LN Interviews • 1.15.1 • Sept 2019 • Singapore • Media Day
I've looked forward to driving here — Lando Norris is excited ahead of his first race under the lights at Singapore. The rookie expects a tough weekend, but looks forward to pushing his car to the limit around the Marina Bay street circuit.
This is very random yet very specific but it's been knocking around in my head for ages and I needed to get it out. I'm not entirely sure what this is but it's half headcanons, half imagines? Drabbles? I don't know what to call them. But here they are!
A/N: I'm not Scottish and I don't live in Scotland so I apologise if this is offensive 😅. I do live nearby though and absolutely love visiting. It's one of my favourite places. This is my first piece of writing and contribution to Pedro's fandom so please be gentle! I'm sorry if it comes across as muddled but this concept has been banging around in my head for so long and I really wanted to get it out.
Javier Peña - It's the first proper holiday Javier's taken in ages and the first time he's flown across the pond. You've always wanted to go and you'd put your foot down that both of you needed a break. Javi is always reluctant to travel for pleasure so he needed a bit of convincing but he'd go anywhere with you, really. You'd thrown in a "road trip!" and he was a bit more amenable after that. Plus Javi wouldn't mind trying some Scotch straight from the source.
Javier loves long drives so you both decide to drive the North Coast 500 route along the north coast of Scotland and through some of the Highlands, stopping in small villages and the cutest BnB's. Some of the drive reminds Javi of the route from Bogotá to Medellín, especially when it rains and the vegetation turns a lush green colour. The parts you drive through are sparsely populated and Javi loves the feeling of solitude: he loves the comfortable silence you share. He feels safe in it. Some days are cold and windy and it won't stop raining and the food is a bit... interesting in parts (Haggis?!) but you're with Javi and he's warm and relaxed and present and you're sharing a flask of whisky sitting in the open boot of your car with his arms around you looking out at the sea and there's nowhere else you'd rather be.
Ezra - Being the traveler that he is, Ezra has been to Scotland numerous times and he's excited to take you. He tends to visit around Burns Night in January. Sure, he likes Robert Burns’ poetry but what he really loves about the whole thing is the national celebration of a ‘Bard’. It nurtures him to be surrounded by such reverence for storytelling. Ezra usually attends various events in Edinburgh and is thrilled to be taking you. It’s January, which means the weather is freezing so a Burns Night supper of Haggis, neeps and tatties (haggis, turnips and potatoes) in a cozy pub next to a crackling fire is the perfect way to warm up your bones, bellies and hearts. With whisky-warmed cheeks and fire-lit eyes, you’re the most beautiful creature Ezra has ever seen.
Dieter Bravo - Dieter wanted to visit Scotland when he was in the UK shooting for Cliff Beasts 6 but it was during the pandemic so of course he couldn’t. He’s somehow never had the opportunity to ever film there. Two films that really made a mark on Dieter were incidentally Scottish. He wanted to entertain big like Braveheart but also do the gritty, more indie films like Trainspotting. He’s good mates with Ewan McGregor now but please don’t talk to him about Mel Gibson.
You both visit one summer after the pandemic when he’s shooting another movie in London. He’s instantly obsessed with kilts and wants to wear one everywhere. “Easy access for you, sweetheart”, he smirks and you have to stop yourself from rolling your eyes. He’s not entirely wrong though. You’re lost in (sexy) thought when you find out he’s invested in a Highland Cow farm. “They’re so cute and fluffy! Just look at them!”, he half coos, half sobs. The next time he visits, Dieter wants to go to the Shetland Islands to see Shetland ponies because animals are clearly cuter in Scotland. You have a feeling his resolve will be tested once he finds out just how remote the Shetland Islands are.
Agent Whiskey/Jack Daniels - Always one to mix business and pleasure, Jack takes you to Scotland on a Statesman business trip. He has meetings with various whisky distilleries and he takes you along. You get your own private tour of the best whisky distilleries in Scotland. Jack still insists that Kentucky Bourbon is superior even though he secretly loves scotch. “What can I say darlin’, you can take a cowboy out of Kentucky, but can’t take Kentucky out of a cowboy”, he quips. But the actual reason for this visit is to meet Merlin for some Kingsman business. Merlin needs Jack to visit an old Kingsman’s lodge in the countryside. It’s a long drive but you enjoy it nonetheless as you get some time together with Jack - just you and him.
Max Phillips - Max, in true Max fashion, knows the Loch Ness monster. He has visited her off and on over the years and could probably introduce you if you wanted. Uhhh, you’ll have to think about it. “Oh c’mon sweetcheeks, it’ll be fun! Don’t be such a party pooper. Nessy’s just the sweetest", he pesters you. Yes, he does call the Loch Ness monster Nessy. He thinks it’s adorable. Doesn’t get why Bella was so offended in those books.
“Now, the vampires there? I’m not gonna lie, they’re on another level. Fucking brutal, man. I’m practically a saint compared to them.”
“What? Oh don’t worry babycakes, I’ll be your vampire in shining armour.”
Pero Tovar - Pero has been to Scotland before but he’s never really talked about it. You figured he must've stopped over while visiting his friend William in Ireland. Pero's talked about William but you've never met him. Once you’re in Scotland and planning some day trips, Pero mumbles something about a group of stones and time travel, and that you should avoid them. You swear it sounds like the plot of your favourite TV series but there's no way Pero would've known that as he hardly watches TV. You look at him questioningly but he turns away with a sheepish look. Oh boy, it's about to be a long walk and a longer conversation.
Oberyn - you mean The North? Why would you want to go somewhere so cold and bleak? London's more his scene. “King’s Landing”, he corrects you.
Dave York - You're surprised when he suggests a holiday, that too in another country. Usually he travels alone for work, and if it's family holidays, he'd rather go places he can drive as it's easier to manage with the girls.
You visit a few different cities and stay in lovely hotels. A few mornings you find Dave’s side of the bed empty but you just assume he’s gone for a run. But one day you find blood on his t-shirt while he’s in the shower after he returns. The stain doesn’t seem to be one caused by a fall or a cut. There’s just too much of it. You don’t ask him any details as you don’t want to spoil the rest of the day. A few hours later there’s news of an oil tycoon being murdered in a university town near you. The one where Prince William had studied. St Andrews - yes. Apparently it was graduation season and the man was in town for his son’s graduation. So it was work then, you sigh. And here you thought Dave was taking you on a holiday. Oh well. You better get the blood out of the t-shirt before housekeeping comes along.
Javi G - Javi flies you privately to Scotland and rents a whole castle for your romantic getaway together. He treats you like a princess and arranges for the best of everything to be available for you. During one of your strolls in the castle gardens, he gets down on one knee and proposes to you. You’re absolutely taken aback and all but shout “Yes! Of course I’ll marry you!”. Oh, you’ve never been happier. Javi flies in both your friends and families to celebrate. An actual ball is arranged and you have to pinch yourself multiple times to believe that it’s all real, it’s all happening. That this generous, loving, sincere man is going to be your husband.
