Nimue's probably used to Merlin "missing" for a couple weeks at a time. I imagine he's prone to periods of isolation for either study or self reflection or to maybe deal with the knowledge that he's literally kind of actually a demon sort of. So right off the bat she'd just put on a big flirty "Oh hey hon look what the cat dragged in" act. But let's suppose for a second he had actually been missing. That would be a different thing entirely. (1/5)
That layer of sarcasm and selfishness that she'd spent years and years building up for herself would melt away as soon as she saw his face, and she'd do the first thing her heart told her to do. She'd slap him. Even if he was bleeding, even if he was in obvious pain already, even if he was looking up at her with pleading eyes and just hoping for one scrap of decency after being put through the most unspeakable torture, she'd slap him right in the goddamn face. (2/5)
She'd scream at him for worrying her even as she dragged his body inside and straight to the nearest bed. It wouldn't last long though. Her anger would start to melt away too but she still probably wouldn't let him get a word in edgewise. He could explain everything later. He could explain everything after she got those dirty clothes off him and after she washed away the blood and after she reaffirmed that he was alright by touch and taste. (3/5)
She might hurt him a little more then but only with nails down his back and teeth in his neck. She isn't a healer and if he needed one then gods help him but she'd try her best to make the world seem right again. For both of them. (4/5)
And then yanno maybe she'd smack him again. (5/5)
[[Honestly, he’d deserve every smack, probably. It be like that sometimes.]]