Julie also added that while season 3 will explore the new Damon and Elena dynamic, it won't be easy for Damon. He's still learning to deal with his humanity and he won't always know how to deal with it

Here's what we can tell you: yes, it's a happy (and dare we say, flirtatious!) moment between Damon and Elena, despite her scowl in the photo. As always, though, things are plus complicated than they seem.

"[S]eason three is gonna be about exploring what it means to her, what it means to Damon, and certainly what it means to the Damon-Elena-Stefan relationship," a dit Plec...

The Good #3: Damon’s Declaration of l’amour After saving her from being kidnapped, Damon poured his cœur, coeur out to Elena in a beautiful speech about how much he loves her before compelling her to forget.

Damon to Elena in "Rose" on The Vampire Diaries

phoenix rising from the ashes analogy a lot but I think it applies to Damon and Elena individually and to their relationship. I think a lot of people don’t realize ou appreciate how constant Damon has actually been as a support to Elena.