ℤ𝕆zoツ

-

The closet doors are shut nice, tightly and gently; Lightyear is really determined to remain as quiet as possible. He turns the opposite way and immediately does his plastic body and face relax, a soft smile naturally shows itself.

Glowing lights shaped like stars from the night light Bonnie doesn’t use anymore guides the spaceman’s way, pass some books and to behind some hanged up clothing; his smile grows warmer at the sight of his lovely cowboy with the bundle of joy he’s cradling.

They’re both chilling inside a shoe box stuffed with cushioning and a thick blanket to keep the old ragdoll comfortable, even though he’s currently sitting up with his eyes glued on the new arrival wrapped up in his own poncho. Buzz just knows he’s aware of his presence despite this, but keeps his walking pace steady as to not disturb either of them.

“Hey, Woody.” His tone is more delicate than a whisper.

“Hey, Buzz.” So is his partner, still not looking away.

When was the last time they had a tranquil moment like this together?

The space ranger takes a stop as he kneels down by the side of the box, placing a gentle hand on Woody’s shoulder which finally brings those adoring brown eyes to someone else for a change. “Is he okay? And is your back okay?”

Woody can’t help but hum the tiniest giggle ever heard. “We’re the same as five minutes ago, Buzz - just fine.”

Reassurance leads him to shift his gaze down to the bundle resting in Woody’s arms. The small, plastic, human-like toy is comfortably nested within the red fabric; he goes from silently sucking on his own thumb to making little grunting noises while trying to sleep. It’s the cutest thing the two new parents have ever seen and Buzz can’t help bringing up a finger to ghostly rub against his son’s cheek.

“Evening, little mister.” He delicately greets the newborn, causing the latter to wriggle and open up his eyes.

Two innocent irises, one bright blue like Buzz’s and one chocolatey like Woody’s, stare right up at his dad in curiosity. A tiny hand makes a grabby motion at the same time and so of course the spaceman lowers his finger to be held by it. Woody meanwhile cannot smile any bigger, willing to lean forward and peck the other cheek sweetly which he eventually does; he’s lost count of how many times he’s done that already.

Barely a minute of personal family bonding goes by before the eased cowboy decides to bring up a question. “Do you think it’s time?”

“Hm? For what?”

“For him to meet the rest of his family.”

Buzz blinks back to focus. It’s not a bad idea per say, but it implies a certain action Woody must do to carry it out, and the spaceman feels a bit uncomfortable thinking about it. Plus there’s not much time to get everyone to come inside the closet themselves, as the girls will be back from dinner soon. There’s only one option he can go for right now.

“Then…” His voice rises a little. “How about I take him myself to show everyone.”

Woody unintentionally tightens his hold on the baby after witnessing Buzz reaching out for him. “But… I was the one who brought him into the world, so it’s more natural that I’m there with you.”

Before Lightyear can strengthen his argument, the cowboy has already started to balance himself while trying to stand up. The former watches every movement like a hawk, both Woody and their son, desperately hoping he won’t drop him, especially after witnessing a brief wobble.

“W-Wait.” Buzz stutters worriedly. “C-Can you walk?”

“It’s fine, I’m fine.” Woody reassures his nervous partner. “I’ve been through this kind of ache before.”

After steadily climbing out of the box with the newborn held closely to his chest - whom’s been cooing the whole time - he proceeds his way towards the doors at a moderate pace. Even if things are fine, Buzz spends a second shaking his head in frustration; Woody may have changed a lot over the years but his day one stubbornness still lingers in there.

No matter, he keeps up until he’s back by his side while making another gaze at their baby; the itty-bitty grin forming is enough to set Buzz at ease again.

-

Everyone left in the room has been minding their own business with small talk until the creaking of the closet catches their attention - Jessie especially.

The first thing they see is Buzz guiding Woody carefully, nothing new here, but the cowboy is soon noticed carrying something in his poncho - now all the toys are heavily intrigued.

Jessie was there when it happened, however, but she’s still super willing to see him again more clearly. “Hmm, is that who I think it is?” She asks teasingly.

“Wha- Who is it?” Rex questions, twiddling his claws.

“Whatcha got there, Woody?” Slinky further asks.

