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It had been months since Woody had left his friends to join Bo as a "lost toy." It should have been great, being back with who he thought was the love of his life, but being a lost toy was in the name – he'd never felt more lost.
The spark he had with Bo a long time ago just wasn't what it used to be. They had both changed. Woody felt as though he was walking around with a gaping hole in his chest, and it wasn't because he didn't belong to a kid. He was missing someone terribly - not Andy, not Bonnie. Buzz. The toy that had been his best friend for almost, if not two decades. Woody found his mind constantly returning to the space toy, wondering how he was getting on. The cowboy couldn't keep himself from questioning if Buzz was okay, if he was happy. The thoughts and the aching, borderline yearning for Buzz was so out of line that Woody found he could not be present, straining his already worn relationship with Bo.
Woody missed Buzz's blue eyes, his gadgets that he once resented. He missed the green glow he would emit at night. He wished he was there to turn too when he needed him, just like Buzz had always been before. He misses Buzz like he used to miss Bo. Woody couldn't believe he'd just... up and walked away from the Space Ranger, knowing he'd likely never see him again. His heart called out for him, to remain unanswered.
The cowboy realized he hadn't just been loyal to Andy. He hadn't just loved Andy. He'd been loyal to Buzz, too. He'd loved Buzz too. He had been blind.
Woody wondered if he'd ever see Buzz again, or if he'd spend the rest of his days missing him.
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Buzz felt... empty, most days. There was a constant gaping hole next to him where Woody should be. It's funny that the saying goes "you don't know what you got, until it's gone", because it couldn't be more true. With his Cowboy gone, the Space Ranger had come to a lot of realizations.
For one, the 'spark' he initially had felt for Jessie was long gone. He waited, and waited for it to return, but it just didn't. Overtime as the feeling of Woody's absence grew, he began to realize perhaps his former romantic affection for Jessie was simply... projected romantic affection for Woody. Jessie was, after all, very similar to Woody and was a lot less scary to have feelings for. Woody had been Buzz's best friend, so romantic feelings for him could easily mess everything up, including the playroom's ecosystem. Buzz may have simply repressed romantic feelings out of fear. Or, perhaps, the feelings had just grown overtime and Buzz had never stopped to realize it.
Falling in love can sneak up on someone. However it'd happened, whether it grew or was always there, Buzz couldn't ignore it anymore. And what he had started to feel was grief, even though Woody was out there somewhere. Grief is just love with no place to go. Missing Woody was eating Buzz up so much that he had become withdrawn. He couldn't interact with the other toys normally; he just didn't feel right. He didn't feel like himself. He struggled to sleep at night. Sometimes he'd just sit himself in the window, Woody's Sheriff Star in his hands as he started at the moon, wondering where Woody was and how he was. He wondered if Woody ever thought of him, of them, if Woody ever stared at the moon at the same time as he was.
He hoped Woody was happy, even if Buzz was not.
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Jessie was at the point where she had about had enough of Buzz missing Woody like a lovesick puppy. Jessie had given Buzz Woody's Sheriff Star to make him feel better, as it seemed like he'd needed it more than her – and she'd caught the man holding the star in his hands multiple times, staring at it with a melancholy gaze. He always cradled it close by. Buzz was staying up late, staring towards the window, often at the moon. He was often unfocused during the day, less present in conversations. Buzz would jump at the chance to reminisce about Woody, however, whether he brought it up himself or another person mentioned his name. Any flirtation between herself and Buzz had fallen flat on it's face – now, Jessie had known Woody was Buzz's best friend, and Jessie missed him plenty herself, but she couldn't help but think perhaps there was more to the situation than meets the eye. It was possible Buzz's feelings ran deeper for Woody than he'd initially realized – than any of them realized.
As someone who cared deeply for Buzz – either romantically or platonically – she couldn't watch him mope around so sad continuously even after months have passed. She gently pulled Buzz aside one sunny afternoon whilst the other toys were preoccupied.
