Prompt:
I heard that you've been
Having some trouble finding your place in the world
I know how much that hurts
But if you need a friend
Then please just say the word
-"Missing You" by All Time Low
Every attempt at friendship on his part had been met with a civil acceptance. It wasn't the response that Kenneth Dalby wanted but it was one that he would take. At least he was no longer being pushed away by the younger Bajoran that he had unofficially taken under his wing. Whether he wanted one or not, Gerron at least had a protector in him and if he ever opened himself up to the idea, a friend as well.
The transition from the Maquis to serving aboard a Starfleet ship had been hard for them all. Having still been trying to find his place with the Maquis, Dalby knew that Gerron was finding that transition especially hard. Given his own difficulty with transition to the 'Starfleet' way, Dalby wanted nothing more to ease the Bajoran's transition. Unfortunately, Gerron still insisted on keeping him at arm's length.
It was a defensive mechanism. One that Dalby had used quite often enough himself. As all four of them continued to struggle through Tuvok's training though, it was one which Dalby wished her could figure out how to break through.
As he watched Gerron remove the earring, one of the last physical reminders of the life the Cardassians had stolen from him, Dalby wanted to tell Tuvok exactly where he could shove Starfleet's dresscode. Starfleet claimed to respect the cultures and religions of other species and yet their very dresscode oppressed the display of that very thing. He understood that their needed to be regulations, but their also needed to be exceptions. The world was not black and white and some things were more than just decorative pieces.
However, Dalby held his tongue. Gerron wouldn't appreciate him drawing even more attention to the situation. Still, it didn't mean he wouldn't find a way to sate his opinion to someone in authority in a more private session. This was one battle that he intended to fight for Gerron whether that Bajoran realized it or not.