#I already have one greek mythology inspired ranchers au that ive simultaniously put a lot of effort into and barely started. i cant do more

[basil-the-bulbasaur]

I think an animatic of the start of the song would be very logical plot wise, but in order to do the entire song you'd probably have to auificate it a bit, so i may have roughly outlined something that's not an odyssey au (i have not read it in years it would not be accurate even if that was my goal) but not not an odyssey au:

Tango, a well renowned engineer and architect is hired by king Ren to design and build a dungeon. Construction is going great when Tango feels a tugging in his mind, a soulbond (i have not decided if this is a normal thing or some sort of curse, but that doesn't matter because a WYFILWMA animatic would not include it). The pull continues to strengthen until it's all Tango can think of. He begs Ren to let him find his soulmate, construction can continue for a while without his oversight.

Following the tugging on his heart leads Tango to a small ranch and the prettiest man he's ever seen, Jimmy.

Jimmy welcomes him graciously. He doesn't have much but he can cook a fine meal and even for Tango to sleep in his bed (Tango infatuation status: doubled) (yes there was only one bed. i have zero regrets). Tango learns how to help Jimmy with the animals, and he already has the skills to help with repairs. When bandits come and steal their livestock and burn down their ranch, Tango does most of the rebuilding (I'm not sure how to do something different but as impactful as carving a bed out of a living olive tree so this is the stand in for now) (unsure if there is Tango rage moment or not).

Tango falls in love with the ranch just as much as he falls in love with Jimmy. He was known for falling asleep watching the ravagers at the dungeon and that softness has not left him, but their time is limited. Eventually a message from the king demands Tango's return. He slips Jimmy a ring as he kisses him goodbye. The dungeon should be finished in at most a few years. Tango will be back.

The construction goes remarkably smoothly. Tango's delighted to find they're ahead of schedule and sends Jimmy a letter telling him he'll be coming home soon. Tango will wear the clothes king Ren requested he wear for the unveiling ceremony (why does a Dungeon have a dramatic unveiling ceremony? unclear) and then he'll be free to return to his lover. Maybe he'll be called back occasionally to help with maintenance, but Tango's excited to live out a quiet domestic life with his rancher.

As it turns out, the magic used in the creation of the Dungeon granted it sentience. The ceremony finishes; Ren hands Tango his final payment, but the Dungeon refuses to let its creator go so easily. The floor opens up beneath Tango, sending him to the deepest level.

Suddenly the Dungeon Tango created is against him. It's not trying to kill him, but it's not going to let him go easily. The wardens and ravagers he raised and loved now block Tango's exit

The intense magic present in the Dungeon changes Tango. His hair and eyes turned a vibrant blue. The skulk grows on his clothes and covers the cape Ren gifted him. Finding the way out is not easy. Tango should know the labyrinthine construction like the back of his hand, but in the dark it seems to twist and turn on him, leaving him lost in his own creation. He's forced to kill many of his wardens and ravagers when they refuse to let him through, but eventually, Tango makes it out alive.

He is noticeably thinner under his robes, sustained only by the rare berry bushes and (Tango is horrified to admit) ravager meat. His body is covered in scars. Tango doesn't know how Ren reacted to his disappearance and he doesn't particularly care. He needs to go home.

Tango was not the only person who changed during their separation. When the town near their ranch needed a sheriff, Jimmy stepped up to the task. It was not easy maintaining the ranch and protecting the town, but the townspeople helped out where they could, and Tango would be coming home soon! The work would be manageable once he had his rancher back.

Months wore on without any further sign of Tango, but Jimmy refused to give up hope. The letter from the king was difficult to read, but they hadn't found a body. Tango is strong, it is his dungeon. If anyone could make it out it would be him.

The comments from his friends did not help Jimmy's confidence, but he wouldn't remove the ring around his finger. Not yet.

Jimmy stares into his soup, spoon still and eyes drifting shut after a long day of ranching and sheriffing, when he is startled into wakefulness by a knock on the door of the ranch.

He jumps up and opens the door to a familiar man with vibrant blue eyes.

"Jimmy."

"Is it you? Is it really you standing there?"

-----

And that's where I stop writing! Hopefully the plot outline gives you an idea of what the animatic would be like.

I have too many projects already. If anyone else wants to do anything with this they are welcome to

if someone made a "ranchers reunite on Empires" animatic for Would You Fall In Love With Me Again from EPIC I would love you forever