“No! No, Andy.” You sigh over the phone, holding one of the favored toys in your hands. Walking over to a counter to place them gently down on it. “All is well, nothing… disastrous.”

“You paused in that sentence.” He says skeptically, and you can’t help but roll your eyes at that. He knew you a bit too well.

“Well… it is the middle of the night…” You say, looking out the daycares windows and see that it was, in fact, nighttime, and it wasn’t easy getting in the daycare at nighttime either. You had to plan it before hand. Set up precautions, more plans and sneak your way in. It was… not as fun as you’d like.

“Exactly.” Andy sighs over the phone, and you bet he’s rubbing his temples at your defense. “It’s the middle of the night. I’m wondering where you are, and why you’re not in bed. I call and figure out you’re at the daycare? That has to be illegal.”

“I- well…” You open and close your mouth, unsure how you could defend against that. It wasn’t like you could really tell him that you were trying to help the toys from an evil bear. He didn’t know they were… alive, and you didn’t want it to sound like you belong in a physic ward. “I’m just… trying to do some good, citizen work for the teacher when they come back.”

“Really?” He doesn’t sound convinced. A warning perhaps as you can hear him over the phone, shuffling about. Rising up from his sleep.

“Really.” You nod, even if he can’t see it. Trying to scramble up your mind for something quick to jumble his. Your eyes watching his the toys were reuniting after you saved them from… what was it? That pit of fire? “Or would you like me to tell you of a crazy story?”

“If that makes you return home, fine.” Andy sighs, sounding like he sat back down again. Almost if he’s trying to debate to come get you or not, and trap you in a room to keep you from doing these… weird things you have been doing lately, and it seems rather closely connected to his old toys… He passes that up quickly however. Thinking your just… a collector of toys…

“I’l be on my ways soon.” You reassure Andy, sounding amused. “So, the story starts with a purple bear named Lotso who was evil to the other toys, gambling, ruling them over, all that good stuff-“

You explain the story of how you and the toys night went from beginning to end, but phrase it in a third person view. Always making sure you’re not blowing any of the cover of the toys you know that are alive, and to make sure you’re not sounding like a psycho.

There was a big pause when you finished. A roll of anxiety rushing through you as you wait for Andys’ tired response. “…Did you come up with that?”

“No, that’s what the children imagine, silly.” You smile, amused and saving yourself. Blaming it on the children rather when it was the actual real deal. “They have rather big imaginations you know.”

He sighs at that, seemingly relieved by that clarification. If all that was real? He would have a come apart, and who knows what he would do then? Illegally enter the daycare like you did.

“Right… can you please come home now?” He demands of you tiredly over the phone. Leaning back in the bed. “I don’t want you to be caught, working overtime in a daycare.”

You grin at that before nodding, moving to grab your keys off the counter. The toys good enough on their own for the time being before they will be dragged away by Bonnie in the morning. “I’ll be home soon, go back to bed.”

“You better.” He warns, grunting before laying back down.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

“Has anyone seen Woody?” Buzz questioned when he noticed Woody’s disappearance.

Only then did all the toys in Bonnie’s room notice the Sheriff’s absence. They had just had another successful playtime with Bonnie that afternoon before Bonnie’s parents decided to have dinner outside.

“Huh, I could’ve sworn he was right here..” Jessie muttered as she turned to look around her. Bullseye followed her stare as she looked around as if to make sure she didn’t leave anything behind.

A few mutterings and suggestions of where Woody could be but that wasn’t helping. Buzz notified Jessie that he would search for Woody and left swiftly out the door. Buzz did a quick sweep through the rooms upstairs and downstairs and couldn’t find signs of the cowboy.

“C’mon, Woody… where did you go?” Buzz said worriedly as he stopped at the top of the stairs.

Buzz has checked everywhere at this point. The downstairs, the upstairs but wait- the attic. Buzz whirled around to the attic trapdoor. There are two ways up to the attic. The trapdoor, or the route the toys would usually use, is the vents. Buzz forced open the vents and crawled in. Buzz made his way up the vents and arrived in the attic.

