to not become too burdensome for those I still respect.I have been burning myself to provide potential comfort for too long.

I am an empty husk of myself half of the time.

I do not want to feel like a demon half my days, and a bleeding heart for the rest.

I’m writing another book.

Bleeding myself dry of traumas new and old has given me a new set of glasses to see with.

I have been in the most pain for a while, I’ve been crying like a child and seeing doctors and taking meds, I’ve been oversleeping and under-eating, and thinking about all my mistakes, and feeling like a mistake. I’ve been calling clinics and I got a job, and I’m trying to save money so I can afford my treatment.

The cost of healing is high in America.

I’m worse than I’ve been in a long time, and it’s been very hard not to give up.

I am scared when I wake up in the morning and I try to cope, but I’m not good at forgetting things.

I am still working on becoming a human.

But the grass is always greener as they say, so I will crawl through the muck as long as is necessary.

[thelittlepalmtree]

The guidelines in America on hydration annoy me so much. Because they say you need 8 glasses of water a day. Well idk what america you live in but in my america there isn't a standardized measure on "glasses." We do have a standardized measure of "cups" though which is 8oz. At leasy in my experience most glasses, waterbottles, etc have at least 15oz if not more than that because 8oz is really not that much. For reference a small size at starbucks (using them because they have measurements that most in the coffee shop industry now use) is 12oz a medium is 16oz and a large is 20oz. Even glass measuring cups are usually at least two cups because one cup of any liquid just isn't that much.

So if the average american is drinking out of a 16oz glass at home, when you say "8 glasses of water a day" they are envisioning twice as much as what the recommendation actually is because when you try to figure out how big a "glass" of water is it's literally just a cup: 8oz. It's to the point where I once said "well is a glass a cup because that's actually not that much" and an older family member told me it couldn't be a cup for precisely that reason. Because let's be real of you have access to water in your day to day and you drink it as your primary beverage, you probably do drink 8 cups of water a day effortlessly I've been awake for 2hrs and I've already had 20oz of water.

The most efficient way to put this is actuslly "you should drink half a gallon of water a day, which is 64oz or 8 cups a day." Because not only is that more manageable, that takes into account how things like how bottles are sized including reusable bottles. For example a standard plastic water bottle contains 16.9 fluid oz. So you only need to drink four of those to meet the guidelines a conveniently sized reusable waterbottle is usually 32oz so you only need 2 of those a day.

Of course there are other issues with the guidelines. For one, your body has a very efficient and highly beta tested system for telling you when you need to drink water, it's called being thirsty. Also, it's not a standard number for example if you're laying in bed watching tiktoks all day like me, you might not need that amount of water. If you're doing a lot of physical activity you probably will need much more. The reason I even looked this up is because I have a family history of hart disease and I take adhd meds and part of mitigating heart related side effects from adhd meds is to be well hydrated. So I got a 64oz water bottle to make sure I am getting at least that amount of water every day. But I probably get a lot more just because my primary beverage is water. I drink one lightly caffeinated beverage in the morning and then the rest of the day is water. Sometimes I do make what I like to call a "fun drink" which is usually some kind of lemonade or limeade but that is like once a week. I know a lot of people prefer to have caffeine all day, and have a primary beverage of coffee or diet coke, so they likely are chronically dehydrated. The thing about water, though, is that it's usually incredibly low cost and/or free (in America). So I think a lot of people do just drink water just because that makes sense!

All of this contributes to this narrative that everyone is chronicles dehydrated and no one gets enough water. We do! I promise you, the vast majority of Americans do get enough water and if you are drinking water over other beverages all day you are probably well hydrated. There are also serious issues with bottled water companies and water as a business. I think a big part of this narrative comes from them. Most tap water is incredibly safe to drink and it is quite literally what they put in the bottles anyway.

[mytruthandbeauty]

30 April 2023

Yesterday I touched on the fact that I’m very healthy, well today I want to say a little more about that. Some years ago I decided to become a vegetarian and I don’t regret it nor do I miss eating any type of animal. I did it for my health and I’ve since learned that it helps with the climate change issues with which we all have a responsibility to do what we can to improve. But that’s another subject, right now I want to focus on how moving to a country outside the US has helped me to maintain my health.

As a vegetarian I eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and here in Latin America I’ve been able to get all the first produce I want for very little money whenever I want. I don’t know what the food laws are here, but I can say that at the very least these products are not filled with preservatives or artificial colors or flavorings and they good bad in a few days, so you don’t buy loads and stuff your refrigerator. You buy enough for a few days and when you’ve eaten that you go to the market and get more, so I typically shop two or three times a week for food. The bread and pastries I buy are made right at the bakery at which I shop, not a large factory and then shipped to the grocer. In fact much of my foods I get from the small mini-market or the panadería. I do go to the Supermercado when I need some olive oil, but otherwise I try to always buy local.

Here I’m able to get my prescription medications all over the counter no prescription required and at a fraction of the cost of what I would have to pay in the US if I was uninsured. I’m uninsured here by the way. My most important med is estradiol/progesterone 1 ml dose and it costs $49.00 MXN, which is about $2.50 USD. I take this once every two weeks, so it cost only $5.00USD a month. I had a friend check the cost of a 5ml bottle of estradiol without insurance and it was about $300.00 USD. Compare that to my cost of $12.50 USD. All my other meds are equally inexpensive, I said I was very healthy not perfectly healthy. My last doctor’s visit which was with an endocrinologist, lasted two hours and since she didn’t run any tests or have any blood work done she charged me nothing. The most I’ve spent for anything medical was $100.00USD for blood work in Ecuador. The one dermatologist visit cost me about $40.00USD. So, I don’t worry about medical bills or not being able to get my medications or a lack of healthy foods. Those things are not a worry for me now. In the US I never went to the doctor, because I didn’t have good insurance not until I was eligible for Medicare and because of where I lived I didn’t have to pay a premium either. But for then I had poor or no coverage. I was diagnosed then treated for cancer in 2011 to 2012 and the only reason I didn’t have to pay was because I literally had no income and therefore qualified for charity assistance which the hospital offered. If I had had any income it’s possible I may not have qualified for that program and without insurance I would have been stuck with a huge bill for the treatments. I’m so happy I don’t have that kind of fear anymore and I’m going to do my best to continue living in a country that believes human lives are more important than profit. In my opinion the world is a much better place when your society places more value on human life than on profit.

This is my receipt from my last estradiol/progesterone purchase for 2 doses.

[skarletterambles]

After my hours at work were slashed due to my prolonged absence with Covid (which is itself a shitty thing), I got on a state health care assistance program. It covered pretty much everything, or had a miniscule (<$5) copay. It was wonderful. For the first time since I aged off my parents' insurance, I didn't have to worry about a single injury or illness wiping out my bank account.

When I had emergency surgery followed by like five days in the hospital last summer, I never saw a bill. It was just taken care of, and I could concentrate on healing instead of panicking about the cost. I felt so blessed.

Urgent care clinic visits? Paid for.

Emergency room visits? Paid for.

My every-other-week visits to my therapist? Paid for.

My GP wants more blood work to see how new meds are working? Paid for.

Need to see a specialist for a consult? Paid for.

It was a Godsend. I could actually get the care I needed, when I needed it, without considering the cost. After the missed work and health care bills from Covid drained my bank account to the lowest point it had been since I got my first job in 2001, that was a huge load off my mind.

I had to fight tooth and nail for months to get my hours back at work, to the point where lawyers were about to get involved. Long story. But I finally got back to where I was before Covid, working 19 hours a week. Great!

