They *could* help each other heal but they never learned how to start

Izzy having a Different (but still similar) trauma, knowing Ed because of their parallels but not actually having been there, Ed seeing those similarities too & both of them knowing how to push each others buttons without ever talking about why they know how

Ground down to dust, treated worse than a dog, knows he's got daddy issues & imagines old Horni while admitting it

(the Torment Nexus was with Hornigold ofc)

My personal headcanon is Izzy wasn't even there for the worst of the Young Ed Torment Nexus, but Jack was

💜🫂

Yeah like I just didn't buy that they would've been tricked + I have personal issues with the idea that arguably the greatest pirate in history, who happens to be a WOC, loses like that on a show that elevated an irrelevant white plantation owner to hero status.

This vibe, until Izzy gets himself back under control

🤝

That's basically the same sky as what I've got, just a solid wall of Nahrora

Stede still not *quite* letting go of the fantasies he's built up around what life could be, not *quite* being able to run towards a messier but profoundly more satisfying reality, is such a tasty idea

The gravy basket theory is so fun, & honestly if they ever brought it back & retconned the finale I wouldn't be mad (not just for EdIzzy reasons, I'm bigger mad about Zheng's fleet)

(Hope you enjoy it! 2nd fic ends on a non cliffhanger note)

Yeah half the reason I wrote "first light" was so I could give Ed some community & eventually a second chance with Izzy, & that's replaced any spiraling I might otherwise have with Ed's arc post s2

Ok but i do agree with this lol