#and probably a clearer pattern of white knighting and putting Ed on a pedestal

[darkfire359]

I do think it’s actually pretty interesting to think about how OFMD would read differently if Ed were a woman. But I don’t think Izzy is the one who would come out looking worse—if anything, his overprotectiveness and concerns about Ed looking weak on a ship full of pirates might come off as MORE justified. And with Blackbeard’s legacy then being something more unique, Izzy’s fear of Ed giving that up to play housewife might at least be more understandable.

But *Stede* would look like a total asshole. Abandoning his wife and kids because he’s gay and he never wanted that kind of life is sympathetic. Just going off to cheat with a newer, more exciting woman absolutely is NOT. And Stede’s pattern of ignoring his partners’ preferences and doing what he thinks is best would come off as misogyny instead of general obliviousness.

#izzy hands #not tagging other characters since this is related to current Izzy discourse #I don’t think Izzy would actually be in the right even in this AU to be clear #lots of ‘she’s not like other girls’ vibes towards Ed probably #and probably a clearer pattern of white knighting and putting Ed on a pedestal #but violating Ed’s personal space would not be one of his flaws #Ed touches Izzy repeatedly in the series #usually violently #but I think the face touch is actually the only time Izzy touches Ed? #anyway exploring these dynamics are probably part of why I wrote that omega!Ed/beta!Izzy + alpha!Stede fic #that and loving to watch Izzy’s head explode whenever he thinks about Ed being a bottom #Ed domming Izzy into having to top is peak Blackhands IMO #getting off topic now though…