Hmmm, that’s certainly possible. She was definitely aware of her feelings by that time, and while the situation was too serious for her to actually say something, it also offered the opportunity to be close with Juls and give her affection without it being taken for anything more.
Though, I do think Val is the type who’d use that with friends, the way some people use “babe” with just significant others and others for friends. Val is so affectionate and open with everyone, I absolutely think she’d use it casually (which makes it all the worse when Nayeli took that totally platonic affection and put a sordid slant on it when outing her). It’s probably a mix, her own impulse to comfort any person in need, and that it’s Juls making the urge all the stronger.