Hello dear! If it's not too much of a trouble could I Ask you to write a headcanon for takasugi (my love❤️)with a pregnant s/o.like how would he react to the announce of the pregnancy and how would he act toward his s/o during her pregnancy and the moment of birth.
PS: I'm really loving your writing ❤️
Takasugi as a Father
literally what I'd expect his expression to be like upon finding out he'd become a father. just look at his eyes, he is so devoid of life, I LOVE IT.
Surprisingly enough (not really, I am a simp), I’m one of those people who see potential in Father!Takasugi (this sounds like he is a priest, ngl). He is someone who had a rough family life and while he didn’t exactly have the most positive family experience, it’s because of this fact that he will try his best to be a decent father. I have soooo much to say about it, this won't exactly be a headcanon post nor a scripted imagine, just the ramblings of someone with a severe Takasugi obsession. Anyways, let’s dive right in!
WARNINGS: Does get a bit NSFW towards the end, other than that it's mostly fluffiness and wholesomeness with a splash of angst. Wouldn't be my work if it didn't have either LMAO.
When his S/O announces her pregnancy to him:
I would imagine him staring blankly in disbelief at her for a bit, not saying a word. Somehow Takasugi isn’t a big fan of contraception and unless his S/O acts on her own (going on the pill), he is not someone who would consider condoms at all. Because of how contraception isn’t in his mind at all, Takasugi doesn’t even consider pregnancy as a potential outcome, yes, he thinks about everything too much but when it comes to this one thing, he can be a bit of a dumbass.
Once the initial shock of the news would be over, he would probably start pacing around the room. His instinct would be to smoke his kiseru but looking at his S/O, he’d stop, considering how smoking would be bad for the child. While holding his unlit kiseru in his hand, that's when he’d actually start thinking about what a baby actually meant. Questions like, would he have to give everything up, would he have to change his entire lifestyle around it, was this all for nothing, would start circling around in his brain.
Doubt, doubt, doubt and more doubt. If asked what was more important to him, you and the baby or his cause, he’d be conflicted and that’s something that would scare him more than anything, considering how hesitation can make or break a man in war. He always thought of his goals and ambitions as the most important thing to him.Besides, (most likely) the relationship between the two of you wasn’t that official either.
I would imagine his S/O to be a Kiheitai member, one brave enough to go out of her way to seek him out. Takasugi wouldn’t have lots of free time to spare on romance, especially outside of his ship and therefore I see Kiheitai member S/O as the one true possibility (except of like sleeping with a hooker although he wouldn’t get to hear about a child if it happened). Most likely their relationship begun because Takasugi felt like he had an ally in that person. He’d discuss more and more things with them about their cause basically, until one thing brought another and he slept with her. He wouldn’t actively acknowledge the nature of their relationship but he would go to her whenever he had the chance. Stressed? He’d visit her. Bad day? He’d visit her. Spare time? He’d visit her. His S/O would be his one getaway on the ship and while he’d neither call her his girlfriend nor would he profess his love to her, Takasugi wouldn’t invest so much into someone unless he felt strongly about them. Despite his reckless and dangerous nature, he is quite stable and loyal when it comes to whom he gives his heart to. So yeah because of that, his S/O is the person he casually shares his most profound thoughts with, spends most time with outside of work and the person he sleeps with. Such a person can't be considered anything as silly as a girlfriend.
Back to Takasugi's illegitimate child, upon hearing the news, he'd start questioning your relationship for the first time. Perhaps you weren't another confidant to him, perhaps you were someone important, a person he could even go as far as to start calling his family now on. And so, while he'd still be scared of the pregnancy and what it brought to the table, he'd actually start viewing it in a more positive light. A family. His own family. Although Takasugi is the kind of person to go on and on about how he had nothing left to protect and how he'd pretty much like to destroy it all, behind this cold exterior of his lies the face of a man who is desperate to find meaning, something, someone to protect. Yes, his pain and hatred motivates him to keep on going, drives his every move and all that jazz, but that's only because what was most important to him got taken away from him. As they say, a man with nothing to lose is a dangerous man but for once, he could have something to protect. Yes, a family with you would serve as a second chance to him, a chance to protect what was important to him, to redeem himself and perhaps, an actual chance at happiness.