"Buzz... we need to talk." Jessie started in a hushed tone, as she'd known the subject was likely a sensitive and personal one.
Buzz had a slight look of alarm flash in his eyes. He cleared his throat. "Of course, Jessie, what is it? Is something wrong, is it one of the other toys?"
Jessie sighed, taking a breath to steel herself. "Well... kind of? Buzz, you haven't been yourself. You've been quieter, more withdrawn. I've kept note of how late you've been staying up, and how you're not as happy as you were before... I've seen you just staring at Woody's sheriff star with this look on your face like you've been ripped apart. You really miss him, don't you?"
A look of guilt flashed across the plastic Space Ranger's face. He closed his eyes, sighing deeply before a tumbling confession left his mouth. "I can't lie to you, Jessie. I can't stop thinking of him. Woody was the very first toy I ever met coming out of the box – he was the one I experienced everything with. He's the one who taught me what it means to be a toy, to love a kid. He was always next to me. Now that he's gone... it's like a part of me is missing. I don't know how to move forward without him."
Jessie's face softened at Buzz's words. She knew he had been taking this hard. She tilted her head at him, trying to look as welcoming as possible. "I know how hard it is, Buzz. I miss him too. But... there's more to it than that, isn't there?"
The blue eyes across from her widened. There's a moment of hesitation, but Jessie saw the recognition flash in his eyes. "What are you talking about?"
Jessie gave him one of her no-nonsense looks. "Buzz. I've never seen you mope this much about anything in my life. I've known you for a long time. You can tell me."
Buzz winced, shuffling his feet as though he was embarrassed or ashamed."I... maybe. I miss him more than I thought I would. Maybe... more than one wouldmiss just a friend, even just a best friend."
Jessie nodded. "You feel more deeply than just friendship for him, huh?"
Buzz covered his face with his hands and shakily admitted: "I think I'm in love with him."
There's a moment of silence passing between them, Buzz refusing to look at her. "That's okay, Buzz. It's okay."
"But it's not, Jessie, it's not. We'll never see him again, and I don't know how to live with that. I can't believe we... I can't believe I let him go." Buzz agonized.
"But you knew then that you had to because you wanted him to be happy. But let me guess, you didn't connect the dots on how you really felt until he was already gone?" Jessie asked.
Buzz nods, looking miserable. "Now I know how I feel, but there's nothing I can do. He's gone. We won't be seeing him again. I just hope wherever he is, he's happy."
Jessie grabbed his hand, taking it into her's. "Buzz, it'll be alright. We'll figure it out – I'm here for you, always. You've got a friend in me."
Buzz smiled at her, although a bit weakly. "Thanks, Jessie. And... I'm sorry if-"
Jessie cut him off. "Don't worry about it, or me, Buzz."
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With that conversation in mind, Jessie knew she had to talk to Trixie. However, she would have to get Trixie alone in order for her plan to go off without a hitch. The last they saw of Woody was at the Circus when they left him with Bo Peep. It was far from home, but the circus traveled.
"Trixie, I need you to do little old me a favor..." Jessie started in a hushed voice while Trixie was at the computer.
The dinosaur smiled at her. "Of course, Jessie! Do you need me to look something up?"
Jessie nodded. "Yes, you guessed it! But uh... could you do me a favor and keep this quiet? I've got to do something important with this information, but it's supposed to be a secret."
Trixie looked at her confused for a moment. "Now, I know, I know that sounds shady... but just trust me on this, okay? You know I wouldn't ask if I didn't need it."
Trixie nodded. "Okay, you're right, you're right. Now, what kind of information do you need?" She asked as she used her hooves to open Google.
Jessie gave her the name of the circus that Woody was at. If she was to correctly guess, Woody would still be travelling there with Bo Peep. She was going to get that Cowboy back, one way or another.
"Can you tell me where the circus is at now?" Jessie asked.
