In the early morning, Niles sits with his squad in the MP cafeteria to eat breakfast in the King's castle. He has a pulsating hangover, and he feels like total crap. Niles sees Brianne step into the cafeteria looking clean and wide-awake, and he stares at her a bit embarrassed. He remembers talking with Brianne last night and kissing her with lust, but he can't remember if anything else had happened. Brianne sits with her squad and starts eating her breakfast. The mood in the cafeteria is very light-hearted and cheery because tonight is the night of the Military Police's annual ball. The sole purpose of the ball is for pure leisure and entertainment, and people outside of the MP are allowed in the party only if they are dates of an MP soldier. Every young soldier in the MP is talking about the ball and who their dates are.
Tina: So Tony, d'you ever ask Missy to the ball tonight?
Tony: (blushing) I did, and she said yeah.
Cherrie: Aw, I miss Missy. How's she doing?
Tony: She's good. Nothing much going on in the Garrison branch as usual.
Nadia: I'm thinking about asking Miles.
Katy: You two were always so cute together.
Nadia: Not as cute as Cherrie and Larry.
Cherrie Walker and Larry Mosser turn bright red at Nadia's comment, and they can't even look at one another. Those two were in love since the moment they joined the Military and met each other for the first time running laps around the field.
Curtis: What about you, Porter? Who're you gonna bring?
Porter: I'm gonna bring Lana.
Curtis: Damn, you and Lana still going strong, huh?
Porter: Yeah, we're doing pretty well. (to Chase) Hey, d'you ever ask that bartender to the ball, man?
Chase: Yeah, I did. She said yeah.
Curtis: (laughs) Alright, my man.
Curtis, Chase, and Porter high-five one another.
Brianne: Which bartender are you talking about?
Chase: The one at Cap's Pub, that blonde one.
Brianne: (surprised) Kim? Kim Walsh?
Curtis: Yeah, didn't you know? Chase has a thing for her.
Brianne: Really? How did I not know about this?
Chase: Yeah well don't say anything to her, Bri. I know you're friends with Kim.
Brianne: Alright, alright. I won't say anything.
Larry: What about you, Brianne? Do you have a date for tonight?
Brianne: (smiles weakly) No, not yet.
Nadia: What about Erwin Smith? Don't you still talk to him?
Brianne: (pauses)...no, not really. (changes subject) Alright guys, let's finish in 10.
After finishing their breakfasts within 10 minutes, Brianne and her squad prepare for another day of patrolling the streets. Before Brianne and her squad leaves for duty from the castle to the streets, Niles walks up to Brianne standing alone as the rest of her squad slowly gather themselves after a hefty breakfast.
Niles: Hey, can I talk to you real quick?
Brianne: Sure.
Niles and Brianne walk off together to talk in private while Brianne's squad is still not ready to patrol the streets. The two stop at the outside garden of the castle.
Niles: (awkward) So...I know I drank a lot last night. And I...I know I kissed you but...I can't...well, I don't remember if...anything else happened...if you get my drift...
Brianne looks up at Niles, finding all the way he approaches this topic humorous.
Niles: Did we...do something more?
Brianne wishes she could lie to Niles and say they didn't, but she knows it won't help anything but alleviate temporary guilt. Lying about their night spent together could only make things worse in the future, so Brianne sucks up her own pride to admit to what really happened last night.
Brianne: (shrugs) You could say that.
Niles: What...what do you mean?
Brianne: Well...we did do something more...if you get my drift.
Niles' mouth drops and Brianne just stares at his shocked expression after learning that he and Brianne were intimate last night. So many questions circle around Niles' brain, but he can't figure out which one to ask first.
Brianne: (catches on) I think we should just drop the subject and move on. Don't you agree, Niles?
Niles: Uh...y-yeah...yeah, move on.
Brianne: (nods and smiles weakly) Well, I'll see you later.
Brianne starts to walk away when Niles calls out for her again.
Niles: Hey Scarface!
