The Vampire Diaries‘ Ian Somerhalder talks about what it means for Damon to lose Alaric, and how Elena is changing him.

On The Vampire Diaries right now, Damon is having to accept that Elena has chosen Stefan, at least for now. But there’s still some sexy blood sharing action going on, and we expect that Damon will definitely factor into Elena’s future.

Speaking to TV Fanatic, Somerhalder says that while Damon has bad intentions, “he had them for righteous reasons. He believes in what he’s doing and he enjoys it so much… whether he’s ripping your throat out or saving a kitten from a tree, Damon has that same smile on his face. It’s sadistic but true.” But there may be some salvation, because, “the only person he isn’t that way around is Elena.”

On losing Alaric, Somerhalder says that it, “signifies something bigger, it raises much bigger questions in Damon’s world. He wonders: ‘Why are you dead? What did I do to contribute to it?'”

He also reveals what Damon wants, underneath all the facades and games he plays, saying, “If you look at why Damon came back to Mystic Falls, it was for love. Even being a sort of maniacal kind of killer at times, he wants what we all want: to be loved.”

The Vampire Diaries returns next Thursday at 8/7c on The CW.