i see Dream as someone who grew up learning how to accept rejection but has never learnt how to reject others. he was never taught how to be assertive about his boundaries as a result of neglect, the neglect that comes from carrying a huge responsibility at a very young age. the people in the village were not respectul towards neither of the siblings— this is more clear with their treatment towards Nightmare but it is more subtle when it comes to their relationship with Dream. Dream always carried on his shoulder the duty to be "the therapist", his role demanded comforting others and expressing affection, but Dream always felt like the affection coming from him was forced and not genuine, not because he didn't care about these people, but rather because it was done out of duty instead of authenticy. the people from there were also very touchy around him, and this made him uncomfortable. VERY uncomfortable, like he wanted to clean himself after. but he never felt the courage to say anything explicitly, so he only accepted this uncomfortable feeling. he has been forced into hugs a lot as child, for example, coming from people he barely knew. being demanded this type of affection overwhelmed him and he would oftenly isolate himself after feeling uncomfortable for too long as a kid (and sometimes, still does as an adult).