Trixie nodded. "I sure can! Just give me a moment to pull up the webpage... hey, isn't this that Circus Woody left at?"
Jessie nodded. "The one and the same."
Trixie gasped. "Are you going to try to find him?"
Jessie hushed her, the cowgirl's movements quick, arms flailing. "Shh! Shh!" She started, a finger over her lips. "Yes, I am, but I really need you to keep it quiet, Trixie. Don't tell anyone, please."
Trixie quickly shut her mouth, looking a little guilty. When she opened it again, it was in a whisper. "You're trying to find him for Buzz, aren't you?"
Jessie nodded, mouth twitching. She probably shouldn't go spilling Buzz's business, but... "That's right. I know we've all noticed how sad he's been since Woody left, and I can't stand to see him like that anymore. But that's why I need you to stay quiet. It's supposed to be a secret, so Buzz won't try to stop me."
Trixie looked very excited. "Oh my god, so this is going to be a grand reunion! Let me see where this circus is at and pull up the GPS directions."
Trixie stepped back to the keyboard, working faster now. After a few keyboard taps and mouse clicks, Trixie gasped.
"What, what is it?" Jessie asked.
"Jessie, they're in town now! They're only a few blocks away! If you were planning to go, you're going to have to go now! Or at least tonight." Trixie explains, her eyes wide with a mixture of worry and excitement.
Jessie took a sharp intake of breath. Well, she supposed it was now or never. "Can you print those directions for me, Trixie?"
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This town was achingly familiar to Woody, and to Bo, too. Bo was acting even more off than usual, but so was Woody. It was Andy's hometown, and Bonnie's too. If Bonnie hadn't moved away, his friends were just a few blocks away. Buzz was just a few blocks away. Woody's feet were ready to move towards him before he was even ready to register it.
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Jessie breathed a sigh of relief as she had managed to effectively sneak out of the house, with the paper directions Trixie had printed out. Slipping out of Bonnie's bedroom door unnoticed by both the other toys and Bonnie had been a difficult task on its own, then getting towards and out the front door? Not an easy feat, especially by herself, but when a Cowgirl's determined enough, she gets what she wants. She just hoped this would be worth it, and that Woody was actually still with the circus... and that he would be willing to come with her. This was a shot in the dark, but it would all be worth it to bring Woody home.
She held the paper in her hands, looking all around her and taking steps in the right direction. Thank the Heavens it was dark out, so not many people were out to pass by and not many cars, either. The streets were empty.
A few blocks away might not be a long and hard journey for a human to make, but toys were much smaller. She had to hurry. Thankfully, before long, she began to hear music and see Carnival lights. Seeing the sights gave her extra wind, so she hurried forward, determination filling her stuffed limbs.
The Carnival was...bright, and loud. A bit overstimulating, but Jessie refused to let herself become distracted. Where could Woody even be, this place was huge! Perhaps she could ask some of the Carnival Prizes...
She kept slipping behind stalls and avoiding foot traffic until she found a quieter Carnival game with a worker who had his back turned to the prizes. The prizes were starting only a foot above the ground.
"Psst! Hey! Down here!" Jessie spoke lowly, waving her arms to try to get the attention of the stuffed animals along the wall. A brightly colored bear looked at her for a split second. "Be careful!" She hissed. "He could turn around at any moment and see us. You know the rules!"
Jessie stopped herself from sighing in frustration. Of course, she knew the rules of being a toy, she was one. No human should see you move. "I know that! But I really need someone's help. I'm looking for a Cowboy Toy that looks a lot like me – imagine if I had a brother. He should be around here, or may have been previously, with a Bo Peep Doll?"
The Bear stopped and looked down at her properly, a thoughtful look flashing in the toy's eyes. "Oh, you mean Woody? Yeah, he's here."
If Jessie had a heart, it would've pounded in her chest. "Really? Aw, yeehaw! Do you know where he might be at?"
