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If someone asked Lydia Martin two years ago how she'd describe Scott McCall, she would've either a) thrown the nearest heavy object at that person's head, or b) sneer that she'd never interact with a nobody, let alone become friends with said nobody.
But that was before Peter Hale had bitten the two of them, consequently introducing them both to a terrifying new world. One where death was a constant companion and the monsters under her bed were very real. And since McCall seemed to know about all the weird shit happening around Beacon Hills, she figured she ought to pay attention to him.
Scott's defended her so many times since then, first from Peter, then from Derek and his former pack, and finally from the Darach. It was a scary realization, how safe Lydia felt around Scott, to the point that she would entrust him with her life. And that she wouldn't hesitate to die for him. She remembered almost doing that, back at the Glen Capri.
When Deaton informed Lydia and her friends that Scott was becoming a True Alpha, she was honestly worried that Scott would one day follow in Peter and Derek’s footsteps and attempt to kill her and the others. Or God forbid, turn out like Deucalion and Kali someday.
But then Deaton explained that a True Alpha didn't need to kill anyone, that an Alpha like that only existed due to their strength of character and willpower. And Lydia breathed easier, safe in the knowledge that Scott would never harm anyone.
She was also amazed that she hadn't seen it before. In spite of Peter giving him the bite and Derek wanting him for his own pack, Scott never once submitted to either of them, since he was already an Alpha in his own right and had been for quite some time. He didn't have the most conventional pack, as his betas consisted of a ragtag bunch of humans, werewolves, a banshee, and whatever the hell Jackson was.
One thing that didn't escape Lydia's attention was that Scott was a tactile person. He was always placing his arms around someone’s shoulders, or casually holding their hand, or else touching his friends in some way. He was already close to Allison and Stiles, so it wasn’t surprising that he was affectionate with them.
But recently Lydia noticed that Scott started to extend that same closeness with Isaac and herself. It was as though he needed tangible proof that the four of them were unharmed and alive. After all the unbelievable shit they went through, she'd gladly give him that reassurance.
It took her a while to grow accustomed to it though. She recalled the first time Scott kissed her cheek. He'd done it out of gratitude, after she pointed out that he was failing math and offered to tutor him. She knew that he didn't think anything of the gesture, that to him it was as natural as breathing, but she found herself flinching from the contact.
He blinked at her, confused for a moment, then his eyes widened in shock, quickly followed by something akin to sympathy. Something between crap and shit escaped his lips as he stammered out an apology. She was aware that Scott wasn't too fond of Aiden, but also knew he would never really do anything to jeopardize her relationship with the former Alpha twin.
She laughed off Scott’s concern, surprising both of them. It wasn't as weird as it should've been, especially considering what happened the last time they kissed. It's fine, Scotty, she assured him. And whoa, where did that come from? When the hell did she start thinking of him as Scotty?
He just gave her a bemused smile, before gently squeezing her hand in thanks.
Lydia wondered about that later, calling him Scotty. While the nickname itself wasn't new, it was an unspoken rule within the pack that the only person who was allowed to use it was Stiles. And anyway, it kinda felt like she was addressing her kid brother. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that was who he was to her. She cared about him like a brother.
Now if someone were to ask Lydia Martin how she'd describe Scott McCall, she would've been able to answer that person with three simple words: as brother, protector, and leader.