[Alex just looks sad and worried for him, because she'd never seen him like this before. It's something soft and sharp and painful in her chest for a moment, before she just gives him a sad smile and a little nod.]

I think they're always acceptable if someone needs one, actually. But I would definitely say that you definitely need one in this instance.

[And then very quickly, Alex just wraps her arms around him going up onto her toes to do it.]