Uzi wanted affection so freaking much growing up, but basically never got it. She detached herself from the idea of it by telling herself she didn't need it and that wanting it was something she'd have to really earn.
As such, she's touch starved so badly. The only touches from anyone else in the colony were to hurt or demean her. She doesn't know how to handle it and doesn't know why it hurts so badly whenever anyone does try now.
It takes a while before just simple hugs from various people stop feeling like she's falling into fight or flight responses.
On the flip side, N had people willing to hug and hold and hang around him, as well as harm. Subconsciously he tries to reach out to something familiar and is met with constant rejection or more harm. He's also been down to track and kill Workers with his claws and teeth and tail, jumping around and playing with them. Almost to maximize the enjoyment, but maybe also a way to remember what another's touch is like in a really fucked up way.
Technically he's not touch starved in that he's just starved of positive affection— both giving and getting. He's included but not really. There's emotional distance over everything else, and J's not shy or hesitant to reach out to him even though she doesn't really like him.
He's lonely and wants someone to talk to him and listen. He's a physically affectionate guy on top of that.
Together they provide what the other thought they'd never get without overshooting a goalpost that kept moving on them.