The Bear nodded. "They usually hide out in an old storage boxcar when the Carnival gets real busy like this. It's towards the back of the Carnival, it isn't far from here. Look for a red boxcar and chances are you've found the one."
Jessie nodded, already running off in search. "Thank you!" She called. "You don't know how much this means to me!"
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Bo and Woody had sat in mostly a stilted silence for the night, dancing around the subject of their location. Bonnie's was close by... meaning so were his friends. As Woody was considering asking Bo about 'visiting' Bonnie's, he lurched as a familiar voice yelled out: "Woody!"
He'd know that voice anywhere. He turned, barely able to believe his eyes as they landed on his redheaded twin sister. He shook his head, blinking, finally registering that Jessie, was, in fact, standing in front of him, before rushing over to throw his arms around her. "Jessie!"
They hugged tightly, both holding on for a moment before splitting to look at one another. "Jessie? I can hardly believe it! What are you doing here? How did you even find me?" Woody asked, breathless.
Jessie looked off to the side. "I... may have had Trixie look up the location of the Carnival, and when I saw it was in town I had to come. It's important, Woody."
Concern immediately flashed in Woody's eyes. "What is it. What's wrong? Is it something with our friends?"
Something like relief landed in Jessie's stomach seeing how anxious Woody appeared at the idea of trouble finding their friends. He still loved them, even after being away.
Jessie's eyes flashed behind him, specifically to Bo Peep. "Uh... hi, Bo."
Bo smiled, stepping forward to embrace Jessie in a light hug. "Hi, Jessie, it's good to see you again! I have to agree with Woody here, though, what are you doing here?"
Jessie fiddled with her fingers nervously for a moment. "It's... It's a problem with Buzz, but it's kind of... personal? I don't know if he would like me sharing it with everyone..."
Bo nodded. "You want some space? I don't mind stepping outside. I know Buzz is Woody's best friend." Something was knowing in her tone as she spoke.
Jessie smiled widely at her. "Thank you, Bo."
"No problem, Jessie. Let me know if you need anything while you're here." Bo smiled at her before gracefully stepping towards the entrance of the boxcar. Once she was outside, Jessie took a deep breath and began to speak.
"Woody... I can't begin to say how glad I am that I found you and how much I miss you. But there's someone that misses you more. Buzz." The cowgirl spoke, cutting straight to the chase as they might not have much time.
Woody's face contorted with multiple emotions at once. Regret, surprise, longing. There's a moment of pause. "I miss him, too. More than you know, Jessie. But I've... I've committed to a life here." He started, scratching the back of his neck and looking as if he was trying to convince himself.
Jessie waved her arms suddenly across her chest. "Woody, you have to come back. Buzz... he just hasn't been the same since you left. It's killing him, Woody. It's deeper than you know."
There's a serious, almost startled look on Woody's face. A flash of intrigue and hope shows in his brown eyes. "Jessie, what do you mean?"
Jessie pinches her brow with a finger. "Listen. I know it isn't my place to tell you this, and Buzz probably wouldn't like it. But Buzz..." There's a halt in her words before she barrels on. "He's in love with you."
With that, Woody's world completely stopped before spinning tenfold. His stuffed heart began pounding in his chest and his hands began to shake. The news shook Woody to his core, everything in his being calling out to Buzz.
"I don't know how you feel about Buzz... I don't know if you feel anything more for him than friendship and I know you didn't know how to cope with not being Bonnie's favorite toy. I know you miss Andy. But Woody, this is killing him. He doesn't know how to cope without you, you were everything to him, and you still are." Jessie's green eyes started into his, beseeching.
Woody pats at his chest in disbelief. "...Me? Buzz is in love with... with me?" He felt as though he might collapse, despite knowing in his stuffing that this is what he wanted. Buzz was who he wanted.
Jessie nods. "I know it's a shock, Woody. But he wants you more than anything in this world."
