>>151188157
Yeah exactly, it's not just him being awkward.
He's letting his guard down for the first time, telling her about his childhood trauma. Her touch, while kind, is an intrusion into that raw vulnerability. His whole life, he's been seen as a untrustworthy man just because he's a fox. That flinch is a reflex built from a lifetime of prejudice. He's not used to compassionate physical contact, especially from a "prey" animal. It's a mix of surprise, self-protection, and a fear of pity, all in one tiny, brilliant animation detail.