hello hello, victoria back again with my baby, zane! more about him can be found under the cut <3 [ tw homophobia, homelessness ]
ZANE NEPTUNE ( HE/HIM ) is a CIS MALE, TWENTY-SEVEN year old WAITER AT DELIA’S CAFE who has been living in Moorbrooke for HIS WHOLE LIFE. They were born on APRIL 3 and right now, they are currently residing in OAKLEY COURT. It has been said that they look suspiciously like CODY CHRISTIAN and if they had to choose a song to describe themselves, they would choose BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS by GREEN DAY.
born and raised in moorbrook, zane grew up in a pretty traditional household. the youngest of four boys, they were as tight as can be, always running around town together and getting into trouble as brothers do.
that is, until zane came out as gay after graduating high school. at the age of eighteen, he was kicked out and cut off from his family.
without any money, zane took to doing odd jobs around town, saving up as much as he so he could go to college and start a life for himself, though he quickly realized school wasn't the thing for him.
after attending community college for a semester, zane dropped out to pursue his dream of becoming a chef — except culinary school cost money...money zane doesn't have.
zane has had some money struggles in the past and has been homeless off and on since being kicked out, living out of his car and crashing at friend's places when he can.
he now works as a waiter at delia's, which he loves, even if he does miss working in a kitchen. still, he likes to dabble in the kitchen whenever he can, cooking meals for friends as thank yous for letting him stay over, especially now that the winter months have rolled around and it's getting too cold to sleep in his car.
being homeless isn't exactly something zane's proud of and he does his best to keep anyone close to him from finding out if he can help it. those close to him likely know he's been homeless in the past, but not that he currently is now because zane's too embarrassed to admit it.
trust isn't something that comes easily to zane, his ability to let himself be vulnerable and let people close to him practically zero after what happened with his own family. he's built up plenty of walls around himself, especially his heart, and he isn't about to let anyone get too close for the fear of being abandoned yet again.
Eli had just managed to convince Noah to change into his pajamas when the knock at the door signaled that someone was there. “Our angel,” Eli exclaimed, only half teasing, as he opened the door to find Zane standing there. Noah rushed forward to hug the other man’s legs and Eli chuckled. “We’re just getting ready to watch a movie. You sure you don’t just want to skip work and hang with us instead?”
Eli waggled his brows as he stepped back to let Zane in. “We’re okay,” he confirmed, watching as his son threw himself on the couch. Eli had lived in Moorbrooke his entire life. Snow storms were nothing new and even though this one was supposed to be significant, he wasn’t really worried. He was as prepared as he could possibly be. Or so he thought. It was impossible to really be sure considering how many things could go wrong. “How’s it looking out there?”
"You know I’d love to stay here and hide out from the storm with you guys, but I promised I’d go back at help. I’ll get back here as soon as I can though, I promise.” Zane promises, reaching down to ruffle Noah’s hair affectionately. Hopefully the storm would pass through town quickly, though they both knew it could last a while. As much as he wanted to stay and hang out with Eli and Noah until things cleared up, he knew that he couldn’t. Leo was counting on him. “Uh, pretty snowy. My truck wouldn’t start so I walked over here. I’m not holding my breath on it starting again, though we both know it’s been on its way out for a while now.” Zane points out, scratching his jaw lightly. He was more stressed out about his truck than he was letting on, but Zane was sure Eli had enough on his mind with worrying about keeping Noah occupied for the next few days. His stuff could wait. “Are you guys alright though? Blankets, flashlights? I know it’s not our first snowstorm, but you know I worry about you two.”
