The soft light of dawn crept through the curtains of Evelyn's apartment, casting a warm glow across the room. I stirred, my eyes slowly adjusting to the unfamiliar surroundings. For a moment, I felt disoriented, the comfort of the bed a stark contrast to the harsh realities we usually faced. Then, as consciousness fully took hold, I realized something was different. Evelyn wasn't beside me.

I sat up, my senses immediately on alert. It wasn't like her to be up before me. Years of living in the underground and countless battles had honed my instincts, making me wary of any deviation from the norm. But as I listened, I could hear the faint sounds of movement coming from the kitchen. The scent of freshly brewed tea wafted through the air, rich and familiar. It was the expensive blend I favored, a luxury I rarely indulged in.

Curious and slightly bemused, I pulled on my shirt and made my way towards the kitchen. There, I found Evelyn, her back to me as she stood at the counter. Her long, raven hair cascaded down her back, catching the early morning light. She was humming softly, a tune I vaguely recognized from our days in the underground.

"Well, this is a surprise," I said, my voice still rough with sleep. "I never thought I'd see the day when you'd be up before me."

Evelyn turned, a smile playing on her lips. "I'm full of surprises, Levi," she teased, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "I got that fancy rich people tea you're so fond of."

She handed me a steaming cup, and I inhaled deeply, savoring the aroma. It was perfect, brewed exactly the way I liked it. I took a sip, letting the warmth spread through me. "Not bad," I admitted, though we both knew it was high praise coming from me.

Evelyn leaned against the counter, twirling a deck of playing cards in her hand. "Maybe you can finally teach me how to cheat at poker like you promised all those years ago," she mused, waving the cards in front of me.

I raised an eyebrow, memories of late nights in dingy underground bars flooding back. "I thought you'd forgotten about that," I said, a hint of amusement in my voice. "Besides, I'm pretty sure you've picked up a few tricks of your own by now."

She laughed, the sound light and carefree. It was a rare moment of levity, one I wanted to hold onto for as long as possible. "Maybe," she conceded, "but I'm sure you still have a few secrets up your sleeve."

I set my cup down and moved closer to her, drawn by the warmth in her eyes. "I might," I said, my voice low. "But they'll cost you."

Evelyn's smile widened as she closed the distance between us. "Oh? And what's your price, Captain?"

I cupped her face in my hands, marveling at how soft her skin felt despite the hardships we'd endured. "This," I murmured, before pressing my lips to hers.

The kiss was gentle at first, a stark contrast to the intensity that usually defined our relationship. But as Evelyn's arms wound around my neck, it deepened, becoming something more urgent, more desperate. It was as if we were both acutely aware of how fleeting these moments of peace were.

When we finally broke apart, both slightly breathless, Evelyn rested her forehead against mine. "We should probably eat something," she said, though she made no move to pull away. "I made breakfast."

I glanced over her shoulder, noticing for the first time the spread on the table. Fresh bread, eggs, and even some fruit – luxuries we rarely had time for. "You've been busy," I observed, impressed despite myself.

Evelyn shrugged, "I wanted us to enjoy a proper meal for once. Who knows when we'll get another chance?"

After breakfast, true to her earlier suggestion, Evelyn pulled out the deck of cards. "So, about those poker tricks," she said, a challenging glint in her eye.

I couldn't help but smirk. "Alright, pay attention. I'm only going to show you this once."

For the next hour, I taught Evelyn the finer points of cheating at poker. She was a quick study, her nimble fingers easily mastering the sleight of hand techniques I showed her. As we played, I found myself marveling at how natural this felt – sitting across from her, cards in hand, the weight of our responsibilities temporarily lifted.

"You know," Evelyn said, as she successfully pulled off a particularly tricky move, "I think I might be better at this than you now."

I scoffed, but there was no real heat behind it. "Don't get cocky, brat. You've still got a lot to learn."

Evelyn flicked a card at me, grinning. "You're an ass, Levi," she teased.

The moment of peace was broken by a knock at the door. As Evelyn stood to answer it, I caught her arm. "You might want to put some clothes on first," I said, my eyes traveling over her form. She was wearing nothing but one of my dress shirts, the hem barely skimming her thighs and her black lace underwear.

Evelyn looked down, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" she asked, a hint of defiance in her voice.

I raised an eyebrow. "Nothing, if you want to give whoever's at the door a show."