Brianne looks back at Niles, and Niles feels bad calling Brianne this cruel nickname. He's just so used to it, but he knows he shouldn't do it anymore.
Niles: (shakes his head) I mean Brianne...uh, do you have anyone to go with to the ball tonight?
Brianne: No.
Niles: Well, what do you think about going with me? I don't have anyone either, now that...(pauses) Dina's gone...
Brianne is quiet and eyes Niles. She always thought Niles hated her, especially after she caused Dina's death. But Brianne doesn't think much of Niles' offer, knowing that he's probably just trying to be nice.
Brianne: Sure, that sounds fine with me.
Niles: O-oh, great, alright then. Uh, I guess I'll pick you up at the lounge?
Brianne: No, I'll just see you at the ball. I'll probably be in a little late, and I don't want you waiting for me.
Niles: Are you sure? I mean, I don't mind waiting.
Brianne: No, go ahead. I'll just meet you in the ballroom.
Niles: Yeah, sure. Alright, I'll see you at the ball then.
Brianne nods and walks off again back to her squad. Niles watches her walk away, and he can't help but worry that he's slowly falling for his best friend's lover. There's something about Brianne that captivates Niles, but he can't pinpoint what it is: her demeanor, the way she carries herself, her physical beauty sans her hideous scar. Niles slowly understands why and how Erwin fell for this girl, yet he hopes he doesn't fall for Brianne because he knows that Erwin is still very much in love with her. Even though Niles and Erwin haven't talked to each other for a few weeks, the two still consider themselves as best friends because they know friends don't have to be in contact with each other every day to remain the best of friends. Niles feels uncomfortable lusting for Brianne, feeling as if he's doing something very guilty against Erwin, so he just walks off to his squad to start his day.
The MP ball is always a sight to see every year. It seems like the next year can never top off the year before, but the MP always find some lavish way to exceed their expectations for this unpurposeful event. The gala is always held in the castle in The Grand Ballroom with plenty of food and drinks around to feed an entire district. Niles is at the ball dressed in a handsome black tuxedo he wore the year before. He sees Michelle walking in with Erwin arm-in-arm, and he can't believe Erwin actually agreed to attend a party with Michelle. It took her over 6 years to finally get Erwin to go somewhere with her, let alone an annual grandiose party. Niles notes how beautiful Michelle is tonight with all her makeup and gorgeous evening gown, thinking how lucky Erwin is to have such a beautiful date. He can see how happy Michelle is to finally be with Erwin, and he's happy for her that she finally gets to spend the night with a guy she's been trying to get since their first year at training.
Niles: Hey, you two!
Michelle: (smiles) Niles!
Michelle and Erwin walk to Niles at the beer table, and Erwin immediately grabs a beer to gulp it down.
Michelle: Oh look at you, Niles. You're so handsome.
Niles: (smiles) Thanks. And you're beautiful as always, right Erwin?
Erwin: Yeah.
Michelle: So, where's your date, Niles?
Niles: She's gonna be a little late. (to Erwin) Hey, looking good tonight, my man.
Erwin smiles lightly and turns to Michelle.
Erwin: Can I get something for you, Michelle?
Michelle: Oh, just some champagne would be nice. (grins widely) Thanks, Erwin.
Erwin nods and takes this time to be away from Michelle to talk privately with Niles. Erwin and Niles walk over to the champagne table, and Niles begins the conversation.
Niles: So uh, whatever happened to you and Scarface?
Erwin: (starts drinking his beer)...things haven't been going very well.
Niles: (a bit nervous) Y-Yeah? Why? What happened?
Erwin: (sighs) Many things...(shakes his head) but it's nothing I want to get into right now. How have you been doing?
Niles: Good, man, good. Listen, I uh...I should probably tell you that uh...well, you know, Scarface...she's my date tonight.
Erwin: (dark)...What?
Niles: I wanted to tell you before you found out on your own. (quickly) And it means nothing. She didn't have a date, and I didn't have one. So we just decided to go together.
