Pressure's on to finish this, but it's still the plan. Look out, story – you're ending in just two days! :D (What have I gotten myself into?!)
Thanks for your continued interest, everybody!

Free Beauty

Gwen let her long blonde hair fall down over her shoulders. She took the elastic band and stretched it out around her hand as she gathered her locks back into a high ponytail. Her boots rested on the table in front of her.

The carpenter's apprentice Kurt sat beside her, a plate of half-eaten cake in front of him. He eyed Gwen's boots for a minute before shoving them away. Gwen's legs fell to the ground with a thud, and she gave him a sharp glare.

"Jerk! Could've just said something," Gwen complained, finishing her ponytail with a sharp tug on the tie.

"No boots on the table," Kurt muttered in his quiet way as he stuck another forkful of cake in his mouth.

"Thanks, Kurt!" Katie smiled as she came up to collect Gwen's empty plate and wipe down their table. "You're always such a trooper, babysitting little Gwen."

"I'd like to remind you I'm still two years older than you, curly-top," Gwen crossed her arms with a smirk.

"Well, mleh!" Katie stuck her tongue out at her. She moved the wet cloth around the table top in wide circles. "Thanks for coming anyways, guys."

"Anything for Ol' Wallace," Gwen smiled, craning her neck to see the old man talking to her grand-father Woody at the door. "I can't believe he's sixty-six already."

"Good guy," Kurt pitched in, still toying with his cake. Sweets weren't exactly his preference.

"Aw, I'm sure Grandpa appreciates the company!" Katie said. Her face fell slightly as she carried both Kurt and Gwen's dishes to the counter – even though Kurt was still politely trying to finish. She knew him well enough to get rid of it before he made himself sick. "Though… I wish Harry and Toby could have been here for his party."

"I keep forgetting the new guy exists," Gwen said, turning her chair around to face Katie behind the counter. She folded her elbows across the back of the chair and rested her chin. "But of course, you don't. You visit the farm everyday with fattening goodies."

"Oh shut up…" Katie mumbled, tossing the dishes in the sink. "Isn't it sad though? They couldn't take a break just once? Not even for a birthday?"

"Autumn's around the corner. Harvesting season. Big deal for farmers," Kurt explained, leaning back in his chair.

"Yeah…" Katie reluctantly agreed as she scrubbed.

"Why are you so hung up on him? We don't even know this guy," Gwen suddenly accused. Her face was thoughtful though, not teasing. "He's been here for a couple months, and you rarely see him. And when you do, he doesn't say much. I mean, he never talks about himself. I don't think I've ever even heard his voice!"

"Oh, come on," Katie rolled her eyes defensively.

Gwen held up her hands in defense, fingerless gloves on each. "I'm just saying! It's weird, you know? Kind of suspicious…"

"Suspicious?!" Katie whirled around, towel in hand. "Why does everyone say that? Why can't anyone give him a chance?"

"I just don't get what you see in him, that's all," Gwen shrugged. Though it was rather a harsh way she was going about it, she was concerned for her friend. They grew up together, and it was well known she was slightly boy crazy. Katie went on about Harry when he was new for half a season. But that was the difference. It had been all summer and she still seemed to be infatuated with the new guy Toby. Katie finally seemed serious about her affections, so everyone was taking alarm.

Katie was quiet when she propped her elbows up on the counter, staring at the ceiling. Kurt and Gwen watched her curiously. "I know it sounds strange… but I used to have this book when I was a little girl. Full of fairytales and knights and dragons and things like that. When I first saw Toby it was like… like he walked right out of the pages. Like he's Prince Charming… Sorry. That's really childish. I don't know how to explain it…"

Gwen had her hand to her chin, trying to picture Gill. "I guess he does kind of have a princely look about him… But seriously?"

"Well, he fits the role, too! I mean, he's such a gentleman," Katie beamed, her face growing warm. "He's so strong and chivalrous – always holding doors and stuff… And he's so kind and down to Earth… Never mean! I feel like he couldn't say a mean thing if he tried. Such a sweetie, you know?"

"Well, I've heard enough, thanks," Kurt stood. He nodded to them both. "Tell your grand-father happy birthday…"

Katie quickly stood straighter, realizing she was saying too much. She bit her lip in embarrassment. "Yeah, sure… Bye, Kurt."

"Guess I better get going, too," Gwen stretched her arms up over her head and stood. Her bright eyes caught Katie's blue ones. "And good luck with your Prince Charming."

"Shut up!" Katie laughed, waving her off.

Though she had felt silly, Katie was glad to get those thoughts off her chest. She felt empowered. Like she could take the next step.

"Now back him up, pull up on the reins – up! Yeah, like that!" Harry coached from the ground.