Woody suddenly fell back, sitting on the ground to steady himself as he processed this information. He ripped his hat off his hat, grabbing at his hair with sudden guilt. "Oh. Oh. And I left him, didn't I? I left all of you. I'm the worst friend in the world and somehow he loves me even after all this time."
Jessie crouched to look at him, reaching out a hand to touch his shoulder. "Woody. You were trying to make yourself happy; and Buzz let you go because he wanted you to be happy. But I've been watching him hurt so I had to find you and let you know. I don't know if this changes anything for you, but I had to try."
Woody looked down at his hat in his hands. "Of course this changes things for me. I didn't know... I didn't think. I've... I've missed him more than I can explain. But Bo..." The cowboy looked as if he was having an internal crisis.
"Woody." A soft, feminine voice sounded from the other side of the boxcar. The wild west toys both jumped in alarm. There Bo stood, looking at them softly. "If you want to go back, you should go back." Her blue eyes met Woody's brown. "We both know you haven't been as happy here as we thought you would be."
Woody pushed himself to his feet, stepping towards her. "But Bo... I don't want to-"
She stepped forward, taking his hands. "You don't want to hurt me, I know. But Woody, be honest here. We can't keep going the way we have been... you're not happy. We'd burn out either way. Me? I'll be okay. And you don't want to hurt Buzz even more. And I know how much you've missed him. You can go back. Go back to him."
Woody looked at the sincerity in her eyes, and it was enough to make him ready to go. He leaned forward, kissing her cheek. "You know I'll always have love for you, right?"
Bo nods. "And I, you."
Woody smiles at her. "Maybe we'll meet again."
Bo smiled back. "Maybe." But she didn't seem hopeful. "Now go get your Space Ranger."
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On the walk back with Jessie, he was feeling a cyclone of different emotions. A heavy heart for saying goodbye to Bo for what was likely a final time. But also excitement and joy for seeing all his friends again, and nervous anticipation for seeing Buzz and what they might say to one another.
"Now, you really wanna do this, Sheriff?" Jessie asked, when they weren't too far from the Carnival.
Woody nods immediately with no hesitation. "Yes, yes. I can't believe I walked away the first time. I don't know what Bonnie will do once she sees me, but I'd spend a lifetime in the closet just to be with you all. Just to be with Buzz. I've missed him more than anything, too."
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It was mid morning by the time the two made it back to Bonnie's house. Woody could feel his heart pound at seeing the house again. His friends were just inside. Buzz was just inside.
"You ready to do this, Cowboy?" Jessie asked, giving him a sidelong glance.
He nodded, fidgeting with his fingers nervously. "Yes. I just want to see everyone again. Is Bonnie at school?"
The redhead hummed. "She should be, she should've left just a couple of hours ago."
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The pair snuck into the house, slithered up the stairs, and made their way to Bonnie's door. Woody remained behind Jessie, breathing deep to calm his nerves. The cowgirl saw how anxious he was.
"Hey." He looked at her, and she spoke softly. "It's going to be fine. Everyone has missed you; and you don't have to worry. It isn't like Buzz is going to reject you; he'll probably be the happiest I've ever seen him just to have you back." She reassured him, and he nodded, smiling lightly. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah. Yeah, let's get inside." Woody affirmed, and Jessie went ahead and knocked on the door to be let in.
The door creaked open, and Mr. Pricklepants poked his head out. "Jessie! Where have you been---- Woody?"
He smiled nervously, waving slightly. "Hey, Mr. Pricklepants. Long time, no see!"
"It's a long story." Jessie said, "Can you let us in?"
"Oh, of course." He steps aside, quickly swinging the door open and ushering them inside.
The cowgirl stepped into the room first, to see all eyes on her. She did go missing without explaining to anyone except Trixie, after all. Hopefully Trixie hadn't spilled. She looks around at the familiar faces, locating Buzz and smiling at him. "Hey y'all! I know I've been gone for a night and half a day... but for good reason. Look who I brought home!"
