#regressor!christine daae

[snapeslittlebean]

Phantom of the Opera Agere Headcanons (Erik/Christine)

Both Christine and Erik regress and care for eachother

Erik is the first to find out about the others regression and becomes Christine's caregiver very quickly

Erik is wary of allowing himself to he little around Christine because he feels like a burden and is afraid she will accidentally see his face but eventually as they spend more and more time together ends up involuntarily regressing.

Regressor Christine:

Regresses due to the trauma of losing her father unexpectedly when young

Is very young when regressed but isn't quite sure how old she is. Likely no older than 3.

Has limited control over when she regresses

The nickname Little Angel will make her feel very small and happy

Will suck her thumb when sleepy.

Can be very clingy

Is unsure whether she wants to call Erik papa when she's little. Part of her wants to but she feels it would be a slight to her real papa who is dead.

Erik wrote her Wandering Child as a lullaby for when she's little

Erik is the only person to know of her regression and she does a good job at hiding it, pretending to be ill if she feels herself slipping, avoiding people etc

Regressor Erik:

Regresses due to the trauma he experienced his entire life but especially his childhood trauma

Has pretty good control over when he regresses but if he doesn't for a while may regress involuntarily. Certain trauma related things such as nightmares will also trigger it

Regresses to around 2-6 age range

Is a messy boy, paper and books will be everywhere after bes been small for a while

Still likes to compose though rarely remembers what he was working on when big and his attempts at writing them down when small are illegible after expressing frustration at this Christine helps him record his compositions

Tends to get sleepy quickly and is one of the times he's less affected by his insomnia. Often involuntarily regresses after a long bout of sleeplessness

Will not leave his mask alone because it's uncomfortable, often dislodges it and/or breaks it accidentally. Christine eventually encourages him to just not wear it

Cannot sit still, cannot bear to have his hands unoccupied will fiddle with anything and everything

Flinches from contact at first yet desperately craves it. It takes a long time and a lot of effort on Christine's part to build trust but eventually he will cuddle into Christine's side while she reads or sings to him, he loves those moments.

[agerefandom]

Hi! If you'd like to, could you do a regressor or even a caregiver Christine Daae moodboard? I love your Erik ones and I keep going back to your other PotO stuff bc it makes me so happy <3

Regressor!Christine moodboard! Such a quiet little mouse, lingering near doorways to hear music that brings back bittersweet memories.

I'm so glad you like my phantom content!!! There's definitely more regressor!Christine in the future of this blog <3

[snapeslittlebean]

Little Problem

The Phantom of the Opera

Regressor!Christine Daaé x Caregiver!Erik

Christine regresses on the way to Erik's lair, Erik notices and ends up looking after her.

(TW? brief mention of asylums and generally not full understanding of age regression because it is the late 1800s)

Words: 2841

Christine trailed after Erik, her eyes downcast and hand clasped tightly in his. Neither of them spoke which wasn’t particularly unusual when making their way through the catacombs towards Erik’s home underneath the opera house.

What was out of the ordinary was quite how close Christine kept to Erik and the way she swung their hands as they walked. She hoped he hadn’t noticed these things and tried to make a conscious effort to avoid doing them, remembering every so often to still her hand and take a step back whenever his eyes turned to her with a curious glint in them.

Despite her best efforts Christine was aware she was slipping. Her mind felt slightly fuzzy and she knew if she didn’t do something soon she’d be in the mind of a small child. Except, Christine wasn’t exactly sure how to stop it happening.

Erik didn’t know of Christine’s predicament. He didn’t know his prodigy had trouble keeping her adult mindset. How could he? She had gone to great lengths suppressing it when around him. Only letting herself slip at night when she was alone and too tired to hold herself together.

It had been getting more and more difficult to fight it. The stress of being the new Prima Donna as getting to her as was the increased scrutiny she suddenly found herself under. Not to mention the increasingly frequent unwelcome advances from Raoul de Chagney, a man she only vaguely remembered from her childhood.

Her only relief was the quiet evenings she spent with Erik where they would sing together and the nights alone in her room where she could let herself act as a child.

