Note; I read over this and it feels more like a fanfic that's bullet-pointed than headcanons since it's kinda long, sorry!
I underestimated how much I love this polycule
But enjoy <3
...
× It all started when Darlin's family joined the pack when they were around (13-14)
× All the kids in the pack mostly grew up together, so from the get-go, Darlin didn't feel like they fit in and so spent a lot of their time alone (especially when their parents would fight and argue)
× Their first friend in the pack was Milo. It was after a pack meeting when Milo noticed they were sadder and quieter than usual. Milo went over to them and asked if their parents were fighting again
× Darlin was confused as to how he knew but when Milo explained that his parents argue a lot too, Darlin understood
× These two soon become best friends, bonding over growing up seemingly by themselves without their parents there to guide them, having to pick themselves back up after making a mistake because there's nobody there to do it for them
× Whenever their parents would argue, Darlin would call Milo to distract themselves from all the noise and they'd end up staying on the phone sometimes all night long talking about anything and everything
× Milo would meet Darlin near their house and walk to school with them, sometimes stopping off at the diner nearby once classes had finished for the day (Milo would always pay for their food since he knew Darlin didn't eat enough at home)
× Darlin never asked him why he kept paying for their food and the one time they did, Milo said it was because he cared about them and that they were his best friend (that was the first time Milo ever saw Darlin smile)
× The first to develop romantic feelings was Milo. The more time he spent with them, he could see they were letting their walls down and felt safe with them, he was falling in love with them
× Darlin being Darlin, they don't realise Milo loves them until they're older and Milo doesn't want to tell them for now in case it ruins their friendship
× David and Darlin never really got along in my eyes, they're too similar yet so different not to clash at some point
× Darlin always felt intimidated by him and kept their distance since they didn't feel part of the pack, despite how many times Gabe reminded them they were one of his wolves and that they were family
× At pack meetings, Darlin always kept themselves quiet in a corner, only really talking to Milo and staying close to him. David thought they were being cold and aloof, not knowing that they felt left out and were shy
× Everyone in the pack knew Asher and David were best friends since they'd basically grown up together and couldn't be separated
× Asher and David both noticed how close Milo and Darlin were and could tell Milo cared about them a lot
× Whenever Darlin wasn't around, Milo would defend them from anyone who thought they were weird for not having any friends besides him and neither David nor Asher had ever seen him so angry
× As they got older, David and Darlin's relationship didn't get any better. Darlin still avoided him and coming to any pack meetings or events if Milo wasn't there
× Asher and Darlin spent more time together and played video games with each other (which is why Darlin loves them so much)
× David was irritated at Darlin for missing so many pack meetings and decided to stop chasing them about it, simply thinking they didn't care about the pack when in reality, Darlin didn't know how to blend in with them
× Gabe's passing culminated in David and Darlin getting into a massive argument when he receives department reports of Darlin allegedly breaking covert and he ends up taking his anger over his Fathers death out on them
× From them, Darlin started ignoring phone calls from any pack members including Milo and Asher, which hurt them but they were hurting too and needed space but didn't know how to explain that to them and opted for the second best thing: running
× Darlin became entangled with Quinn at a bar one night while they were drinking away their sorrows, Quinn set eyes on them
× Quinn made them feel special whereas the pack made them feel unloved. Their parents made them feel invisible but Quinn made them feel noticed, and powerful, wanted in every way
× Darlin and Quinn spent more time together and slowly they began to stop caring about the people Quinn and his gang hurt. They've been hurt and nobody but Milo helped them, so why should they help anybody?