She motioned with her hands widely to gesture Woody in. A loud clamor of voices called out "Woody!" upon recognizing him, many toys going full-force to greet him, the crew absolutely thrilled. Woody began laughing with the million questions and greetings at once. "Now, now, guys-guys, one at a time!"
After a moment, he got them all to pause. Buzz had fallen back, looking at Woody with disbelief. Woody stepped forward, the room falling into silence as the two best friends reunited. The cowboy stepped until he was directly in front of the space ranger. "Buzz." He says softly.
"Woody." Buzz breathed. "Is it... it's really you, isn't it?"
Woody's face softened into an achingly tender expression. "It's really me. I'm so sorry I left."
Buzz looked at him, disbelief and gratitude, joy flickering in his face. "Don't be, Cowboy. I just can't believe you're really here."
Woody stepped forward, ready to get his hands on his best friend after being apart for so long. He engulfed the hard plastic of the Space Ranger's suit, pulling him close and holding him tightly. "How's this for believing I'm really here?" The cowboy doll whispered in the other toy's ear, and he felt Buzz's hands come up to grip him, fingers digging into his cloth as if he was drinking Woody in. "I'm sorry I left, Buzz. I'm not ever going anywhere, ever again."
They stayed there in their reunion hug for a few moments, definitely hearing some murmured "aws" from the surrounding toys. They did - eventually - have to part, Woody immediately itching for more contact the second they split apart. But the other toys had questions, there was too much excitement vibrating in Bonnie's room for Woody to focus purely on Buzz right at this moment... but Woody knew he'd be getting Buzz alone as soon as possible to talk.
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The chance didn't come until that night. He'd hidden in the closet when Bonnie had come home, not quite ready to be discovered by her so quickly. He waited in anticipation for the toys to begin falling asleep before he could capture Buzz's attention. Once it sounded silent, Woody was ready to creak open the closet door to search for Buzz. It turned out he didn't have to search, as a hushed "Woody!" was hissed outside the door. The cowboy doll would know that voice anywhere. He hurriedly pushed the closet door open just enough to fit his best friend inside; grabbing at his plastic arm and pulling him in.
"Woah!" Buzz stumbled, Woody quickly scrambling to help stabilize him, whilst reveling in the feel of the other toy's form.
"Woody." Buzz breathed, staring.
"Buzz. I'm so glad to see you." Woody smiled, jolts of excitement and nerves shooting through his stuffing.
Buzz smiled brightly upon hearing that. "I'm glad to see you, too. I just... I can't believe you're back. I never thought I'd see you again. I thought... Woody, why did you come back? I thought you were happy with Bo. Overjoyed, even."
Woody scratched the back of his neck, looking away in shame. "Yeah, that's what I thought, too. But overtime I realized I wasn't nearly as happy as I thought I was going to be, and I was actually becoming more unhappy. Bo, she's... amazing, but she's changed. Both of us have and our relationship just wasn't what it used to be. I couldn't... I couldn't stop my thoughts from drifting. I was missing something, that I hadn't realized how much I needed until then." Woody explained, barreling through it despite his nerves. His brown eyes met Buzz's blue ones. "I was missing you."
Buzz's face contorted with different emotions. Surprise, excitement, concern, hope. His hands touched at his chest. "Me? You... wanted to come back because of me?"
Woody stepped towards him, reaching out a hand to grab his. If he were human, his palms would be sweaty. "Buzz... listen. There's no use in beating around the bush so I'm just gonna come out and say it. I might've been in love with Bo once, but she hasn't been my partner in crime all these years. You were the one who's been here with me all this time, always at my side and always my rock, and I don't know how to be without you anymore. I can't explain how I've felt not having you here these past few months..." Woody took a deep breath, readying himself to launch into the life changing confession. "And... if you don't want this, just let me know and we'll never speak of it again. But I'm in love with you, Buzz. Jessie's given me reason to believe that you might feel the same way, but if you don't-"
Woody's cut off by hands grabbing his shoulders and pulling him down sharply, Buzz guiding him into a kiss that has his knees buckling. Woody scrambled to find a place to put his hands, a slight whine emanating from him as he clutched at Buzz's arm and back. The kiss deepened as the Space Ranger gently backed Woody up against the wall, passion as clear as day the way Buzz held and kissed him.
