Whether fans prefer them as best friends or root for them as a couple, Damon and Bonnie have one of the most well-developed relationships in The Vampire Diaries. They hold a disdain for each other for several seasons, and it seems as though they'll never be anything more than begrudging allies.
It isn't until season 6 that Damon and Bonnie finally make the transition from enemies to friends in The Vampire Diaries. The two develop an unconditional love for each other, and there are a handful of crucial moments that summarize their relationship.
Bonnie Disapproves Of Caroline And Damon's Relationship
Bonnie formulates her own opinion of Damon long before they're officially introduced. She isn't his biggest fan, and no one can blame her for disliking him. At the beginning of the series, Bonnie is one of the only people who looks out for Caroline's best interest and can't stand to see her be mistreated.
Damon objectifies Caroline and acts as if she exists for his own amusement, and feeding off her is one of the worst things he's done in The Vampire Diaries. The hostility that exists between Damon and Bonnie is present from the beginning, and it marks the start of their rocky relationship.
Damon Tries To Take Back His Talisman From Bonnie
Damon and Bonnie's first real conversation goes as well as can be expected. Bonnie lets Damon know how she feels about him and proves her loyalty to Caroline by refusing to give him his necklace back.
She dislikes Damon before she's even aware of his true nature, and Damon isn't a huge fan of hers in return. He's used to getting what he wants, but Bonnie's magic prevents him from taking it. Out of all the characters in season 1, she's Damon's most powerful opponent.
Bonnie Tries To Kill Damon
No matter how beloved Damon is by fans, he is a killer, at the end of the day. His presence is necessary to keep the show entertaining, but Bonnie isn't wrong for wanting him gone. Damon is responsible for the death of several innocent people, and by allowing him to live, Bonnie is putting others' lives at risk.
Additionally, Damon was only seconds away from killing Caroline, so it's hard to deny that Bonnie's actions are justified. Elena does convince her to let Damon go, but Bonnie only does it to preserve her own sense of self.
Damon And Bonnie Work Together To Save Elena
Their romance is one of many book elements that don't exist in The Vampire Diaries show, but the possibility for more is present from season 2 onwards. Bonnie and Damon are forced to work together as the supernatural threats become more dangerous, making them begrudging allies.
Time creates affection, and while they still don't consider each other friends, it's clear that some semblance of care has formed. It's made even more obvious when Damon and Bonnie team up to save Elena, and he expresses concern about her safety.
Damon Refuses To Leave Bonnie Behind On The Island
Damon and Bonnie aren't outwardly showing their affection by the time The Vampire Diaries season 4 rolls around, but Elena is able to read between the lines. She tells Matt that Damon "kind of loves" Bonnie, which is made apparent by his actions in the episode.
He stays on the island to find her, and while it's partially because Bonnie is Elena's best friend, she's come to mean something to him as well. Their hug is one of the most meaningful moments of the season, as it signifies a genuine shift in their dynamic.
Damon And Bonnie Bond In The Prison World
Damon and Bonnie's time together in the prison world is one of the best storylines in The Vampire Diaries. Their stubbornness prevents them from becoming real friends, which is why the "forced proximity" trope is a genius move on the show's part.
As the only two people on the planet, Damon and Bonnie have no choice but to open up to one another. They're forced to let go of their pride and genuinely begin to enjoy each other's company. Bonnie comes to care about Damon more than herself, and it's made apparent when she sends him home and stays trapped with Kai.
Damon And Bonnie Reunite
From the pancakes to the hug, everything about Damon and Bonnie's reunion is perfect. Damon easily overtakes Elena as Bonnie's best friend in The Vampire Diaries, and this scene further exemplifies it. Bonnie spends months away from the people she cares about, yet Damon is the first person she looks for after her return.
From this point on Bonnie and Damon choose to spend time together and appear immaculately grateful for the other's friendship. It takes extreme circumstances to get them here, but Damon and Bonnie's bond becomes irrefutable to them both.
Damon Chooses Bonnie Over Elena
Whether it's in a platonic or romantic regard, Bonnie and Damon are soulmates in The Vampire Diaries. There's a time during season 2 when Damon admits he'll gladly let Bonnie die to save Elena, which is what makes his choice here so significant.
By allowing Elena to spend decades trapped in a supernatural coma, Damon gives Bonnie the chance to live her life. For the first time in the series, he prioritizes Bonnie over Elena's well-being. Given their antagonistic start, Damon and Bonnie's evolution comes as a shock.
Damon Desiccates And Abandons Bonnie
Damon is known for his selfishness, so it's no surprise that he takes the easy way out. By choosing to desiccate until Elena wakes up, he's simultaneously choosing to sleep through Bonnie's life. Elena can't wake up until Bonnie dies, which means Damon never intends to see Bonnie again.
Although it might not have changed anything, Damon severely underestimates how much Bonnie cares about him when he makes his decision. He isn't used to being so important to so many people, and while Bonnie's anger is expected, her heartbreak comes as a surprise.
Damon Earns Bonnie's Forgiveness
Earning Bonnie's forgiveness isn't easy, but it only goes to show how important Damon is to her. Damon is miserable without his best friend, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to get Bonnie back.
The two go through a lot during the final few seasons, and there are times when it seems their relationship will never recover. Yet, when Bonnie becomes the huntress and tries to kill Damon, he makes sure she knows how much he loves and admires her. Despite the speedbumps that follow, Damon and Bonnie end the series as best friends.