STEVE VS. ALEXEI
Steve walked out to the center of the gym where Alexei stood. With his dirty uniform and mismatched pink shield (courtesy of Stevie,) he certainly looked the lesser of the two combatants. He didn't wear his helmet because he was hoping to diffuse this situation with logic and reason. And he hoped that Alexei would see his unprotected face as a sign of friendship and not that he wanted to fight. (Because Steve really didn't want to fight.)
He cleared his throat. "We really don't have to do this, Alexei. Why don't we just call it a friendly draw and enjoy the rest of the week with our mutual companions."
Okay, so they only had one mutual, but Steve was trying to show some open earnestness towards the Russian. This was his way of saying that they could both be comrades-in-arms together. On the same side. A show of force wasn't necessary.