BRFs
Chapter 3
It was early morning and Jaune was on his way to work. He joined the many other early risers on the crowded streets of Vale each making their way to their own respective jobs across the city. Jaune was getting use to the hustle and bustle of city life. He remembered getting lost multiple times that first week he moved in.
Though they had only discussed it last night, Yang immediately started acting as his own personal trainer. Her first act was getting rid of all the Pumpkin Pete's cereal saying that it was too sugary and bad for him, much to his detest and disappointment. So, instead of his favorite cereal, Jaune prepared breakfast from the impromptu list Yang had made for him based on the items he had at home on hand. She seemed confident she'd give him a better list later of meal plans in the evening. While Jaune mourned the loss of Pumpkin Pete, he appreciated how seriously Yang was taking it. Yang seemed confident in everything she did, something Jaune envied.
Everything in Vale was either within walking distance or a quick bus ride away. One of the many benefits of his apartment was how close he was to his job; it took him only a few minutes, and he was at work.
Jaune stood outside the quaint little bookshop called, 'Tukson's Book Trade'.
Meeting Tukson was a miracle. He had been walking all over Vale looking for a job to hold him over till Beacon. He tried multiple shops, handed in resumes, spoken with managers, but was denied outright every time. Apparently, frontier life and a hard work ethic weren't good resume material. After enough rejection he had given up for the day and started walking back to the apartment when he met Tukson unloading books into his shop. The Faunus bookshop owner was clearly having a hard time with the sheer quantity of books and had asked Jaune for a hand as he passed by. Not one to simply walk by someone in need Jaune happily helped the book store owner.
After they had gotten all the books into the shop, Jaune noticed the help wanted sign and brought it up to Tukson. He didn't even have to fill in an application; he was just asked if he didn't mind working for Faunus. Jaune had no such issues, and Tukson brought him into the store and showed him around.
Jaune would help stock inventory or any task needed, maybe even sometimes watch the register. Tukson paid well, more than he probably thought he should be getting paid for working at a bookstore but Jaune wasn't going to complain.
Tukson was also very strangely particular about the hours Jaune worked. He could only work the morning shift, and as soon as 5 O'clock hit he had to leave. Even when he offered to stay late, help close up, or finish stocking the rest of the inventory, Tukson vehemently refused. Jaune thought it was weird but simply shrugged it off.
Using the spare key given to him, Jaune opened the front door and entered the bookstore. Stepping in he saw Tukson behind the counter putting some Lien in the register.
"Morning Tukson." Jaune called out, getting his attention.
Tukson looked up; a light smile on his face formed. "Morning Jaune, I still have last week's shipment in the back. You mind taking care of it for me while I finish up?"
"Sure thing Boss." Jaune said heading towards the backroom. Stepping through the double doors, Jaune navigated through shelf after shelf of bookcases.
Jaune saw the stacked boxes of books tucked neatly in the corner towards the back. He remembered the shipment was much larger than any he had seen prior. Grabbing the manifest on top of one the shorter stacks Jaune started reading off the list.
"Let's see here, Ninjas of Love, Man with 5 souls, yadda-yadda-yadda, ooooo the new X-Ray and Vav comic is in this shipment!"
He opened up one of the boxes and looked inside, seeing the books tied with twine for safety. From unpacking, untying, cataloguing, and stocking them on the right shelves, that would take Jaune a good portion of the day to finish.
'Better to get started now then' Jaune thought as he stretched. It wasn't much but it was honest work.
He heard the back door open and Tukson came in to check on him.
"I know it's more than you're used to but it's all for the Vytal Festival coming this year." Tukson said as he walked over and grabbed a few books off the shelf.
"Festival? There's a festival coming?" Jaune asked as he placed one of those smutty novels his sisters badgered on about away.
"The Vytal Festival... right you said you were from a small frontier town. Every two years one of the four major Huntsman academy's host a festival celebrating the culture of Remnant. There'll be parades, carnivals, and stalls set up, and then, at the end, the academy will host a combat tournament. Beacon is hosting the 40th Festival later this year." Tukson explained. "A lot of people coming out of town too, so expect a surplus of customers." Tukson added.
"Really? For books?" Jaune asked genuinely surprised.
"You'd be surprised how many come looking for something to read on their down time." Tukson answered as he walked back towards the front of the shop.
"Hey, Boss!" Jaune shouted.
Tukson turned around and looked at Jaune, his brow furrowed curiously.
"I just wanted to say thanks for letting me stay on with the job, I know I told you it was temporary, but-"
"Don't mention it, it's hard to come by folk who don't have qualms working with Faunus." Tukson cut him off before he could say more.
