Disclaimer: See chapter 1

Note: I know this is 'T' rated but this chapter does contain coarse language. I tend not to consider the occasional F-bomb to warrant an 'M' rating, but I know some do. So if you don't like bad language just box your ears.

Prose 2

Hours later, Balder found himself very alone and in front of Zeus' office. He didn't necessarily fear Zeus' wrath. But he certainly didn't want Zeus to have a reason to start bullying him like he does his own kin. Though according to Apollo, Zeus was afraid of two people. One, was Athena, his own daughter. The other, was Odin. To be fair, a lot of people feared Odin, especially in his monstrosity of a god form. And Odin had a weird knack of knowing everything that occurs. Everything. Balder once had to explain to Apollo about Huginn and Muninn, Odin's ravens of thought and mind, who aided in his omnipotence, but by that time Apollo was just lost.

Although Odin was nothing but loving towards him, Balder had a healthy fear of his father. He worried about what something like the incident in the main hall would cause Odin to react. The last thing anyone needed was two Supreme Gods—one known for having a terrible temper and the other…an asshole—fighting it out across the skies. No. Best to put on a brave face, confront the problem directly instead of dragging the entirety of Asgard into the school and making a bigger mess.

He took a deep breath, trying to quell his anxiety. Can't lose his mind in front of Zeus. It would be like a gazelle snoozing in a den of lions. He knocked lightly on the ivory door.

"Enter," came a deep abrupt voice.

Balder opened the door and found Zeus looking over some papers.

"Balder. Sit down."

He obeyed and sat across from Zeus, a tad surprised he wasn't struck down immediately. Not that it would do much. Zeus arched an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair.

"Do you know why you're here?"

"I have an idea," Balder admitted softly.

"Yeah," Zeus said with an ounce of shock in his voice, he glanced over at a report on his desk, "Giving Thoth a black eye and busted lip. I'll honest, I don't know whether to punish you or reward you."

Any other god would have felt a swell of pride that Zeus seemed impressed. Balder didn't, instead he felt ice and cold. He didn't know of the damage done until it was told to him.

"But on Takeru Totsuka. Students attacking students I can't allow. For integrities' sake, but…" Zeus leaned forward, steepling his fingers. "You."

"Of all of those gods, you losing control is a big problem apparently, rare as it happens," Zeus continued, stroking his beard. His short beard, Balder thought.

"I'm still in control," Balder assured, "It's just…"

He scratched the back of his head and shifted in his seat, running his tongue over his lips nervously. He was getting anxious now. He didn't want to feel anxious or restless, but those horrible feelings were gripping his body like a vice.

"A massive problem with Julie Andrews? How is that possible? She makes the Muses cry."

"No," Balder said with an ounce of exasperated breath, "I don't have a problem with Julie Andrews or her, apparently phenomenal, singing."

"The time is it?" Zeus said and Balder glanced up. Did Zeus know? He had to.

Zeus folded his hands in front of him and leaned forward, "Whatever the issue is, that doesn't excuse what happened. I suggest you find a way to resolve it. Which brings me to my second concern…"

Zeus paused staring Balder's stony face, "I rather not tell your father. If it's his problem it will quickly become everyone else's, but I will if I have to. Unless you think dragging the Raven God into this mess is a good idea, I will give you two options. You can either voluntarily suspend yourself or you can go about your daily business with minotaurs, sphinxes, and whatever the hell else I can think of to monitor your every move, every blink. Your choice."

The choice was quite clear. Balder didn't even have to voice it.

"What does suspension entail?" he asked.

Zeus nodded and looked slightly relieved, "You don't go to classes or participate in activities. You stay at your dorm until the suspension is lifted. You can ask your fellow classmates for notes and homework to keep up."

"What about tutoring?"

"Tutoring?" Zeus raised and eyebrow, "Any extra learning activities not within the grounds of the school are still available. So if your tutor goes to your dorm for study sessions, that is not included in the suspension."

Balder breathed in a relieved breath and nodded.

Zeus regarded the sullen and dulled god of light with as much pity as he was used to giving. Which wasn't a lot.

"I'm sorry Balder. But I'm sure you see the necessity of this punishment."

Balder did. Of course he did. But that didn't mean he had to like it. Balder didn't go to classes that day, as per his punishment, and to be frank, he was glad. He didn't think he could face anyone at the moment. He stayed in his dorm, in his room, trying to gather enough will to just fall asleep and drift away. Trying to nap proved difficult as his waking dreams filled his head with vague memories of fire and battle. Not battling gods. Worse. Humans. Humans in armor marching straight to a wooden temple, setting it a blaze. Axes falling on heads. Two worlds colliding with a splash of blood.

He rolled on his stomach and peered out the window at the head of his bed. It looked chilly, but it wasn't snowing. At this time of year at home it always snowed and despite the cold, Balder never felt warmer, but wandering in the human realm of winter he felt a deadly chill.