She feared Erik finding out about her younger state of mind. Surely he wouldn’t want to continue their relationship. He may even decide she’s quite mad and have her thrown into an asylum. She couldn’t help but shudder at that thought, pulling her free arm across her chest protectively. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes but she blinked them away quickly.

The shudder pulled Erik’s gaze to her. He tilted his head, squeezing her hand very slightly. “Are you cold ma chérie?”

Christine stared at him, his voice was soft and caring. Oh how she longed to lean into him, hide her face in his chest and just forget the world around her. It took her a few moments consideration before she realised she was a bit chilly. Just one more discomfort that now she was aware of it nearly made her burst into tears.

“A little.” Her voice came out far too small. It took great effort to formulate the words. She was sure Erik would notice but he only smiled, as if she wasn’t acting unusual at all.

He released her hand, Christine whined reaching out to him. His hand had been so comforting she didn’t want to lose that. Not when it was so dark down here, the only light being from the small lantern that Erik now set on a ledge in the wall.

“Don’t worry Christine, Erik isn’t leaving you.” Christine relaxed slightly at that, he was using that gentle tone that always made her feel like everything was going to be alright. Erik removed his cloak, draping it around her shoulders and fastening it. His fingers were soon intertwining with hers once more and he was leading her further into the darkness.

The cloak was a little too big for her, even with it fastened tightly around her she found she needed to grip it with her free hand to keep it from sliding off her shoulders. As she held it in place she couldn’t help but notice how incredibly soft the fabric was. Not to mention the comforting scent that was distinctly Erik that seemed to cling to it. She found she wanted nothing more than to snuggle into it, she wondered if Erik would allow her to keep one of his cloaks in her room for situations when her mind felt small, it might help her calm down enough to fall asleep much sooner and mean she awoke in tears less often.

That thought snapped her out of the warm fuzzy feeling that had been slowly engulfing her. Erik couldn’t know about this. She needed to be stronger. He mustn’t find out. Still the further they walked the more she felt herself slipping. It incredibly frustrating when no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t keep her own mind in check.

Christine shifted closer to Erik. Something about these long passageways, lit only by the single lamp in Erik’s hand had her imagination running wild. There could be anything in the shadows and only Erik could keep her safe from whatever monsters might be watching them.

A handful of tears escaped her, she bit her tongue to stop any whimpers that might tear their way from her throat. She needed to calm down but the more she tried the more uneven her breaths became.

“Are you alright Christine?” Erik asked softly, pausing for a moment and turning to her. The lantern’s light spread over her face, Christine cringed back, rubbing her eyes quickly but it was too late, he had already seen the evidence of her crying.

“Mon amour, what’s the matter?”

Christine couldn’t answer, her lip wobbled, a sob choked out without her consent. She shook her head and darted forwards, burying her face in Erik’s chest, her entire body shaking with the effort it took to maintain what little control she had left.

“Oh Christine,” Erik soothed, arms wrapping carefully around her, Christine whimpered, clutching him tightly as if her life depended on it, “what’s brought this on? How can Erik help?”

“Can’t…. Can’t do it.” Christine sobbed, shaking her head. This was all awful, Erik was going to know whether she wanted him to or not. Surely he’d be able to figure out what was going on from the way her words slurred.

“You can’t do what?” Erik asked sounding genuinely baffled.

“Can’t… Can’t.” Christine whined more insistently.

“Alright. Hush, it’s alright,” Erik soothed, rubbing her back carefully, “you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Not for Erik.”

Christine shook her head. He didn’t understand. It was a moment before he spoke again. “Would you prefer to return to the surface?”

“No.” Christine all but wailed, that was worse. She knew she should take him up on that offer but the childish part of her didn’t want to walk back through the dark and scary tunnels even with Erik by her side and she didn’t want to be alone either. Erik’s arms around her felt warm and safe.

“Then we won’t do that, we’re very close to my home now can you walk with me?”

“I’m scared,” Christine whimpered, gripping Erik’s shirt tightly, “it’s dark and I don’t like it.”

