When Hassaku looked at the date he hadn’t thought anything of it. It wasn’t anyone’s birthday, nor a holiday (not like most of them were celebrated in prison, who’s gonna celebrate valentines or kodomo no hi here?), so he had just checked the previous day off with an X and finished getting dressed.

He ducked Mikan’s attempt at a hug, which was usual enough to not confuse him, but when both Itsuna and D-095 did the same he was officially on guard. Why were they all out to hug him? Normally, only Mikan and B-121 gave him hugs, and Mikan’s attempts were sporadic to make the success rate higher. The other prisoners and guards never tried to do things like show him physical affection. Friendly banter was usually the closest they’d get to show most people affection in this place, aside from the aforementioned duo.

People kept coming at him, arms out to hug, and he kept dodging. It wasn’t until he was cornered by both Mikan and B-121 that he was captured, the tiny child and his tall colleague with their arms around him.

Hassaku sighed, looking through his bangs at both their brilliantly shining grins.

“Why are you hugging me?”

Mikan nuzzled his nose against his neck, B-121 hugged his legs, staring up at him with big, happy eyes. “It’s hug day!” the child exclaimed before hugging him tighter. Spotting his situation, one of the guards stared at them for a few seconds, before turning away, looking amused. It was rare for B-121 to willingly share Hassaku’s attention with Mikan, much less let him hug him at the same time. Usually the kid wanted their boss all to himself, like a child who wants their mum to only pay attention to them and not anyone else.

“It’s what now?”

B-004 rounded a corner, and stared at them for a few moments, before a grin snuck onto his face. “Oh, you caught him.” The man snickered, and strolled over to the three to lazily wrap his arms around Hassaku’s waist from behind. “Did you know…” He rested his chin atop Hassaku’s head, annoying the whitehaired man to no end, though he was unable to do anything with Mikan’s arms trapping his own. “If you take the ‘ha’ from the month and the ‘ku’ from today’s date, it sounds like the word ‘hug’?”

“So you’re the reason everyone’s been trying to jump me today.” It wasn’t a question so much as a confirmation.

Mikan nodded against his neck, his hair tickling the side of it. “We wanted to show you we love you, Hacchan!”

Hassaku’s cheeks flushed pink, making B-004 chuckle and Mikan and B-121 gasp in excitement. He hadn’t had anyone tell him they loved him even once in his life, so getting it now, even from Mikan who was most obvious with his affections, made him embarrassed, though he tried to pretend like nothing was wrong with his face. “You’re… ridiculous. All of you.”

“Mmhm, someone’s a grumpy boy,” B-004 hummed. So quietly that only Hassaku could hear, he continued to whisper against his ear. “Wait until I tell you about kissing day.”

Hassaku dropped his head back, almost knocking his skull against B-004’s nose. “Fine, it’s hug day. But keep the nonsense to a minimum.” His cheeks were still dusted pink as he locked eyes with B-004, who was wearing a smug grin that split his face in two. “That includes you too.”

“Understood, boss.” B-004 looked at Mikan, who had the demeanour of an excited dog about to pounce. “I doubt this’ll be the last hugs of the day though.”

And with that, Mikan hugged Hassaku so close he was lifted far off the ground, B-121 complaining about not being able to reach to hug him again too, ready to kick Mikan in the shin if he didn’t get to hug him soon too.

Hassaku just rolled his eyes and bopped Mikan on the head.

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