Erik x Reader (One shots/ Scenarios)

We Are the Same

Request from: z0mbi3_gh0sty

Reader has a similar deformity to Erik!

My girlfriend helped me make an idea for this one so thank you hehe you are so sweet for helping me thank youuu I love youuu

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   My hand adjusted the mask that covers my face, and then goes back to the broom so I can continue my sweeping. When I was born I came out with a horrifying deformity right on my face. It has made life quite difficult, so I always do my best to keep it covered. My mask covers my entire face, the style is similar to a venetian mask but without all the fancy details. I wanted it to not be too noticeable, human enough but not be too creepy. It works out for the most part. From far away no one can tell, but from close up people do tend to give me some weird looks; that's a lot better than anyone seeing my face though.

   I groaned to myself as I fixed my mask yet again. It had been slipping all day, and now it is really starting to get on my nerves. It's my fault unfortunately. Yesterday the band snapped, so I did my best to tie it back correctly, but ever since it just doesn't sit on my face right anymore. Today it has been slipping off every other moment, especially whenever I bend over to do something. A sigh escaped me...I just need to get through today, I shall be able to buy another one tomorrow.

   One of the opera house staff members ran into me as I swept the floor backstage, she glanced at my mask and then down to the floor with an accusatory glare, "You missed a spot." She huffed and walked past me quickly. I simply rolled my eyes and continued to sweep up the floor, and I sassily cleaned the spot she mentioned despite her not being here to see it.

   Everyone here sees my mask as a free pass to make fun of me and everything I do. It is infuriating, but also depressing. I would love to do more than clean up everybody's messes, but my face holds me back from such opportunities. The managers like to keep me in the back; unseen.

   As I work, a few more of the opera house staff walked by along with a horde of ballerinas laughing and talking. They don't see me, one of the ballerinas ran into me with an offended gasp. My face looked down towards my feet so I didn't trip over them, and as I did my mask fell down. My body bumped into the wall, thankfully saving myself from further embarrassment if I fell to the ground instead. My head turned to the dancer who had caused this, and that is when I saw her angered expression change into a look of fear. Before anyone could realize what had happened, she let out a shriek, "Oh my god!"

   The surrounding ballerinas and staff members turned to gaze upon my wretched visage. Each expression morphed into one of fear or disgust. They have faces I have seen all my life, but they still hurt no matter how many times I have been confronted with them. My hands fly up and try to cover the damage, but the pain has already been dealt. I sprinted off before I could hear word of what a terrible gargoyle I am. I am well aware of it already, I do not need others to inform me of that.

   My legs took me down corridor after corridor. Any person who stood in my way quickly moved to the side so I could rush by. Once I feel like I have run away far enough from any cruel behavior I slowed down. My eyes dart around the hallway to make sure there aren't any people I need to be aware of. That is until I am pressed against something...actually someone.

   I gasped as I backed away from whoever was in front of me, I looked up to find something I did not expect: a person in a mask. They stared at me with widened eyes; clearly surprised by my presence as well. Their eyes study my deformity with surprise, not fear. I scoffed and looked away, "Come to gawk at my ugliness, have you?"

   "What? That's ridiculous, no. I despise people like that," he mumbled, his voice deep but soft. His voice is like leaves upon the wind. A beautiful thing to witness despite enduring the harsh bitter coldness of our surroundings. He moved closer to me and he grabbed my chin with his freezing bony hands. My breath holds in my chest, my body prepared to run away any minute now, but he doesn't go further than that. He whispered gently, "You're like me. I have never seen anyone who resembled me before."

   His eyes seemed to dig deep into my soul. He admired my sunken eyes, oddly shaped nose and nostrils, the redness and bumps of my lips and cheeks, uneven hairline, and the weirdly stretched skin that goes down to my neck. Despite his kind words, I still stared at him in disbelief and fear. How could he look at me with such warmth in his eyes?

   Almost like he could read my mind, he quickly moved back with a long sigh. "You and I...we are the same. I just...can't believe it. I've never seen my deformities in a good way, but when they're on you...they're beautiful." My heart leaped out of my chest. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Why is he saying this to me? His hands shook as he brought them up to the mask that covered half of his face. It's at that moment that I realized who this is: he's the phantom of the opera.

   I've always heard the phantom stories by working here, someone always brought it up at one point or another. Whenever it was discussed I would get stares from everyone. They would jokingly ask if I was the vile ghost that had been terrorizing the opera house. The stories never interested me much. The tales of mysterious notes, shadows going from one corner to another, a whispering voice in box five, and threats coming from an unknown figure were always the scary parts. The tales of a deformed man were not.

   My thoughts get pulled to the present as I watch the phantom in front of me with his hand placed over his mask. "I've never willingly taken my mask off for someone, forgive me." He mumbled with hesitation in his voice.

   "Wait! You don't have to take it off. I understand how uncomfortable it can be. Mine accidentally slipped off and I made a ballerina scream, so I understand." He noticed the gloom in my tone. I pulled my mask completely off and revealed the backside so he could see the messed up band, "It broke and I fixed it badly, now it has been slipping off all day." His hand left his mask and instead has been placed on mine. He inspected it only for a moment until he spoke again.

   "I could fix it for you. I'll replace it with a better material so it doesn't break so easily."

   "Really?! You would do that? Thank you, that is so kind of you."

   He grinned happily and led me down towards the cellars, "Let's go to my home and I will fix your mask for you. We can also catch up for all the time we should've known each other." As he spoke he had a slight smirk on his face. It seemed he had gained some confidence once the attention moved away from his mask. His aura is so alluring, I will be enjoying his company.

   He squeezed my hand for a moment, "My name is Erik. You won't be alone in this world anymore."