Sorcha.

He repeats her name inside his head over and over. Trying to get the pronunciation correct. He wants to compliment on it, or at least praise her parents for a unique moniker (assuming it is even the name her parents gave her), but his nervousness prevents him from even making a single attempt. Her small hand in his causes him to feel butterflies in his stomach, and he smiles at her as his reply. In fact, he simply keeps the smile on his face as their conversation continued. When she winks at him, his face turns the brightest shade of red imagined. He looks down at his feet, staring at the little ripples the rain made in the puddles around them, nervously laughing like a love-struck boy. "I wouldn't have let them hurt you. I would have actually done something, I promise."

He feels a sense of victory that she accepts the drink offer. I haven't scared her off yet, so this is a good sign. Actually, I wonder if I should be the one scared? Other than repeating her name, he can't stop thinking about what had happened in that alley as he follows her. The way the rain seemed to target the teenagers and defy the laws of physic? And afterwards, Sorcha looked exhausted. Was she already tired before then and was Booker jumping to conclusions? Was he so desperate and looking for the supernatural that the thought of her being just another human like himself seemed impossible? How was he even going to navigate this entire situation? I can't just ask her 'hey, are you a witch or something?' I can't even flirt. Wait, was she flirting with me? Booker was slowly digging himself a pit of insecurity and worry. Those butterflies multiple in his gut and his body ached now as the adrenaline wore off. His lip stung and his nose felt tingly. Even his ribs throbbed. He fights off the pain, looking forward to numbing it. Don't over do it. Don't fuck this up. Just .. just be cool. It's just drinks and thanking her for the help.

He's so lost and going over every possible scenario inside his head that he hardly notices that she was taking him to a more residential area. When they are at the steps, it's then he looks up and every worry he had intensifies. His green eyes seem to get wide with surprise. "Um, well, to be honest, when I said I'd buy you a drink I pictured me actually buying you a drink at a bar. I'm not sure a drink at your place counts." He speaks very fast and looks at her with his cheeks still flushed. "If you insist, I trust your judge for good liquor. At least I know who to bring with me next time I wanna beat up some teenagers. Plus, I'd hate to have you get hypothermia, you know, after everything." Oh God, did I really say that? "What is this place anyways? I don't think I've been to this part of the city." If it wasn't clear to her that he wasn't use to interacting with others, especially women, Booker was successfully making it known.

Are these apartments? Wait, what is this place? This isn't actually her place, is it? Oh God, I'm such an idiot. Just shut up, just shut up you idiot. He nervously laughs and is unable to look her directly in the eyes, his heart racing a million miles. He walks up the stairs and opens the door, holding it for her and says, "You still look great, even if you're uncomfortable. Me, with my bloody nose and lip, I must look irresistible." If he sounded confident, it was just sarcasm masquerading as self-assurance. The flirting, as cheesy as it may have sounded, was genuine. "I'm sorry if this is awkward for you. I don't get out much, let alone do this. Like, getting into fights and being rescued by pretty women. Not that I can complain about it. If you feel like you have to have drinks with me or feel like you owe me it, I promise you don't. If you'd like me to just leave or if I am making you uncomfortable, just say so."

The pity and worry pit he had dug himself was finished. He had never actually bought a woman a drink before, let alone go anywhere with a stranger. Trying to find his way back into the world of Weres and Witches was taking a backseat. He was completely sure she was just a beautiful woman who found this man being tormented by kids. After being too scared to make direct eye contact, he finally does after he asks her. Eyes told the truth, and for this, he wanted to see if her eyes matched whatever her response was going to be. And what it was going to be had him ready for disappointment.