Niles and Erwin hear the front doors to the ballroom open, and everyone glances over to the doors to see Brianne walking in. Brianne arrives to the gala fashionably late in a beautiful golden ball gown. She wears her golden sunshine hair in a neat bun with most of her hair trailing down her neck in a beautiful, wavy motion which resembles a ponytail. Her rosy cheeks, red lips, and fair skin glow ever brightly at the ball with the spectacular lighting of the ballroom making Brianne look like an angel. Niles' and Erwin's mouths drop at the magnificent sight of Brianne dressed like the beautiful person she truly is. Brianne notices many people staring at her, surprised that she can be so beautiful with such a noticeable physical deformity.
Curtis: Oh my goodness.
Brianne notices Curtis with his date, a girl she's never seen before. Brianne smiles and walks over to Curtis hanging out with the rest of the squad and their dates.
Kim: Damn girl, look at you!
Brianne smiles shyly, and the rest of Brianne's squad circle around her shocked at her gorgeous transformation. Brianne looks around and spots Niles standing right next to Erwin, both men staring at her with their mouths wide open. She notices Michelle walking over to Erwin to grab her own champagne glass, noticing Erwin staring at Brianne with goo-goo eyes. Brianne takes in a deep breath and knows she should at least go and greet Niles because they're dates for tonight. Brianne excuses herself and makes her way over to Niles, Erwin, and Michelle at the champagne table. Brianne smiles shyly seeing the way Niles and Erwin are staring at her, turning a bit red from all the unwanted stares and gawking.
Brianne: (smiles timidly) Hello, Niles.
Niles: (weakly) H-Hey.
Niles can't stop staring at how beautiful Brianne is, noting that she's a true beauty even through her scar and eye-patch. He feels so overwhelmed that this gorgeous girl is his date for tonight. Brianne smiles kindly at Michelle and Erwin, and she holds Niles' hand. The two walk away from Erwin and Michelle towards the hard liquor table.
Niles: (remembering his manners) Oh, want me to get something for you?
Brianne: No, it's fine.
Brianne pours herself a small shot of whiskey, but she doesn't take it. She just holds the glass in her hands, wanting to be fully competent at all times.
Niles: You nervous?
Brianne: No, why should I be?
Niles: (blunt) Erwin.
Brianne looks up at Niles and sees that he's a bit uncomfortable with the fact that his date is his best friend's lover.
Niles: He told me you two haven't been doing well lately.
Brianne is quiet and looks away.
Niles: (awkward) You know...he loves you a lot. It's...okay if you want to go to him. You know, he'd blow Michelle off for you in a heartbeat.
Brianne: (looks back at Niles with a small smile) It's fine, Niles. I like where I am now.
Brianne's statement makes Niles' heart flutter like a butterfly, his stomach churning with happiness.
Niles: (grins) Yeah, me too. Wanna dance?
Brianne: Sure.
Niles and Brianne walk onto the dance floor arm-in-arm, and the two start waltzing as they look into each other's eyes. Niles is entranced by Brianne's smile as the two waltz together, and he slowly understands why Erwin was and still is so madly in love with this girl. He can feel himself falling hard for this girl, even though he never thought much of her before unlike Erwin. Niles is determined to make Brianne love him the way he's falling for her. Brianne notices the way Niles is looking at her with a certain longing, and she leans her head on Niles' chest so that she doesn't have to look at him. She wishes deep in her heart that this moment won't lead to anything big because she's still madly in love with Erwin even if she's reminded of so much pain anytime she sees or thinks about him. After the song ends, Niles and Brianne walk back over to the hard liquor table arm-in-arm again. Michelle knows Erwin is staring at Niles and Brianne, and she knows she's no match against Brianne for Erwin's favor.
Michelle: (tries) Come on, Erwin. Let's dance.