"Is it really that bad here in Vale?" Jaune asked before adding, "I'm from a really small village, I can name the Faunus families we have on one hand." Jaune grew up in a close-knit community where the biggest threat was Grimm and bandit attacks. The need to come together and service trumped all other prejudices if there was any. Not that he had personally ever seen of.
"Kid, when we met, you were the tenth person I asked for help. I was honestly ready to give up hope and throw out my back carrying all those books. People just don't care anymore. Most Faunus in the city will just take the abuse rather than fight back because no they one will stand with them." Tukson spoke with a solemn voice. He looked at Jaune and could practically hear the gears turning in Jaune's head as he stood there frozen with a book in his hand. "Don't think too hard on it kid it's just the way the world is sadly." Tukson walked over and patted him on the back before leaving Jaune alone with too much to think about.
…
It was noon, which meant it was time for Jaune's lunch break. Usually, he would head over to the nearest Crown Burger and order a nice juicy burger and fries, but in keeping with the spirit of his diet, Jaune decided on a healthier approach.
He remembered there being a deli close by the plaza a few blocks away. It was a beautiful day out in Vale, perhaps he could order a wrap and eat outside.
So Jaune did just that; grabbing his food, he found a nice table to himself and dug in.
He felt his scroll start to vibrate in his pocket. Taking the mobile device out he gasped at the caller. The name Nicholas Arc appeared on his screen. His thumb hovered over the accept button, hesitant to answer as the scroll kept ringing. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Jaune pressed down and accepted the call.
"He-"
"You're still in Vale?" His father's deep voice cut him, his words coming off more of a question than a statement.
"Hey, to you too Dad." Jaune sighed. "Yes, I'm still in Vale," Jaune answered with little emotion.
"It's been a month; you didn't actually get into Beacon, did you?" His father asked dumbfounded on the possibility he might have.
"I didn't." Jaune grinded out the words. When Jaune got to Vale, the owners of the apartment had gotten in touch with his parents. Jaune had left home
"Then why are you still there?"
"Because I like Vale and..." Jaune took a second himself to prepare his next words. "I found someone who's going to train me here, I'm going to take the practical exam before the next school year starts and earn my place in initiation."
"How are you going to afford living in Vale for a whole year?" His father's voice was turning harsh and criticizing.
"I got a roommate they're..." Where did Jaune even begin to describe Yang? "Very nice. Mom would like them." He also avoided telling his dad his roommate was a girl to save himself from a different lecture. He spoke truthfully though; his mother, Juniper Arc, would absolutely adore Yang.
He heard his father breath a heavy sigh. "Why are you doing this to yourself Jaune? We didn't say anything when we found out you were in Vale because we'd thought you get it out of your system and come home. Why prolong this further?" His father asked, the disappointment was evident in his voice.
"Because this is my dream, and I'm old enough to pursue it. You and mom don't have to like it, but you better start accepting it. I'm staying." Jaune shot back at his father.
"Jaune... there isn't any shame in admitting things just didn't work out, you can easily find something to excel at back home." Jaune's hands clenched tightly at his father's words.
"I have to go back to work soon, Dad; I'll call you when I call you." Jaune said not wanting to continue. Any more and he might start yelling and make a scene in public.
"You know I love you son, right?" Jaune knew it but didn't feel it right now.
"Yea, you too Dad." Jaune hung up the call. He stared down at his half-finished wrap and crumbled it up in the foil wrapper it came in. He didn't feel that hungry anymore.
...
Yang sat lazily on the couch. She had taken the liberty today to go to the grocery market down the block to get some food for the rest of the week. Her dad had given her some Lien to start her off while she looked for a job. She wasn't too worried. How hard could it be! With a notepad and pencil in hand she was going over a meticulous diet and regimen for Jaune. She was taking this as seriously as she could, prepared to turn noodle into beef.
She had heard the door knob of the front door jiggle before the door opened up slowly. The noodle boy himself was back.
"Hey Jaune! How was work?" Yang asked.
Jaune had set his keys on the key rack located by the front door and muttered a low emotionless, "Alright."
"I worked out a basic regimen we can start you on. I figured from there we can gradually move you up it as your body gets used to all the exercise. I also got a decently sized list of meal prep ideas." She called out as he walked into the other room. "I'll pretty much be eating the same things so I figured we could buy in bulk, save some Lien." Yang suggested.
She didn't hear a response so she got up and walked over to the kitchen, peaking her head around the corner she saw Jaune leaning over the cabinet counter next to the stove. She noticed his hands gripping the lip of the marble stone top.
"Jaune?" Yang asked trying to get his attention.