Except it wasn't great, because it put me back over the amount I can earn and remain on the state assistance program. I got the letter today saying my coverage will stop July 1st.

I'm devastated. I'm livid. I feel like I literally cannot afford to live.

I'm already living with my parents (who are aging and have their own health problems) and with the economy and inflation the way they are (and the housing situation here being what it is) there's no hope of having my own place anytime soon--even without this health care mess!

For a variety of health reasons I am not able to work full time. The part time job I do have is my career, my passion, the place I belong, and where I have worked for over twenty years.

God have mercy on me and any other person who cannot afford to exist in this time and place. It's a travesty that in 2024, with the amazing medical technology that exists, a single adult with a regular job cannot afford to access it.

Yes, I'll go on the Healthcare Marketplace and look for a plan that I can afford that gives me somewhat of a buffer between a medical crisis and bankruptcy. But that's all it is. A speedbump on the road to financial ruin.

I don't expect to get everything for free, although it was amazing while it lasted. But there's really no middle ground between "Oh gosh, you're so poor we won't charge you anything" and "Haha, you need an MRI scan, blood work, I.V. medication, an emergency room visit, and almost a week in the hospital? Hand over your life's savings, sucker."

It's just one more symptom of the rot at the heart of modern America. It's all about making the 1% richer, and screw the rest of us. I don't want a yacht, a private jet, or an overseas vacation home. I just want to live a normal, modest existence in which I can work for a living and thus afford basic dignities. Health care should be a human right, not a luxury.

I'd say "eat the rich" but they're so full of fat, drugs, and bullshit that we'd just get sick and need to visit a hospital, defeating the purpose.

It's times like this I really wish I had the resources to move to a place that has a proper health care system, less bigotry, and less gun violence. Somewhere where "all human beings deserve a roof over their head and medical care, regardless of their religion, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, health, addictions, neurodivergence, employment, skin color, and political leanings" isn't an explosively controversial statement. Somewhere where billionaires and trillionaires don't exist and megacorporations aren't killing the planet.

Maybe Norway. My great-grandfather was born there. I've never been there and don't speak the language but I'd figure something out. (Kidding...mostly.)

I hate the American health care system. I hate the American health care system. I hate the American health care system. I hate the American health care system. I hate the American health care system. I hate the American health care system. I hate the American health care system. I hate the American health care system. I hate the American health care system. I hate the American health care system. I hate the American health care system. I hate the American health care system.

I hate the American health care system.

I hate the American health care system.

I hate the American health care system.

[eraserhead-baby-girl]

Effexor and seroquel and Xanax my beloved but they’re so expensive and I don’t have insurance lol

The US healthcare system is so dystopian

I live in the uk so it’s just a standard £9.50 per prescription - but if its any comfort we can’t get Xanax here so gotta make do with Ativan

[creativeashproductions]

Change of Scenery // Evan Buckley

IN WHICH: Captain Bobby Nash has kept a secret from his friends, his wife and his step children since 2015 when he came to LA. Bobby’s eldest and only surviving child comes to LA to reconcile and make amends all the while she catches the eye of a certain blue eyed firefighter.

Warnings: Swearing, death/familial loss, pregnancy, blood, angst, injuries/medical emergency, and fluff

Words: 8k

A/N: Back at it with another 9-1-1 fic. Hope you enjoy, and I may just have to do another crossover with 9-1-1 and Julie and the Phantoms.

TO BE TAGGED SEND AN INBOX/ASK PLEASE!

Masterlist

There are moments in our lives that define us, whether it can be known as a positive or negative, but the outcome is always the same. A six-letter word that strikes fear and excitement into the souls of humans is change. The fear can be for ourselves or as a result of a child, a sibling, or a parent branching out on their own. Unfortunately, you had gone through a harsh and cruel experience on a cold winter night in the city you grew up in.

A typical Thursday filled with classes at the college you attended in Minnesota on a scholarship, nothing out of the ordinary. The plan had been to drive to your parents’ apartment to catch up with them for the weekend. Saturday morning was already reserved for a girls day with your little sister Brook and your mom. In the afternoon, you’d promised to take your brother Bobby to the ball diamond.

Your bag was packed, the plan to drive straight from class to St. Paul the following day to arrive in the daylight. Your dad struggled with worry when it came to you driving in the dark and especially in winter with icy roads.

“Y/N!” Dottie screeched from the living room of the four-bedroom dormitory. The pretty and curvy brunette had been the first friend you made in college.

Typically Dottie was on the quieter side, so when she screamed, you practically sprinted to the girl.

“Where’s the fire?” You demanded with a smirk at the reference to a topic that was a constant in your family. 

The fire drills your father conducted every four months for an exit plan in case of a fire and general information to save yourselves. He had also trained you to remember fire hazards and how to call dispatch with clear information if that time ever came. It never did and hopefully never would.

“The Lakeview Apartments in St. Paul.” Dottie’s dark brown eyes spoke only of pity and concern. The five foot ten roommate literally caught you as you tumbled into her arms with a loud grief-stricken scream.

You were forever indebted to the brunette for the plans she sacrificed to drive you back to St. Paul. There was absolutely no chance Dottie would allow you to both drive and be alone with no news. The media hadn’t released the names of the 148 deaths the fire relentlessly tore from the land of the living.

“I want to prepare you for what you’ll see. Your mother suffered severe third-degree burns over the majority of her body.” The kind nurse, also one of your friend’s parent, explained as she guided you to the Burn Center in the Regions Hospital, “I don’t want to lie and tell you she’ll be fine. You’re an adult Y/N. You deserve the truth and not be coddled.”

“Is she gonna survive?” You quietly asked, “Has she woken up since she was brought in?”

“The doctor placed her on a high dosage of morphine for the pain. Your father hasn’t left her side.” Lucinda informed you with sympathy written as over her face, The hazel eyes unable to adequately meet yours.

“I’ll check on her, then could you take me to the rooms my siblings are in?” You asked, completely unaware Brook and Bobby had been DOA at the hospital.

Your father hadn’t answered the text messages or the voicemails you had left on his phone—radio silent. You couldn’t be mad when he was with your mom, but a text would have been nice.

“This is where your mother is staying for the unforeseeable future. If you need anything, you can call me.” Lucinda softly replied before turning her heel to head back to the Burn Centre’s front desk.

It was horrific walking into a room with no idea if the occupant who had raised you would survive. The confident, gorgeous mother you had for the past nineteen years was unfamiliar to you, the extensive gauze covering nearly every inch of her body. You almost couldn’t even recognize the man sitting in the chair with his hands wrapped. 

“Dad? What happened?” You questioned the grieving man. The only person left in your family as you would soon come to know.

“Y/N?” Bobby gasped, pushing himself to his feet, staring at his only living child. The guilt ate at him just staring at you with those light brown eyes, “Oh, sweetheart.”

Your dad crossed the room in a few steps. The scent of smoke was still clinging to every part of him, but it was fine. Your dad was okay, minus the wounds on his hands. You’d always been closer with your father than your mother.

“Dad, what happened?” You quietly asked the ashamed firefighter that had to reconcile his feelings on the fire and his career—that struggle ending up pushing you away when he really just wanted you as close as possible.

“The building caught on fire after an ember from a heater lit a blanket on fire,” Bobby informed you with his eyes pinned on his wife. Bobby knew the chances of Marcy surviving were incredibly low, and he had to tell you that.

Bobby only knew the details passed on from a firefighter who pitied the man who’d lost most of his family. 

“Is Mom gonna be okay?” You questioned, and the said injured woman in the bed weakly responded.

