Feb 17
MARATINES 2026 ♡ DAY 7 ⸻ one true pairing
there's just always going to be that one ship that's a little more meant to be.
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MARATINES 2026 ♡ DAY 7 ⸻ one true pairing
there's just always going to be that one ship that's a little more meant to be.
Game of Survival – A Stranger Things Story: Chapter One Teaser
Ash pulled out a folded flyer she had been holding onto all day. She slid it across the counter like she was dealing cards.
Eddie stared at it for half a second before snatching it up, like he was scared it will vanish.
His eyes scanned the bold print.
THE HIDEOUT — WEDNESDAY NIGHT — LIVE MUSIC
He blinked once.
Twice.
Then he looked up at her like she just opened the gates of heaven.
"No way."
Ash's smirk broke free. "Way."
Eddie's mouth fell open, and for once, he looked genuinely speechless. An occurrence that surely didn't happen often. If ever.
"You got us a gig at the Hideout," he said, voice cracking a little on the last word like he didn't trust it.
Ash shrugged like she hadn't just handed him his biggest dream on cheap paper.
"I might've mentioned you to the guy who books the Wednesday slots. But you have to bring your own equipment. And of course, don't even think about getting any money out of it."
Eddie clutched the flyer to his chest like it was a love letter.
"You–" he began, then stopped, shaking his head like his brain couldn't keep up. "Ash. How– what did you do?"
Ash leaned on the counter, chin tilted. "I'm charming."
Eddie barked out a laugh. "You're terrifying."
"That too."
Eddie looked down at the flyer again, holding it as if it were sacred. Then his eyes flicked over her face like he was memorising it.
"Are you serious?" he asked, like he needed to hear it again.
Ash's teasing eased just a little bit. "I'm serious."
Eddie exhaled, long and shaky, and for a second, all the drama drained out of him.
Then it came rushing back twice as hard.
"That's insane!" he yelled, grinning. "The guys are gonna lose their damn minds."
She watched him like he was a dog, chasing his own tail like it was the best entertainment in the world.
"You up for some celebration after... this?" he gestured vaguely at the lobby.
Ash huffed, suddenly aware of how heavy her feet felt." I think I'm tapping out tonight."
Eddie frowned. “What? No. I'll come get you after your shift."
“I have my bike."
"It'll fit in the van," he said immediately. "We'll just–"
"Ed," she cut in, tone sharp enough to stop him cold.
He froze, then lifted his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. I hear you. Not pushing."
But the grin was already back, unstoppable.
"We’re still celebrating," he added. "Soon. I don't care how tired you are. This is big, Ash."
She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. Her lips parted, ready to try to calm him down again–
–and then Eddie leaned closer, over the counter, enough that she caught the scent of cigarette smoke and cheap cologne and the cold night air he dragged in with him.
His voice dropped into something quieter.
"Seriously," he said. "Thank you."
Ash cleared her throat, straightening her back. "Yeah, well… don't make me regret it.
Eddie’s grin returned. "Oh, you definitely will. Because I'm not going to shut up about this for the next year."
She forced her smirk back into place. "Get out. Gareth's waiting."
Eddie tucked the flyer into his jacket and bowed dramatically. "As you command."
He backed away slowly, still grinning at her like she hung the moon.
Then, as if he couldn't resist, he pointed at her.
"Wednesday," he said.
Ash pointed back. "Wednesday."
MARATINES 2026 ♡ DAY 1 ⸻ realizations
It's a late summer night and Ash sits on the curb across the street of Hawkins Police Station. Her knee stings where she scraped it earlier that night, skin split and sticky with blood.
She's been there at least an hour and a half already, bouncing her feet nervously, almost jumping every time she sees movement in the building.
Finally, after what feels like forever, the door finally opens.
Eddie's dishevelled silhouette appears and he slowly steps out. The streetlight illuminates his face, his expression somewhere between offended and victorious.
Ash is moving before her brain catches up.
"Ed!"
"Ash?" he looks up, startled.
She crosses the street in a rush and throws herself at him, arms locking around his waist. Eddie staggers back a step and lets out a surprised laugh. Then he wraps his arms around her, tight and sure.
"You waited?" he asks quietly, his voice getting caught up in her hair.
"Of course I did."
They stay like that longer than necessary. Long enough for the cold to creep up her legs and the ache in her knee to start again.
Eventually, Eddie shifts, loosening his grip just enough to look down at her.
"You okay?" he asks.
"Yeah."
Slowly, they pull apart and start heading away from the station, the hum of the lights fading behind them.
"Wasn't sure if they wouldn't keep you for the night," she says.
"Nah. Callahan's too soft for that." Eddie pats down his jacket, then his jeans, finding a beaten pack of cigarettes.
He takes one out and lights it with a practiced flick.
"Next time," he adds between taking a drag, "I just gotta run faster."
"And maybe don't stop halfway through climbing a fence to curse out the cops."
He looks at her sideways, amused, and there's something in his expression that makes her stomach flip.
For a moment she lets herself think that if Callahan didn't let him go that night, she would just march into the station and demand to bail him out herself.
And that's when the realisation dawns on her. Not all at once. Not dramatically. Just a quiet, awful understanding settling in her chest.
Eddie tosses his cigarette, crushes it under his boot, and then slings an arm around her shoulders. Pulls her in close and continues to walk.
"Alright," he says, voice warm against the night. "Let's get you home, sweetheart."
Ash leans into him without thinking, drawn to the heat of his body. She swallows slowly, allowing herself only one thought.
Oh no.
The ship meme for Ash Puckett and Eddie Munson, please?
who believes in love at first sight? neither of them believes that, actually.
who started liking the other first? they are the classic "she fell first, he fell harder" situation.
who is more likely to suggest a romantic, candle-lit dinner? eddie tried suggesting it once, she still laughs every time she remembers.
who’s behind the wheel more often during road trips? eddie's the designated driver 9/10 times, mostly because he just got his license sooner and is more experienced.
who sets up the tent and who gathers firewood during a camping trip? ash goes to gather firewood, and eddie tries to set up the tent. then she comes back and helps him anyway.
who hooks bait during a fishing trip? who catches more fish? eddie to both of these. wayne taught him well.
who insists on learning how to ballroom dance? they're both fine with their dancing skills as they are, neither of them had the ambition to learn the proper ballroom dancing.
who goes all out on the other’s birthday? even though money was usually tight for both of them, eddie would be the one throwing her a whole party while she usually settled for small but meaningful gifts and celebrations.
who sings louder while cooking? while showering? eddie sings doing both, ash sings in the shower sometimes.
who teases the other for said singing? considering eddie's in a band, though not a singer, ash doesn't really tease him about the singing, because he's just doing it at random sometimes, and there are other things he teases him for. eddie, on the other hand, loves to tease her about her little shower concerts.
who insists on checking their zodiac sign compatibility every so often? being a teenage girl ash did check it on a few occasions. it's not a regular occurrence though.
who drags the other to fortune tellers at fairs? eddie would be the one dragging ash.
who would carry who over the doorstep of a new home? in a classic fashion, it would be eddie. it's possible that ash would attempt it just to see if she could, though.
send me a ship and i'll answer these questions!
He's apologising, she's not impressed.
Oh, look what we became...
I am not a violent dog, I don't know why I bite.