Local Art Cabinet

Starting off small with a stupid throw-away moment of Gluebrick going “oooo” when Henley loses his towel in episode one because YEAH I CAUGHT THAT CHRIS LEASK

“D- did you say friend?” “Yes. I think we should be friends.” UUUUGGHH IT BEGINS

Classic crazy stuff with everything going on in episode two. Gluebrick stealing Henley’s trousers and pulling a Christrev Harper’s Locket on him caught me so off guard.

Henley pulling Gluebrick aside and confronting him with the reality of the jam… then the two being the first to individually exchange “I’ll look after you if you look after me.”... This was one of their first moments that made me go “Aww”

I’ll just say the Secret Santa exchange was really adorable despite Henley’s massive ego… and the fact we later see how much Glubrick cared about the portrait

Gluebrick was literally sent into his first in-show rage after Henley got hurt and I will never shut up about it. This was like episode 8 and I cannot move on. “I remember Henley being thrown against a wall and then I woke up (from the rage)” mhmhmhmhm

In Blinders Keepers when someone is trying to get Gluebrick to go into a rage he IMMEDIATELY knocks out Henley, chucks Ghoul and holds a knife straight to Henley’s throat and it immediately gets Gluebrick into a rage. We see in the last two points what becomes the common trend of The Happy Boys (But most often Henley) in Danger = Gluebrick Rages

This brings me into their whole layer three arc. I wish I could just put all their layer three interactions on this list. Henley considering Gluebrick a liability and how it sets up an overall arc of Henley going from “I do not have enough faith or care for you to compromise my goals for you” to “I have enough faith and care for you to compromise my goals- even myself- for you” like these episodes are really what made their relationship stand out apart from the other Happy Boys and it drives me nuts.

Gluebrick trying to sit on the bed next to HENLEY SPECIFICALLY in Thunden’s tree. Is it objectively nothing? Yes. Will I read into it? Also yes.

I need to point out the “I like you Gluerbrick, I really do you. But if I have to, I’ll leave you behind.” because I am going to bring it up a million times later and it’s important context for how Henley’s care for Gluebrick grows and blossoms and reflects how he becomes a better person.

I just need to highlight how weird they were running around naked in the reactor. RIP the assumptions that must have been made when they just showed up like that…

The reactor moment. Henley was so genuinely distraught and it broke my heart a bit when I first heard it (If only I knew). The way he so desperately didn’t want Gluebrick to be the one to die aged simultaneously like fine wine and warm milk. The fact he says “I didn’t mean it!” in a way implies that he feels as if the reason Gluebrick was so willing to sacrifice himself is because he kept treating him like a liability? He blames himself for Gluebrick’s first death? I might be reading too much into it but it hurts considering what happens later…

“HENLEY!! I DIDN’T SACRIFICE MYSELF SO YOU COULD GET SOME FKING TROUSERS” Is one of their most iconic married couple bits

Henley sounds so incredibly relieved when Gluebrick comes back… the clear relief and fondness in his voice… Oh sweet (hellish) accidental foreshadowing

The little moment near the end of Air Ship Happens. Okay so this is one of the first Henbrick moments that made me die a little from how adorable it was. Henley’s apology made my heart melt a bit, and when they rubbed their little devil horns together giggling I had to pause the episode to screech about how cute it was. They were so happy :’’’). Like yeah they love each other, okay?\

I think I remember Henley telling Gluebrick’s mom he’d take care of him on Gluebhog Day? I mainly recall making a “Henley meets the in-laws” joke to my friend so feel free to fact check me on this one.

Okay so I actually did an animatic of this next moment. Gluebrick being the one to affirm Henley that he’s been improving as a person since in hell and Henley seeming so genuinely grateful was really cute. He really is consistently the first to see the good in him and point it out fdhjkhkff 

A very brief bit but I had to call out Gluebrick being the first to fully respond and kind of panic when Henley gets sucked into Scarofax’s mayhem-verse when at the camp did NOT slip past me. One of the first notable instances of one of them being distraught when the other is not around.

Chaos Theory. WHAT WERE THEY DOING?? Henley immediately getting on Gluebrick’s back during the horse bit? Gluebrick taking off his shirt the second Henley says they’re baking together? Henley’s description of Gluebrick shirtless?? Getting on his back for no reason??? Pulling his hair???? Whispering in his ear????? WHY?????? No wonder they lost that one.

Devil May Spy is genuinely up there as one of THE Henbrick episodes. It may not be as profound as Thundenstruck or Bybarian but boy is it Henbrick. We start off with the incredible “Who’s going to hold my tail now? :(“. When I tell you I had to pause the episode just to lose my mind about it. Like what do you mean they seek comfort in each other by holding tails? What do you mean Gluebrick misses it when they can’t anymore?? This is one of the first episodes I thought maybe they were actually in love. Sedate me.

Gluebrick having faith in Henley to have come up with a plan but also trying to desperately figure out why he’s not there hurts a little. The way a part of him still probably worries that Henley would leave him behind if he was useless…

Back with the tails- them immediately coming together to hold tails when reunited. Like it’s second nature. Like they are physically drawn to seek safety in each other. AUgh.

Henley lamenting “Why do I always say yes?” after he agreed to sniff the bleach was hilarious. Why do you always say yes to Gluebrick, ey? Well it’s because you’re too far gone, my good sir. Also Gluebrick going into rage once Henley passes out!! He really hates seeing him get hurt. It's sickening.

THEN THE REST OF THE CUPBOARD BIT. HENLEY WAS INTO IT YOU CANNOT CHANGE MY MIND. Also them happily strolling out of the cupboard holding tails, blood on Gluebrick’s mouth and both of them disheveled? EVERYONE thought they were making out in there sorry I just have to be honest. (Well everyone except Eric, I think of him as a pansexual with horrific gaydar)

Sorry Not Sporey weirdly has some good Henbrick moments Ghoul truly is the ultimate third wheel. We start off small but ridiculous with Gluebrick trying to yank Henley out of the ground by his “Mushroom hips” they are so insane. 

They could never make me forget you Gletanous Cube bit. Henley’s little “Oh no” when Gluebrick gets taken in and the squeaky “Aah” after failing to pull him out. Once again back with Henley being super relieved when Gluebrick is okay ooough it gets me everytime. AND HIM BEING THE ONE TO MAKE GLUEBRICK RECOGNISE HE’S IMPORTANT TO THE TEAM AND THEN AND THEN “I’ll do all the lifting” and he picks up Henley.

“Ooooh Henley that’s fcking risky” I love it when Gluebrick calls him out

Henley hopping onto Gluebrick’s cap and Ellie being like “You (Henley) love getting on Gluebrick’s back” and then Henry agreeing that he does???? Ellie sees the vision I swear. Then Henley stroking Gluebrick’s cap was adorable. I love when they’re physically affectionate.

Layer Six starts off STRONG with Hellkea. The minute I heard the two of them would be paired making the car I knew something would go wrong. Since Chris was describing that Gluebrick was being “sexy” building the car I choose to believe Henley turned to stone from gay panic. 

The ICONIC Hellkea arguments drive me nuts. As I said before- I love when Gluebrick calls out Henley so the “YOU HAVE TO SWITCH ON” moment was kind of everything. Then the two of them holding tails even though they were pissed at each other brought me such joy <333 peak married couple behaviour. Even when they’re mad they seek comfort in each other and I think that’s beautiful.

The second Hellkea argument outside deserves its own point because the fact Chris and Henry were purposefully parodying married couples who fight at Ikea was wild. I need to know if these two men knew what they were doing or not.

This is a tiny moment but when Gluebrick is reading out one of his maps he says something is “Past the crude drawing of Henley” and I just find it so endearing he did a little doodle of Henley… he loves him.

I think this bit is one of my favourite Henbrick moments actually, and it’s not even actually Gluebrick who’s there. Henley running from the car to meet Gluebrick? Throwing his arms around him?? The relief in his voice??? “He REMEMBERS HIMSELF”????? Henry, what does it mean? Henry you do not “Remember yourself” for hugging your friends. Henry. Henley. I don’t know which one I’m asking at this point. Also tsundere Henley canon-

Okay so this isn’t really a Henbrick bit per se… but I wanted to share my conspiracy theory that part of the reason Henley despised Sweetface so much is because he was super stressed about not having Gluebrick around (Who he normally seeks comfort in when panicked or distraught) and had to take it out on someone. That someone was Sweetface.

Gluebrick gazing and talking to Henley’s portrait on the flagpole absolutely shattered me when I first heard it. He seeks comfort in him, your honour. But at the same time… How many times has he pulled it out and talked to it when he was too scared to come to Henley about his feelings? How many times when he;s feeling lonely or scared has he looked at that portrait instead of going to Henley because he’s still scared of being a burden to him?? I WILL READ INTO THIS I SWEAR TO GOD-

Henley “cuddling” Gluebrick on the betrayal way will never leave my mind. Hugging? Already losing it. But something about “cuddling” gets me. I don’t CARE if it was to betray him, it's still adorable. (However Gluebrick’s panic over losing the portrait brings me back to my previous questions)

Okay so tell me why- TELL ME WHY- they straight up just PARALELLED A MAINSTREAM POP CULTURE COUPLE LIKE IT”S NOTHING?? Not even parallel. Quoted. And dare I say they did it better? Henley calming Gluebrick’s rage was genuinely insane. Saying “Sun’s getting real low, big guy” moreso. BUT THEN THE DESCRIPTIONS? Stroking his hand… gazing into his eyes… the gentleness of his voice… Homosexual. Deeply homosexual.

The Cheese and Crackers bit in Suspicious Minds is so wholesome. Henley imagining Gluebrick saying cheese and Gluebrick imagining Henley saying crackers… then the two of them being so happy they matched up… adorable. Soulmates.

Henley losing his tail then crying a little after Gluebrick holds tails with Ghoul and says “Oh Henley you are replaceable!"?? Hello??? Henley doesn't worry he doesn’t mean it.

Layer Seven. Dance Training. The tango. The goddamn tango. Looking you dead in the eyes and saying “The tango” over and over again like it’s gospel. Once again with the wild physical descriptors. “Riplling muscles” okay??? Then Henley GOING IN CLOSE (Hi???) and saying “Gluebrick… you know when you’ve been tangoed.” Then Gluebrick being pleased with himself??? THE TANGO. Okay! Shut it down! Why am I even still writing this? There's already so much- oh right. BECAUSE IT SOMEHOW GETS GAYER.

Gluebrick constantly interrupting and insulting Henley’s dance to the point of Henley coming over and stopping him? Henley in a panic saying “Well I’m sure Gluebrick’s doing terribly, can we kill him?” If you choose to look deep inside your soul you can see they were both jealous and gay panicking and had no idea what to do about it.

Henley being the only one to not intervene in the original Ice Tyson fight… he believed in him, your honour

Okay so Byebarian and two other episodes I’ll probably make individual posts analyzing, but I’m just gonna go through some top moments here. Henley supports Gluebrick even though he is no longer a Barbarian. Gluebrick is objectively “useless” now but Henley has obviously developed and come to love Gluebrick so much more since Thundenstruck. The man does not even MENTION the possibility of abandoning him.

Henley doesn’t just support him, he BELIEVES IN HIM. He believes in his ability to somehow win a fight he lost without his barbarian powers?? And he believes in him SO MUCH he gambles the souls of his son and father figure, having enough faith in him to win. Is it bad he was gambling and gave up his son? Yes. Is he madly in love with Gluebrick Bumbledung and I love it for him? Also yes.

Henley trying to intervene to make sure Gluebrick didn’t die… be still my heart.

