u/psychoflowerchild

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It has driven me absolutely bonkers for years trying to remember what brand this soda is. It was my favorite growing up and I mourn it every day. I can still almost taste it... (not my picture, it's LITERALLY the only photo I could find of it)

These used to be my favorite candy in the world. I still have not recovered from losing them.

What does everyone think of Klonnie?

I'm a big fan personally and think they worked much better than he and Caroline ever did. They truly could've been the power couple to end them all.

So, this is going to be a bit of a monster of a post but it's something that's been on my mind for a while... and it's a topic I am quite passionate about. Damon in the books is an incredibly complex and beautiful character, whereas in the show, he falls flat for me. And I will explain why for anyone interested in reading this post, but this is really an appreciation post at its core.

(I did this instead of studying lol)

1. His Character Traits

Damon is over 500 years old in the books, and is much stronger than he is in the show. He has more powers as well. For example, he can transform into a crow and a wolf, manipulate the weather, and can even make people go to sleep whenever he wishes, even from a distance. Damon in the show did have some connection with a crow, but it was dropped for understandable reasons. It would've been interesting if they had kept that detail in the show though. He can also heal others, this shown in Dark Reunion, when he sends a surge of Power into Stefan to heal him from battle wounds. Also, Damon as well as all vampires are telepathic and can communicate with their minds.

Damon is a contemptuous, manipulative person. I love him, but he is. He is unapologetic about his actions, and is greatly driven by hedonism and self-gratification. He strives for power. However, he is also a much more loving brother towards Stefan and the novels make it clear that despite his best efforts to put up a front and pretend like he doesn't care (trauma response), he is often misunderstood by his younger brother and is vilified even in times when he truly is trying to be helpful. It can be argued that a lot of that is his own fault, because of the way he chooses to present himself, however it's also blatantly obvious that a lot of Damon's actions and blase image he clings to like a safety blanket are a defense mechanism.

2. His Trauma/How it Affected His Relationship with Stefan

This is the part of Damon's character that is the most similar between his book and show counterparts. We all know that Giuseppe was an abusive, unstable man. However, the exact details do veer off a fair amount in the show.

To start, Damon and Stefan were never close in the books the way they were in the show. They were greatly divided, according to Stefan, who thinks that Damon resents him because their mother died from after effects of giving birth to him. We find out pretty quickly it's not that simple. If there's anything we know about Damon in the books: "he never lies about anything important", and he never once chastises Stefan or blames him for their mother's death. Giuseppe was the one doing that if anyone. He was a child beater in the books as well as a man with an infamously short fuse. We know that because it is revealed that, much like in the show, Damon would take beatings for Stefan. To paraphrase a quote from the books: "Damon would say something snide to turn Giuseppe's temper onto himself and off of Stefan."

In fact, Damon never really provides a reason in the books about why he despises Stefan. Because he doesn't. Yes, Damon has a power complex and does toy with him a fair amount either by overpowering him or just being hostile and sarcastic, but he does not hate his younger brother, nor does he disrespect him as much as he does in the show. Damon loves Stefan. He just has no idea how to show it in a way Stefan ever understands. Yet again, a huge lapse in communication.

Stefan is not privy to Damon's better nature and unselfish, protective side, even though it mostly comes out when his younger brother is in danger. The problem with their relationship is they do not know how to communicate or reach each other in a vulnerable, personal way. They are very dysfunctional unless united by a common goal. When things get personal, Damon shies away and Stefan's pride gets the better of him. The love is there and it's obvious, even though it's mostly shown in how they can hurt each other, rather than embrace and connect. They don't know how to talk to each other and that can be blamed on how Giuseppe favored Stefan and resented Damon.

3. Damon's Romantic Interest

We all knew this was coming and most likely know about this already, but bear with me. This is where the show completely deviates from the source material. In the books, Damon's main romantic interest is not Elena, but Bonnie. He forms a protective, soulmate bond with her. Bonnie brings out his softer, more genuine side and he brings out her stronger, fiercer nature. It's a very beautiful relationship and it's so important for Damon's character, who is the best written in the novels in my opinion. Yes, he does have feelings for Elena, but they are not all romantic and definitely aren't really "love". He pretty much just feels for her out of jealousy for Stefan and wants to take Elena from him as a punishment. However with Bonnie, Damon gains feelings for her more naturally and he doesn't even know he loves her, because she's his first real human connection in over 500 years. He loves her and unselfishly wants to protect her, and respects her. The point of Book Bamon and why it's important for Damon's character is it really represents him falling in love with someone for himself, not to get back at Stefan or Giuseppe or anyone. It's Damon finally choosing something for himself and letting go of his anger, not letting it dictate his actions for once. And I really think that's beautiful.

I'll end this with a few book Bamon quotes:

“Take my word for it, brother, I can do better than that.” For just an instant Bonnie thought those dark eyes flicked sideways toward her."

"They weren't a centuries old hunter and a seventeen year old girl, sitting here at the edge of the world. They were just two people, Bonnie and Damon."

"And then the swelling thing burst. There was to Damon, a palpable if not audible crack as the stone encasing his soul burst open and a great piece fell away. With something inside him singing, he clutched Bonnie to him, feeling the wet towel through his raw silk shirt, and feeling…"

There are more, but I'll leave it here. This post is already super long. I really hope this was cohesive lol.

This is not an image of my cat fitting in a glass jar or bowl, but I wanted to show everyone my baby. 🩷🩷 😺 He is the love of my life.

Unedited photo

Chesnee, SC 🍓