“Baby?” Marcy quietly questioned from her absolutely still position on the hospital bed, “Uh, Bobby.”

You left your father’s side to be as close to your mom as possible, with the clear plastic separating you for her safety. Your heart shattered at the sheer exhaustion in her pretty blue eyes. 

“Hi, Mom.” You shakily spoke with one hand lightly pressed against the plastic divider. You didn’t even notice when your dad stepped up too.

“Marcy?” Bobby called out from right beside you, just as torn up, but Bobby carried extra weight on his shoulders, “We’re right here, Marcy. It’s okay. It’s okay.”

The muffled grunt of pain, your mom’s attempt to save you from grief, Marcy let out as she turned her head to look at you. You knew deep in your gut that this was the time place you would see your mom alive. And by the look in her eyes, she knew too.

“The...kids…?” Your mom’s breathing became more erratic as she questioned the man she viewed as her hero. The man she believed had saved her and their youngest children, “Where...are they?”

“The kids are fine.” The way your father said it and the tears led to the knowledge once kept from you.

“No.” You whispered, seeing the total grief written clear on his face. The pain meds and agony kept your mom from knowing the truth.

“They’re safe.”

“I knew you’d come and save us.” Your mom breathed as her eyes started hiding the pretty blue you’d now only see in pictures. In your dreams, until even those faded as father time cruelly pulled you along.

Then your worst nightmare happened. You watched as the woman you looked up to flatlined with the thought of her children safe. You’d always know she’d held on just long enough to find out the state of her children. You could only hope she’d forgive your father for lying to her as she died.

“Mom!” You screamed, fighting the arms of an orderly restraining you. You barely noticed the resistance to your frantic attempts.

One minute you were staring at a team unsuccessfully trying to revive your long-gone mother, then you were in a hotel room. The atmosphere tense and quiet between father and daughter, with the ghost of your dead family to keep you both company. You could hear Brook gagging every time you’d kissed your now ex. You could see Bobby toddling after you years ago.

At least you had your father—a father whose guilt festered until he couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“It was my fault.” He murmured, staring at the barely eaten burger that tasted solely just cardboard. He couldn’t bear to look at your face, “I didn’t mean to leave it on.”

Your head snapped to stare at him in disbelief, “What do you mean you didn’t mean to leave it on?”

“I-I went to the roof to sleep after your mom kicked me out. I didn’t have my keys to the apartment I had below ours.” Bobby began spilling the lies he’d told to you about his addictions. Of the apartment, you’d had no clue was even in his possessions.

The pain of losing your family tore into you, “You took my mom away from me. I’ll never get to share my wedding day with her. Shopping for a dress and gossiping about boys. I’ll never be able to wipe Brook’s tears during her first heartbreak.”

Each word broke Bobby more and more.

“You stole my future. You’re selfish, ungrateful and utterly pathetic. You cost so many people so much, all because you sought out your next high.” You spat, glaring at someone you’d never expected to hurt you. You didn’t notice your hands grabbing your possessions nor opening the hotel room door, “You couldn’t even properly try to get clean.”

“Y/N-”

“Get your shit together before you kill anyone else. I never want to see you again.” You sobbed with regret already festering in your body, but pride held you back from apologizing.

Upon your return to your dorm with Dottie by your side, you immediately began the process to enter an exchange program. Within a month, your feet entered Sydney Airport. You didn’t return to America for several years.

You took a job as a casual lifeguard on Bondi Beach, met Lucas in a meet-cute situation at the grocery store. You graduated college and found a job as a paramedic as you began becoming a flight paramedic. In 2020 Lucas and you discovered you’d be bringing in a little baby into the world.

Learning about your little Cashew growing safe in your womb fanned the flame of desire to reconcile. Ultimately the pride kept pushing the urge to apologize for the cruel words you told your father further away. You naively believed you had all the time in the world.  

Remember the six-letter scary word? If losing your mom, siblings, and father was a devastating blow, losing Lucas was nearly tied. Your little Cashew lost their father before they even got to meet him. That was push enough to pack up your home and fly back to America with your father’s new address as soon as you could.

In the fallout of the apartment fire, your father relocated from Minnesota to Los Angeles. 

Los Angeles, 2020

As soon as you’d found the nicest but cheapest hotel to stay in until you found a place, you walked the streets of LA. The first order of business of approaching your father at his workplace as you had no personal address. Residing still in Minnesota, Deputy Chief Evans had only given you the address of Bobby’s work.

You could only hope Bobby wouldn’t turn you away. That he was willing to bridge the gap, you’d widened over the years. That he could forgive the silence to each email, he sent when you changed numbers.

“We should go out to dinner.” The female voice was what brought you back to the present time. The woman was beautiful with her buzzed head and clear skin.

Right by her side was a dark-haired male of Asian ethnicity with a bag thrown over his shoulder, “If you’re paying, you bet I’ll be there.”

The two continued to converse in their own world until the man had to literally dodge you when they finally noticed you.

“Does Chief Bobby Nash work here?” You inquired, having no desire to enter small talk when the baby was sitting on your bladder again. You nearly retched when the man stared down at your swollen midsection, shocked, “It’s not his baby.”

Hen caught the evident disgust on your face, “He’s in his office. I’ll guide you there…”

“Y/N.” You supplied the firefighter. Hen smiled in response, “And your name is…”

“Henrietta Wilson, but you can call me Hen. That was Howard Han. He goes by Chimney, and I’ve been sworn to secrecy on the name.” Hen chuckled in her steps to the closed door of the fire chief. Hen swiftly knocked on the door to give Bobby a heads up.

“Come in!” Bobby called from his pile of paperwork he had pushed and waited to work on. It had slipped as the date came closer. Your twenty-seventh birthday, the seventh one since he last saw you.

“Cap, a woman is asking for you,” Hen told her friend and boss. It’s a good thing you didn’t choose to surprise your father because Hen was shorted, and your bump made manoeuvring around tricky.

“What can I do…” Bobby trailed off when he saw the girl waiting to talk to him. The pen in his hand dropped to the table in shock.

Hen glanced between the two equally taken aback individuals, “Am I missing something here?”

“Hey, dad.” You whispered to the man who’d been dreaming of this moment since the minute you left. He’d searched for you at your previous college and nearly made a missing person report.

“Dad?” Hen couldn’t pick her jaw up from the floor if she even wanted to because this was juicy information. Sure, Bobby had caved into telling his team, his family that he’d lost his wife and two children in a fire.

He rarely talked about his life before the 118, but he’d never mentioned having a surviving daughter. Not in the handful of times he’d talked about the tragedy, nor did he have any objects or photos of you. 

“You’re really here?” Bobby lightly chuckled with a twinkle in his eye. Hen had only seen a handful of times. All of them had Athena in the scene, “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” You beamed, stepping closer to the man you’d missed dearly, “I’m so sorry for the way I left. What I said was cruel and untrue. You aren’t selfish, and I can’t blame you for something you couldn’t control.”

Bobby grinned. He’d stepped around his desk only to halt when he took in an undeniable development—the baby bump you carried.

“Is-”

“I’m pregnant. Six months along with a baby girl.” You laughed to the apparent disbelief in your father’s light brown eyes. His gaze continued to shift between the bump and your e/c eyes.

“Wow. Sorry, this is...wow.” 

“She’s one of the reasons I wanted to come back. To fix our relationship because I want her to know her grandpa. You’re the only grandparent Poppy will know.” Bobby was quick to tug you into his arms as soon as the first tear dropped down your cheek.

There was so much you wanted to tell your father, but that overwhelming grief rose higher. You’d left Australia where Lucas laid in a plot in a cemetery. You left the friends you’d found in the city. Left the lifeguard job you’d come to love.

