Quentin is... he's always loved classical fantasy tropes? So, yeah. Damsel in distress is in there somewhere, along with Being A Hero and Sacrificing For The People You Love.

He's the kind of guy who feels vaguely superior to most people due to intellect and inferior about everything else. He wished for magic so hard, and even after finding it, it still wasn't enough. Canon is confusing and a hot mess, because while magic is good and amazing and wonderful, it ever actually solves anything. It just makes things worse, but it's still amazing? Quentin is a nerd with a big heart, who wants to fix things. All the things.

So... throw your murder-girl at him!