Who Did Damon Fall In Love With? Unpacking The Salvatore Brother's Epic Romances

From the moment he came back to Mystic Falls, Damon's main goal was actually to bring back Katherine Pierce, a vampire from his past. Yet, as the story moved along, his feelings began to shift, leading him down a very different road. This change, you know, was something truly remarkable to watch unfold on screen.

His romantic life was, in a way, a central thread that held a lot of the series together. It's almost like his personal growth was tied to who he gave his heart to. We're going to take a closer look at the key people who captured Damon's attention and, ultimately, his deep affection, seeing how these relationships played out.

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Table of Contents

• Damon Salvatore: A Quick Look
• The Early Days: Damon's Enduring Affection for Katherine Pierce
• A New Connection: The Rise of Delena
• When Did Damon's Feelings for Elena Begin?
• The Turning Point: Admitting His Love
• The Evolution of Their Romance
• Elena's Choice: Damon Over Stefan
• Other Significant Bonds: More Than Just Romance
• Rose: An Unexpected Connection
• Bonnie Bennett: A Different Kind of Feeling
• The Lasting Legacy of Damon's Loves
• Frequently Asked Questions About Damon's Love Life

Damon Salvatore: A Quick Look

Here's a quick summary of Damon Salvatore, a central figure in The Vampire Diaries, for those who might be just getting to know him or want a little refresher.

The Early Days: Damon's Enduring Affection for Katherine Pierce

When Damon Salvatore first made his return to Mystic Falls, his entire reason for being there, you know, was to bring back Katherine Pierce. He had fallen in love with her way back in 1864, when he was still a human. His devotion to her was, arguably, incredibly strong for a very, very long time.

For 145 years, Damon's love for Katherine didn't fade one bit. He carried that feeling, that hope of reuniting with her, for a truly astonishing amount of time. It was, in a way, a defining part of his existence.

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However, that deep affection started to lessen once he realized that she was no longer in the tomb where he thought she was. This realization, you see, was a big moment for him. After that, his love for Katherine slowly began to diminish, opening up space for other connections.

It was after this point that he began to pursue a romance with someone new. This shift marked a significant turning point for his character, setting him on a different path from the one he had envisioned for himself for so many years. So, in some respects, Katherine was his first big love, but not his only one.

A New Connection: The Rise of Delena

Damon and Elena, often called Delena by fans, formed the beating heart of The Vampire Diaries for a lot of people. Their story, you know, became a truly epic romance that spanned across many seasons. While the show started with Elena and Stefan, it wasn't until Elena and Damon, Stefan's brother, fell in love that things took a very, very intense turn.

When Did Damon's Feelings for Elena Begin?

Although there were many cute and flirty Delena moments even in season 1 itself, I would say Damon probably started to fall in love with Elena in the season 1 finale. He thanks Elena in that episode, and that moment, you know, seemed to mark a real start to his deeper feelings for her.

As the series went on, Damon and Elena grew closer, especially when Stefan fell into Klaus's clutches. This time, you know, allowed their bond to strengthen in a significant way. Elena eventually fell in love with him too, which was a pretty big deal.

My theory is that Elena was in the process of falling in love with Damon and out of love with Stefan when she had to make the choice on the bridge. At that point, she was still in love with Stefan, but her feelings for Damon were, in a way, growing stronger and stronger.

The Turning Point: Admitting His Love

Damon admitted his love for Elena in The Vampire Diaries season 2, episode 8, an episode called "Rose." He returned Elena's vervain necklace to her in that moment. Before handing the necklace over, he spoke from his heart.

He told her that he loved her, but also that he didn't deserve her. He added that Stefan did. This admission, you know, was a huge moment for his character. He then compelled her to forget it, which was a very, very Damon thing to do at the time.

This scene, you see, is often considered one of the most powerful and memorable moments in their entire romance. It showed just how much he cared for her, even if he felt he wasn't good enough for her. It was, in a way, a selfless act.

The Evolution of Their Romance

Damon and Elena eventually gave way to their love and had a passionate, memorable sleepover. This was, you know, a very important turning point in their romance. It truly set the tone for the remainder of the series, showing that their connection was something real and powerful.

After many seasons of angst and mutual pining, Damon and Elena got to be in a relationship without the weight of betrayal hanging over them. They did not know that Stefan was, in some respects, making sacrifices for them. Their relationship, however, was allowed to flourish.

Elena was in love with Damon by then, but not just because of the reasons the writers tried to force us to accept. It was entirely another dynamic, and not just the "true love" idea that they tried to make of it. Their connection was, arguably, more complex and layered than that.