While thinking about all these things, I can see guilt taking over him. How can he protect you when he couldn't protect his teacher all these years back? How could a man like him be worthy of such a thing? He didn't even have the right to be happy; in his eyes, even if he blamed Gintoki, he was the one who was the guiltiest of them all. Living a shameless life with a woman and a child, was this really okay?
Another thing to consider about Father!Takasugi (make this the canon way of calling Takasugi with a kid, please) is the fact that Takasugi is a very traditional man, in my opinion. He is someone who upholds traditions in his own way. He smokes, yet he smokes a kiseru. He plays music, yet he plays the shamisen. Even when looking at his clothes, wearing yukata and haori is a traditional way of dressing. A family wouldn't be his first (or second or even third for that matter) priority, but it's quite literally there, it's in his DNA to want to have a family. He wouldn't plan it but he'd be lying if he said he had never EVER consider it.
At this point, you'd spent minutes if not hours in silence while awaiting an answer. Once he stood in front of you, you'd reach out to him, making him stop walking around. Grabbing his hand, you'd place it on top of your belly. Doing so would actually make him land back to reality, considering how he was taking the matter quite literally in his own hands. Hesitantly, he'd rub his hand against your stomach, as if he was trying to feel the baby. You were no more than a few weeks in the pregnancy and so your belly was as flat as it gets, it'd be impossible for him to feel a thing. Still, as he looked at his own hand on your belly, you couldn't help but notice his expression softening. This was his child, a life he was responsible of creating for once, rather than destroying.
Temporarily, his worries and doubts would get washed away, as a very faint but soft smile would creep up onto his lips. Considering how he wouldn't be able to find the right words to say, his expression would speak up for him. He'd look at you and your belly in a very endearing manner for quite some time and thus, while he wouldn't verbally express his joy, you'd realize his intentions. The two of you, soon to be three, would become a family.
During the pregnancy:
This is actually the trickiest part for me to write about. Where would you and the baby stay? Would you continue being on board with him and assist him in his Kiheitai activities, or would you be sent far away to a place only he'd know about? That's actually debatable. If he were to send you away, yes, you would be away from all the danger that came with being a Kiheitai member, but you'd also be more vulnerable to external dangers. Say an enemy of Takasugi had his eyes on you, then he could use you against Takasugi to get back at him. Yes, being on board and travelling through space as if nothing had changed was more than dangerous but by keeping you close to him, Takasugi would be able to protect you himself, at the very least.
Because of that, I think you'd still participate in your every day Kiheitai activities, he'd just make sure you didn't overextend yourself. I believe that someone who would date Takasugi would be quite fiesty in a way and so I don't see them settling for being sent away either. He could try to talk you out of it, even order you to abstain from certain activities but part of him would appreciate the fact that you are staying true to your cause. It would make him feel like hey, maybe we can do both. And well he'd be lying if that didn't make his heart flutter a bit, Takasugi is still human after all.
Reluctantly, he'd let you participate and continue your life as it was before, at least until your pregnancy would progress further. I doubt that Takasugi would show his worried side to you, but I can see him ordering Bansai and the others to keep an eye on you. All of the emotional turmoil would happen inside of him, he'd never show you that weaker side of his, but secretly, he would worry, a lot.
I feel like because of that, he'd be reluctant to spend a lot of time with you. I can see him withdrawing quite a bit, throwing himself into work in order to avoid one on one moments between the two of you. Surely, he would be there, he would be around you and yes, you would see him on a daily basis, he'd just be more distant than usual. The whole situation would be tough on him and he'd feel overwhelmed at times. He'd be even quieter than usual and would probably visit you only in the night when you'd be too tired for chit chat.
