#Slickest | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

empressdede · 17 days ago

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Illusion

Might make a part 2, might not. Shoutout to the heartbreak I’m going through bc Ofc I can’t find happiness 🥳🤣🤣

Imma get over it sooner rather than later.

The bassline of an old-school R&B song trembled against the walls of Kierra’s room, soft and slow, like the way her heartbeat jumped when she heard tires pull up outside. She didn’t have to check. She already knew it was him.

She smiled to herself and slid her phone off the nightstand.

Josh 🖤: Outside.

She rolled her eyes, biting back a grin as she texted back:

Kierra: You can come in. Door’s open, dummy.

A second later, she heard the door creak, followed by heavy footsteps she could pick out in a crowd—confident and familiar.

“Yo,” Joshua called out from the hallway.

“In here,” she answered, already lounging back on her bed, TV remote in hand.

Joshua stepped into the room like he owned it—black hoodie, chain glinting under the light, his hair pulled into a neat bun. He looked at her and smirked.

“Damn. You really just laid out like this?”

“I live here,” she said, tossing a pillow at him. “What you want me to do? Roll out a red carpet?”

He caught it mid-air and tossed it back playfully. “Wouldn’t hurt.”

She gave him a look but couldn’t keep the smile from breaking through. “You eat?”

“Nah. Figured you’d feed me,” he said, kicking off his sneakers and flopping onto the bed like it was his.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“You love it,” he murmured, eyes half-lidded as he relaxed beside her.

Kierra went quiet for a second, pretending to scroll through movie options. But her eyes kept shifting toward him—his jawline, the curve of his lashes, how at ease he looked with her.

“I’m serious,” Joshua added, nudging her arm with his elbow. “You love me.”

Her heart stalled—but she kept it cool.

“You wish,” she said.

He laughed, low and smooth. “I know.”

She picked a movie without thinking. Something nostalgic. Something that wouldn’t make her cry tonight. Joshua reached over to grab the blanket at the end of the bed and tossed half of it over her.

“You really spending the night?” she asked, voice soft.

“Yeah. Unless you don’t want me to.”

“I didn’t say that.”

A beat passed.

They weren’t touching, but they were close. Shoulder to shoulder. Breath to breath. Kierra focused on the screen, pretending not to feel every inch of his warmth beside her.

“You remember when we first started hanging out?” he asked.

“Of course. You were annoying.”

He grinned. “Still am.”

“You never left me alone.”

He shrugged. “Still don’t.”

That was the truth. Joshua was always there. At her worst, her best, her in-between. At first, it was friendly. Then it got blurry. He’d pull up at midnight just to sit in his car outside her house until she came out. He’d show up with snacks and stories, just to hear her laugh. He knew her. All the little cracks she tried to hide.

“You ever think about what we are?” she asked, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

Joshua glanced at her. His eyes didn’t flinch.

“All the time.”

That made her chest ache in places she didn’t have names for. “And?”

“I think…” He paused, licking his lips. “I think we’re us.”

Kierra swallowed. That answer wasn’t enough. But it was him. It was how he was—smooth, vague, charming in a way that kept her holding on.

“You always say the slickest shit,” she muttered.

“Because I mean it,” he replied.

Then he reached for her hand. It was casual. Innocent. But not really.

She didn’t pull away.

The movie played on, but Kierra wasn’t watching anymore. Her thoughts were loud. Louder than the TV. Louder than the silence between them.

Joshua shifted to lie down, his head barely brushing her shoulder.

“I could fall asleep like this,” he mumbled, almost drowsy.

“You always do.”

He smiled. “It’s ‘cause I feel good here.”

The clock on her nightstand glowed 11:47 PM.

She felt his breathing slow. Eyes closed. Peaceful.

She didn’t move. Couldn’t. Wouldn’t.

Her heart knew this was dangerous. But her soul didn’t care.

He was here.

And maybe that was enough for now.

⸻⸻

The sky was gray, hanging low with the threat of rain, but Kierra didn’t care. She was curled up on the couch, hoodie sleeves pulled over her hands, scrolling through her phone when her doorbell buzzed.

She blinked. Joshua.

When she opened the door, he stood there in joggers and a plain white tee, drenched and smiling like an idiot.

“You gonna let me in or let me drown?”

She grabbed his wrist and yanked him inside. “Boy, what are you doing out in this?”

“You weren’t answering your phone.”

“My phone’s on Do Not Disturb—I was chillin’.”

“I know,” he said, like he knew everything about her. “I wanted to see you anyway.”

He tracked water across her floor, shoes squeaking until he kicked them off.

“Got a towel?” he asked, laughing.

“Yeah, and maybe some common sense while we’re at it.” She tossed a towel at his head.

He stood there drying his hair like nothing was wrong with showing up unannounced and wet and beautiful.

“You miss me or nah?” he asked, watching her as he dried his neck.

