Heaven and Hell's Child

Dean Robert Winchester II had known about the supernatural most of his life. It was a bit hard not to when your is godfather a werewolf and comes to family dinners once a month. Despite this, he'd gone on a grand total of 3 hunts.

His dad, while not a strict man, could easily be classed as a mother hen. It didn't bug him that much if Dean was honest. He far preferred researching and acting as an information network for other hunters. His mom and dad seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when he'd told them that, but his dad had also looked close to tears.

"Seems we've got another Bobby," he'd joked with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

He'd asked what his dad meant, and at 15 he heard the full story of Robert "Bobby" Singer's life. He'd thought living up to his dad and uncle's reputations would be hard, but this was getting crazy! That's when he started to wonder just how many incredible people his parents had met.

"Dean, get down here! We've got guests."

Dean shook his head, perking up at the excitement in his dad's voice. Maybe Uncle Garth had come by with the twins again? His 18th birthday was today, but he was pretty sure the party was tomorrow because his mom was still out of town. Maybe she'd come home early?

"Coming," he called back as he pulled on his shirt before rushing toward the stairs. He took the steps two at a time, hitting the landing at a run.

"Careful!" his dad called out from the living room. Dean rolled his eyes as he stepped into the room.

"I'm fine, mom," he joked. His dad snorted and gestured for him to come sit down next to him on the couch.

Dean glanced at the two occupied chairs, surprised that neither of the people looked overly familiar. The man was almost as tall as his dad, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He was wearing a white button-down and dark dress slacks, with a long tan coat tossed over the arm of his chair. The woman, whose red hair was like a beacon against the muted tones of their living room, was wearing a floor-length red dress. It seemed overkill given the environment but somehow suited her perfectly. Her green eyes seemed to glow as she eyed him up and down with a smile.

"Uh, hi." He waved awkwardly as he fell next to his dad who seemed extremely at ease, and was smiling brightly.

"Well, Samual, I must say your son is everything I'd expect," the woman said.

Dean was surprised by her thick accent as his dad chuckled. "We're very proud of him," his dad said and ruffled his hair.

"Hey!" he objected, swatting at his dad's hand away.

The man across from them chuckled. "Well, why don't you introduce us, Sam?"

"I'm getting there, Cas," his dad huffed.

Dean's eyes widened as he took a second look at the dark-haired man. "Wait, Cas?" That drew the adults' attention back to him. "Cas as in Castiel? The angel Castiel?"

He couldn't keep the disbelief out of his voice. He'd grown up with stories of Castiel and his Uncle Dean. Stories of hunts, saving the world, and all the craziness they got up to, but they always ended the same; his dad alone because both Castiel and Uncle Dean had died within weeks of each other.

"Yes," his dad said gently. "That Castiel."

"But…he was dead."

The woman laughed. "Yes, well tweety bird was an honorary Winchester. They sometimes ignore inconveniences such as death."

Dean saw the smile on his dad's face waver, but it didn't fall. "Yeah, we did make a habit of that back in the day."

"Well uh…why are you here then?" Dean cautiously asked. Was something wrong? No, his dad wouldn't be happy if it was bad news.

"I think it's time for introductions, Samuel." The woman's pointed comment made his dad sigh. "Yeah. So, kiddo, I have to start with a bit of a story."

"When don't you?" Dean teased and his dad snorted.

"Hush brat. Remember the story about when Jack was born? How it opened a rift?"

"Yeah. You said that friend of yours, uh, Crowley right?" his dad nodded, but Dean heard a sharp exhale from the woman. "Yeah, Crowley sacrificed himself to close the rift."

"Right. Well, sometime after that there was a demon who kidnapped Cas in an attempt to make a deal with me and your Uncle."

His dad's tone had gone a bit cold, a clear sign this situation had aggravated him.

"Okay, but…why you? I mean, you and Uncle Dean were a big deal to hunters but why would demons care?"

"I've asked myself that for years," the woman snorted.

"Anyway," his dad said. "During that situation, I may or may not have…killed the demon and declared there would never be another King of Hell."

Dean stared at his dad, unsure how to respond. It sounded like a bad sitcom, but he'd learned over the years that the more outlandish the story was the more accurate the details his dad was giving.

"Oh-kay…" Dean dragged out. "So, what? Is this a sit down to tell me you're the King of Hell?"

Castiel laughed. "If only. I'd love to see Crowley's face if that ever came to pass." The woman chuckled, nodding in agreement.

"I am not the King of Hell, so get the idea of being a prince out of your head." Dean rolled his eyes at his dad's faux seriousness. "No, to this day there still isn't a King of Hell. I'd find out later that decree was rather binding. There is a Queen though."

His father looked pointedly at the woman across from them, and Dean glanced between them with a laugh.

"Uh, this is a joke, right? I mean, you'd have to be a-"

"A demon?" she asked, amused. "Not necessarily, child."

His dad snorted. "Dean, meet Rowena. She's the Queen of Hell, and Crowley's mother."

Dean looked between the three adults trying to gauge how serious they were. When it was clear they weren't making an elaborate joke, he exhaled sharply.

"Holy shit."

"Language," his dad warned half-heartedly. "Rowena respected my wishes and waited to meet you until now. I didn't know Cas was alive, so that was as much a surprise for me as it was for you."

"Why did you want to meet me?" Dean asked after several moments. "I mean…I'm just, me, ya know?"

"Your father is a powerful warlock in his own right, child," Rowena said gently. "I can tell you carry his gift, and your mother was no slouch with a hex bag either when it was needed."

"Is this an Obi-wan moment?" Dean asked, his throat dry. "Are you…here to take me away to join the Jedi order or something?"

"No," his dad firmly cut in. "But, I do want you to consider what Rowena has to offer."

Dean looked back to Rowena, the damn Queen of Hell, who smoothed her dress down before speaking again. "Your father flourished under my hand, in the short time I was able to coach him. So much so that I left him my trove of spellbooks when I passed."

"That spell still tried to kill me," his dad muttered. Rowena rolled her eyes, her lips quivering with a smothered smile. Dean shakily smiled back at her, and he was surprised to see her gaze soften.

"I can train you, child, and give you the means to defend yourself against any enemy that thinks targeting you would be a good way to hurt your father."

Dean blinked, trying to digest the offer fully. This still felt like one of those old Twilight episodes his dad and mom sometimes put on for family night. The offer was so damn tempting though, which made sense considering who was making the offer.

"That is also why I'm here," Castiel cut in. "There is warding I wish to pass on to you, which Sam already has. I'd also like the chance to get to know you if you're willing."

Dean looked over at his dad, hoping for some guidance. His dad smiled softly but shook his head indicating that this was all up to him. He'd grown up on stories of Bobby Singer. Of Dean Winchester and the angel Castiel. Of Crowley, Garth, Charlie, Ketch, Kevin, Claire…so many amazing people. Thinking about that, of the effect he could have on the world and the good he could do by passing on this knowledge, there was only one answer.

"Where do I sign up?"