The reminder of alternate realities formed a crack in his stubbornness that doubt and curiosity rapidly filled. Exactly what he’d been trying to prevent.

He raised an eyebrow again at this threat, it was more warning this time, protective of others, which gave him pause. And then her eyes flashed, and something about it hit hard and he stumbled a single step back, looking away.

“I-I’m not a threat to them.” He debated a long moment. Which would cause more harm, antagonizing her if this wasn’t an illusion or playing along if it was? He was starting to lean towards the former. “I thought… you were an illusion from an enemy,” he said then, rubbing the back of his neck.