The hug catches him off guard and he lets out a soft, surprised noise. "Oh." Valdis doesn't really surprise hug as much in Klaus' experience, but maybe they've missed that part of everything. Once the surprise has worn off, they hug back.

"I'll be fiiine. Really. Can't promise anything, really, but like...you know. I love you, buddy." A beat. "You and your cute hugging habits." Cause you gotta tease your friends/family.