On The Horizon || L.S.

Day 4: Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico

Tuesday, the 16th of August, 2022

It's a good thing there are so many trees at the Chacchoben ruins. The harsh sun rays have been so oppressive today that Harry's fingers are sweating, his phone slipping while attempting to line up a shot. Skin cancer is the last thing he needs on top of having ancient structures immortalised in blurry photos. "10%," he mutters to himself, hiding under the shade and adjusting his hands.

"What was that?" Louis pipes up from behind him, his voice higher than usual.

"Oh, nothing," Harry replies, trying to the best of his abilities to get a better grip and centre the stone-dense pyramid on screen. The shot is so close to perfect, but the sun is still giving him grief, a glare reflecting across the image in a beam of light. "Dammit, dammit," Harry grunts, shuffling to the side, trying to block the brightness behind the structure. His shoulders start to shake with frustration. Photography is fun but not something he does a lot, and he's a perfectionist; his body isn't used to holding this position for so long.

Their tour guide had mentioned that this structure, known as the Radial Temple, would line up with the sun perfectly on a few days of the year. It feels like one of those days has already arrived, even though he said it wouldn't happen again until September.

Louis trails alongside him, kicking a rock and humming random notes. The clack of pebbles on gravel makes his inner ear pulse uncomfortably. He should have hydrated better last night. Waking up was not pleasant, accompanied by the sensation of his heartbeat in his forehead and maybe the worst cottonmouth he'd ever experienced. By now it's mostly subsided, but Louis is really not helping. The little musical he's putting on is either endearing or annoying, and Harry simply can't tell which. Dribbles of sweat threaten to fall into his eye.

Despite his irritation, Harry knew going into this excursion that it was the one Louis was the least enthused about. It had taken a little bargaining to convince him, but luckily it left half of the day open and flexible. Grin and bear it, he thinks, taking a breath out and finally snapping the shot. It's perfect, the sky almost entirely clear, and the dark steel shade of the worn rocks strongly contrasts with the lush green forest all around. It looks extravagant but also rather ominous. Looming? Well, no, that's not what he's aiming for. He'll have to try again. Maybe with the sun on the opposite side? Yeah, the warmer tone will help...

"So," Louis chirps, interrupting his thoughts. "I think I'm gonna head up top and take selfies." Harry whips his head around, eyes widening. He's standing to the side with his hands in his pockets, looking upwards towards the peak of the temple. "Probably could get some sick shots from up there, and I'm gonna lose me head if I stand here for another five minutes." Louis chuckles uncomfortably.

Calm, calm, calm. New day. New you. "Ha-ha, hilarious, Lou." In an attempt to ground himself, Harry takes a deep breath and grinds a foot into the stones beneath their feet.

"No, really, I'll be back down in a couple." He begins to walk off, raising his arm to wave, but Harry grabs his wrist instead.

"Louis, you can't go up there," he hisses, immediately reverting back to old him. Wow, what was that, five seconds? Neeeww recoordd! "You heard the guy; it's like a temple or something. It's off-limits. There's a chain and everything." And there is - a few levels up, thick, iron links block the man-made stairs with a rusted 'Do Not Pass' sign dangling from the middle.

The smirk he gets in response is far from comforting. "Ah, that's only a suggestion. No one will care." He moves to walk away, but Harry's grip tightens. Louis noticeably winces.