jackwabbit | New Fic: Rationale

Rationale

Fandom: Star Trek Discovery
Rated: G
Category: Drabble. Angst. Hugh Culber Focus.
Season: Post-Two, Pre-Three.
Spoilers: Entire Hugh Culber arc through the end of season two.
Summary: Rationalizations aren’t always accurate. Doesn’t make them any less real.
Note: The supporting evidence for “Counterpoint.” Didn’t I mention that my headcanon kept changing on this little scene I created? I see Hugh both being proud and feeling unworthy simultaneously/in turn. Thus, four fics revolving around a single medal. Sometimes it be like that.

Also, this is part of the "I Rang The Bell With My Heart In My Mouth" series, and stories in this series are presented as inspiration strikes, not chronologically. See notes above for timeframe/related stories.

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They’d given him a medal.

And for what?

For abandoning his crew, his partner?

For leaving them to fight on their own?

Granted, he hadn’t chosen to die, but still. He hadn’t done anything.

He’d just… left.

And when he somehow returned from wherever he’d gone?

He’d run away.

He’d transferred to Enterprise, leaving Discovery to fight alone – again.

After leaving Paul on his own – again.

And he’d chosen that. Emphatically.

So to say he felt less than worthy of the commendation was an understatement.

The Medal of Honor, no less.

Hugh scoffed.

He’d give it back if he could