She rolled her eyes but headed to the bedroom. "Fine, I'll change. You answer the door, Mr. Propriety."

I nodded, moving towards the door as Evelyn disappeared into the bedroom. Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself for whatever was waiting on the other side. When I opened the door, I was surprised to find Commander Nile Dok standing there, his expression a mix of surprise and discomfort upon seeing me.

"Captain Levi?" he asked, confusion evident in his voice.

I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, enjoying his discomfort perhaps a little too much. "Commander Dok," I greeted, my tone neutral. "This is an unexpected visit."

Nile cleared his throat, clearly trying to regain his composure. "I'm here to speak with Scarlet," he said, his eyes darting past me into the apartment. "Is she here?"

Before I could answer, Evelyn appeared behind me, now fully dressed in her uniform. "I'm here, Commander," she said, her voice crisp and professional. "What can I do for you?"

Nile's eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the scene before him, but he quickly schooled his features into a neutral expression. "I have news," he said, his tone clipped and professional. "You're unsuspended, Scarlet. Wall Rose has been breached. You and Jake are to resume overseeing Eren with Captain Levi."

"Understood, sir," Evelyn said, her voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "When do we leave?"

"Immediately," Nile replied. "Report to headquarters for a full briefing. And..." he hesitated for a moment, his discomfort returning. "There's a woman with glasses running around looking for you, Captain. She seems... rather enthusiastic."

I suppressed a groan. Hange. Of course.

As Nile left, Evelyn and I exchanged a look. The brief moment of peace we'd shared was over. It was time to face the harsh reality of our world once again.

~

As we approached the building, Hange strode up to us, her eyes wild with excitement behind her glasses. "Well, you two sure took your time," she said, her voice brimming with barely contained energy. "Erwin's inside waiting for you."

Evelyn took a deep breath. "Well, we're here now," she said, her voice tinged with resignation. "Get a cart ready and give Eren a boot up the ass if he's still sleeping off his injuries."

I nodded in agreement, then turned to Hange. "Any idea what we're walking into?"

Hange's expression sobered slightly. "It's bad, Levi. Really bad. But Erwin will fill you in on the details."

With a sense of foreboding, we entered the building. As we approached Erwin's office, I couldn't help but mutter, "Ugh, why can't the sons of bitches give us a moment's peace?"

Erwin turned away from the window as we entered, his face grave. "I thought you'd be bored with all the free time on your hands," he said, his attempt at humor falling flat in the tense atmosphere.

A soldier standing in the corner spoke up, his voice filled with misplaced pride. "If I may say so, Commander, it was a very wise choice to put Mike in charge of the 104th. If anyone can handle the Titans in that area, he can."

Erwin glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "Yes, let's hope so," he said, then turned to look out the window once more.

"You don't sound too sure about that," Evelyn stated, her eyes narrowing. "If you think he needs help out there, I'll go find him on my own."

I shot her a warning look. Her impulsiveness could be dangerous, especially now. But before I could say anything, Erwin turned back to us, his eyes hard with determination.

"That won't be necessary, Scarlet," Erwin said, his voice firm.

I felt Evelyn stiffen beside me, her voice sharp when she spoke. "You don't sound too sure about that. If you think he needs help out there, I'll go find him on my own."

I shot her a warning look, but she ignored me, her chin lifted in defiance. Erwin turned back to us, his eyes hard with determination.

"That won't be necessary, Scarlet," he said, his voice firm.

"I wasn't asking for your permission," Evelyn scoffed. "I don't work for you."

She turned to leave, her determination evident in every line of her body. "I'm going to find Mike," she declared.

Without thinking, I reached out and grabbed the back of her collar, pulling her back. "Hey, let me go!" she exclaimed, struggling against my grip.

Erwin cleared his throat, his voice cutting through the tension. "Find Hange. Take Eren and his friends to Ehrmich for their deployment. Oh, and you'll be taking Pastor Nick with you."

I nodded, my hand still firmly gripping Evelyn's collar as I dragged her out of the office.

As I held her back, I couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and exasperation. Evelyn's loyalty and bravery were admirable, but her impulsiveness could be dangerous. As we stood there, poised on the brink of another battle, I knew that keeping her safe would be just as challenging as facing the Titans themselves.

