It takes an immense amount of will and focus to clench his hands harder, but Zerxus has quite a lot of both.

"The problem is..." His voice is still weak and rasping, but his eyes are blazing. "Now you're reminding me of myself. That - is the sort of thing that gets you..."

Well.

Just look at him, Captain.

"He told me you would be safe. I agreed. My choice, my cost. Mine." It matters, that Steve doesn't feel guilty for someone else's actions; it also matters that Zerxus can take full ownership of something decent. He would happily suffer so, so much more than this for that.