How's everyone doing? Odds are you still have yet to fully recover from the sob-inducing Vampire Diaries Season 6 finale, which brought the story of Elena Gilbert to a devastating close. (Well, at least for the next 60 or 70 years.) So now that our former leading lady is off taking the world's longest nap — something that I'm kinda super jealous about BTW — it's only natural to start thinking about what Damon's love life will be like on TVD in this post-Elena world. I mean, obviously it's way to soon to see him immediately jump into another relationship. It would be a huge upset and disservice to the entire Delena community. (In fact, I'm not sure if it's something I'll ever be ready for, honestly.) But I'd also be naive to think that the writers intend on keeping their most swoon-worthy character single for the rest of the series, which means it's only a matter of time until a new lady love comes into his life.
During a recently interview with TVLine, executive producer Caroline Dries teased a little about Damon's newly single status and admitted that it's way too early to think about pairing him with someone else… at least for now. "He is still so madly in love with [Elena]. It would feel false for him to meet someone else and have sparks and fall in love," Dries remarked. "It’s not something we’re going to jump into as writers right away. He’s got to be with himself for a bit." And while that sentiment is definitely reassuring, I know deep down the clock is ticking and a new romantic tryst will eventually rear its head in Damon's direction. However, if/when it does, I can only hope that these TVD characters remain strictly in the friend zone.
Caroline
Caroline is great. In fact, she's one of my favorite Mystic Falls characters. But seeing the Salvatore brothers fight over her would be way too reminiscent of the whole Elena love triangle. Plus, we're already seen these two together in Season 1 and it didn't end very well. Sorry, Damon, but if she's not going to be with Stefan, then she better damn well head over to New Orleans to be with Klaus. (#TeamKlarolineForever)
Bonnie
I know there is a massive Bamon fan base out there that would love to see these two finally get together. But I'm just so in love with their friendship that I don't really want to see it blossom into something more. Damon has so few genuine friends out there, aside from his brother. I'd hate for things to get potentially ruined if their relationship took a romantic turn. Plus, it is possible for guys and girls to be just friends. (Look at OTH's Lucas and Hayley.) These two already have a special bond with one another. So if it were up to me, I'd leave it exactly as it is.
Lily
I mean, duh. It's his mother and that would obviously be all sorts of disturbing. (This isn't Game of Thrones.)
Rebekah
Granted, I'm all for getting Claire Holt back on the show in any way possible, but I'd much rather see Rebekah reignite her spark with Matt over Damon. Don't me wrong, they have great chemistry together and their bickering is always highly entertaining. But when it comes to matters of the heart, I think these two should stay on their separate paths. Plus, Matt could really use a win these days.
I guess what I'm basically trying to say here is that Damon should not be dating anyone that isn't Elena. But if it absolutely has to happen, it should be with a new character we have yet to meet. There's just too much history and baggage with our already existing female characters. It would be as though they were betraying Elena, who's not even dead, but just asleep. Delena's epic love deserves better than that. And so do we.
Images: Annette Brown/The CW; huligriwl/Tumblr; eternalbamon/Tumblr; domesticdelena/Tumblr; Giphy
