#i like the idea that linebeck fucks with his gender a bit like hes a man but also not

[waywardsalt]

i have planned to write a pseudo-essay or some kind of detailed look at linebeck in phantom hourglass and how he can be interpreted as autistic but thats not going very well right now so here are some autistic linebeck headcanons

He has low empathy and as such has a hard time responding very well to emotional situations, but he can take advantage of his lower empathy in situations where empathy could make things harder, like tending to wounds or rationally handling emotionally-charged situations

His coat is a comfort object and he made it specifically to act as a very slight accommodation; it’s heavy and barely lets any light through it, and he can keep all kinds of little things in pockets sewn into the inner lining, but larger objects do make it more uncomfortable to wear at times. It’s mostly good to carry around things to fidget or stim with and can be helpful in trying to recover from overwhelming sensory experiences

He doesn’t usually stim in public, but taps his fingers on tables quickly and tends to rhythmically snap his fingers when excited, and on his ship is more vocal and more willing to stim, even if around others. One of his main stims that he’ll do for no particular reason is that he’ll hold his arm or back of his wrist/hand up to his nose and mouth for the smell.

He masks frequently to please people. His default mask is that arrogant and brave front he puts up for islanders and other he may come across. Usually, if that mask doesn’t work, he tends to double-down because it usually works and, in his experience, dropping the mask has usually gone badly (non masking he’s rude and blunt but more outwardly excited about adventure and his ship and all of that, i consider it where overseas in the game is when he usually isn’t masking. this shifts his arc to be about him learning to stop masking and feel comfortable being himself)

His special interests could include stuff related to treasure hunting but it could really range from stuff about adventuring or the ocean or engineering (relating to his ship) to stuff not at all touched in the game like music. He really enjoys music, listening to it, playing it, and writing it. He also enjoys and is fascinated by shellfish.

When busy or otherwise occupied, he doesn't usually notice when he's hungry. He doesn't have as much of a problem noticing thirst or exhaustion, but feeling hunger is a problem for him, and often leads to him going a long time without eating. On the other hand, he doesn't mind eating the same thing repeatedly and is perfectly fine with blander foods, so handling food supplies for when he'll be overseas for a long time is easy for him.

He knows he's autistic, he's known for a pretty long time, and he has books on it; he also knows that Link is autistic, but doesn't say anything about it and instead waits until someone else tells him. Until (and after, I suppose) Link actually learns that he's autistic Linebeck just makes sure to keep note of what accommodations he might need and if there are any textures or tastes or smells he can't stand. He doesn't have much of a problem helping out during sensory overloads, even soon after meeting him. It's more out of understanding how it feels to not have your needs met and a sort of solidarity rather than actual friendship.

[waywardsalt]

quick sloppy post-ph damibeck thing point ive been thinking abt and want to share

at some point i want them to go on a sort of date and check out the marketplace and stores on an island thay’re checking out and while they’re separate from the other half of the crew find a clothing shop and decide to experiment with styles they arent used to trying, damien tries a lot of masculine clothing he doesnt usually bother with since he typically prioritizes comfort and practicality over looks while linebeck doesnt usually try anything new bc he really really likes what he has going on normally but out of curiosity and to satisfy an old aspiration decides to pick out and try on a dress and hes really nervous abt it at first but damien is encouraging and supportive and linebeck gets more used to it and less self conscious abt it and how it might not suit him and ends up having a good time trying on a few different dresses and showing them to damien, idk playing with the fabric and flapping it a bit and just enjoying trying out this whole now thing of clothes and finding that he feels just as good as he does with his normal stuff and even tho hes not confident enough to go out in a dress he n damien stick around for a bit and while they leave without buying anything linebeck keeps it in mind and idk man ive been thinking abt linebeck trying on dresses and having a really good time with it