The people were piling into the cafe and it was getting fuller and fuller by the second. Honestly, Stevie had no idea how the cafe was supposed to cater for all these people but they supposed that Leo had done a good job of getting the stockroom filled up before the storm hit. At least someone had been prepared for it, meanwhile Stevie had just been hoping that the storm just wouldn’t come so her plans wouldn’t be ruined. So much for hoping. “Honestly, I think we’re way past full capacity here but I don’t blame everyone for piling in here.” She looked around the cafe and every single seat was full of cold and snow-covered people. “You’re right, Leo gave me access but honestly I could do with a coffee right now if you wanted to be an absolute angel.” Maybe this storm would be a good opportunity to get to know Zane too, considering they had only ever really seen the other in passing.
"It’s warm and we have coffee. What more can people ask for?” Zane asks with an amused laugh, nodding when Stevie asks for a coffee. “I can get you a coffee. It’s really cool that your dad’s letting all of us ride out the storm here.” As far as bosses went, Leo was one of the good ones. Zane really liked him. Turning to fill a mug for Stevie, he passes it over to them with a smile, leaning up against the counter carefully. “How’re you holding up? I’m surprised nobody has tried to make a run for it yet. I know I'm definitely getting a little antsy, thought that just might be all of the coffee talking.”
kenji was mentally unstable at the moment despite looking like he had everything put together. he came to delia’s when he was able to escape his place, mainly to search for andrej, but he hadn’t seen any sight of his brother. as he was already here he decided to stick around for a cup of coffee, plus he needed a moment to gather his thoughts. he didn’t even know why he was pretending to read the menu when he knew all he was ordering was a black coffee, like the last time he was here, but he decided to play the part of a normal person to the best of his ability. kenji’s attention only drifted from the menu when he heard zane’s voice, glancing up to meet the other’s gaze with a soft, playful smirk, “oh, but where’s the fun in that?” he silently reminded himself to bring it back and not accidentally make the other feel uncomfortable. “i’ll have a black coffee, the usual. more importantly, how are you? are you okay? if you guys need any help i’ll be happy to help out. i’m not much of a baker, but, uh i can whip up a good cup of coffee or wash a dish or two.”
"well, considering i practically live here, i suppose it was bound to happen again.” zane chuckles, amused. “one black coffee. i should’ve guessed.” or maybe not. kenji’s coffee order could’ve changed over the years, though obviously it hadn’t. zane knew better than to assume anything though. “i’ll be right back with that.” turning in his heels, zane weaves through the crowded café, returning after a couple of minutes with a cup of coffee, setting it down on the table carefully. “oh, i’m alright. glad to be keeping busy here. my truck is out there somewhere and i, uh, don’t really want to think about it too much.” the brunette explains, frowning for a moment. it was strange to feel like this, like kenji was both a stranger and a friend. or at least he used to be the latter. now they were just...two people who used to know each other, two people who shared a bit of a complicated history. wiping the frown from his face, zane nods at the offer instead, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet. “oh, that’s nice of you to offer. i’ll let leo know. it looks like we’re all gonna be stuck here a while, so he just might take you up on that.”
Joey didn’t mind being stuck in a place for a long time. He was used to being in sticky situations, growing up as a military brat and traveling all over the world. With war and crime happening everywhere, sometimes it was unsafe for kids, so he had to hide in a bunker or even if someone’s basement for days at end. However, sometimes his anxiety did get the better of him and he could end up freaking out and having panic attacks. He was trying to remain calm here, but not being able to get in touch with his dad was really stressing him out. “I hope my dad’s okay.” He said softly, letting out a shaky breath. “I don’t think he went back to town just yet but I don’t know where he is and I just want to know he’s okay.”
"I’m sure he is.” Zane says gently, handing a mug of tea over to Joey carefully. “Here. Drink this. It’ll make you feel better.” Even if it didn’t, maybe it’d at least give him something to focus on for the time being. Sometimes that was all that was needed. “I’m not sure if cell phones are working right now, to be honest, but as soon as the storm passes I’m sure you’ll hear from him. Try not to think about worst case scenarios. He’s probably holed up at your place or at one of the other places in town.”
