#also people who give Howdy a stubble >>>>>>>

[chez-cinnamon]

Au for real world au

Everything the same except Howdy undergoes a chrysalis and later come back as a butterfly/or moth

Hell yeah!!! I love that idea!!!

His colours are rough but I like them hehehehe- He ends up just waking in the middle of the night and ends up forming his cocoon in Fionn's living room-

It takes him a while to come out, but his partners and daughter are ecstatic <3

[neerasrealm]

Into The Woods - Chapter Five

Story also available on Wattpad.

Chapter One. Previous Chapter.

Chapter Five - Hiking

It was late afternoon by the time they crossed the state lines into Missouri. Liu was surprised by how well behaved Jeff was. He didn't complain about the long walk and when he asked to take rests it was always a few hours apart. He'd mentioned it was like hiking. That had made Liu smile a bit.

The two of them sat on the side of the road. They'd stopped at a corner store earlier and bought drinks and snacks. Jeff was finishing up a Snickers bar while drinking from a bottle of flavored water while Liu chewed on a granola bar and gulped down a bright red energy drink that definitely wasn't good for him. 

Liu shook the last few granola crumbs out of the packet and into his hand. They were quickly tossed into his mouth and washed down with more ridiculously sweet energy drink. He stood up. 

"Are we going?" Jeff asked.

"Nah, I'm gonna see if anyone will give us a ride. We'll find a motel or something for the night," Liu replied, jerking his thumb out. Absolutely no cars stopped for him. 

Jeff stood up and put his face mask back on. He copied his brother, holding his thumb out in hopes a car would stop for them. Again, absolutely none stopped.

Just as Liu was about to give up and tell Jeff they'd keep walking, a white cargo van slowed to a halt beside them. Liu grinned. He grabbed his backpack from the ground and walked up to the door, Jeff trailing after him.

The window on the door rolled down and Liu was greeted by a chubby faced man. He wore a baseball cap and had a layer of stubble around his lower face and mouth. He smiled at the two of them. "Howdy kids." He greeted. "Need a ride?" He asked. Liu nodded and he heard the distinct 'click!' of the car doors unlocking. "Get in then, I'll take ya."

"Thanks!" Liu pulled the car door open and climbed in. He looked over his shoulder to see Jeff taking a seat in the back. He smiled at him for a moment before putting his seatbelt on. He turned to the driver.

"What're your names?" He asked, fiddling with the radio. 

"Oh, I'm Liu-" Liu was cut off by something on the radio catching his attention.

"Police are asking for people to come forward with any leads concerning Liu and Jeffrey Woods on the suspected murder and arson of their parents as well as-" the news report was quickly turned to a country rock station.

"Terrible news, ain't it? What kinda fucked up kid would kill their parents?" The driver muttered. Liu forced a smile.

"Uh- as I was saying, I'm Liu and this is my brother...Jake…" he gulped. "Jake and Liu Hodek." Hodek? Really? His mom's maiden name? It's like he was trying to get caught!

"Well y'all can call me Terrance." The driver said. "How old are you two?" 

"Uh- eighteen and fourteen."

"Damn. Why're a couple of young'ns like yourselves hitchhikin' out here?" Terrance looked at Liu with what he interpreted as suspicion. Or maybe he was just panicking. 

"Uh- uh, well our uh- home life wasn't super safe so we uh-" he gulped. "We're...heading south to live with our aunt…" he forced a smile. 

"Darn shame...sorry to hear that." Terrance looked in the rear view mirror at Jeff. "What happened to you, kid?"

"He was in an accident." Liu said quickly. "Real bad- he doesn't like to talk about it, right Jake?" He looked at Jeff who quickly nodded. 

"Oh. Sorry." Terrance looked back at the road. "Well don't worry. I can take you two as far as Jefferson City. How's that sound?"

"Sounds great, thanks." Liu murmured as he settled into his seat, sweating bullets while his brain unhelpfully replayed the news report over and over again.

It was gonna be a long ride to Jefferson City.