They get along some days and others not at all.
There are connections between them, though they are old and rusted and wistfully forgotten. Long buried obsessions still linger and they can resurface if they let them. Embers are so difficult to rekindle though and usually the effort is too troublesome to begin.
A good bit of common ground lies between them although admissions must first be made. Such things are difficult to articulate and are better left unsaid. Nations are all interconnected on some level, but the greatest shared linkage is the past, which should only be disturbed with caution even on the best of days.
Usually, they get along on surface value alone, because digging into the past is time consuming and the chance of striking a hidden sentiment too great. They both can be emotional powered kegs if the right spark is struck.
There are simple rules between them. Never mention monarchy; they are reminiscent creature by nature and recounting the lives of kings and tsars is only a waste of breath. Never speak of revolution; because theirs were either failures or mixed successes and they only trigger criticism. Lastly, never bring up war; the reasons are too numerous to count.
Still, every so often they find themselves in each other's company. When they do, they attempt to keep it personal. Refrain from dragging their titles and governments with them. Francis is only Francis and Ivan is merely Ivan and if they try they can keep it as such.
There is an attraction between them, a weak magnetic tug. It's easy to pull away, but if they simply let themselves drift, they will find one another. By now they both have stopped feigning surprise.
Tea time slowly become a regular occurrence. Once it was a friendly gesture taken too literally. Francis has since learned to keep his invitations few and serious because Ivan will always remember and always accept.
They used to tour one another's cities, landscapes, and landmarks. Sometimes they would walk along the dreamy streets of Paris; other times it was hallowed avenues of St. Petersburg. Repetition makes familiarity and they found that the company alone was enough. Before long the excursions stopped all together.
So long as the conversation is light they can delight in one another's company. Francis likes to talk and Ivan likes to listen. If the topics are relaxed things go smoothly. Still, they know they are both hollow men. They both have been remade too many times not to have lost pieces of themselves along the way. They do not lament this fact however. C'est la vie, Francis says with a passionate wave of his hand, Ivan wholeheartedly agrees with a silent smile. Beyond that, nothing more needs to be said about broken hearts and minds.
As persons, they can enjoy each other. Francis is a lover and Ivan needs love. Sometimes they falter, let their masks chip away because both are lonely due to their own actions. Francis has insulted, scorned, and burned too many to stay in good graces. While Ivan has smothered and broken all he touched, not realizing the fragility of others.
They get along some days and others not at all. Still, hollow men can find a certain, lingering comfort in one another, if they allow it.