buckle up, we'll chase each other

There's a reason we shipped Hansry ever since KCD1.

I'm soooo obsessed with hans' gift giving love language, he doesn't have a groschen to his name at devil's den but he needs to express the magnitude of what the maleshov rescue meant to him so he steals jobst's expensive bow and invents a grand little fairytale about how fate intended it for a true knight (Henry, ofc, the best and truest knight (not actually a knight)) (which is even cuter given hans is more of an archer and especially if you like me play henry as a swordsman) and I just imagine Hans impulsively stealing this pretty bow out of spite and then once he has it, probably one of the most valuable things he has in his possession at this point, immediately feeling like he absolutely must give it to henry

I hope you can forgive me for adding to this excellent post that I could not agree with more, but the timing of that gift in particular is also interesting and makes it matter even more imo.

Because this is shortly after he found out that he's going to be married off against his will. This didn't come up after they reunited at Raborsch, because, well, a slaughter had just occurred and they kind of had more important things to do. But the next time the two of them have a chance to talk, Hans does not bring up what happened. Instead, he tells Henry he prayed for him, gifts him the bow, and then...

There is a real yearning for the past here, returning to the time that they first bonded together and actually became friends. Certainly a time before he was all set to be married. Henry even remarks on how odd it is that he should reminisce about this time to this extent and end up pining after the ye olde times that they shared:

Hans, of course, immediately goes on the defensive:

And ends up looking for reassurance here... only to change the topic as quickly as possible. No need to answer now, Henry! There's duty and such things to be done! We can still have fun another time!!

That gift to me is sooo directly linked to his desire for a) a time before his surprise betrothal and b) Henry. He may as well be saying "take me back to how things were before, please. I'll give you anything if only you'll do that."

Me seeing all the Hansry bitches speak latin

the medievalist to hansry shipper pipeline is real

Why Henry pushes Hans away at first

I keep thinking about Henry pushing Hans away after he kisses him and why he might do that. After much rumination I think I might have figured it out (though anyone is welcome to chime in with their own ideas!!!).

Apologies in advance-- this got quite long, as it analyzes Henry's view of Hans' romantic behavior through both games and the DLCs (expect spoilers).

ETA: I've expounded a bit on all of this here and here as well!

This was a great read. Thanks for putting it together!

One little thing that I've yet to see someone mention, is Henry's own reaction to placing his hand on Hans'. The next shot focuses on Hans' face, so that's where the eye is typically drawn. If you watch Henry though, you'll see that he appears to glance down at their hands, never actually looking at Hans directly. He then blinks rapidly a number of times, leans back slightly and, wiith an inhale, starts to talk while standing.

Ohohohohohoho this is a WONDERFUL addition, BLESS YOU for this!!! I love those little physical details so much. Like I know we're all just 🔍 over here looking at the tiniest thing but the game packs in so many tiny subtle things that it makes it impossible not to assume that this stuff was intentional, esp for a cinematic moment like that which was so important too... 😭

As for Henry's awareness of his feelings, I 100% agree with you. In fact, there are several hints throughout KCD2 that Henry is well aware of the fact that same-gender attraction exists (and has the option of acting on his own same-gender attraction). We also get a tiny hint in the Amorous Adventures of Sir Hans Capon that Henry does find Hans attractive: