Disclaimer: I do not own PhofOp.

Niece and Her Uncle

Meg entered her uncle's shop, the bell on top of the door jiggling softly. The owner wasn't truly her uncle, but he had been there since she was born and has helped raised her with her mom, so he might as well be her real uncle. She didn't pause in her stride and soon she saw Erik come from where he kept his bases, a grin on his lips. As she got closer, Erik held out his hand and she immediately took it.

"My darling pearl! Finally came to visit?" Erik stated with a teasing grin, which Meg couldn't help but mirror.

"I'm sorry that I haven't been able to come around," Meg apologized as they walked back towards the front counter.

Erik shook his head and waved his free hand dismissingly. "Do not apologize. The madam has told me that you have been busy preparing for college. I hear you have been quite intense in your research."

Meg chuckled, letting go of Erik's hand long enough to hop onto the counter, it was the only way they were at the same height. She took his hand back and began to play with his fingers as she spoke.

"I'm sure mom's told you in detail about how I've been driving her crazy, no need to cushion your words."

Erik grinned and patted her knee with his free hand. "I'm sure she's feeling just as overwhelmed as you are at the moment, it's a big step for her too."

Meg sighed. "I know, but I can't calm down! I'm leaving in only three days!"

"I would not worry too much, my pearl." Erik assured in a comforting tone. "You have always been strong and stubborn, you will do fine."

"It'll be weird not being able to come visit you and Nadir whenever I want." Meg remarked.

Erik squeezed her hand. "Do not worry about that either. I'm sure both of us will be fine knowing that you are working hard."

Erik paused for a second. "Though, I do wish you will call often. You know how Nadir can get worried."

Meg grinned, knowing that it was Erik who did the worrying more than the gruff cop. "Of course."

Erik nodded. "Good. Now, tell me what you have been up to. I have your mother's riled up version, but what is yours."

Meg told him, leaving nothing out.

Ever since she was a child, Erik has always been the person Meg would talk the most to. Sure she had her mom, and they had a great relationship, but even they butted heads once in a while and Meg didn't always feel like she told tell her things. With Erik, that had never been the case. When she was mad at her mom, she would go to Erik. When she would think that she couldn't talk to her mom about things, she would go to Erik. Erik had always been there for her, somehow knowing what she needed given any conversation. Whether it was for advice or engaging conversation or an ear to silently listen, Erik would do it.

As she talked, she knew that Erik was listening to her, but he appeared distracted. He was able to reply when it was necessary and it held enough detail that she knew he was paying attention, yet he didn't seem to be all there. Once she had finished what she wanted to talk about she pointed it out.

"Are you okay?" she asked straight to the point. "You look as if you have something else on your mind."

"Do I? I apologize." Erik replied instantly. "Fear not, you have my complete attention."

"Erik…" Meg deadpanned. "You're taping a beat on my knee."

Erik immediately stopped, pulling his free hand from her with a sheepish expression. "Forgive me, my dear, I have had a song stuck in my head for quite some time."

That peaked Meg's curiosity. She loved to hear Erik play and the music he composed were some of the most powerful pieces she has ever heard. Her favorite being her lullaby Erik had created for her when she was born, but there were others she enjoyed.

"Play it for me." Meg suggested but Erik shook his head.

"No, it is incomplete."

Meg knew that Erik didn't like playing for others until the piece was finished. She let it go, for now.

"Alright, than tell me about that couple, that mom and Nadir don't like." She watched Erik stiffen and she frowned. "Mom wouldn't tell me anything about them, will you?"

"There is not much to say." Erik stated firmly. "They visited for a while but soon left."

Meg's frown deepened. She had a feeling that Erik wasn't telling her something. "Why did they stop?" she pressed.

Erik shifted away from her, in the process removing his hand from hers. He turned to face away from her enough that she couldn't see his expression. "I asked them to."

Meg was confused. From what mom had told her, Erik liked the couple well enough. It didn't make sense for him to suddenly cut ties with people. Then she observed her uncle's posture for a moment and the answer came to her.

"Mom asked you to." She whispered, knowing that was the answer.

Erik sighed and turned towards her again with a weak grin. "I cannot hide anything from my pearl it seems. Do not blame your mother, Nadir asked me as well."

Meg didn't blame her mom for anything, she only didn't understand the why. "But why?"

"They see something I do not." Erik answered tiredly. "They sense something is off about them, and if they agree on something, who am I to argue with their instincts."

Meg crossed her arms over her chest. "But you liked them, didn't you?"

"Yes, they were both lovely." Erik confessed, tiling his head in acknowledgment. "However, it is not worth making Antoinette and Nadir worry about me."

Meg could see that. For Erik, family always came first and for him, mom, Nadir, and she were his family.

"Still, it kind of sucks that you had to stop being friends with them." Meg stated.

Erik shrugged. "I will admit that sometimes I miss their presence, but what's done is done."

"But—" Meg began but Erik raised his hand to stop her.

"I believe a change of topic is in order." Erik suggested, though Meg knew it was more of an order.

Not wanting to make her uncle uncomfortable, she dropped the topic. "Play my lullaby?"

