The Vampire Diaries ended its last season on quite the dramatic note with Elena (Nina Dobrev) being stuck under a spell that linked her to Bonnie (Kat Graham).

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With that spell Bonnie gets to live in the present while Elena sleeps a long sleep until Bonnie dies. With Bonnie's death, Elena will wake from the spell.

Elena and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) had plans to grow old together in human form, but that obviously changed. Now Damon is left without the love of his life and he is torn up about how to move forward.

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TV Guide reported Thursday straight from executive producer Caroline Dries' mouth that Damon is not looking for any kind of romantic relationships. Damon needs time to cope.

"He is not ready to hook up; let's be clear about that!" Dries declared.

"He is drinking and having a wild time, but he is wildly affected by the loss of Elena," she explained of Damon's behavior since Elena was put under that spell, adding, "And even though Nina's gone and Elena is in a coma, Elena is still very much part of [the story]. She's in the ether. She's still in their lives."

Despite Dobrev's departure from the series, Dries said her character is still very much included in the storyline since Damon is "never going to not be about Elena, so this first chapter is life after Elena."

"He's trying to struggle with 'How do I do right by Elena and still be myself?'"

The series returns to The CW in the fall for season 7 on Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. ET.

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