Steve meets Zerxus' eyes and what he sees? Is someone who has withstood literal hell. Not perfectly, not without (a lot of) personal cost, but a good man who is still trying to do the right thing.

"All right." Does he believe that's truly possible? He... isn't sure. Probably not, but not definitely not. Meanwhile: "I need you to listen to me and give it at least a ten count before you knee jerk react and tell me why I'm wrong. Can you give me that?"