Erwin takes another second to stare at Niles and Brianne together, and he looks back to Michelle feeling terrible for what he's about to do. Erwin knows how much Michelle likes him, he knew ever since their first year at training. Michelle tried so hard to get Erwin to notice her and to hang out with her, but he always declined as politely as he could. Erwin has absolutely no interest in courting Michelle because he knows deep in his heart that he has room in his heart for only one person, Brianne. It's always been Brianne, and he knows it always will be. Erwin knows that he'll never love anyone the way he loves Brianne because she is his first true love, and no one can replace that special bond between them.
Erwin: I...(guilty) I'm sorry, Michelle. I should have never come here with you.
Michelle: (shocked) What?
Erwin: I...I can't be the man you want me to be. I don't love you...I love someone else.
Michelle doesn't know what to say because of Erwin's hurtful yet truthful confession. She stands there like a statue, hurt badly.
Erwin: I'm sorry, Michelle.
Erwin quickly walks off to avoid talking more with Michelle, and he walks towards Brianne and Niles sitting together and chatting. They both look up at Erwin when they notice someone walking towards them. Niles looks back at Brianne and touches her hand softly. He knows Erwin won't stand still watching his love intimate with another man.
Niles: I'll leave you two to talk.
Before Brianne can protest, Niles walks off. Erwin pauses seeing Niles walk off, leaving Brianne on her own. He knows Niles is doing this to give Brianne and Erwin a chance to talk. Erwin continues walking to Brianne, and she doesn't look up at Erwin even when he stands right in front of her.
Erwin: May I take that seat?
Brianne: (truthful) I wish you wouldn't.
Erwin is quiet and hurt by Brianne's comment, but he takes the seat anyway. He knows he needs to take care of this situation before he finally ends up losing Brianne for good, which he knows can never happen or else his entire world would crash down.
Brianne: Where's your date?
Erwin doesn't answer Brianne's question.
Erwin: (confesses) Brianne...I miss you.
Brianne looks at Erwin taken aback because of his sudden confession. It makes Brianne happy that Erwin still loves her, but she's put up walls against Erwin so that he can't hurt her again.
Erwin: Isn't there anything I can do to make things better between us?
Brianne: Erwin...you hurt me so much. You weren't there when I gave birth to our daughter, you weren't there to save her from the MP, you captured my friends and forced them to join the Corps...and two of them didn't come back...
Erwin: (holds Brianne's hands tightly) Brianne, please...I just...(desperate) I want us to have what we used to have. I miss holding you and kissing you. I miss talking to you until the sun rises; I miss looking at you...I miss loving you. I love you so much.
Brianne looks away with tears in her eyes, unable to stand herself nor Erwin. She can't stand how he makes her want to smile when she's already set her mind to never have relations with Erwin again after all the pain he's put her through. Erwin truly knows what to do and say so that Brianne can't stay mad at him for a long time. Erwin reaches out and puts his hand gently on Brianne's cheek, stroking her soft skin gently with his thumb. She looks at Erwin and before she can stop herself, Brianne leans in and kisses Erwin's lips longingly to his surprise. Brianne knows that she is still madly in love with Erwin, maybe even more so after his heartwarming confession. She slowly leans away looking into Erwin's eyes, and Erwin smiles at the corner of his lips weakly. He knows that Brianne has a certain spell over him, and it seems like she's the only one that can make him smile. Erwin still loves Brianne with all his heart, and he wishes that maybe one day he could be strong enough to not show how weak he gets near her. He admits to himself as he looks at Brianne that no one else in this world understands him the way she does. He hates how much he loves Brianne because he knows he can't live without her any longer.
Brianne: (whispers) Let's get out of here.
Erwin nods, and he and Brianne leave the gala hand-in-hand. They walk on the streets together silently, and Erwin takes Brianne to his home. Erwin opens the door to his home, and the two step in. Before Erwin can open his mouth to ask if Brianne wants something to drink, she kisses him once again with even more passion and longing. Erwin falls for Brianne's touch, and the two take their business into his bedroom...
