You know what, I'm gonna ask something bold. Countercurrent Tango is old right? Like mid 30's or around 40's and i wanna ask how things would change if Tango and Jimmy are the same age like mid 20's when they done the "scene" in the locker room? Would they be toxic or just a let out frustration from the game?
OHHHHH Anon this is a very interesting question!
Yes, Sticks Tango is 37 and Jimmy is 26. I did this on purpose because I really enjoy the age difference between the ranchers. I like playing with the "old man guilt" and Jimmy's ideals in a partner leading him to someone older. I even do this in MoE, though it's a tiny gap. In the world of college four years is a VERY big jump, especially when comparing undergrad to graduate school.
It really feels like a key component to the ranchers relationship. They're not really them without it, in some format.
BUT, I think if they were closer in age, unsportsmanlike Conduct would still play out the same. Why? because Tango um..doesn't know how old Jimmy is. He assumes they're closer in age than they are. So it's getting frustrations out for sure, but also Tango taking the lead when Jimmy is too overwhelmed to make the choices. If Tango were younger, I don't know if he would have values the same kind of things? he does now? if that makes sense? Like maybe he would have been rougher instead of soft. Maybe a little less praise? because even Tango's mean comments are laced with something sweet.
Sticks Tango is very softhearted. A lot of what he does is gentle in intention. I think that's just the way Tango is as a character, he leans heavily into the positive side of things when interacting with others. Though, with the backstory I'm setting up for Sticks Tango I think he would have been a lot more reckless had the ranchers met at a younger age (assuming Jimmy were close to to Tango's age that is).
RAH I hope this is making sense? I can't really say a lot about why Tango is the way he is because it will spoil part of the next fic. This is fun to think about though! like, age gap ranchers is kind of a must have for me as a ranchers author. Maybe I should play around with an au where they're the same age, see what happens....idk. could be fun!
Thanks anon! I hope this gave you the answer you were looking for? Xoxo