“You were here like… two days ago.”

Joshua smirked. “Didn’t answer my question though.”

Kierra tried not to smile, but he always had that effect on her. She turned around and walked toward the kitchen. “I made soup.”

“Swear?”

She didn’t answer. He followed.

By the time he was settled on her couch with a bowl in hand, the rain was coming down heavy outside, soft against the windows. It felt like the kind of afternoon you could live in forever.

They sat in silence for a while, eating.

Then out of nowhere, Joshua said, “You ever feel like you’re in the right place but still waiting on something?”

Kierra looked at him. “What do you mean?”

“Like this moment right here. Feels right. But part of me still thinks it’s all temporary.”

She stared at him, fingers tightening on the spoon. “I don’t think anything feels more real than this.”

He held her gaze. “That’s why I’m here.”

The air between them shifted.

Joshua leaned forward, elbows on his knees, bowl empty.

“You know I don’t do relationships,” he said, voice low. “Not like that.”

“I know,” she whispered.

“But I still pull up on you, still check in. Still care.”

Kierra swallowed. “I never asked for more.”

“But you want more.”

She didn’t answer.

He moved closer, sitting back beside her, their knees brushing. “And I ain’t saying I don’t feel you. It’s just…”

“It’s just what?”

Joshua sighed. “I’m a mess, Kierra. You deserve solid.”

Her chest ached. But even then, she nodded. “Okay.”

He looked at her, eyes full of something she couldn’t name.

“Okay,” he repeated, softer.

Then, without warning, he reached out and pulled her close. Not to kiss her. Not to start something. Just to hold her.

Like she was the safest thing he knew.

She closed her eyes against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Pretending this moment wasn’t full of unspoken things. Pretending it wasn’t killing her a little to want him this much when he didn’t want all of her back.

But he was here.

And sometimes, love felt like being chosen—even when it wasn’t forever.

It was hot. The kind of summer heat that made the air shimmer and the pavement sweat. Kierra tugged at the hem of her tank top as she stepped out of the car, nerves buzzing.

“You sure it’s okay I’m here?” she asked.

Joshua leaned against the driver’s side, tossing his keys into his palm with a shrug. “If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have brought you.”

That answer didn’t help much. This wasn’t just any get-together. This was his family. His brothers. Meeting the people who mattered to him.

Kierra followed him through the side gate into a backyard that smelled like grilled meat, charcoal, and sunblock. Laughter bounced between the house and the speakers playing 90s West Coast rap.

A man with long curly hair and a wild smile was the first to spot them.

“Joshy!” he called out, already halfway to them.

Joshua chuckled. “Here we go.”

Kierra stayed close as the man—clearly one of his brothers—hugged him tight, then pulled back to eye her curiously.

“This her?” he asked.

Josh nodded. “Yeah.”

The man looked at her like he already knew. “I’m Jon. And don’t worry, you’re safe. Nobody bites unless you ask.”

Kierra laughed nervously. “Good to know.”

A few others came up—Joseph, tall and stocky with kind eyes, and Joe, who didn’t smile much but offered a quiet fist bump.

Their girlfriends were there too—each one warm and a little too observant, like they were trying to figure Kierra out without saying a word.

But it wasn’t tense. Just close-knit. Protective.

Joshua didn’t leave her side. Every time he reached for her hand or leaned in to say something low in her ear, she could feel the looks. And she didn’t care.

Not with the way he looked at her.

Not with the way he made her feel like this was something real.

They ate ribs and drank sweet tea, sitting on folding chairs under a wide umbrella while Joshua told a story about getting chased by a neighbor’s dog when he was ten. Everyone laughed, including Kierra—even when the story got exaggerated beyond belief.

After the food, after the noise, after most of the guys started playing dominoes on the patio table, Kierra and Joshua slipped away to the far corner of the yard. There was a little wooden bench under a tree, half in the shade, half in sunlight.

She sat first. He followed, stretching one arm behind her on the backrest.

“This was nice,” she said, glancing at him. “Your family’s cool.”

“They’re loud,” he said with a smirk. “But yeah. They’re good people.”

She looked at him, heart beating a little faster. “You ever bring girls around them?”

He raised a brow. “Why?”

“I’m just wondering.”

Joshua leaned back, eyes squinting at the sunlight slipping between the leaves. “Not really. Never had a reason.”

That made her stomach flip.

He turned his head toward her, and for a second, the world got quiet.

“I like you here,” he said.

Kierra tried to hide her smile. “I like me here too.”

“Good,” he whispered.

Then he leaned in.

No big moment. No dramatic pause. Just him. Just her. Just a kiss that landed so softly it felt like a secret.

His lips were warm, gentle—like he’d been thinking about this for a long time. Like he was holding back so he didn’t ruin it.

