I am a firm believer that what you wear changes your attitude of what you think of yourself. Uniform is no different, if not more a more powerful example. Lastly, although I was really fond of the initial idea, it does seem that this is not my best work… please just consider it as a small scene rather than a fic (sigh and bow apologetically)

Theme: Uniform
Pairings: Shinn x Cagalli
Word Count: 1070
Summary: "Watch where you're going!" instinctively he yelled and looked down at the ZAFT green coat.

Comments and Constructive Criticism are welcomed

Disclaimer: I don't own Mobile Suit Gundam SEED/DESTINY or any of its characters.

Magic of the Uniform

It was that time of the year, when all the charity and war memorial celebrations were crammed together. Shinn rubbed his nose-bridge, somewhat tired and annoyed from attending his third balls in this week, although its hostess, Lacus Clyne, had certainly made it a bit more interesting than the other two.

Shinn glanced through the sea of military uniforms. In their shoes, that's the name of the masquerade ball without the masks. Everyone was to attend in a military uniform other than the one they were entitled to. Shinn had to admit, it was an intriguing idea.

A blue hair coordinator in white EA captain uniform caught his eyes. It was Athrun Zala, who was conversing with a blushing Meyrin in a dark pink EA CIC uniform. It seemed like a natural choice, since EA's was the only uniform that Athrun had never donned on.

Shinn himself had decided to stay with ZAFT, and he had chosen the white captain uniform. Although in his mind, he still thought the red coat suited him better. Something about the white coat just did not feel right on him. He supposed that was what Lacus wanted to play on.

"A penny for your thought," a soft soothing voice said beside him, Shinn turned and saw the Freedom Pilot, who he had befriend since the end of the last war. He was a mentor, so to speak, someone who took over Rey's place, though he would never admit it out loud.

"What is a penny anyway," Shinn's brows furrowed, changing the subject, since he did not want to answer the question.

"I think it's a metal form of currency back in the ancient times, before the credit system was in placed," Kira made a gestured describing the appearance of the coin.

A comforting silence befell for a few seconds, before Shinn spoke again.

"Head Representative Uniform?" Shinn raised one of his eyebrows, as he finally noticed the gold shoulder pad and chain and the double yellow lining on his pants.

"Cagalli said if I were to dress up as anyone, it would have to be her," Kira chuckled. "You'd be surprised how many politicians had approached me just because I am in this thing," He made a face and shook his head.

"Kira," a more cheerful than usual voice called, both pilot turned to see Lacus approached them. To many, it would have seemed like she was just wearing her usual pink, purple and white wardrobe, but upon closer examination, Shinn noticed the large slits on the hips area and the unusual star shaped clip on her hair.

Kira smiled as he walked towards her. Lacus also gave him a brilliant smile before she gave a wave to Shinn. It seemed that even Lacus was influenced by her attire, and a bit of Meer's upbeat personality had rubbed off on her.

Alone again, Shinn was about to grab another scotch from the passing waiter, and as he turned, a figure bumped into his chest.

"Watch where you're going!" instinctively he yelled and looked down at the ZAFT green coat.

"It was you who walked into me," the blonde figure murmured, rubbing her head that had seemed to collide with his collar bone. "Geez, why is everyone so rude today."

"Well, if you watch where you're going in the first place," displeased and irritated by the retort from a green coat, Shinn narrowed his eyes before realizing who he walked into.

"ATHHA?" wild eyed, Shinn was shocked that the green coat was actually the Head Representative of Orb. After the second war, he had forgiven Orb as he had forgiven Kira. After all, as Athrun had said, in all honesty he still loved Orb. The Athha and he were on speaking terms, although, there were only a few occasions where they had actually conversed.

"Yes! That's my last name, and there is not need to yell," Cagalli hushed and sounded very much irritated. "What is wrong with the people in this ball? Everyone kept raising their voice at me."

"Well, you should have chosen a better outfit," Shinn pointed out. Cagalli gave him a glare before stomping her heel into his foot.

"Ouch," he bent over a little, shifting his weight to the other foot. Obviously she had taken his comment the wrong way. "You know, you just violated section 73, clause B, line 6 - causing bodily harm to a superior," Shinn narrowed his eyes, and reprimanded her in that official voice he often heard from his captain.

And it worked. It stopped her from further attacking him. And instead he saw her gapped at the statement, before her brows turned into a frown, and her lips into a cute pout.

"Cute?" Shinn blinked and stared, shocked at his own thought. Stripped of her authority, she was no more than a simple blonde girl angering over the injustice most female officers must endure. Her honey colour orbs narrowed into a scowl, as her pink glossed lips continued to pout. Her innocent upset face had somehow provoked his mischievous side. A grin crept up his lips.

And it was too late before she realized what he was up to.

"Why are we on the dance floor?" she demanded, but in a much lower voice than usual.

"To dance, of course," he replied matter-of-factly, as he held one of her hands up, and the other her hip.

"You didn't even ask for my permission," her offended look was just as amusing as he had imagined.

"Not for a green coat, I don't have to," he smirked; already swing her according to the music.

"But isn't that a violation…"

"Violation of the Sexual Harassment Act, Section 4, Clause E, line 17. Like I care," he cut her off before she could finish. "It's not like I haven't broken any other military laws."

"You've broken other military laws?" Cagalli looked incredulously at the insufferable pilot. And yet, as much as he was rude and arrogant, she cannot help but be curious of him.

"Surprised?" he smirked, feeling proud and liking the way she looked at him.

And so the story began.

Or so their children were told, that in that night, where uniforms were swapped, when ranks matters not, and authorities forgotten, the two youngsters had danced and talked and scowled and grinned and laughed and played.

And fell in love, under the magic of the uniform.

Author's Note:

Does the ending seem rushed? OOC? When I came up with the idea, I really liked it a lot… but I'm not sure if I delivered it properly. : (

I choose to end it there because I feel like if I continue anymore it will steer too far from the theme. : ( In all honesty, I only really envision the ball, lol, and I really didn't think of much else to write… I see this as basically a starting point for ShinnCaga, how they end up being together is another story and up for your imagination. Let me know what you think. : )