Title: Cookout

Rating: PG (mild language)

A/N: Done for clotiweek2018 - these are so much fun to do! These next six stories are loosely connected- all moments that had happened during a summer.

COOKOUT

Cloud tried pushing the ignite buton again, but to no avail. There was no hope, no propane, no chicken.

"Damn it." He uttered, immediately getting a reproaching look from his partner. In her defense though he had promised not to curse in front of the children. But when there was no heat in the grill, what was he suppose to do?

"I told you picking up a grill that had a free sign off the side of the road was not a good idea." Tifa scolded, crossing her arms together and glaring at the infernal device.

"It just needs fuel." Cloud reached down, tightened the valve, and proceeded to remove the tiny tank. "I'll go into town. Fill up the tank, then come back here and we'll have our barbeque."

Tifa sighed. "Yeah. Sure. I'll just order pizza in the meantime."

Cloud shot her a look. "We don't need pizza. We have chicken."

Tifa watched as Marlene and Denzel cheered Cloud on, helping him tie the tank to the back of his motorcycle. He left, only to be back about twenty minutes later with a small smile on his face. Tifa let out another sigh, knowing that he was feeling smug, knowing that he thought that he won their argument over the questionable grill.

"Alright." Cloud said, hooking the tank back up. "Here we go."

The valve opened up with a little click, and Cloud stood up. As his finger reached for the ignite button again, a worrying feeling came upon Tifa and she grabbed the kid's shoulders and pulled them back.

The sound of propane rushing through the line was thrilling, but the subsequent roar of fire coming out of the grill was not. Cloud remained standing, blackened about the head and shoulders, his eyebrows missing with a little fire burning on the sleeve of his shirt.

Marlene was cracking up.

Denzel looked like he was between panic and hilarity, not knowing which way to turn.

Tifa, despite her victory, rushed to Cloud's side, putting out the fire on him. Cloud stood still, staring at the burning machine, an utter look of disgust on his face.

"Are you okay?" Tifa asked, looking for any serious wounds.

Cloud glowered. "Order a pizza." He answered, planning on the most satisfying destruction of the grill in front of him.