Insane House Competition: Sex Line Operator. I called you because I was curious and wow you have a soothing voice. Will you sing me to sleep?

365 Prompts Challenge: precious

Liza's Loves: (title) When a Stranger Calls

Bath Bomb Appreciation: Crazy After Dark, Write about someone shy and reserved during the day who comes alive at night

Sticker Challenge, Bertie Botts: Write about a surprise.

Word Count: 1186

Warning: This one contains brief mentions of sexual things.

I.

Sirius stares at the number, complete with James' messy scrawl suggesting that he "call for a good time." beneath it. He knows it's just a joke. One quick search had revealed it's a gay sex line. Still, he can't help but to be curious.

He brushes a finger over the numbers. It could be fun. At the very least, he can have a chance to flirt and relieve some of the loneliness he's felt since his and Lucius' breakup.

With a groan, he grabs his phone and punches in the number. For several seconds, he just stares at it, unsure what he wants to do. After a quick debate, he mutters, "To hell with it." before hitting the call button.

…

It's been a slow night. That's one of the things Remus hates about this job. Some nights, his phone rings non-stop, and he can rake in enough to pay his bills and buy groceries. Others, like tonight, his phone remains silent, and anxiety sets in. Too many quiet nights could mean losing everything.

The sound of his phone ringing draws him out of his thoughts. Remus grins. This isn't the type of thing he would normally do. By day, he's a shy university student. When the sun sets, however, he comes alive. Something about the darkness and anonymity makes him bold.

"Welcome to the Wolf's Den," Remus says seductively. "I'm Lupine, and I'm here to make your wildest dreams come true."

It sounds so cheesy. The first few weeks of this job, he'd struggled not to laugh. Now, however, he's learned to deliver the lines just right.

There's silence on the other end, and Remus bites his tongue to keep from swearing. Sometimes callers panic and end the call after a few seconds. Remus still gets a small payment, but it's barely pocket change.

"You there, honey?"

…

Sirius has always considered himself cool and suave. In this moment, however, he forgets how to function. The voice on the other line is so gorgeous. His mind drifts, wondering what the other man must look like.

"You there, honey?"

"Yeah. Yeah, sorry. Your voice… It's very soothing."

The man in the other end laughs softly. "Trust me. My voice isn't the only thing that can make you feel good."

Sirius shivers with delight, but he forces himself to focus. This is such a silly thing. Talking may be sexy sometimes, but it's just talk. There's no point getting off on a stranger's voice. Still, he wants to hear more of it.

"I have a request," he says. "It's going to seem strange."

"Don't worry," Lupine assures him. "We all have our little kinks, and there's nothing strange about it."

Sirius wonders if Lupine really feels that way, but he doesn't dwell on it for long. He's just a voice on the phone. It isn't like they'll ever meet.

"Can you sing me to sleep?"

…

During the three months Remus has worked as a sex line operator, he's had plenty of requests. Some like to roleplay rough sex with lots of bondage and pain; others are softer, choosing to discuss gentle lovemaking and delicate kisses. This, however, is definitely a first.

For a moment, he considers telling the other man that there's a reason the radio was invented. He quickly thinks better of it. Money is money, and at least he won't have to do anything that makes him feel weird.

"What would you like me to sing?"

"Anything," the stranger answers.

Remus thinks for a moment before deciding on a lullaby his mother would sing him when he was younger. His voice shakes at first. It's been years since he's sang outside the shower. Slowly, though, he gets into it.

…

Lupine has the most beautiful voice Sirius has ever heard. It's so angelic, so precious.

Within seconds, he feels his eyes grow heavy. To avoid falling asleep in his chair and inevitably crashing to the floor, he quickly moves to his bed, sinking into the pillows as that angelic voice carries on.

Slowly, he drifts off to sleep.

II.

Weeks pass, and Sirius doesn't bother calling the line again. The lines are random, and he knows he's unlikely to be connected to Lupine again. Maybe others would be willing to sing him to sleep, but no one could ever compare to that magical voice.

…

Remus finds himself growing bored with his job. Something about that stranger has made him remember how much he loves to sing. While he knows he will never become a professional or even make anything that comes close to being considered a living doing, he decides to pursue it instead. He can be a waiter to get by and perform gigs every now and then.

And all it took was one call.

III.

"I can't believe I let you drag me here," Sirius grumbles. "I don't even like coffee."

James rolls his eyes. "Which is why I bought you a tea," he says, as though that can make up for it.

It isn't that Sirius doesn't like going out. He's always down for a fun night, dancing at the club. Coffee shops, however, make him feel weird. The people there are so… Artsy? Pretentious?

"This guy is supposed to be pretty amazing," James continues. "Lily watched him at the pub down the street, and she loved him."

Sirius shrugs before before taking his seat. His eyes are fixed upon the small stage set up near the counter. After a few moments, a young man with tawny hair and beautiful brown eyes takes a seat, adjusting his guitar.

Sirius watches him, brows raised. He's quite good looking. Maybe coffee shops aren't his thing, but he can definitely make an exception.

"Thanks for coming tonight. My name is Remus."

Sirius frowns. Why does his voice sound so familiar.

"This is a little song I wrote. Hope you enjoy."

When his mouth opens and the most beautiful voice fills the little shop, Sirius nearly drops his cup. He reaches out, grabbing James by the arm. "That's him!"

"Who?"

"Lupine!"

…

Remus finishes his set. The applause makes him smile. This could never be a career, but at least it gives him something to look forward to, something to be proud of.

He makes his way to the counter, and a man around his age follows. Remus tenses. So far, he's had a few fans, but it still makes him feel awkward.

"I know you," the man says, and Remus recognizes his voice from somewhere.

"Do you go to the local university?"

He shakes his head. "You, uh… You sang me to sleep a few months ago."

Remus' cheeks burn. He hasn't even thought about his old job in a while. "Oh."

"You're even cuter than I imagined. Can I buy you a coffee? I'm Sirius, by the way."

Remus knows he should probably refuse. He's heard stories of operators being tracked down by crazy clients. And yet, Sirius hadn't been a usual client. He had been polite and hadn't even wanted anything sexual from Remus.

"You know what? That sounds delightful."