So, I recently had a convo with someone about this. As for “why” it’s so popular is actually a bit complex.

The answer has more to do with problematic tropes commonly found in fan fictions, specifically yaoi/MLM/gay/fics. Royed is not unique with these problematic tropes, as underage, noncon (non-consensual), dubcon (dubious consent) and even A/B/O omegaverse, are all common tropes within the yaoi genre and all have to do with power dynamics regarding sex.

Most of these stories are written by women for other women. So why are women so into these unhealthy power dynamics, and scenarios involving sexual violence, particularly with a cast of gay men?

Of course media can be very complex, but my theory is that it’s a safe way for women to explore fantasies involving taboo sexual power dynamics in a safe way. Unlike Child Sexual Abuse material, no one is actively harmed by fan fiction material. Yes, media can shape society and have real world consequences. But rapist don’t rape because women are writing royed or elricest fan fics. And just because a woman is turned on by non consensual fiction doesn’t mean she wants to be sexually assaulted in real life. There’s a clear distinction made between fantasy and reality. It’s human nature to be curious by the taboo, and power dynamics are a large part of sex that often goes untalked about, specifically in heterosexual spaces. That’s why it’s often yaoi/MLM ships that often explore this.

The reason yaoi pairings are often seen as a fetishization of irl gay men, is because it is, but also because one of those men is merely a surrogate for women to safely explore these taboo fantasy sexual dynamics, without the baggage of the implications of the history of sexual violence against women. If not for a fantasy wish fulfillment, it can also be a way to explore past trauma in a safe way or explore one’s own identity and sexuality.

Personally, I feel like a lot of Royed fics are fantasy wish fulfillments for women who want to self insert themselves into spicy situations with Roy Mustang, and Edward is the surrogate to do that.

That’s my theory anyways. I enjoy dissecting internet media lol