Both were breathless as they broke apart. Buzz panted into his ear: "Don't you ever ask me if I want this again, Woody. I've wanted you for longer than I ever realized. Maybe it's been here the whole time." He spoke, moving his arms to cradle Woody even closer against him.
Woody gripped back just as hard. "I don't... I don't know how long I've wanted you for, Buzz, but I know I'll always want you now."
Buzz pulled back suddenly to look at him in the face. "What if Bonnie never wants to play with you? What if you never get played with again?"
Woody gives Buzz a deadpan expression. "Buzz. I would literally stay locked in this closet for the rest of time if it means being with you. I didn't come back for Bonnie, or even the other toys. I came back for you."
Buzz smiles brightly, resting his head into the Cowboy's neck and nuzzling there. "Thank you for coming back for me. Woody, I love you."
The cowboy reaches a hand up to cup the back of his head. "I love you, Buzz Lightyear." There's a moment of silence before something dawns on him. "Hey. Wait a minute. Now before I left, I could swear you and Jessie had something in the romantic nature going on?"
Buzz pulls back to look at him sheepishly. "Yeah... about that? With you gone, the spark died out, and it died out fast. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I was probably doing what the humans call....projecting, I think? I think I was probably projecting how I felt about you onto her, because she was the safer option... and well, she looks about as close to you as a girl could get without actually being you."
Woody nodded, the explanation making sense. His own feelings for Buzz were probably repressed out of fear as well before making themselves known. "...And Jessie's okay with...?"
Buzz nodded. "Oh yes. She basically cornered me one day and made me confess. She decided to go find you on her own; none of us knew where she'd gone. I guess she was tired of me moping around missing you."
Woody bust out laughing at that, squeezing Buzz's bicep whilst being mindful of his buttons. "You were moping?"
Buzz looked embarrassed, coughing a little and looking away. "Uh... yes? It was bad, Woody. You were and are everything to me - you were my best friend and you taught me the very meaning of what it is to be a toy. You gave significance to my life after I was destroyed about the fact of being a toy! Hell, you were the first one I met straight out of my packaging, Woody. You're all I've ever known, and now you're all I'll ever want."
Woody's heart pounded at the words. The cowboy doll took his hand and squeezed, looking at him with a tender look in his brown eyes. "Oh, Buzz... you're all I'll ever want, too. Nothing else matters."
The two toys shared another loving kiss, and Woody knew without a doubt that he'd made the right decision. Buzz was his home.
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Woody stayed buried, hidden in the closet out of fear of Bonnie finding him and attempting to get rid of him somehow. Buzz would slip in there whenever he could, and Woody would come out whenever Bonnie was away. The other toys were glad to see him, were happy he was back. He did take back his leadership stance, especially in aiding during crisis's in the playroom. At night, when he could get away, Buzz would sneak behind the closet door to sleep with Woody, cuddled up tight with Woody appreciating his personal night light glow. They were open about the fact that they were together - holding hands in front of the other toys. Woody would see them giving one another knowing looks.
Time passed, and Bonnie eventually found Woody buried in the closet. She breathed in a gasp of surprise, "My Cowboy! I've been looking for you forever! I can't believe you've been in here this whole time!"
Bonnie took him out and played - and Woody had to work hard to keep himself from smiling brightly. Of course he enjoyed being played with again; but it was even sweeter because it meant he could be out in the open with Buzz even when Bonnie was home. He really had come home.
And even as Bonnie got older, things changed - Buzz and Woody were never apart, and the spark never died.