Jaune and Octavia finally reach the entrance of Shade. As they looked out the glass entrance Jaune gets a smile on his face as he sees a bunch of boxes, and about five men wearing black suits with red ties. Some had hats and red shades on, and others only had one of the two or nothing at all. Octavia didn't like the look of them. They almost looked like the mafia in those old movies she sometimes watched.

When they exited the school the guys in the suits look over at them. They gave Octavia a glare, but the minute they saw Jaune their eyes glued to him and they all grew smiles. "Hey guys," June said with a wave. The guys in the suits went up to Jaune and shook his hand, gave him a high five, a fist bump or a headlock. Basically how guys normally greet each other.

"How have you been man?" One of the guys asked.

"I've been good," Jaune answered. "I won't lie I missed some of your guy's ugly mugs."

"Like you look any better?" One of them quipped. "You look like shit."

"Hey screw you." Jaune shoved one of the goons causing the others to laugh. All of these interactions between Jaune and the men threw Octavia for a loop. Jaune seemed like the guy who would call the police if anyone so much as even looked like a criminal. Again, these guys just screamed organized crime. Yet here Jaune was laughing and messing with these guys as if they were old friends.

"Octavia?" She heard a voice say. She shakes her head and looks behind her to see Brawnz and Dew walking up behind her. "Who are these guys?" Octavia pointed her thumb over to Jaune. The two of them see that Jaune was talking to one of the guys with sunglasses on. Brawnz eyes widen when he recognized who these people were.

He walks over to Jaune with a forced smile on his face. "Hey Jaune," he greeted, getting the blonde's attention.

"Oh, Hey Brawnz," Jaune said. The two slap hands together and shoulder bump each other. "Hey thanls for helping me move my stuff." Brawnz waved his hand.

"No problem dude." Brawnz looked around at the guys in the suits and he could tell they were watching him. Either these guys were very protective of Jaune, or there's something else going on. Brawnz wraps his arm around Jaune's shoulder and leads him away from prying eyes. "Besides it's about time you got yourself some furniture. Your room was a little depressing." Jaune scratched the back of his head.

"I'll say." Brawnz took a quick glance behind him to see that theyu were still being watched. He lowered his voice so only Jaune could here.

"Can we talk privately for a second?" Jaune looked at Brawnz slightly confused. "Please?" Jaune bit his lip as if to decide whether or not he wanted to. He turned around and yelled at the guys in the suits.

"You guys can start bringing stuff in!" the blonde turned to the two girls who would helkp him out. "Dew and Oct, can you show them to my dorm?"

"Sure thing!" Octavia answered. She motioned the guys to follow her, some of whom begrudgingly did so. Two guys grabbed Jaune's TV, the other three grabbed various boxes that were around. Dew cupped her hands and called to the two students.

"Don't leave us to do the work you two!" She joked. Jaune waved her off and she gave a smirk. She turned went to help one of the guys who was having trouble lifting the sofa Jaune had. When Brawnz made sure that they weren't being watched he gripped Jaune's shoulder the way an older brother would.

"What are you doing with them Jaune?" Brawnz voice was low and he was giving Jaune a glare. Jaune shifted a little uncomfortably, but his face stayed stoic.

"What do you mean?" Jaune asked playing dumb. "They're just old co-workers who came to help." Brawnz tightened his grip on the younger boy's shoulder causing Jaune to let out a small grunt.

"Don't lie to me. I know they work with a criminal." While Jaune tilted his head and had a confused look on his face, Brawnz could feel and see his body tense up.

"Brawnz I have no idea what your-"

"They work for a guy in Vale named Junior. He is an informant that gives information to anyone willing to pay it." Brawnz leaned closer and clenched his teeth. "And I mean anyone. So talk." Jaune looked over his shoulder to see that some of his furniture was still there but everyone was gone. He let out a defeated sigh.

"How'd you know?" Jaune tone was different compared to the faux confused or shocked one. He didn't seem angry, or scared that Brawnz knew. Brawnz expected him to defend them a bit or at the very least tell Brawnz to drop it, but he didn't. He just seemed curious as to how he knew.

"I was looking around for a club late at night during the Vytal Festival; somewhere to unwind away from pretty much everything that happened after our teams fought."

