Damon and Elena's love story in The Vampire Diaries was truly unforgettable. However, for some fans, the exact moment of their first kiss may have slipped from memory. Throughout the series, Damon and Elena's connection grew stronger, even as she found herself torn between Damon and his brother Stefan. In the end, Damon won Elena's heart and became her eternal suitor, leaving a lasting impact on the show's conclusion. Countless significant episodes centered around their romance, from their highly anticipated first kiss to other noteworthy romantic milestones. Their story was so powerful and encompassed numerous iconic moments that it is nearly impossible to pinpoint just one. But their first kiss was only the beginning, as their love story unfolded over the years, leading to a heartwarming conclusion when the series finally came to an end.
15 First Trip Together - "Bloodlines" (Season 1, Episode 11)
Damon emerged as the primary antagonist throughout the initial half of season 1. However, in "Bloodlines," viewers were finally exposed to a different facet of his character. After rescuing Elena from a vehicular mishap, Damon transported her to Georgia with the intention of diverting her thoughts from the accident and her resemblance to Katherine. During their time there, Damon held onto Elena's vervain necklace and made a promise not to manipulate her if she accompanied him.
This marked the first instance of true trust between the two. Despite Damon's past actions, Elena chose to believe in him, and he remained true to his word, resulting in a significant connection between them. Furthermore, this event marked the commencement of the love triangle that held sway over the early stages of the series.
14 First Dance - "Miss Mystic Falls " (Season 1, Episode 19)
The undeniable chemistry between Elena and Damon was first revealed in season 1's "Miss Mystic Falls" episode. Stefan's absence at the Miss Mystic Falls pageant due to his uncontrollable bloodlust led Damon to step in and escort Elena instead. Their first dance together became a defining moment for the couple, as they couldn't help but keep their eyes locked on each other, showcasing their intense connection. This pivotal scene cemented their status as the favored couple in the eyes of many fans. Although there were subsequent dances on The Vampire Diaries, this particular moment remained a beloved fan favorite for Damon and Elena.
13 Damon Compels Elena - "Rose" (Season 2, Episode 8)
In Season 2, "Rose" played a crucial role in the Delena storyline. Damon, in an act of vulnerability, confessed his love for his brother's girlfriend upon returning her vervain necklace. However, he subsequently erased the memory of his declaration. This moment marked one of Damon's earliest selfless acts in the series, as he acknowledged Elena's pure heart and realized that his brother was more deserving of her love. Unable to be selfish with her, Damon's selflessness set the stage for their future together in the series.
12 First Kiss - "As I Lay Dying" (Season 2, Episode 22)
Damon initially arrived in Mystic Falls as Stefan's older, darker brother. Throughout season 1, the villainous vampire formed an unlikely friendship with Elena, which led to the elder Salvatore falling in love with his brother's girlfriend. When do Damon and Elena kiss? Elena tentatively kissed Damon for the first time while the vampire was dying from a werewolf bite. The pair didn't share another passionate moment until season 3's "The New Deal," when Damon shamelessly confessed his feelings for Elena once more. This was more than just about acknowledging their connection; it was possibly a way of saying goodbye. While Damon didn't meet his demise, this was a pivotal moment where the two realized there was something deeper that bound them together.
11 Building Trust - "The Birthday" (Season 3, Episode 1)
Stefan's decision to accompany Klaus in order to save his brother caused Elena to be left alone with Damon for several months. Although she remained committed to Stefan and refrained from starting a romantic relationship with Damon during this period, it significantly impacted their bond and affected their future. "The Birthday" episode showcased their quality time spent together, fostering trust between them. Damon returned her cherished vervain necklace, symbolizing their connection, and supported her through the challenging experiences they faced. Without these few months, their relationship might have never evolved into what it became. While they did not become a couple during this time, the undeniable sexual tension between them created anticipation among fans, urging them to progress to the next stage.
10 Motel Make-Out - "Heart Of Darkness" (Season 3, Episode 19)
Elena's ambivalence towards her feelings for Damon lingered throughout season 3. In the episode "Heart Of Darkness," as they embarked on a road trip to Denver, the doppelgänger succumbed to her desires and engaged in a passionate make-out session with the older Salvatore brother on a motel balcony. The undeniable chemistry between Damon and Elena continued to escalate as they tirelessly sought to uncover the source of the Salvatore bloodline. Although their heated lip-lock was bound to happen, their journey towards a blissful union remained tumultuous. It was a pivotal moment where Elena took the initiative, leaving Damon to contemplate his role as the enigmatic bad boy in the series.
9 Elena Met Damon First - "The Departed" (Season 3, Episode 22)
Elena devastated Delena fans worldwide in the climactic season 3 finale as she finally made her fateful decision between the Salvatore brothers. Caught between them, Elena ultimately opted to reunite with Stefan, confessing to Damon that their destinies might have been altered had their paths crossed earlier. Little did Elena or the audience know, she had indeed encountered the older Salvatore first. A flashback unveiled Damon and Elena's initial encounter preceding Stefan's arrival in town, a defining moment when Damon compelled her to erase the memory. This episode marked a pivotal juncture, illuminating the fact that Damon and Elena's connection predates her awareness.
