How the Disptach characters are with kids & as parents:
Based somewhat on my recent au of Robert being a single dad, but these can apply anywhere really. Might be a long post so apologies in advance - gonna introduce my hcs for Robert, BB, and Chase first, then I'll put the rest of the Z-Team.
We don't see him interact with kids during the game, but he has a very protective personality towards those younger/less experienced than him. Wrangling the Z-Team has prepared him well for dealing with an argumentative toddler. Plus he has to thank Chase for being the main source of positive parental care in his life. He vows not to make the same mistakes his dad did in raising him. I've joked before with mutuals that in an alternate reality, he'd likely be teaching computer literacy to kids.
The Mecha Man suit is kept FAR away from his kid. He will not risk the friendly fire that hurt him happening to his own. He'll even keep his superhero identity from them if he has to (maybe not forever, just until they get out of the blabbermouth phase). Will tease his kid on occasion, but will never push it too far. If anything happened to his child(ren), he'd kill everyone in Torrance then himself.
Is really good with kids... as Mandy. See, while Blonde Blazer is great at inspiring and saving children, she's not entirely confident in interacting with them beyond that. She's nervous that her increased strength could do some serious damage to a child even on accident. As Mandy though, she's delighted to play, hug, and play-fight to her heart's content. Ironically, this means a few of the SDN employees' kids that visit the facility or attend the on-site daycare, actually like Mandy more than Blonde Blazer. XD
The kind of parent to read a million books on the subject before even considering having a child. Child-proof locks on all the cabinet doors, safety covers on power sockets, the whole shebang. All before the kid comes into her life. She'd def be considered a "wet blanket" of a parent, but not without reason. The world is dangerous, and Mandy isn't going to let it hurt her whole new one.
Canonically the Best brother/uncle/grandpa figure in the entire game - having been Robert's main caretaker when Mecha Man Astral was on duty.
Applies the "I'd rather you do it with me in the room"-type of parenting when it comes to drinking or substance use. Lil Robert asks for a twinkie - Chase gets him a whole box. Lil Robert asks for booze or cigarettes - Chase tricks him into imbedding the harshest/worst kind so Lil Robert is less interested in them later.
Chase pretty much considers Robert his kid, though currently Beef has usurped that title. Chase has thought about having kids, but he figures whatever Robert's dumb-ass throws at him is enough. Plus he doesn't think he'll survive raising a another Robert the Third.
Gets along best with older kids since his megabat form freaks out younger ones. He is up-to-date on all the latest internet slang and trends. Kids either think he's the coolest guy ever, or a huge cringe loser. Has no idea what to do if he's given a baby.
If he ever became a parent; he'd flush all his drugs down the toilet, and try to go sober for their sake. Literally the goofiest dad ever. Though, he *will* teach his kids how to pirate things off the internet and crash any mmo stock market. Would introduce his child to the rest of the Z-Team like this:
Sonar, holding a newborn bat-hybrid: "Yup. It's a pretty fucked up looking dog."
(I don't know why, but I imagine Sonar's kid looking like a tiny Honduran white bat. He jokes that they're white from all the cocaine he snorted in the past. Hides them in his suit pocket most of the day.)
Canonically great with kids - he has a 100% success rate in retrieving a lost balloon for a crying kid, =mentions attending his niece's piano recital, and is a near-guaranteed success for the "judging school talent show" mission. The game literally gives him a buff for being great with kids.
Tries not to let it show to the rest of the Z-Team at first in fear of losing his macho credibility, only to drop the illusion one day while on patrol. A little kid had wandered off from their parents, and Flambae kept them calm by speaking gently, and carrying them on his shoulders. After the kid was reunited with their parents, Flambae was sure that the team was gonna roast him for it. They did - mostly about him using a goofy voice to make the kid laugh - but they were ultimately impressed by his natural parenting skills.
Flambae def keeps his home life and work life separate. Doesn't tell anyone at SDN if he has a kid. Can be a little strict and overprotective, but he's been working on his anger issues for a long time. He doesn't want to be the cause of any burns, physical or emotional. Teaches his kid(s) to never be ashamed of themselves or their powers.
His immediate family help in raising his kid(s) whether he likes it or not. Imagine a horde of doting Persian/Afghan family members treating Chad's kid(s) like royalty, while commenting on his odd costume choice + asking why he hasn't brought a nice girl home yet. ("I'm gay" "Why haven't you brought home a nice boy then?")
Bums a cigarette off a kid in the park in Episode 3, and has to evade a kid stalking her as part of a sabotage. Otherwise seems uninterested in kids. She doesn't *hate* them, but thinks they can be little jerks. Her upbringing among villains hasn't painted her view of youth very well. Thinks little kids are hilarious though, esp when they challenge her to hide-and-seek, and she pretends to lose.
Visi gives the vibe of someone who does not want kids rn, give her a decade or two to decide definitively. She's got some growing up to do, and a post-villainous life to sort out first.
He refuses to harm the juvenile pickpocket when sent to deal with them, claiming he just "can't hurt a kid". I feel like kids fall into two categories for him; "little shites" that make fun of him for his height and/or accent, or "ol' dotes" that can do no wrong.
I envision him as future dad to a whole scrummage of rowdy kids, with one lil angel as his youngest. They drive him mad, but aye, he loves them all the same. Takes them over to Ireland whenever possible to visit his Ma, and to get them familiar with their ancestral home.
Can canonically terrify kids into acting right, and apparently subs in for a Sunday School class during BB's cover of Robert's shift. Kids are either terrified of her, or think she's the coolest lady they've ever met.
She has more of a "cool aunt"-vibe, but I could see her performing demon mitosis one day and just having a mini-me running around causing havoc. Will set her lil demon on her enemies, and proudly brag about the mayhem they've caused.
Literal canon parent among the Z-Team if you let him adopt the Baby Kaiju. Has a big soft spot of animals and other monstrous beings, and you can bet little kids are included in that roster.
Despite his age, he's a lot more emotionally mature than a lot of the Z-Team, and takes to parenting like a duck to water. I feel like kids in general think he's cool af, even if Golem may tiptoe around them in fear of accidentally hurting them.
Is used to performing for older kids in concerts and interacting at meet-and-greets, but isn't well versed in one-to-one interaction anyone younger. Forgets to censor her language around kids, and will immediately backspace like; "Oh shit - Don't repeat that, okay?" Is really good at connecting to kids through music, and can turn any awkward moment into a song and dance performance.
Is quite happy being the favourite aunt of her teammate's kids. I feel if she ever became a parent; she'd have a single kid much later in life, after she's retired from hero-work but still producing music. Is the beautiful, glamorous mom who helps her little starlight shine as bright as they want to be. Even if her fame embarrasses them a little.
Phenomaman describes her as "scaring small children" by aura alone. She's quite protective of her friends and her younger teammates, and I def could see that extending to any children in her immediate circle. Otherwise, she just feels awkward around them. Her mysterious, violent past makes interacting with kids a foreign skill to her. She's learning though, for the sake of her new role. Coupe canonically loves ballet and fantasy, so I could see her bonding with kids through the arts. All it takes is a lil kid seeing her stretching her legs in a ballerina pose, and copying her, to forge that bond.
Coupe would only ever have a child if she truly felt safe and loved in her life. Her child deserves that much. Would be a force to be reckoned with if she's disobeyed or disrespected. Would casually encourage her children's more mischievous sides. If her kid ever gets in trouble at school for defending themselves or a classmate, she will loudly declare her pride in them to anyone who can hear. She will kill for her child(ren).
Earth children are so fragile, it scares him. He might sneeze too hard and disintegrate them (an exaggeration, but the fear is still there). However, becoming a hero means he's often approached by thankful and/or awestruck children who want to hug him or be lifted on his shoulders. Blonde Blazer taught him how to interact with earth children, and how not to intimidate them on accident. He still handles them like fine porcelain.
As a parent, he def the vibe of a dad who has a form of undiagnosed neurodivergence who encourages his child's special interests no matter how niche they are. He's the dad with a hobby/craft room (toy trains, figurines, old memorabilia, etc) that he only allows his closest family to see. The very second he becomes a dad, a flannel shirt materializes on his body.
Has been a Grandma's boy for so long, interacting as the older person is completely brand new to him. Has a lot more experience tending to and interacting with the elderly. Kids probably scare him since they make fun of his sogginess and social anxiety. First time a kid expresses their genuine awe or appreciation in him (whether as a bystander or as a hero), Herman just turns red and squeaks with shock.
Like Visi, he probably feels way too young to be a parent. He might have kids, but only in the far future. He needs to figure out a way to not have his powers always active first - or else diaper changing will be a nightmare.
Please let me know what you think!