“Where are you and your partner staying?”

“He...uh...Lucas passed away recently.”

The arms holding you tightened in response to your confession, “Oh sweetheart.”

“I didn’t know where else to go. I can’t stay in the home we bought. Not the place he died when I couldn’t save him.”

“I don’t know what happened, but it wasn’-”

“Don’t coddle me. I was...am a paramedic. A flight paramedic, to be specific, so I know that my hesitation could be the reason he died.”

Your career took the father by complete and utter surprise because you’d always planned on a different job. Before the fire that claimed so many lives, you’d never entertained a career in the emergency field.

“We have a lot to catch up on. First, you need to know that I’ll always love your mother no matter what, but you need to know. I met someone when I first moved here, and we were friends at first. She divorced her husband. We started dating...sweetheart, I remarried.”

A wave of emotions flared in your chest, from betrayal to sadness and ultimately happiness. Having lost your first love, you understood and knew if love came around for you, you wouldn’t ignore it. Lucas wouldn’t want that.

“I can’t wait to meet her.”

Re-entering into Bobby’s new life was a difficult adjustment for everyone included. Tension had risen between Athena and Bobby for a brief period. Athena hadn’t even been aware of your existence, but she could fault Bobby. Athena had even told her first husband about her late fiance Emmett when they were still together.

It was difficult for you with the new addition of two step-siblings in the same birth order as Brook and Bobby had been. The Grant siblings had welcomed you into the family without any reservations.

“Did you ever get to fly the chopper?” Harry asked as he scrubbed the dirty dish from the Sunday family dinner. 

It was the first dinner that had no awkward tension since you arrived back in the country. Athena had taken a bit to warm up, but it was nothing personal. She’d actually been the one to find you you’d been staying at a hotel. Mama Athena did not like her pregnant step-daughter living at a hotel. She’d actually stormed your room with Hen and Karen as back up to pack your room and leave for the Grant-Nash house.

“No. I had to help keep the patients alive. If I’m telling the truth...sometimes I didn’t even notice I was in the air.” You whispered to your stepbrother. He was just invested in your career as he had been when Bobby first entered their lives.

“That is so cool!” Harry enthused with soap suds splashing your thin knitted sweater. Harry’s mouth formed an ‘o’ when you flicked water onto his face in retaliation.

“Do you know Bondi Beach in Australia?” You inquired the youth with the chore of dishes completed.

“Yeah! There’s a tv show called Bondi Rescue! I watch the clips on YouTube!” Harry exclaimed, hot on your heels to the couch. Out of May and Harry, he followed you around with questions about your life in Australia.

“I was a casual lifeguard. I’m not featured on that show, but I would get called in when a lifeguard was needed. It paired well with my job as a flight paramedic.” You half-smiled, remembering the Bondi lifeguards who had welcomed you into the family. You became one of them when they started pranking you.

“Did you ever see a shark-”

“Harry, go brush your teeth. Leave Y/N alone.” Athena informed her youngest from the open patio doors. Your father, Athena and May had been outside as soon as the table had been cleared.

“But-”

“Harry,” Athena warned the youngest Grant. Harry didn’t attempt to argue with his stern mother; all he did was hug you quickly. You watched the young boy disappear into the hallway.

“He reminds you of your little brother?” Athena questioned. In your time of reminiscing, the older woman had settled in Harry’s previous position.

“A little.” You whispered, “Thank you for welcoming me into the family. For making my dad happy.”

“You know I may have some baby clothes put away if you’d like to use them?” Athena offered with that smile that made you feel at home. Athena was far different from your late mother, with her presence commanding respect and intelligence. Your mom was similar, but I suppose it could be described as a softer touch.

“Anyway, saving a penny is appreciated. I have a question for you also.” You hesitantly started with a bundle of nerves deep in your belly. Athena turned to give you her full attention.

“Well? Out with it.” Athena pushed, but she had a slight feeling of what you were about to ask her.

“My mom was one the strongest women I know. It hurts that my baby won’t get to experience her love and guidance, and you can say no. We’ve only known each other a short time, but would you consider...maybe being a grandma to my baby?”

Giddy was the feeling Athena developed along with the laughing smile that only came from happiness. The woman could only nod her head in response to your hesitant question. To Athena’s knowledge but not yours, Bobby was softly smiling, watching his formerly estranged daughter getting along with your stepmom.

“Oh!” You gasped as your baby kicked hard enough for her foot imprint to be seen through your knitted sweater. 

Bobby was by your side in concern the second he heard your startled sound, but Athena wasn’t that concerned. Athena remembered having the same reaction.

“Are you okay?” Bobby frantically questioned. He faltered when the woman shared a belly-deep laugh at the sheer fear written in the seasoned firefighter’s eyes.

“Poppy was kicking.” You chuckled as your father’s shoulders dropped in relief, “Here.”

Your nimble fingers clasped around your father’s wrist to bring his palm to the spot Poppy was kicking. A certain lightness flooded your entire body, being capable of sharing this experience with Bobby. Watching tears well up in the grandpa to be’s brown eyes.

“Whoa.” Bobby breathlessly spoke as Poppy kicked against his palm. The feeling building in his was exhilarating with the small amount of grief mixed in, “I remember when your mom was pregnant with you. We didn’t know if we were having a girl or boy, but she was adamant you would be a kickboxer. So active.”

Athena watched as the relationship between father and daughter started healing directly in front of her eyes. The Sergeant was about to give you two some privacy when you caught her hand in your free one.

“Here.” You informed the older woman shifting to place her hand where your father’s hand had previously been. Your e/c eyes sought the wonder-filled different shades of brown eyes the couple had.

“You should get some sleep,” Athena spoke, staring at her hand resting on your bump. Her dark chocolate brown rising to find your gaze, “You won’t be getting a lot once she arrives.”

Bobby and Athena watched as you turned the corner to the spare room Athena’s parents used when they visited. For the time being, you’ve moved into the room, and the Grant-Nash house hoped you would stay. May had always wanted a sister, and Harry loved all the stories you told about Australia.

“You know, at some point, you’ll have to talk to her.”

“I just was-’

“-without anyone else being the buffer. Bobby, both your lives is evidence enough that some things are too trivial to stress over.” Athena pinned her stern gaze on her husband. The same husband is actively trying to avoid her penetrating gaze.

“What I did-’

“Is in the past, Bobby. You have a second chance with that wonderful woman in that bedroom and our grandchild. Now, are you sure that having the party at the firehouse is okay?”

A hand supported the base of your back where an ache tended to stay for most of the day. That ache wasn’t the worst symptom of your pregnancy. You had heartburn constantly that tied with unfortunate constipation that had thankfully lessened. Your purse always had a cardigan for the hot flashes as well.

“Perfect! May has my car, and Bobby needed that.” Athena beamed from the open bay of the 118. One of the firefighters, Eddie, if you recalled, snagged your purse and the specific ingredient for a recipe.

“You could have borrowed Bobby’s-”

“His vehicle is in the shop Buck.” Athena interrupted the only member of the 118 you had let to officially meet.

Now there were two suspects of the sudden shortness of breath you started experiencing. It could be Poppy in the limited space in your body or the handsome firefighter. Buck had to be hands down none of the most attractive men you’d ever encountered. His dark blonde hair had minimal height, but the soft waves made your fingers itch to feel it. His ocean blue eyes crinkled at the corners with mirth.

“Ah, so you’re flesh and blood of Cap?” Buck questioned from in front of you. His blue eyes centred solely on you, with half a mind thanking himself that he could navigate the station blindfolded in the dark.