Henley basically cupping Gluebrick’s face with his hand to cast ‘cure wounds’ was so deeply unnecessary but so deeply appreciated.

Just the entire last few minutes of Byebarian???? We as a society moved on from Gluebrick becoming a paladin while sacrificing himself FOR HENLEY SPECIFICALLY far too quickly. You would think I would elaborate more on these moments but I genuinely think they speak for themselves… They just love each other so much. I don’t remember their interaction at the end very well but Gluebrick using his first ever spell to attach Henley’s hand? Yeah…

Okay so early on in Hellywood when Henley was explaining his father’s death and otherwise traumatic childhood? Heartbreaking. However the fact he immediately buried himself in Gluebrick’s chest for comfort is instead heartwarming. I love how they seek comfort in each other. I've said it a million times. I'll say it a million times more. But also the description of “Between his massive pecs” was so overtly unnecessary but so on brand.

Oooh when Gluebrick and Henley got separated from the group at the party… Henley confiding in Gluebrick about his failures as a father? Gluebrick telling him he has to be willing to make sacrifices? THEY INSPIRE EACH OTHER TO BE BETTER PEOPLE AND IT HEALS SOMETHING IN ME

Added mention of them jamming in the elevator, which was adorable.

Henley riding on Gluebrick’s back like a toboggan when they were playing in the snow was so them. Is that his happy place, at this point?

Gluebrick wanting to individually save all the Henley’s being tortured in his mind has such a deep meaning if you think too hard about it (Which I have). He wants to save Henley and to make him feel better but Eric has to tell him he can’t. If I may, it’s giving “Everyone needs a cause, even a lost one”

I just find the fact that it’s Gluebrick who got the final blow on King Whispers weirdly poetic. Even if it didn’t kill him like we all hoped it was Gluebrick who fully took him out of the game for a second at the end there. Something about Henley feeling safe around him… I can and will read into it

 THE TORTURED AND THE SCARED. This is quite literally THE Henbrick episode. It’s just the two of them and goodness it’s all silly and wholesome and heartbreaking at the same time. Truly just their relationship summarised. It really is the full conclusion of their relationship arc on Henley’s end, and I think it’s the closure they got here that made Episode 49 all the more heart wrenching. This is one of those episodes I’ll probably do a larger analysis of but here are some points

Henley saying the best way to torture Gluebrick was to hurt him :((( and Gluebrick trying to get them to torture Henley with “nice happy things” :(((( ooooh how it deeply madly truly hurts

Gluebrick’s doubt that Henley would come back gets me every single time. After all this time he still somehow believes Henley would leave him if he was useless. That he would prioritize himself over him. That what he said in Thundenstruck still somehow holds true. Gluebrick has sacrificed himself for this man time and time again and he still doesn’t think Henley would do the same. That’s why their “moment” just makes my heart melt. The joy in Gluebrick’s voice when he realises Henley returned… Henley’s insistence that of course he came back for him, because what would he do without him? Gluebrick finally realises Henley would give up his own need to be seen as a hero for him, he would give up the greater good, an entire goddamn city… literally just for Gluebrick. “It’s nice to know someone loves you as much as you love them…” AND THAT’S CANON, BABY!!!

Shoutout to Henley Whispers for doing the most romantic stuff ever that would make me swoon then saying “Don’t make a thing about it” like get your ass in game man. But then Gluebrick hugging him and HIS LITTLE STRANGLED “oh” LIKE THE DELIVERY?? Gosh it was all worth it.

Henley back at it again abandoning their mission and important documents to be with Gluebrick… and of course them holding fingers… yeah…

The start of Blood Brothers where they’re doing everything in their individual power to keep the other from being executed is the good stuff. They love each other sosososo much. Mhm.

GLUEBRICK DRAGGING AN UNCONSCIOUS HENLEY FROM THE GUARDS. “Get away from him!” AAUGH Protective Gluebrick is a blessing on this earth. Also Gluebrick accidentally standing on Henley’s throat and being like “He likes it!” I swear these two… Was it the masochism tango, before the ball, mayhaps?

