Dead Man's Deed (Ghost x reader x Soap)

No.29 Execute Authority

You wiped your eyes, hearing one of the doors open. Silence overflowed your senses as your sleeves became damp with your quiet tears. The air was tense, thick with anticipation as you heard very slow, timid footsteps behind you.

"What's wrong, dear?" Your ears recognized a frail voice, most likely belonging to an elderly woman. You turned around to see a sweet smile full of wrinkles and imperfections, the creases around her eyes proof of years of aging. She looked to be around her mid to late seventies.

Her attire was a work of its own. A muted dark blue long sleeve shirt with small purple floral designs, and a long ivory skirt stopping just above her ankles. There was so much character in her outfit, a stark contrast to the dime a dozen uniform you were sporting.

"Oh, I'm sorry ma'am. It's nothing, I'm okay." You insisted while turning back to your boots that remained glued to the step. A gentle, hearty laugh escaped her mouth as she took a few steps closer to you and rested her fragile hand against your brawny shoulder.

"Young lady, I have four children and seventeen grandchildren. If there's one thing I can pick up on in my old age, it's when someone's telling a lie." She insisted while carefully approaching your side and letting out a deep breath as she slowly sat next to you on the top step.

She took a few deep breaths, her hand shakily resting on her chest before smiling and carefully wiping her nose.

"Now, why don't we try that again?" She suggested, and you gave a small smile to offer as gratitude for her adamance. You looked up at the sky, where you'd asked Eli for his blessing just moments prior.

"I'm just... well, it's a little hard to explain. You see, I'm worrying that my heart may be in too much of a mess to give to someone else. Though I trust them with it, I don't trust myself to stay strong long enough for them to try mending it back together. I'm worried I will be left in ruins." You admitted, avoiding eye contact to help ease your shame.

"I've lived a long, healthy life, child. All too often in our lives do we beg the questions: 'Do I deserve this?' 'Am I worthy of this?' Such irrelevant nonsense, the only thing that matters is whether or not you want it." She relayed as if she spoke from experience. You listened intently to the wisdom laced in her words.

"But what if it's all for the wrong person? What if we're not meant to be?" You asked with genuine fear while looking up at her. Your question hung in the air like a web of catastrophe, ready to rip apart if just one of the segments was cut.

"Well that's the best part, isn't it? To love is to change, to put the needs of someone else before you. To love is to exist with someone else and continue existing together as one unit. You make them the one, you let them become who they want to be for you." She responded expertly, and your heart froze for a moment.

Heeding her words, you looked back down at your lap in deep thought. The words shared were wise with reason, causing you to purse your lips into a thin line as your fingers tightened around the fabric of your pants.

"I should be going now, my nephew will worry if I'm gone for too long." Adeline chuckled to herself as she used your extended arm for support in standing up and walking back towards her door.

"Wait!" You called before you could convince yourself not to. She turned towards you, her smile still as gentle and wrinkled.

"How will I know if I'm making the right decision?" Your question hung in the air with a palpable sense of urgency. She looked down at her cane before letting another smile grace her features.

"Well, to put it simply, you won't. The only things you know are the things you learn, be it learned from others or from yourself. To love is to choose. So choose carefully and wisely." The woman finished before continuing her steps back to her room, ending the conversation with a gentle click of the doorknob falling back into place.