Work Text:
Kruger, Falco decided, was a man that looked like he desperately needed a hug but was too scared to ask for one. He’d seen it before, in men, women, soldiers, civilians; like there was something wrong with asking for comfort, no matter how much it was needed.
And maybe it’s just because Kruger looks so fragile all the time, sitting on his bench, grasping at his crutch, remaining eye hidden behind slightly greasy hair, but Falco wanted to be the one to give the man this one comfort. That’s what you were supposed to do with traumatized people, right? Make them as comfortable as possible? Falco would simply be helping a veteran cope after battle.
It was settled then, Falco thought on his way to one of his now daily visits with the soldier. He’d exchange greetings, sit next to him, and ask.
“Hey, Mr. Kruger?”
“Hm?” The man’s head turned towards Falco slightly.
“Do you need a hug?”
Kruger’s head turned towards Falco fully now, brow raised, mouth slightly ajar. He seemed to be shocked into silence.
Falco rushed to explain his admittedly random question, “Well, it’s just, you always just look like you want a hug, but you never ask for one, and-” the boy cut himself off as Kruger's mouth snapped shut. If possible, the man looked even more sad, which, well, wasn’t quite what Falco was aiming for, but maybe it’d make it even easier for him to complete his mission to give the poor guy a hug. Kruger turned to look ahead again, his back hunched a little more than before and his head facing down towards his knees.
“I, ah, don’t think anyone’s ever asked me that before,” he said quietly.
Well, now Falco definitely needed to give him a hug.
“Can I hug you, then?”
Kruger turns to him with the same shocked expression again and that made Falco want to commit the act ten times more because he’s pretty sure no one’s ever asked Kruger that question, either, and that made Falco so incredibly sad-
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“I… yes, you can hug me, kid.” Kruger seemed almost embarrassed that he was obliging Falco’s request, his head turned to stare towards the ground in front of Falco. Despite this, he shifted his crutch to his other hand, giving the boy access to his left side.
Falco didn’t hesitate.
Kruger was ridiculously warm, even through the layers of his uniform. Falco couldn’t see his expression from where he was pressed into the man’s chest, but he was almost certain he had that depressingly shocked look again. Falco squeezed him tighter. He felt Kruger's arm slowly fall to rest on his back and a hand wrap around his shoulder.
“Do you feel better, Mr. Kruger?”
Kruger didn’t say anything, only tightened his grip on Falco's shoulder.