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Ranboo had been loving his time in England. He'd been there for a week already, and he still had a week left.
Techno had planned his visit so it was at the same time as Ranboo's, therefore the two could meet up with Wilbur, Tommy, Tubbo and Phil and basically break the internet.
Of course, they didn't just ignore their other British companions, having a catch up with Jack, George and Ponk (sorry if I forget anyone it's late).
However, when Ranboo woke up that morning, he had to admit he felt like shit. He had been silently dealing with an upset stomach for the past few days, and it just seemed to get worse.
But, he didn't exactly want to tell anyone. He wasn't the type of guy to be open with issues like this, unlike Tommy.
So when the dull ache progressed into twisting cramps, the best he could do was sip some sprite and hope for the best.
The plan for today was for the 6 of them to spend some time in Brighton, more specifically, the arcades.
Tubbo was the most insistent, and they couldn't exactly deny him. The arcades were fun, plus Techno wanted to show the others how good he was at the claw machines.
So, they began walking around at around 11. Since it wasn't half term and was just a random Tuesday, it wasn't busy.
Ranboo was thankful for his long legs, as he wasn't sure he'd be able to keep up with their pace without them, he was really struggling.
Nobody questioned the fact he was wearing his mask, but the teen did so to hide his pained face. The only giveaway would be his eyes, slightly shielded by his hair.
Once they got to the arcades, Ranboo found himself keeping one hand in his jacket pocket, just so he could put pressure on his stomach.
He also found himself leaning on the wall, or whoever he was stood with for support. Nobody seemed to notice.
That was until he found himself leaning on Phil.
"You feeling okay Ranboo? You've been quiet all morning." Phil asked, not taking his eyes off what he was doing.
"I guess I'm just tired." Ranboo said. He wasn't lying, the amount of fun they'd been having had been quite exhausting.
"You sure that's it? You feel pretty warm, even through my jacket mate."
The younger male sighed and gave a childlike groan, indicating Phil's accusations were correct.
The father figure sighed, finishing with his game then leading the lad over to somewhere quiet.
Ranboo leant against the wall, sliding down until he reached the floor.
"What's up then?" Phil asked again, sitting down beside him.
"My stomach has been pretty messed up the past few days. But it hasn't been this bad yet." He explained quietly, pulling one leg up to rest his head on.
"What kinda messed up?" Phil questioned, knowing it was personal. However, when you are pretty much the temporary parent, you have to pry.
"Like...messed up? Had really bad cramps all day." Once again, the teen was very private about this stuff.
Phil sighed gently, understanding the fact this would be difficult. However before he could get anymore questions out, they were joined by another.
"You're not well, are you?" Wilbur asked, crouching in front of the pair.
Ranboo shook his head, crossing his arms tightly. He really wasn't feeling well now.
"He's having stomach problems." Phil spoke for him, gently rubbing his back.
Wilbur nodded in understanding. "Tubbo told me you didn't touch breakfast. Thought you might've caught something."
Speaking of which, Tubbo, Tommy and Techno were completely oblivious, focussed on trying to win the most plushies or get the most tickets.
Ranboo continued to put pressure on his stomach, but then released, thinking the pain might fade a little.
Oh boy was he wrong.
The teen bit his lip and held back a yelp, comparing what he just felt to the worst pain he'd ever experienced.
"Yeah okay that's not healthy." Wilbur commented as Phil helped the lad sit up. They weren't blind, they could see the tears on his cheeks.
"You just focus on your breathing, it's okay." Phil soothed, patting his back again.
By now, Tommy had noticed the others had scurried off, and was now searching with Techno and Tubbo behind him.
Tubbo didn't know how he should feel when he saw his best friend, he had never been good in these situations.
"He's alright pal, right Phil?" Tommy asked, rubbing Tubbo's shoulder. It appeared as thought he was only comforting the older boy, but he was also doing it for himself.
"Not too sure about that one Tommy, we'll get him checked out." Wilbur piped up, as Phil just worked on keeping the sick lad calm.
"What like, the hospital?" Tubbo questioned. Once again, he had never really been good in situations like this.
"Maybe, seems like it'd be easier." Phil said, letting Ranboo lean on him after his breathing had calmed and the initial shock had passed.
"Someone should probably call his mom, ask if he's had any past with this stuff." Techno piped up, unable to stop himself rocking on his heels
"Good call." Wilbur praised, as Phil held his phone up. The second oldest of the group took it, the contact already there.
"Why can't we just ask Ranboo?" Tubbo asked, feeling a lot calmer now.
"People say things when they are in pain that sometimes aren't truthful. Plus, chances are your parents know more about your health than you."
Tubbo nodded. Phil was right, he knew that.
Ranboo combed his hat back with his hand, straightening up a little. "I think I'm good."
Everyone seemed to have a shocked expression. I mean, wouldn't you?
"Really?" Tommy asked, his voice about 4 octaves higher than usual to emphasise how much he didn't believe what was just said.