× Quinn becomes more controlling and manipulates Darlin into letting them feed from them, which leaves them with bite marks all over their neck
× Quinn began hurting them when Darlin refused to let him drink from them, leaving them marked and with bruises when he'd leave their apartment before the sun rose
× Darlin felt used and alone. They didn't think they could tell any of the pack about this because why would they care? They pushed everybody away and now they're paying the price
× Milo and Asher became worried about Darlin and went to their apartment numerous times at night
× They both noticed how frail and unhealthy Darlin looked and saw the scars and bruises painting their skin and could smell a vampire all over them
× Milo presses for answers and tells them they can help them, by reporting it to the department. Darlin promises they'll come to the next pack meeting if they stopped asking questions about the bruises
× Milo and Asher reluctantly agree and leave, not knowing Quinn was inside their apartment the whole time since they were both standing outside with Darlin heavily leaning against the door frame
× The night Darlin reported Quinn to the department for hurting a young person, Quinn attacked their friend leading to covert being broken and David getting a phone call in the middle of the night about Darlin being badly hurt
× David makes sure they're tended to and all their injuries are healed before he takes them home
× Darlin is quiet and doesn't say a word the entire car ride. They're convinced David is going to yell at them for being reckless, for not telling him what was going on but how could they?
× David parked outside their apartment block and told them to give him their key so he could go get them some clothes because they were staying with him
× Darlin refuses and feels like they're being a burden because it's what Quinn always said to them
× David asks for their key again which Darlin gives him since they know he won't stop asking for it. David gets them some clothes and drives to his place (a shared apartment with Asher and Milo)
× Darlin is confused and shaking, still reeling from the aftermath of their fight with Quinn and the fact that they couldn't protect their friend from him
× Darlin noticed David hadn't turned his car radio on like he usually does, not knowing its because he needs to hear them breathing to know they're okay and that the guilt of letting them get hurt is eating him alive
× David carries all their stuff into his place and puts them in the spare room and tells Darlin to go shower
× Asher and Milo order their favourite takeaway (takeout) while they're showering so they feel more comfortable
× David tells Ash and Milo everything that happened with them and Quinn and regrets not being there for them when they needed him
× Darlin is surprised to see the food they like at the table and their favourite videogame out for them and the others to play
× Darlin feels less alone and lets the walls they built back up (because of Quinn) fall she lets slip that he's in a relationship with David and Milo and Darlin isn't too surprised since they always knew how close the trio were growing up
× Milo still loves them and so does Asher while David doesn't know how he feels, only knowing that he needs to protect them from now on, knowing they know how to defend themselves because their parents had never done it for them
× Darlin has feelings for David and the longer they stay at his place, the stronger their feelings get for him, Asher and Milo
× David and Darlin both have nightmares about their traumas so sometimes Darlin will wonder into his room at night and ask if they could sleep in his bed since they feel safer with him avid always agrees and holds them to his chest, not wanting to let anything hurt them again
× David knew he loved them and told Asher and Milo who both felt the same but didn't want to overwhelm Darlin by telling them, not knowing that Darlin felt the same but didn't want to ruin their friendship
× Time does its thing and these four officially get together and Darlin has never, ever felt happier (euphoria reference :))
× Asher and Darlin are the best at comforting their mates whenever they have a bad day or are stressed about something
× David and Milo are the ones who cook the most since neither Ash nor Darlin can be trusted in the kitchen without something burning or cabinets getting wrecked (yes Asher, I'm looking at you)
× These four go running in the woods in their wolf forms and night to let off some steam or for fun, especially during the winter solstice when they're the most powerful
× David and Darlin are both as gruff and tough as each other, while Milo and Ash are the opposite, so it perfectly balances out
× Darlin enjoys pack events and meetings now since they know they're not alone anymore
× Milo quickly learned that Darlin loves cuddling, especially after a long day or one where they were reminded of Quinn and the fact that he's still out there and now they have more to lose to him…
× Darlin doing whatever it takes to keep their mates off Quinn's radar, even if it means slowing down their search for him since the department is tracking him down because he drained various unempowered humans
× David, Milo and Asher are all helping Darlin take down Quinn and his gang, avenging their friend's death and being well looked after, once it's all over and Quinn is gone for good