Thor and Loki finished classes and headed straight to their dorm house. The lights were off, usually an indication that Balder wasn't home, but Balder's school bag on the table proved otherwise.

"Balder?" Loki called through the dorm with concern creeping in his throat, but Thor wisely pulled him from running upstairs to check on their kin.

"Let it alone, for now," he said in his usual quiet voice, before turning to the kitchens.

"What are you doing then?" Loki glared accusingly at his friend. "Besides, surprisingly, avoiding conflict."

Thor wasn't fazed, "Making dinner. I have a rotisserie in the oven. That could cheer him up."

Loki shut his mouth. An intense part of him wanted to go up and see if Balder was alright. Loki understood his outburst, but there wasn't much that could help him get over this hump.

Loki sat on the couch, gnawing at the end of his pen, ignoring his homework for the moment, as Thor busied himself with making dinner. He found his eyes glancing up at the staircase, hoping Balder would show. Loki didn't like to worry, but when it comes to Balder, he found himself worrying more than he should. Sure, he played tricks, knowing Balder didn't give a damn, but the only opinion Loki cared for was Balder's.

He…

Loki's thoughts were interrupted when Thor pulled out some pie to let it cool on the kitchen counter. His tongue wanted some of that sugar. He crept up to the counter, wanting just a bite. He grabbed the nearby spoon and plunged it into the pie, trying to hide his face on the other side of the counter, but Thor caught him giving him a stony stare. Loki froze and Thor said nothing.

Thor nodded, giving the barest of smiles, "Go on right ahead."

Loki thought it was weird that Thor would straight up give him permission to take a bite out of his freshly baked pie before the rest of dinner was ready. Staring straight into Thor's eyes, Loki took a bite. He chewed it once before cringing and spitting it out.

"Aw, shit, that's hot."

"Yeah?"

"Son of a—. You did that on purpose, Thor! And they call me the conniving trickster."

Thor could've chuckled to himself, but he didn't, "I didn't trick you into doing anything. I just allowed you to make your own mistake."

Loki looked ready to retort, but was silenced when Balder resolutely came down the steps, wearing black sweatpants, and a dark gray hooded sweatshirt and knit cap. He didn't say much as he adjusted his cap (which he tucked his long blond hair in) and opened the door, stepping outside.

Neither Loki nor Thor could get a word in and just watched as their fellow Norse god stepped into the chilly, but still snowless outdoors.

Outside, Balder jogged, loosening his long legs. Bad idea since he tripped and fell every 20 feet or so but he had to get out. He couldn't sleep or take a nap, but he hadn't been able to clear his mind. He found walks and jogging did the trick in the few moments in his life that he just had to get away. He just let the Norse treated landscape fill his eyes, as hollow and fake as it was. He could smell the pine though. Fresh, clean, but biting. It melded well with the chilled air. Cool morning air and autumn and winter air were refreshing to his lungs. He often liked to relax on his ship in the early morning and breath in the air of the new day. Or of a dying year. In winter, instead of on his ship, he preferred the company of family, by an open hearth, wine and beer flowing with laughter, the soft gentleness of winter outside.

To most, winter seemed cold and harsh. Balder was one of the few who saw winter as warm, soft, gentle, comforting. He refused to see it as anything but. However, a particular celebration brought on uncomfortable memories.

The soft white of his breath puffed out with each labored exhale he took. It flowed out so easily in the cold air, like smoke. Like the smoke coming from the pipes and cigars his uncles, brothers, and even aunts and sisters, puffed on occasion.

Maybe that was it. Maybe he should take a leave of absence. He was suspended anyway, why should he remain here? Unless Zeus truly wanted to imprison them, that should be allowed right? Maybe some time away could fix his moodiness during these times, but it certainly wouldn't stop the Christmas celebration. The very thought caused uncertain feelings well up in his chest. It was Yui Kusanagi's idea. It wasn't her fault. The idea was reasonable. It was how a good portion of the humans celebrated the Solstice, religiously motivated or not, but did she not know what the customs she associates with "Christmas" comes from?

He paused at the edge of the hill, glancing at the half-frozen lake, placing his hands on his knees, taking a few deep breaths to gather enough wind to jog back. He glanced at the dorm house. The sky was darkening and the lights of the house were shining through the windows. Smoke was rising through the chimney.

He sighed, rubbing his eyes, and began the slow jog back.

Yui didn't know. If it really bothered him he probably should've spoken up. He didn't think it bothered him so much. When Apollo told him of what Yui wanted he was amenable to the idea. It was much of how he celebrated the Solstice. But, hearing that music…

And we are the Heathen gods.

Inside, Balder felt fear. His disease. If he could barely keep it now, how would he cope being away from home, hearing devotional music to a god that had little to do with Solstice. And with her being the catalyst.

