Steve frowns when Zerxus breaks off. He's still worried. He's worried enough to come back from being irritated. He is not worried enough not to take advantage of an opportunity the presents itself.

He pushes himself carefully back under his blanket, leaves his hand settled on Zerxus chest, and actually drops his ankle over one of Zerxus's. All of it with some weight and meant to signal 'stay down', but is also innately protective.

"My dad died when I was a couple of months old. Left my mom having to work to keep a roof over our heads, more than most women did at the time. One of her friends had a son about my age, so she helped out in taking care of me. We grew up like brothers - even shared a place when we were of age. He joined the military before I did; I wasn't physically fit enough, but I was bound and determined."

There should be a pause for reply there but he isn't giving Zerxus an opening. He isn't going to not talk over or through any interjections that happen, either.

"I made it in because I was a good fit for that experiment I mentioned. He ended up serving under me. Only guy I ever lost. The son of a bitch was pulling the same shit from the time we were in diapers until the day he died. He never stopped feeling like having decided to sign up for war or follow me that shit that was happening was somehow acceptable. Never stopped trying to get between me and my fights, either."

There's a pointed pause there. "It's not less annoying coming from a guy I've known a day. Cut the shit."