Jaune's head shook realizing Yang was behind him and talking to him. Without turning fully back towards her he muttered, "Yea, thanks... I appreciate it." Jaune turned back.
'Okay, he's acting different.' Yang thought. That might have only been living a few days now but Yang could tell this wasn't normal. he didn't seem like the guy to have a single mean bone in his body. A scroll beeped and Jaune reached into his pocket to check it. Yang watched how his hands tightened on the scroll as he looked at it. She could hear the low growl that escaped his mouth.
Something clicked in Yang's head. He was showing all the telltale signs. Jaune Arc was pissed.
There was no point in asking if he wanted to talk about it now, but Yang wanted to help. She thought of all the times she was angry and pissed and the one solution that always worked for her.
"Hey Jaune? Wanna head to the gym for a bit?" She asked.
Jaune huffed and shook his head "I really don't feel like getting beat up right now Yang."
"No sparring today, I promise. I have something else planned."
"I don't know." Jaune said lacking any energy or emotion.
"We gotta sign you up for the membership as well remember."
Jaune sighed again. "Right, I'll get changed."
...
Gus' was pretty empty. As Yang explained it to him; most of the visitors were early risers who wanted to get a workout in before they went off to work. That didn't stop the occasional night owl from stopping by. This was going to be their preferred time to work out; before dinner, while the gym was at its lowest capacity. After getting his membership squared away Yang had brought Jaune to a different section of the gym and placed him in front of a punching bag.
"I'm not really a boxer Yang." Jaune said staring at the hanging bag.
"Any huntsman or huntress should always be prepared to fight should they lose their weapon." Yang said. It's not why she brought Jaune here but there was no lie in what she said. It was a valuable lesson. One she had tried to teach Ruby many a time, though the scythe-loving girl never listened.
"Take off the armor, you won't be needing it." Yang ordered.
She watched as Jaune slowly took off his armor. He started by unbuckling his pauldrons and then moved to his chest piece. As the chest plate was coming up, Yang's eyes threatened to jump out of their sockets. She furiously bit her lip as she fought every fiber of her soul not to laugh.
On Jaune's black hoodie was the face of a small bunny.
Jaune saw her strained face and asked, "What's wrong?"
Yang coughed and said, "Nothing." Her voice sounded as strained as her face.
Jaune eyes trailed where she was looking, right towards his hoodie.
"You wanna laugh, don't you?" Jaune deadpanned.
"Nope!" It came out like a squeak from Yang's mouth.
"It's just Pumpkin Pete! I got it in a contest; I had to give like fifty box tops for it." Jaune said defensively.
Yang whined into her forcibly closed shut mouth as she tried to compose herself. She wasn't going to laugh no matter how bad she wanted too. She started coughing to try and expel the laughs and hid a few that were trying to escape.
Jaune groaned and took off the hoodie, reveling a plain white shirt underneath, hoping that would get her to stop.
"I'm good, I'm good. Note to self though, I'm taking you clothes shopping one day." Yang claimed as she stood up straight.
"What's wrong with my hoodie?" Jaune asked slightly offended.
"You want me call you bunny boy rest of your life." Jaune deflated at the nickname. "Exactly, now raise your fists."
"Okay." Jaune did as she said and raised his fists like he thought one should.
"NO NO NO!" Yang stopped him before he could punch, grabbing his arms. "Your form is all wrong." She said as she repositioned his arms into a proper boxer's stance. "There you go."
Yang walked around behind the punching bag and held it firmly. "Alright Jaune, give it your best shot." She encouraged him.
Jaune threw a punch connecting with the punching bag as Yang held it in place.
"Come on I know you can hit harder than that!" Yang exclaimed.
Jaune threw another punch, this with more force
"Still weak Jaune," The condescending words pushed Jaune as he kept punching.
"You're not going to get into Beacon punching like that." Something in Jaune snapped at the words. He snarled as he threw another punch, this time unintentionally sending Aura to his fist. The blow was hard actually pushing Yang back slightly.
Jaune didn't stop there though. Dropping the boxer stance completely Jaune wailed on the punching bag continuously. It continued on for a few minutes before he tuckered himself out and tiredly clutched onto the bag, breathing heavily.
"What..." He took a couple of breaths. "What just happened?" Jaune asked. He was in a daze; the experience had been euphoric.
"That my BRF was your therapy session with Dr. Xiao Long!" Yang placed a hand on his shoulder.
"That was amazing!" Jaune exclaimed.
"I noticed you were looking pissed back in the apartment and the best way I know to blow off steam is to punch some shit." Yang said, ecstatic that her plan worked. She took a step back to give him some space. "Now that you got it out of your system. You wanna talk about it?" She asked.
