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"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.
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