Lucas leaves the kids with Amy and Isabell after talking with the kids for a bit. They wanted him to pose like the people in cartoons where their muscles bulged. It was mostly Oz since he watched the superhero ones.
But Lucas mainly did it because Amy and Isabell were trying to become tomatoes with how hard they were blushing. He did stop after the 4th pose though since there was something he needed to do.
After leaving the kids and babysitters he went to his tent and grabbed a shirt. He decided to clean himself later after the women finished doing the laundry. He didn't mind the comments, but he'd rather not cause any more trouble with Ed than needed. Sure he could put Ed in his place, but Lucas didn't want to hurt the guy…. Too bad without a reason.
Lucas goes over to the supply tent and sees the guys sorting through the supplies. Shane was going through spam.
"You seem to be good at this Shane. Did you go through the offices emails or something?" Lucas jokes.
Shane stops sorting. "So glad you arrived. Now you can help with the spam" He stands up. "Did you really have to grab all of the damn stuff?"
There was lots of spam.
Lucas scratches the back of his head. "I just grabbed boxes….."
Shane shakes his head. "Food idle food" He sighs. "So, what did you need?"
"Was wondering if we wanted to train people how to defend themselves. At least" Lucas looks at the other guys. "I mean, everyone should at least know how to kill a walker if worst comes to worst. We have weapons, and the time to teach people. Plus I would also like to reccomend we do exercises for everyone to get in better shape. Just because the walkers walk doesn't mean we should too. Worse case scenario we need to be able to run from the giant groups of walkers. Plus being in better shape would not only increase everyone's survival chance but also increases everyone's happiness. I've looked at the studies that say working out helps increase the bodies-"
Shane holds up his right hand. "I get it Lucas. And you're right. We should. I'd like us to train people to use guns too but we don't have nearly enough ammo. So do you wanna be this camp's Fitness Guru?"
Lucas scrunches his face for a second. "Not if I'm gonna be called a fitness guru"
Shane lightly taps Lucas' shoulder with the back of his hand. "But that is what you will be. I think that's exactly what you should be. It fits you very well. Or at least better than that shirt does. Do you even own a loose fitting shirt? Jesus"
Lucas looks down at the tight fitting light blue shirt. He puts two fingers underneath the collar and exaggeratedly tries to loosen it. " ow that you mention it… I am kinda light headed" He jokes. But he drops the joke and rubs his face. "Fine, whatever. I'll be the damned fitness guru"
Shane pats Lucas' shoulder. "Great"
Lucas looks over at Chase and Leon. "Why don't we have Leon and Chase help me out? They're both in better shape than the others. Plus with such a big group I'd need helpers anyway"
"Sure" Shane looks at Lucas. "But if we're going to have everyone exercising and burning calories then we will need more food. And needing more food is not the best thing for us. But since we have the time I think we should get everyone in shape like you said. So you might need to stop into town depending on when we need more food or other things. I don't think once a week for both you and Glenn will be enough" Shane looks at the Spam. "Plus I never liked Spam. My Ma' used to cook it with everything when I was growing up. Kinda ruined it for me"
Lucas nods. "That's fine with me. Leon and Chase could take over for the days I'm gone. Plus it's not like we will be exercising everyday all day. Only a few hours a day if even. Eventually there will be more time when the camp gets mostly finished setting up. I think we're almost there anyway"
Shane runs a hand through his short hair. "Alright. Well, you just gonna stand and watch or are you gonna help?" He jokes.
Everyone works to unpack and sort the various supplies. The boxes we're the easiest and first done since they were all filled with the same things. But the bags? Lucas just shoved whatever in the bags until they were full. Obviously he kept things separate. Like the cleaning supplies were separated from the medicine. But it was not organized and required a fair bit of communication and organizing between everyone.
——————
Days begin passing by quickly.
