<div class="floatleft">(https://38.media.tumblr.com/be2f943855f2049d54336e5c844d0d55/tumblr_n6jiuvUzIw1r6n0wko1_400.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong>David Stryker<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Bedroom<br/><strong>Tagged:</strong>Paige, Anna, Sophie, OPEN<br/><br/><hr/><br/><br/>His attempt to let his troubles melt away under the covers didn't work.  Instead of going back to sleep, letting himself slip off into that beautiful realm of unconsciousness, all David could do was to lay there in the darkness of his room, staring off into the shadows.  It was stupid, foolish, to think he'd be able to rest, especially after getting on the computer to see how things were shaping up when it came to work.  It was hard enough to get rest at night, between the anxiety and sheer gloom that kept him company at night, what made him think he'd be able to get a little late morning nap in was beyond him.<br/><br/>The curtains were opened once again, and after dressing simply enough in a pair of comfortable shorts and a simple, plain t-shirt, he found himself sitting on the edge of the bed, staring into the reflection of himself in the mirror, trying to put a smile on his face.<br/><br/>A fake smile...  It was something he was used to doing when it came to work.  Dealing with clients, dealing with momentous assholes who seemed entitled to treating others like shit, David had learned to put on a fake smile, to hide the anger and frustration.  He shook hands with people he'd rather strangle with a smile on his face.  Being around family, back in the house he thought he was done with for good, was another occasion which called for the faking of smiles, of putting the emotion which buried the pain and troubles he carried with him.<br/><br/>He would make his way down in time, passing through the quiet house.  Down into the living room, he caught sight of Paige, stretched out and going to town in her sketchpad with her drawings.  “Already at it, huh?” He asked with a smirk as he went by, proceeding right into the kitchen where he was greeted by the sight of his Sister and Cousin.<br/><br/>In a way, he felt as if he could sympathize with the cousin he barely knew.  A small comfort to know he wasn't the only one excited to be there in the house.  They had that in common, at least.  There was, however, Ana to help make up for the discomfort for him which came with having to come back home.  “Morning, Ladies.” He greeted, putting on the faked, soft smile as he sat down at the kitchen table, using what will power he had left to resist the temptation to reach over for the newspaper that sat upon the table, telling himself over and over again he needed to give it a damned rest for a bit.