Kierra kissed him back, her hand brushing his jaw. And when they pulled apart, he didn’t move far. His forehead rested against hers, eyes closed like he wanted to stay right there.

“I been thinking about that,” he admitted.

She exhaled shakily. “Yeah?”

He nodded once. “Yeah.”

The sun slipped lower behind the house, casting gold across his skin. Kierra watched the way his lashes fluttered, the way he looked at her like she was something new.

For the first time, she didn’t feel unsure.

For the first time, he wasn’t running.

Later that evening — on the ride home

Kierra’s head leaned against the window, and Joshua’s playlist filled the car with moody R&B. He kept one hand on the wheel, the other resting on her thigh.

Everything about this felt like progress. Like movement in the right direction.

He’d kissed her. In front of everyone. Without flinching. Without pulling back.

“Can I tell you something?” she said, voice barely louder than the music.

Joshua glanced over. “Yeah.”

“I think I’ve been scared this whole time. Of wanting too much. Of you not feeling the same.”

He was quiet for a beat.

Then: “You never ask for too much. You just ask the right way.”

She turned to him, eyes soft. “So what is this now?”

He looked at her again—longer this time. “It’s what it’s always been.”

“Which is?”

He reached for her hand, laced their fingers. “Something I can’t shake.”

Kierra smiled, chest full of everything she’d been aching for. For once, it felt like she wasn’t chasing him. Like maybe, just maybe… he was meeting her halfway.

⸻⸻

Joshua didn’t leave that night.

They pulled up to her place just after ten, and instead of walking her to the door with one of his lingering hugs, he followed her inside like it was second nature. No words exchanged, no hesitation.

Just him kicking off his sneakers, her tossing her keys in the bowl by the door, and the two of them slipping into a rhythm they’d always known.

“Shower first,” he said, already pulling off his shirt.

Kierra blinked. “What?”

He grinned. “I smell like barbecue. You do too.”

She tried not to stare at the lines of his back as he disappeared into the bathroom.

Ten minutes later, he came out in one of her towels, skin damp, hair pushed back, steam still clinging to his shoulders. “Your turn.”

When she stepped into the shower, she leaned her forehead against the tile and let the water run down her face. She felt… different. Wanted. Chosen. For once, it didn’t feel like she had to play it cool or guard her heart.

Joshua kissed her. Joshua held her hand in front of his family. Joshua was here.

When she came out in an oversized tee and her satin bonnet, he was already under her covers, scrolling on his phone like this was his bed too.

Kierra crawled in beside him, trying not to smile too much.

“You good?” he asked, glancing at her.

“Yeah.”

He set his phone down, turning toward her. “You sure?”

She nodded.

He pulled her close, tucking her against his chest. “You know, you don’t have to play tough with me all the time.”

“I’m not.”

He kissed the top of her head. “You are. But I get it.”

They lay there in silence for a moment, legs tangled, her fingers brushing the tattoo on his arm.

“Can I ask you something?” she said quietly.

“Shoot.”

“What would we be right now if I asked?”

He didn’t move.

Didn’t tense.

Didn’t laugh.

He just said, “Closer than we’ve ever been.”

That was enough for her.

At least for now.

Two Weeks Later

Kierra was curled up on his couch, legs stretched across Joshua’s lap, while Snowfall played on the TV.

He wasn’t watching though.

He was looking at her — the way she tucked the blanket around her waist, the way she licked salt off her fingers from the popcorn bowl.

“What?” she asked, catching him staring.

He shook his head. “Nothing.”

She raised a brow. “You thinking again.”

“I’m always thinking.”

“Tell me.”

He hesitated. Then: “I feel safe with you.”

Kierra blinked. She hadn’t expected that. “Safe?”

“Yeah. Like… when I’m here, it’s easy to just be. You don’t ask for shit I can’t give. You don’t make me feel small.”

Her throat tightened.

“I know I’ve been dragging my feet,” he continued. “But it ain’t ‘cause I don’t see you. Or feel you.”

“Then why?” she whispered.

“’Cause when I fall for something, I fall hard. And I ain’t tryna break it.”

She swallowed hard. “You think I’d let you break me?”

He shook his head. “No. I think you’d survive me. And I’d hate myself for making you have to.”

That silenced her.

But in the quiet, Kierra reached for his hand. Held it like an anchor.

“I’m not asking you to be perfect,” she said. “I’m just asking you to show up.”

“I’m trying.”

“I know.”

And he was. He really, really was.

⸻⸻

That morning, Kierra woke to the sound of Joshua humming in the kitchen. The smell of cinnamon and eggs drifted down the hallway. She stretched, pulled on one of his hoodies, and padded out barefoot to find him shirtless over the stove.

He turned when he heard her.

“Hey, sleepy.”

“You cooked?”

He smirked. “A lil’ something. French toast, eggs, and strawberries.”

“For me?”

“For us.”