Brawnz looked up at the red neon sign. The letters where in a somewhat classy format and they spelled out "Fox's Paradise." Weird name for a club but he didn't mind. He walked in the club and he could hear the music thump as he slowly descended down the stairs. After the events of today he needed a drink, but at the same time he didn't want to be with his team. He failed them as a leader by letting that orange haired girl hit all of them out.

Still though, the leader of the team they lost to did seem pretty cool. He was even a little sorry about it being a cheap way to win. While it calmed Brawnz in that moment, it didn't wash away the shame. Hopefully a beer or two would.

Brawnz walked over to the bar as the music continued to play in his head. He would admit he would like to dance, but after a stressful day like today, he just wanted a drink and then to leave. He sat down at the stool and waited until one of the men in the black suits and red ties came up to him.

"What can I get you?" the bartender asked. Brawnz told the bartender one of their brands and he gave a nod and went over to the tap. When the Vacuan got the drink he paid up immediately. With the bartender satisfied with the pay he left Brawnz to his drink.

As Brawnz took his first sip of the bitter drink he let out a tired sigh. He just let his mind roam free of all thoughts that came to him. Was it even worth coming all the way to Vale just to fail in front of everyone? Was it worth it to make his team come all the way here just to face that defeat? Hell, after something that embarrassing was he even worthy to call himself a huntsman?

The leader was shaken from his thoughts when he saw a door next to him open up. A man with short black hair and a beard dressed in a black vest and a white dress shirt walked out of the door with a shifty looking guy. The bearded man also had black gloves and a red tie while the shifty looking guy was wearing his hood up.

"Thanks Junior," the guy with the hood said. Brawnz pretended he was looking into his mug but he looked at the two out of the corner of his eye to see the shifty guy giving Junior a fat wad of cash. Junior gave a smile and nod and the two of them part ways. Apparently he saw Brawnz look at him. He glared at the huntsman in training. Brawnz took a sip from his mug but Junior walked up to him.

"What's a Shade student doing here?" Junior asked. Brawnz took another sip from his mug and glared at Junior.

"No idea what you're talking about…" Brawnz lied. Brawnz was not in the mood to get kicked out of a club. To his surprise Junior put his hands up.

"Easy kid. I only know that because everyone in Vale watches the festival." Junior pointed his thumb at one of the many TVs in the club. "Besides, after blondie threw her hissy fit I'm pretty much forced to let you students drink here." Sounded like a story, unfortunately Brawnz didn't care enough to ask. However there was one question on his mind.

"So… you some kind of informant?" The two guys eyes meet and they glare at each other.

"No idea what you're talking about." Brawnz chuckled as his own words were thrown back at him.

"Relax. I don't care enough about Vale to get you busted." Junior let out a laugh as he pulled up in the seat next to Brawnz.

"Doesn't sound very huntsman-like of you." Brawnz looked down into his now empty mug. Brawnz won't lie, he wasn't wrong. Huntsmen these day are probably doing more police work in the city than defending the people from grimm attacks. This was especially true at Shade as the huntsmen are pretty much the only law and order in the country. Still, he knew that it would be a waste of time to get rid of Junior and this club for many different reasons. After all, if he ever found himself back here again it wouldn't hurt to have a guy who has dirt on some of the criminals in town.

"Maybe not, but at the same time Vale rules and Vacuo rules are very different. Besides you're letting me drink here despite knowing that I'm a student." Brawnz gave a half smile at the owner. "Be kind of a dick move for me to do that."

Junior lets out a tiny chuckle. "You are definitely a better customer than Blondie." With that Junior let Brawnz enjoy his drink.

Jaune was silent as Brawnz told his story. So Brawnz met his former boss… he wasn't sure how he felt about that. Then again, when Brawnz met him Junior wasn't really the blonde's boss yet. It didn't matter though. The fact of the matter was…

"If you want to be a huntsman, why did you work with an underground informant?" The older boy asked. Jaune looked down at the floor. He knew that his jobs after Beacon would be discovered. He was just hoping it wasn't so early. Jaune took a big gulp.

