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Tacos and tequila, those were what everyone thought of when asked about Mexican food. And while they weren't wrong tacos and tequila, we're very important in Mexican food Sergio wished people knew more about Mexican cuisine especially when it came to are the variety of fruits and vegetables that were available in Mexico. He often wondered if people forgot that it was thanks to the ancient indigenous civilizations in Mexico that we can enjoy foods such as avocados, corn, tomatoes, and chocolate. Sergio loved Mexican food and being away from Mexico so much would make him homesick and often the closest he could come to Mexican food was subpar tacos. He knew when entering F1 he would be away in in Europe or the UK and ever since formalizing his relationship with Lewis, he found himself being away from Mexico even more than before. However, Checo would do anything for Lewis he was head over heels for the Mercedes driver and while the UK and Monaco weren't known for having spicy cuisine he had adapted. Having his family ship, him massive amounts of salsas from Mexico and carrying a bottle whenever they went out to dinner.
Lately checo had been feeling homesick and Lewis had noticed. While cooking dinner one night, Lewis after asked Checo what was wrong.
Lewis- “Sergio, my love what’s wrong? You been in a sad mood lately and I just want to help.”
Sergio- “It’s nothing, babe- just a little homesick, nothing I won’t get over soon.”
Lewis- “I’m sorry Checo, I know you wanted to go back home, but those photoshoots couldn’t be rescheduled. And there just isn’t enough time for us to go to and from Mexico without completely wrecking our sleep schedule. “
Sergio- “I know Lew, I understand, and I know how important those photoshoots are for you. I hope you don’t think I’m mad or..”
Lewis interrupting Sergio “What if instead of cooking, I take you to that Mexican restaurant we found that you actually like? Or what if…”
Sergio interrupting Lewis “Lewis it’s okay. I swear, I’m fine, its just a little homesickness. And it’s okay, that restaurant is a cross town, and I really don’t want to get ready to go out. Plus, I doubt they have the thing I’m really craving.”
Lewis- “what are you craving?”
Sergio- “Back home this time of the year its pitaya season. It a type of fruit that grows on cacti and once it is harvested you must eat it right away, they spoil about a day after being picked. Its grown in the pueblos that surround Guadalajara and sometimes even the drive from the pueblos to Guadalajara the pitaya can overripen and lose its flavor and texture. When I was younger my family would go to a festival in a town Amacueca and I would help with removing the splinters from them.
Checo shudders remembering all the splinters- “My favorite are the purple ones.”
Lewis- “Thank you for telling me about this. I love hearing more about your childhood and about Mexico. I know you miss it and that Monaco or London don’t have anything close to a pitaya, but..”
Checo- “ …but they have you mi amor. ”
Lewis feeling overcome with emotion – “Sergio, I..”
Roscoe interrupts hungry and annoyed at his dinner being delayed before Lewis can finish his sentence.
A few weeks later at the Miami grand prix in which Sergio and Lewis took 1st and 2nd and Alonso coming in 3rd, Lewis was thrilled to have been able to fly Sergio’s family in for the race. It’s a miracle that they kept the surprise from Checo and little did Checo know that Lewis had a few more surprises up his sleeve to surprise his boyfriend.
After rushing both families through dinner, Lewis excited to show Checo the dessert interrupted a conversation Checo had been having with his sister-
Lewis -“Sorry Paola, I’m just gonna steal Sergio from you.”
Paola laughing -“ No te preocupes Lewis, I’ll catch up with Sergio later.”
Checo confused- “Lewis, why are you so excited about dessert, you don’t really like sweets? Also I’m kinda full, I don’t think I have room for dessert….”
Lewis uncovers a basket filled with pitayas and Sergio’s mouth drops in shock at the surprise his boyfriend had for dessert. Checo’s eyes begin to water up and when he is about to thank his boyfriend for the dessert something even surprising happens.
Sergio sees Lewis drops down to one knee and Roscoe walking up to the couple with a box strapped to his back.
Lewis- “Sergio Michel Perez Mendoza, will you marry me?”
Checo pauses for few seconds (what feels like an eternity if you ask Lewis) processing what is happening when he gives his answer,
Checo - “ Por supuesto que me casaré contigo mi amor !”
Cheers erupt from Checo’s family as they understood his answer right away, while the Hamiltons after seeing Checo’s dad smile get even bigger then normal also erupt in cheers understanding Checo’s answer despite speaking little Spanish.
After all the congratulations from the families and from the other drivers, while on the flight to the next race Checo asks Lewis about the pitayas.
Checo- “Lewis, how did you get the pitayas into Miami?”
Lewis- “Don’t worry about it babe, I’ve got my ways, if my fiance wants a special fruit that only lasts a few hours before it spoils I’ll get it done. I’m Lewis Hamilton I’m known for going fast. ”
Checo chucking - “ooh I only ask because I’m pretty sure the fruit/seeds are illegal to bring to the US and while I love all that you do for me, I don’t want you breaking the law to smuggle me fruit.”
Lewis tenses up and excuses himself with the excuse to use the bathroom and walks towards the front of the plane. Before putting his headphones on Checo hears a very distinctive Austrian accent shout “You what?!” Smiling while looking at his ring Checo puts his headphones on and pretends to fall asleep.