Sekani was surprised by the sudden act that's why it took him several seconds to hug him back. That's when he was reminded that Nikolai was still just a teenager not matured old men like the rest of them, apart from James.
He thought he could hold in his emotions like he always did. But that was the thing about bottled emotions, they come out at the most inopportune times.
Nikolai had never had someone like him, he understood that Sekani wasn't even in his life like that but that was what made all this the more special to him.
They barely knew each other but this man was hellbent on protecting him and ensuring that he came out of this alive. It reminded him of his mother a little that's why he broke down.
Afraid that would break him out of this emotional breakthrough Sekani said nothing and just continued to hug him, Nikolai sniffled once in a while. He was clearly crying but he didn't want to show that to anyone.
