the problem is already solved.
the account was already secured. by a password 30 characters long randomly generated.
it was not at risk.
it only serves this purpose, its not my email account, so i never log into it, except when they break things in the name of "security".
because i never log into it, i had no idea app passwords was a thing that could be used; they don't show up as even existing until you have 2fa on, but why would I turn 2fa on and break my notifications, thus, creating a circle.
i have another account that is for arctual google services that doesn't use external apps, and all my google-fu failed to find any reference to app passwords. the first I heard of it was by chance in the feature request. once I knew that existed, i was able to find out that 2fa needs to be ON to even see it.
i know perfectly well how to read my email...