~

The pre-dawn chill added to the somber atmosphere as we arrived at the meeting point later that day. Both Evelyn and I were in casual clothes, a stark contrast to the gravity of the situation we were about to face. As we approached, I spotted Jake, Hange, and an unfamiliar figure – a pastor – waiting for us.

I noticed Jake's eyes narrow slightly as he saw Evelyn and me arriving together. There was a tension in his posture that set me on edge, but I pushed the feeling aside. We had more pressing matters to deal with.

Hange, oblivious to the tension, enthusiastically bounded over to us, her arm thrown casually over the shoulders of the pastor. "Here's my dear friend Pastor Nick," she exclaimed, her voice too loud for the early hour. "I thought I'd show him the sights!"

Beside me, Evelyn stifled a yawn, her patience visibly wearing thin. "Hange, stop shouting in my ear," she grumbled, rubbing her temples.

I turned my attention to Pastor Nick, noting the way his eyes fixed on Evelyn. There was a flicker of recognition in his gaze, quickly masked, but it didn't escape my notice. Instinctively, I shifted my position, placing myself between Evelyn and the pastor.

Hange, still brimming with energy despite the hour, informed us that Eren and his friends, Mikasa and Armin, were waiting in the courtyard.

In the courtyard, we found Eren, Mikasa, and Armin standing in a tight cluster, their faces etched with worry and determination. As we approached, the tension in the air thickened. I noticed the way Mikasa positioned herself protectively near Eren, mirroring my earlier stance with Evelyn.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Hange called out with a wave, her cheerfulness feeling out of place in the somber atmosphere.

Armin's eyes widened as they landed on Pastor Nick. "He's a priest from the order of the walls," he said, his voice a mix of awe and confusion.

I glanced at Evelyn, catching the slight furrow of her brow. She met my gaze, and I saw the same questions reflected in her eyes that were running through my mind. What was a priest doing here? And why did he seem to recognize Evelyn?

~

Evelyn's Perspective:

The cart jolted beneath us as we rode through the night, the darkness pressing in from all sides. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the creaking of wheels and the occasional snort from the horses. I sat wedged between Levi and Jake, acutely aware of the tension radiating from both of them.

Jake was the first to break the silence, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "So, what's the deal with the priest? I thought we were here to check out the breach, not attend a wedding."

I rolled my eyes, but before I could retort, Hange's eyes lit up with that manic gleam I'd come to both admire and fear.

"Ah, well, you see, Pastor Nick here wasn't exactly surprised to learn about the titans within the walls," she said, leaning forward conspiratorially. "Erwin wanted me to show him the reality of what happens when titans breach the walls. I think he might have some juicy secrets to share."

I felt Eren stiffen beside me, his voice rising with barely contained fury. "Wait, wait, back up. You're telling me this guy knew? He knew and he kept quiet?"

Hange's enthusiasm dimmed slightly as she glanced at the pastor. "I'm afraid so, Eren. The cat's out of the bag now, of course, but his faith has kept him silent all this time."

Eren's face contorted with rage, his voice echoing in the confined space of the cart. "To hell with that! If this son of a bitch knows something, he needs to come out with it!"

I watched, my heart racing, as Levi reached for his firearm without a word. The metallic click of the gun being cocked seemed to echo in the sudden silence. He pointed it directly at Pastor Nick's head, his voice eerily calm as he spoke.

"There's more than one way to get at the truth," he said, his gaze unwavering. "Granted, I may not be in top form at the moment, but it doesn't take much strength to squeeze a trigger. That said, I'm genuinely hoping I won't have to blow a hole in you to settle this. How about you?"

I held my breath, torn between admiration for Levi's ruthless efficiency and a gnawing worry about what secrets the pastor might be hiding. Hange, her usual enthusiasm dampened by the gravity of the situation, quickly intervened.

"Threatening him doesn't work, Levi," she said, her voice tinged with a rare note of seriousness. "Believe me, I've tried."

As the tension in the cart reached a fever pitch, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were on the precipice of something monumental. Whatever secrets Pastor Nick was hiding, I was determined to uncover them – for the sake of humanity.

Levi's Perspective:

I lowered the gun, my jaw clenched in frustration. The pastor's stubborn silence was grating on my last nerve, and I could feel the others' impatience radiating through the cramped space of the cart.

"Tch," I clicked my tongue, holstering the weapon. "If threats won't work, we'll find another way. But make no mistake, old man, we will get the truth out of you."

