A head canon fact: She translates problems and emotions into numbers and science she can understand; she tells stories with it, she goes to sleep to it, she comforts herself with it. For so long all she had was her own mind to keep her sane and company, that even back in her own world with people she loves, it’s easier to translate the world into science or numbers, because it’s something she understands.
My gender bend: I assume this means who’d I’d cast if she was male? Okay, so I thought a lot about this and honestly, I’m still not sure. But, I’m going with Paul Wesley (ignoring age/timing) because I think he could pull off the highs and lows, the victim and victor, and the insanity/need for vengeance. And just the normal woman man pulled into the world of the strange. Alll the things that make Fred Fred. as far as I know this has nothing to do with all the Stefan/Steroline talk.