G/t one-shots and short stories

Firefighter ( not a part of the Sterling storyline) 👨‍🚒🔥🚒🧯

Flames licked the walls of the old warehouse, sending plumes of thick black smoke billowing into the night sky. Mike Johnson sprinted towards the inferno, his heavy boots pounding the pavement. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he gripped the axe in his gloved hands.

"Let's move, let's move!" Mike shouted to his crew. His eyes watered from the intense heat radiating from the building. Debris rained down around them as part of the roof caved in. Mike coughed, the acrid smoke burning his lungs. He had to get in there fast. People could be trapped inside.

Mike kicked down the front door, axe raised. "Fire department! Call out!" He strained to hear voices over the roar of the flames. No response. Mike forged ahead, checking each room methodically. The fire raged on, greedy tongues of orange flame devouring everything in their path. He had to hurry.

Mike wiped the sweat from his brow. The sweltering heat was overwhelming. Come on, hold it together, he told himself. You can do this. Adrenaline coursed through Mike's veins, pushing back the fear and exhaustion. He would not stop until he saved everyone.

Mike moved deeper into the warehouse, ducking under a collapsed beam. The smoke was getting thicker, limiting his visibility.

"Is anyone here?" he shouted. "Call out!"

A faint sound caught his attention. Mike turned towards a small crevice along the wall. Peering inside, he could make out a tiny figure - a girl no more than four inches tall. Her wide eyes were filled with terror as she huddled in the crevice, choking on the smoke.

"It's okay, I've got you," he said in a soft, soothing voice. The little girl hesitated, then climbed onto his enormous hand. Mike slowly withdrew his hand, cradling the miniature girl safely in his palm. She stared up at him with a mix of wonder and fear.

"Let's get you out of here," Mike said. He tucked the tiny girl into his coat pocket to protect her from the flames and falling debris. Adrenaline pumping through his veins, Mike charged back the way he came.

The girl peered at Mike's hulking frame from the pocket. From her four-inch perspective, everything was gigantic — the walls, the furniture, even the man who held her life in his massive hands.

Now, here she was, being rescued by a human bean. But she had no choice but to trust him. They dodged falling beams and leaping flames. The girl braced herself against the pocket as Mike kicked down a warped door and stumbled outside to safety.

The cool night air was a shock after the inferno. Mike gently lifted the girl out and set her down in his palm. "Are you okay?" he asked. The girl coughed but gave a brave nod. Mike just smiled, amazed at how small and fragile she was. He just wants to hide her away from the world.

Mike looked down at the tiny girl sitting in his palm, still amazed that someone so small could exist. She was no bigger than a mouse, with delicate features and wide, frightened eyes

"Don't worry, I've got you," he said in a gentle rumble. "You're safe now."

Carefully, he curled his fingers to form a protective barrier around her. She grabbed onto one giant digit to steady herself as Mike began jogging away from the structure.

"Well, aren't you something," Mike murmured.

The girl tilted her head. "My name's Lucy," she said in a voice that sounded like tinkling bells.

Mike blinked in surprise. "You can talk?"

Lucy nodded, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Of course, I can talk. I'm a borrower."

"A borrower?" Mike repeated. He shook his head in bewilderment.

Lucy shifted, dangling her short legs over the edge of Mike's hand. "We borrow what we need from you giants to survive. I was just looking for some scraps when the fire broke out."