Then Gluebrick holding Henley’s hand to run with him onto the airship, too??? Their relationship was in full swing post The Tortured and The Scared and I mourn their relative happiness everyday.

Would this be a list of Henbrick moments without “I think I might sleep with Henley.”? Eric’s “What? When did that happen?” ABSOLUTELY DESTROYS ME. But also I think this was genuine questioning from Adam and Ellie. I choose to believe the question of “Did Henley and Gluebrick get together in the episode we were gone?” crossed their minds and until they deny it nobody can convince me otherwise. Theentire moment is absolutely golden, though. Henley’s “Yeah I’m just gonna lie between Gluebrick’s legs and have a nap!” and Eric, absolutely done, going “Alright alright, plenty of space back there c’mon let’s go.” (Jokes aside though them wanting to take a nap together is soo adorable and deep in my heart they got it)

Okay. I’m sorry to say it but we’re here. Episode 49. The Happy Byes. I cried for an hour straight after this episode finished. I am still recovering. Let’s start simple by saying the two of them forming a truce to kill Eric was fun and so… them. Okay, we got the nice part done? Good, let’s cry, shall we?

The ending of The Happy Byes is just… truly the culmination of so much of Henley and Gluebrick’s relationship and personal development. While it’s a tragedy it happens it’s so poetic that it does. Gluebrick asking Henley to have faith in him, even though he’s never had it in anyone else? The fact he went from thinking that Henley would leave him to trusting Henley to give something precious up for him? Yeah way to make a lady sob. Then Henley Whispers… a man who has been selfish, prioritising himself over his own wife and child, a man who has never had faith in anyone- not even himself… Henley Whispers looks at Gluebrick Kindheart Bumbledung and decides to for once prioritize someone else. Someone he loves and cares for and trusts. Then what happens? The person he loves dies. It’s heart wrenching. I physically cannot. I will properly analyze this episode in the future but we somehow have more to add to this list so not right now.

Henley crying over Gluebrick’s dead body and holding his hand to his chest (Maybe where his heart was…) will never not make me want to cry.

Henley saying liked how Gluebrick “praised him” in Gluebrick’s eulogy is obviously him deflecting and regressing back into his “Everything’s fine” mindset. However I think there is some truth to it where he will miss how Gluebrick helped see the good in him and aided him in becoming better.

Henley’s absolutely overjoyed reaction to seeing who he thinks is Gluebrick (But is actually Sweetface) kind of kills me because it feels like it’s the happiest we see him since Blood Brothers or The Bee Team and I hate it. 

Henley alluding to wishing he had died instead of Gluebrick in You Can’t Handle The Proof is emotionally destructive. The fact he finally does something selfless and in exchange someone he loves dies is probably why we see him regress so hard back into his “Everything’s fine and I’ve done nothing wrong” mindset during the trial arc. He really went from being willing to abandon Gluebrick for his own sake to wishing he had died instead of him and it breaks me. Thanks for both nothing and everything Dave Hearn.

Once again Henley’s voice and tone when they see Lemure Gluebrick is deeply upsetting

Henley holding onto and refusing to let go of Lemure Gluebrick on the balloon even though it was trying to hurt him? The desperation and pain in his voice totally doesn’t bring tears to my eyes NOT AT ALL- YEAH THE HEARTBROKEN DELIVERY OF “Gluebrick! No…” DOES NOT MAKE ME CRY ON THE SPOT I’M FINE.

We’re coming Thundenstruck full circle with- for what feels like the millionth time- Henley’s incredibly fond and relieved and joyful and happy voice when Gluebrick finally arises. “You’re Glowbrick!” He’s making puns again. That's how you know there is joy in his heart once more. But yeah their exchange totally restored the joy in my heart too so I get it Henley. All the “I love you” :’’’) I know it wasn’t directed at just Henely but just in general it makes me go feral