The hotel lobby was dimly lit with warm golds and deep shadows, the quiet hum of late-night chatter spilling from the bar just around the corner. You walked in through the rotating doors, the night air still clinging to your clothes—skin warmed by neon lights and city breeze. Heels in your hand, makeup smudged just enough to say you had a good time. You weren’t expecting much when you turned the corner into the bar, just a quick glance to see if your dad was still up.

And there he was—your father, sitting at the far end of the bar, his signature black jacket slung over the chair, drink in hand. On either side of him sat Jared Padalecki, leaning back in a laugh, and—Jensen Ackles.

Time stalled for half a second.

He looked almost exactly the same… yet somehow not. His beard was a little fuller now, his eyes sharper with age and experience, but he still wore that familiar flannel and leather combo like it was armor.

They hadn’t seen you yet.

You walked over, still a few feet away when your dad looked up and smiled, nudging Jensen and Jared both.

“Look who finally made it back,” your dad said, voice gruff but proud.

Jared turned first, beaming. “Hey, kid!” he said like it hadn’t been a decade. Like you weren’t all grown up now.

But Jensen… he turned slowly. His gaze caught yours, lingered, locked.

And then something flickered in his expression—recognition, surprise… something else. You were no longer that twelve-year-old who tagged along to set in oversized headphones and juice boxes. You were a woman now. And judging by the quiet shift in his body language, he noticed.

“Damn,” he said, rising slightly from his stool with a small shake of the head and a half-smile. “When did this happen?”

You smirked, brushing a loose strand of hair behind your ear. “About ten years ago. You just weren’t looking.”

Your dad chuckled, waving to the bartender for another round.

His eyes held a glint—amused, maybe a little curious. And just a little stunned by the version of you standing in front of him.

You dropped your shoes to the floor, sliding onto the empty stool beside your dad. Jensen sat back down, still glancing your way.

The conversation picked up around you—familiar, easy, nostalgic.

But his gaze lingered.

And suddenly, the night didn’t feel quite so over. Not yet..