were both

we're...

She looks like the way I picture your heroines.”

This suggests she reads his stories - which means he is now in trouble, since he wrote this...

I had wondered where you are taking this story to - and I like the way you handled it, allowing your protagonist his little adventure and moment of wild magic, and then you let him return to the real everyday world....which needs dreamers like him (and you) so that we can bear those times that challenge our attempts to hold on to our humanity.