How do our characters meet each other? Have they known each other for years? What are the social networks in the worlds you've created? What happens to those who defy convention here?
Our stories won't necessarily spell out all of that but readers should know why the characters are interacting the way they do. If they hate each other, that is bound to be a major factor in how your story develops and the reason for the hate should be shown. (I don't think you can ignore the fact they hate each other, it must be what is driving your story. I can't see how it would be otherwise).
Is there such a thing as an old boys' network in your world? Who benefits or suffers because of it? Is there a class system and can people/beings cross the divides? If your world just has one major species, there should be some sort of hierarchy within it. How does this work?