THE WANTED CRIMINAL °°° Eddie Munson

-P. S.

P. S.

  
THE LAST BAG was tossed into the trunk, Frankie letting out a sigh as he slammed it shut, his Austin Allegro yellow car bouncing as he did so. 

Then he turned to the group, lips thinning as he put an un-cast but bandaged right hand on his hip, "Welp." He said, breathing in an awkward, long breath—the bright sun burning his little exposed skin. The kids and the teens standing in front of his house in front of him hesitated, sad to see him go.

Dustin was the first to step to him and engulfed him in a big, Dustin hug—Frankie smiled and hugged the kid tightly, "You guys look after Max for me, okay?" He said, the lack of the sarcastic redhead getting to him as he parted with Dustin, who nodded,

"Yeah, man. We will, right guys?"

Nancy smiled, "Of course," she nodded, walking to Frankie and hugging him tight, "Goodluck with your lawyer-ing, Frankie. Don't forget to write."

Frankie let out a short laugh, "I won't, Nancy-dancy." Nancy giggled and shook her head at the nickname, hugging Frankie a second tighter and letting go. The Scoops Troop was the next to come up to him,

"I can't believe you're already leaving us, dude," Steve said, pulling Frankie into a quick hug, patting his back firmly and pulling away. Robin shoved Steve and she engulfed Frankie into a hug,

"Don't worry, Collymore. You'll live on in our hearts. Not a day will go past without us grieving." she laughed when Frankie did, pulling away as he said,

"I'm glad to hear it. But I'm not dying just yet, Buckley."

"For better or for worse." Robin shrugged.

Frankie shook his head, his gaze landing on the rest of the kids—God, wait… They're not even kids anymore, are they? He walked up to them, engulfing them in a hug,

"Wow, have you guys grown," he mumbled into Eleven's hair (or lack thereof) and planted a firm kiss. The rest of the kids hugged back,

"We'll miss you, Frankie."

"Same to you guys," he replied, pulling away and looking at them one last time, hands on their shoulders. Lucas all beat-up, almost as tall as Frankie and always with his heart of gold, Mike's face has grown into its shape and he didn't look like such an asshole anymore, Eleven grew into her looks and learned so much more about the world since all the way back in 1983, and Will still had that stupid bowl cut but grew taller and still just as kind and gentle as he always was—even after all the traumatizing shit.

He patted their shoulders and let go, turning to the adults. Frankie still couldn't believe it—Hopper was alive. He nodded to the big guy, who nodded back and patted his shoulder. Joyce hugged Frankie tightly, "Oh, we'll miss you, Frankie," she pulled away, eyes wide and head tilted and hands still on his shoulders, "Now, you know that if you ever need anything…"

Frankie shook his head, "The phone is always open. I know, Joyce. Thanks." She smiled at him, patting his shoulder and finally letting go. Joyce has always been so sweet—almost like a second mom to Frankie despite what he has gone through in the past. He'd always be grateful to her.

Then Frankie turned to Eddie Munson and his uncle. He flashed a smile, stopping himself from diving to Eddie and walking to his uncle instead, "Thanks again for dinner yesterday, Mr. Munson. It was great to meet you."

The old man crinkled a sweet smile, "Of course, Franklin. From what I have it, you've helped my nephew in more ways than one." they shook hands, "Thank you, son."

"Thank you, sir," Frankie feeling a bit bashful as they let go, looking to Eddie, who had his arms crossed and frowning at him. They stared at each other for two extra seconds—as if Eddie was upset at Frankie for saying goodbye to him last. But the stare down didn't last as Eddie cracked a smile, putting his arms up and Frankie mirroring his movements and engulfing him into a hug, "I've helped you in more ways than one, huh?" he whispered, smiling into Eddie's shoulder.