"You outrank me, anyway," says the soldier who has never, not once, respected a chain of command in his life.
Go ahead. Stay between him and Asmodeus. Until they're all in the same room again, at which point the bad innocence act will drop and he'll do what he feels the need to do.
That earns a wry glance over Zerxus's shoulder that says he's exactly as reassured as that statement deserves. (And, perhaps, a little bit delighted. Shut up.)
Then he takes his sweet time leading them back, hoping that tempers will have cooled enough to let sense prevail. The man's known him for two days, that can't be worth punching a god over.
It doesn't help that the god in question is lounging again, flipping through some sort of leather-bound tome, casual as you please.
His temper does cool down on the walk. Meaning he's not running hot by the time they make it back into the 'kitchen'. That does not mean he's not angry.
And t doesn't really change his plan.
For one thing he told Zerxus he wouldn't get so attached that he wouldn't take opportunities he saw. That Zerxus meant escape/leaving him isn't really a huge factor here. For another, he really feels like knowing exactly what will happen at a display of both disrespect and resistance is something he should know.
...And, of course, he just wants to.
So, he pretty much gives Zerxus just enough time to get out of his way.
"Hey," in reply to the welcome back. Then throws a punch.
The punch isn't actually the most horrifying thing about this moment. The most exasperating, yes. But the bit that really roots Zerxus to the spot is the fact that Asmodeus lets it happen.
After centuries of knowing he could only strike back when the devil allowed it, and it never meant anything good.
There's a dramatic flair to it, of course; his head rocks back as if the impact actually meant something, and the wheeze could almost be mistaken for pain and not laughter. There's no blood on Steve's knuckles, though; when the blow lands, viciously satisfying for perhaps half a second, it's Zerxus who crumples to the floor.
That isn't a shocking turn of events. Steve is pretty confident that him getting killed or seriously hurt would defeat the purpose of his presence here, and taking it out on Zerxus (however that was done), makes sense as a means of controlling Steve.
New information about the ability but that kind of leash? No.
He turns at the sound of Zerxus hitting the floor. "Huh." Not that he's not angry or it won't work, but he's not exactly panicking, either. For a variety of reasons from that lack of shock, to continuing anger. "You definitely brought me here."
If that wasn't the reaction he wanted, Asmodeus certainly doesn't show it.
"Once a soldier, hmm?" His form ripples like a reflection, and suddenly he's not in those soft, opulent robes anymore. The armour is just as beautiful, in its own way. "Yes, Steve Rogers, well done."
Zerxus does not hear his name. It's hard to tell why that is; this isn't like the flaming sword. Whatever's going on, it's completely internal.
Steve is currently working under the assumption that Zerxus is some kind of thing that passes for dead, but that it is likely temporary. There's definitely some stuff he is missing, in choosing where his attention is.
That does not mean he isn't concerned or doesn't care. It doesn't even mean that there's not some background untangling going on. Like the possibility of that punch just transferring damage to Zerxus.
Meanwhile, his name being used gets his attention and he's going to have to hope Zerxus didn't hear it, since Zerxus didn't want to.
"Not actually what I meant, and you know it." He assumes. More that hurting Zerxus was an effective leash and that he knows Zerxus type and found it.
Also that's... close to a growl because he is not going to be turned on by this guy. What the fuck is that, and why is it related to... roll over for the man. Metaphorically and literally. He doesn't get it, and he hates it.
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"I know that look. Don't do it."
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He's dressed. He's ready to go back.
There's a look and he's going to.
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"Fine, but I'm leading the way." He starts before he even finishes the sentence. Just keep himself between the devil and the soldier, it'll be fine.
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Go ahead. Stay between him and Asmodeus. Until they're all in the same room again, at which point the bad innocence act will drop and he'll do what he feels the need to do.
Which is violence.
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Then he takes his sweet time leading them back, hoping that tempers will have cooled enough to let sense prevail. The man's known him for two days, that can't be worth punching a god over.
It doesn't help that the god in question is lounging again, flipping through some sort of leather-bound tome, casual as you please.
"Welcome back." He doesn't look up.
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And t doesn't really change his plan.
For one thing he told Zerxus he wouldn't get so attached that he wouldn't take opportunities he saw. That Zerxus meant escape/leaving him isn't really a huge factor here. For another, he really feels like knowing exactly what will happen at a display of both disrespect and resistance is something he should know.
...And, of course, he just wants to.
So, he pretty much gives Zerxus just enough time to get out of his way.
"Hey," in reply to the welcome back. Then throws a punch.
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After centuries of knowing he could only strike back when the devil allowed it, and it never meant anything good.
There's a dramatic flair to it, of course; his head rocks back as if the impact actually meant something, and the wheeze could almost be mistaken for pain and not laughter. There's no blood on Steve's knuckles, though; when the blow lands, viciously satisfying for perhaps half a second, it's Zerxus who crumples to the floor.
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New information about the ability but that kind of leash? No.
He turns at the sound of Zerxus hitting the floor. "Huh." Not that he's not angry or it won't work, but he's not exactly panicking, either. For a variety of reasons from that lack of shock, to continuing anger. "You definitely brought me here."
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"Once a soldier, hmm?" His form ripples like a reflection, and suddenly he's not in those soft, opulent robes anymore. The armour is just as beautiful, in its own way. "Yes, Steve Rogers, well done."
Zerxus does not hear his name. It's hard to tell why that is; this isn't like the flaming sword. Whatever's going on, it's completely internal.
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That does not mean he isn't concerned or doesn't care. It doesn't even mean that there's not some background untangling going on. Like the possibility of that punch just transferring damage to Zerxus.
Meanwhile, his name being used gets his attention and he's going to have to hope Zerxus didn't hear it, since Zerxus didn't want to.
"Not actually what I meant, and you know it." He assumes. More that hurting Zerxus was an effective leash and that he knows Zerxus type and found it.
Also that's... close to a growl because he is not going to be turned on by this guy. What the fuck is that, and why is it related to... roll over for the man. Metaphorically and literally. He doesn't get it, and he hates it.