“For the last twenty-seven years, I have been.” You retorted, stopping at the edge of the stairs to the apparatus. Your keen sense of smell catching one of your favourite meals your father had dug up from the recipes he hadn’t used in years.

A zing of electricity trailed off your arm when a calloused palm met yours. Your e/c eyes followed the path of tan skin until it reached the shirt sleeve of Buck’s t-shirt. The shirt emblazoned on the chest with the department’s insignia. The man in the casual uniform guided you safely up the stairs with his hand on your back.

The pressure of Buck’s hand on your aching back muscle nearly brought what would be an embarrassing moan from your lips. Thankfully a gasp of surprise fell out instead at the banner hanging with other decorations.

“What?” You choked, cupping your hands to your face. Pure unadulterated shock and affection flooded every inch of you.

The entire 118 squad intermixed with their loved ones surrounded the open area with grins. On a table behind everyone was many wrapped gifts. But the cake was the most impressive.

A large rectangular cake in the realistic shape of a fire engine parked in front of a fire hydrant with a fondant hose going to the truck. On top of the fire truck was the turnout boots next to the matching helmet, the 118 proudly on it. You adored the turnout coat draping off the top to hang off the side.

“If you look at the helmet, it says Poppy.” Buck enthused, guiding you even closer to catch the immaculate cake, “It has to be the best cake we’ve gotten from them.”

“Hey, my rebar head cake was phenomenal!” Chimney called with a belying grin on his face. His hand encased by a brunette woman about his height with her heels on.

“It’s a long story.” Buck offered as soon as you gave him a weird questioning look, “Let me introduce you to everyone!”

For the next five minutes, you spend it by meeting the family of 118, including Eddie’s completely adorable son. Christopher was happy to sit next to you as soon as Harry had found you. Slowly the others came closer to hear the stories.

“What’re the most common injuries on the beach?” Denny, Hen and Karen’s ten-year-old son questioned.

“Bluebottle Jellyfish stings. On one day, we had hundreds of people come to the tower for stings, and the treatment for the minor ones is stingose spray and ice.”

“My question is how a girl from Minnesota is a lifeguard in Australia. Especially on Sydney’s most dangerous beach.” Chimney inserted, waving his bottle of pop at you, his eyes kept moving towards the wine Maddie brought.

Unfortunately, the 118 wouldn’t be celebrating with the wine until their shifts ended in a few short hours. It was a damn miracle they hadn’t been called out yet.

“This former Minnesotan spent summers at my best friend’s parents’ place in Cali as a lifeguard. Also, Bondi is not the most dangerous beach in Sydney. That’s Tamarama.” You pointed towards the man who raised his hands in surrender.

“Have you ever seen a dead body?” Harry asked, bringing a sobering silence in the question’s wake.

Your body language changed as soon as he asked, “Unfortunately, I’ve seen death as a paramedic and as a lifeguard.”

“You’re a paramedic? I thought you were just a lifeguard?” Buck asked, interested in the new information. Buck could feel his Captain’s eyes on the back of his head; he was sure Bobby could smell the attraction on Buck.

“Casual lifeguard. Called when needed as a backup.” You turned your e/c eyes towards the arguably youngest member of the 118.

“How many dead-”

“Harry.” Athena warned her son from continuing a topic that killed the ease and happiness you’d shown previously, “Why don’t we stop talking about-”

“Too many, Harry.” You interrupted your stepmom with a gentle smile towards the woman, “It’s not just drowning that claims lives but also the cliffs surrounding the beaches. Lifeguards patrol more than the beaches and water. Lifeguards respond to medical emergencies, mostly spinal until the paramedics arrive.”

“Oh-”

“I had a fellow lifeguard leave the job because of the suicides we deal with.”

“...who wants cake?” Karen used the quiet interlude of the much too serious topic for a group of kids barely in the double digits of ages. All referenced children followed Hen’s life to the beautiful baked creation.

“Sorry for getting dark there.”

“We all know the dark side of the jobs we chose to do. You sound like you miss Australia. Are you going to return there?” Eddie questioned with one eye pinned on his son, consuming more sugar than he wished.

Eddie’s question did raise self-doubt, but you knew that ultimately living in Australia was no longer a viable option. 

“There’s nothing there for me.”

Eddie, Buck and your father understood that mentality to a ‘t’ with family complications keeping them away. Your father for obvious reasons, whereas Eddie and Buck each had a living family with opinions only they saw right.

“You’re always welcome here. Especially when you bring that little cutie to the firehouse.” Maddie cooed towards your baby bump. The 911 dispatcher had asked many questions about your pregnancy.

 Maddie was the type of person who could make a stranger feel like they had known for their entire lives.

“Here.”

A plate of the cake was thrust in front of your face courtesy of Maddie’s brother Buck. It is quite literally the perfect size you could ask for. In his other hand, he had a new bottle of water waiting for you to grab.

“Thank you, Buck.” Your shock must have shown in your voice when his cheeks flushed.

“This whole party is a celebration for you, so you shouldn’t have to get up...unless you want to!” Buck rushed to respond, getting more flustered with the amused look of his older sister on him, “You’re already doing something absolutely amazing, so you should get to rela-”

“Buck!” You laughed, ending the older man’s rambling thoughts. The entire party attendees had started watching Buck’s failed smooth attempt.

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

Buck mutely nodded in response, “No prob-”

The bell was the one to interrupt him instead. The on-duty firefighters rushed down from the upper levels to the lockers. The swift suiting up impressed you as it was like you blinked, and the bay was empty.

“Should be the last call before they get off shift.” Maddie, still occupied with the cake she was eating, “That wine looks so good!”

Your attention snapped from the vacant spots the 118 vehicles parked to the woman ploughing down on the cake. Sure it was good, but not that good. Maybe you could tell as a pregnant woman, or perhaps you just caught some of the symptoms you felt.

“How far along are you?”

Maddie froze, “What are you talk-”

“You’re pregnant, right?”

“Don’t tell anyone. Chim and I found out recently, but we want to wait on telling people. Once the first trimester is over, everyone can know.” Maddie pleaded with two hands cupped under her chin in a prayer position. The pretty brunette using the puppy dog eyes on the new friend she’d made.

“You should tell Buck-”

“We will once we enter the safe zone. So tell me about your baby’s father.” Maddie swiftly changed the subject, unaware of the ache developing in your midsection.

“Lucas Gowan.” You mussed, recalling the freckled half Australian half Scots man with the thick red locks.

“Ooh, is he still in Australia?”

“Technically, he is. I met him at the grocery store near the university campus. I’d transferred to escape my grief. It was purely an attraction at first sight before developing into love at first sight. We convocated and moved into a cosy little place. We’d only just found out about the baby when Lucas passed away.”

As you told Maddie, your hand had moved to cradle the only remaining piece of Lucas. 

“His death was unexpected and sudden. He’d taken a run the morning of our scan to find out baby Gowan’s gender. He fell off the side of the cliff. I was told he died instantly. The investigator believes his shoelace untied, and he stepped on it. Fell right off the side.”

“I’m so sorry.” Maddie breathed, leaning closer to hold your hands in her own, “He’d be so proud of you. For returning to the states. Do you keep in contact with his family?”

“He was an only child. Parents died in a car accident when he was ten years old. He was in foster care until he aged out of the system. Poppy is named after his mom.”

Maddie instinctively knew talking about Lucas was, “You know you get along pretty well with Buck... I’ve never seen him so flustered.”