“The dark frightens you?” Erik asked, though his voice still carried that gentle, caring tone it contained a note of surprise. Christine nodded frantically, the dark was really scary when she was like this.

“There’s monsters.” She whispered nervously as if voicing her fear might bring the creatures she was sure lurked in the shadows closer. Erik chuckled darkly at this but a gentle hand was placed on the back of her head.

“The only monster here is Erik, Little Angel.”

“Erik’s not a monster,” Christine protested, unthinkingly mirroring his speech pattern. She pulled away to look up at him, the little light from the lantern flickered across his mask in what she supposed would be a frightening manner if she wasn’t so sure of her statement, “Erik is kind and… and safe. Not a monster.”

Erik didn’t answer, only sighing as he wiped the remainders of her tears away with a careful brush of the thumb, his eyes bored into hers as if he could see her very soul. “Come, not far now.”

Christine nodded as Erik wrapped an arm around her, holding her close as he guided her through the darkness.

As they approached his lair she breathed a sigh of relief, Erik didn’t drop her hand instead leading her over to the organ. Christine’s eyes widened, she couldn’t sing like this. Erik would absolutely know something was wrong as she stumbled over the words as well as the notes.

Seemingly sensing something was amiss Erik paused, fixing her with that same intense gaze. “Are you sure you’re alright ma chérie?”

“I… Yes,” Christine winced at how small her voice sounded, she looked down, trying to force her body to remain still but trembles still ran through it as she worried over how Erik may react, “I’m just not sure I can sing for you today.”

She expected confusion, or at least a question as to why. Instead Erik simply nodded, his thumb running over her knuckles a few times until her body relaxed. “Of course, perhaps you’d still like to sit by Erik while he plays for you?”

Christine nodded, her head feeling pleasantly fuzzy as he led her to the love seat that sat near his organ. It would be nice to just listen to Erik’s music. Perhaps if Erik became wrapped up in his music he wouldn’t notice her odd behaviour.

Another whimper nearly slipped past her lips when Erik released her hand. She resisted the urge to hold her arms out to him, the childlike part of her brain not wanting him to be so far away. The organ was only a few feet away from her though, she knew she was being ridiculous.

“What is the matter Christine?” His voice was so soft, so comforting. It did nothing but lower her ability to fight against the smaller part of her creeping into her brain.

“ ‘m ‘kay.” She lied, her words slurring together. Something flashed in Erik’s eyes, for one frightening moment Christine thought it might be realisation.

“I’m glad to hear that Little Angel,” Christine blinked at that. Little Angel? That was what he’d called her in the passageway too. She quite liked that, a small smile graced her lips that was quickly returned by Erik, she barely noticed herself sink fully into her little headspace

“Very well, Erik will play for you.” Somehow Erik made his voice even softer, how did he do that? His hand caressed her cheek very lightly, Christine closed her eyes leaning into his touch.

Within seconds he was gone. This time she couldn’t quite bite back the sharp whine. Erik looked over at her from his place in front of the organ. “Hush now Little Angel, Erik is here.”

She wasn’t sure why those words soothed her as much as they did. But he was still too far away. She stood shakily and approached, her legs felt wobbly but she made it in only a few short steps.

There wasn’t much room for the two of them on the stool in front of the organ so Christine settled herself on the floor, leaning her head against Erik’s knee. Erik paused, placing a gentle hand on her head. He looked down at her for a long moment before speaking. “Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer to sit on the love seat mon amour?”

Christine shook her head adamantly, wrapping and arm around his leg and refusing to let go. Erik sighed, reaching down and pulling his cloak back onto her shoulder, tucking it around her so it wouldn’t fall again. She hadn’t even realised it had fallen, Christine sighed contentedly, snuggling closer to Erik who didn’t seem to mind at all.

When the music reached her ears she grinned to herself. Erik really was the best musician ever. She wanted to tell him this but decided to wait as she didn’t want him to stop playing. She didn’t recognise this piece but it was unmistakably Erik’s composition. The notes washed over her making her feel like nothing bad could happen ever again. She decided Erik’s music was just magic like that and as long as he continued playing then it had to be true.

