No. Not just the gauntlets. Those were never the plan - not the biggest part, and certainly not all of it. His intention was never anything as simple - or complex - as literal disarming.

Not even of one blood soaked weapon-slash-armor.

He keeps going, but not in physically removing anything from Zerxus body, just undoing and unfastening clasps, staying well clear of any clear, single purpose weaponry. More about... mental shift, back to someone Steve can breathe around.

He starts to ask something. Then stops, tilts his head and waits.

He remembers this rhythm. "Your turn." He's pretty sure breaking that rhythm is likely to have some kind of consequence.