“Maddie, I can tell you are a very intelligent woman, but you’re wrong here. Why would a guy like Buck be interested in a pregnant woman with a reconciling relationship with her father and his Captain while grieving her baby’s dad?”

Maddie tilted her head to the side, “Because I know my brother. He’s only ever had that look when I first moved to LA. Back when Abby was still important to him.”

“We’ll just have to agree to disagree.”

Maddie’s mouth opened to speak, but you were saved by the bell when Athena called you over for pictures. Then her attempts got thwarted once more when the 118 returned to the house perfectly synced to the end of shift.

“Driving here was the last time until the baby’s here. You’ve got precious cargo-”

“I’m seven months pregnant; I can still drive. There’s no law saying I can’t-”

Never argue with Athena Grant-Nash, “It may not be illegal, but I won’t endanger my daughter or my granddaughter.”

“I have to get to my OB/GYN appointment tomorrow. You and Dad each have a long shift during my scheduled appointment. Harry is both too young to drive and in school. May has a shift at dispatch. There’s literally no one available to take me.”

Bobby watched as two of the most important women in his life argued over something as trivial as driving. Harry shook at listening to someone fighting against his mother; she could be terrifying.

“I can take her.”

Everyone in the fir house turned to the voice who’d offered suddenly and found the sheepish form of a tall firefighter. Eddie’s eyebrows raised at his best friend.

“I don’t work tomorrow. I’ve got no plans. Albert’s got some date with a girl at her place.”

“I couldn’t put you out.”

“You need a ride, and I’ll be bored, so why not take my new friend to her baby doctor.”

“Baby doctor?” Hen parroted to her wife in astonishment towards her coworker and close friend. Both the women found the blatant flirting from Buck to the soon to be mother.

“She’ll take you up on the offer. She’s staying in our guest room. Come early for breakfast before you go. We’ll be having waffles.”

Buck found any excuse to visit the Grant-Nash home with the motive to hang out with you ever since the baby shower. From delivering baked goods from your favourite bakery to insisting on driving you to appointments. Didn’t matter if Athena or Bobby could take you; Buck was adamant he drove you.

The friendship was easy going and very natural, like a ball glove still moulded perfectly to your hand. The hangouts in your home evolved to weekly visits to restaurants with guidelines to the current event happening worldwide. 

Ultimately it even led to a test date.

“You look breathtaking.” Buck breathlessly informed you once he’d gently pushed your chair closer to the table.

“Thank you.” You kindly responded despite thinking the complete opposite to the charming man sitting across from you.

Athena and May had helped you get ready for the date with calming words on how going on a date so far into the pregnancy was okay. Then, your father had tentatively inserted himself with sage advice on re-entering the dating scene.

“I thought we could grab some ice cream after,” Buck spoke up as soon as the waiter had taken your drink order. Buck had decided to refrain from alcohol and went with glasses of lemonade and water.

“You shouldn’t say that. I’ll just want ice cream.” You snickered, caressing the taut belly you’d grown to love. In fact, the firm push of a heel announced Poppy’s agreement with ice cream as dessert.

“How is Poppy?”

“The doc says she’s right on track. Healthy all around and in the position, she’s supposed to be at this stage.” Buck adored the affectionate smile that always appeared when the topic of your pregnancy was brought up.

“That’s amazing! Bobby gushes about you and Poppy. The fridge has an entire door dedicated to sonograms of Poppy. Even a few from that maternity shoot Hen and Maddie surprised you with.”

A few weeks had passed since the baby shower the 118 had surprised you with. Maddie had announced her pregnancy to the joy of the chosen family she had. Bobby had put together a crib he had painted. Michael, Athena’s ex-husband, had started making plans for adding on to the house for a room for the baby.

Despite informing the architect, you planned on moving out when you had saved enough, he’d made a sound argument. Athena would want a place for the baby to stay when you visited, or the woman demanded to babysit.

Now you found yourself in a National forest not far from Los Angeles, posing in front of nature. A surprise photoshoot Hen and Karen had organized with Karen’s brother Trey. Maddie and Athena had been the ones who drove you.

“Hold the teddy bear on your bump,” Trey informed you from behind his professional and intimidating camera. The photographer praised you in the rapid movement to listen to his offer.

“Hey! Maddie! You should take a few photos. I need a pee break.” You didn’t wait for Maddie to respond in your rush to the somewhat rustic bathroom hut.

By the time you returned, Maddie was taking a couple pictures. Then you took some with Athena to have on the nursery walls and for Bobby to have a photo for his desk.

“Now one with all three of you.”

Present

“So a daredevil.” You stated unsurprised that the firefighter had a history of recklessness. You don’t go into firefighting without a taste for danger.

“The bruises and blood fit better than the awful bleached hair during my time in Peru.” Buck laughed, recalling the questionable choice in his fashion pre-firefighting. Sometimes he missed the people he encountered in his period of self-discovery.

“You didn’t wear puka sh-”

“I did. Bleached hair, puka shells and Hawaiian shirts were my staples during my bartending years. I fit in with the aesthetic of the bar I tended.”

“Buck!” You nearly gasped at his raw honesty. Buck didn’t hold back any answers to your questions, but you each strayed from the topic of family.

Talking about the tragic family history wasn’t a good idea on the first time regardless of the time you’d known each other.

“You’re telling me-” Buck halted as soon as he caught the flash of discomfort flicker over your beautiful features, “Are you okay?”

“She shifted. Been sitting on my blad-” You cut yourself off with a hiss of pain. Buck’s eyes widened at the pain taking over your features, “Oh, that hurt.”

Buck went straight into work mode, “Have you been in pain for long?”

“No. A few cramps here and there today, but my doctor said it was nothing to worry about.” You informed the experienced first responder resting level to your knees.

Buck didn’t want to say it, but he was sure that you’d gone into early labour. There was no indication your water had broken, but he kept over the last hour together. Every once in a while, you shifted or pressed a hand to your bump.

“Has your water broken?”

You shook your head, “No, but...oh... that’s not a cramp.”

With that statement out, you clenched your fingers tight on the edge of the table as pain rippled in your belly. A contraction that stole your breath momentarily. In your contraction, Buck had dialled 911. Buck recalled that sometimes a woman’s water doesn't break until right before the birth.

“We’re not getting that ice cream, are we?” You snorted upon being lifted onto the gurney. How fortunate or unfortunate you were to have the 118 right there.

Hen had taken a position at your feet to check on your lower body while Chimney took your vital signs. You honestly didn’t like the look Hen and Chimney shared with Buck.

“What is it?”

“We’re gonna need to deliver here.” Hen sighed, giving you the facts that terrified you. When you envisioned having the baby, it was in a medical centre. Not in a restaurant.

“My office is large and away from the crowd if you want. I can show you the way.” Sophie, the restaurant manager, offered already starting to lead the way. Sophie would never know how thankful you felt for being able to have privacy.

“Okay, Y/N, is it okay if I check how dilated you -.” Hen breathed with her hand, gently disappearing until the thin blanket Chimney procured from the stocked ambulance, “Y/N when I saw I want you to do that.”

Hen didn’t need to check your dilation when she could see the baby’s head already.

“I’m right here.” Buck cooed in your ear. He had held your hand as his coworkers did their jobs around you.

“This isn’t the way I envisioned you seeing my pu-”

“Push.” Hen urged, cutting off your almost vulgar language, but it eased the tension in the small restaurant office. You couldn’t even see Buck’s flustered reaction as you bore down with the contraction, “Good! Take a breath.”

“You’re a strong woman. It never ceases to amaze me the strength women have.” Buck spoke, keeping your e/c eyes on his blue ones. His hand raised to push a strand of your sweaty hair off your temple.

