Something as simple, as basic, as casual physical affection should not completely short-circuit a man. Certainly not a whole-ass devil knight.

There's a lot going on, in his immediate reaction. He's frozen squarely between the impulse to pull away and the urge to lean in, and words die in his throat in a strangled sound that's - yearning-indignant-stunned. Even once Steve pulls back, Zerxus barely registers what he's saying at first.

Finally, if a bit roughly, "Hope and desperation are two different things."