AN: Hey everybody! So, this one shot is dedicated to my friend Christy, who absolutely adores N2N and reading Alive!Gabe fanfictions. Anyways, this story IS AU because Gabe is alive and 8 years old while Natalie is 6. This is just a cute little idea that came to me from nowhere, so please enjoy!
"Tag, you're it Natty!"
He tapped her on the shoulder, grinning, and ran off once again. Natalie stared after Gabe, rolling her eyes. She appreciated her big brother and the fact that he stood up for her, but sometimes he was just too much to handle.
She turned back to the piano, placing her fingers on the keys once again. The piano had been a Christmas gift. A glossy black baby grand, all hers, tucked in the corner of a little room that her parents had designated as her music room. The piano was a little big for her. She thought the name was deceptive. Baby grand. Yet, she could hardly reach the peddles, and she often found herself fumbling, trying to stretch her hands far enough to press the proper keys.
Sighing, she adjusted the music on the stand at the top of the piano, straightening her spine as she prepared herself to start at the top of the piece. All she needed was time. She would get older, and her hands would get bigger, and her legs would get longer, and then everything that was a problem now would seem like a piece of cake. If she just stayed patient and practiced. She just had to remember that. Remember that and arch her hands. Keep her fingers high. Just let the fingers skim the keys… Now carefully fall into the note…
She jumped as a hand once again clasped her shoulder, slamming her hands roughly down upon the keys and wincing at the harsh discord of the notes played. She whirled around, facing a smirking Gabe. These were the moments where she hated having a big brother and wished he could be shipped back to wherever it is babies come from- though she wasn't quite sure at this point what that place was called and if it would be a reward to him, rather than a punishment. She glared at him, tired of him interrupting her practice time.
"What do you want?" She asked, crossing her arms across her chest.
And there it was, his signature grin, streaking across his face like lightning in the middle of a storm, quick and stunning.
"Come on Natty, you've been at it for hours, just come play with me!" He pleaded, his natural charm seeping into his words.
She sat there for a moment, weighing her options. Perhaps if she agreed he'd leave her alone later and she could practice…
"Fine," She agreed, standing and closing the piano gently.
"Great!" He replied, grinning as he tagged her once again. "Tag! You're still it!" He exclaimed as he dashed from the room.
She blinked, standing in silence for a moment before she dashed after him, hurrying down the stairs. "Hey! That's not fair!" She called after the giggling Gabe as they ran through the kitchen and across the living room.
Natalie realized too late that Gabe was slowing down, out of room to run, and tried to stop, skidding across the title and running straight into him. There was a loud clatter as they both fell, taking the umbrella stand with them. They sat there for a moment, then, both stood and bolted back up the stairs to the music room, not a single word spoken.