Lucas has started leading everyone in not only exercising but also training. And teaching them how to kill walkers. Of course there were those that didn't want to. Like Daryl and Merle. Tobias wasn't able to due to his bad knee. Isabell was too weak, but Lucas ran with her to help build her stamina. Ed refused, and forced Carol not to join them. Dale was too old so he just supervised and talked with the people, he was coming more out of his depression and it was mostly thanks to Andrea and Amy.
Tobias watched the kids along with Dale during the few hours everyone was exercising and training.
Daryl and Merle joined the group every now and then. They caught game and would bring it back for Tobias to clean and cut up. The brothers knew that while they could do it, Tobias was the better option. Merle even agreed, but it probably was because it meant less work for himself.
Lucas ran with Isabell mostly, but he also helped others out on runs. Amy wasn't fairing much better than Isabell, but she was still running with the pack on their runs. And Sasha stayed in the pack, but she would drop back to try and mess with Lucas.
Nobody was allowed to lead the pack except Leon. Lucas mostly brought up the rear, and Chase just kind ran in the middle and helped there.
Training was a little difficult at first. It was mostly Lucas and Leon demonstrating together and talking to the group. But after everyone moved onto their own small sparring sessions things started to get smooth. Lucas and Leon helped correct peoples stances and tell them what they did wrong. But they also told people what they did right. Chase was forced to join the others when it came to weapon training. This helped get his technique and nerves down a bit.
People started to mesh together better. After running and training together for about 3 hours most days it was bound to happen.
The kids were the bane of Tobias and Dale's existence. They weren't allowed to train with them or even run with them because their parents said no. Sometimes Sophia wasn't even allowed to join the other kids because of Ed. So To iPad and Dale had to find other ways to keep the kids entertained. And Monopoly only lasted the first 30 minutes.
Lucas went out and got various food aupspslies from the stores in and around Atlanta. Most of the food started going bad. Now it was mostly canned foods. Refrigerators weren't working so all the frozen foods went bad. The bread was getting moldy. Fruit and vegetables were rotting. The smell got so bad a some points that Lucas needed to cover his face with a cloth.
And the walkers were still a problem. Even more so as the days go on. They begin to wander away from the streets and try to find new sources of food. They'll eat anything living. Dogs, cats, any animals. Lucas had to unfortunately watch a guinea pig get eaten. He didn't like to watch animals get eaten in general.
As he started to make more trips he also started bringing back weapons. And he found what he was finally looking for.
A crowbar.
And it was a really good one too. Not just some cheap one. This one was decently heavy yet still light. Was strong and made of quality metal. It was able to bash some skulls in and stab through the skulls if needed as well. And Lucas was able to use the crowbar against his environment as well. Like if a window had bars, or a door was locked, and various other things could be done with it.
He brought a few back with him. But it seemed that nobody else really wanted to use a crowbar. So now he had extras if he lost one.
——————
As the days turned to weeks Lucas remembered that Amy's birthday was coming up. He wondered what he should get her.
Lucas hadn't really gotten gifts for anyone. Sure he got Rick, Lori, Carl, Shane, George, and Samuel gifts for the year that he had to himself. But his time in service he hadn't given nor received gifts. They just didn't bother with it. They were so busy they didn't even really have time for holidays in general.
As he was contemplating what he could get her, he remembered a few things about Amy. They had talked a lot over the time they have been in the camp. He doesn't really just want to get her jewelry. That's kinda too easy, and he doesn't know what she will and won't wear. Then he gets an idea. Women like shoes, right? And it should be relatively easy for him to find her shoe size. Getting a pair of boots and running shoes should be fine. And he can find some makeup. He heard Amy say that she used to be good at applying makeup before the walkers ruined everything.
Lucas goes towards Amy and Andrea's tent. He doesn't see anyone around it so he walks up and taps on the tent near its door. "Knock knock. Anyone home?"
He hears some shuffling inside.
"Y-yeah! Some one is in here. What do you need Lucas?" Andrea responds.
Lucas backs away from the tent a step. Normally people have the tents windows open because it gets so hot during the day. But currently the tent is zipped up and he can't see inside. "Uhm, I was wondering if we could talk about Amy?"
