/AN

So, since there's the apparent time paradox going on, who wants me to toss in kid America and kid Japan just for kicks? And if there's anyone else I haven't mentioned (so no Spain, France, Holy Rome, Hungary, or Austria. Sorry!) that you want to show up for Ed to take care of, tell me and I'll add them in.

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!
AN/

Winry's reaction to seeing the two young Italians was predictable. "Awwww," she cried, hugging them. "Aren't you two just the cutest little things I've ever seen!"

"Winry, please don't hurt them," Edward sighed, but he couldn't help smiling at her reaction.

"I'm Feliciano Vargas, and this is my older brother Lovino," Feliciano said, returning Winry's hug. Edward realized he hadn't asked for their last names and made a mental note of their last names for later.

"I'm Winry Rockbell," Winry introduced herself, patting Feliciano on the head. She turned to Edward and asked, "Why didn't you tell me you were going to be taking care of them?"

"Because, quite frankly, I didn't know until I entered the Colonel's office and got hit with a tomato," Edward replied, which was the full and complete truth. Edward noted that Lovino seemed strangely silent, which is the exact opposite of what he was like up until they got to Resembool. Upon closer inspection, he realized that Lovino was actually blushing.

Edward thought it was strange, but was interrupted by Granny Pinako calling from the kitchen, "Well, I hope they like pasta, because I made plenty."

"Yay!" Feliciano cheered when she heard they were having pasta. She ran over to the table and pulled out a picture, adding something to it, before running over to Edward and giving it to him. "This is for you," she said.

Edward took it and looked down. He was expecting a kid's drawing, so seeing the sign on the back of his jacket in amazing detail was the last thing he expected. It wasn't blacked out, either. The cross looked 3D and appeared to be made of bronze and the snake looked real enough to actually be sitting on the cross. The wings and crown above were also given exquisite detail. You could see every feather of the wing and a jewel encrusted in the crown.

Feliciano had definitely blown Edward's mind in the art department. It made him wonder what Feliciano might be able to do with alchemy were Feliciano able to successfully learn it.

He realized Feliciano was still looking at him. Edward looked back at Feliciano and smiled, saying, "This is amazing. Thank you."

Feliciano looked really happy and ran back over to where she set down her art supplies. Winry walked over and stared. "Feliciano drew this?" she asked, examining at the intricate design of the snake's scales.

"It appears so," Edward muttered. "I didn't think a kid could do something of this caliber."

It was like she, too, could read Edward's thoughts. "You're not teaching them alchemy."

"Who said I was thinking anything of the kind?" Edward retorted.

"I know you," Winry stated.

Their conversation was interrupted by Granny Pinako yelling, "Dinner."

Feliciano cheered again and ran for the dining room. Two seats had been added to the table with books piled on them so Feliciano and Lovino could reach the table. Alphonse was just finishing setting the table.

Everyone started eating, and Edward showed Alphonse the picture Feliciano gave him. "I'm not sure where she learned how to draw like this, but it's amazing for someone as young as she is," Edward muttered.

Alphonse nodded, looking over the picture. "If this is what she could do now, it makes me want to see what she could draw when she's fully grown."

It wasn't until they were almost finished eating that Feliciano asked, "Where are we going to be sleeping?"

"I've got a spare room you can use," Pinako stated. "I'll go and get it set once we're done. Just make sure you two don't stay up late or you're going to be tired tomorrow. Ed and Al travel a lot, so you're going to be constantly moving."

Edward wasn't positive, but it seemed like Pinako answered an unasked question the two had on their minds. The rest of dinner was gone and while Winry and Feliciano cleaned dishes, Pinako, Edward, and Alphonse set out blankets and pillows in the bedroom Feliciano and Lovino would have for the night. Lovino followed them, eating another tomato.

Pinako told him where the location of the bathroom and their own bedrooms were in case they needed something. Not long after they had finished making the beds and cleaning the mattresses, Winry came up carrying a sleeping Feliciano.

"Poor thing fell asleep once we were done," she whispered, placing Feliciano on one of the beds and tucking her in.

Edward just noticed this fact, but he realized that Lovino and Feliciano looked to be about as tall as Pinako, slightly taller with the hats they wore, but he knew now he had seen someone as small as them. He was also mentally kicking himself for not realizing the fact sooner.

Winry kneeled down in front of Lovino and said, "You get some rest too, all right?"

Lovino was blushing again, but he nodded. The Elrics and Rockbells left the room, closing the door behind them softly as to not wake the sleeping Feliciano and went back downstairs to chat a bit.

xxx

Feliciano woke up a little while later. It appeared to be the middle of the night, but he couldn't be sure. Feliciano looked over at the other bed and saw Lovino sitting there. He jumped out of his own temporary bed and went over to Lovino's, snuggling close to him. "So what do you think everyone else is doing?" Feliciano asked.

"I couldn't care less about those bastards," Lovino muttered.

"Romano, they've been taking care of us," Feliciano said, hoping no one else was awake to hear him use his brother's country name.

Lovino looked at Feliciano and said, "Yea, they did, Veneziano, but then they dumped us off here claiming they'll come back. You know what that is? Abandonment."

"It's not! Holy Rome was the one that told them we'd be safe here," Feliciano told him. "And Big Brother France shouldn't know we're here either. We should be safe."

"Well, we'll see about that," Lovino muttered, curling up to go to sleep. He didn't react when Feliciano curled up next to him instead of going back to his own bed as the two fell asleep.

/AN

Yes, they mistake Feliciano for a girl. Not uncommon, though, and if you saw Little Italy before he grew up, you'd probably mistake him for a girl also.

And I loved writing the end part where Feliciano and Lovino talked to each other. But did anyone hear them…?

R&R Please!

AN/