8 Vampire Training - "The Five" (Season 4, Episode 4)
Elena's transformation into a vampire completely altered the dynamics of the series, particularly her relationships with the Salvatore brothers. While Stefan's suggestions tended to backfire, Damon always seemed to have the right answers for the reluctant vampire. In "The Five," Damon took Elena to a party where they both indulged in various vampire pleasures. As Elena fed on a human, there was an undeniable connection between her and Damon, partly attributed to the sire bond. This event was significant for their relationship and marked a turning point in Season 4.
7 Sleeping Together For The First Time - "My Brother's Keeper" (Season 4, Episode 7)
Elena's dynamic with Damon underwent a significant shift in season 4 as she transformed into a vampire. Growing closer to Damon, her connection with Stefan began to wane. Finally, in the episode "My Brother's Keeper," their deepening emotions reached a tipping point as they gave in to their passion and shared a profound moment together. Delena fans eagerly anticipated this monumental event. However, their newfound relationship faced an immediate challenge when the Mystic Falls group uncovered that Elena was bound to the older Salvatore brother. This revelation marked a turning point, solidifying Damon and Elena as a genuine couple and leaving Stefan in the past as far as their love story was concerned.
6 Elena Chooses Damon - "Graduation" (Season 4, Episode 23)
Multiple obstacles arose in season 4, threatening to separate Damon and Elena. The revelation of the sire bond cast doubt on the authenticity of Elena's feelings, while the tragic loss of her brother Jeremy caused her to descend into a dark spiral, momentarily losing her humanity as a new vampire. Despite Damon expecting Elena to return to Stefan, much to the satisfaction of Delena shippers, she stood firm in her belief that her love for Damon was genuine. They reconciled, providing a stark contrast to the conclusion of season 3 where Elena had chosen Stefan over Damon. This long-awaited development fulfilled the desires of fans who had been eagerly anticipating it throughout four seasons. Elena made the right choice, even though, unfortunately, it did not endure.
5 Til Death Do Us Part - "Home" (Season 5, Episode 22)
In the season 5 finale of "Home," Delena's journey took a heartbreaking turn. The vampires bravely faced the perilous Travelers, sacrificing themselves to protect others. However, when the Other Side disintegrated, only one of them managed to return from the clutches of death. In a soul-stirring moment within the ghostly realm, Damon and Elena experienced their own Bonnie and Clyde adventure by crashing their car into the Mystic Grill. Amidst this chaos, Damon poured out his heartfelt love for Elena, revealing his emotions in a gut-wrenching scene from The Vampire Diaries. Elena believed she had lost Damon forever in that moment, but his absence was short-lived as he eventually reappeared. Nevertheless, their love story would never be the same again upon his return.
4 Elena Tries To Remember Damon - "Do You Remember The First Time?" (Season 6, Episode 7)
The pain of Elena's loss of Damon became overwhelming in season 6. Overwhelmed by grief, Elena pleaded with Alaric to erase her memories of Damon, unaware that he would eventually return from Kai's prison world in 1994. In an attempt to jog Elena's memory of their relationship, Damon orchestrated a moment of passion in the rain during "Do You Remember The First Time?" However, the spell proved too potent and Elena only remembered Damon as a malevolent figure. It took time for her to regain trust in him and eventually recall their entire love story.
3 Damon Decides To Take The Cure With Elena - "I'd Leave My Happy Home For You" (Season 6, Episode 20)
In season 6's "I'd Leave My Happy Home For You," Elena and Damon took their relationship to a higher level. Elena expressed her longing to return to her human form, which forced Damon to confront the realities of their life as a couple if he were to take the cure too. Despite enjoying his vampire existence, Damon realized that his love for Elena outweighed everything else. While Elena took the cure, their plans were interrupted by Lily Salvatore before Damon had the chance to do the same. Throughout the remainder of the series, Damon and Elena defied all obstacles to be together, eventually finding their happily ever after in the series finale.
2 The Last Dance - "I'm Thinking Of You All The While" (Season 6, Episode 22)
Kai proved to be an incredibly troublesome antagonist when he cast a curse on Elena, forcing her into an eternal slumber as long as Bonnie lived. Despite the sacrifice of being separated from Elena for an extended period, Damon couldn't help but be discontented.
Nevertheless, the episode captured a bittersweet farewell between the two, as they danced reminiscent of their Miss Mystic Falls days, on the same road where their paths first crossed. It was a poignant moment, made even more significant by the departure of Nina Dobrev from Vampire Diaries to pursue other acting opportunities.
1 Together For Eternity - "I Was Feeling Epic" (Season 8, Episode 16)
In the highly anticipated series finale, fans were finally granted the long-awaited wish they had been yearning for since the conclusion of season 6. With Elena's return, the chance for her and Damon to reunite became a reality. While this moment in itself was truly extraordinary and fulfilled the desires of viewers, what truly solidified their bond was the glimpse into their ultimate life together. Over time, Elena and Damon found themselves happily married, basking in a long and joyous existence as partners. After their eventual passing, the series depicted their eternal togetherness in the afterlife, reuniting with their beloved friends. A poignant shot revealed a wedding ring adorning Damon's finger, symbolizing his selfless sacrifice of relinquishing his vampiric nature in order to be with the one he loved on Vampire Diaries.