Light In The Dark - Michael Munroe x M!Reader [Until Dawn]

Chapter One

It had been a year since the friends had been on this mountain. It was bittersweet. (Y/N) had missed it. He just didn't miss the one memory that plagued his mind. Nearly every night, he's wondered and tormented his mind with thoughts of what he could of done. If he would've just convinced Mike instead of allowing him to continue with the prank.

Hannah and Beth Washington. Their disappearance had put a strain on everyone's friendships. People blamed each other. No one wanted to be the one responsible for what everyone assumed was their deaths. 

They avoided talking about it. It was easier to just bury what happened that night. To not remember the burden of their disappearance. That couldn't be said for everyone, though. Especially Josh. Those were his sisters. He spoke a lot about it for the first few months. Then, slowly became quieter. And quieter. Then stopped altogether. (Y/N) found this concerning. He figured maybe Josh was dealing with it another way than talking. At least, he hoped so.

Josh hadn't been the same since then. No one expected him to be. He was quieter. More reserved. He used to be a jokester, but his whole personality changed. He told (Y/N) he was seeing a therapist. Taking medication. (Y/N) told him he'd always have his back, but lately, Josh seemed to shun everyone out entirely.

That's why it was such a shock when he invited everyone back up again. (Y/N) didn't expect it. But he figured he would go. It would be nice to see everyone again. And to support Josh during this time. It was strange. The timing. Exactly one year ago the sisters disappeared. Why not wait a week? Or even a day? It was unsettling, but he figured that this date meant something to Josh.

But, he decided to push those thoughts away. This would be nice. It would be a chance to heal. His relationship with his friends had declined. Especially Mike. They weren't the bestest of friends before, but (Y/N) felt awkward talking to him. Knowing it was partially his fault. Jessica and Emily he hadn't talked to since the accident. He just couldn't.

"Fuck... It's cold," (Y/N) muttered to himself. He had been the first one here. Except for Josh, of course. Josh greeted him with a big smile, something (Y/N) hadn't seen in a while.

"Wow, really?" Josh replied sarcastically. The two were walking to the lodge. It was a longer walk than (Y/N) had remembered.

"Okay, smartass," (Y/N) rolled his eyes, chuckling. "Is anyone else here yet?"

"Nope. It's just us," Josh answered. "Are you scared?" 

"Of what?"

Josh grinned mischievously. "That's up to you to find out."

"Oh my god, shut up," (Y/N) laughed, causing Josh to burst into laughter as well. The two approached the lodge. It was huge. Josh's family was rich, but man... This is another level of rich.

"Here we are!" Josh ran up the stairs, trying the doorknob. "Hmm..."

"What?"

"It's locked."

"Well... Yeah, I imagine," (Y/N) said. "It's your lodge, man. You got the key."

Josh blinked a couple of times, looking at his friend. "No, I mean- it's frozen."

"That's great... Just great," (Y/N) sighed, rubbing his forehead. It was really cold out here. Of course this would be his luck. 

"Oh well," Josh shrugged, walking back down the stairs. "Guess we're trapped out here."

(Y/N) shook his head. "No way. There's got to be another way in."

"Maybe... Oh, right! I've gotta go do something," Josh said, walking away in a hurry.

"Josh!" (Y/N) called out, but Josh just continued walking the opposite way of the lodge. "That's... Okay, well, fuck."

(Y/N) didn't know what to do. He knew he couldn't just sit here. He decided to take a walk. He kind of remembered the different pathways. He knew the way to the cabin. And back to the lifts. But other than that, he really didn't know. So, he decided to walk back to the lift. Maybe greet someone as they came in.

The snow wasn't so bad right now. He had checked the weather before he got here and knew it was going to be worse as the night progressed. He hoped that the door to the lodge would be open by then. Or else everyone was going to have to fit in the cabin. That would be fun.

(Y/N) made it back to the lift. There were some benches there so he decided to sit down. He took his phone from his backpack, hoping that there might be service. But, nope. That was the only bad thing about this mountain.

(Y/N) heard the door opening. He thought about standing up, but didn't want to be awkward or anything. He set his phone down and looked to see who it was.

"Hey, man," Mike waved at him. (Y/N) was surprised. Usually, Mike was late to everything. School, prom, hangouts... This was a shock.

"Hi," (Y/N) smiled softly at him. He wasn't sure what to say. It had been a little over three months since they lost talked. Not on lack of trying on Mike's part. (Y/N) just couldn't talk to him. All he could think of was the sisters.

"So... How you doing? Been a while, huh?" Mike said, sitting down next to him. Mike noticed the way the other man tensed up and hated it. He hated how uncomfortable their friendship was right now. He just wanted their friendship back.

"Yeah, it has," (Y/N) chuckled awkwardly. "I'm... I'm better, I guess. Still dealing with- well, you know." (Y/N) looked at Mike. Saw the sadness fill his eyes.

"Yeah..." Mike sighed, looking at his feet.

"How are you? Last we talked, you were headed to college."

"I'm great. College is fun, for the most part," Mike answered honestly. He didn't know why, but it was easier to tell the truth to (Y/N). He had a charm about him, for sure.

"You still a ladykiller?" (Y/N) teased.

Mike looked back at (Y/N). "Actually, no. I'm with Jess, now."

(Y/N) tilted his head slightly. "Jessica? I thought you were with Em...?"

"Yeah, no, we uh... Broke up."

(Y/N) made an 'O' with his mouth. He could figure out why. It must be awkward after Hannah and Beth. But being with Jessica is just as awkward, isn't it? "Awesome, dude. You like her?"

(Y/N) noticed Mike's smile falter slightly. "I guess, yeah."

"You guess? That doesn't sound very sure."

"She's great and everything, you know? But I just.... I- I dunno, man..."

(Y/N) paused for a second, thinking. "You like someone else, don't you?" When Mike nodded, (Y/N) smiled sympathetically at him. "It's not Em, is it?"

"No, that relationship is done," Mike replied. In truth, he was never happy with Emily. He just got with her to be with someone. It was about the time when he started having feelings for (Y/N). He knew he could never be with him, so he sought someone else and hoped to lose his feelings for (Y/N). But it didn't work. Not with Emily. Not with Jessica, either.

(Y/N) was going to ask who, but the two heard the door open again. Ashley walked out. "Hi, you guys!" She smiled brightly at them.

"Ash! Great to see you," (Y/N) grinned, walking up and greeting her with a hug. Mike sat in his chair, his feelings crumpling as (Y/N) hugged Ashley.

"You too. You, also, Mike," Ashley waved at him.

"Hey, Ash," Mike said to her. 

"So, you wanna walk to the lodge with me?" Ashley asked the two of them.

"I'd love to," (Y/N) replied.

Mike hated this. He was so nice and bubbly to her. Why couldn't he be like that with him? "No, I'm gonna wait for Jess."

"Alright. See you soon, Mike," (Y/N) waved goodbye to him, walking off with Ashley.

Mike waited until they were gone to speak up. "(Y/N)..." He whispered to himself. "Fuck, man..." He buried his face in his hands, upset at himself for never confessing to (Y/N).