Dominic hadn't slept the night before. He hadn't even gone home, actually. He knew he needed to and he would soon. He wanted to see his parents and sister again, but last night he hadn't been in the state of mind to show up on the doorstep of parents who thought he was dead. It was bad enough seeing the girlfriend who thought he was dead and was now engaged to someone else. Another man stole her from him. That was how he felt. He wanted her back, but he knew it was too late.
Dominic Clearwater was a broken man. Heartache wasn't why he was here, though. After his heartbreaking revelation, Hayden took him back to see Dawlish, who demanded that all of the aurors who spent time overseas visit the hospital for a physical before returning to work. Dominic hated going to the healer and this was no different. Wasn't the physical that got him into the auror academy in the first place enough?
He sighed softly sitting in the cold room, waiting for his healer to arrive. He wanted to be done with the physical so he could go off somewhere and mourn. Maybe he'd even show up at home tonight. Hayden was bound to tell his family she'd found him eventually. Maybe she already had. Dominic hadn't seen Hayden since she walked out of the Ministry resigning. He didn't know what was going through that beautiful blonde head of hers. Stop torturing yourself, Clearwater. She was beautiful, though. He'd be a fool to not admit it.
The night had been spent thinking, far too much. He'd visited many of his old haunts. Places he hadn't seen in nine years, some even longer than that. The memories had filled him, bittersweet ones. He hated that he still loved Hayden almost as much as he hated that she didn't. Why was he being forced to get over the one he'd spent years crushing on before finally doing something about it. No, he couldn't take credit. He'd been too weak to tell Hayden he loved her. Penelope was responsible for that and he'd always love her for it. Dominic smiled softly at the thought. He couldn't have asked for a better sister.