I turned my attention to Hange. "Hey, four-eyes," I said, my voice laced with a hint of sarcasm. "Since when are you a geologist? Or are rocks just that fascinating? Looks like you're about to drool."

Hange's expression grew serious, her usual enthusiasm tempered by the gravity of the situation. "It's not a rock, Levi," she said. "It's a piece of the female titan's skin. And it seems to be the same material as the walls."

Armin's voice was barely above a whisper, his eyes shining with a mixture of awe and trepidation. "It didn't disappear?" he murmured, the unspoken question lingering in the air.

Hange shook her head, her expression grim. "No, it didn't. And that's what's so concerning."

~

The cart rumbled to a halt on the outskirts of Ehrmich, the wheels grinding against the uneven cobblestones. I ignored the protest of my injured leg as I stood, my eyes fixed on Pastor Nick. The old man's face was a mask of fear and resignation. Good. He needed to understand the gravity of our situation.

"Time for your grand tour, Nick," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. Without ceremony, I planted my foot on his back and shoved him off the wagon. He stumbled, nearly falling face-first onto the dirty street.

Hange, ever the enthusiast, beamed at Eren, Mikasa, and Armin. Her eyes sparkled with that manic energy that always made me uneasy. "Alright, you three," she chirped, "let's get you all geared up!"

As she ushered the young trio away, I kept my steely gaze fixed on the pastor. My body was tense, ready for any potential threat. These were dangerous times, and I'd be damned if I let my guard down now.

From behind me, I heard Jake's sardonic drawl. "Well, I guess we'll just have to take Nick here to church and pray the titans away." His attempt at levity couldn't quite mask the underlying tension in his voice.

I didn't bother to respond. Instead, I grabbed Nick's arm and started marching him down the street. The sounds of panic and desperation filled the air, a cacophony of human suffering that set my teeth on edge.

As we made our way through Ehrmich, the full impact of the titan breach hit home. Everywhere I looked, scenes of chaos unfolded. Families torn apart, children wailing for lost parents, the elderly struggling to find shelter. The stench of fear was palpable, mixing with the acrid smell of smoke and debris.

I watched Nick closely as we walked. His eyes were wide, darting from one horrific scene to the next. He stumbled, muttering incoherently about sins and punishment. I could see his composure crumbling with each step.

"This is what happens when the walls give," I said, my voice cold and cutting. I gestured to the pandemonium around us. "If the church had its way, this would be all of us. Everyone slowly devoured by the titans." I leaned in close, my words barely above a whisper. "Is that what the church wants, Nick?"

He flinched, unable to meet my gaze. "N-no, of course not," he stammered. "We... we're trying to protect humanity."

"Bullshit," I spat. "You're protecting your own asses and your precious secrets." I yanked him forward, forcing him to look at a group of children huddled in a doorway, their eyes wide with terror. "Look at them, Nick. Really look. This is the cost of your silence."

For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of genuine remorse in the old man's eyes. But it was quickly replaced by that infuriating stubbornness. "You don't understand," he muttered. "There are things... truths that must remain hidden."

I was about to retort when a commotion down the street caught my attention. A group of Military Police officers were struggling to maintain order as a crowd of refugees pushed forward, desperate for food and shelter.

"Tch," I clicked my tongue in disgust. "Useless as always." I turned to Jake, who had been silently observing our exchange. "Keep an eye on the priest. I need to sort this out."

As I strode towards the chaos, I caught sight of Evelyn out of the corner of my eye. She was helping an elderly woman find a place to rest, her face a mask of determination. For a moment, our eyes met, and I saw a flicker of something in her gaze – a mix of fear and resolve that mirrored my own feelings.

I pushed those thoughts aside. There was work to be done. The titans may have breached the wall, but I'd be damned if I let humanity crumble from within. As I approached the unruly crowd, I steeled myself for what was to come. This was just the beginning of our fight, and I intended to see it through to the bitter end.

"Oi!" I barked, my voice cutting through the din. "Get your shit together! We're all in this mess, so start acting like it!"

The crowd fell silent, all eyes turning to me. Good. At least fear still held some sway. As I began barking orders, organizing the chaos into some semblance of order, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the calm before an even greater storm. Whatever secrets the walls held, whatever truths Nick and his church were hiding, I knew one thing for certain: humanity's survival hung by a thread, and I'd cut through anyone or anything that threatened to sever it.