‘sleep’s for when we’re old and financially stable.’ finley smiled sadly, knowing his situation all too well. ‘i know, ugh. i feel like nico and i might need a third roommate but i don’t know where they’re meant to sleep other than the couch. but stress aside, how are you? anything new?’
"oh, i’m fine. just keeping busy with work. you know i don’t have much of a life.” zane points out, chuckling quietly. “if i’m not at work, i’m usually spending time with eli and noah. or y’know, doing odd jobs for you. you know i could show you how to fix up these things yourself, right? you don’t need to keep calling me. not that i don’t appreciate it, because i do.”
as the storm worsened, delia’s got more and more busy. at least keeping busy kept zane;s mind off of other things, things he didn’t really want to be thinking about right now. he could feel the mild panic in the back of his throat, swallowing it back as he moves to another table to take some orders. “welcome to delia’s...let me know if i can get you anything.” zane says, pausing when he finally looks up from his notepad to realize he’s staring at kenji, an amused chuckle leaving his lips. "we really gotta stop running into each other like this.”
"brr.” rubbing his hands together, zane shivers, brushing some snow out of his hair. “it’s getting pretty bad out there. i guess we’re all hunkering down here tonight, huh?” the brunette asks, grinning softly at stevie. the two of each other knew each other a little. he had mostly seen them around the café and he knew she was leo’s daughter. they weren’t really close friends or anything, but zane figured now was as good of a time as any to get to know stevie a little better given the fact that they were stuck together at the café now. “you want me to put in an order for you? i know you probably have, like, access but i figured i should offer since it’s kinda my job.”
to say zane was panicking was to put it mildly. he was worried and eli and noah. he was worried about his truck and the fact that it probably wasn’t going to run after this storm passed. he was sure leo would let people nap in the booths at delia’s until the storm passed, but after? zane didn’t know what he was going to do after.
he had managed to duck out delia’s long enough to bring a few sandwiches he had gotten packed up to eli’s for him and noah. luckily the snow wasn’t blowing too hard yet, though he wasn’t sure how long his luck would last. “hey, let me in! i’ve brought food in case you guys lose power.” the brunette calls out, forcing a small grin once eli opens the door. “hi. i can’t stay long, but i wanted to check on you and noah. are you guys alright?”
‘am i supposed to enjoy having showers? i think i’ve been showering wrong all my life if that’s the case.’ finley joked, brows raising as zane spoke. ‘oof, that’s a rough gig. my boss is sort of the same, but he’s just around so often it’s like i’m not even needed. i did start a part time gig at the record store, though! i’m sure they could use more help if you’re ever interested.’
"oh, no...i asked for the doubles. i don’t mind them, really. who needs sleep anyways?” zane asks, chuckling quietly. “i’ll keep that in mind though, thank you. i need more hours in a day. why is being a human so expensive?”
Andrej actually hadn’t realised how much he’d just needed somebody to be there. Even if he didn’t confess what was going on or how he was really feeling, it was nice to just have somebody there. He’d felt oddly alone the last few weeks, even when he was at work. “You don’t know me well if you don’t think I can avoid feelings for the rest of my life,” he commented with a small snort. If numbing himself was a talent, then surely he’d win all the awards. “God, trust me, I DO wanna hear about that shit. Tell me all about your heater, it might be nice to listen to something mundane. Not that I think you’re boring or anything.” He glanced up and gave Zane a wicked grin.
“Well, if you ever change your mind and decide you want to talk about your feelings, I’m here.” Zane offers, letting the subject drop at that. “Okay, well...you asked for it.” He says with a laugh, wrinkling his nose at himself. “My truck is basically....dying, which is not fabulous for me because it’s winter and too cold to walk places. Also to drive places without a heater, but at least I own a decent pair of gloves.” It made driving slightly more bearable. He didn’t want to think about the nights he slept in his car, thought he wouldn’t really call it sleeping. It was mostly closing his eyes at short intervals while having the what was left of his heater on until Delia’s opened and he could nap before his shift. “I’ve been working doubles to try to save enough to get it fixed up, but I’m pretty sure they’re gonna tell me it’s gonna more expensive to keep fixing and that I should look into getting something used. So that’s where I’m at.”
