There are headcanons about Izzy Hands coming from wealth. And there are kid fics where Ed and Stede meet as kids. But I’m coming at you with the heart breaking idea that Izzy Hands came from wealth, AND he and Ed knew each other as kids.
This by the way is entirely inspired by @theorderofthetriad‘s post here and @favouritefi‘s kid Izzy and Ed art, specifically this one
Alright. Full idea under the cut!
Ed’s mum works for a big, rich family, the kind of family that has lots of beautiful things. And once or twice, Ed accompanies his mum to the estate, helping her carry stuff or just so she can keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn’t get into trouble.
This is where he meets Israel for the first time. He’s small and quiet and keeps out of his parent’s way. He’s only ever interacted with other kids like him, rich kids who are meant to be seen and not heard, and so he’s enamored with Ed who, when not around his father, is bright and loud. He sneaks Ed sweets and listens, enraptured, to stories about growing up at the docks.
One time Ed is there, Israel has a bruise on his cheek, angry and red, and one of the servant boys that Israel would sometimes exchange shy smiles and quiet conversations with has been dismissed. Ed doesn’t pry. He knows how this works.
And then one night Ed turns up under Israel’s bedroom window. It’s the middle of a storm, and he’s soaked, his eyes are wide, he’s shaking. He tells Israel he didn’t know where to go: He can’t go home anymore.
He killed his dad.
Israel lets him sleep in his room that night, and when Ed has finally fallen asleep he stays awake for a while longer, staring at him before finally tucking as close as he dared and falling asleep as well.
Ed hides out in Israel’s room for a few days longer, pondering on what he’s going to do next. One day, when Israel comes back from his lessons, Ed has packed up what little he had, and is ready to leave. He’s gonna work on a ship, he’s decided. It’ll be shitty at first, but one day he’s going to be someone worth something. A rich merchant, or a world renowned explorer, or a fierce captain. He ruffle’s Israel’s hair and climbs out of the window.
He’s just agreed to menial work on a ship for 2 shilling a week when he hears Israel yelling his name. Israel, bag slung over his shoulder, runs down the dock and insists on joining Edward. The boatswain Ed had been talking to just shrugs and adds him to the payroll, and no matter how often Ed tells him to go home, Israel is stubborn. He hates living at the Estate. And if Ed is going to be a fierce captain one day, he needs an equally fierce first mate.
And fuck, that would just be the first chapter. As they set sail Izzy would have to learn to live without the crutch of wealth, and proves himself to be downright feral when Ed is threatened. I can’t commit to another multi chapter fic guys, I’m already working on the role reversal fic, which I’ve deleted twice because I’m not happy with it!
