Parents.. with different treatment

Your enough ...

It was a quiet evening in the Brock household, the golden light of sunset filtering through the living room windows. Xander sat on the floor, surrounded by his toys, while Xavier and Victoria played in another room. Valerie was preparing dinner, the comforting scents wafting from the kitchen. Colby, however, had been unusually distant, his attention fixed on his phone, barely acknowledging his family.

As the evening wore on, Xander's mind raced with thoughts. He had always felt the weight of Colby's expectations pressing down on him, and a question had been gnawing at him for days. He hesitated but felt a need to understand his father better. Gathering his courage, he approached Colby, who still hadn't looked up from his screen.

"Dad?" Xander's voice was soft but steady.

"What?" Colby replied tersely, finally glancing up but quickly returning to his phone.

Xander took a deep breath, his heart pounding. "If you could have any son, what would you want him to be like?"

Colby paused, his attention momentarily caught. He put his phone down, studying Xander with a mix of curiosity and irritation. "What kind of question is that?" he said, his tone sharp.

"I just... I want to know. What would your dream son be like?" Xander pressed, fidgeting with his hands, anxious about Colby's response.

Colby leaned back in his chair, a contemplative look crossing his face. "Well, if I could have a son who actually contributed to this family, someone who didn't make everything harder..." He hesitated, as if searching for the right words. "I'd want him to be strong, smart, and tough. Someone who wouldn't back down from challenges and wouldn't be a burden."

Xander's heart sank at the implication. "So, you don't want me to be your son?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Colby frowned. "That's not what I said. But you need to understand that this family doesn't have time for weakness. If you can't handle that, then I don't know what to tell you."

Xander's mind raced. "But Dad, I try so hard! I just want to be good enough for you. I don't want to be a burden. I want to be someone you can be proud of."

Colby's expression softened slightly, but the hardness was still there. "You just need to be better. That's all I'm saying. No one wants to feel like they have to carry someone else's weight."

Xander felt the sting of Colby's words like a physical blow. "I'm not trying to be a burden," he whispered, tears threatening to spill. "I just want to make you proud. I want to be strong and smart, just like you want."

Colby shrugged, a hint of frustration creeping back into his voice. "Then start acting like it. Stop making excuses. You have to toughen up if you want to be something in this world."

Xander nodded, feeling the heaviness in his chest. "I'll try, Dad. I promise." But as he walked away, his spirit felt crushed under the weight of his father's expectations. He wanted nothing more than to be loved for who he was, not just for who Colby wished he could be.

In the kitchen, Valerie noticed the look on Xander's face as he passed by. "Hey, sweetheart, everything okay?" she asked, concern etching her features.

Xander forced a smile, but the sadness lingered in his eyes. "Yeah, Mom. Just talking to Dad."

Valerie sensed that something was wrong. "You know you can talk to me about anything, right?" she said gently, kneeling to meet his gaze.

Xander nodded, but the words caught in his throat. He wanted to express how he felt, but he feared disappointing her too. "I know, Mom. I just... I wish I could be what Dad wants."

Valerie's heart ached for her son. "Xander, you are perfect just the way you are. You don't have to change for anyone. You're creative, kind, and brave, and that's what truly matters."

"But Dad thinks I'm not strong enough," Xander murmured, his voice barely a whisper. "He said I'm a burden."

"Xander," Valerie said softly, wrapping her arms around him, "you're not a burden. Your worth isn't measured by anyone else's standards, especially not your dad's. You have your own dreams, your own strengths, and I believe in you. Always."

Xander leaned into her embrace, feeling the warmth of her love wrapping around him like a blanket. "I just want to be good enough," he said, his voice muffled against her shoulder.

"You are more than enough. You are so much more than anyone can see, including your dad," she reassured him. "We will work together on your strengths. You'll find your way, and I'll be right by your side."

In that moment, Xander realized that his worth wasn't tied to Colby's expectations. He was more than a dream of perfection; he was a unique individual with his own path to follow. With Valerie's love and support, he could learn to embrace his true self, discovering strength in his differences and creativity.

As the evening settled in, Xander felt a sense of hope flickering within him. He might not be the son Colby envisioned, but he was proud of who he was becoming. And with his mother's unwavering belief, he knew he would find his own way to shine.