Brianne and Erwin lay in his bed awake and naked under the sheets. It's been so long since she and Erwin made love, and they made sure to last long together, finishing each other off satisfyingly. Brianne is lying on her side with her back to Erwin while Erwin is lying on his side to look at Brianne with her back to him. He puts his warm hand on Brianne's waist, moving his hand up and down to feel her soft skin on his hand. His movement sends chills down Brianne's spine, and she suddenly feels very dirty and guilty. Brianne remembers that just last night she slept with Niles who finished way before she could, and it puts her in a guilt trip. She feels like a lady-of-the-night having slept with two different men in two nights, and it just doesn't feel right being with Erwin so relaxed after having a physically satisfying night. Brianne quietly sits up in bed and she stares out the window up to the full moon. She feels Erwin move his hand to her lower back, and she glances back at him. She looks back out the window, and Erwin sits up looking at Brianne's beautiful naked back. He kisses her shoulder and the back of her neck as he wraps his arms around Brianne's waist to keep her close. Brianne gets the chills feeling Erwin's warm breath on her back while holding her tightly in his strong embrace.
Brianne: (quietly) I should go.
Erwin: ...Where?
Brianne: Back to my bed.
Erwin: Can't you stay the night with me?
Brianne: No, I shouldn't, Erwin.
Brianne looks back at Erwin, and he swipes her hair behind her shoulder so that he can see her face better. He keeps his hands on Brianne's body to make her stay with him.
Erwin: I know it's gonna take time, Brianne...but you've got to give me a chance. I can make things better.
Brianne: I know. Just...right now's not a good time.
Erwin sighs knowing he can't push Brianne. Erwin kisses Brianne on her forehead, and he holds her close to his naked body. He feels Brianne's breath against the back of his hair and neck, and it sends chills down his spine. He cherishes this moment, being able to hold Brianne flesh to flesh after such an intimate moment.
Erwin: (sighs) I'll let you borrow some clothes. I won't let you walk out in that dress this late.
Erwin picks out a few of his clothes for Brianne, and he watches her wear them sitting back in bed. He's about to get out of bed to walk Brianne out, but she stops him.
Brianne: I can get back to the castle myself.
Erwin: Are you sure you don't want to spend the night?
Brianne: Yeah, I'm sure.
Brianne puts her hand on Erwin's chest, and Erwin leans in to kiss her passionately. Brianne cuts the kiss short and walks off as Erwin watches. Erwin lays in his bed looking at the empty side of his bed where Brianne laid for just a few intimate hours. He knows that Brianne just needs some time to heal so that maybe one night she is willing to spend the night over at his place. Erwin reminisces about the times when he would spend the night in Brianne's cabin when they were both still living on the training grounds. He remembers all those nights when they'd stay up talking together till the sun rose. Even after a long physical night of making love, they'd always have the energy to stay awake together to talk and laugh about anything. Brianne and Erwin just clicked so well since the beginning, and he knows that this is a love he can't let go of because it's too precious, a love that's one in a million. He smiles to himself like a fool just thinking about Brianne.
Erwin knows he caused Brianne a lot of pain with all his selfish motives. He wasn't there when she gave birth to their daughter who was stolen by the MP, and he was the one who sent Farlan and Isabel to their graves by making them join the Corps. He knows all he's done to Brianne is wrong, and he knows he was a fool to be thinking only about himself especially with his decision to join the Scout Regiment. But he was young when he made his decision to join the Corps, wanting to avenge his father's death more than realizing that he had a great thing blossoming with Brianne. Now that he can look back on his life decisions, he regrets having chosen the Corps over Brianne, but it's a decision he'll have to live with and stick by. However, Erwin's passion for finding life beyond the Walls isn't suppressed by his desire to win Brianne back. But Erwin knows that there's no way he will have the strength to do anything if he doesn't have Brianne with him, and he's determined to help her see that they are meant to be together, to help each other through thick or thin, to love each other beyond all the pain they will experience being together.