Ranboo nodded, beginning to stand up. Phil couldn't exactly stop him, and instead just stood up with him.
"Are you sure you're good?" Phil asked, looking up as he was suddenly towered over.
"I'm sure. It was probably just one of those muscle cramps." He brushed off, clearing his throat.
Ranboo mentally cringed. He had caused a scene over the stupidest thing, and that was the best excuse he had?
Still, after a few more moments of explanation and Wilbur talking to the boy's now panicked mother, the group were back on the move.
Phil kept an even more watchful eye on him, and Wilbur just tried to move on. He didn't want to push into anything.
Still, Ranboo knew that wouldn't be the end of it, and soon he found himself biting his lip and applying pressure again.
He didn't stop walking though, even as his pace began to slow down. It was only by a fraction, however with every step it seemed as though the cramp tightened.
Eventually, he found himself stopping, half leaning on the wall, screwing his eyes shut, breathing deeply and hugging his stomach tightly.
It definitely did not go unnoticed, and the lad was immediately joined by Phil.
"I don't think this is just a muscle cramp is it?" He asked, only getting a slight nod in response.
"Hey Will, can you find us a bench? If not we can go back to the car." Phil asked, mostly as a way to keep the others occupied.
I mean it worked, the 4 of them immediately went off in search for a bench.
"I don't know why it keeps happening." Ranboo quietly said to Phil, his voice broken and shaking.
Phil nodded, rubbing the boy's back. "I know, best thing is to get it checked out, alright?"
Ranboo had to agree. He didn't think this was healthy.
Soon, they were joined by Tubbo, who had seemingly jogged over, as he was panting.
"Found a bench!" He announced, looking at the two as he was ready to take them.
After a few seconds, they began to make their way over. Techno was sat on the floor with his back to the table, playing with the stones he was sat upon.
Tommy was idly scrolling through his phone, and Wilbur appeared to be messaging someone.
Ranboo sat down slowly, continuing to keep the pressure on his stomach to avoid the same pain he experienced earlier.
"Your mum says you've never had this before, so I'm guessing your appendix is fucked." Wilbur said, laying his phone on the table.
"Is that the thing when you need surgery?" Tubbo asked, sitting beside Ranboo and tracing on the table.
"Well recently, hospitals have been able to treat it with antibiotics if it isn't too inflamed." Techno chimed in, continuing to shift the rocks.
"Well maybe they can do that then." Tommy said hopefully, the sounds of tik tok coming from his phone.
"Hospital it is then, I'll go get the car." Wilbur said as he stood, knowing Phil wouldn't be too keen on leaving right now.
"Thanks Will, appreciate it." Phil thanked, rubbing Ranboo's back as he crouched beside him.
It wasn't long before the 6 of them climbed into the car they'd rented, and were on the motorway towards the hospital.
"How much is it gonna cost?" Ranboo asked, tugging on his seatbelt and he struggled to sit still.
"We're in England pal, not your shitty America. Big man Bojo hasn't sold the NHS yet so it's free." Tommy reminded.
Ranboo managed to get some signal on his phone and called his mum, telling her the plan (although Phil had beat him to it) and her opinions on the matter.
He couldn't deny it, he was scared. Being in a foreign country with an organ that could potentially be removed, thousands away from his parents and with friends he only knew over the internet.
The lad had to stop himself shedding a few tears, he wasn't the type to be homesick.
"Don't worry, if it's like Techno said then you should just be able to have some tablets." Tubbo reassured, playing BitLife.
Ranboo nodded a little, closing his eyes as the journey continued.
He was awoken by the light shaking of his shoulder, and opened his eyes.
"We're here." Phil repeated, stood outside the car and in front of the door.
Ranboo unbuckled his seatbelt and got out, as just he and Phil headed towards A&E.
It wasn't too busy today, and Phil went to speak to the woman at the desk as the teen sat down.
Since he was under 18, they were seated in the children's area. He couldn't help but notice the room was definitely catered to a younger audience, further emphasised by CBeebies playing on the TV.
Still, Ranboo had to admit he was distracted, even after Phil sat beside him. Now all they had to do was wait.
Ranboo perked up around 20 minutes later when his name was called, both he and Phil looking in the direction.
The nurse gestured for them to follow, and they did, entering the small examination room.
Long story short, his appendix was too inflamed to just be left to its own devices, and with parental consent Ranboo was put under and the nuisance was removed.
Due to the simplicity of the procedure and complexity of the situation, he was discharged an hour or so after he woke, leaning heavily on Phil.
Wilbur had made the decision to take Tommy, Techno and Tubbo back to his place, and then return later on to pick Phil and Ranboo up.
On the way back, he stopped off at the local McDonald's, seeing as nobody could be arsed to cook.
And put simply, that was the end of it. Ranboo would just have to take it easy for the next few weeks, occasionally have some painkillers and watch what he was eating while he recovered.
Went back home with one less organ...still it was a good story to tell on stream.