The soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains of Evelyn's apartment, casting a gentle glow across the room. For a moment, I allowed myself to bask in the warmth of her presence beside me, her steady breathing a comforting rhythm in the quiet morning. It was a rare moment of peace in our chaotic world, and I found myself reluctant to disturb it.

With a silent sigh, I carefully extricated myself from the tangle of sheets and Evelyn's limbs. She stirred slightly but didn't wake, her face peaceful in sleep. I couldn't help but pause, taking in the sight of her. Even after all we'd been through, she still managed to look beautiful, her dark hair spread across the pillow like a halo.

I dressed quickly, my movements automatic after years of military discipline. As I buttoned my shirt, my eyes fell on the small, velvet box sitting on the nightstand. The ring inside felt like a promise and a burden all at once. I'd been carrying it for days now, waiting for the right moment – if such a thing existed in our world.

Shaking off the thought, I made my way to the kitchen. The familiar routine of making tea helped ground me, the scent of black tea leaves filling the air as I waited for the water to boil. I leaned against the counter, my mind already racing with the tasks that lay ahead. There was so much to do, so many threats to face.

A loud, insistent knocking at the door shattered the morning quiet. I tensed, my hand instinctively reaching for a weapon that wasn't there.

"Evieee, come on open up, you can't stay in there forever!" Hange's voice, far too cheerful for this hour, echoed through the apartment.

I glanced towards the bedroom, but Evelyn showed no signs of stirring. With a resigned sigh, I moved to answer the door.

Hange's grin widened as they saw me. "Levi! You're here, that's good. I need to speak with you regarding Erwin's new orders."

I stepped aside, allowing Hange to enter. "Keep your voice down," I muttered. "Evelyn's still asleep."

"Anyway," Hange continued, mercifully lowering their voice, "Erwin's set up a nice little cabin for you as we continue to train Eren to use his titan. He also wants you to look after Evelyn and Historia in case the Reiss family comes after them."

I felt my jaw tighten at the mention of the Reiss family. The revelation of Evelyn's true identity had shaken us all, but I knew it had hit her the hardest. To learn that your entire life was built on lies... I couldn't imagine the weight of that knowledge.

"Oh, and Erwin wants you to sort out the files for your new squad," Hange added, almost as an afterthought.

The words hit me like a physical blow. My new squad. Because my old one was gone, wiped out in a single, brutal moment. I could still see their faces. The guilt and grief threatened to overwhelm me, but I pushed it down. There was no time for that now.

"How's she doing?" Hange asked, their voice uncharacteristically gentle. "I can't imagine how she feels knowing that her whole life is based on lies in some grand plot that we don't even fully understand."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "She's... coping. It's not easy, but Evelyn's strong. She'll get through this."

Hange nodded, then their eyes lit up as they spotted something on a nearby shelf. Before I could stop them, they had snatched up Evelyn's sketchbook and begun flipping through it.

"Hange," I warned, my voice low. "Put that down. It's private."

But Hange was already engrossed in the pages, their eyes widening with each turn. "These are incredible, Levi! Did you know she could draw like this?"

I moved to take the book from them, but Hange danced away, still flipping through the pages. "Oh, look at this one of you! She's really captured your perpetual scowl."

"Hange," I growled, finally managing to snatch the book away. "Enough."

They held up their hands in surrender, but their grin remained. "Alright, alright. But you have to admit, it's sweet. She's got quite a talent."

A soft noise from the bedroom cut them off. I tensed, listening intently. A moment later, Evelyn's voice drifted out, thick with sleep. "Levi?"

"I should go," Hange said, their voice dropping to a whisper. "Remember, Erwin wants you both at the cabin by nightfall. And Levi... be careful. We still don't know everything about her situation."

I nodded curtly, watching as Hange slipped out the door. As it closed behind them, I turned towards the bedroom, steeling myself for the conversation ahead.

Evelyn was sitting up in bed when I entered, her dark hair tousled from sleep. She looked vulnerable in the soft morning light, a far cry from the composed soldier she presented to the world. "Was that Hange I heard?"

I nodded, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. "They had some new orders from Erwin. We're being relocated to a cabin for a while."

Her brow furrowed. "A cabin? Why?"

"Officially, it's to continue Eren's titan training. Unofficially..." I hesitated, weighing my words carefully. "Erwin thinks it might be safer for you and Historia to be out of sight for a while. In case the Reiss family tries anything."

Evelyn's face hardened at the mention of the Reiss name. "I don't need to be babysat," she said, her voice sharp with frustration.

I watched as she got out of bed and started to get dressed, her movements quick and agitated. "I have more important things to attend to," she continued. "I'm going to get my own answers. I'm going to my office. With a little luck, I might find Jake, though I bet he's probably long gone with his other Titan friends by now."

I stood up, my own frustration rising. "You're coming with me whether you want to or not, Evelyn. This isn't up for debate."

Her eyes flashed dangerously. "Have I lost my own free will suddenly? Or did Erwin convince Nile I'm too dangerous to be left on my own?"

The accusation stung, but I kept my face impassive. "This isn't about control, Evelyn. It's about keeping you safe while we figure out what's going on."

"Fine," she spat, glaring at me. "I'll go with you, asshole. But don't think about bossing me around like I'm a member of your squad."

The ride to the cabin was tense and silent. Evelyn rode ahead, her back rigid with anger. I kept a watchful eye on our surroundings, alert for any signs of danger. The forest grew denser as we traveled, the trees closing in around us like silent sentinels.

As we approached the cabin, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. I scanned the treeline, searching for any sign of movement, but saw nothing. Still, the unease lingered.

Once at the cabin, Evelyn quickly dismounted her horse, grabbing her bag and striding towards the cabin without a backward glance. She disappeared inside, the door slamming behind her.

I took my time securing the horses and bringing in our supplies. By the time I entered the cabin, Evelyn had already shut herself in one of the bedrooms. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. This was going to be a long assignment.

As night fell, I found myself sitting by the fireplace, a cup of tea cooling in my hands. The flames cast flickering shadows across the room, reminding me of the ever-shifting nature of our world. Nothing was certain, nothing was safe.