“Once more push!” Hen called out just in time with the last contraction. The feeling of the pressure between your legs popping was moan inducing.

Poppy was silent. Your entire body froze, yearning for the sweet sound of crying instead of the eerie silence. The world stood still as Chimney worked on your baby girl.

“Pulse is strong,” Chimney announced, keeping his attention on the task of clearing Poppy’s throat and nose. And that sweet sound of crying commenced, “Congratulations Y/N, you have a beautiful baby girl. Let’s get you to the hospital.”

Your father beat the ambulance to the nearest ER in pure anticipation at meeting his granddaughter Poppy Nash Gowan. He barely noticed as Buck stuck to your side like glue. Bobby waited outside the door as you got checked over in the room.

“Quite the first date.” You mused towards Buck, who hovered in awe over the life form you had carried for nine months. You’d been pregnant for three quarters of an entire year to his fascination. 

“All my meaningful relationships started with a medical emergency.” Buck finally looked up at you. He’d kept Poppy company in the bassinet while you delivered the afterbirth upon entering the hospital.

“Seriously?”

“Had a tracheostomy on Valentine’s Day with Abby, an earthquake with Ali and a newscaster in a crashed helicopter.” Buck listed off. He hadn’t even noticed scooping the newborn into his arms until he’d sat in the chair by your bed, “Why not add a sudden labour and delivery.”

“He would have liked you.”

The sentence came out of absolutely nowhere. Almost like something had ripped it out of your vocal cords. At the look of confusion, you elaborated.

“Lucas. He would have liked you. I think if it is possible, he might have pushed me into meeting you. I’ll still need to take it slow, but I’d like to give this a shot.”

That was all Buck needed to lean in closer to kiss you—the first of many kisses.

Some might disagree on how quick your relationship with Buck developed, but they didn’t know yours at all. It was natural with the firefighter who stepped into the role of father figure for a growing Poppy. By the time Poppy was one, you’d moved into a house not far from your father’s place with Buck. By the time Poppy was three, a pretty ring had sat on your finger. By five, the young girl had a baby brother. 

“Your parents spoil Poppy.”

“You say that like you didn’t crawl into her crib during her afternoon naps.” You deadpanned towards your husband. Buck had the nerve to sheepishly grin, “You give in each time she says ‘pwetty pwease’ for a cookie.”

“It’s a crime to make her sad!” Buck defended himself, but a grin of amusement threatened his act, “Besides, you crack each time too!”

“Mhm. Just wait until Theo can talk.” You pressed a kiss to the sleeping infant strapped into the baby carrier. Theodore Robert Buckley could fall asleep in a thunderstorm if he was in Buck’s arms.

“Oh! Maddie wants to have Poppy over for a play date. Madster’s been begging for her cousin to have a sleepover.”

Maddie and Chimney’s daughter was only a few months younger than your daughter, but the two were thick as thieves. Buck had referred to the Han daughter as Madster with how similar her mannerisms were to her mother.

“Think they’d take the rascal?”

“Is this code for you wanting to have another?” Buck questioned with a twinkle of mischief in his blue eyes. The same blue Theo had inherited along with a birthmark like Buck’s on his bicep.

“I-” You choked, blinking furiously, “Evan, I pushed Theo out of my body barely three months ago!”

Buck inconspicuously winked in response with the sudden scream of excitement coming from Poppy. The rambunctious five-year-old ploughed into Buck’s legs full force. Falling into the practised ease, you’d unstrapped Theo from Buck’s chest and promptly had his tiny body stolen into his grandpa’s arms.

“There’s my boy.” Bobby cooed to the sleep drunk tiny infant. The little baby is crowded by his Gram Athena and Aunt May, “Gonna have to get you a Minnesota Wilds jersey.”

“Hell no. That boy is LA born and bred. He’ll be wearing a Kings jersey like the civilized.” Michael announced with the sudden arrival of Theo and Poppy’s Uncle Harry.

“Mommy? When are we going to Stralia?” Poppy inquired from right beside your leg. Her tiny handheld is the giant one of her dad.

“In a few weeks. Are you excited to see the mommy’s old friends again?”

“Hm. Can we see Dada?”

Buck may be Poppy’s father, but he’d never let Poppy go without knowing she had two fathers in all. Her first one waiting to meet here decades from the time she was born and solely referenced Lucas as Dada. Buck was grateful for the man who brought Poppy into existence; the little green-eyed tot Buck could never regret. Unlike Buck’s parents keeping his older brother’s existence a secret, the firefighter refused to follow in their footsteps. He’d continue to shower the late Lucas in gratitude and respect. He refused to make the same mistakes as Phillip and Margaret Buckley.

“Of course. C’mon Poppy, time to say goodbye.” Buck guided the little girl to the extended family showering her little brother with love. The little girl was quickly swung into Bobby’s arms, and Athena cooing at your infant son.

Changes. The six-letter word doesn’t have to be terrifying. It can be breathtaking, memorable and beautiful to experience. 

Tag List(s):  (PLEASE SEND AN INBOX TO BE ADDED! I CANNOT GUARANTEE YOU WILL BE ON THE LIST VIA POST COMMENTS!)

9-1-1 Taglist:

@julessbrown 

Julie and the Phantoms Taglist:

[snoopdoodle]

OMG!! Snoop, it was amazing! I’m a little sad that, I didn’t find about you until now. Your writing is so great! And are your request open or are you not taking request right now because of the collaborative. (It’s ok if there not)You can make a part 2 of Ranboo dad Reader. 🏳️‍🌈 Anarchy [I say this with all of my favorite authors, but if I’m bothering you tell me please tell me]

Ahh!! Anarchy the beloved!! Of course you can have a part 2!! The link for part 1 is right below !! Also, if I had spaced this out like I was taught in english, this would be hella long-

FIRST PART \\ THRID PART

--------

Dad, but not // pt. 2

platonic!ranboo x male!reader, platonic!benchtrio x male!reader

pronouns: he/him

summary: kinda angsty second part to my story

------------

You cackled in the background as your son was blown up by a creeper. Your laugh was contagious as Tubbo started laughing with you. You slapped your knee from laughing so much. Tubbo tried to stand up, but he fell, which made you all laugh harder. “Don’t get an aneurysm, dad,” Ranboo told, and this just made you suffocate more. “Holy sh-i-i-i-t, hehe..” you spoke between laughter. “‘Don’t get an aneurysm’- heh-HEH” You tried to quote, but it just turned into a coughing/laughing fit. You groaned as your throat felt sore. “Dad, please don’t die,” Your son worried, and you pat his shoulder. “Not dying any time soon,” You started, your smile kind of turning forced.

You’d yet to tell the boys, Ranboo and his friends, that you would be leaving soon. You were happy and upset. You were only in England to do work. You could rent out a place here and leave it to one of your English friends who works in England as well. Maybe you could just buy a house here… no that would cost too much- “DAD! Are you ok? You’re zoning out.” Ranboo asked. You hadn’t realized it yet, but you had been ignoring Ranboo speaking to you. When Tubbo tried, you didn’t even reply. The both of them and chat had started to get worried. Ranboo ended up grabbing your shoulders and shaking them a few times.

“Y-yeah, I-I-I’m ok boys, I think I need to sit down for a second,” you informed. Now they were even more worried. You sat down on the couch and put your face in your hands. You had a killer headache. ‘I’m overworking myself.’ you thought, annoyed. You had asked your boss for a break multiple times, but he hadn’t responded. You thought about it for another second before deciding. You would skip a few days of work, hang out with the boys, then you would tell them. Or you’d tell them, then have your fun day…. days. Telling them after seems better. “Alrighty, I think we’re gonna end stream now, folks! Have a good day, bye!” Ranboo spoke. That was what snapped you out of your ideas.

