How they first met: They first met when Alain was on his pokemon journey. Mairin, frustrated that she was too young to go on a journey (being only 11 years old), decides to run away from home with her friend Chespie and go on an adventure just the two of them. However, she ended up getting lost on Route 12 only one night after leaving her home of Coumarine. Alain, who was making his way to Shalour from Coumarine ends up stumbling across her looking dejected and asks if she needs help. Mairin initially claims she’s fine, but Alain is an older brother and he can tell that she’s clearly in distress, so he keeps pressing and she eventually admits she’s a lost runaway. Alain had made the mistake of saying where he was headed, so Mairin says she’s from Shalour and not Coumarine, so Alain ends up taking her with him on the rest of the Route. Once they arrive, Mairin ends up spilling that he’d actually taken her farther from home. She refuses to tell Alain where she really lives, so he resigns himself to taking her with him on his journey so she doesn’t get into trouble.
Where their first date was: After Alain returns Mairin home on the end of his journey, they don’t actually see each other for another four years. Mairin would send the occasional email, but they didn’t really keep in touch. When Mairin goes on her own journey, the year after Team Flare is defeated, Alain is already a member of the Elite Four (replacing Malva), so she ends up challenging him once she reaches the League. After she manages to defeat him, Alain’s impressed by how capable a trainer she’s become since they last met. After this they keep more regularly in touch, and over time feelings begin to bloom. Where the line between good friends and dating actually happened is hard to place, but their first proper date took place when Mairin was 19 and Alain was 23. Alain had recently become Kalos Champion and Mairin just had to invite him out to a fancy dinner to celebrate. They had just recently confessed their feelings for each other, so this was their first ‘official’ date.
When they had their first kiss: Their first kiss was right before Alain became Champion. He had already gone through most of the work, all he had left was one last ceremonial battle against Diantha to seal the deal. Before he heads out to face her, Mairin leans up and pulls him down for a quick kiss. “For luck!” she quickly says before pushing him towards the door. Alain is so flustered he’s worried he won’t be able to focus… but knowing that the girl he’s had a crush on for the past few months likes him back turns out to be good motivation to win.
Who cooks: Both are pretty busy being Champion and a Gym Leader, but they try to have family dinners as much as they can. Mairin isn’t a great cook but if she focuses very hard on following the recipe she can usually make something decent. Alain is pretty good at cooking himself and usually makes more traditional Kalosian meals.
Who proposed: Alain, about two years after they started dating.
The dominant one: Both, in their own way. Mairin often pushes Alain into trying new things, while Alain will help curb some of Mairin’s more reckless ideas..
Their favorite pastime together: Perhaps due to the way they met, but definitely due to their mutual interest, they love to go hiking together. It’s harder for them to find time off after Mairin becomes a Gym Leader, but when they can they’ll head out for a nice walk in nature. They’ll bring Margot along as well once she’s born – in a backpack at first but walking along with them when she’s older.
Who kissed who first: Mairin kissed Alain.
Who is the flirt: Alain is not really the flirty type at all, while Mairin will sometimes teasingly flirt with him just since his reactions are funny.
Who is the romantic: They’re both quite romantic, though in different ways. Alain isn’t necessarily a traditional romantic, but he is very dedicated in showing his affection for his wife in his words and actions. Mairin is more traditionally romantic and likes going on regular dates and the like.
Who wakes up first: Both have to get up pretty early for work, but while Alain has no issue with this, Mairin tends to complain most mornings, not being a morning person at all.
Who comforts who the most: Alain is prone to bottling up his feelings, especially relating to his past concerning Lysandre and Team Flare. While it’s something he moves past with time, it does still bother him, so Mairin ends up comforting him when he’s feeling bothered by it. Mairin tends to be fairly positive overall, able to move past things with relative ease, but she likes it when Alain dotes on her so will often go to him for comfort even when her problem is only minor.
The cuddler: Mairin.
The big spoon: Alain.