If you were still awake, he'd probably just sit with you? Like how cats sit next to people to keep them company, I can see him being in the same room just barely interacting with you. In my mind, you can't tell me that Takasugi wouldn't play the shamisen for you two. Bansai would jokingly tell him all about how beneficial music is to a pregnant woman and the development of the baby. At the time, Takasugi wouldn't take him seriously but he'd most certainly attempt it. (Bansai would die from laughter if he knew istg)
On the other hand, if you happened to be asleep during his visits, I feel like that'd be when he'd show his softest side. I'm talking about him either watching over you with a smile on his face (NOT IN A CREEPY WAY) or even perhaps him getting into bed with you, at least for a bit. I can see Takasugi placing his hand on your belly to feel the baby, or even going as far to hold you against him for a while. No one could see him, no one could tell what he was doing and so that's when he'd feel most comfortable to show his affection. I don't think he'd actually stay with you in order to sleep with you, it'd more or less be him looking at you, appreciating what was his, while silently promising to protect the two of you. At times, you'd shift in your sleep, mumbling his name without even being aware of his presence. The sound of his name on your lips would always make him happy and in that time, he'd hold onto you tighter than before. However, this is Takasugi we are talking about. He'd always be gone before you wake up, oftentimes making you wonder whether he had ever been there or if it was just a dream.
Speaking of sleeping and dreaming and all that, here comes the question of whether he'd actually have sex with you during your pregnancy. I think that the answer to that would be yesn't. Considering how he'd keep his distance from you, the chances of you being intimate would dramatically reduce. He'd be too hesitant to initiate anything, in fear of actually hurting the baby. Only if you actually asked him for it, would he actually give in and get sexual with you. He'd be extra careful at all times though, and while I do see Takasugi as a person who is too prideful to not be dom, he'd let you settle the pace of things. His favorite position with pregnant you would definitely be cowgirl, as he'd be able to enjoy the sight of you while making sure he wouldn't crush you with his weight. Takasugi is also the kind of little shit who would put his hands on your belly while doing it, thinking to himself heh, I made this with a huuuuuuuuuge smirk on his face. He is also the kind of little shit to brag in his mind about how he would become a father before Gintoki, taking pride in it. So when he smiles at you in such a devious way while you are doing it, don't even question it, don't even ask.
Another way in which Takasugi would show his affection towards pregnant you, would be by leaving you small gifts. I feel like he'd care for you and the baby in a practical way so expect him to leave food at your door. Yes, he would consider yakult to be food and he would insist on you having a stash of your own. Plus it's probiotic so it must be good, right? Right??
Lastly, Takasugi would start being more careful. He wouldn't become a househusband, don't get me wrong, but he wouldn't put himself in unnecessary danger. Even if he was hurt, he wouldn't show it in front of you, he'd do his best to appear unharmed as he wouldn't want to worry you. Although he wouldn't admit to it, he'd start taking more care of himself and wouldn't be as reckless as before, for the sake of you and the baby. Ultimately his cause would bring him to the point of no return, he was aware of that. However selfishly, he'd want to postpone that just a bit longer, until he could at least see his child.
During birth:
I'm willing to bet that he wouldn't be there. Even if he wasn't busy, he wouldn't be able to handle being there for you. He wouldn't know what to say, what to do, how to act at all for that matter. I can see him reverting back to his initial reaction, when he had first become aware of your pregnancy. He'd either walk up and down in his room while smoking, or he would absentmindedly stare into the horizon while once again, smoking ( this is where I should mention that Takasugi would never smoke in front of you during your pregnancy). Bansai would be the one to inform him it was happening, Bansai would be the one to actually check up on you and the baby, Bansai would be the one to report to him once it was done. Takasugi wouldn't say a thing, he'd basically spend the entire day of the birth inside his head, worries and doubts making him question everything all over again.
Once he realized that what was done was done, he'd actually come see you either during the night, or the next day, depending on how long it'd take him to get his shit together. He'd look as if he'd been through a war and in sense, he had, considering the one he fought was his actual self. His eyes would have dark circles and his steps would be slow and careful as he'd enter the room. He'd be able to see you holding onto something, someone, and so that's when it dawned on him that this was it. His child, his spawn, the very thing he had created.