Their romance was heavily impacted by various events and choices throughout the series. It was a journey with its ups and downs, but their bond, you know, consistently proved to be incredibly strong. Damon's feelings for Elena are, in a way, unparalleled when it comes to love.

Elena's Choice: Damon Over Stefan

Elena ultimately chose Damon over Stefan in The Vampire Diaries, revealing a love story that spanned across seasons. This choice, you know, was a very big moment for the show's fans. It confirmed that her heart truly belonged to Damon.

Elena eventually falls in love with Damon after turning into a vampire, even though she had first chosen Stefan. In the following episode, "My Brother's Keeper," Elena tells Damon he is the reason she and Stefan broke up. At the end of that episode, Damon and Elena finally have sex, solidifying their relationship in a very, very physical way.

Their love story, you see, became the central romantic focus of the series. It was a partnership built on passion, understanding, and a willingness to accept each other for who they truly were. This decision, in a way, changed the course of the entire show.

Other Significant Bonds: More Than Just Romance

On The Vampire Diaries, Damon Salvatore had six love interests before finally getting the girl of his dreams, Elena Gilbert. While Elena was his ultimate love, other people also played a part in his emotional journey, showing different sides of him. So, in some respects, his heart had room for other important connections too.

Rose: An Unexpected Connection

Rose was a vampire who Damon had a brief sexual relationship with. She acknowledged that Damon loves Elena, but willingly shared a moment with him. This connection, you know, was a bit unexpected for many viewers.

Damon ended up becoming best friends with her. After she was bitten by Jules, Damon stayed with her, showing a truly compassionate side. This friendship, in a way, was very meaningful for him, even if it wasn't a long-term romance.

Her presence in his life, you see, helped him to open up and show more of his true self. She saw the good in him, and that was, arguably, very important for his character's development. It was a bond that went beyond just physical attraction.

Bonnie Bennett: A Different Kind of Feeling

Damon and Bonnie had feelings for each other in the books, which is something many fans of the original series remember. There are moments describing an intense connection between the two in the books, many of them sexual. This is, you know, a bit different from the show's portrayal.

In the show, their relationship developed into a very, very deep friendship. They went through a lot together, especially when they were trapped in the 1994 prison world. This shared experience, you see, forged an incredibly strong bond between them.

While their connection on screen didn't become a full-blown romance, their friendship was, in a way, one of the most beloved relationships in the entire series. It showed that Damon could form powerful, lasting bonds that weren't always romantic. So, in some respects, their connection was just as impactful.

The Lasting Legacy of Damon's Loves

Damon and Elena have the most epic romance in The Vampire Diaries, and it is fun to revisit when Damon and Elena first get together and fall in love in the fantasy series. Their story, you know, is one that continues to resonate with fans years after the show has ended. It's a testament to the power of their connection.

A Vampire Diaries meme that proudly tells women their "attraction to toxic men began when they picked Damon over Stefan" is often spotted doing the rounds on social media. This shows, you see, just how much Damon's character and his romantic choices continue to be discussed and debated by fans.

Ultimately, while Damon had several significant connections, his love for Elena Gilbert became the central, defining romance of his long life. It was a journey that transformed him, showing that even a seemingly dark character could find true, enduring affection. So, in a way, his love story with Elena is what many people remember most.

His romantic path, you know, was full of twists and turns, but it ultimately led him to a place of deep happiness and fulfillment. It's a story that highlights growth, change, and the very, very powerful nature of love. You can learn more about The Vampire Diaries on our site, and you might also enjoy reading about other iconic TV romances.

Frequently Asked Questions About Damon's Love Life

Here are some common questions people ask about Damon's love life in The Vampire Diaries.

Did Damon ever truly love Katherine?

Yes, Damon truly loved Katherine Pierce for a very, very long time. He spent 145 years trying to bring her back, believing she was trapped. His initial return to Mystic Falls was solely for her. However, his feelings for her began to diminish once he realized she was not in the tomb and after he started to develop a connection with Elena. So, in some respects, his love for her was real, but it changed over time.

When did Elena realize she was in love with Damon?

Elena's feelings for Damon grew over time, especially when Stefan was with Klaus. She eventually fell in love with him, too. It's argued that she was already in the process of falling for him when she had to make the choice on the bridge between the brothers. After she turned into a vampire, she eventually chose Damon over Stefan, telling him he was the reason she and Stefan broke up. This was, you know, a very clear indication of her deep feelings.

Who was Damon's first love interest in the series?

Damon's first major love interest shown in the series, and the one he was obsessed with for a long time, was Katherine Pierce. He had fallen in love with her in 1864, before he became a vampire. His initial goal in the show was, you know, to free her from the tomb, which showed the depth of his feelings for her. She was the one who initially held his heart for centuries.