Requested: EmilyBunting2
Prompt: 27, 44, 54
Info: Phantom of the opera/ opera ghost/ Erik x reader (female reader)

Modern setting
Reader is cast as understudy for Christine Daáe/ ensemble and when something strange happens to the lead the reader is thrust into the role of Christine.
~~~

"W-What?!" I squeak as the director pushes me into the dressing room. "What do you mean I'm the lead?!"

"Exactly what I said miss. (L/n)." He says cooly. "The lead didn't show up, and your the understudy."

"Christine didn't show up?!" I ask. "Were is she, she was so excited to play the role!"

"We don't know. All we know is that you're the understudy and that you need to take the lead." The man says as he gives me a look before shutting the door of the dressing room with a bang.

I groan and fall against the door. Quietly cursing my self for trying out for the musical in the first place.

A knock comes from the other side of the door and I quickly scramble away from it, opening the door and revealing the Phantom himself, already in costume.

Erik's half smile fades as he sees me instead of Christine. He tilts his head like a confused puppy.

"Where's Christine?" He asks, his voice slightly husky and sending shivers down my spine.

"She, uh, she didn't, she didn't show. So, since, uh, I'm her- her understudy, I have her, uh, role." I tell him, quickly fidgeting with my hands awkwardly as I explain to him, my level of anxiety starting to rise.

"Oh. Ok." He sighs and begins to close the door.

"Wait!" I call after him, and see his head pop back into the room. "Why, uh, why did you ask?"

"Oh- I just wanted to talk with her. That's all." He tells me, his voice slightly sad. I hum in response and nod. He smiles slightly before closing the door behind him.

I sigh, realizing I made a fool of my self in front of my ex. I groan and quietly sit in the chair in front of the vanity. Soon another knock comes and a group of people rush in, carrying bags of makeup and hair supplies.

Over the next thirty minutes, I'm poked with makeup utensils, having my hair pulled, and a costume pulled over my body harshly. I take a moment to look at my self in the mirror and smile slightly at my reflection before turning away from the vanity all together and walking out of the room.

As I quietly walk towards the group of actors and actresses talking in one corner, I hear a low voice, quietly singing a heartfelt song. I look around as if asking if I was imagining it. But once I realize I'm not, I follow the voice. Once I find where it's coming from I stop in my tracks, immediately regretting my course of action.

I see the door to Erik's dressing room slightly ajar as I slowly walk towards it, peering in slightly. I watch him, slowly and softly singing a love song to himself, as if trying to remind himself what the word means. His eyes are closed and slowly dripping tears. I try and pull my head back and to leave the room, but my foot catches on the door, making me fall with a crash.

He turns and jumps out of his chair, attempting to step towards me, but fear clutches his heart.

"Umm... how, huh, long have you been... standing there?" He asks as I pick myself up and brush off my dress.

"Uhh. Not long! I swear! I'm not a stalker. I just heard singing and I wan-." I start but he cuts me off.

"I'm sorry. I'm so so so sorry I ended things with you. You made me feel special and like I mattered, but now I have no one. I don't want to love anyone else other than you, because you are the only person I have ever loved." He tells me, his voice wavering every now and again. "I'm so so sorry... please take me back. Please.. I need you.." He sobs quietly.

I step towards him and wrap him in a tight hug, nuzzling my head into the nape of his neck.

"Everyone deserves a second chance, Erik. Even you, and of course I'll take you back. Your the only person who makes me feel like I'm important. You make me feel human, and if I can make you feel the same way, that makes me the happiest girl in the world." I murmur into his ear. I can feel his tensed stance settle and slump with relief.

"Thank you... thank you so much..." He sobs, slightly louder than before.

"Don't thank me, thank Christine. We wouldn't be in this situation if she didn't not show up." I laugh, letting go of him and leaving a peck on his lips.

And just like that, the moment was over.

Christine storms into the room furious, her hair a mess and her clothes sopping wet.

"You stole my role!" She yells. I shoot Erik a look and he just shrugs as she continues to yell at me.

But all I can hear is his heart as he pulls me close and tells the furious girl;

"She didnt steal anything Christine. You were late, not if you'll kindly change your clothes- it's dripping all over the floor." The girl screeches as she runs away from the room.

"Thank you." I laugh.

"Anything for you."

~~~
I hope you all enjoyed this one shot!  I will be publishing something else shortly so, stay tuned my lovely readers!

~~Griffon~~