Erik gained a small but pleased grin. "Are you not a little old for that?"

"Never." Meg countered matter of fact.

Erik chuckled but made his way to the piano. Meg hopped off the counter and followed after him. Erik sat down at the piano and Meg stood in front of him next to the body of the large instrument. He lifted the cover and placed his hands on the keys, finding by touch the correct place to start. Soon he began to play the gentle tune of her lullaby. He opened his mouth and began to sing.

Wandering child,
So lost, so helpless
Yearning for some guidance.

Angel or family
Friend or phantom
Who will be there, staring?

It's there, your Angel of Music

Have you forgotten your Angel?

Angel, shall speak
What endless longings
Echo in this whisper!

Meg was only half aware that the door to the shop opened, the bell shaking briefly. She was too engulfed in Erik's singing and playing to become mindful that there was someone else in the shop. However, Erik heard it and paused in his playing, which was what made Meg alert. The silence was abrupt that Meg was uncomfortable for a moment, but was soon able to get her bearings. She turned around and saw that a young couple had walked in.

They looked older than her but younger than Erik, both were incredibly doll-like. The girl's delicate and soft features and the boy's handsome and stronger ones contrasted yet complimented each other perfectly. Both of them gave off a strong presence that made Meg want to cringe, almost as if she was in the presence of something that could do her harm. She eyed them warily, she had grown up to learn how to trust her instincts. And she was noting that her gut was currently telling her to be careful of those two.

Yet, both of the couple's expressions looked hesitant and cautious, like they were the ones in a dangerous situation.

The couple spotted them at the piano and began to make their way over. Meg found it eerie that neither of them seem to make a sound as they walked, she would believe that they weren't there at all if she hadn't been actively watching them. She briefly glanced towards Erik and saw that he was in the same position as he had stopped in. The next moment, Erik came back to life and slowly placed the lid back before standing, getting out from behind the bench.

He faced towards the couple as they stopped a couple yards away.

"Hello Erik." The girl spoke first, her tone dripping of care.

Erik raised his eyebrow. "Miss Daae. Mr. de Chagny. What are the two of you doing here?"

Meg blinked in surprise, turning back to face the couple. This was the couple that her mom and Nadir had told Erik to stay away from? They didn't seem like they were secretly serial killers but she had to admit that she agreed with her mom's opinion.

Something was off about them.

The girl, Miss Daae, bit her lip and wriggled her hands together in a nervous gesture. "We want to talk to you. Only that."

"Is that not what I specifically asked you to not do?" Erik countered firmly, his expression neutral.

Meg mentally frowned at the tone. Should he be talking to them like that if they were unsafe? Could Erik not sense their dangerous presence? Usually, he was the one to be able to get a hold on someone's personality, but he had told her that it had been her mom and Nadir that told him they were off, while to him, they were fine.

She watched the couple flinch as if struck which made her more confused. Why are two people that give off the presence of a predator curling inside themselves at the scolding of a blind man?

"Yes, but we know you did not mean it." The boy, Mr. de Chagny, countered.

Erik crossed his arms over his chest with a raised brow. "Oh? And what makes you say that?"

"Because if you had meant it, we would be physically incapable to coming near you again." Miss Daae answered, forcing her hands by her sides to not mess with them.

That made Meg pause and she saw the same thing happen to her uncle. He frowned in confusion.

"Please," Miss Daae pleaded. "We know that Mr. Khan and Madam Giry asked you to tell us what you did. We want to explain why they would."

Her uncle appeared as confused as Meg felt. She had no idea what they were talking about and a part of her was getting scared, she didn't know why. Erik didn't appear to be scared like her, in fact, he seemed to be giving their offer some thought. Meg knew that Miss Daae's words were vague enough for him to want clearer answers.

"Alright." Erik eventually conceded slowly. "Tell me."

Both of the couple glanced at Meg making her want to be swallowed up by the floor away from the strange intensity of their gazes. As if sensing what they were doing, Erik continued.

"Meg is allowed to stay if she wishes." He stated firmly, leaving no room for them to argue.

The couple's eyes widened.

"Meg?" Mr. de Chagny whispered in surprise, his eyes lighting up in recognition.

Apparently, Erik had told them about her before he cut off their friendship.

Erik ignored the both of them for a moment and tilted his head in Meg's direction. "Meg, do you wish to stay?"

Meg thought about that for a moment. She didn't like the aura the couple were giving off, it was not something a human gave off. It was that of a hunter in the night, a predator to humans, and it made her want to run away as far as possible. However, it was that reason why she didn't want to leave her uncle by himself with them. The two of them seemed to be careful around Erik but for all she knew, that was a temporary thing that could end any moment.

With that in mind, she replied, "I'll stay."

Erik nodded as if that was the end of that and turned towards the couple. He waved his hand in their general direction. "Go on then."

There we go! Another chapter for my lovely readers! Hope you enjoyed this little chapter in Meg's POV! Be sure to tell me if you enjoyed the chapter by leaving a review! Next chapter will be in Christine's POV. See ya next time!