The following post aims to give a concise breakdown of
Lithuania and Poland’s relationship. Since the material can be used for both
shipping and friendship purposes, I’ve tagged things accordingly. In analyzing
their relationship, I’ve sorted it into three main themes. Let’s go over them.

Balanced Imbalance

A core theme of Poland and Lithuania’s relationship is that
the inequality (for lack of a better word) of their dynamic is what balances them out so well. In other
words, while Poland may weld most of the power in their relationship, it’s this
imbalance that makes it both strong and palpable.

Poland is known for being extremely shy
and anxious towards strangers. He felt this way before meeting Lithuania—to the
point that he was crying and begging for the event not to go forward. However, during their first encounter he became strangely receptive to Lithuania.

Source: Volume 3, The First Time the Poland Rule Was Used.

We later learn from an observer that Poland joked around
more with Lithuania than he had previously.

Source: Volume 3, the Legend of the Iron Wolf

The power imbalance mostly has to do with how Poland treated
Lithuania. He perceived himself to be the lord and Lithuania, the lackey.

Source: ibid.

Other instances of this would include:

Ex: Poland not listening to Lithuania as the latter recites
folklore to him.

Source: Ibid. 

Ex: Poland had a tendency to slack off in his duties.

Source: Volume 3, Tannenberg – The Aftermath

Nonetheless, the two functioned very efficiently.

Ex: They fought together.

Source: 

Volume 3, The Ruler of Scandinavia and The King of Eastern Europe.

Ex: They traded together.

Source: Volume 4, At Netherlands’

What you’ll see in later sections is that regardless of
these idiosyncrasies in their relationship, the two made a lasting and inseparable
impression on each other.

Divorce vs Nostalgic
Obligation

This theme involves their forced divorce and the subsequent
end of their empire.

Lithuania was forcefully torn away from Poland. As he begs
for Poland to help him, Poland watches and points out how funny Lithuania’s
face looks. While I attribute the crudeness to the fact that this strip was
created in 2006 and that Himaruya’s characterizations weren’t as sophisticated then as they are now, it’s still material I have to work with.

Source: Hetarchive, Main Storyline Chapter 4

This bitter divorce created a lot of resentment in
Lithuania, who became Russia’s servant in the aftermath.

However, a counter for Poland’s behaviour comes later in the
“While you were gone strip,” where he sees the abuse and torture that
Lithuania was subjected to in Russia’s home. In
that case, perhaps Poland didn’t realize the grave implications of what it
would mean to be under Russia’s rule.

Source: Hetarchive, While you were gone.

We then learn in a character note that Lithuania was so damaged that he was rehabilitating with Poland during this time (i.e.,
the years between WW1 and WW2). The note
also goes on to mention that although Lithuania may be dragged around by
Poland, he seems to be enjoying himself.

Source: Volume 2

Lithuania’s resentment is revealed in two instances:

1)     
He feels like he’s in paradise when he moves to
America and lives in the latter’s home in exchange for work, citing how living
with Poland wasn’t exactly the most pleasant option.

Source: Hetarchive, Lithuania’s Out-Sourcing pt. 1.

2)     
After being invaded by Russia once more,
Lithuania hears of Russia’s plans to invade Poland. He goes through a series of
conflicted of emotions and flashbacks, calling Poland a bastard for letting
Russia capture him in the past. Regardless, he still has it in his heart to
warn Poland and worry about the latter’s well-being.

The nostalgic obligation, then, pertains to how Lithuania
and Poland’s past, grey and muddled as it may be, still makes them feel a sense
of obligation and duty to look after each other.

Source: Hetarchive, Main Storyline Chapter 4. 

Restoration and
Reconciliation

Although touched on in the last theme, the two haven’t let
the past get in the way of their relationship.

Ex: Poland stands
up for Lithuania and protects him from Russia during a world meeting.

Source: Volume 1, Meeting of the World.

Ex: Lithuania
doesn’t attend meetings for the Choral Club (in the Gakuen AU) because he’s too
busy showing Poland around.

Source: Hetarchive (Bamboo Thicket, eng trans., July 10, 2011)

In sum, whereas political and personal relationships are concerned,
Lithuania and Poland’s has been able to triumph through many obstacles. Their dynamic
has proven to contain considerable resilience as they continue to be life-long
friends.