It was dark, but thankfully Buzz’s glow brightened the room. Buzz stood there for a moment, just scanning the room to assess his surroundings. Many boxes were stacked along with other unused furniture. Buzz took a few steps forward until he was in the middle of the attic.

“…Sheriff?” Buzz whispered in the dark room.

At first, there was no response. Buzz stayed a little longer and that's when he heard a scraping noise. Buzz aimed his laser at the sound, and there he saw an undeniable cowboy boot being quickly pulled back behind some boxes.

Buzz exhaled, “Woody! There you are, everyone is worried about you,” To be fair, he was mostly, but clarification wasn’t needed at the moment.

Before Buzz could move closer, the boxes were pushed, almost dropping on Buzz if he had not dodged. Buzz stood up confused and turned back to where Woody was supposed to be. No one was there.

A slight creak caught his attention, Buzz looked up and noticed the small round pivot window was slightly ajar and some boots were struggling to climb up.

“Woody!” Buzz called out as he parkoured his way up to the window and pulled himself up.

“Woody?!” Buzz called out again.

“Come on, Buzz. Go away!” An irritated voice responded.

Relief washed over Buzz as he finally found Woody. But he was pulling back. Why?

Buzz stood carefully on the window and looked up. The distance from the window to the roof wasn’t that far. Just a short but steep climb. Buzz went for it, with a jump and grab on the ledge.

“Why are you doing this, Sheriff?” Buzz asked, trying not let the silence seep in.

Buzz could hear a scoff from up above, "Wouldn't you like to know, ranger boy,” which just makes Buzz frown in confusion.

“Sheriff, is something bothering you? If so, we can talk.” Buzz suggested as he moved his feet to launch himself to the next ledge.

Woody laughed, but not the infectious laugh that he loved catching, this was sarcastic. “What good is talking gonna do, Buzz?”.

Buzz looked up and calculated his next jump, “Well, it’ll get some things off your chest. That I do know.”

Buzz could hear a hum, Woody’s way of saying ‘whatever’. Buzz was now more confused than worried. Woody seemed distressed about something but he is unwilling to speak about it which makes Buzz uneasy. How is he supposed to help Woody if Woody doesn’t tell him or at least speak about what’s troubling him to Buzz?

Buzz leapt up and grabbed the edge of the roof tile, and pulled himself up to finally see Woody’s back facing him.

“Sheriff, talk to me,” Buzz managed to grunt out.

Woody visibly stiffens as he glances back to Buzz, who is still trying to pull himself up.

Woody held his stare, “I’m surprised you fit through the window,”.

Buzz laughed, “I’m not that big,” he responded jokingly which made Woody laugh softly.

Buzz scans Woody’s expression before asking, “What’s wrong?”.

This makes Woody stiffen in his posture again. Woody absentmindedly faced away from Buzz again, which made Buzz’s inside twist. If he had insides, that is. Buzz lifted his foot to the roof tile to pull himself up but he stepped on a slippery tile. His foot slipped on the tile which made him lose balance and temporarily fall.

Woody heard the slip and turned around to see Buzz gone.

“Buzz?..” Woody called out.

No response.

“Buzz?!?” Panic now settled in his voice.

Woody stood up quickly and went over the ledge to see if Buzz was still there.

Buzz was fine. He was currently pulling himself back up on the ledge and up the roof tile again. Woody exhaled a sigh of relief as he watched Buzz pull himself up the roof this time.

“I thought you were gone..” Woody tried to sound like he didn’t care which he very much did.

Buzz dusted himself and responded, “It’ll take more than that to get rid of me.”.

“Right, because you’re Buzz Lightyear. You’d probably fly off or something instead of fall..” Woody muttered as he sat down again and turned his back to Buzz again.

Buzz moved forward and sat next to Woody, “Woody… what's wrong?” he tried again.