"Amy? What about her?" Andrea asks.
Lucas can hear some more shuffling from inside the tent but he ignores it. "It's her birthday coming up, right? I was trying to think of a present to get her and I've got some ideas but I don't know her size. So I was hoping to ask you to find out"
"How did you know I was in the tent? Or that Amy wasn't in here?" Andrea questions.
Lucas rubs the back of his head. "Eh? Oh. Uhm, I didn't know you were in here. I saw Amy with Isabell and the kids near the lake. And I just figured I'd try and find you"
Andrea unzips the tent and pokes her head out. "Why do you want to know her size? Or are you asking for her 3 sizes? Quite bold to ask her sister that you know?" Andrea slyly says as she adjusts her shirt.
Lucas looks at Andrea. He can see a light blush and some sweat. And her clothes look a bit disorganized. "I just wanted to know her shoe size. I won't get her heels, but I figured a pair of good boots and tennis shoes wouldn't be too bad" Lucas takes a step towards Andrea and kneels down. He places his hand on Andrea's forehead. "Are you feeling alright? You look a bit out of it?"
Andrea grabs his hand and takes it away from her forehead quickly. "I'm fine! Just feeling a bit weird. You don't need to worry about it"
Lucas rests his arms on his knee that isn't on the ground. "You sure? Getting sick could be deadly now that we can't just go to the doctors if it gets too bad"
Andrea unzips the tent a bit more and sits down inside it. She pinches her collar and moves it up and down to get air moving to cool herself off. "I'm sure. Just got a bit hot in here"
Lucas looks at the outside of the tent. "I bet. You should unzip the windows to let the breeze come through. Make sure your drinking enough water as well. Don't need you getting dehydrated on us, I've seen people get loopy from it before. You don't want to go through that"
Andrea reaches over her sleeping bag and grabs a water bottle and hides something slyly. "Got water right here. Thanks for worrying though. And Amy wears a size —— shoe"
Lucas takes a notepad from his back pocket of his jeans and writes it down. "Thanks. I didn't want to be caught looking inside one of Amy's shoes. That would have been awkward"
Andrea smiles. "That would definitely have been awkward"
Lucas notices that Andrea is acting a bit weird. And he saw her hiding something as well. He didn't see anything that Andrea could have been doing inside the tent besides sleeping considering most of it was neat. There was a clear divide between Andrea's side and Amy's side. Both had sleeping bags and their clothes and other things. The tent wasn't really big, but it was big enough for them to stay separate. Lucas puts his notepad away and looks at Andrea. "You absolutely sure you're alright? Is there anything I can do?"
Andrea stops trying to cool herself off. She bites her bottom lip for a few seconds before shaking her head. "Nah, you're good"
Lucas shrugs. "If you need anything just let me know. Right?"
"Right. Now if you'll excuse me I'll get back to it…." Andrea waves to him and zips her tent back up.
Lucas is confused on what Andrea was doing. He stands up and stretches his legs and back. "Ahhhhhh~" He feels the tension in his muscles relax. "Oh yeah, are you sure you want to join the group going into Atlanta? You don't need to volunteer for it y'know?"
"I-I'm sure. We need some people to go and Leon and Chase need to stay here to protect the others. I don't mind going into the city, kinda want to see it for myself instead of listening to you and Glenn's stories" Andrea explains.
"Just make sure you listen to Glenn. He knows the city even better than I do. I'll talk to you later Andrea" Lucas begins walking away. He can hear some shuffling in the tent.
"Ah!" A moan escapes from the tent. And then followed by a slapping noise like Andrea covers her mouth.
Lucas pauses mid stride and swallows his saliva. He looks back at the tent.
"L-later Lucas" Andrea says. And Lucas can hear the embarrassment from her voice.