Those questions bring the couple to a halt. They’re both surprised that their friends haven’t picked up on it yet - or Jessie telling them - but at the same time, they did kinda rush to get Woody straight inside the closet once they got back. Two pleasant smiles are shared between them before they can say anything.

There’s no need to anyway, as the little bundle begins fidgeting due to the baby rubbing his own eyes and letting out a minor yawn. The toys hear it, stepping more closer to see what made that sound; and wouldn’t you know it, they mildly gasp.

“Wait…” Buttercup pauses in confusion. “Is that a…”

Woody hums in delight, taking a step forward too. “Yup, that’s right. He’s our new edition.”

Mixed reactions spread between the different toys; of course Jessie and Bullseye are the most overjoyed, some give out little ‘awww’s to themselves, while others have several questions which might not be able to be answered.

“So… that wasn’t just stuffing weighing down?” Dolly tries to ask this as politely as she can.

It seems to have worked because Woody gives out a light chuckle as a response.

Out of the whole group, Bullseye is the first to greet the newborn by sniffing and nuzzling him with his muzzle; Buzz leads himself to hold onto the peppy horse in case he goes too far. To his surprise though, the baby giggles to the ticklish action. It doesn’t take long for Bullseye to relax a little for the next second excited toy to meet him fully.

The eager cowgirl brings out her hands while having a hint of nervousness in her eyes. “Mind if I?”

Of course Woody kindly allows her to have a turn holding his son, with a slightly skeptical spaceman thinking otherwise; he does trust Jessie a lot, he’s more worried on what the baby would feel about this. Jessie’s already beaming expression shines brighter as soon as she had the little one to herself; her lime-green eyes fixate on his mix-matched ones.

“Hey there, lil’ fella!” The blissful cowgirl coos a little too loudly, in contrast to the gentle rocking back and forth near her chest. “It’s yer Aunt Jessie, yes it iiis.”

Similar mumbles from before come out of that tiny mouth, sounding quite satisfied despite her louder, more enthusiastic tone.

“Yer so handsome, aren’t ya?” Jessie continues. “Just like… well, one of yer dads.”

“Heeey.” A slightly offended cowboy crosses his arms with a half-smile, while Buzz only raises an eyebrow. “What’s that suppose to mean?”

They receive no answer, as Jessie has quickly turned around to show off her new nephew to the others.

“Daww, golly bob howdy.” The springy dog wags his metallic tail in awe of seeing him up close.

All seems to be going well according to the baby’s calm babbling, except for his parents feeling a bit left out, until Buzz picks up on a building sob once Rex approaches with his big, toothy grin. Jessie can barely keep ahold of the squirming bundle now so Woody rushes in and takes him back into his arms, gently bouncing him and whispering comforts.

“Sorry! Sorry. I didn’t mean…” The guilty dinosaur toy apologises while stepping back.

“It’s not your fault, Rex.” Woody assures him. “He just needs time to get use to you, that’s all.”

As soon as the baby calms back down thanks to both dads soothing words and head pats, the others go briefly silent and taking in how much more adorable the spaceman and cowboy have become. The toys whom have known them the longest never thought that a day like this would ever happen, but you know - the world is full of surprises. Meanwhile, only one seems to have picked up on Woody’s recent wording.

“Sooo… does this mean you’re actually staying this time?” The curious spork queries.

Everyone else stare down at Forky and then back to Woody. The latter being left in sudden surprise for how he didn’t bother to tell them the obvious news yet; the things being a new parent does to you.

“Well, of course.” He answers. “Excluding Bonnie for a moment, the baby would feel much safer in here than being out there. Plus he needs his dad around.”

Buzz grins after receiving a nudge from his partner. “Thanks for that.”

“Um, Woody dear?” Mrs Potato Head interrupts. “Aren’t you going to name the little one or are we going to spend his whole life calling him ‘the baby’?”

There it is again. Another important aspect not crossing his mind, how silly. Woody takes a quick moment to look directly down at his son’s face, whom stares right back up at him too. The cowboy examines the mix-colored irises, the one tuft of plastic brown hair, the tiny nose and those big rosy cheeks; all together brings his thoughts to a single conclusion.

“Hmm, I’m thinking… Junior.”

