#theres characters i can just chew on to think about how complex they may really be

[oleander-neruim]

As much as I'm sure Mark Jennings would like to believe otherwise, I'd like to think he's a lot more affected by death then he ever let on. Not in a way that debilitates him, but in a way that at least makes him more paranoid. Especially when it comes to people he actually does care about. Namely I'd imagine Bryon & Ponyboy. Through his defensiveness of them and in his sheer panic if he sees them beat to a pulp.

I'd fully believe he was the type to have night terrors after the deaths of his parents. To the point he'd wake up in the middle of the night and would probably often watch Bryon sleeping to make sure he was still breathing.

It'd never be anything he'd outwardly show easily or maybe not even realize himself. But that is also such a massive way he trusts or loves and for a guy who maybe liked two or three people tops, that trust being shot point blank (deserved or not) has to feel like a train crashing into him.

[cordiibus]

HEADCANON. Akar’s Autism. 

 It’s been a while since I had decided that Akar was on the Autism spectrum. Though I didn’t make a grand, official announcement over it, I thought I shouldn’t have to. Akar’s character isn’t just his Autism, being much more than that I didn’t want it to seem like that is what his whole character’s focus was on. But it is still a vital part of who he is and shouldn’t be hidden away by saying that its not his whole focus. So, I did want to create a more descriptive headcanons over how his Autism is and works for him. Some things will be more towards his human verse while others are for his main ( vampire ) one. However, in all verses he is Autistic. Though this list is not complete, I created some and hopefully as I keep educating myself and learning more will come or changes will be made. If theres anything I’m missing or you feel like I should include or fix please feel free to tell me ! I want to make sure Im writing him the best way I am !  

( Human Verse ) Akar was diagnose with Autism when he was adopted by Daichi, which was around the age of five. There was telling signs that he was autistic, however wasn’t taken care of because of the poor environment of the Foster Care System. 

( Main Verse ) Daichi was able to diagnose him within a few months of meeting him. However, he hadn’t known the name for it since there was no name for it in his own language as well as in the human languages. 

Akar is slow to give responses or will not give a response at all. This is because Akar also has Hyperlexia, which is characterized by child’s precocious ability to read above their age level. However, it also reflects back on his difficulty with verbal languages.

The way he speaks is very slow and often comes out blunt or mean. This is very much not intentional and he wouldn’t understand why someone would react in a way because of something he said. Though he is learning to think before he says, sometimes he cannot catch it because it just blurts out without him realizing it. But his words are not always blunt or mean, he says whatever comes to his mind and often they are very kind and truthful/helpful things.

He has always had an interest in literature and has grown to love writing as well. He is not the best at math what so ever, actually did very bad in his math classes, but he can talk about his favorite books all day if he wanted to. Also will might criticize someone for liking a book that he did not enjoy that much, however that is only with books he very very much did not like.

It’s also easier for him to communicate through using literature and poetry ! He can express himself a little bit better that sort of way. Often he uses black out poetry to express himself. Though makes copy of the pages he wishes to use and not write directly in the book. 

Things he does collect: Different types of teas and books. Doesn’t matter if he like them or not he will collect them regardless.

Akar has a need to always have mental simulation. This brings up his consistent need to count everything (despite his dislike towards math, counting is relatively easier to do for him). He will count the number of books on the shelves, number of people walking in, number of steps he takes to certain locations, etc.  

Stimming is another form to always have mental simulation. One of Akar’s more physical stims is him rubbing his wrist. He will do this quite often and also sometimes does it too roughly causing him to have some marks on his wrist. Sometimes he also rocks on his heels, though that is usually when he is thinking really hard about a certain thing someone said to him. When Akar is happy though his stim is different ! Instead he would flick his fingers.   

Because of the lack of eye contact that Akar usually gives others, he tends to not recognize other people even if he has met them before. He would most likely not realize it is someone he has met before and therefore may not respond at all if they call out to them. He will pick up different patterns though about that person ( whether their hands doing certain things, the way they say a certain word, etc.) and recognize them that way.

Akar does have some sensory issues as well both color brightness, light sensitivity, sounds, and textures (clothing). Color brightness, he doesn’t like “highlighter” colors and tends to dress in more neutral or darken tones and brighter lights tend to make him more distressed and so he prefers darker or dimmed settings. Often he will also wear sunglasses if he goes outside or keep them on inside if the place is too bright. Certain sounds are distressful for him, anything high pitched or loud like screeching brakes or metal music -- as well as the sound of people chewing. The textures of clothing that bother Akar are: velvet and denim. But also fabrics that are more lighter, airy fabrics bother him as well.  

He had trouble reading emotions and picking up small social cues such as sarcasm. He does learn over time though, more small things like when a person shows a smile, it usually means theyre happy. But since people are complex and smile even when theyre sad, it makes it more confusing for Akar. He does learn over time and has picked up patterns in some things, like sarcasm how their voice carries the words differently. But often its still tricky. 

He loves loves loves TIGHT/PRESSURED TOUCHES. Shake his hand firmly and he will be drawn to you more. Of course, this is if he lets you touch him. Akar won’t let any stranger touch him and will jerk away or avoid any sort of touches. However, once you become someone he regularly sees, he will be more open to it -- however any lighter touches would be met with the same reaction. He likes pressure in his touches, nothing light. 

Change is very difficult for him. Akar works within a fixed schedule and only has planned extra minutes for certain “free” time. Often if one schedule is already messed up, then he has a back up one. However, if theres a consistency of this happening then it could cause a meltdown from Akar. As well as change in how things are placed -- and OCD addition to his autism. If someone constantly is moving his plates he will grow more irritated and possibly lash out on the person. 

His meltdowns are very angry meltdowns, however never towards anyone but his own self. He knows when hes going to have one and immediately will run into his room. They’re not the prettiest ways of having them, often shouting or head banging against a specific wall. His meltdowns don’t happen often at all, it its a build of many many overwhelming factors happening at once.