Lucas hastily walks away. He can feel his face heating up. He hadn't been paying attention to that aspect of people. Lucas himself had kinda kept that thing out of his mind. Even if he flirts with Amy, Isabell, Andrea, and Sasha. That doesn't mean he had let himself think about them like that. Even if Sasha suggested certain things. Lucas didn't think that was appropriate for their current situation so he kept his 'lust' in check. It's been practically 2 months since he had some private time. Sure he went to Atlanta alone. But that doesn't mean he would jerk it when a walker could be around the corner. And he wouldn't risk it in the camp or in the woods. So he just ignored it. He had gotten good at that because of his time in the military anyway.
He then decides to wander into the woods. He needs to walk this off. And now he really wonders how he will face Andrea next. It's kinda hard to hear that and not picture her in various positions….
Lucas grabs his head and wants to bang it on a tree. He had worked so hard to not have indecent thoughts like this. Sure he had a few. But now they're very rampant and not just vanilla. There are a few spicy and heavy ones running around his head. And not even just about Andrea.
"Shiiiiiit" Lucas can feel his pants get tighter and tighter. It also doesn't help that he's a virgin and surrounded by beautiful women. And with one of them blatantly trying to get with him it makes it extremely hard to resist. But he's been steadfast so far. "How do monks even do this for years?" He asks to the trees.
Lucas continues walking as he tries to calm himself down. Then he hears something move in the distance. It sounded heavier than an animal. And it sounded like two of whatever it was. Lucas grabs his knife and crouches down beneath some brush.
As he makes his way near them he can hear something wet and squelching. He had heard walkers tear into flesh before and rip it away. The blood that splashes to the ground and over its jaw. But this was kinda different. Lucas has good hearing and senses. His instincts hadn't led him wrong after they were trained and honed by Steve. Steve was like Spider-Man with how crazy his senses were.
Lucas gets closer, and then he hears breathing. He didn't think walkers were already getting this close to camp. Sure he was decently far, but he was still in the quarry. As he gets close to a clearing he carefully and quietly moves some brush and peeks at the clearing.
He expects to see two walkers gorging on an animal. Tearing its flesh away and devouring my it like savages.
But his eyes widen when he sees Lori and Shane making out and grinding on eachother.
Lucas' brain short circuits. And he just turns around and leaves.
After he gets far enough away he stands up and walks fast in any direction but the one where Shane and Lori on.
"Was not meant to see that" Lucas says as he sheathes his knife. "I guess me and Andrea are not the only ones with this problem"
It was around the point that Lucas gets back to camp that he realizes that they have 5 couples. And two of them are married. Obviously they would have some naughty time. And then he remembers that he had also gotten the condoms Kyle requested before and that whole conversation.
Lucas was lost in doing various tasks throughout these weeks to try and think of this. He had trouble sleeping so he would wake up early and go for an early morning run. Then after that he would eat breakfast with everyone and then they would exercise and train together. After that it would be lunch time. Then people would do their various jobs until dinner. And then it was free time basically. Obviously it wasn't like they were forced to do anything and it was like they were always in free time, but still. Lucas has kept himself busy and had ignored that side of the group.
He walks through camp and goes to look at the lake. And as soon as he gets there he sees Amy, Sasha, and Isabell in the water with the kids. They were wearing swimsuits with a shirt over them and were helping Oz to learn to swim as Carl and Sophia were making sand castles. Louis and Eliza, the Morales kids, were splashing eachother.
Amy was helping Oz learn to swim and was holding his hands as he kicked.
Isabell was supervising Carl and Sophia. She also taught them how to structure the sandcastles so they can be bigger and last longer. Lucas figures Isabell learned some things from a book or something. Isabell liked teaching the kids random things. It was mostly Carl and Sophia since Oz was too young to really pay attention long enough.
And Sasha was splashing the water with Lois and Eliza. Lucas was able to see her bathing suit underneath her shirt and it wasn't helping his situation.
"You know what? I think it's best I get some rest" Lucas goes to his tent, unzips the windows so that only the lining is left up to keep the bugs out, and tries to go to sleep. If he was lucky he wouldn't have a dream at all.