Ranboo turned to you and sadly smiled. “You doing ok, pops?” He asked, He rarely used that name for you. Of course, you felt bad. You stood up, ignoring the sharp pain that came to your head. “Don’t worry about be kiddo… and I’m sorry for making you worry. I was thinking of stuff,” You answered, smiling as you felt Ranboo un-tense and lean into the hug. Tubbo huffed and walked into the hug as well. You moved your arm so it was wrapped around both of the boys. “By the way, Tubbo, do you have any Tylenol… or Aspirin?” You asked, ruining the mood, but making the 2 laugh.

“Yeah, we do. I’ll go get you some,” He spoke as he left the hug. Ranboo let go so Tubbo could get you some meds for your headache. Ranboo smiled, asking you s question. “So, what were you thinking of that had you so…” He stopped, as he couldn’t think of the word. “Disassociated?” You replied, “Yeah, I was thinking we could do something together. Me, you, Tommy, Tubbo, and maybe someone else if you want to invite someone.” You informed. Ranboo’s smile widened and he nodded his head. “Y-yeah! That sounds awesome!” He grinned. He hadn’t taken off his mask or glasses, but you could feel the happiness radiating off him.

“Ok, ok, kid. Let me get it planned, alright?” You spoke, chuckling. You had ford a smile onto your face as Tubbo came back into the room. He handed you the meds and a glass of water. You nodded a silent ‘ thank you ‘ to him. Ranboo grabbed Tubbo’s hand and dragged him to watch a movie. “You coming, dad?” he asked, you shook your head no and pointed to your phone and he gave a look of understanding. You walked outside and took note of the stormy clouds. You dialed the number and gave a smile when she answered. “Hey, Kristin,” you greeted into the phone. You smiled as she gave a polite hello back. “I need to ask you something,” you started. “Hm?” She hummed. You could hear her cooking in the background.

“I have to tell the boys that I’m goin’ back home soo, and I don’t know how..” You ranted, frowning into the phone. You heard a creak and turned around. The door was open. “Hm?” You questioned. You closed that door, didn’t you? Oh well. You walked back to the door and shut it firmly. “Well, I’d say you just flat out tell them. You should see how they take it, and then do something with them,” You laughed into the phone and shook your head. “That was my plan already!” You exclaimed with a grin. She laughed into the phone and you could hear her tap the counter. “Well I say you just go with your plan,” She told you. You grinned and nodded.

“Alrighty then, have a good day, Kristin,” you chuckled. “You too, [Name],” She told before hanging up. You held the phone, taking a deep breath. You walked back to the door, opening it softly and stepping inside. You could hear the thunder roar from outside so you were lucky to make it in soon enough. You walked through the halls. You heard a sniff and you stopped. “Hello?” You asked before stepping into the living room. Ranboo tuned to you and you could see his puffy eyes. “Are you really going back home soon?” He asked. Your eyes went wide and you sighed, putting your head down. You nodded to him and he sniffed again.

You walked back to the boy and pat his back. Tubbo sighed and put his head down, starting to tear up as well. He enjoyed having you here as much as Ranboo did. “I-Is that why you wanted to have a fun day?” He questioned and you nodded. “I was actually thinking of how I could stay longer.” Ranboo and Tubbo’s eyes widened as they listened to your explanation. “I want to stay longer, I really do kid. My company had only paid the hotel for the 2-week stay I have, so I couldn’t stay longer than that,” You told them with a frown. You sighed again and put your head into your arms.

“I’m sorry. Let’s just have a fun day together. You can invite that Tommy kid, if your parents’ll allow it Tubbo,” You sadly chuckled. Ranboo and Tubbo smiled at how you were trying to make things better. Ranboo called Tommy as Tubbo called his parents. Tubbo and Tommy’s parents agreed, so he walked on over. You all decided to have a sleepover-type thing. Tommy would stay over for the next 4 days that you are over. You all would stream, cook, vlog, and watch a couple movies. This should be fun. The first day you all hung out, you decided to do a cooking stream. You made a great bowl of pasta… besides the fact that Tommy spilled the sauce multiple times and Ranboo dropped the pasta noodles, breaking them into bits.

The second day, You all streamed a ‘you laugh, you lose’ stream. You didn’t laugh once, although you were very close. People had found it funny when you clapped to the song “Two Trucks” on beat. Ranboo’s hand had flown to his mouth, Tubbo had busted out laughing, and it took Tommy a seconds since he didn’t know what the song was. Chat had busted out laughing, and you only knew to do that because of how many times you had heard it from Ranboo. The other funny part was when someone donated a clip from the song “WAP”, and you had sung it word for word. Yeah… you successfully made the boys lose 2 lives… each.

On the third day, you all didn’t stream, but instead watched a movie. You decided to watch the Toy Story saga. All of you cried since you are all children. On the fourth day, you all went to a Halloween store that had opened early and vlogged there. It was all fun and games… till you all got kicked out cause, out of surprise and fear, you punched (and broke) one of the animatronics. The vlog was about 20 minutes long, so you thought it was pretty successful. Although, in the end, since you had run out of footage, you decided to do some small clips of you telling stories from America before your met Ranboo’s family.

And then you had the last day, today. Tomorrow you’d be going home. It was about 2 in the morning as you layed down. Captain America was playing in the background as the boys slept. Ranboo was cuddled up to your side, as was Tubbo. Tommy, however, was resting on the other side of the couch. Earlier in the night, he claimed that he didn’t need affection, but you knew he just didn’t want to get ‘picked on’ by Ranboo and Tubbo. You smiled as the boys shifted in their hold. Yeah, you’d miss them like hell. But hey, you just had the best 5 days of your life and, honest;y, you think you might be coming back soon.

[nice-bright-colors]

Saturday Sunny Afternoon Mode:

Just woke up from a nap. It was glorious.

So the shitty week ended on Friday with some good news and relief, until Friday night.

Jack was sick 4 times overnight and that wasn’t fun at all. We’ve isolated food allergies, took away both his CBD and THC oils, eliminated the bison lung treats, etc. So tonight we are going to get rid of his thyroid medication.

Ironically, this same medicine now has a sticker on it about “now formulated and FDA approved for once daily”….yet the prescription remains every 12 hours.

Basically we’ve been poisoning our dog with double the thyroid med that he needs. So yeah, Good Times.

In other news….

Last night she got us some onion rings and corn dogs for dinner. I lasted all of 6 days, and finally broke down and had a couple of beers. After the week I’ve we’ve had, I we wanted something stronger, alas she even refrained from buying some of her beloved bourbon barrel aged wine that she loves. So, once I get paid on those invoices you know where I’m going.

Gearing up for some more travel this week, back to the land of America’s most famous, yet mediocre chocolate company. This time going back through Detroit to Baltimore and a wee bit of a drive. Funny how flights and car rentals are much cheaper about 1.5 hours south of where I need to be.

I can save about $500 between airfare and Hertz going to Baltimore instead of Harrisburg. If I get a hotel room with a kitchen for longer stays, I can save another $175. If I limit the amount of alcohol in airports and on planes, I can save even more. These trips are costing me on average between $1400 and $1900 for a 4-5 day excursion. I bet you can imagine what that’s doing to my credit card, especially when I don’t get reimbursed in a timely manner.

Anyhoo….I’m awake now, so back to my list of things to do on this wonderfully Sunny Saturday Afternoon.