Note: Earlier this year, I came up with a headcanon that Asamad Van Ghoul likes snakes, and my friend Rose told me that it works well because Vincent Price, who Vincent Van Ghoul is based on and was voiced by, was terrified of snakes. So now, months later, I have decided to write this fic based on that. This is also the 2nd part of my "Van Ghoul" series.
Year: 37 A.D.
A now 19 year old Vincent Van Ghoul could feel the autumn breeze flowing through his cape. The setting sun could not fully escape Vincent's eyes as he and Asamad Van Ghoul traveled through the woods, returning to their home after a long day.
He hadn't noticed the smile that kept forming across his lips yet. He was too occupied with thinking about the day he just had with his lover, Mortifer Quinch, at his house.
The day was filled with nothing but joy. For Vincent and Mortifer had gotten some much needed alone time after not seeing each other for a while, mostly due to one having to help with work at home and the other having to focus on his magic studies.
Though, it wasn't just them who had their fun, Asamad and Mortifer also had continued bonding with each other on this day. Asamad had come up with the plan of beginning to teach Mortifer how to hunt, and Mortifer took interest in that, so he agreed to the idea. Though, Mortifer wasn't the only person Asamad had spent time with. Mortifer's mother and father were those he had conversations with as well.
Everyone had been pleased by the events of today, but it was Vincent who was especially delighted, as he recalled that Asamad and Mortifer were somewhat skeptical of each other when they had first met. Asamad thought that Mortifer was unfit to be Vincent's lover due to his cunning personality and his tendency to be greedy at points, while Mortifer was not exactly satisfied with the ghost's judgment of him or the fact that he was a demon known to be very dangerous. Though, with time and some convincing words from both Vincent and Esmeralda, the two had started to get along.
Vincent came out of his thoughts as he heard Asamad speak.
"Ah, look who's still thinking about Mortifer," he commented, rolling his eyes.
Vincent turned to him and arched an eyebrow.
"And how would you know that?" the young warlock asked.
"You have not stopped smiling ever since we left the house."
"Oh." Vincent let out. "I hadn't noticed…"
"I thought so," Asamad said.
"I should tell you, Mortifer and I had a discussion while we were sitting by the river today, and I think someday we will get married."
Asamad's eyes widened and he stopped in his tracks, then turned around.
"Marriage!? Did he propose? You both are too young for that!" he exclaimed.
"No, not right now!" Vincent responded. "When we are older, of course. We do not even know for certain if we will get married, however, we know that we both want to."
"I will not condemn whatever makes you content, you know this, and that includes the idea of you marrying Mortifer in the years to come," he nodded. "I believe that he is a good man for you. I thought we would start having these discussions once you were a bit older, though, I am glad you know what you want and so does he. It may change as you both grow older, or it may not, though, either way is alright."
"Thank you," Vincent smiled and nodded, and the two continued walking.
Asamad looked up at a tree, and his eyes widened again as he heard a hiss come from the top of one of the branches.
"Ah, it is a snake, my favorite animal!" he grinned, making his way over to the tree.
"A snake!?" Vincent screamed.
The red demon took the snake down from the branch, now holding it in his arms, looking up to find Vincent shivering and taking steps back with fear.
"Get that thing away from me right now, Asamad!" Vincent quavered. "You know that I am terrified of snakes more than anyone else!"
"Yes, I know you are, however, as I told you many times, most snakes shall not harm you, I promise," he assured him. "I would never let any snake harm you."
"That is right, you would never," the young man nodded and smiled. He then took a few more steps back, still shivering. "I will leave you alone to spend time with the snake as I run back home."
"No, you shall not go anywhere just because you fear snakes," Asamad told him. "My words are not enough to fully convince you that most snakes are harmless, are they?"
Vincent shook his head.
"Perhaps you would need to hold one to see for yourself then," he decided.
Vincent's heart started racing, and he immediately shut his eyes and shook his head once more repeatedly.
"Absolutely not! No!" he refused. "I will not hold that thing in any lifetime!"
"Oh please, just this once. If you do not want to do it for yourself, then do it for me at least?" Asamad requested.
The warlock stood still for a moment and sighed.
"Very well then, I shall hold the snake," he finally agreed. "However, only for a moment, then you must take it back from me after."
"You have my word," the ghost answered. "And I shall stay close by so that you feel safe."
He passed the snake over, and Vincent couldn't help but wince as he took the snake in his arms.
It quietly hissed as they both watched it move in his arms for a moment, while the leaves from the tree above fell onto Vincent's shoulders.
The snake then started to get comfortable soon enough, wrapping itself around Vincent's shoulders and neck, with Vincent shivering again, and Asamad having to put his hand on his back for comfort.
They both watched as the snake relaxed itself, eventually stopping completely, and just sitting on Vincent's shoulders.
"I told you it would bring no harm," Asamad smiled. "I even think it likes you."
"I believe you now," Vincent smiled. "And I suppose I feel better about this particular snake. Though, I am still terrified, so I would prefer to have this snake off of me now."
"Of course," he said, taking the snake off of Vincent's shoulders and putting it on the ground, letting it slither away.
He then looked back at Vincent.
"I think with time and more exposure, you shall eventually conquer your fear."
More leaves then fell from the tree as they continued their journey back home.