Gill carefully pulled the horse backward. Not too fast or hard or it would upset the massive beast he was sat upon. It was difficult learning how to ride and maneuver a horse, especially one that was so young and not completely trained. His only complaint was that Harry didn't own a saddle. Riding bareback was painful after awhile.

"Okay, you're good! Stop him!" Harry called, running back to inspect the distance from the fence. He smiled wide as Gill looked over his shoulder at him. "Hey, great job!"

Gill smiled back. "Thanks."

"Never ridden horses before?" Harry asked, taking the reins and holding them firm as Gill climbed off.

"Never needed to," Gill answered. He jumped back to the ground, feeling a bit sore. He gave the horse Topper a pat on the shoulder. "It isn't as hard as I thought it would be."

"Good! 'Cuz you'll need to ride him lots if we're gonna speed up deliveries," Harry prattled on. His hat was askew and turned backwards, making him look even more childish than he was. He took the bit out of Topper's mouth and lifted the leather reins from his head. The horse leaned down and picked some of the tall grass of the pasture with his teeth. "Phew! Think it's gonna rain?"

Gill looked up at the darkening sky. He had to push the brim of his own cap out of his eyes so he could see the clouds. They were puffy and white, but they were grey out over the ocean. "On the off chance. Should we risk it?"

Harry mulled it over, comically stroking his chin. "Hm… I think we should. We're entering the rainy season, so I want to get the animals out as much as possible. No one likes being cooped up forever."

Gill nodded in agreement and left the pasture with Harry. At first, he thought it was strange wearing the farmer's extra clothes because they matched half the time in everything but color. The style was always the same: jeans, cut off T-shirt, suspenders, gloves, hat. But Gill didn't mind so much as he didn't notice it much anymore. The cap was welcome to block the hot sun when he was in the fields, but he decided to wear it brim forward. He still thought it was ridiculous to wear it backwards, but it somehow suited Harry.

After living on Sunny Farm for almost three months, Gill felt slightly troubled. When he started his new life, he half-expected a great change to come over him. To feel like a new person. To forget everything. That if he relinquished his old ways, then he would physically feel… different.

But that was ridiculous. He couldn't run or hide. He could only press on, trying everyday to be better than he was before. And hope that eventually, it wouldn't have to be an act anymore.

"Hey, come over here, Toby! Quick!" Harry called from the property's fence line.

Gill hadn't realized that he had stopped walking while he was thinking. Because of Harry's shouting, Red came bounding over to join the action. Gill shoved his hands in his pockets and strode to meet them.

Harry sat on the wooden fence beam staring out at the ocean. Gill joined him, throwing his legs over and holding onto the post for balance. "See? Red and I used to do this all the time, but it's been real busy lately."

The sun was setting. The sky was coated with all the familiar sunset hues: pink, red, blue, yellows, and vibrant orange. Purple was already beginning to take over the sky with a blanket of dim stars behind them. The calm water sparkled with every color of the rainbow like a treasure trove of gems.

Harry let out a sigh. "It's so beautiful…"

"It is," Gill agreed, feeling a dark tug from his past at that word and his obsession with it. "But it's also sad…"

The farmer pulled his cap away from his tan forehead with a small frown. "How?"

Gill found himself voicing his concerns aloud. He held his hand out and pointed at the edges of color that were rapidly leaving. "See how it fades? It gives me such a melancholy feeling… to see it disappear. There will never be a sunset exactly like this one again."

"Yeah," Harry agreed though he wasn't completely convinced. "But that's how the best things are, you know? Like you said - they're quick to fade. But that's what makes them the best. Because you only have a short time to stop and admire them… And nothing lasts forever."

The rusty key that Gill still kept underneath his shirt felt heavy at the thought. Live forever… Would he live forever? In this limbo between beauty and agony? When would he fade? Would he die normally with the face of a twenty-year old? But how could he? How could he die and fade into nothingness if he couldn't age?

"Well! Big day tomorrow!" Harry hopped off the fence and climbed back over to the side of fields and home.

"Wh-what?" Gill's voice caught in his throat.

Harry stared at him. "You know… Lots of deliveries with Topper."

"Oh…" Gill shook his head. He joined Harry on the right side of the fence. "Of course."

"I didn't mean anything by it. Are you okay?" Harry looked frightened.

Gill squirmed under his observance. "Yes, of course. Why?"

Harry rubbed the back of his head. "Well, you just look… I don't know – really sad."

"…My father used to say that. Quite often," Gill explained vaguely. "It reminded me of him."

"Oh! Where is he?" Harry smiled ignorantly.

"Gone," he answered shortly, walking off towards the barn.

"Oh…" Harry clammed up. "Sorry to hear that, Toby."

Gill shook his head, hoping to forget the resurfaced memories before he slept. Or else he knew he would dream about them all night.