The look Lightyear beside him gives displays both confusion and interest. “Huh. That basic?”

“Why not? He kinda looks like a junior version of both of us; mainly your chubbiness but my hair too.”

“Wha- I’m not chubby.”

“In the face, you kinda are.”

Woody’s friendly smug as well as Jessie trying to keep in a giggle is enough to make Buzz pout in annoyance - he ends up feeling his own face though.

“Well I certainly agree with that.” Mr Potato Head mirrors the cowboy’s smugness.

“Let’s be thankful he didn’t name him Andy.” Hamm remarks under his breath to his unicorn friend.

A few more minutes go by with more questions being asked; things like how did little Junior came to be in the first place were left out of course, as to not be rude. Despite being happy to have so many people surrounding him and adoring him, Junior can sense his eyelids drooping, his vision going blurry and another yawn escapes his mouth but more louder this time. Woody and Buzz catch onto it immediately, both in which know what it’s implying.

Great yet unintentional timing too; distant footsteps can be felt and chatter can be heard. All the toys gasp simultaneously and like always, they hurry back to their positions they were left in. Buzz helps to guide Woody back to the closet and before he can shut the doors himself, the urgent space ranger has to be pause him for a second.

“Woody, wait!”

With his partner still faced forward, he looks down again at the drowsy newborn and gives a swift but sweet kiss on the forehead, bringing a smile to both parents involved. What a wholesome last sight before the closet finally shuts again.

-

Clanky footsteps were the last thing he heard before the room becoming full of girl laughter again. Woody missed hearing it, he missed seeing the happiness upon his human kid’s face, even though he’s back in the same position he was left in 3 years prior. Perhaps one day he’ll be brave enough to present himself to Bonnie again, hopefully sooner than later.

Luckily, his new priority will keep himself happy for the time being; his gaze returns to the sleepy Junior in his arms and melts into the feeling of that tiny face burying itself into his chest. Woody sighs calmly, taking a seat beside his makeshift bed, and thinking about where life is going to take him and Buzz from this moment forward.

That does sound too early to think about, but considering that Junior’s also a toy, he’s gonna remain young and cutesy forever; there’s not much to worry about compared to a human child.

Except maybe teaching him how to walk, saying ‘Daddy’ and possibly the rules of play things if he grows smart enough to understand. Everything else like his laughter and personal playtimes with his own family is undoubtedly what he’s looking forward to the most. What makes this better is Bonnie going back to school soon, so he’ll be getting a pleasant start.

All this thinking of a hopeful future is somehow causing Woody to feel pretty tired himself; it could be just postpartum, or maybe is just the dimmed lighting of the closet. Either way, the eased cowboy brings his son back towards his face to once again whisper meaningful murmurs to him.

“Welcome to the family, Junior Pride Lightyear. I promise we’ll all take good care of you, and your daddy and I will love you for infinity and beyond.”

Jessie’s voice box let out an encouraging call, and she — along with all the Buzzes — galloped off to rescue Lily. Woody hesitated just for a moment, and in that instant, he was left without a horse. He shouted after them and broke into a run but quickly realized it was completely useless. He couldn't even catch up with the Buzzes on foot, let alone the swift horses.

The cowboy froze, struck by an awful sense of shame at his own sluggishness.

Then, suddenly, just at the edge of the field, the purple horse slowed down and Buzz on its back turned around. His Buzz. Woody smiled and waved at him. "Will he come back for me? Will he really come back?" — oh, how warm that thought made him feel. But Buzz only paused for a second. It was hard to tell from that distance, but he almost seemed to nod — and then he was off again, racing to catch up with the others.

Oh. Woody lowered his still-raised hand. "Right, right — they've got something important to do, no time to waste. I..."

"...I'd just be in the way," he wanted to say, but a sudden lump in his throat stopped him from finishing.

For some reason, staying out in the open like that — even though there was no one else around — suddenly felt unbearable. Woody walked up to a tree and sat down at its roots, pulling his knees up, trying to hide from the setting sun, and from everything else. Being a toy, he couldn't really cry but the sob that escaped his throat felt real enough.

"What's wrong with me?!" he mumbled to himself. "Stop it! Jessie is fine, Buzz is fine, they'll save Lily, they'll help Bonnie, and everything will be okay!"