"My dad called me on my lunch break, basically saying I should give up and go home." Jaune stared at the punching bag, still clutching it tight as he spoke.
"Then my mom texts me when I get home, saying don't worry! When you come home we'll find you a nice job you can be great at." Jaune gave the bag another punch. "Not if, but when. They already know I'm going to fail. The only one who believed in me was Saphron. She's the one who convinced me to follow my dream. I just don't understand how my parents can't do the same. They can clearly see how hard I'm trying, willing to risk everything by staying in Vale."
Yang felt bad for Jaune. Her dad had supported her every step of her way on wanting to be a Huntress, hell she modeled her fighting style off of him. Her own parental issues rested with an absentee mother who left her and her dad when she was born. Yang didn't feel like sharing that right now nor did she think it would help honestly.
Yang was never good at consoling people, that was always Ruby's forte but maybe sweet words of comfort weren't what Jaune needed right now. Maybe he needed something more tangible.
"Well, you know what? I believe in you too!" Jaune turned looking at Yang in disbelief.
"You do?"
"Of course I do! You're my trainee now. What kind of mentor would I be if I didn't believe in my star pupil?"
"I'm your only pupil." Jaune pointed out.
"Exactly! Which makes you my star pupil, duh!" Jaune chuckled, he was no longer clutching the punching bag. Yang could see he was less tense. The knowledge that someone else believed in him clearly helped. "You can't give up on me now. Promise?"
"Promise." Jaune assured with a newfound sense of strength.
"Then, let's hit some weights!" Yang shouted, fist raised, as she then led Jaune to the weights.
Omake
Yang rolled out a whiteboard. On it, in big, bold black lettering, were the words, 'Aura 101'. Underneath the words were some crudely drawn stick fingers and wavelengths drawn off them.
"Umm, where'd the whiteboard come from?" Jaune asked.
"Not important." Yang said, completely glossing over the full-sized whiteboard in the living room as she tapped it lightly. "Tonight, we will be going over Aura. Now, you've already seen its effects in our spars when your Aura protected you from my hits." A fact Jaune was truly thankful for. "You've even gotten a taste of its offensive capabilities when you sent Aura to your fist with the punching bag-"
"I did?" Jaune asked not having realized he had.
"Okay, you did it subconsciously, but that's good! We know why it came out. We can recreate that next time we spar. If you can draw out that emotion again, you can call out your Aura for stronger strikes—at least until you learn to draw it out naturally without relying on being angry at your parents." Jaune nodded.
Yang grabbed the black marker and took off the cap. "Tonight, we're going to go over another one of Aura's benefits: sensory perception." Yang wrote out the word as she said it.
She turned towards Jaune and said, "Aura can help you sense danger nearby, like Grimm or an incoming attack. As you develop that sense more, it can even help you sense the aura in other people, like how I knew you had a large aura reserve."
"So how do I go about training my senses?"
"I'm glad you asked!" She said as she took out a blindfold and threw it a Jaune.
"You want me to blindfold myself!?" Jaune asked flummoxed by the request.
"Yessir, I'm not about to bring you out to a Grimm-infested forest just yet, so we'll have to make do at home. Now put it on." Yang ordered.
Jaune looked between Yang and the blindfold a few times before giving in and tying it around his face, completely covering his vision. He sat there patiently waiting for whatever Yang had planned when something small flicked off his cheek.
"Gah!" Jaune exclaimed as another small little pellet hit him in the chin.
"What was that?" Jaune shouted.
"Relax, Jaune, let your Aura flow around you; let it guide you." Yang's soothing voice was followed by a crunching sound.
"Are... Are you throwing peanuts at me?"
"Nope!" Yang lied as she flicked another peanut into her mouth crunching down.
"How are peanuts supposed to be a dangerous attack?" Jaune asked not understanding the logic.
"Hmmm, good point. Guess I'll have to throw it a little harder!" Yang said as she put more force into her next throw.
"Owww!" Jaune shouted in pain as the peanut hit him right in the forehead.
You gotta relax Jaune." Yang repeated as she readied more delicious ammo.
This continued on for a few minutes when finally, as another peanut hurled through the air at Jaune, the boy's head swiveled before impact dodging the projectile.
Yang, ready to throw another peanut, froze. He had done it.
"Did... did I do it?" Jaune asked, lifting the blindfold up slightly. Yang's satisfied grin gave him his answer.
Author's Notes: Hope you all enjoy the Chapter. I plan to make more omakes like this one as the story progresses to show more light-hearted and funny moments between the two blondes.