Her thumb slipped into her mouth at some point during this private concert. Her eyelids drooped but she refused to close them. She didn’t want to go to sleep just yet and Erik’s knee was a very comfortable place to rest her head. Soon Erik started mixing in songs she recognised. Nursery rhymes taught to children and the like.

She couldn’t help but smile, even sleepily singing along to a few. Forgetting in her relaxed state that her words would come out childlike and mispronounced especially when she forgot to pull her thumb from her mouth. If Erik minded he didn’t say so, only continuing to play even singing a few of the nursery rhymes back to her softly.

Erik slowed down, the piece drifting seamlessly into a lullaby she knew instantly. Her head jolted up and she blinked a few times then her head dropped tiredly back onto Erik’s knee. By the time Erik had played the last few notes she was almost asleep.

She whined when the music stopped, hearing only quiet laugh in response. A hand landed on her head, fingers combing through her hair gently. Christine relaxed, her eyes falling shut before she could stop them.

“Erik thinks it is time for bed.”

Christine shook her head. No, she didn’t want to go to bed, she wanted Erik to keep playing because nothing was better than Erik’s music. She didn’t need to go to bed anyway, she was a big girl who could stay up just as late as Erik did.

“It’s late and you’re exhausted Little Angel,” Erik said. Christine tried to protest but the words only came out as mumbled whines, “come on.”

He detached himself from Christine’s grip and stood. She looked up at him, tears already beginning to form in her eyes.

“’rik.” She all but sobbed, holding her arms out to him. She didn’t want to be away from him, he made things safe, she couldn’t lose that.

“Hush now, Erik is here.” Erik’s voice took on a soothing tone. He crouched down, scooping her into his arms with relative ease. If he was uncomfortable with the way she clung to him, face buried into the crook of his neck, he didn’t show it.

The distance to the room Christine used on the rare occasion she spent the night with Erik was short. Erik hummed along the way, that same lullaby that had almost put her to sleep. She could feel it working again but fought it. It was not bed time for big girls like her. Not at all.

She awoke when the warmth of Erik’s arms left her. She squirmed, annoyed at herself that she’d dozed off. Erik hushed her, a hand brushing the hair from her face. She looked up at him with teary eyes. “Come now, it’s long past the time little ones should be asleep.”

“No’ li’l.” Christine told him firmly, a prickle of fear settled in her stomach. He knew? That wasn’t good, she didn’t want him to know. He shook his head, a soft smile on his lips.

“It’s quite alright Christine.” He soothed, finger running through her hair absent-mindedly.

“No.” Christine whined, eyes welling up with tears.

“Oh. No come here Little Angel,” Erik allowed her to sit up and throw her arms around him, hiding her face in his chest. “Erik thinks Christine is a very little girl right now. Is that right?”

“No’ li’l,” she sobbed, gripping his shirt tightly, “li’l bad.”

“Erik doesn’t think so.” Erik said, rubbing slow steady circles into her back, Christine shook her head, how could he know and be anything other than disgusted with her? But here he was, comforting her and telling her it was ok.

“I… ‘m so’wy.” Christine sobbed, but Erik only shook his head.

“You’ve nothing to be sorry for Christine,” he said steadily, “how about Erik let you in on a secret.”

Christine hiccuped looking up at him with wide curious eyes. “Erik is little too sometimes.”

She gasped, she could hardly believe it. Erik had the same problem as her? It couldn’t be, he was so adept in everything her did. She thought she could see a nervous glint in his eyes but it was hard to tell behind his mask.

“And when he’s little he knows he needs to be in bed when little ones should be.” Erik continued carefully. Christine frowned at that, she really didn’t want to go to bed. Her head fell onto his chest once more and she squirmed, fighting back a yawn unsuccessfully.

“Erik sing?” She asked hopefully, Erik nodded, rocking her back and forth very slowly as he began the lullaby from before. Christine’s eyelids felt so heavy, Erik’s arms were warm and secure. Not a thing in the world could harm her. He didn’t even mind her mindset, there truly was nothing else to worry about. Her thumb slipped into her mouth and her mind drifted as she sunk into sleep.