I don't like the femme Hans depictions. While I think it's cute how invested people are in Hans and Henry as a couple, I think trying to make them fit a mould where one is passive/submissive/innocent takes a lot of joy out of their dynamic
I can agree completely that Henry is a very masculine guy. He might not fit his society's standards for chivalrous masculinity, but you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who considers him less of a man -- in our and his time -- for his personality. This goes without saying
As for Hans, I think a lot of people are too quick to latch on to his most superficial traits, which easily translate to bottom, feminine, and dramatic for M/M pairings. But he's a lot more than that, even on the surface. We must not forget he is a nobleman: a politician. His charm, wit, charisma, and theatrics are very useful tools. He is well suited for the role of diplomat, which he excels at. But diplomacy is more than honeyed words and concessions; it's also demands, bargains, and deals. He's as active in that role as he is in his personal life
Hans is a flirt, and a romantic at heart, but he always takes the lead in his romantic pursuits. He is known for chasing women constantly, and has a reputation as a womanizer. Even with Henry he takes the initiative. He sits Henry down to confess his feelings (in his dramatic way), expresses a desire to protect and save Henry, and even initiates the kiss. He is not passive in any capacity. He is not waiting wistfully to be carried away. Hans is always the one who initiates
His damsel in distress reputation is well-earned, but must be taken as tongue-in-cheek. He is a nobleman, and the only real noble in Henry's company for much of their adventures, making him the perfect bargaining chip. That's why he's always getting kidnapped. He is worth a lot of money and favours, so naturally he'll be taken alive. It's a no-brainer. But Hans doesn't get captured from his tower after all his knights have been defeated. Hans fights, kills, and commands in the field
Additionally, as Tom McKay himself has said, Hans represents a side of Henry that doesn't get to flourish often. Everything said about Hans' feminine traits exist within Henry as well, and don't get to shine much -- except in Hans' company. Henry is also dramatic, witty, theatrical, and at times flamboyant. It just doesn't flourish with many people
The inverse is true, as well. Henry brings out the more rough and tough aspects of Hans. Let's recall how Hans has Henry drunkenly fight for his own honour in the first game, when Henry's influence on Hans was minimal; let's then compare it to Hans punching a guy in defence of Henry, when they've been together a while. The longer they're together, the more they resemble the other
All this to say that I am very sad at how Hans is being treated. As a queer couple, they exist outside traditional gender dynamics. There's no "woman" in the relationship, there's no passive damsel, and there's no doe-eyed ingénue. They're both active participants, and the reason they're into each other in the first place is precisely this fact
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