Title: Seeds
Fandom: Kamen Rider Gaim
Rating: PG
Length: 320 words
Content Notes: Some mention of the possible end of the world
Author Notes: Set during episode 36 of Gaim.
Summary: Takatora is trying to do things right this time.

Kazuraba isn't eating.

Takatora feels somewhat of an older brother's despair over a younger one's health, even if he and Kazuraba aren't in any way related. He knows what the belt can sometimes do to people, how their bodies get so used to the Fruit-turned-Lock Seeds that they can't get interested in normal food. Normally, the way to resolve it is to take the belt away. But he tried that, with Kazuraba and Kumon, and they weren't willing to let go no matter how much he tried to protect them from themselves.

Kazuraba has somehow gone from street rat and guinea pig to trusted friend and psuedo little brother, especially now that Takatora's own little brother has gone to join the enemy. It's what Takatora came to Drupers to talk about with him, but that has to wait. Kazuraba has to be fed first, to keep up his strength, and there's only one way to do it.

Even if it makes things worse, keeping Kazuraba alive is much more important than fixing his body's addiction to Lock Seeds. Besides, if all else fails, this is how Kazuraba's going to have to live anyway, filtering the alien fruits through his belt.

It gives Takatora some relief to know that he'll be able to protect someone he's almost adopted as kin, given he failed so hard with his own brother. He should have kept protecting Mitsuzane, not tried to bring him into his life. He can't help thinking that Mitsuzane would have been better off just remaining ignorant of what was going on, let him adopt Kazuraba as an older brother, be happier.

But all that is gone now, lost with his own bad life choices. He has to do better with Kazuraba now; he has to give him what he failed to give Mitsuzane. Encouragement. The chance to be what he wants to be.

It may save the world in the end.