While many fans probably envisioned Scott and Malia initially ending up with other people, Teen Wolf has provided a natural path for these two to be together.
Scott has had several loves in his lifetime. First it was Allison, with whom he had a whirlwind romance. They were star-crossed lovers, the hunter and the hunted, and their relationship caused major problems and showed both sides of the conflict that there could be another way. The two decided to break up and remain friends, though Allison’s time on this Earth was tragically cut short.
Next, Scott met Kira. It was a different kind of romance, a comfortable and gentle one, though still as interesting and passionate. Scott and Kira’s relationship was marked with awkward interaction after awkward interaction, but it worked for them. Kira’s powers, however, had other ideas. The kitsune living inside her became too powerful and she had to leave or find herself becoming the monster.
After Kira’s departure, Scott settled more firmly into his role as leader of his pack, truly taking Liam under his wing and preparing the beta for when his Alpha would be leaving Beacon Hills and handing over the responsibility of the town. He didn’t need to find another love. In fact, if Teen Wolf had decided to keep Scott single, I wouldn’t have had a problem with it.
The same goes for Malia. We’ve only ever seen her with Stiles, a relationship that shared some similarities with Scott and Allison’s. Their romance was also bright and energetic. Malia’s dominate, passionate side was on full display, something that Stiles definitely didn’t mind. Malia’s wild nature meant that the two were rolling around in the sheets more often than even Stiles expected.
Once the two parted ways, there were no hard feelings there. Malia’s single status wasn’t something that appeared to bother her (though she was looking for some French men in the season 6B opener). Again, if she had finished out the series without being in another relationship, it wouldn’t have felt like there was something missing. Both Scott and Malia’s characters are interesting and strong enough on their own.
But together, they’re even greater.
Scott and Malia have quickly grown close throughout the last couple of seasons. Once Malia was inducted into the pack, she fought her natural instincts to run, and instead stayed to fight alongside her friends. At first that extended solely to Stiles, but it eventually encapsulated everyone, especially Scott, whom she saw as her fearless pack leader.
Malia’s defense of her Alpha never appeared to be because she had underlying feelings for him, but the bond between an Alpha and his pack is so strong that it’s not surprising feelings have developed. These two have been through so much together, especially during the first half of season 6, where the two of them fought fang and claw against the Ghost Riders.
During the second half of season 6, we saw those feelings become more obvious. At first it was a continued closeness, something that could be described as a genuinely deep friendship. Then it began to move beyond that. Malia became awkward around Scott, unsure of what her new feelings toward him would mean for them. Scott began to look at her in a different light. It was all furtive glances and secret smiles.
It culminated in a kiss, initiated by Malia. And while it came after a close encounter with death, those feelings had been apparent to both of them for a while. This was just the catalyst they needed.
In this week’s episode, Malia and Scott shared a steamy shower scene. The reason for the shower was, initially, practical — Scott was covered in blood and needed to clean up. Malia, in her forthright way, didn’t turn away to let him undress (“You’ve seen me naked,” she argues.) and decided to join him.
What struck me about this scene was that the moment, while passionate, was also gentle and caring. It was sexy as hell, but this relationship feels different from all the ones they’ve had before. In every instance — Allison, Kira, Stiles — an initial attraction was felt before a true friendship was developed. That doesn’t discount those relationships in any way, but it does show that Scott and Malia’s foundation as friends has led to an organic kind of love that not only makes sense but feels completely right.
In every show, there will be ships you love and ships you hate. Teen Wolf is no different, and each ship has its own proponents and detractors. I’ve always found, however, that the show has handled its romance with care, never relying on love triangles to create conflict and making sure that the characters often remain friends even after they’ve broken up.
Whether you’ve envisioned Malia with Stiles or Scott with Kira (or each with someone else entirely), it’s clear the show wants Scott and Malia to be endgame. Even if that isn’t your perfect pairing (I ship everyone with happiness, to be honest), I don’t think it’s hardest to see the onscreen chemistry between these two actors. I’m happy that Scott may have found someone who not only understands the life he leads as a werewolf, but who has been with him through some of the darkest times of his life.