Pairing - Fanlore

A pair of characters, generally as the focus of an explored sexual or romantic relationship. Pairings can be het, slash or femslash. They may or may not be canon.

Pairing is sometimes used generically to refer to the characters who are the romantic/sexual focus of the story, in a manner which presumes that the story will not focus on a polyamorous relationship, or threesome.

Common genres of slash based on pairing type include buddyslash and enemyslash.

Many popular pairings have their own archives, communities, or even newsletters.