Joey nodded at the other when he said he wanted to. He sure wasn’t about to turn down food, he couldn’t cook to save his life. “If you say so, but really, he wouldn’t mind and neither would I. He barely sleeps in it. You know how the retired are, they are always on some strange life crisis thing and think they need to go out and be young.” He chuckled. “Although I think this time he’s making money for it, so I guess that’s not too bad.” He moved over to the kitchen as well. “That sounds really good, honestly. Oh, and there under the stove. I think there should be something down there at least. I don’t really use them.” He admitted with a shy smile.
Rummaging around under the stove for a pan, Zane pulls one out after a moment, busying himself with starting on breakfast. “I take it you’re not much of a cook? Or just too busy?” He asks curiously, sipping on his coffee while he waits for the pan to warm up, looking back at Joey. “I like to cook, but I don’t really cook as much as I’d like to.”
“I think you have to be middle aged to be considered a DILF,” Eli countered. “I’m still mostly young enough to pretend that I don’t even know what children are.” He laughed at that. Though it had been unusual how Noah had come into his life, Eli wouldn’t trade him for the world. Things had gotten considerably more complicated ever since then, but of that, he was sure. “After the movie, we can make posters. I can see them now: ‘please take this man home with you. He’s as cute as a button,’ with a photo of you looking like a lost puppy. There’s no way it won’t work. You’ll be living on some old man’s couch in no time. Though I’m pretty sure mine will miss you. Just don’t forget us when you’re rich and pampered.” Eli snorted at that. It was the dream to be loved and cared for, even if he exaggerated it so that it sounded like something out of the most ridiculous of movies. “Gonna be honest here, I really thought you’d choose some sort of horror movie or something. Since little man’s asleep.” He stood, crossing the small living room until he reached a small closet, and pulled out the blankets and pillows Zane usually used. He turned and threw the pillow at Zane. “But I’ll watch whatever you choose. Even if we’ve seen it a million times already.”
"I’m pretty sure that’s not a prerequisite. Take the compliment, Eli! I’m trying to say that you’re totally fuckable.” Zane laughs, shaking his head. “Why does it sound like we’re making lost puppy posters and not trying to find me a boyfriend? Hard pass! Though you can swipe on Grindr for me later if you really want.” Truth be told, he hadn’t really opened the app in months. but if it made Eli happy, he’d let him mess around on it for a bit. “You know I can’t do scary movies...if you wanted me to cuddle you though, all you had to do was ask, silly. No need to scare me half to death in the process.” He teases, playfully hitting his friend’s arm as he returns with the pillows and blankets for him, setting them aside. “Aw, shucks. You treat me so well. Are you sure I can’t just stay here forever? I can pay you in free childcare and muffins from Delia’s. And, of course, my undying love.”
they hadn’t lied at least, the water pressure was a little off. they were going to pretend they didn’t know how to use a wrench and fix it, but that was neither here nor there. they texted him the time they’d meet up and done a bit of cleaning around the place, including preparing some snacks. ‘door’s open! come on in!’ fin said as they set down the popcorn on the table and reached down to pick up their kitten. ‘welcome to my humble abode, and thank you for the muffins. you can do the shower later, come hang out with me! how was your day?’
zane knew what finley was doing, though he doesn’t make a fuss about it. he appreciates that she isn’t either, offering the blonde a smile as he walks inside. “i'm supposed to be fixing your shower for your enjoyment, not mine. but if you insist i test it out, i won’t say no.” he teases back, shrugging his shoulders a bit. “my day was alright. i worked a double. not that i mind, but i’m pretty sure leo’s gonna start locking me out of the café if i try to start working more than i already am.”