“Nothing,” Woody responded too quickly.

“Nothing is wrong, Buzz. I’m ok. You’re ok. Bonnie’s ok. We’re all ok so stop worrying so much, Space Ranger.” Woody teased in that tone they usually do.

Buzz blinked, eyes staring dead at Woody’s ‘ok’ face. Something wasn’t right. It almost sounds like Woody himself was convincing himself that he was ok. Nothing about this was ok.

“If you’re ok-”

“Which I am.” Woody cuts Buzz off with a convincing tone.

Buzz continues anyway, “-you wouldn’t go through all the trouble to climb up to the roof and hide away from me.”

Woody sighed and looked away. Buzz waits as the night breeze fills the silence. The tree near them sways as a slight rustling of the leaves harmonises with the breeze. A long sigh interrupts the harmony.

“I don’t know, Buzz.. I just feel out of it lately…” Woody finally found his wording.

Buzz’s gaze never left him, “Out of what?” he asked for more clarification.

“Y’know..” Woody says as he gestures his hands, “..the whole acting thing. Whenever it's playtime with Bonnie, I just can’t help but think about Andy, Buzz..”.

Buzz nodded, “So that’s what this is about,”.

“What else would it be about, Buzz?” Woody exasperated as he adjusted his seating.

“Every time Bonnie plays with me, I see him, Buzz..” Woody grips his knees.

Woody struggled to find his wording, “I hear his laugh.. I hear his voice…. and on the worst days, I… just.. see him..”

Buzz listened intently. If toys could, Woody would probably look pale or have bags under his eyes. But instead, his plastic face maintained his rosy and healthy appearance. Hiding away all his struggles and emotions.

Buzz hesitated, but he gently lifted his hand and placed it over Woody’s hand, which was gripping his own knee too tightly.

Woody glanced down at his hand then to Buzz.

“Woody, I don’t know how you feel,” Buzz said carefully, “The bond you have with Andy is stronger than I or any of the others have ever had.”.

Woody blinked as Buzz continued, picking his words carefully, “But after everything you’ve been through, I want you to know that I’m here for you.” Buzz squeezed Woody’s hand firmly and reassuringly.

Woody exhaled softly, “..sometimes I wonder.. if Andy could see me.. the real me… oh, what would he think of me now….” he stared off into the distance.

“He’d be so disappointed..”

Buzz watched Woody carefully, and with certainty said “Well.. I think you’re very admirable. You’re brave. You’re strong, even if you’re soft on the inside… and you’re loyal no matter what. Any kid would be crazy to turn away a toy like you.”.

Woody exhaled a laugh, “Gee Buzz… one day you’re as expressive as a rock then the next you’re-” Woody paused when he realised Buzz was staring at him now.

Blue to brown. Contrasting colours yet they look so good against each other if paired.

“I will always be here to help you, Woody,” Buzz stated like it was a pledge.

Woody exhaled, his body relaxing yet still slightly anxious. A smile crept up his face though after a while.

Woody laughed softly, “Always?”.

Buzz squeezed his hand again, even firmer now. “Always.”.

They sat there a little longer. Buzz is not letting go of Woody’s hand the whole time. After a while of watching the stars, and getting comfortable, Woody only realised he was leaning on Buzz the entire time. Woody on impulse sat straight up which startled Buzz.

Woody cleared his throat, “Sorry- Buzz, I didn’t realise-”.

Buzz smiled and chuckled, “It’s fine, Woody. Just.. relax,” he reassured.

“…thank you,” Woody relaxed.

Buzz smiled, “Just do me a favour and try not to jump out of windows when I’m trying to help.” He nudged Woody’s shoulders to get a laugh.

Woody laughed, “Bossy much?”.

“Merely concerned.” Buzz corrected.

They shared a few more laughs that night before finally heading back inside. Woody might still feel the occasional loneliness and longing for Andy, but Buzz is now always there for him.