That made her chest ache in the best way.

They sat at the tiny kitchen table with mismatched mugs and a candle burning even though it was 10 AM. He poured her juice, cut her toast in triangles, teased her about the way she scrunched her nose when she chewed.

“I could get used to this,” she said softly.

He looked up from his plate. “Then do.”

She smiled like her heart didn’t just flip.

And for that morning — for that hour — it really did feel like forever could live in a hoodie and some French toast.

⸻⸻

Later that week, something shifted. Small. Subtle.

It started with a missed call. Then two.

Then a slow text response that used to be instant.

Joshua didn’t ghost. He didn’t vanish. He was still around, still present — but different.

Less warmth. More distance. Like something was buzzing in the background that he hadn’t let her in on.

Kierra noticed.

But she didn’t say anything at first. She didn’t want to seem needy. Didn’t want to ruin the progress they’d made.

So she smiled through the change. Told herself everyone gets busy.

But it kept happening.

One night, she called and it rang out.

No call back.

No text.

She waited two days.

On the third, he finally replied.

“Sorry, got caught up. You good?”

She stared at the screen.

Then typed back:

“I miss you. When can I see you?”

He didn’t reply until the next morning.

“This weekend. Maybe.”

That “maybe” felt like a punch.

It was supposed to be a good night.

Kierra had on that silk dress he once said made her look “dangerous.” Her lips were glossed. Hair freshly done. And her chest was full of all the words she’d been holding onto for months.

Joshua was already at the apartment when she got home. Sitting on the couch, hoodie on, hood up. Remote in hand. Music playing low from his phone on the armrest. Something moody. Something cold.

She knew something was wrong.

Still, she smiled, trying to lighten the air. “You waiting on me?”

Joshua looked up. His eyes held that quiet storm — unreadable, distant.

“Yeah.”

That was all.

Kierra set her bag down and walked over, curling beside him like she always did. He didn’t put his arm around her. Didn’t lean into her warmth. His body felt miles away.

She tried to ignore it.

Tried to pretend they could get back to the soft morning kisses and late-night laughter. Back to where things made sense.

But her heart wouldn’t stop pressing against her ribs.

So she spoke.

“I’ve been thinking,” she started gently. “About you. About us.”

Joshua didn’t say anything.

“I know I said I was cool with… whatever this was. No labels. Just going with the flow. But I think I lied.”

He glanced at her. Briefly.

Kierra took a breath.

“I’m in love with you, Josh.”

Silence.

“I didn’t mean to be. I wasn’t trying to make this heavier than it needs to be. But I can’t keep pretending like I don’t feel everything when I look at you. Like it’s not deeper than what we keep calling it.”

Still, nothing.

Her voice broke, just slightly. “I just… I need to know. Do you see me the way I see you? Because if not—if I’m just filling space—I need you to tell me.”

She waited.

Every second that passed felt like a needle pressing into her chest.

Finally, Joshua sighed. Rubbed a hand down his face. Sat forward, elbows on his knees.

“I didn’t ask for this,” he said quietly.

Kierra blinked. “What?”

“This. All of this. It’s too much. Too fast.”

Her mouth parted, but no words came.

“I care about you. I do. I never meant to lead you on. But I’m not in the space for what you’re asking for.”

“But you let me fall,” she whispered. “You brought me around your family. You kissed me. You stayed.”

“I know.”

“Then why?” Her voice cracked. “Why do all of that if you didn’t want more?”

Joshua looked down at his hands. “Because it felt good. And I got caught up. But that doesn’t mean I was ready.”

“That’s not fair.”

“I know.”

Kierra stared at him, chest hollowing.

“You said I never asked for too much.”

“You didn’t.”

“Then what is this, Josh? What did I do wrong?”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” he said, finally looking at her. “You loved me. That’s not a mistake. But I’m not the one for you.”

Tears stung her eyes.

“But I thought…” she swallowed. “I thought we were building something.”

“We weren’t,” he said, softly. “Not really. You were. I was just trying to keep up.”

She stood, the ache in her legs nothing compared to the one in her chest.

“So what now?”

Joshua didn’t answer.

She picked up her purse. Her phone. Her pride.

“I would’ve given you everything,” she said, voice barely a whisper. “And you knew that.”

“I know.”

“I hope one day you stop running. I really do. And I hope she’s good to you. But I hope you remember the way I loved you. I hope it stays with you. Because you don’t walk away from something like this and stay untouched.”

He didn’t move.

Didn’t chase her.

Didn’t stop her from walking out the door.

And that silence was the loudest heartbreak she’d ever heard.

It’s long, rushed and sloppy😭 I still hope you like it. Thank you for reading 🫶🏾

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#empressdede #empresswriting #wwe #black reader #jey uso #jey uso x black oc #jey uso x black reader #joshua fatu #joshua fatu x black reader #illusion

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