Ignite (ElliexFemale!Reader)

I

The bruises are already blossoming over my knuckles, lit up by the final hue of sunlight cascading into my room. I outstretch my fingers, the familiar aching pain triggered from the movement, and scrutinise my angered skin. The smell of iron lingers fiercely in my nose, matching with my shirt covered in a mixture of my blood and her own. I'll have to give it to her, she got me back pretty badly this time.

I've not looked in a mirror yet, but i know as soon as Ellie arrives, she'll tell me how bad it is. She'll follow the same routine as always though. She'll laugh about it, go serious for a minute, maybe tell me off, and then she'll laugh again. And, as if my thoughts summoned her, i hear her knocking at my door. I know it's her because she invites herself in. After so many instances like this, she's accustomed to doing that.

"Ellie Williams" i greet her theatrically, "I wonder what brings you here"

"oh she really fucked you up" she laughs as soon as she examines me. I notice her auburn hair is windswept and there's a muted blush beneath her skin from the cold outside.

"she definitely looks worse" i reply, a giggle hitching in my throat as any facial movement causes pain. I sit up, preparing to catch the damp cloth Ellie usually tosses to me. As expected, the rag lands in my palms, soaked with cold water. A sigh slips through my bloodied lips as i place it on the injured part of my face.

As usual, Ellie places herself at the end of my bed, eyeing me with both concern and amusement, "how long you grounded for this time?" The serious part is already coming.

"i don't know yet, Maria sent me here for some 'time out', said she'd talk to me later" I pause for a second, realising the trouble i'm likely to be in for fighting again. Ellie's face looks disappointed, "Am i about to get another lecture?" i try to suppress a laugh to tame the pain in my face, "save it. I promise this was the last time"

"You said that two fights ago" Suddenly it's easier to withhold my giggles after sensing the anger laced in Ellie's tone, "I've also been told you hit her first this time"

"For good reason" i protest, "you should've seen the way she looked at me Ellie-"

"What is your problem with Cat?" She interrupts. I was expecting this question. i'm asked it every time without fail, "she's the only one you've ever been this way with"

"i don't know" i mumble back, the same three words i'm sure Ellie is tired of hearing.

"well figure it out, y/n. I'm tired of being stuck between my girlfriend and my best friend. It's fucking exhausting" she doesn't shout, but the way her tone contorts into anger is enough to put me into place.

"i know. i'm sorry" The sting from her sentence is worse than any physical pain right now. Because i know that i'm the best friend, and Cat is the girlfriend. And just the thought encourages a jolt of upset and anger and jealousy to surge through me. Admitting that aloud, though, is something i could never do.

Ellie quickly notices my silence and her anger melts away, giving me that smirk. The serious part never lasts too long.

"let me look at you" she orders, finding the situation comical again. She gently pulls my hand from my face, "I leave you for how long? not even an hour? and you still manage to find trouble"

All i can feel is the entirety of my face throbbing, accompanied with a burning heat prickling over my skin. I lift my battered hand and rub away the remaining blood from under my nose and allow Ellie to inspect me.

"is it bad?" i ask reluctantly.  

"yeah" She replies in almost a whisper, her thoughts preoccupied by the mess, "but, you're right. She does look worse"