Upon noticing him, you'd smile up at him, obviously exhausted from the birth, all the while beckoning him to come closer. Hesitantly, he would comply, walking up to you in silence until his eyes landed on that child and that was it for him. This was literally the moment the great Takasugi Shinsuke broke. You may think that I'm being overdramatic but nope, the second Takasugi looked at his own child, all of his worries would disappear once and for all most likely. The baby would take after him mostly, his eyes, hair color, even the way it pouted resembled a younger Takasugi. It wouldn't matter if it was a boy or a girl, Takasugi would 100% fall for his kid, regardless of the gender. Looking at the baby, his usual apathetic expression would fade in an instant, utter adoration replacing his indifference. Even when he spent all this time avoiding you, hiding his own feelings, in front of this small creature he was as defenseless as your baby was.
Noticing his reaction, you'd feel relieved for sure. Although you tried not to show it, during his time of ghosting you, a big part of you questioned whether he actually wanted this, whether he actually wanted you. Seeing him like this, would fill you with happiness while the two of you would probably think about the same thing. Now we are an actual family.
Takasugi wouldn't really pick up the baby in his arms, he'd be so taken aback by how much the baby resembled him, yet how fragile and small it looked, that he would probably be scared of breaking it. You'd be the one to ask him to pick it up, an experience that he wouldn't be ready for at first. Hesitantly, he'd reach his hand towards the baby and the baby would instinctively grab onto one of his fingers. A wide eyed Takasugi would look between you and the baby frantically, unable to hide his grinning face ( I'm telling you, it would take him a while to get there but he'd be beyond enamored with everything his child did) as you'd chuckle at his expression. You had never seen him as shocked or confused or even happy before and the sight of him being so taken aback was hilarious. Plus, it made him look all the more endearing and lovable.
Perhaps that would be when Takasugi would start grasping the irony of the whole situation. All this time that he had spent on pointlessly worrying over each and every possible danger, had only brought him to this moment; smiling like a fool because a baby had touched his finger. Not just any baby, his baby. Chuckling alongside with you, he brought his other hand onto your shoulder, pressing against it softly while letting the baby hold onto his finger. Repeating the same promise he'd made to you that day when you were sleeping, he'd squeeze onto you tighter. He would protect the two of you no matter what. Even if the world came to an end, even if he succeeded in destroying everything, even when it was literally impossible, he'd still find a way, he'd protect you till the end.
Bonus: Raising a child:
Remember all the aforementioned enamorment and adoration for his child? Yeah, all of that would go away the second he'd realize how dirty and noisy babies were. No matter how much he loved his child, he would never be able to handle all that. Even if he had nothing to do, even when there was no work to be done, he'd run off to Bansai, who would 100% tease him about it. Takasugi would create obligations and work that needed to be done out of thin air, just so that he could justify his actions. Of course he wasn't bailing on his child, of course he was really busy, of course there was work to be done and of course everyone knew how full of shit he was. Would he openly show his panic and disdain? Hell no. Would it still be obvious to the Kihetai members and you? Hell yeah.
And so, Takasugi would be gone for the most part of his baby's early life. Even when he showed up, he wouldn't be affectionate at all, he'd just stare at it from afar. If you asked him whether he wanted to cradle the baby in his arms, he'd say NO in a very defensive manner before storming off, going on and on about how there was too much work for him to take care of.
Still, he would be around enough to hear his baby's first words, see his baby's first steps and pretty much first everything. Each time, his face would light up with pride but he'd still be hesitant to openly show his affections towards his kid. At best, he'd caress its head softly, make sure he'd have the baby's back while walking and maybe if he felt particularly brave, would try to feed it. (FOR THE LAST TIME TAKASUGI, YAKULT IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR A BABY) Although it'd seem as if you were raising your child alone, he'd always be there but also not there if that makes sense. Plus, you were never really alone, the rest of the crew was actually also quite infatuated with your kid. Matako would go on and on about how much the child looked like Shinsuke sama, Takeshi ( if it was a girl) would talk about how in a few years it would grow up to be a heartbreaker, and Bansai would attempt to play music for the young kid. No, even if Takasugi wasn't always there, you never felt alone and the child would actually grow up in a very loving environment, even when some would argue that being raised by terrorists was far from loving and safe.
