Erik x Reader (One shots/ Scenarios)

Erik and Child! Reader

   The phantom lets out a long sigh as he sits down on the bench. He rests his hands on the keys of his organ. He pushes his tiredness away for the perfect bliss that music brings...

   The opera ghost is only able to play for a few moments until his music is interrupted from a small giggle. He groans upon hearing this familiar noise. With a quick slam of the keys he stands up, the startling noise stopping the giggling.

   "(Y/N!)"

   Erik glances over his shoulder to see a small child tugging at his cloak. They give him a small innocent smile to show him that they definitely weren't doing anything they weren't supposed to. He stares at their tiny hands gripping his cloak, so small and soft compared to his long and rough hands.

   (Y/N) backs away once the man turns around, he leans down to bring them in his arms. He keeps a stern expression as he tries to scold the child, "It is way past your bedtime. You need to stay in bed once I put you there!"

   Clearly, this ghost is losing his patience. It hurts his heart to lose his patience with his own kid but nothing he tries seems to work. The two of them have been going through this for many nights now. The moment he thinks he successfully put his child to sleep it all becomes lies once he hears their footsteps running through the lair. (Y/N) just lets out a quick giggle as their fingers play with his shirt, "Stay up!"

   "No, you will not be doing that. You are three years old and you know what three year olds need? Sleep! I'm taking you back to bed."

   The moment the kid hears that they shriek loudly, "No! No bedtime! I don't wanna go! Let me down!" The whines bounce around the lair which makes Erik frown.

   Erik does his best to control the tiny limbs flailing around, but unfortunately his fear of hurting them causes them to easily slip away. The child leaps down and sprints away quickly, almost as fast as a cat would. Thankfully for Erik, he grabs (Y/N) before they can run away to the bathroom and shut the door.

   He stares pitifully while his child gives up on their escape plan and instead just rag dolls in his arms. It's silent for a few seconds as Erik thinks about what to say. His heart beat quickens in anxiousness, what is he doing wrong? Soon enough he is able to speak, his soft voice immediately causes (Y/N) to look at him.

   "Why don't you want to go to bed?"

   While they are distracted with that question, he carries them to their room. (Y/N) stopped screaming but the tears continue to flow, their hand rubs on their face trying to furiously wipe away the tears. Erik sets them down gently on the bed and sits beside them with a concerned expression. He wants to move closer to wipe away the sadness but he doesn't want them to become more upset at him, he decides to stay still.

   "It's lonely by myself..."

   The phantom softly gasps as he can feel his heart break even more. His child reveals even more thoughts right after, each word flowing out as the dam has now been broken.

   "Papa, you leave to play music! I stay in my room all by myself! You tell me to go to sleep but you don't do the same. It's not fair! Why can't I stay up with you? Please don't leave...!"

   What a terrible father I am, Erik thinks. He lays down on the bed beside (Y/N.) In response, they lay down as well and snuggle into his chest. He cautiously wraps his arm around them, "You're right...I shouldn't place a rule and not follow it myself. I'll stay beside you."

   That seems like the right answer, the child smiles and holds him tighter. Erik shifts a bit uncomfortably as his mask presses into the pillows, he refuses to show his face in fear of scaring (Y/N.) His cold hand rubs their back, the child may be content now but he sure isn't.

   Tears prick his eyes while he lets out yet another sigh, "Tomorrow, I'll bring you back over to Uncle Nadir. You only come over a few nights a week and I am so sorry for making those few nights miserable for you."

   "No! I wanna stay with you. Please...I miss you. I like it here!"

   What is right? Listen to his child's protests or take them back to someone who knows how to actually care for such a young child? This dark lair is not a place for such a bright and happy soul. He hopes being down here doesn't place a shadow over their heart like the one he has upon his own.

   He places a kiss on their forehead, "I love you. Now sleep."

   A magical spell seems to be cast upon his child, a yawn escapes them. Their eyes slowly open and close while they try to fight sleep, not even a second later they lose. Erik closes his eyes and holds (Y/N) close. Just like he said, he doesn't leave their side. The father and his child sleep all night in each other's arms all night. For once, the opera ghost loses all his worries and stays happy with his place right now.