Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or its characters - these were created by Eric Kripke - I'm just borrowing them. I'm not making any commercial gain. No harm or infringement intended.

E/O Challenge: This Might Sting. 3 x 100-word drabbles with a sting in their tail. #1: Sam can't believe what he's hearing. #2: John discovers that children inherit their parents' patterns of behavior. #3: Sometimes we don't even recognize ourselves.

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Tales With Stingers

"They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months." - Revelation 9:10

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A/N: Sam can't believe what he's hearing.

Oiled Up

"There's always time for lubricant" - Evolution [2001]

Sam had carried the phone out to the barn and was just about to call for Bobby when he caught the sound of hushed voices.

"Sure you want me do this, Dean?"

"I'm sure. It's been way too long."

"Don't worry, I'll be gentle," Bobby chuckled.

"Yeah, this might sting..."

"Oh my God! How could you?!" screamed Sam, running to hide in the panic room.

"Huh? What's his deal?" grumbled Bobby as he struggled with the Impala's oil filter.

"Who knows? Anyway, as I was saying... this synthetic oil might sting the wallet, but only the best for my Baby."

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A/N: John discovers that children inherit their parents' patterns of behavior. Set pre-series.

The Sting in the Tale

"This might sting a little," warned the nurse as she prepped the lidocaine injection. She watched with bemusement as John leapt like a scalded cat and fled from the ER.

Fifteen years later...

Sam helped his brother hobble to the tattered couch. "I don't know, Dean. That gash in your leg looks pretty bad. I really think you should go see a doctor."

Dean took a deep pull from a bottle of whiskey, before holding it up in salute. "This is how a real man does it, yeah Dad?"

"That's my boy," sighed John, past the lump in his throat.

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A/N: Sometimes we don't even recognize ourselves. My crackpot idea about who Death might really be and why he keeps choosing to help. Set well into the future.

Where, O Death, Is Your Sting?

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" - 1 Corinthians 15:55

"It's not the end you know," said Death.

Dean snorted. "Seems pretty final to me."

"Really? After all I've done?" Death chuckled in amusement, taking a bite of cheeseburger.

Castiel appeared with the sound of fluttering wings. "Sorry, I'm late." His embarrassed gaze switched between Dean and Death.

"I got you those burgers you like," said Death with a shy smile as he passed a take-out bag to the angel.

"Cas?"

"This might sting, Dean, but you won't always be human and you won't always be restricted to linear time."

Dean's stomach dropped as Death gave a strangely familiar smirk.

(;,;)