All the more reason to ask for a leave of absence and go to Asgard for the remainder of his suspension. Certainly Zeus was powerful enough that when time was up he could drag him back to school.

Thor finally set out the rotisserie to complete his dinner. Loki already grabbed a plate and sat at the table. Thor, being courteous to Balder, already set out a plate for him—with an extra chicken leg in hopes it would lighten his mood.

"I may not go to class tomorrow," Loki said bluntly, shoving potatoes into his mouth. Thor sighed. There was nothing he could do if Loki decided not to go to class. But it was affecting Thor's own grades. Thor saw it his job to keep watch over Loki, and to make sure he didn't go too overboard with his…tricks. Invariably, though, it meant running around after him everywhere he went. So if Loki didn't go to class, neither did Thor.

Loki could tell by the look of Thor's face, that the God of Thunder was disappointed.

"I can't go!" he exclaimed. "I should stay here and make sure Balder's okay."

"Loki," Thor said softly. "Balder is a man-god. Let him handle things on his own. Trust me, he prefers it that way."

Thor may not have been a cunning or persuasive man by nature, but for Loki's benefit and Balder's, he could find verbal work arounds.

"And he would hate it if he thought his problems were adversely affecting your, or your ability to graduate."

Loki clicked his tongue in disapproval, face souring on Thor's lame attempt to get him to class. Before he could come back with a retort, the door opened and Balder came back, face red from the exercise and chill outside. He didn't say a thing as he wandered over to the plate Thor laid out for him on the kitchen counter and grabbed it.

"I'm…going to take this upstairs," he said, walking with his plate upstairs to his room, before anyone could say otherwise. Thor and Loki were silent for the rest of their meals, both minds on their blond friend.

After dinner, Loki didn't help Thor with the dishes. Instead he went upstairs, despite Thor telling him to leave well enough alone. He knocked on Balder's door and opened it, not waiting for an invitation, which he usually got anyway. Balder was laying on his side on his bed, a book in front of him, his empty dinner plate on his desk, next to an unfinished pipe carved out of a birch branch. Balder was just in his pair of black sweatpants and was wearing a white t-shirt, his expression stony, but on Loki.

"Hey…" Loki whispered…for some reason. Balder's thick brow arched as he replied with a lackluster, "Hi."

"Can I come in?" A moot question since Loki already opened his door unannounced.

Balder didn't say otherwise and shifted his eyes to his book. Loki flinched. Balder unresponsive was an odd thing to work through. Especially since everyone was so used to him being open and inviting.

He entered, reaching over to pull Balder's chair out from under his desk, so Loki could sit next to Balder's bed. Balder, however, had his back turned, so Loki was forced to talk to the back of Balder's head.

"Are you okay?"

Balder shifted, "What do you think?"

Of course Loki knew the answer, but he at least liked that Balder didn't lie and say that nothing was wrong. Loki knew that Balder didn't want to be here at the moment. Hell, he didn't want to be here either but they all had to go through with it.

Loki reached out and put his hand on Balder's shoulder, showing that he understood. His fingertips squeezed the muscle and bone of his shoulder and his thumb was unconsciously pressing circles against his shoulder blade. If Loki thought he went too far in his physical display of care, Balder didn't say anything, or he was too oblivious to.

"Hey, it'll be alright, Balder. These things…happen."

At that Balder shut his book with a snap and rolled over on his back and finally glanced at Loki, "Breaking down?"

Loki bit his lip, "I meant homesickness…and…well, bad memory recall."

Balder exhaled, and at that he seemed less closed off, "In a way I'm glad I am suspended. If I let a little song get to me like that, who knows what will happen."

"It won't happen again right?"

Balder shook his head, "No it won't. But still…the others."

Loki scoffed, "Screw what the others think. Just come back and be yourself."

The pleading tone had a hint of prayer and desperation. Something Balder picked up on but didn't address. His lips thinned in thought. Loki sighed and tapped his friend's leg.

"If you want to talk about it, you can talk to me. You know that right?"

Balder nodded briefly and swallowed as if he were about to say something, but instead he turned back to his book wanting another distraction. Loki took this as his cue to leave.

Thor did his business, finishing his homework and going to bed. Loki followed. Before going in their separate directions Loki thought to check up on Balder. He and Thor opened his door to see if he was still alright. Balder's lights were still on and he was in the same position on his bed asleep, with whatever he was reading beside him. He must've fallen asleep reading. Loki stared long and hard, trying to find any sign of distress, but thankfully Balder was fine it seemed.

Thor tapped his shoulder, "Come on, let him sleep."

"Okay, okay," Loki whispered, shaking Thor off. Thor closed Balder's door and the two gods headed to their separate rooms to sleep for the night.

A/N: I forgot to mention that there will be other gods in this story. Not really OC's by my depictions of them are my own.