But the crying wouldn't stop. He knew he was extra in this perfect scenario; that he only annoyed Buzz; that Jessie hadn't even hugged him when they met; that his friends cared more about how he looked than about how he was doing. It wasn't their fault — of course it wasn't! He wanted too much, and he'd done too little to deserve it. It was fair.

It still hurts.

They rode to Bonnie's in silence — both he and Bo knew they were going to say goodbye again. In his new fragile state, Woody couldn't stay a lost toy (or at least a toy without a roof over his head). He wouldn't survive the rain, the constant falling, the running, the sometimes-too-rough games of children who weren't his. And of course, Bo couldn't watch over him all the time — she had a whole crew that needed her support and leadership. Woody... he just couldn't be a valuable member of the group anymore. Bo had done everything she could to break it to him as gently as possible. It stung, but he understood quickly: she was tired of looking after him. She didn't want to carry the weight of his safety anymore. That was fair. He couldn't be mad at her for it.

"Good luck to you," she said warmly, giving him a firm kiss on the cheek. "And don't forget to check in with me, okay? I want to know how you're doing."

Bo gave his belly a soft pat.

"Of course," Woody said with an awkward smile.

He wanted to hug her goodbye but he couldn't bring himself to. Bo hadn't said it out loud, she hadn't really kicked him out, but they both knew: he couldn't come back to the carnival.

At that moment, Woody had only been a little upset about it. He believed his friends would be happy to have him back and would accept him (even if he caused them some trouble)… But now, he didn't believe that anymore.

Sure, the cowboy could tell them about the little ones. He could ask for shelter… But he'd still be a burden. Not just gathering dust uselessly in a closet, but now he'd be in the way, needing help hiding from people, needing company to fight off endless boredom—because he'd probably be stuck in some dark corner most of the time, alone, and then he'd annoy everyone else by trying to catch up on all the details of a day he couldn't be part of…

No. He couldn't go back. Not to the carnival, not home.

The cowboy winced as he suddenly realised he'd curled up too tightly—there was a discomfort in his belly (stronger than usual). He straightened his legs, pulling his knees away from his chest.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, stroking the stretched fabric.

It was already dark by the time he finally pulled himself together. With a quiet sigh, he got up off the ground. Useless or not, there were still two little lives that depended entirely on him.

After a moment's thought, he looked around, almost as if scared someone might see him—and then unbuttoned and took off his belt. The little ones were getting bigger every day, and the tight strip of leather was pressing uncomfortably into his rounded body. It had helped hide his condition, squeezing his belly and making it less noticeable. But now he was alone, so there was no point in hiding it anymore. Woody sighed in relief, instinctively stroking his tummy—it felt good to finally get rid of that dull ache from the constant pressure.

The cowboy knew he should have told Buzz. That it would've been the right thing to do. But just a few hours ago, the space ranger had almost let him get fed to a pig.

That, Woody gave himself full permission to be angry about. Clearly, Buzz wasn't interested in a relationship with him anymore, and even a toy knew that holding someone hostage with kids was a terrible idea.

"Well… looks like it's just the three of us now," he said with a melancholy chuckle.

He couldn't go to Bonnie, and he couldn't go back to the carnival. There was only one place left where he could find help and get a roof over his head—Sunnyside. Woody hoped Barbie and Ken were still there. They could show him a quiet corner to hide from people, and maybe help him through the pregnancy. There were plenty of toys, and some pretty experienced ones too—surely someone would know how to take care of the little ones the best way possible.

The cowboy smiled to himself. It was a good idea. Maybe the best one he had in his situation.

Waiting for his friends to come back would be pointless, since he wasn't going with them to Bonnie's. But he didn't want them to think he was lost. He had to leave a sign. Woody headed toward the house—he'd pass a message along with one of the local kid's remaining toys, or if there were none left, maybe he'd just leave a note on the far corner of a shelf. He'd write that he'd gone back to the carnival.

Maybe once he was in Sunnyside, he'd find a way to reach out and tell them everything. But for now, let them think he was with Bo—that way they'd worry less. "If anyone is going to worry at all," a nasty little voice added from the back of his mind. Woody shook his head, trying to shake it off. The last thing he needed was another crying fit.