"Brawnz," he started. Brawnz raised an eyebrow as Jaune slowly lifted his head. Jaune's blue eyes stared straight into Brawnz's purple eyes with unwavering confidence. "Name one legit business that would let the Fraud of Beacon as an employee." Jaune expected to be told that there were probably many options. After all that's what everyone at Beacon would say. Pyr would continue to worry about him. Ruby would probably view him as a criminal but still think he could be 'redeemed' despite only helping with a few jobs. Ozpin probably would have tried to get a job for him.

In fact, this situation almost reminded him of his old one with Pyrrha. The one where she suggested she helped train him. Those insecurities about not being good enough came flooding back. Back then he was feeling insecure that his own partner thought he needed help with something that a basic huntsman needed. He thought she pitied him. Jaune didn't want their pity. He didn't need their pity. He hated the way his friends used to look at him every time he screwed up. He was expecting Brawnz to give that same look. That look that made him feel like every sacrifice he made to get there wasn't worth it because they still saw Jaune as someone who needed help, not someone who could help.

Brawnz didn't give Jaune that look.

"All right," Brawnz said calmly. He gave Jaune a pat on the shoulder. "I understand. Most people probably wouldn't want a controversial name in their store. I'm sorry I doubted you." Jaune's mouth opened in shock as if he wanted to say something but couldn't think of anything. He felt this feeling of relief, and happiness. Brawnz just said he trusted Jaune with people he knew were criminals. Anyone else would have berated his ex-coworkers and/or just try to get them arrested. Brawnz on the other hand was giving them a chance. Brawnz actually listened to Jaune's side instead of making him think he was an idiot for joining Junior. He began to flash his signature goofy grin.

"Hey don't get so smiley now," Brawnz warned. Jaune could hear Brawnz's tone shift to a more serious one. Jaune could see that Brawnz was looking at him with a straight and almost threatening face. "These guys are still criminals. One mishap and I will inform Headmistress Nyx. Understand?"

Jaune nodded his head. He couldn't blame Brawnz for being untrustworthy. Ex-coworkers or not, Junior's men were still gangsters and they walked into a place filled with huntsmen in training. It made sense that Brawnz wouldn't let them walk free if they did something stupid. With Jaune getting the message, Brawnz smiled.

"All right, now that that's settled, grab a box or two and let's get to working on your dorm." Just like that, the conversation almost never happened. Jaune felt a warmth in his chest that he hadn't felt in a long time from other students. Trust, and friendship. As Jaune walked over to his pile of stuff, he took a look at Shade again. Sure, it wasn't as fancy or proper as Beacon, and yet he felt more at home here than he did back in Vale. He let out a tiny chuckle as he and Branwz grabbed one of the boxes filled with his junk, and headed back to the door.

When the two got back to Jaune's dorm, they saw two of Junior's men trying to carry one of the beds out of his room. They saw Jaune and gave a nod as they slowly got the bed out of his room with Dew following behind them. "All right just set it here, and we'll take it out later." Dew saw the two guys and walked over to them. "Sup losers? Whatcha got there?" she pointed at the boxes in the two students hands. Brawnz raised an eyebrow and lightly shook his box.

"I actually have no idea," Brawnz said. Jaune chuckled as he saw the two of them guess what was in the box.

"Listen we can look at them when we get into my room all right?" The two students nodded their head and went back into the room. As they did Brawnz and Jaune saw that Dew was telling two of Junior's men to take one of the other beds out of his room. The other one was taking out stuff from the boxes they brought. The objects in questioned were simple things like comics and books that Jaune had. One box had a bunch of clothes in it. Jaune chuckled as he saw this. "I'm surprised to see you guys taking orders from Oct and Dew." One of the men carrying the bed sighed.

"We work with the twins and they kick our asses anytime we don't follow them," he said. "What makes you think we're going to mess with Huntresses in training?" Jaune chuckled as he set the box down. The blonde knew the twins could be very aggressive, and yet it was one of the reasons he was glad they were one of his friends. He then went over to the two holding the bed and helped them out.

"Well while you help them I'm going to dig through your stuff," Brawnz said as he placed his box on the ground. Jaune let a hum to let Brawnz know he was okay with it. The two men and Jaune get the bed out and the others in the room look through all the boxes taking out his stuff. When Brawnz opened his box it was filled with even more comics. He examined them and saw Jaune was quiet the collector. X-ray and Vav, Nomad of Nowhere, Camp Camp, Deadpool, Fables, Batman, and plenty more where in the box.