Once the kid would grow up a bit, that's when Takasugi would actually begin showing up more and more. He'd take it upon himself to bestow all of his values and ideals onto the child, even when it couldn't understand half of what he said. Expect him to lecture the child for hours, even going as far as to confide his future plans and strategies to it. Whether it was a girl or a boy, Takasugi would also be very particular about teaching his child how to fight, making it into a young warrior. In a way, he'd do his best to make sure that the child would grow up with the same bushido code he did, the one that his teacher taught him all those years ago. He'd never admit it but by doing so, he felt as if he paid tribute to Shouyou sensei, repenting for his sins even in the slightest while keeping a part of him alive.
Overall, Takasugi would be kind of strict while raising his child, however he'd put so much thought and care into its upbringing that there was no doubt, he loved his child more than anything in this world. Everyone would admire his dedication and composure, until he'd come across Gintoki or one of the other Joui 4 members.
Speaking of Gintoki, he would tease the shit out of Takasugi the second he'd meet his child. "I sure hope he/she grows taller than you, Takasugi.", "Such a cute kid, thank God he/she took after his/her mother." , "Are you sure you are the father, Takasugi? Or did you kidnap this poor soul." Uncle Gintoki -as the child would call him- would be relentless with Takasugi and thus he'd try his best to hide the child's existence (at least from Gintoki) for as long as posible.
Part of me wanted to end this post here but I could never possible end it without including the way Takasugi's offspring would treat him. I think there will be no opposition here, Takasugi's child would absolutely love his/her father. (let's just use their for the sake of consistency) Condidering how the primary parental figure in their life would be their mother, the child would be overjoyed whenever their father paid attention to them. Expect the child to casually run up to Takasugi calling him daddy, throwing their small hands around his waist in an attempt to hug him, while he is dying on the inside. He wouldn't return their affections in a physical way, but I can see him warming up enough to them in order to pat their head playfully. Either way, I'd expect his child to do their best to impress him and match up to his standards, absorbing all information he'd give them and so it wouldn't take long until they'd become a mini Takasugi, just less moody and more joyful (yet equally as adorable).
A final thing I'd like to expand upon is how his relationship with his S/O would change after the birth of their kid. It would take some time for their relationship to go back to what it used to be before the pregnancy, at least until the baby would turn into a toddler. Once Takasugi found it easier to be in the presence of his child, he'd begin to spend more time with his S/O as well. However this time, certain things would be different. He'd actually be way softer than before, as in something in the way he'd look at her would change. She wasn't just some Kiheitai member, just another ally or confidant or even lover, she was the mother of his child. Even if he dreaded the whole situation at first, he was thankful for you and the life the two of you had created together, and so expect his kisses to be more loving, his touch more gentle and to actually feel loved when the two of you get intimate.
Speaking of which, I highly doubt that Takasugi would begin taking contraception, so in other words, yeah, the whole thing was a fiasco, he learned nothing and this was all a waste. Although maybe, just maybe, he would do it on purpose this time? Is this where Takasugi actually develops a new kink? Is this were Takasugi's baby fever begins and wants to plant more babies into your belly? He'd absolutely deny all of it, it's preposterous, nothing but lies and deceptions. If that is the case though then why does he insist on pumping you full with his cum? Hmm? No answers? Thought so.
You would definitely catch on to his intentions and while you wouldn't shame him about it, you'd tease him, especially after every time your kid would call him daddy/father. Imagine teasingly using these two words on him in the bedroom. I'd imagine lots of scoffs, disrespectful looks, eye rolling but also, him going harder at it than before.
TO CONCLUDE THIS MONSTER OF A POST, yes, Takasugi as a father could happen. Probably would, if he had an active sexual relationship with someone. What's more important though is that he could make a pretty good father! I'd love to see Takasugi the terrorist having a family on board while the rest of the Kiheitai members are the godfathers and godmothers to his spawn(s). Sounds wacky for sure but also kinda perfect. Uncle Bansai, auntie Matako, and uncle Lolic- I mean Takeshi would be the perfect trio.
Thank you anon for the request, I had tons of fun brainstorming and not surstromming (which is a type of canned fish, I'm not even sure why I wanted to share this info) for this particular concept. Hopefully you enjoyed the ramblings of this dedicated Simpsuke and will continue doing so in the future. I appreciate your support and I wish you all the best!