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Shadow didn't really understand how touch-starved he was until he started spending time around Sonic.
Living with Stone was nice but, apart from when Robotnik was still around, he'd never been a particularly touchy person.
Shadow didn't mind this, of course. As far as he was aware, he wasn't very touchy either. Touch made him jumpy most of the time anyway.
But then he started spending more and more time with the Wachowski family.
Sonic in particular was very touchy, which Shadow observed by watching how the blue blur interacted with the other members of the household.
Shadow understood why Sonic wouldn't want to touch him after all the harm he caused. He wasn't offended by it or anything.
But, as he saw the Wachowskis hug and cuddle and get gentle touch handed to them on a silver platter, Shadow couldn't help but notice the growing sense of longing within himself.
It was a very physical feeling, like an aching hunger throughout his body. He began to worry something was seriously wrong with him when Stone found him crying and he couldn't even articulate why.
Eventually, desperation won over pride and he went to Maddie. She had medical knowledge, so maybe she knew how to fix him.
"Honestly, Shadow, it sounds like you're just touch-starved" she told him. He narrowed his eyes in confusion.
"What's that?"
"It just means you need some TLC"
"Is there a pill or liquid form of that?" he asked. "I don't like needles"
"Sorry, it's not a medication" she clarified. "I just meant you need physical touch"
"That's stupid" he countered. "Why would that make me feel sick?"
"Touch helps regulate the nervous system, and it also releases chemicals in your brain that lower stress and make you feel good" she explained. Shadow nodded, pretending to understand any of what she said. "Would you like a hug?"
"Why would you want to do that?" he asked skeptically. "I almost killed your husband"
"Water under the bridge" she dismissed. "I'd be glad to give you a hug, if you're comfortable with it"
"...Okay"
With that, Maddie wrapped her arms around him and, like magic, Shadow felt his whole body relax. Even better, she didn't let go until he asked.
He finally understood the appeal.