The last person Steve pitied was fucking Loki. Pity requires a lack of respect, and Steve's very capable of that, but it sure as hell isn't in play at the moment.
He's somewhat distracted by the... math he's doing on the situation here. Compassion is a variable, but it isn't the only one.
He comes back to more full attention and focus on Zerxus immediately, because he fucking hates that question just as immediately and more so in light of the abrupt way Zerxus' expression shutters. The look that comes with it is damn close to the one that came with 'pick up your damn gauntlets'.
"That question has an ulterior motive and I'm not answering it until you tell me why you're asking it." Which is maybe a weird response given that it's the first thing he's dug his heels on, but he suspects this is about to be a deflection -- or a sideways attack. Probably deflection. He'll deal with it if it is, but he's damn well not doing it without an admission.
no subject
He's somewhat distracted by the... math he's doing on the situation here. Compassion is a variable, but it isn't the only one.
He comes back to more full attention and focus on Zerxus immediately, because he fucking hates that question just as immediately and more so in light of the abrupt way Zerxus' expression shutters. The look that comes with it is damn close to the one that came with 'pick up your damn gauntlets'.
"That question has an ulterior motive and I'm not answering it until you tell me why you're asking it." Which is maybe a weird response given that it's the first thing he's dug his heels on, but he suspects this is about to be a deflection -- or a sideways attack. Probably deflection. He'll deal with it if it is, but he's damn well not doing it without an admission.