Secondary Pairing

Secondary Pairing is a broad term used to describe a pairing in a fanfiction that is not the focus of the primary story or narrative, usually consisting of secondary characters who act in supporting roles for the protagonists. While they may receive time to develop their relationship, they are always secondary in focus to a more major pairing.
The term originated partially from FanFiction.Net long allowing users to only select two primary characters in a work, meaning the secondary ship could not be tagged; later changes have allowed four characters to be selected, and the rising popularity of Archive of Our Own has partially been due to its more liberal tagging system.
It is similar to the term Pair the Spares, which is more strongly associated with a secondary pairing that lacks prior support or buildup; it is also related to the trope Beta Couple in television, often a relationship explicitly designed to contrast and at times advise the main couple, particularly during difficult periods.
Category:Shipping
Category:Terminology
Category:Types of Pairings