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Chakotay was used to being betrayed. Throughout his life he’d been stabbed in the back. Disappointment, deception, and dishonesty found him wherever he went.
Being in the Maquis had gotten him used to it. He watched his friends with a close eye, always wary they may suddenly turn around and kick him off the ladder. He knew, at some point, someone he cared about would betray him. It hurt, but it was just part of life.
Tuvok was the last person he would’ve expected to betray him. Of course, in retrospect, it made sense. He’d always been distant from everyone else, quietly observing, never questioning, never lashing out. But Chakotay didn’t want to believe it at the time. He liked Tuvok, liked him a lot. He didn’t want to believe that the Vulcan would betray him. He’d gotten closer to Tuvok than any other member of his crew. He’d blocked out any suspicion in his mind.
The old phrase, “love is blind” felt painfully poignant as he watched Tuvok step forwards, greet Captain Janeway like an old friend, and look back at him with a blank look on his face, no remorse in his eyes.