"Jeez," The only guy from Junior's club said. Brawnz and Dew look over at him and saw that he was looking at the comics Brawnz took out. "I knew the guy was a nerd but I didn't think he was this big of one."

"So what if I am?" Jaune said as he leaned on the door. Junior's guy just shrugged.

"Nothing wrong with it but this is almost borderline obsessive dude." Jaune flipped him off and the goon returned the favor. Meanwhile Dew stood up and put her hands up.

"Girls you're both beautiful," she joked. She then pointed her thumb at Jaune. "Now shut up and let's get the rest of the idiots stuff before someone gets ideas and takes them." Jaune chuckled and pointed his thumb out his door.

"Yeah Octavia and the other guys already headed out to grab my couch, no point in making them do all the work." With a nod everyone stood up and began to head outside. As they did Dew and Brawnz noticed that Jaune and his ex co-worker were lagging behind to talk.

"I'm telling you Jaune," the goon started. "After Melanie saw your fight in the Shade bar, she got mad that you couldn't get any good kicks in; something about 'waste of her training' or something like that." The two share a laugh.

"Yeah sounds like something she'd say," Jaune said as he rubbed the back of his head. He looked at the ground as a question was swirling around his head. "How's everyone doing anyway?" The goon hummed and put his hands behind his head.

"Well, no one will admit it but we kind of miss having you around." The goon smiled at Jaune and Jaune let out a tiny laugh. "Nah I'm serious Jaune. Despite how much shit we gave you, and how you didn't agree with our…" The goon looked at Brawnz and Dew to see that they were too busy talking with each other to notice them. "Other business, you were a good worker and didn't sell us out. Not to mention Junior still saw you like a son half the time." Jaune smiled as he looked at the ground.

"I won't lie; I sometimes miss the bar as well." Jaune motioned all around him. "Yet, I feel like this is where I belong, you know?" The goon slaps Jaune on the back.

"Like Junior said when you left, we'll support you Jaune. Even when you aren't with us, we'll be there for you when you need us. You're family." Jaune smiled at that. It was nice to get reminded he still had options if he got kicked out of Shade. Jaune shook that though thought of his head. He belonged here, he's proven it time and time again. That didn't mean there weren't times he second guessed himself though.

"What the hell?!" Brawnz yelled in front of them. The goon and Jaune were so wrapped up in their conversation they didn't realize they were back outside with Jaune's stuff. However the scene they found was… interesting. Octavia had her hands up and was walking away from the scene. When Jaune and the others looked at her she shrugged her shoulders and mouthed "I didn't know what to do!" Jaune couldn't blame her.

One of the goons had somehow gotten half of his body shoved into the mini fridge Jaune had. Another one was still trying to shove him in, obviously mad at something the other did. Whatever that was. The other two were just cheering him on. Jaune let out a sigh and walked toward them.

"What the heck guys?" Jaune yelled gaining the attention of the gangsters. They freeze with fear and slowly turn to Jaune who looked mad. He then pointed at the goon who was stuck in the fridge. "I thought I told you he goes in the freezer, not the fridge!" There is a moment of silence, and then laughter coming from the goons and Jaune. Well, except the guy in the fridge.

"You guys are assholes!" He yelled. Jaune recovered from laughing and cleared his throat.

"Seriously though, get him out, I don't want him hurt, or to break my fridge." The others nodded and let the guy get out of the small fridge. He stands up and grabs his head. He realizes he is missing his hat. One of the other goons handed it to him and he took it from them.

As Brawnz, Dew and Octavia saw this going on they realized just how much of a family these guys were to Jaune. They came here to not only deliver his furniture, but to help him move it in his dorm. They can joke with him and they obviously had respect for him and he had the same amount of respect for them. Sure they may be criminals, but they can't be that bad if Jaune likes them right? Jaune turned to them and waved his hand over.

"Come on guys! Let's hurry and get my stuff inside." They snapped out of their trance and nodded their heads. When they saw that smile on his face, they saw how happy he was. Whether it was for getting furniture, having his old co-workers come over, or just have it be a mix of the two, they all couldn't help but smile as well.

To be continued.

Beta reader: TheShadowOfZama