Disclaimer: I own nothing except for...a mechanical pencil that is out of lead. I need to figure something out.

Chapter Two

Legal Guardian

Roy didn't particularly like funerals. They represent death of friends, strangers, family members, and comrades. He didn't know what made him assist in carrying Edward's casket, but the only thing it spared him from was Winry's tearstained face at the sight. Most of the people from Resembool were there for the funeral, so the boys were allowed to come along and stand with Winry. Roy ignored the priest as he spoke about nonsense that neither Ed nor he ever believed in. He lowered the casket in the ground while staring at the military flag.

He went to Winry's side and smoothed his uniform sleeve as if to brush away invisible dirt. He watched as Al and Nelly were lowered into the earth, but there wasn't a funeral for Michael because his family asked for his remains to be burned and sent to them. They didn't even come to see how Ender was doing, and Roy would've punched them if they did anyways. He looked at Tim and Tom, who were unusually quite, but they had every reason to be.

"Roy, is Mommy and Daddy angels like the man said?" Tom asked. His wide green eyes stared up at the military general as if to ask for a lie instead of the truth. Roy picked up the boy and held him close as the tears finally hit his jacket. The one eyed man could've sworn he saw a 'thank you' in Winry's eyes, but he dismissed it as tears.

"They're angels and will always protect when you need it. No more crying because they want you to be happy," Roy said. He learned many years ago that he shouldn't allow death to crawl under his skin and break him. Everything he did involved death and funerals for comrades and friends. Maybe he was trying to tell himself that his friends were angels as well instead of just lying to a little boy.

Winry cried into Roy's chest as they sat on the chair together. The boys finally went to sleep after a lot of bribing and songs, and Winry couldn't keep it together anymore. She just broke down in his arms like the night of the murders. He didn't want to admit to the feeling in his chest that was alien at most to him and happened only around her.

"They left me like always. I once thought that when their bodies were normal, or at least Al's, they'd come home to stay. Al finally came back, but Ed didn't come home until Caitlyn brought him back! Only Ed left then, but he always came back! They both left me again, but this time, they're not coming back!" Winry cried. She gripped Roy's t-shirt as she stained it with her tears, and he just held her began that's what she needed now. "Roy, don't leave me, please. Promise me." Roy froze and thought about his options.

"Winry, that's not my decision. The higher ups control me," Roy said. He felt her grip on his shirt tighten out of anger, and at that moment, he regretted mentioning the military.

"Why are you their dog? Are you a puppet?" Winry demanded, looking up from his shirt. Her blue eyes looked into his only dark eye, and he wanted to kiss away the tears that were falling. All of a sudden, his will power disappeared, and he gently kissed the tears away. Winry didn't push him away, so that was a good sign.

"I'll try to get stationed here. Don't cry anymore. It hurts me when you cry," Roy whispered. Winry curled up in his arms as she slowly drifted off to sleep. When he was sure she was out, Roy carried her back to her room to put her on the bed. "Goodnight, Winry." He brushed away some of the annoying blonde hair in front of her face and tucked her in. He turned to leave, but a hand grabbed his wrist.

"Stay, please," Winry mumbled in her half-awake state. Roy looked at her and knew the wrist wasn't about to let up. He stripped down to his boxers and left his t-shirt on before getting into the bed beside her. "Goodnight, Roy." Winry placed her head against his chest, and he swore the whole world could hear his racing heart.

Roy held Winry's hand underneath the table as the social worker talked with them and told them that Al and Nelly made Winry the godparent while Ender's was one of two people. Roy was the one, and Michael was the other, so in the end, Roy was the only one still living. The worker told them how they were now the children's legal guardians but adoption was an option.

"We'll take what we have. Thank you," Roy said. The worker nodded and quickly left as if to say that he was afraid of the Flame Alchemist. As soon as the door was closed, Winry laughed at the way he had looked. "Some people have no idea what it is like to walk into a building just for it to go silent." At that comment, Winry had to cover her mouth to keep from waking Ender from his nap.

"Did you receive any word from the higher ups yet?" Winry asked. Roy nodded and handed her the letter from his back pocket. She looked at him and then at the letter. Snatching it from his hand, she quickly read through it, and with every line, she smiled. "This is great!" Roy didn't expect her to jump, hug him, and make the chair fall back, but in the end, it worked well for him because he got to kiss her.

"I'll be getting my paperwork sent here and will be going the occasional mission, but I'll always come back," Roy promised. He laughed as Winry playfully smacked his arm while she got up. The baby was crying in the other room, and the twins were in the doorway, crying because they fell. "I'll get Ender." He didn't mind helping with skinned up knees, but he wanted to see Winry's funny glares.

A/n: Shorter than last time. Oh well. I'm trying to get Winry and Roy's relationship to develop, but I don't want to bring up the whole fact of Roy being Winry's parents' murderer. She's been through enough and has forgiven him. As for the adoption thingy, well, I don't know how it works. If any of you do, I could use the help. Next chapter won't be until I get my stupid butt working, so see ya til next time. – Lady Kagome0101