[Varian looks offscreen for a moment, morose. That was, ultimately, the problem, wasn't it? He always felt like he had to have all the answers, that he needed to be perfect. A lifetime of coming up short for the one person who mattered to him made its mark. He never feels enough, and even if things are starting to get better with him and his dad now the damage has already been done.

Neither Ruby nor Fern has ever told him he wasn't enough- hell, they've told him the exact opposite. But here he is, still in a race with himself, one he can never actually win. He lets out a slow, uneven breath. ]

It's not easy to remember that sometimes. I'm not- [perfect, far from it, he's a disaster in human form] I just wish I could do better. I'm trying, but I don't think it's ever gonna be enough.

...Which I guess goes against the point you're trying to make.