"Edward. Put on your coat kiddo, we're going out," Edward Elric Sr. called up the stairs. He smiled as his 5-year-old son poked his head out of his room to look sleepily at his father.
"It's 6 in the morning Dada. Where are we going so early?"
"I'm taking you over to the general's house. I've got a meeting and your mom's replacing some guy's leg."
"So we're going to Uncle Roy's? Ok, but do we have to go now? I'm sleepy."
"Yes, we have to go now. The meeting's in half an hour, so hurry up and get dressed."
After the usual struggle to get a toddler dressed and fed, even a genius toddler, father and son left home, heading toward General Roy Mustang's house. Despite Mustang being Edward's superior, the 2 were fast friends, their relationship based on insults and mutual respect. They exchanged barbs so freely, that a casual observer would think they hated each other, which couldn't be further from the truth.
Quickly arriving at Mustang's house, Ed knocked on the door. It opened to reveal Riza Hawkeye Mustang, Roy's wife. The blond woman smiled when she saw who was standing on the stoop.
"Hello Edward. Come on in," Riza said, standing aside to let them enter. "Roy is upstairs, trying to get Ray up. He stayed awake all night reading."
"Sounds familiar," Ed Sr. said, chuckling. "I have the same problem with this guy. Never stops reading."
"Hey! What's wrong with that?" Ed Jr. said indigently. "I like to read!"
The toddler's tirade was cut short by 2 pairs of footsteps coming down the stairs. Everyone looked up to see Roy Mustang and his 6-year-old son Ray enter the room. Ray Mustang had his father's good looks, with dark eyes and Mustang's trademark smirk. But where Roy's hair was jet-black, Ray's currently mussed hair was a mix of black and blond streaks.
"Well, if it isn't my 2 of my 3 favorite blonds," Mustang said. "You're here earlier than I expected Fullmetal. You need to tell me how you get your kid up and dressed so easily. Ray might as well be glued to his bed in the morning."
After some small talk, Mustang and Edward left for work, and Riza guided the kids into the kitchen for some breakfast. As she was scrambling eggs, the kids occupied themselves playing with the Mustangs' dog Black Hayate. The black and white mutt loved to give them rides on his back, despite being 14-years-old, which is pretty old for a dog.

Ed sighed in frustration. He had just been informed that his train to Risenbol would be delayed for 2 hours. Another annoyance in a very annoying day. He had just finished an assignment that was nothing but a boring pain in the butt, it had been raining since yesterday, and now his train was late. It had been the longest day in his life, and he just wanted to get home to his wife and son.

He glanced out the station window. The rain had finally stopped. Edward decided to take a walk around to un-cramp his legs and kill some time. The town he was in was fairly small, but picturesque. The streets were a little muddy, alright a lot muddy, but Ed didn't care.

"Stop! Stop you little thief! Get back here!"

Ed looked up in surprise. A young boy was running away from a fruit vendor's stall, clutching a bunch of apples. The merchant was yelling angrily, just starting to give chase. As the boy ran by, Edward reached out and grabbed his arm.

"No! No, let me go!" the boy cried. "Please let me go!"

"Not a chance," Ed said, leading the boy back to the stall. "You're going to return those apples you stole."

As the boy reluctantly gave back the apples and apologized to the vendor, Ed noticed how thin the boy was. His stomach was shrunken, showing that he was starving, and his clothes were tattered and dirty. It was obvious the boy lived on the streets. His dark brown skin and reddish eyes showed an Isbalian descent. He looked about 7 years old.

Edward bought 2 apples from the merchant, then walked away, leading the boy to the train station. They sat down on a bench, and Ed gave the boy one of the apples, which was quickly devoured.

"You shouldn't steal," Ed said. "It's wrong."

"I know," the boy said, looking down guiltily. "But I was really hungry and I don't have any money. I didn't know what else to do."

"Where are your parents? Don't they feed you?"

"Don't got parents. They're dead," the boy said casually. "I never even knew them."

"I'm sorry to hear that. My name's Edward. What's yours?"

"I'm Justin. Thank you for buying me an apple Mr. Edward."

"You're welcome Justin," Ed said, handing him the second apple.

Just then, the train pulled into the station. Ed stood up and stretched, thinking. He didn't want to leave the boy on the streets, but he wasn't sure how his wife Winry would react if he brought him home. He glanced at Justin, who was busy eating the second apple. He nodded to himself as he came to a decision.

"Well Justin, since you don't have anyone to take care of you," he began. "Why don't you stay with me and my family for awhile? My house is much more comfortable than some alley."

Justin looked up, surprise evident in his eyes. "Really mister? I can stay with you?"

"Sure you can," Ed assured him, grinning. "I have a son a little younger than you. I know he'd love the company. There aren't many kids close to his age where we live."

Justin grinned broadly and Ed smiled back. He picked up his bag and ushered Justin onto the train and to a seat. The train soon pulled away from the station, heading to Risenbol.

Justin was ecstatic, watching the scenery fly by. He had never been on a train before. He glanced at Edward out of the corner of his eye. He never had a home before either. Justin idly wondered what it would be like to have a family. He remembered watching other children with their parents. They had always looked so happy, tugging on their parents hands to get them to buy something.

The ride to Risenbol was a long one, and soon Justin fell asleep. Ed grinned as he covered the boy curled up on the seat with his jacket. He hoped Winry wouldn't get to mad at him. Justin needed a home and a family, and Edward wanted to be sure he got one. He remembered how hard it had been to grow up as an orphan. At least he had his brother and Winry, and even Roy Mustang had been like a father to him. Justin didn't have anyone.