"So," Superman began, having rounded off all the official reports, "now that we have the paperwork done, who wants to play a game?"

Bruce (Banner) raised an eyebrow.

"That depends... if you're going to be as competitive as last year, I'm out."

"Oh come on Bruce, that was one time," Tony Stark protested, and Bruce (Wayne) laughed.

"One time? You're so competitive you still haven't admitted that I'm a better superhero than you are."

"That's because it's not true!" Tony claimed, "I'm obviously better than you are."

Bruce B. sighed.

"Okay, I'm going to make myself a cup of coffee, who's coming?"

Natasha took one glance at Batman and Iron Man and agreed to come, followed by Clint, Thor, and the majority of the Justice League.

"I still don't see why Bucky couldn't come," Steve muttered.

"Because of his history with HYDRA — we can't fully trust him yet," Superman answered apologetically, "it's nothing personal, we just have tight rules when it comes to these Super Gatherings. Same reason as to why we can't let in the Twins yet. We can't just let anyone in here — people like Loki could take advantage of that."

"I have an idea for a game!" Sam Wilson suggested, determined to steer the conversation away from Bucky, "why don't we try to come up with the stupidest way to reveal your secret identity!"

"How about using it to seduce a reporter for a one-night stand?" Tony suggested, looking pointedly at Batman.

"How about randomly announcing it a press-conference when you've talked yourself into suspicion?" Batman countered.

"Guys, guys, please stop," Superman soothed, "otherwise this'll end badly for poor Cap."

"It'll end badly for Steve?" Tony snorted, while Batman just raised an eyebrow at his co-superhero.

"Yes," Superman continued with a straight face, "because at some point you, Tony, are going to insult Wayne here, and then I'll have to defend him, and Cap will obviously defend you, so then I'll have to punch the pretty boy's lights out and it might ruin his good looks."

Tony smirked, and Steve stood up quickly.

"ALL RIGHT, YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT!"

Superman sighed.

"See? There it is already."

Sam Wilson stepped forward to put a hand on Steve's shoulder.

"Don't attack him Steve," he warned, "he's stronger than you."

Steve twitched angrily.

"We'll see about that."

Sam sighed.

"Bucky wouldn't want you to."

Steve hesitated, and then gave up with a sigh, sitting down again.

"I hate how well that works," Sam grumbled, letting go of the super-soldier.

"Bucky is Steve's kryptonite," Tony grinned.

"Just like I'm Superman's kryptonite," Batman smirked.

"Isn't kryptonite Superman's kryptonite?" Steve frowned.

"Stop being such a smartass you snow-cone," Batman snapped back.

Sam laughed.

"I know this is just my first meeting, so I probably shouldn't ask this but... are the gatherings like this every year?"

"Like what?" Tony frowned.

"Like you and Batman trying to outdo each other and having an endless word-war."

Steve and Superman nodded gravely.

"Every single time," Steve added.

"I... I have no idea what you're talking about," Batman denied.

"Oh for Jotunheim's sake, you know exactly what we're talking about," Sam retorted.

All four heroes raised an eyebrow in perfect superhero synchronization.

Sam's jaw dropped slightly as he realized what he'd just said.

"Someone help, Loki's speech is rubbing off on me," he shivered, "I've been around that psychopath a bit too much, clearly."

"Don't take what's about to happen personally," Batman stated dryly, "it's just a safety precaution."

"What do you—" Sam's sentence was cut off as he was jerked backwards by some sort of Bat-contraption, which pulled him out of the room.

Steve bit his lip.

"Is he going to be okay?"

"Yes," Superman answered.

"Maybe," Batman shrugged.

"We just can't take the risk that Loki is influencing him," Superman clarified, "sorry Cap. No worries, you can take him with back to your little tower when we're done here."

"Little tower?" Tony enquired with a scowl.

"You heard him," Batman smirked.

"Oh just kill me now," Superman sighed.

"According to some, I can't," Steve countered with enough ice to last seven decades, "but if you have some kryptonite on you we could make a suicide pact."

"What's with them?" Batman enquired, gesturing to Superman and Captain America.

"I dunno," Tony shrugged, "but I'm not letting you change the topic. Stark Towers is wayyyy better than your little Batcave."

"WAYNE MANSION, DOES THAT MEAN NOTHING TO YOU?!"

"NO, I'D BET IT'S NOT EVEN ON THE MAP!"

"YEAH WELL NOR IS STARK TOWERS!"

"JARVIS, PUT STARK TOWERS ON THE MAP RIGHT NOW!"

"COMPUTER, STOP JARVIS!"

"JA—"

The television screen flickered only for a moment as Loki switched it off.

"By Odin's beard, those conferences are tedious."

Bucky nodded, stuffing some more popcorn into his mouth.

"I'm glad I don't have to be there."

Loki glanced once more at the screen of the TV in Stark Towers, which he'd connected to security cameras at the supposedly 'secret' meeting point of the supers.

"Anything else you'd like to do before those morons get back?"

Pietro bounced up and down on the couch.

"CAN WE ADOPT A DOG?"

Loki stared at Pietro blankly.

"As much as I'd love to see the look on Stark's face, I'm afraid that's out of the question. Wanda would catch on and stop us."

Pietro sank into the couch in disappointment.

"We could watch a movie," Bucky suggested with his mouth full of popcorn.

"Wanda's going out," Pietro knew, "so we can watch anything we like. Just... no horror movies please."

Loki smirked.

"If you want a horror movie, you should try staring at Thor for a while."

"I was thinking more into the direction of Star Wars," Bucky clarified, "you know... Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader..."

Loki raised an eyebrow.

"Never heard of it."

"ARE YOU KIDDING?!?" Pietro spontaneously started bouncing again, "YOU HAVE TO SEE IT!"

Bucky smirked.

"Nat made Steve and I watch it all... I think you might like it, if you can get past all the space inaccuracies that you're bound to find."

Loki looked from Pietro to Bucky.

"Oh, why not?" he shrugged, "It's not like we have anything better to do anyway."